The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1505: Housewarming Celebration

"Don't worry, my dear, such a situation will not arise again." Ye Shikai held He Linghan close, his heart heavy with a promise to his new wife. In his previous life, he had tried his very best to shield Su Qingyu, yet ended up causing her immense suffering. On their wedding day in Yanjing, a bullet found her, plunging her into a coma. Then, she was captured by Boss Xing, and their convoy met a fiery end in a bombing. She had danced with death countless times, and ultimately, Ye Shikai's decision to divorce her had been a cruel stab to her heart.

Now, he found himself in the Qin Dynasty. After more than eight months, he had come to grasp the harsh realities of survival here—the law of the jungle reigned supreme. In this era, might equated to status; with sufficient strength, one could easily extinguish another's life. It felt far more 'primitive' and 'savage' compared to his modern existence.

In a mere eight months, Ye Shikai had journeyed from a lone wanderer to being bestowed the title of "General Yi" by the imperial court. Certainly, his own relentless efforts played a part, but he also encountered several pivotal "patrons" who offered aid during critical junctures. With the power he now wielded, he was finally capable of safeguarding He Linghan.

The party pressed onward, their journey culminating in their arrival at the county seat of East County, Puyang. Ye Shikai had been away for over half a month, and he surmised that most of his soldiers should have returned by now. A concern gnawed at him: had the troops grown complacent in his absence?

"Sir, I shall return to the camp ahead of you. The brothers have likely grown accustomed to idleness, having not trained for some time. It is imperative we resume rigorous drills," proposed Man Cang.

"Very well, make haste," Ye Shikai replied, his worry palpable. With Man Cang overseeing the infantry's training, a measure of ease settled upon him.

"Ling'er, allow me to escort you home first," Ye Shikai turned to his wife and said.

"Okay."

Their arrival in Puyang city, the bustling county seat, immediately showcased its greater prosperity compared to Heyang County. Merchants thronged the streets, their wares displayed, while farmers brought harvests of grain, cotton, and coal from the surrounding villages to sell. Previously, as a solitary figure, Ye Shikai had few personal needs. Despite holding the rank of general, he resided and took his meals within the military encampment. Now, married and with He Linghan by his side, he could not bear the thought of her enduring hardship. Ma Yao, displaying considerable "thoughtfulness," had offered them a mansion as a wedding present. However, Ye Shikai, adhering to the principle that "there are no free lunches," graciously declined and instead utilized his "savings" to acquire a residence from a local aristocratic family.

After some renovations, the home, while not ostentatious, presented a pleasant appearance. At the very least, for someone possessing Ye Shikai's modest aesthetic sense, it was more than satisfactory. Naturally, the inclusion of household staff was a necessity. Although he had initially intended to hire a steward, he found no trustworthy individual among his subordinates. Furthermore, individuals like Xue San and Man Cang, being seasoned military commanders, were hardly suited for the role of a house steward.

"If a steward is what you require, I can fulfill that role," He Linghan stated calmly.

"What? Ling'er, a steward is responsible for overseeing all household affairs; it is a demanding task," Ye Shikai expressed, visibly reluctant for his new wife to shoulder such responsibilities, especially given the experience typically required for such a position.

"Rest assured, leave all the management to me," He Linghan replied, her gaze sweeping over the newly decorated surroundings. A gentle smile bloomed on her face, betraying her evident contentment.

"Actually... this is my second time visiting this particular residence. The first time, I merely took a brief look, found it agreeable, and proceeded with the purchase," Ye Shikai elaborated.

"It is already very good. You know, I do not favor excessive luxury; it makes me uncomfortable. This is perfectly adequate," He Linghan conveyed, her lack of emphasis on material possessions being a virtue that transcended even the modern era.

"In the future, I may need to frequent the military camp, meaning I will be away from home often. Please remain here and take diligent care of yourself," Ye Shikai said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. Reflecting on the previous night's harrowing events, Ye Shikai anticipated potential future assassination attempts. Now that he was married, his adversaries might turn their attention to He Linghan. Consequently, their home needed to be secured by his most trusted personnel.

"Xue San, reassign half of my personal guards to secure this residence. Ensure they maintain constant patrols, day and night. Additionally, recruit domestic servants, thoroughly vetting their backgrounds to ensure they are of good character. You will personally oversee this process."

"Understood, General. Rest assured," came the immediate response.

In ancient times, escort agencies existed, much like modern security companies, tasked with protecting individuals or valuable goods. It would be inappropriate to perpetually station soldiers for the protection of a private household. Xue San, with his extensive experience navigating the Jianghu, was presumed to have a wide network of contacts, making it likely feasible for him to assemble a suitable contingent of "bodyguards."

"Do not fret, I am quite experienced with this. My past endeavors often involved intercepting goods from escort agencies, so I possess considerable knowledge in this area," Xue San declared with evident pride.

"Xue San, precisely how many times have you engaged in such activities?" Ye Shikai inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I have undertaken such actions over a thousand times, yet I have never targeted impoverished families. After all, they possess no items of significant value. I, Xue San, am solely interested in the opulent and powerful households, those whose tables are perpetually laden with fine wine and succulent meats."

As the age-old adage suggests, "There is honor among thieves." During their time on Long Mountain, Ye Shikai had been deeply impressed by this particular quality in Xue San. While he was indeed a thief, his actions stemmed from necessity, and his heart remained fundamentally kind. He was certainly not the sort to prey on the weak; despite his illicit profession, he was not the detested "street rat." In the eyes of the less fortunate, he was even perceived as a hero who "robbed the rich to aid the poor."

"Have you ever been apprehended?" Ye Shikai pressed further.

"Naturally, those scoundrels were terribly brutal and nearly shattered my leg. Had that transpired, it would have signified the definitive end to a thief's career like mine," Xue San recounted with a touch of melancholy. The saying holds true: tempting fate too often by the river's edge will inevitably lead to getting soaked. Even the legendary "God Stealer" encountered moments of failure.

"Very well, proceed with selecting personnel swiftly. You bore witness to last night's assassination attempt. How can we possibly safeguard our residence without adequate protection?"

"I comprehend the lord's directive. I, Xue San, pledge to meticulously choose the most capable and steadfast guards, thereby guaranteeing the lady's absolute safety," Xue San declared, kneeling on one knee and offering a clasped fist salute as a testament to his solemn vow.

"The Commander has arrived!" At that opportune moment, a servant suddenly announced, and before Ye Shikai could fully process the information, Ma Yao strode into the courtyard.

"Haha, my sincere congratulations on your relocation to this new abode, Brother Ye. Congratulations indeed!" Ma Yao extended his greetings by cupping his hands, while the servants accompanying him brought forth two substantial boxes.

"This is a gesture of my esteem. Do not think lightly of it, Brother Ye."

"Mr. Ma's generosity is deeply appreciated," Ye Shikai replied with a nod. "Previously, I was detained by certain matters in He Nei County, which regrettably caused delays. I humbly request your forgiveness for any inconvenience."

"These are trivialities, hardly worth mentioning. Now that you have returned, Brother Ye, East County can finally rest assured."