Chapter 32: Because I Can't Stand You

The next day, after breakfast, I drove Ling Xuan and Ling Xi. I dropped Ling Xi off at school first before heading to the office with Ling Xuan.

As I pushed open the office door, Huang Xiaohui immediately greeted us: "Hello, President Ling. Hello, President Chu."

"Sigh!" I gave a helpless smile. "Xiaohui, don't be mischievous."

Huang Xiaohui stood straight before me, her hands clasped in front of her, a sweet and kindly smile on her face. "I'll call you President Chu when no one else is around! Calling you by your name feels too disrespectful."

I sat on the sofa to brew some tea and laughed, "You are the only one in the entire company who calls me President Chu—no, wait, that should be in the entire world."

"That's just because they don't know yet!" Huang Xiaohui giggled.

After that, I entered a state of boredom. Opening my phone, I saw that my younger sister, Chu Mengchu, had already sent a message.

"Big brother, I'm getting my hair done right now."

"Don't you have classes?"

After a while, she replied: "I skipped class to come out. (Mischievous)(Mischievous)(Mischievous)"

She really is a handful! I replied immediately: "No more skipping class from now on! (Angry)(Angry)(Angry)"

"Got it. (Aggrieved)(Aggrieved)(Aggrieved) Are you free tonight? Can you accompany me to buy a phone?"

"I'll see then. I'm not sure yet."

"Mhm. Big brother, are you mad?"

I was slightly taken aback, then realized she thought I was angry because I didn't immediately agree to her request. I replied, "No! I really just don't know my schedule yet."

"Mhm, I knew big brother loves me the most. (Cute)(Cute)(Cute)"

My heart warmed, and I smiled, replying, "You need to break these bad habits in the future."

"Mhm, I'll listen to big brother. (Cute)(Cute)(Cute)"

Just as we were chatting, a knock sounded at the door.

I looked up and saw Director Zhang Shaohua, the same man from last time.

The guy was as shifty-eyed as ever. The moment he walked in, he searched for me, then the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, disdainful arc. He puffed out his chest and walked toward Ling Xuan’s desk to report on his work.

I sat with one leg crossed over the other, chatting with my sister while casting him a glance from time to time.

Before long, he finished his report and turned to leave.

As he passed me, he paused, looked down at me with a sidelong glance, and after a moment of thought, turned back to address Ling Xuan. "President Ling, may I offer a suggestion?"

Ling Xuan nodded. "Go ahead."

Zhang Shaohua glanced at me and smiled. "You often have prominent figures visiting, so the office decorum cannot be lax. Secretary Huang does a great job of this—her manners are proper and her smile is welcoming, representing our company's image. However, this bodyguard has no sense of posture, whether sitting or standing. If outsiders were to see this, I fear they would ridicule our company for having no discipline. Would you consider rectifying this?"

Ling Xuan looked at me without responding immediately.

Xiaohui, sitting at her workstation, looked at Zhang Shaohua and then at me with a strange expression.

I sneered inwardly but said nothing. I simply lay back on the sofa and continued chatting with my sister, asking her to send me photos of her new hairstyle.

Zhang Shaohua’s expression stiffened. He glared at me with gloomy eyes and said, "President Ling, look at this—he’s even lying down now. What would it look like if a client saw this?"

Ling Xuan said indifferently, "Mhm, I will speak with him about it later."

Zhang Shaohua shot me a smug, sideways glance. Not leaving yet, he continued, "Our company's regulations have always been strict, and our employees show strong execution. For small matters like this, I suggest immediate enforcement; otherwise, if it drags on, people are bound to become slack."

Before Ling Xuan could speak, Huang Xiaohui couldn't hold back any longer and kindly warned him, "Director Zhang, thank you for such a thoughtful suggestion for our office. We will certainly give it serious consideration."

Zhang Shaohua turned to Huang Xiaohui with a faint smile. "Secretary Huang, has this bodyguard been like this for the past few days?"

Huang Xiaohui frowned, but still spoke kindly, "No, he is usually very professional. He was tired this morning, so President Ling told him to rest. Director Zhang, if you have nothing else, please head back. I still have matters to report to President Ling."

Zhang Shaohua smiled and nodded. "Mhm, that's good. I am only thinking of the company. Don't blame me for nitpicking. There is a lounge nearby; the bodyguard can go there to rest if he's tired."

"Mhm, thank you for the suggestion, Director Zhang."

Zhang Shaohua gave me a smug look, then glanced at Ling Xuan, appearing satisfied as if he had played the role of a devoted employee acting in the company's best interest. With a satisfied smile, he turned to leave.

"Did you think you could just leave after showing off?" I said indifferently while still lying down.

Zhang Shaohua’s footsteps faltered. He turned back and glared at me, frowning.

I continued playing with my phone and said coolly, "Director Zhang, do you know what we have the least shortage of in this country?"

Zhang Shaohua let out a disdainful sneer. "Childish question."

I sneered inside and continued, "What our country has no shortage of is people. In other words, there is no shortage of talent. People like you are a dime a dozen; you are not irreplaceable, and the company can replace you at any time."

Zhang Shaohua’s face changed. He pointed a finger at me and scolded me with the tone of a superior lecturing a subordinate, "You bodyguard, what a big mouth! Talking as if this company is your home. Whether I am irreplaceable or whether I can be replaced is not for a lowly bodyguard like you to judge! You are right, our country has no shortage of talent, especially bodyguards. A little money can buy a whole bunch of them. People like you are a dime a dozen; the company can replace you at any time!"

Huang Xiaohui was terrified and quickly said, "Director Zhang, stop it. Please leave! I still have things to report!"

Ling Xuan looked at me with a helpless expression, saying nothing.

I put away my phone, sat up, and slowly lit a cigarette, about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shaohua seemed to feel that as someone of his status, being looked down upon by a lowly staff member was a massive loss of face. He continued to drone on to Ling Xuan, "President Ling, I dare not overstep regarding your bodyguard, but you have seen it yourself—he defies company leadership and speaks wildly! An undisciplined bodyguard like this is more harmful than helpful to the company! If you need a bodyguard, I can help you scout a reputable agency to hire a top-tier, professional one."

Ling Xuan said helplessly, "Director Zhang, leave now. I am aware of this matter."

Zhang Shaohua froze, his brow furrowing. He seemed not to understand why Ling Xuan and Huang Xiaohui kept protecting me, but soon, his expression turned incredibly dark and ugly.

While he was blathering on, I had been smoking leisurely, letting him finish. Seeing his expression now, I felt he was likely guessing whether I had a special relationship with Ling Xuan, which explained the hatred and resentment in his eyes.

He even ground his teeth, yet he dared not defy Ling Xuan’s order. After glaring at me a few more times, he turned to walk away.

I slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said flatly, "Did I say you could leave?"

Zhang Shaohua turned abruptly, finally unable to hold back, and asked, "President Ling, is he really just your bodyguard?"

Ling Xuan’s face sank instantly.

Huang Xiaohui sighed, giving up on saving Zhang Shaohua.

I said coolly, "Do you know that I really dislike petty people like you who love to report others and abuse their power to suppress and squeeze out others—especially me! More importantly, as President Ling’s personal bodyguard, I dislike even more having a sinister villain like you appearing by her side. For the sake of President Ling’s safety, I have decided to fire you!"

Zhang Shaohua froze, his expression turning blank. He looked at me, then turned to look at the President, unable to speak.

Even a fool would have realized something was wrong by now.

Ling Xuan looked at me earnestly.

I looked back at her with a smile.

After a pause, Ling Xuan said with a calm expression, "Director Zhang, you will receive every penny of your salary and severance pay. You should look for a new job elsewhere."

"Why? I have contributed so much to this company..." Zhang Shaohua stood dazed for a long time, his face flushing red with shame and anger as he roared.

"Because I don't like you," I said, exhaling smoke.

Huang Xiaohui quickly tried to explain, "President Chu is not just a bodyguard to President Ling..."

"Screw you!" However, Zhang Shaohua, hearing my words, could no longer restrain himself. He suddenly lunged at me, reaching out to grab my collar.

*Slap!*

I flicked my hand, and Zhang Shaohua spun around on the spot, stumbling away sideways as a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Damn it, I've never seen an employee who, upon being fired, dares to throw a punch. If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll just keep pulling your petty tricks!

I sprang up from the sofa, grabbed Zhang Shaohua by the collar with one hand, and lifted him into mid-air. Exuding a sharp, murderous aura, I roared, "Are you afraid of death?"

Zhang Shaohua shivered, staring at me in terror.

I stared at him coldly, threatening him without a hint of emotion. "Do you know that what I am best at as a bodyguard is not using power to fire people, but rather fighting and killing! In front of me, you will submit, whether you want to or not!"

Zhang Shaohua turned pale with fright, his lips trembling, unable to speak.

"Chu Bufan, stop right there!" Ling Xuan hurried over.

I gently tossed Zhang Shaohua aside, waved my hand, and said indifferently, "Take care of yourself."