Chapter 34: Steady Scumbag

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Steady Scumbag

Zhang Yun suddenly didn’t know what to say. Ouyang Mingruo’s expression had turned truly serious. It seemed everything she had said before was just a buildup; this was her real intention!

He immediately recalled the scene of her car being sent flying by a collision... Someone really was trying to murder her!

"I sympathize with you, and I’m willing to help. Being the personal bodyguard of a beautiful CEO was once my childhood dream. But reality is reality. I’m not a returning War God Soldier King, nor am I a reborn Cultivation Expert. I know absolutely nothing about how to defend and protect someone," Zhang Yun said earnestly.

"Are you saying you won’t help me?" Ouyang Mingruo’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment and sorrow.

"If I protect you," Zhang Yun replied, "the only possible outcome is that we both get killed!"

He did have personal strength now, and he had learned a few Martial Arts moves. Dealing with ordinary people was no problem, and he could handle formal matches. But what use was that? What if ten people came at him? What if they had knives? What if they had guns?

Would murderers even use such direct methods? If a motorcycle rammed into him, he might be strong enough to kick it away. But could he kick a car away? What about a heavy truck? What if they used poison? Electricity? Honey traps?

It wasn’t as if Zhang Yun couldn’t make money right now. Even if he wanted to help out of emotional sympathy, rationally, safety had to come first.

Ouyang Mingruo sighed softly. "You saved me, and you have absolutely no connection to my social circle... That’s why I can trust you. Yet, you refuse to save me one more time..."

Paired with her sorrowful gaze, her words almost made Zhang Yun cave. He could only secretly tell himself, "Stay calm! You’re not a simp for a goddess. We just met by chance. A lowly farmer like you shouldn’t worry about the fate of a princess..."

"The reason I keep holding my phone and constantly messaging you is that I’m afraid if I close my eyes, a fake nurse will come and give me a lethal injection," Ouyang Mingruo smiled bitterly.

Her words were a bit too much for Zhang Yun to bear. "It can’t be that bad! Your dad will definitely protect you one hundred percent. Once you return to your own territory, the protection will be even better."

"The enemy is in the dark while I’m out in the open! It’s impossible to guard against. The bodyguards you saw are supposedly trustworthy, but who knows if they haven’t been bought off?"

Zhang Yun nodded. "That makes sense. You can guard against outsiders day and night, but an inside job is hard to prevent. Throw ten times the usual profit at someone, and no loyalty can withstand it. If your trusted bodyguards turn on you, you’re truly done for..."

"That’s why I can only rely on you! Brother Zhang Yun..." Ouyang Mingruo looked at him eagerly, her eyes filled with pitiful grievance.

Zhang Yun got goosebumps all over from being called "Brother Zhang Yun."

"Since you’ve put it that way..."

"You finally agreed?"

Zhang Yun shook his head. "Now I definitely can’t go!"

"Damn it! Are you even a man?! I’ve already stooped this low. What more do you want from me? Don’t you know how to treat a woman with tenderness? Pah! You scumbag!"

Ouyang Mingruo was truly going crazy. She had appealed to his emotions and reason, acted pitiful, feigned weakness, and even called him "Brother Zhang Yun"—yet all she got in return was an even more resolute rejection!

Did his dad know he played it this incredibly safe?

"I’m afraid of dying! It’s so dangerous—what if I get killed? My dad only has one son. I haven’t even carried on the family line yet, haven’t had the chance to f- ... fraternize with women from all over. With such great genes, I have to have a few more kids..."

"Get lost, you scumbag!" Unable to tolerate him any longer, Ouyang Mingruo directly cut the video call.

Zhang Yun let out a breath. Fortunately, he was quick-witted enough not to tap on her red envelopes, otherwise, he would have felt obligated to help after taking her money. Through their conversation just now, he had gained a better understanding of Ouyang Mingruo’s situation. Judging by her demeanor, she didn’t trust anyone at the moment and desperately wanted someone to protect her closely.

However, Zhang Yun wasn’t about to play the gallant knight. This had nothing to do with him; it was better to play it safe. With the Peach Blossom Spring Space in his hands, making money was not an issue. Wouldn’t it be nice to just stay home and be a carefree farmer? Getting involved in wealthy family feuds was a death wish.

On the way home, Zhang Yun saw Sister-in-law Xiuqin and Aunt Jiu from afar on the field ridges, likely heading out for some farm work. His footsteps couldn’t help but slow down. Should he take a detour? Meeting face-to-face would be so awkward!

Earlier, he had been quite worried about Xiuqin’s situation, afraid that she might do something foolish out of shame...

While he was hesitating, it was already too late to take a detour. They had crossed paths head-on.

"Aunt Jiu, Sister-in-law Xiuqin..." Zhang Yun tried his best to act natural as he greeted them.

"Off to feed the fish, huh?" Aunt Jiu greeted enthusiastically. Xiuqin merely murmured an "Mhm," keeping her head slightly lowered to avoid Zhang Yun’s gaze.

"Yeah, bought some new fish fry to release."

Zhang Yun smiled and made small talk before they brushed past each other.

As he passed by Sister-in-law Xiuqin, Zhang Yun felt her body tremble slightly. Perhaps, like him, she couldn’t help but recall the scene in the cornfield at noon... Whether it was because the memory of her throwing herself into his arms was so profound, or simply because they were standing too close, Zhang Yun felt as if he could smell Xiuqin’s scent and feel a trace of her body heat.

Brushing past each other took only a second. Continuing forward, Zhang Yun let out a breath inwardly. He was overthinking it. What could he possibly feel in that split second? However, what he had seen and embraced at noon had only lasted for a few seconds, yet everything had been so clear and real that it kept replaying in his mind...

"Zhang Yun, over here!"

Upon returning to the village, Zhang Yun heard someone calling out. He looked over and saw Zhang Youcai waving at him secretively from an alley.

"Is there a problem with the soft-shelled turtle?" Zhang Yun’s first reaction was that the man was looking for after-sales service.

The effects and side effects of the mutated creatures rapidly grown in the Peach Blossom Spring Space still needed verification. Old Zhang’s ginseng hadn’t been eaten by Ouyang Mingruo, and he didn’t know if the other turtle had been consumed yet. Zhang Youcai was providing the very first post-purchase feedback.

"Good stuff!" Zhang Youcai gave a thumbs-up, unable to hold back his joyous sharing. "I simmered it slowly over a low fire and only ate it at noon. All afternoon I’ve been... hehe, completely revitalized!"

Looking at his demeanor, Zhang Yun guessed that the only thing "revitalized" was his lower half; he was probably standing at attention with impressive vigor!

"As long as it wasn’t a waste of money. I was afraid you’d ask me for a refund," Zhang Yun said, pretending not to understand. He didn’t expose the fact that Zhang Youcai had previously claimed it was meant as a gift.

"If you catch any more in the future, save them for your uncle. I won’t short you on the money!" Zhang Youcai lowered his voice to make a reservation. Aside from him, no one else in the village was willing to part with a hefty sum of ten thousand, but he was afraid Zhang Yun would take them to the county to sell.

Zhang Yun also lowered his voice. "To tell you the truth, I didn’t catch it in my fish pond. I know a place where there are plenty more. Just let me know in advance when you need one. If money isn’t an issue, I’ll even risk fetching you bigger ones!"

Zhang Youcai’s eyes shone brightly. "This stays between you and me. Don’t tell anyone else, and I won’t let you down. After all, I still have plenty of gifts to give!"

Zhang Yun treated it as earning a little pocket money; what truly caught his attention was the efficacy! He had no use for it himself yet, but men were more than willing to spend money on this kind of thing.

Upon returning home and finding that his dad wasn’t there, Zhang Yun came up with a great idea and immediately entered the Peach Blossom Spring Space...