Chapter 12: Brothers of the Dragon and Tiger

Zhuang Chen picked up the information sheet. The first two pages were all personal details—meticulously detailed, including occupation, preferences, lifestyle habits, and even a general outline of interpersonal connections.

It was all very professional. Since he had chosen around-the-clock personal bodyguard service, the time he would spend with his protectors would likely surpass that with his own family. Naturally, both parties needed to deepen their understanding of each other; lives were not to be trifled with.

The pages that followed outlined the specific requirements. As he read through several sheets of professional introductions, Zhuang Chen realized for the first time that even bodyguards were ranked by grades.

The lowest tier served public figures—artists, athletes, celebrities—during their public engagements. These assignments were shorter in duration and typically involved protecting individuals in large crowds, such as at a singer's concert.

Escort bodyguards were mostly for temporary missions: transporting gold, antiques, cash, and other valuables. These required teamwork, security experience, discipline, and a strong sense of cooperation.

Domestic bodyguards, usually women, focused on the employer’s children, handling school runs, attending to daily life, sometimes caring for retired dignitaries, or managing the employer’s company, villa, and other fixed assets.

These three types generally relied on numbers rather than individual quality, the requirements were not high, and the commissions were modest. Flipping through the next few pages, Zhuang Chen’s eyes lit up.

Chauffeur bodyguards provided driving services in addition to protection, requiring strong technical skills and mastery of various vehicles, with their own unique driving styles, capable of both steady and high-speed maneuvering.

Assistant bodyguards offered long-term personal service but appeared in the guise of an assistant or secretary. High cultural literacy was required, including proficiency in multiple foreign languages, document handling, and communication and coordination skills.

Special operations bodyguards needed a minimum of five years’ experience, a cool head, exceptional combat skills, proficient driving, excellent communication, and strong teamwork. They were capable of handling public incidents, hostage rescues, and all sorts of crisis management with calm efficiency.

This was his main purpose today. After he finished filling out the forms, less than ten minutes later, a middle-aged man entered and introduced himself, "Mr. Zhuang, I am Liu Hua, the Security Director of Dewei. It’s an honor to serve you."

After a quick scan of the forms, he analyzed, “Given your situation, I recommend a three-person team: a driver, a personal assistant, and a close-protection bodyguard.”

“The personal assistant is a woman, fluent in several foreign languages, adept at social interactions, and will help manage your daily affairs—she, too, is professionally trained. Our drivers and bodyguards are all retired special forces soldiers with at least five years of experience; you can trust their professionalism.”

Seeing Zhuang Chen’s approval, Liu Hua produced a stack of files and smiled, "Here are the profiles and résumés of our three-person teams, with varying rates depending on their qualifications. Please have a look."

Zhuang Chen skimmed through them. It was indeed a professional company, as the steward had promised—most candidates were ex-special forces, many with experience in small-scale military operations; their résumés were impressive.

“Xia Long... Xia Hu?” Zhuang Chen reached the last few pages and, noticing the two men in the photos looked alike, asked, “Are they brothers?”

Liu Hua smiled, “You have a keen eye. Xia Long and Xia Hu are our star bodyguards, both ace former special reconnaissance soldiers, each with over a decade of experience, and they serve as instructors for our new recruits.”

“Xia Long specializes in hand-to-hand combat, reconnaissance and counter-surveillance, demolition, and tracking. Xia Hu excels in driving, surveillance and counter-surveillance, and marksmanship…”

Reading their formidable résumés, Zhuang Chen felt that he might be overqualified for his needs, but with a monthly fee of 150,000, they were certainly in a league of their own.

He made up his mind immediately, “I’ll take the two of them. I don’t need an assistant for now—perhaps in the future.”

Liu Hua stood up, wearing a confident smile, “A wise choice. Please wait a moment while I call them in.”

A phone call later, in less than five minutes, the brothers arrived. Xia Long was tall and imposing, with a stern expression. Xia Hu was lean, efficient, and sharp-eyed. Zhuang Chen’s first impression was positive.

After brief introductions, Liu Hua produced the contract and explained, “Your employment term is one year. If at any time you are dissatisfied, replacements can be arranged immediately. Confidentiality is absolutely guaranteed.”

Zhuang Chen signed, paid 1.8 million by card, and gained two new bodyguards—Xia Long for close protection, Xia Hu as his driver.

With everything settled, he walked outside. Seeing the brothers standing at attention, he said lightly, “No need to be so tense. I don’t have any deep-seated enemies—just have some spare cash, that’s all.”

“Boss, you’re too modest; it’s just our duty,” Xia Long replied, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, his tone earnest. “There’s no need to worry about us going forward. You’ll get used to it soon.”

Zhuang Chen touched his nose. On TV, having bodyguards was glamorous, but having two people shadowing him at every moment felt rather odd in reality…

No matter, he’d already paid. He’d get used to it. He turned to Xia Hu, “Next, I need to buy a car. Any recommendations as my driver?”

Xia Hu was taken aback. The new boss was unconventional—he had the means to hire top-tier bodyguards and a chauffeur but didn’t own a car yet…

After a moment’s thought, Xia Hu answered seriously, “Safety first. A sports car isn’t suitable. Ideally, something spacious with good driving performance.”

Zhuang Chen waved his hand casually, “Let’s get a Bentley. Rolls Royce is too conspicuous. Let’s go have a look.”

Xia Hu hailed a taxi and took the front seat. Xia Long opened the door for Zhuang Chen, and the two sat in the back. The driver, witnessing the scene, kept his eyes fixed ahead, professionalism on full display.

They arrived at the Bentley dealership. The sales assistant greeted them with a smile, instantly recognizing Zhuang Chen as the principal. “May I help you with anything?”

Glancing around the opulent showroom, Zhuang Chen asked offhandedly, “Do you have a Mulsanne available?”

“Yes, right this way.” The assistant led him to a black Mulsanne, opened the door, and presented, “This is this year’s new model. Top speed 298 km/h, front-engine, rear-wheel drive, curb weight 2,585 kilograms…”

Zhuang Chen waved her off and turned to Xia Hu, “Have you driven one before?”

Seeing Xia Hu nod, he asked the assistant directly, “Is a test drive possible?”

The sales assistant was momentarily stunned—what a blunt, handsome man, but she liked that. She quickly produced the necessary forms, registered them, and arranged for a test driver to accompany them.

On the first lap, Zhuang Chen and Xia Long sat in the back, nestled into handcrafted calf-leather seats, surrounded by a circular wooden trim made of a single piece of oak set into the walls of the car.

A ten-inch touchscreen, built-in multimedia system, a twenty-channel surround sound system. The seats had twelve-way electric adjustment, independent four-zone climate control, and a massage function.

Once in motion, there was not a hint of noise—it was like a small conference room gliding down the road. Truly, you get what you pay for. Splendid!