Chapter 21： Disobeying Orders

On the broad highway, two cars were engaged in a high-speed chase, both flying by at a dizzying fast speed.

Dong! Dong Dong Dong Dong!

As the Santana passed the speed of 100 kilometres an hour, it started letting out an alarming rumbling sound. Not only that but white fumes began to smoke from beneath the car hood.

As Ling Chen saw the situation was taking a downturn for him, he could not help but curse viciously.

This decrepit old car was already being pushed to its limits. If he continued the chase, the vehicle might just fall apart immediately. Thinking of the possibility of both the car and the driver inside perishing, Ling Chen unwillingly dropped the car speed and watched as the Buick vanishing into the horizon.

When he arrived back at the company, it was already past eight o'clock.

In the gym, Zhong Wei immediately walked over to him, his face was stormy and he seemed like he was about to erupt at any time. "What were you thinking just now?"

"Captain Zhong, I went to apprehend the suspect."

"Apprehend the suspect? Then where is he now?"

"I lost him. Captain Zhong, can I switch to a better car. My car is simply too decrepit, hence I..."

"Enough!"

Zhong Wei violently cut him off and coldly asked, "I asked you to re-join the squad. Why did you disobey my orders? I said that there were no problems with the car, why didn't you listen to me? Could it be that my words are bullshit to you?!"

"Zhong Wei, I was just assuming my responsibilities. Moreover, I felt a strong sense of danger from the driver. He was following the Chairwoman secretly, and I suspect that he was harbouring malicious intentions. I think you should ask everyone to be more alert."

"I don't believe in intuition, only professionalism. Liang Zhaohui is specially trained as a scout. If there is any danger, he will naturally be the first to find out. I don't need an amateur giving me suggestions. The chairwoman is a renowned figure in Donghai City, some paparazzi following her around is a common occurrence, similar incidents have happened before. Ling Chen, don't think that just because you are someone that Liu Kun invited over you have the qualifications to lecture me. If you commit the same mistakes in the future and disobey my orders again, then you can just get lost from my squad. My squad has no room for insubordination. Do you understand me?"

Ling Chen rubbed his nose wryly.

"Captain Zhong, I respect military men, I really do. But people like you... Forget it, since you don't believe me, I can't help it. When something happens in the future, then don't blame me for not warning you."

Ignoring Zhong Wei's murderous look that threatened to eat him whole, Ling Chen casually walked out of the gym.

Ling Chen could understand where Zhong Wei was coming from. Military men tended to be more old-fashioned and only knew how to follow orders. Furthermore, for people who came from a military background like Zhong Wei, there was a certain inherent arrogance in them, they had no tolerance towards people who disobeyed them. It was a pity that Ling Chen's innate character was destined to never meet up to Zhong Wei's expectations.

After familiarising himself with the work, the following week was rather laid-back for Ling Chen.

The other squad members of Squad 1 still shunned him, but he was indifferent towards them. On the other hand, he became rather friendly with Wei Jun from Squad 2. Whenever he was free, he'd go running over to Wei Jun's office. After the daily visits, the relationship between them naturally became increasingly close.

Working as a bodyguard in Hongyu Multinational entitled them to one day leave every week, and today it was Ling Chen's turn to rest.

Ling Chen had to wake up at an ungodly hour daily and could not wait to sleep in on that day. Alas, someone just would not let him have his way.

Looking at Jiang Hao, who was standing at his doorstep, Ling Chen could hardly resist the urge to kick him. The devil, this man is the devil. He's always the one disturbing my sleep.

"Bro Chen."

"What is it this time? I'm not free today, don't come looking for me for everything."

"Bro Chen, I'm not the one asking you for a favour this time, but rather it's someone else."

"Who?"

"It's someone you know, Zhao Zhengxiong?"

"He's asking me for a favour? Go and see whether his brain has been fried. He actually dares to approach me for a favour." Ling Chen said, looking very displeased.

"Bro Chen, his brain is indeed fried. Can you take it as though I'm asking you and help him?"

Ling Chen looked at him strangely. "Jiang Hao, his brain might be fried, but don't tell me your brain is fried too? Weren't you at odds with him, why are you treating him so chummily now? Tell me the truth, what benefits are you receiving from him?"

Jiang Hao snickered. "There are indeed benefits, but we can only reap these benefits after you help him."

"Seems like these benefits are quite generous, seeing that even you are speaking up for him."

"That's not true, other than the benefits, I'm also very unwilling to help him as well."

"Hehe, you seem to be really 'unwilling'. Alright, cut the crap, tell me what's the favour?"

After his banter with Jiang Hao, Ling Chen's last vestiges of sleepiness disappeared and he snapped to attention, paying close attention to what Jiang Hao was saying.

Jiang Hao patiently revealed the details for a few minutes, before Ling Chen finally understood the reason behind Zhao Zhengxiong coming to him for the favour. To tell the truth, it seemed like Ling Chen was the main reason behind it.

Previously, Zhao Zhengxiong had invited two skilled experts to find trouble for Ling Chen, and the results were that they were sent fleeing with their tails tucked behind their legs.

Those two experts were introduced to Zhao Zhengxiong through one of his friends and he had spent a vast sum of money before being able to enlist their help. Since the matter was not successfully concluded, naturally Zhao Zhengxiong would want his money back, if not the full sum then at least half the amount.

However, when Zhao Zhengxiong came knocking at their door to ask for the money, not only did the other party refuse to refund him, he asked Zhao Zhengxiong to get lost as well. Zhao Zhengxiong was indignant and brought a large number of his underlings to reason with them, but the result was that they crippled his other leg. He was even stripped buck naked and tossed out into the streets without a single shred of clothing.

This was simply an utter, absolute humiliation for Zhao Zhengxiong.

The resentment that Zhao Zhengxiong had towards them far exceeded his hatred for Ling Chen. However, the two were skilled martial artists and possessed lofty statuses as well. Thus, it was impossible for him to seek revenge on them. Therefore, he changed his line of thought and decided to approach Ling Chen for help.

Ling Chen could deal with these two and at the same time, help Zhao Zhengxiong vent the resentment in his heart. Thus, Zhao Zhengxiong approached Jiang Hao and proposed a transaction. As long as Ling Chen was willing to stand up for him, Zhao Zhengxiong would transfer all of his territories to Jiang Hao and co-manage them. Jiang Hao would be the leader, and he would be the second-in-command, and they would manage the areas together.

"Wicked endings come for villains; the injustice that Zhao Zhengxiong suffered this time is not small at all."

Zhao Zhengxiong's willingness to propose this transaction meant that he hated the two to the core.

"Bro Chen, I see that this Zhao Zhengxiong is pretty pitiful, why not lend him a helping hand?" Jiang Hao saw that Ling Chen was relenting slightly and immediately seized the opportunity to ask Ling Chen again.

Ling Chen angrily knocked on Jiang Hao's skull and scolded, "I don't see the slightest shred of sympathy in your eyes. You're obviously lusting for his territories."

Jiang Hao could only rub his head and laugh sheepishly, not daring to correct Ling Chen.

"We should not interfere with these matters involving grudges and revenge."

"Bro Chen..."

"My grudge is already bone-deep, it's too late to settle it now."

A voice sounded from outside the door and Zhao Zhengxiong limped in a while clutching two crutches, with an underling supporting him.

"Boss Chen, I know the reason you are refusing to help me is due to our past grudges. But think of it this way, you're not just helping me this time, you're helping yourself as well."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Boss Chen, you wasted all of Gao Wei's fingers and even injured Song Yi. They already harbour resentment towards you and will find you for revenge. That day when I went to look for them to ask for my money back, they crippled my leg and even forced me to reveal everything I know about you. Judging from their tone, it seems like they are preparing to make a move against you. Even if you do not help me today, they will still come knocking at your door. The result will be the same, regardless."

Ling Chen revealed a playful smile. "So, from what you're saying, it seems that I have no choice but to make a move on them?"

Zhao Zhengxiong resolutely tossed aside the two crutches supporting him. Without them, his body instantly lost its pillar of support, and he collapsed onto his knees with a loud crash. His legs had not fully recovered, and the sharp pain that assaulted him when his knees crashed against the ground left him trembling.