Chapter 5

Xiaosheng had just changed into a clean set of clothes and returned to Su Zhong's side. Bai Er led him to find Xiaosheng.

"Xiaosheng, it's fine if you don't want to follow me, but you can't insult my brother. My brother is a genius, how can someone like you, a fool, compare to him?" Bai Er said smugly.

Su Zhong quietly watched Bai Er, knowing this guy was clearly stirring up trouble.

Xiaosheng's face turned red with anger, but he couldn't find the words to speak. Su Zhong inwardly shook his head, not because Xiaosheng was inarticulate, but because he couldn't see through the situation. Regardless of whether it was a conspiracy or an open move, the final word in this world was still strength. If someone came to challenge you, you just had to fight.

"Xiaosheng, is what my brother said true?" Bai Da's face was dark. He had good talent, received guidance, and trained hard. Among his peers at Fuyi Security Bureau, he was the best in martial arts. Hearing that someone had insulted him, he naturally came to teach the person a lesson.

However, seeing the other person's face turn red with anger and unable to speak, and looking at his brother's smug expression, he immediately knew that his brother must have stirred up trouble. But he didn't plan to discipline his brother in front of everyone. Whatever happened, they would talk about it behind closed doors. Even if Xiaosheng hadn't insulted him, he didn't plan to let him off.

Since Xiaosheng dared to conflict with his brother, it meant he didn't take him seriously. He needed to establish his authority through Xiaosheng, to show the other young people who was the boss.

"It's fine if you don't admit it. Just make your move. If you can beat me, I'll leave immediately. If you lose, I won't make it hard for you; just apologize to me in front of everyone." Bai Da looked magnanimous.

Not far away, Lin Zhenan nodded in approval. This Bai Da not only had good martial arts skills but also a sharp mind. Apologizing and admitting defeat might seem trivial, but it would severely damage one's reputation. Without reputation and authority, it would be hard to achieve anything in the future. This kind of tactic, like removing the firewood from under the pot, deeply pleased Lin Zhenan.

In the world of security, everything depended on reputation. With authority and connections, one could travel smoothly. This Bai Da, at such a young age, was already so astute; he would definitely be a good hand in the future.

Xiaosheng's face turned red, and he subconsciously glanced at Su Zhong under the big tree. Seeing his calm gaze, which hadn't wavered from the start, the委屈 and anger in his heart suddenly disappeared.

He stepped forward, bowed, and took a stance. He decided to fight directly. At this moment, he felt surprisingly calm.

Bai Da raised an eyebrow, surprised by Xiaosheng's decisiveness. But he wasn't a hesitant person. He took a stance and focused. He had never been afraid of anyone his age.

"Come on."

Hearing this, Xiaosheng didn't hesitate. He gathered his strength from the ground, stepped forward, and punched. He ignored everything else and aimed straight for Bai Da's chest. The sound of the punch was clear to everyone present.

"Good punch!" Cui Biaotou couldn't help but exclaim. He was skilled in boxing. Seeing Xiaosheng's straightforward punch, with its smooth and decisive force, he felt greatly pleased.

Bai Da's face changed. He had thought Xiaosheng's martial arts were nothing special, but his boxing skills were actually quite good. However, he wasn't afraid. He was very confident in his own skills.

He stepped back, but his fist moved forward strangely. This move was fast and urgent, and despite his body retreating, his punch was powerful.

Xiaosheng's punch missed Bai Da. He was about to punch again, but Bai Da's fist was already in front of him. If he insisted on punching, he would definitely be hit by Bai Da's fist before he could reach him.

Thinking of the boxing technique he had learned that morning, he shifted his feet, and his right arm moved outward naturally. The force flowed smoothly, and the forward punch immediately turned into a blocking force.

He deflected Bai Da's punch with a slap.

After two punches, Xiaosheng realized he could actually match Bai Da. His confidence grew. He didn't care how Bai Da punched; he just kept punching straight and blocking with his arm. One punch, one block, one attack, one defense, the two moves were used continuously, creating a seamless flow.

Bai Da was forced to retreat step by step. In his anxiety, his moves became chaotic. Xiaosheng seized the opportunity and slapped Bai Da's chest with his arm. Bai Da stumbled back a few steps and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Good!" Lin Zhenan was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected this quiet and honest young man to have such excellent skills.

He then led Cui and Chui Biaotou through the crowd to the training ground.

"Xiaosheng, your boxing skills are quite good," Lin Zhenan smiled and praised him. Turning to look at Bai Da, who was still on the ground, he said kindly, "Bai Da, your skills are also good. One defeat is not a big deal. In the security business, nothing is ever perfect. If we lose one job, do we stop eating?"

Bai Da's face showed embarrassment, but when he stood up, his eyes sparkled.

"That's right. If you lose, just fight back next time." Lin Zhenan was satisfied with Bai Da's reaction.

"Biaotou, you don't need to argue anymore. Both of them are good prospects." Lin Zhenan found the situation surprising. Originally, there was only Bai Da, and the two of them might have argued, even causing trouble. But now, with Xiaosheng's sudden emergence, the security bureau had two outstanding talents, and there was no need for conflict.

"Xiaosheng, do you want to learn boxing from me?" Cui Biaotou was impressed by Xiaosheng's boxing skills. He was already skilled in boxing, and if he could take Xiaosheng as a disciple, he could pass on his legacy.

Hearing Cui Biaotou's offer, Xiaosheng was delighted. But he suddenly remembered that his current opportunity was all due to the young master's guidance. He knew he wasn't the "good prospect" others saw.

His talent was only average. Thinking of the potential troubles ahead, Xiaosheng glanced at Su Zhong. His mind was made up.

Lin Zhenan noticed Xiaosheng's gaze and was surprised. He noticed that Xiaosheng had looked at his eldest son twice. One time could be a coincidence, but twice was not. What had his eldest son done?

"Cui Biaotou, I'm not talented enough and might disappoint you. So..." Xiaosheng didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew he was refusing.

Cui Biaotou's face turned sour. He hadn't expected that his public offer of discipleship would be rejected.

Bai Da also looked at Xiaosheng in surprise. He found this suddenly rising Xiaosheng completely incomprehensible. If his previous restraint was a strategy to surprise everyone, why refuse the offer of discipleship now that he had attracted attention? Wasn't this what most young people in the security bureau longed for?

"Xiaosheng, Cui Biaotou's boxing skills are excellent. Don't you want to consider it?" Lin Zhenan said, but his eyes never left Su Zhong. He felt this must have something to do with his eldest son.

Xiaosheng's lips moved, but he didn't know what to say.

Su Zhong knew it was time for him to step in. He was very satisfied with Xiaosheng's choice. This test subject was good.

"He will follow me and be my bodyguard." Su Zhong looked up at his adoptive father, who was staring at him, and made his request. He ignored the surprised and inquisitive looks from the crowd, jumped off the small stool, patted his bottom, and walked away.

Passing by Xiaosheng, who was standing there dumbfounded, he kicked his calf. "What are you standing there for? Go get me a stool. Let's go eat!" He walked away, ignoring Lin Zhenan's murderous gaze.

After the two of them walked away, Lin Zhenan gritted his teeth but smiled to himself. His eldest son was truly formidable, completely ignoring his father. He felt powerless and looked at his two subordinates with a bitter smile.

...

That night, in the room, Lin Zhenan recounted the day's events to Lady Lin. After finishing, he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful. "Xiaosheng is a good prospect for boxing. Now, assigning him to Yang as a playmate is a waste. I don't know what that boy is thinking. Isn't he just harming others?"

Lady Lin, annoyed by his gaze, rolled her eyes. "Want him? Go ask your son. He's your son too. Looking for a way through me won't work."

Su Zhong, who had just started to recognize characters, had been a burden on her for three years. Now that the burden was gone, she doted on her eldest son even more. If her son liked it, she would follow his wishes. As for Lin Zhenan's feelings, she would deal with them later.

Lin Zhenan was annoyed. Having a son meant he no longer needed a husband. He puffed on his pipe, then chuckled, confusing Lady Lin.

"What's wrong with you?"

Lin Zhenan tapped his pipe and chuckled. "You don't know, but today, our son's demeanor was quite like a big master. He even ignored me, and all the biaotou and tangzi were stunned."

Lady Lin rolled her eyes at her husband. Now that she found her son likable, she wondered why she hadn't before.

"You don't know, but today, Xiaosheng's performance was commendable. However, he kept looking at our son for cues. It's strange. Could there be some secret between them?" Lin Zhenan mused. Xiaosheng's sudden display of boxing talent, combined with his previously calm demeanor, seemed suspicious. A teenager, no matter how restrained, would never lack the desire to show off.

When he heard Cui Biaotou's offer of discipleship, the surprise in Xiaosheng's eyes was genuine. But why did he refuse? There was no other more skilled boxing master in the security bureau.

Hmm? Lin Zhenan suddenly frowned. Could Xiaosheng have another skilled boxing master?

Who could it be? He first thought Xiaosheng might be a spy from another force. But that didn't seem right. Xiaosheng was too quiet and couldn't hide his feelings. So, the boxing master might be in the security bureau.

Thinking of Xiaosheng's respectful attitude toward his son, he wondered if his son had taught Xiaosheng martial arts. The idea made him laugh. A three-year-old teaching someone martial arts? Ridiculous.

But a voice in his mind kept reminding him that this must have something to do with Su Zhong. As he thought, the quiet and serious face of his son from a young age flashed before his eyes, and a faint unease rose in his heart.

Could it really be him?!

...