Chapter 77

Qiao Yunna hadn't expected it. She originally thought that Ding Hao didn't know her identity, and even if he did, he wouldn't think she would invite him to be her father's head guard or her bodyguard. In fact, the idea of being a head guard was something she made up on the spot.

After being attacked, Qiao Yunna thought about it for several days. When she learned that Liu Yiding and Ding Hao were acquainted, she had the idea of asking Ding Hao to be her bodyguard. For one, although she hadn't seen Ding Hao's skills firsthand, he had managed to repel the enemies that day, which was far better than the four special forces soldiers her father had arranged for her.

Moreover, Ding Hao was quite handsome, and one like him was worth more than a dozen others. She wouldn't cause a big stir when she went out shopping or anything.

To her surprise, Ding Hao flatly refused. What a strange young man!

"Then, Mr. Ding, please feel free to make any requests. You saved my life, and we must thank you properly."

"Actually, I haven't thought about it. It's not a big deal, so let's just forget it."

In his heart, Ding Hao was thinking, "Would you agree if I wanted to be the mayor? Or if I wanted a billion or two? Or if I wanted to marry you? Your family wouldn't agree, either."

Since they said they wanted to thank him properly, they must have already decided. I'd better not embarrass myself. Just get to the point, what benefits will I get?

Seeing Ding Hao say this, Qiao Yunna didn't bring it up again. The two sat in a café for a while, and then Qiao Yunna got up to leave. Before she left, she held Ding Hao's hand again: "Well, you have my number. If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

"Sure, Miss Qiao, take care."

"Am I that hard to get along with? You're leaving so soon!" Qiao Yunna suddenly glared at Ding Hao, a bit reproachfully.

"No, you misunderstood."

"Hypocrite, but today, whether you like it or not, you have to accompany me outside because I didn't bring a bodyguard!" Qiao Yunna's reason was very sufficient. She had just been attacked a few days ago, and now meeting Ding Hao, she indeed didn't have a large entourage. Not bringing a bodyguard was indeed unsafe.

"I'm happy to oblige. Where do you want to go?"

"Let's stroll around West Lake!"

Ding Hao sighed in relief. At least it wasn't shopping at a mall. Strolling around West Lake was better. But he was puzzled. West Lake is right next to your house, and you have a bunch of bodyguards at home. Why are you dragging me along? But since she asked, Ding Hao couldn't just run away.

The car quickly arrived at the edge of West Lake. The two got out on Beishan Road and prepared to walk along Bai Causeway. The scenic area was crowded with people. Although the weather was a bit hot, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of domestic and foreign tourists. Ding Hao walked alongside Qiao Yunna.

Most of the conversation was Qiao Yunna talking and asking questions. Ding Hao hadn't properly toured West Lake since he returned to Qianjiang. But compared to Qiao Yunna, he was relatively free, able to go out at midnight to enjoy the night view. Qiao Yunna couldn't do that, especially with only two people, this was a real stroll!

As they moved from one scene to another, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed. Qiao Yunna hadn't been this relaxed in a long time, so she was very happy. As she became happier, the stern and rigid air around her gradually dissipated, replaced by the vitality of a young girl.

Gradually, Ding Hao, who had been on edge, also relaxed and seriously accompanied Qiao Yunna around West Lake. But when they passed a restaurant, Ding Hao couldn't help but stop. A scene flashed through his mind.

A young couple with a four- or five-year-old boy was sitting by the window at Shanwai Shan Restaurant, enjoying a meal. The view outside was picturesque, and the tourists were entranced... The little boy was playfully blinking his big eyes, looking at his father and then his mother...

"Lele, is it good?" the mother asked.

"Good! I want to come here every day!"

"Ha ha, that's not possible. This isn't our place, and look at all the people waiting in line. If we came every day, we'd have to queue up every day!" the father reminded him.

"No problem, Lele will queue up every day, and when Mom and Dad get off work, they can come straight here to eat."

"That's not possible either. It's too expensive here. If we ate here every day, Mom and Dad would go bankrupt!" the mother patted the little boy's head and said.

The little boy fell into deep thought.

"Lele, what are you thinking about? Mom and Dad were just joking. You can come whenever you want. Lele?"

"Um?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking that when I grow up and make money, I'll buy this restaurant, and then I'll sit in this spot with Mom and Dad every day!"

"Ha ha! Good, Lele is so well-behaved and ambitious! Lele, you must work hard, and Mom and Dad will be waiting."

"Okay!" the boy nodded vigorously...

This was a childhood memory. If it weren't for coming back to Shanwai Shan, Ding Hao might not have remembered. Yes, back then, the three of us were so happy!

But now, although Shanwai Shan is still bustling, where are you, Mom and Dad? Lele has grown up. Although I can't buy Shanwai Shan yet, I can afford to eat here with you every day, Lele can pay...

"Ding Hao?" Qiao Yunna had wanted to ask if Ding Hao wanted to go up and eat something, but she noticed he was standing there in a daze. She quickly approached and whispered. But Ding Hao seemed not to hear, just staring blankly at a spot on the second floor!

"Ding Hao! Do you want to go up and eat something?" Qiao Yunna poked Ding Hao with her finger.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought!" Ding Hao snapped out of his reverie.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I just remembered something."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Not really..."

"Do you want to go up and eat something?"

"Never mind, I'm not hungry!"

"Are you sure you're okay?" Qiao Yunna was puzzled. Ding Hao had been quite talkative on the way, mostly just agreeing with her, but he was much more interesting than the bodyguards. Why was he so distracted just now? Does this Shanwai Shan have a story for him?

"Really, I'm fine!"

"Then why were you in a daze?"

"Remembered some childhood things."

"About your parents?"

Hearing this, Ding Hao realized he had spoken too quickly. He had told Liu Yiding that he was an orphan, but now he was remembering childhood things... Ding Hao looked up at Qiao Yunna, who had the expectant look of a seven- or eight-year-old girl listening to a bedtime story!

"When I was a child, we were poor and couldn't afford good food. I promised my parents that when I grew up, I would buy a restaurant so they could eat well every day!" Afraid that Qiao Yunna would ask more questions, Ding Hao had to lie on the spot.

"You're quite filial."

"Hehe, let's keep going."

"Never mind, you seem distracted. Let's call it a day. Thank you for your trouble, I'll take you back."

"No need." Ding Hao didn't know why, but he was sweating in front of Qiao Yunna. He had finally endured until she was ready to leave, and he didn't want to be with her any longer.

Qiao Yunna didn't insist. They came to Broken Bridge, and her driver had already parked the car by the roadside. She got in the car and left. Ding Hao called a taxi and headed straight to Xixi Qingyuan. After spending less than an hour with Qiao Yunna, Ding Hao was drenched in sweat. He kept laughing at himself for being timid and unmanly.

Actually, it was normal. Although Ding Hao was a millionaire, it was his first time meeting someone of princess status. If he hadn't saved Qiao Yunna, he would have been even more nervous.

Of course, Ding Hao didn't know that Qiao Yunna's meeting today was not just to express gratitude but also to evaluate him.

Clearly, Ding Hao's unintentional actions had earned him a lot of points. While Ding Hao was sound asleep, in the living room of Provincial Party Secretary Qiao Siping, Liu Yiding and Qiao Yunna were strongly recommending Ding Hao.

"Liu, you said you and Ding Hao met by chance. I think we should take it slowly. After all, my transfer to the central government isn't officially decided yet. Even if it is, we can follow the central government's arrangements for security."

"Dad, you can have him be my bodyguard first."

"Didn't he refuse you outright?" Qiao Siping looked at Qiao Yunna, shaking his head at his stubborn daughter.

"If you and Uncle Liu speak to him, he won't refuse."

"What if he still refuses even if the two of us speak to him?"

"Then, as Uncle Liu said, if he can't be used, he should be eliminated early."

"You, just now you were praising him so much, but it turns out it was just to satisfy your own desires?"

"Dad, I... I'm doing this for you, for the country."

"Secretary Qiao, Xiaona is right. Although Ding Hao is skilled and saved both of us, his background is unknown! We should strengthen surveillance. If that doesn't work, then..." If Ding Hao were there, he would be furious to hear his master say such things. But as a leader of the Yanlong organization, Liu Yiding's calmness was extraordinary, and even Qiao Siping admired it.

"Didn't you used to be very optimistic about him and even go out of your way to guide him? How come now, after he has done such a great deed, his life is in danger?"

"That's true, but recently, Jiangnan has been very unstable, with several assassination attempts. Although he is an orphan, he is young and his family background is not strong, so he might be bought by others, or he might already have been."

"I disagree with Uncle Liu's view. When I met him today, I offered him a position and various rewards, and he refused them all, which doesn't seem like a greedy person. To prevent future problems, I don't oppose it, but to say he has already been bought seems unlikely." Qiao Yunna was hesitant, seeing that Liu Yiding seemed to be targeting Ding Hao, and her previous words were partly out of anger.

If two out of the three agreed to target Ding Hao, he would be in big trouble. Qiao Yunna felt a bit sorry for him.

"Ultimately, you both don't really agree with targeting Ding Hao. I feel the same way. Although our situation is a bit passive now, we can't be ungrateful. Whether it's a test or an investigation, it should end.

Since he doesn't want to be an official, we can repay his kindness in other ways, such as helping him in business. In short, we can't repay kindness with ingratitude just because he has no background. And once he has a solid economic foundation, he will be less likely to be bought by others." Qiao Siping concluded.