Jiang Shihan dressed up Iron King Tuo, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, Wang Chao, and Ma Han.
Over the past few days, the five of them had also taken etiquette lessons—learning how to eat Western food, dance ballroom, master social manners, dress appropriately… They even practiced walking postures and matching watches with outfits.
Most ordinary people wouldn't know about these things, let alone learn them.
But nobles receive this kind of education, and the most critical part is—this kind of training is *expensive*.
Extremely expensive.
The instructor charged by the hour—*four thousand dollars per hour!*
And that wasn't even something just anyone could afford to hire.
Lu Chengwen walked over, and the five immediately bowed slightly in greeting. The etiquette instructor immediately barked sternly, "*Posture! Expression! Did you forget already?*"
The five men froze, then straightened their backs, faces solemn, giving only a slight nod—like black-suited bodyguards from an action movie, radiating absolute dignity and imposing presence!
Lu Chengwen felt that once these men shed their rough, undisciplined demeanor, their aura instantly leveled up!
Looking closer, each of them was dressed in tailored custom suits, gold cufflinks, pristine white shirts, and high-end leather shoes…
Lu Chengwen smiled. "Not bad. This has potential."
Iron King Tuo exhaled, his rigid posture instantly collapsing as he slouched slightly, grinning. "Young Master, we're just rough guys. What's the point of learning all this? Just give us more missions! We can protect Miss Leng or Miss Xuejiao, no problem!"
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Do you know how much it costs me to train you?"
Iron King Tuo scratched his head. "I heard it's a lot. This teacher's like a money furnace—over thirty grand an hour, even worse than robbery."
Lu Chengwen said, "Remember, you're not Red Shirt Guards anymore. You're *my* men. You need to stand apart from the common rabble out there."
Iron King Tuo grinned. "We rely on real skills, courage to fight and—"
"*Shut up!*"
Lu Chengwen cut him off sharply. "Why so much nonsense? I've arranged the best for your food, clothes, and living. The suits you're wearing cost over fifty grand a set, and your shoes don't go below eight thousand a pair! If I tell you to learn, then *learn properly*. You're not ordinary thugs anymore, not just Red Shirt enforcers—you're high-class now, elites, fundamentally different from those idiots who can't even wear a suit right. *Understood?*"
The five men stiffened and nodded quickly.
"If you keep yapping, I'll hand you straight to Bronze King Tuo for *disposal*."
Iron King Tuo hurriedly said, "Young Master, please don't be angry. We'll learn. We'll study hard."
"Damn it, a bunch of whining losers!" Lu Chengwen cursed under his breath. "A pile of useless slackers."
He walked over to the instructor, his face instantly shifting to a warm smile. "Teacher, you've worked hard."
The instructor also had complaints and spoke in English: *"These men are very difficult to manage. They don't listen well, and I suspect they have severe violent tendencies! Mr. Lu, I understand you want to build a team of bodyguards with refined presence, but these men are beyond my capabilities. I'm sorry, but I can't continue this work."*
*"Teacher Nick!"* Lu Chengwen replied fluently in English. *"I can double your salary, but you must stay and help me. Don't judge them by their current state—each of them is highly skilled, rare talents. I need you to transform them, to make them look completely new."*
Iron King Tuo leaned toward Jiang Shihan. "Little Shihan, what's Boss Lu and that foreigner yapping about?"
Jiang Shihan smiled. "You guys pissed off the teacher. He doesn't want to teach you anymore. Boss Lu is pleading for you, saying you're all incredibly skilled—just in need of some polishing."
Iron King Tuo was moved.
He turned to his brothers. "Boss Lu doesn't hold back when scolding us, but he *really* spends on us. See? Even though he's harsh with us, he praises us in front of outsiders! Brothers, let's make him proud—study hard, be the best damn lackeys for Boss Lu!"
"Big Bro, I'm touched. This is the first time I've seen Boss Lu lower himself to beg someone!"
"Big Bro, why don't we just beat up the teacher? In my experience, a good beating makes them obedient."
After negotiating with the instructor, Lu Chengwen turned to Jiang Shihan. "Transfer the payment—double his salary. Cover all his expenses while he's in China. Notify the hotel—service must be impeccable."
"Yes, Boss Lu."
Lu Chengwen suppressed his anger as he looked at these five blockheads. "*Be sharp!* If the teacher complains to me *one more time*, I'll end you!"
---
Zhao Gang drove for Lu Chengwen, his mood sour.
"Boss Lu."
"Yeah?"
Lu Chengwen read the newspaper without looking up.
"You're training those five guys… does that mean I'm out of a job?" he asked worriedly.
Lu Chengwen finally lifted his head. "What are you talking about?"
Jiang Shihan, sitting beside Lu Chengwen, giggled. "Brother Zhao Gang is *jealous*!"
"Oh." Only then did Lu Chengwen understand. "Seeing them make big money, feeling sour, huh?"
"N-no…"
Lu Chengwen said, "You're different from them, Zhao Gang. They're *exceptionally* skilled—they *earn* this treatment. Honestly, if they weren't tied to the Big Organization, with their abilities, they could get similar treatment anywhere."
"Oh." Zhao Gang felt even worse. If even their *skills* were beyond his, then he really had no place left.
"But when it comes to *loyalty*, you're number one. So, relax."
"Heh." Zhao Gang finally grinned. "I knew it! Boss Lu treats me like family—you'd never abandon me!"
Lu Chengwen set the newspaper aside, resting a hand on Jiang Shihan's thigh and stroking absently as he muttered, "Things are getting complicated now. Not sure which problem to tackle first."
Jiang Shihan blushed. "How about taking down Qianfeng first?"
"Hm?"
Jiang Shihan explained, "The first phase of the slum project has already started. We've invested over ten billion. But for later funds, we'll have to rely on investments from the other big families. During this period, our usable cash is limited."
"Taking down Qianfeng first could give us another windfall in the stock market. We *need* cash—without it, everything gets harder. If the funding chain collapses later… the money from the big families and ours will all go down the drain."
Lu Chengwen was deeply frustrated.
This was the problem with being part of a wealthy family like his.
Luxury cars, mansions, beautiful women, gourmet meals…
Opening a million-dollar bottle of wine without blinking—these small luxuries were never out of reach.
But what he lacked was *big* money—the kind measured in *hundreds of millions*, even *tens of billions*.
One major financial hole left unplugged could evaporate billions in an instant.
Absently stroking Jiang Shihan's stocking-clad thigh, Lu Chengwen murmured, "Qingqiu is at her most vulnerable right now. Revitalizing Qianfeng is her dream. I can't kick her while she's down."
Jiang Shihan said seriously, "Great leaders don't fuss over small morals. Take over Qianfeng, then let her keep managing it. It doesn't conflict with her dreams. I suggest you secure Leng Qingqiu first, *then* swallow Qianfeng—it'll ease our pressure significantly."
Lu Chengwen was stunned. "What kind of plan is that? That's *ruthless*—taking both the person *and* their family fortune? How could you even suggest that?"
Jiang Shihan thought—*isn't this exactly the kind of ruthless plan you'd come up with? Weren't all your past ideas this cutthroat?*
Jiang Shihan said, "It might not be morally pristine, but business is war. If the tables were turned, the other families wouldn't hesitate to devour us—no mercy. You *know* this."
"Tch." Lu Chengwen sucked in a breath, knowing she was right.
"The logic is sound, but…"
"And Miss Leng is already completely infatuated with you. Using her feelings for you to secure her now would be a masterstroke—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one would pass this up. A visionary like you wouldn't suddenly grow a conscience now, would you?"
Lu Chengwen was still hesitant.
[*Take Leng Qingqiu now? At a time like this? That's just vile.*]
[*Besides, I don't even want to get entangled with these female leads!*]
[*But Jiang Shihan… I really can't bear to give her up. This girl… she's just too good at serving me! Getting to fondle her thighs anytime—this is the life! I'd rather die than let anyone take her from me!*]
Jiang Shihan secretly rejoiced, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.
From the front seat, Zhao Gang said solemnly, "Boss Lu, in all my years following you, I've never seen you hesitate on big decisions like this. Shihan's right—if we don't take Qianfeng, someone else will. I don't get why you're holding back."
Lu Chengwen remained torn.
Then, Li Meiqin called.
"Hello? Meiqin."
"Boss Lu, the Leng family's stock is starting to drop."
"Oh?"
"Earlier, their stock rose because of the business war. Now that the conflict's settled, it's falling again. I *strongly* advise you to make moves *now*—take down Qianfeng! This opportunity won't last!"
"Why is *everyone* saying this?"
On the other end, Li Meiqin paused. "Isn't this just… business? This is how it works. We've swallowed countless failing companies before."
Lu Chengwen sighed. "Got it. I'll think about it."
"Boss Lu!" Li Meiqin immediately sensed his hesitation. "You *have* to decide fast. Opportunities vanish in a blink. Who knows what'll happen in a few days? If we miss this window, we're done."
"Understood."
Lu Chengwen was stuck.
Business rules were like ancient warfare—the strong devour the weak. An unshakable truth.
But when it came to himself… why was it so hard?
Leng Qingqiu…
The thought of that proud woman—her wounded gaze, full of sorrow and resentment as she looked at him…
Pleading with him so meekly—made his chest ache.
Then, Xu Xuejiao called.
"Big sis, what now?"
"Hey! Do you *have* to be like this every time? When you need me, it's 'Xuejiao, my darling,' but when you don't, you bully me, scold me, and can't even answer the phone nicely!"
"Alright, alright. What's up?"
"I've got news."
"Go on."
"My dad's decided to take down Qianfeng. He's already negotiating with Leng Tianhao."
Lu Chengwen bolted upright. "*What!?*"