Chapter 78

"Father, you know, what I said to Uncle Liu... We were just talking."

"Well, Uncle Liu, what do you think?"

"I still hope he can join your bodyguard team. Keeping such a talent outside makes me a bit worried."

"Then, Xiaona, do you have any good ideas?" Qiao Siping knew Liu Yiding's temper and that Liu Yiding was thinking of both himself and the country.

"Give me some time, I'll try." Qiao Yunna didn't really want to stand against Ding Hao. If Ding Hao insisted on not being her bodyguard, she could still help her father and Uncle Liu through the Yanlong Organization. However, this would mean more people would know about Ding Hao's identity, which went against his initial wish to join the organization.

After a thorough discussion, the three of them basically agreed on a stance. At least the immediate danger to Ding Hao was temporarily removed. If Ding Hao had heard their conversation in the living room, he would have been furious. It seemed that saving people was a mistake, and he shouldn't have gotten involved at all.

Qiao Yunna didn't really have a good plan. She just sent a few people to patrol around Xixi Qingyuan, but they didn't dare to get too close, for fear of being discovered by Ding Hao.

For three consecutive days, Ding Hao didn't leave the house. Qiao Yunna, out of options, called him to arrange a meeting. Ding Hao, upon hearing it was Qiao Yunna, politely declined and hung up, firmly refusing her invitation to have tea.

Qiao Yunna didn't give up and decided to visit Xixi Qingyuan in person. Fortunately, she was familiar with the villa, even more so than Ding Hao.

Ding Hao wasn't unwilling to accept Qiao Yunna's gratitude; it was just that her natural authority made him uncomfortable.

This time, Qiao Yunna didn't call Ding Hao. Instead, she had her car driven directly into the villa and knocked on the door.

Ding Hao, who hadn't initiated contact with anyone in Qianjiang, was about to lose his temper. When he opened the door and saw the Audi in the courtyard, he sighed and went downstairs to invite Qiao Yunna in.

"Mr. Ding, I apologize for the sudden visit. I hope I'm not disturbing you," Qiao Yunna said with a smile, regaining her usual authority and politeness.

"Miss Qiao, I'm just an unemployed person. How could I be disturbed? You don't have to call me 'Mr.' all the time. Just use my name."

"Alright, Ding Hao, why didn't you call me?" Qiao Yunna accepted his suggestion, as calling him 'Mr.' did make things seem distant.

"Why should I call you?" Ding Hao regretted his harsh words as soon as they left his mouth. How could he be so petty in front of such a noble and graceful woman?

Qiao Yunna wasn't annoyed. She had said that if Ding Hao had any requests, he should call her. His lack of calls could mean he hadn't decided yet or that he had no requests. In either case, Qiao Yunna had a reason to respect him even more.

"To be honest, I'm here to persuade you today," Qiao Yunna shifted on the sofa to face Ding Hao directly.

"Didn't I already express my stance last time?" Ding Hao had been thinking about this for days. He lacked practical experience, found it hard to adapt to the strict hierarchy in politics, and still wanted to go to school and stay in Qianjiang to search for his family.

"I've reported to my father, and Uncle Liu was there. They both really value you. Have you considered what might happen if you keep refusing?"

"Please enlighten me!"

"Although you saved me and Uncle Liu, your skills are too conspicuous. You might face long-term surveillance and pursuit. Even if we don't act, other family experts won't let you live freely. You might face a coalition of experts like Uncle Liu, because neither the government nor the families want a powerful outsider in the public. Moreover, you've already offended two young talents by saving us. Even if you want to live in seclusion, it's unlikely."

"You make it sound like I'm in a dead end." Ding Hao looked at the young lady in front of him, stunned.

"Pretty much." Qiao Yunna said calmly.

Damn, saving people has put me in a dead end. What kind of situation is this? Now Qiao Yunna's tone is just like that old man Liu's!

"Actually, you can seriously consider it. My father is about to go to the capital. If you join us now, you'll go with him. Your position and benefits will be generous."

"Thank you for your kindness. I know being your bodyguard is more prestigious than being a county or city mayor, but my personality isn't suitable. If I had to choose, I'd rather be a township chief or a town mayor. Of course, this doesn't mean I'm fit for leadership. I actually dislike being an official. I grew up in the countryside and have no good impression of officials."

"You have a point, but if you pass the test, you'll definitely be valued." Qiao Yunna saw that Ding Hao was asking about the Yanlong Organization and began to introduce it in detail.

As Liu Yiding had told Ding Hao before, the Yanlong Organization's structure is similar to the military regions of China. Each military region has a branch, and members are granted military ranks but are under the National Security Bureau. Ding Hao envied the soldiers who could handle guns.

"Don't you want to know Xiaolin's whereabouts?" Qiao Yunna suddenly said, seeing Ding Hao's indifferent attitude.

"What? Did you take Xiaolin?"

"Of course not!"

"Then you know something about Xiaolin?" Ding Hao's eyes lit up when Qiao Yunna mentioned Xiaolin, and he forgot about his composure.

"I don't know, but I heard it casually. Think about it, you offended Qinglong, so naturally, people are paying attention to you. Besides Uncle Liu, other families are also monitoring you. Since you and Xiaolin are close, they would naturally investigate her. Don't worry, the family Xiaolin is with might be too powerful for you, but not for me!" Qiao Yunna had to use her trump card, and it seemed to work on Ding Hao.

"Can I think about it? Otherwise, I feel pressured."

"Sure, can you give me your bank account number?"

"Why do you need my account number?"

"Regardless of your final decision, you saved my life. If you don't accept my offer to be a bodyguard, you can't refuse my cash reward."

"I don't object to that. Wait a moment!" Ding Hao thought that having money would be better than being poor, whether they were monitoring or pursuing him. He agreed and went upstairs to get his account number.

Qiao Yunna, sitting on the sofa, found Ding Hao very strange. If he liked money so much, why didn't he like being an official? In China, successful businessmen often try to enter politics to secure their and their family's future. Even if they can't be officials, they aim to be representatives or committee members. Could this guy be thinking along those lines?

As she pondered, Ding Hao came downstairs with a small note and handed it to her: "This is my account number."

Ding Hao chose a new Agricultural Bank card with K-Bao and SMS notifications. He didn't want to give Qiao Yunna his Industrial and Commercial Bank card, which had several million. He knew that if they wanted to check, they could find out about any card he had in China within ten minutes.

"I'll take my leave. Please consider it carefully. I hope we don't become opponents or enemies."

Looking at Qiao Yunna's smiling face, Ding Hao couldn't understand why he always felt suppressed and nervous in front of her. Maybe it was her natural authority.

After reporting to her father, Qiao Yunna went to the bank to transfer money to Ding Hao. As she said, no matter what Ding Hao chose, he had saved her life, and she wasn't a petty person. This was also a good opportunity to test Ding Hao.

Ding Hao's Agricultural Bank card had SMS notifications, but coincidentally, he received many promotional messages that day. Various banks knew he was wealthy and sent him financial management messages, including the Agricultural Bank's monthly fee reminder. Annoyed, he deleted all the messages without checking them.

Ding Hao wasn't short of money. If he wanted to improve his diet, he could go to Yunhe Manor. Two weeks passed, and Qiao Yunna was puzzled. Who was this guy? She had transferred a lot of money to him, and he hadn't touched it for two weeks.

In Qiao Yunna's plan, Ding Hao should have transferred the money away, even overseas, to ensure safety. Two weeks later, his bank account was untouched. Qiao Yunna even suspected the bank hadn't transferred the money successfully. The bank manager showed her the transfer records and surveillance, confirming the transfer.

This guy must be either a money lover or a fool. How could he be indifferent to such a large sum? Qiao Yunna couldn't help but report to Qiao Siping.

"Father, something's wrong with Ding Hao. I transferred him thirty million, and he hasn't moved it in two weeks."

"This just shows that Ding Hao isn't greedy. He might be considering how to return it to you," Qiao Siping said with a smile, thinking that Ding Hao wasn't simple. His usually steady daughter had lost her composure multiple times and been so generous. It seemed her feelings for Ding Hao went beyond gratitude.

"But he doesn't need to think for so long. Besides, I've already transferred it. Why would he return it?"

"Maybe you warned him too much, and he's at a loss. Or maybe he's not short of money."

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Qiao Yunna, still puzzled, decided to report the situation to her father.