The Bodyguard from Hell

Ning Xi watched Lin Xiao’s retreating figure, a glint of surprise in her eyes. She wasn’t self-absorbed, but she was well aware that her striking appearance had always been the center of attention for men. Yet, she had never encountered someone like Lin Xiao who seemed utterly indifferent to her allure, who left without a hint of reluctance. This prompted her to question her charm. Had she become less attractive? Why did Lin Xiao show no reaction at all?

Brushing off these thoughts, Ning Xi chose not to dwell on them. Even though Lin Xiao intrigued her, their meeting had been but a fleeting encounter, and future encounters were uncertain.

As Ning Xi pondered over her own charm, Lin Xiao, guided by the proprietress’ directions, finally arrived at the address scribbled on the note, 333 Maple Leaf Street.

It was an old, run-down residential complex.

The entire apartment building could be best described as dilapidated. The walls were streaked and patchy, and the ground uneven. Compared to the sparkling high-rises nearby, it stood out like a sore thumb.

Entering the building, Lin Xiao walked up to a four-story building and climbed the narrow staircase to the second floor.

Despite it being daytime, the corridor appeared gloomy. The once pristine walls had turned dark and were cluttered with all sorts of small advertisements, evidencing a lack of maintenance.

On the second floor, Lin Xiao stood before an old door, hesitant to knock. He gathered his thoughts for a few minutes, he took a deep breath, and finally knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” a soft, clear voice echoed in response, reaching Lin Xiao’s ears.

“Hello, is this Yuan Yong’s place? I’m his army comrade, Lin Xiao,” he replied.

Hearing Lin Xiao’s voice, the person inside remained silent for a moment before slowly opening the door, revealing a young face that was smooth as cream and radiated a delicate refinement. 

Despite Lin Xiao’s exceptional composure and extensive experience with various beauties, he found himself amazed by the sight before him.

This was a young girl no older than eighteen. She was exceptionally beautiful, with a grace and beauty akin to a celestial being. Her eyebrows were finely drawn, her eyes clear and sparkling. The aura she radiated was pure and otherworldly.

At that moment, she was donned in a loose, yellow casual outfit, coupled with knee-length shorts, exposing her slender and immaculate legs.

Lin Xiao recognized this young girl as Yuan Yong’s younger sister, Yuan Yu. When they served in the army together, Yuan Yong would often proudly show off photos of his beloved little sister. Back then, Lin Xiao would jokingly refer to himself as Yuan Yong’s future brother-in-law, prompting playful chases from Yuan Yong. Now, he finally had the chance to meet Yuan Yong’s sister, but sadly, Yuan Yong would never get to see her again. 

Thinking about it, Lin Xiao felt a twinge of sorrow, his gaze softening as he looked at Yuan Yu.

Owing his life to Yuan Yong, he saw Yuan Yu as his own sister from that moment on.

“Are you… are you truly my brother’s comrade?” Yuan Yu asked timidly, her eyes on Lin Xiao, ready to close the door should anything seem amiss.

Lin Xiao understood her apprehension. It was their first meeting after all. He pulled out a photograph from his pocket and handed it to her. “Take a look, I indeed served alongside Yuan Yong.”

Upon viewing the photo, Yuan Yu’s eyes welled up with tears that soon spilled over.

In the photograph, Lin Xiao and Yuan Yong were shoulder to shoulder, their faces beaming, seated amidst a field with a fluttering red flag in the background.

“Please come in.” With the photograph serving as irrefutable evidence, Yuan Yu no longer doubted Lin Xiao’s identity. Wiping the tears from her face, she shyly invited Lin Xiao in.

Entering the room, Lin Xiao noted its modest size and solemn setup. It housed only a few essential pieces of furniture, worn and raggedy but meticulously clean.

“Where is your mother? Isn’t she home?” Lin Xiao asked, not seeing anyone else in the house.

“My mother isn’t feeling well. She’s lying in her room, asleep,” Yuan Yu replied.

Lin Xiao nodded thoughtfully. He had initially found the sparse living conditions puzzling, given that Yuan Yong’s army salary, though not extravagant, wasn’t small either.

In the army, Yuan Yong had been notably frugal, saving all the money he could and sending it back home. Given this, one wouldn’t expect the living conditions at home to be so modest. But upon hearing that Yuan Yu’s mother was unwell, it all started to make sense.

“Is your mother’s illness serious? Why doesn’t she go to the hospital?” Lin Xiao inquired.

“This is an old ailment of my mother’s. We’ve been to the hospital, but…” Yuan Yu trailed off, a look of worry clouding her face as she shook her head without finishing her sentence.

“Is it a matter of money?” Lin Xiao asked, noticing her discomfort.

Yuan Yu nodded solemnly, “Yes, the hospital charges hundreds per day, and they can’t provide a cure, just basic care. So, I feel it’s best that I take care of her myself.”

“Didn’t you receive some money recently?” Lin Xiao asked, his brows furrowed slightly.

“We did,” Yuan Yu nodded, then with sudden realization, she asked, “Was that money sent by you?”

Lin Xiao confirmed, “Yes, Yuan Yong was my brother. Since he made the ultimate sacrifice, I now consider you my sister. You can come to me if you ever need anything. Your mother should be in the hospital for proper care as soon as possible. You can’t take care of her alone, her condition might worsen, and it’s affecting your studies as well.”

Hearing this, Yuan Yu was deeply touched. Since learning of her brother’s sacrifice, she had been living in sorrow, feeling as if her world had fallen apart. Lin Xiao’s words brought her a sense of protection she never thought she’d feel again.

However, despite the comfort of this newfound feeling, Yuan Yu, who had always been self-reliant, shook her head in refusal.

“It’s okay, I’m used to it. My mother’s monthly medical expenses are significant, and there are also everyday expenses at home. I’m in my senior year of high school and don’t have the time to work part-time. So, it’s better to save what little we have.”

“You don’t need to worry about money, I’ll handle that.” Lin Xiao asserted firmly, leaving no room for argument. “Your job right now is to concentrate on your studies and not be distracted by these issues.”

Though Lin Xiao’s attitude was domineering, Yuan Yu felt comforted rather than irritated.

“But–”

“No buts, it’s settled,” Lin Xiao cut her off. “I told you, Yuan Yong was my brother, you’re my sister now and I’m your brother. From now on you need to listen to me.”

Yuan Yu fell silent, looking at Lin Xiao’s determined face. She didn’t continue her objections but felt an overwhelming sense of security.

Regarding Lin Xiao’s relationship with her late brother, Yuan Yu had some understanding. His name would always pop up in the letters her brother used to send home, mentioned as his dear buddy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have opened the door to a stranger so easily before, especially since this neighborhood wasn’t known for its safety.

At that moment, Lin Xiao pulled out some money from his pocket and handed it to Yuan Yu.

“Here’s five thousand yuan for you to use. It’s getting late, I’ll leave now, and I’ll be back tomorrow to accompany your mother to the hospital.”

This was all the money Lin Xiao had left. After giving it to Yuan Yu, he only had a few hundred yuan remaining.

“I can’t accept this,” Yuan Yu said, quickly rejecting his offer.

“It’s fine, really. Don’t refuse it, I’m no stranger to you. I’ll be on my way now.” With that, he turned to leave the room before Yuan Yu could respond.

“Thank you, brother,” Yuan Yu murmured to herself, watching Lin Xiao’s retreating figure in a voice only she could hear.

After leaving the building, Lin Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had managed to meet Yuan Yong’s family. However, this also placed a heavy burden on his heart.

Whether it was Yuan Yong’s mother’s illness or Yuan Yu’s education, they both required money, the very thing that Lin Xiao lacked most right now.

Of course, if Lin Xiao didn’t have to keep his identity a secret, money wouldn’t be a problem. However, he had to hide his identity to protect Yuan Yong’s family, which complicated things.

Shaking his head, Lin Xiao decided not to dwell on it. He believed things would work out naturally, and he would find a way to earn money.

Unconsciously, he had been walking for about ten minutes. Lin Xiao was now close to the hotel where he had set up his room. As he was about to walk in, his expression shifted, and he looked ahead with a stern gaze.

More than ten burly men emerged from the roadside, blocking Lin Xiao’s path and glaring at him with fierce expressions.