SES Chapter 44

Chapter 44

It really was just a coincidence—someone had approached Zheng Mingshan these past few days with a request. To put it simply, it was like hiring a bodyguard.

They wanted someone skilled, preferably a woman, trustworthy and dependable, to accompany them on a trip. If the trip went smoothly and everyone was happy, a long-term arrangement might follow.

Zheng Mingshan had heard a bit about the client and thought it sounded like a good gig. Sure, there was risk involved, but the pay was excellent. Then again, what job doesn’t have risks? Construction workers could fall through scaffolding, and even pilots can crash from the sky.

Life is short—given the same time and energy, one should pursue the highest return on investment. Just like how a famous painter can make tens of thousands from a single painting, but lugging bricks all day might earn you a few hundred at most.

As he was thinking through who might be a good fit, Mu Dai called him.

Well, better to keep opportunities in the family. Breaking into this line of work is tough. If Mu Dai could gain a foothold, she’d never have to worry about putting food on the table for the rest of her life.

Zheng Mingshan told her to pack her bags. If she passed the “interview,” she’d likely be leaving immediately—no time to double back for luggage.

But… what if she didn’t pass? Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?

Mu Dai muttered to herself while stuffing clothes into a black duffel. Suddenly, she paused, reached in, and started tossing out anything with a cutesy, girlish vibe—cat ears, bunny prints, anything pink and frilly. All gone.

She was stepping onto a more “professional” path now.

Uncle Zhang watched her pack, wanting to say something but hesitating again and again. He couldn’t quite describe what he was feeling.

People are contradictory like that. He wanted to see Mu Dai change, but now that the change was happening so fast, it scared him.

As an elder, he wanted to ask Zheng Mingshan for more details about the job, but Zheng was tight-lipped as ever. All he said was, “It’s not anything illegal. She’s my junior—I wouldn’t screw her over.”

Uncle Zhang could only sigh and remind him that Mu Dai was still young, asking him to look after her.

Zheng Mingshan cut him off, “First of all, I’m just connecting the dots—I’m not her babysitter. Second, if she needs constant looking after, what’s the point of going out into the world? Might as well stay here and let you take care of her at the bar.”

Uncle Zhang was speechless. Zheng Mingshan was too blunt for his taste—always hard-edged, never soft.

Cao Yanhua looked like a kicked puppy the whole time, eyes filled with wounded resentment. Mu Dai felt a little guilty, but she pretended not to see him.

The interview was in Kunming.

She and Zheng Mingshan boarded a long-distance bus at the station. Zheng carried nothing but a plastic bag with two bottles of water, a bag of crackers, and a phone charger.

As the bus pulled away, Mu Dai hugged her duffel bag and tilted her head toward him. “Shixiong, you’re not bringing any luggage?”

“Sure I am,” Zheng said, pointing to the plastic bag, then to himself. “Phone, money, cards—all on me.”

“What about toiletries?”

“You can buy toothpaste and a toothbrush anywhere.”

“Spare clothes?”

“You can buy underwear anywhere too.”

Mu Dai fell silent. Her senior made good money and could afford property if he wanted to, but he had no interest in material things. If someday facial recognition could handle payments and ID verification, he probably wouldn’t even bother carrying cash or ID.

It was a minimalist lifestyle, but it had its perks. Carrying a plastic bag down the street made him look like just another broke local. Even thieves couldn’t be bothered.

It was early spring, and the view outside the bus window was quite nice, but Mu Dai couldn’t enjoy it—she was too nervous about the upcoming “interview.”

“Shixiong… who exactly is this person?”

Zheng Mingshan yawned. “Nothing illegal. The rest? Let them tell you.”

Then he leaned his seat back and dozed off—classic “sleep-the-moment-you-hit-the-road” behavior.

“Then… during the interview, should I be honest? Or, you know, fake it a little?”

“Just be yourself. It’s not like they’re offering you a palace. No need to waste your acting skills. If you don’t like what you see, just two words—walk away. People should know their worth.”

Mu Dai couldn’t help but laugh. She was about to ask more, but when she turned to look, he was already fast asleep, snoring away.

They followed the given address and ended up near Kunming’s famous Daguan Tower. The area was lined with ultra-exclusive private clubs, each with sprawling lawns and poetic names—completely out of reach for normal folks.

Zheng strolled in with his plastic bag, flip-flops slapping against his heels.

The place was enormous and extravagant. Was this Baroque? Gothic? Mu Dai didn’t know. All she knew was—it was Western-style and intimidating.

She looked up at the towering façade, heart pounding, and subconsciously started walking slower.

Zheng glanced back and said, “No matter what, always keep your presence. So what if he lives in a mansion? You think it’s not just bricks fired from clay?”

Mu Dai gave an embarrassed smile.

At the gate, Zheng rang the bell. A cleaning auntie opened the door.

Inside was a long hallway. At the end of it, both Mu Dai and Zheng paused.

Zheng grinned, then looked back toward the hallway. “Well damn… hiding it this tight, huh?”

Beyond the hallway was a traditional Chinese courtyard—stone drum decorations, horse-hitching posts, and a heavy wooden door with ornate iron knockers and tassels.

It was a hidden world. From the outside, it looked Western, but inside was all classic Chinese style. Only those who stepped in would see the truth.

Zheng gestured for Mu Dai to follow him in.

The courtyard was lovely—cobblestone paths, decorative rock formations, “borrowed view” windows, and moon gates. To the right was a covered well. The lid was way too big for the opening, obviously mismatched.

Further out, there was a large water jar, almost overflowing. A single lotus floated on top, its leaves lush and green. If it weren’t the wrong season, Mu Dai might’ve thought it was real.

Straight ahead was a house—door shut tight, windows sealed.

Zheng’s phone rang. He answered briefly, then handed it to Mu Dai. “You take it.”

A phone interview now? Really? She grumbled inwardly but still put the phone to her ear.

An elderly male voice on the other end said, “Mu Dai, is it? Walk to your right.”

She took five steps—there was the well.

“Stop.”

She stopped.

“Turn around.”

She did, glancing instinctively at the house. Somehow, she could feel someone watching her from inside.

So dramatic. Not straightforward at all.

“Now, describe what’s in front of you.”

An eyesight test? She reminded herself to focus. The interview had begun.

Scanning carefully, she listed, “A rock garden, a bamboo grove, a stone table, and two stone stools…”

“Look closely. What’s written on the stone table? Read it out loud.”

If they had her stand here, the text must be visible from this distance. Mu Dai tiptoed, squinting hard.

She read slowly, “Gold and silver take in sunlight, and must be buried deep in the earth to form. Pearls and gemstones absorb moonlight—they must not be covered by even an inch of soil…”

Just as she finished that line—whoosh! Something shot up behind her.

Every hair on her neck stood up. For martial artists, the worst mistake is to leave your back exposed.

Behind her… was the well. That must’ve been the lid flying?

Mu Dai spun midair instinctively, eyes catching a figure launching from the well, a claw-like tool reaching toward her. She didn’t think—just kicked out hard.

Only after that did she realize the attacker was a girl.

Splash! The girl landed squarely in the water jar. The cover, flung into the air earlier, came crashing down.

Using the jar’s rim, Mu Dai pushed off, sprang up, caught the lid mid-air, flipped, and slammed it down over the jar.

Ah—so it was a jar lid all along. No wonder it didn’t fit well.

She pressed down on the lid’s edge, spun in place, and ended in a lotus-pose squat atop the jar, hands together, eyes half-closed.

“Amitabha,” she said solemnly.

She wasn’t Buddhist. “Light Lotus Seat” was just a technique in her repertoire. No matter the roof, corner, or ledge, it was her way of ending a move with poise and flair.

Below, someone was trying hard to push the lid open. Mu Dai, light as a feather, just swayed side to side without giving an inch.

Zheng burst out laughing. “Beautiful!”

He didn’t know the technique, but he appreciated the flawless execution.

Then he waved. “Alright, alright, come down before you drown the poor girl.”

Mu Dai hopped down, chin raised a bit in pride.

Just as she landed, thud! The lid fell, followed by loud coughing and sloshing water.

The girl was soaked up to her chest, glaring daggers at Mu Dai as she climbed out.

She looked about 22 or 23, with a round face and high ponytail—not the trendy kind of beauty, but cute, with a touch of plumpness. Even soaking wet and fuming, she was oddly charming.

But what was with her gear…?

On her left hip was a burlap pouch that looked heavy. On her right, a bell—an actual bell, at least ten centimeters tall, about the size of a mini melon.

Weird thing was—it didn’t make a sound when she moved. Mu Dai peeked closer. Ah, the clapper was stuffed with cloth.

The girl gave her another deadly glare, clutching her belly, limping toward the house.

Well, she did get kicked pretty hard. Mu Dai stuck her tongue out guiltily and watched her slam the door shut.

Dust rained from the roof.

Mu Dai looked at Zheng and mouthed, “That’s it for me, huh?”

Zheng replied, “If they pass on you, it’s because they’ve got no taste.”

Mu Dai burst out laughing. Her shixiong always knew just what to say. If he weren’t so much older, she might’ve married him on the spot.

Zheng walked over to the stone table, reading the inscription with interest. The house was newly built but made to look old. The words were carved in vertical columns using traditional Chinese script.

“Gold and silver take in sunlight and must be buried deep to form. Pearls and gemstones absorb moonlight—they must not be covered by even a speck of dirt.”

In other words, pearls must come from deep water.

Mu Dai leaned over to peer into the well.

It was dry—about seven or eight meters deep. A thick rope hung from a ring near the top.

No wonder the girl could pop out so suddenly—she’d climbed up.

Just then—BANG! The door slammed open again.

There stood the girl, eyes blazing.

“You!” she shouted, pointing at Mu Dai. “Yes, you!”

She paused, clearly not thrilled about what she was about to say. Then, through gritted teeth: “Get in. You’re the one.”

Oh, really?

Zheng nudged his chin toward the house. “Congrats. Looks like you passed.”

Mu Dai dusted off her sleeves like her master always did, though they were spotless. “Well, we’ll see how the negotiation goes. I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”