"Mr. Wan, please have a seat."
Zhong Hongmei handed several signed documents to her secretary and motioned with her hand. Wan Yunting nodded gratefully and sat on a chair in front of the desk, his gaze openly appraising the woman before him.
Her appearance wasn't striking, but her features were beautiful, especially her sharp phoenix eyes. When she met his gaze, it felt like looking at an eagle, sharp and carrying a hint of ferocity.
Zhong Hongmei didn't mind Wan Yunting's direct scrutiny. She sat back down and said, "Mr. Pang introduced you. You're looking to hire some bodyguards. What level of bodyguards are you looking for, and how many?"
"Of course, the most capable bodyguards you have. About six of them," Wan Yunting said, looking directly at Zhong Hongmei. He held up a finger and smiled, "But I have one requirement: I must personally verify them to see if they meet my standards!"
This statement made Zhong Hongmei raise an eyebrow. Clearly, Pang Yuan hadn't mentioned this requirement to her. Pang Yuan had simply made an introduction, presenting Wan Yunting as an important client. However, Zhong Hongmei had just returned to Hua Du City to set up her company and didn't know Wan Yunting at all. She hadn't even browsed Douyin. Therefore, when Wan Yunting proposed to personally test her bodyguards, Zhong Hongmei felt a pang of displeasure, believing he was questioning her company's bodyguard capabilities.
But as he was an important client introduced by Pang Yuan, Zhong Hongmei patiently asked, "How would Mr. Wan like to verify our bodyguards' abilities?"
"It's very simple," Wan Yunting said, leaning back in his chair and smiling at Zhong Hongmei. "Spar with me. If I'm satisfied, that's fine. If not, then I'm sorry, but I'll have to seek someone else."
His words made the secretary standing next to Zhong Hongmei and Shi Qiang's expressions falter. It seemed this fellow had come to challenge them.
Zhong Hongmei's sharp phoenix eyes fixed on him, her tone turning cold. "Mr. Wan, if it weren't for Old Pang's introduction, I could have you carried out of here based on that remark alone!"
"Heh heh..." Wan Yunting chuckled at her words and then asked, "May I know your name?"
"My surname is Zhong."
"Manager Zhong, Mr. Pang mentioned you. He said you are very capable and have protected many important figures. It's precisely because of this that I've come to you," Wan Yunting said, looking at Zhong Hongmei with a gentle smile. "I know this request might offend you, but I have no choice. My enemies are too powerful, and I have to consider this issue very carefully. I hope you can understand. Of course, if you feel it's not feasible, I'll take my leave."
He stood up as he spoke. Zhong Hongmei's eyebrows shot up, and she asked, "Can you tell me who the target of protection is? Is it you, or your family?"
"Family," Wan Yunting replied, smiling at her. "I personally don't need protection!"
Zhong Hongmei looked directly at him. Wan Yunting met her gaze with a smile. After six seconds, Zhong Hongmei stood up and nodded. "Alright, I agree to your request. We'll select our six most capable bodyguards to spar with you. However, the prerequisite is that if you get injured, we are not responsible."
"Good." Wan Yunting nodded with a smile when she agreed.
"Come with me to the first floor." Zhong Hongmei's expression was impassive as she led the way out of her office. Shi Qiang shot Wan Yunting a cold glance, his attitude decidedly impolite. "This way, please."
Wan Yunting glanced at him, smiled, and followed Zhong Hongmei out. They proceeded directly to the training ground on the first floor. The more than thirty bodyguards training inside stopped upon seeing her.
Zhong Hongmei's sharp phoenix eyes swept over the bodyguards present. "Shi Qiang, Ah Zhao, Qi Kai, Xiao Gu, Zhen Zhou, Tang Linhao, step forward."
"Yes." The six individuals whose names were called jogged over and quickly lined up in front of Zhong Hongmei. Their swift response indicated they were all ex-soldiers.
Zhong Hongmei turned to Wan Yunting beside her and said, "Mr. Wan, these six are our company's senior bodyguards. They will spar with you."
"Alright." Wan Yunting nodded with a smile.
The six men standing before them, except for Shi Qiang, looked at each other, unaware of the situation.
Zhong Hongmei said, "Mr. Wan is a client. He wants to test your skills, so you must give your hundred percent. If you injure him, we are not responsible, understand?"
Shi Qiang and the other five shouted in unison, "Yes..."
Wan Yunting smiled, knowing his request had angered Zhong Hongmei. But he had no choice. He hadn't come to simply hire any bodyguards; the enemies he had to face were too formidable. Hence, he had to make this seemingly excessive request of Zhong Hongmei.
"Who wants to go first?" Wan Yunting stepped forward, facing Shi Qiang and the other five senior bodyguards of the company with a gentle smile.
"I will," Shi Qiang immediately stepped forward, glaring at Wan Yunting. He was eager to teach this arrogant young man a lesson and throw him out.
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. Xiao Zhao and the other five retreated, and the other bodyguards gathered to watch, curious to see the abilities of the man who dared to challenge their boss.
"Come on," Wan Yunting stood confidently, beckoning to Shi Qiang with a smile.
Although he wasn't being provocative, in the eyes of Shi Qiang and Zhong Hongmei, Wan Yunting's demeanor was a great challenge and a sign of disrespect.
Shi Qiang glanced at Zhong Hongmei, saw her impassive expression, and then turned back to Wan Yunting, his eyes blazing. "Mr. Wan, then don't blame me for not holding back."
"Mm, go all out," Wan Yunting replied with a smile.
"Hmph." Shi Qiang snorted in annoyance. He clenched his fists, his arm muscles instantly tightening, veins bulging. As he raised his eyes and roared, "Take this..."
Shi Qiang lunged forward, his clenched right fist moving with lightning speed, unceremoniously aiming for Wan Yunting's face. Seeing that he didn't dodge and the fist, as large as a sandbag, was about to strike his face, the surrounding bodyguards and Zhong Hongmei scoffed, "He's truly courting death..."
However, in the next second, Wan Yunting made no move to dodge. He raised his left hand and directly caught Shi Qiang's fist. Shi Qiang's expression immediately turned to shock, and the onlookers gasped in astonishment.
Shi Qiang's fist struck Wan Yunting's palm, but it didn't make him budge even half a step. Wan Yunting stood as stable as an old pine tree, his feet rooted to the floor, unshakable.
"Good strength," Wan Yunting said with a smile, then released Shi Qiang's fist. "Try again."
Shi Qiang immediately retreated a few steps, his eyes wide with disbelief as he looked at Wan Yunting. He had poured all his strength into that punch; if tested, it would have at least been six hundred jin. Yet, the other man had caught it so easily. The impact on his palm felt like hitting cotton, and the force was instantly diffused, making him feel incredulous.
"This guy..." Shi Qiang's gaze shifted, his expression turning serious. He no longer dared to underestimate this person as a mere arrogant fool.
Zhong Hongmei, observing from the side, frowned. She was well aware of Shi Qiang's strength and couldn't believe this young man could effortlessly block Shi Qiang's punch without being moved an inch. This indicated he was definitely a martial arts master, and Shi Qiang was not on his level.
"Let's test your speed," Wan Yunting maintained his gentle and polite smile as he spoke to Shi Qiang.
Shi Qiang's expression was solemn. He stared intently at Wan Yunting, rubbing his stomach where he had been hit. Wan Yunting had only gently pushed him away, not striking hard.
"Again..." Shi Qiang's eyes widened as he attacked from Wan Yunting's right. He unleashed the killing techniques he had trained in the special forces, with each punch and move targeting Wan Yunting's vital points.
This time, Wan Yunting didn't end the fight in one move. He wanted to test Shi Qiang's speed and reaction time, so he exchanged a few moves with him. Once he had a clear assessment, Wan Yunting didn't injure Shi Qiang but pushed him away forcefully. However, due to the immense strength, Shi Qiang, who was one meter seventy-eight tall and weighed one hundred seventy jin, was sent flying several meters back and was quickly helped up by the surrounding onlookers.
"That's enough," Wan Yunting smiled, signaling for the fight to stop. He turned to look at Zhong Hongmei, whose expression had also become serious. "If we were to classify martial arts, he has reached the late stage of Dark Strength. That's quite good."
Zhong Hongmei's sharp phoenix eyes gazed at the young man before her. He was definitely a master of Huajin or above in martial arts!
"Sister Hongmei, I can still fight," Shi Qiang said, his eyes glaring, clearly unwilling to give up and wanting to continue fighting Wan Yunting.
Zhong Hongmei's expression remained impassive. She raised her hand to stop him and then looked directly at Wan Yunting with her sharp phoenix eyes. "Mr. Wan, I'd like to spar with you!"