Inside the study, Jiang Xia's attitude took both Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi completely by surprise. They found it incomprehensible why Jiang Xia would place such high value on a bodyguard, acting as if he were entrusting him with all his trust and expectations.
Jiang Xia gently patted Tang Hao on the shoulder, then said in a deep voice, "The reason I asked you here is out of sheer necessity. These days, the tides in Jinghai City are shifting unpredictably, and various factions are gradually encroaching upon the business sector. My daughter has only just managed to stabilize the company's situation, and she cannot withstand the impact of these undercurrents. I hope you can eliminate potential threats for her and help her get safely through this perilous period."
Hearing these sincere words, Tang Hao was deeply moved. He nodded in assurance, saying, "Uncle Jiang, please rest assured. I will do my utmost to protect her safety and will not let you down."
Jiang Xia tightly grasped the back of Tang Hao's hand, looked at him gratefully, and said, "That is wonderful! I am truly grateful to you. I leave my daughter's care in your hands from now on!"
This scene was witnessed clearly by Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi, leaving them utterly baffled by Jiang Xia's attitude. If they had failed to understand him before, the present situation was even more bizarre. Jiang Xia was acting almost as if he were pleading with Tang Hao.
And Jiang Xia's final sentence left them even more perplexed. It sounded remarkably like he was arranging Jiang Wan's lifelong affairs.
"Dad!" Jiang Wan couldn't help crying out, trying to get Jiang Xia to give her an explanation.
Jiang Xia glanced at the two young women and said gently, "Xiaowang, Xiaoxi, you've been working all day and must be tired. Go on to the living room and get some rest. Steward Liu has already prepared meals, and we'll eat together shortly."
However, Jiang Wan refused to let it go. With tears in her eyes, she demanded, "Dad, what are you doing? Why are you trying to chase us away? Are you just going to wash your hands of us from now on? Have him take care of me? Can you really feel at ease with that?"
Jiang Xia sighed, his tone heavy. "You both need to learn to face everything independently. As a father, this is all I can do for you. You are already the group's president now; I have to consider these things for your sake. In the future, when I'm no longer around to take care of you, Xiao Hao will protect you. I know his character well—he would never do anything to harm you. I can guarantee you that."
Jiang Wan gently wiped away her tears and turned to leave. Seeing this, Bai Xiaoxi quickly followed behind her.
Jiang Wan didn't look back once as she walked upstairs, seeming genuinely unable to accept such a reality.
Only Jiang Xia and Tang Hao remained in the study. Watching Jiang Wan's retreating figure, Jiang Xia's eyes flashed with a trace of helplessness and reluctance.
Yet he knew this was for Jiang Wan's own good. He believed Tang Hao would be able to protect her and see her safely through this dangerous period.
With a smile, he walked over to Tang Hao, lightly patted his shoulder, and led him toward the spacious living room sofa on the ground floor.
Then, Jiang Xia spoke in a calm tone, "Xiao Hao, I know a little about your background. You lost both your parents at a young age, lacking that innate care and affection. All these years, Senior Tang has been looking after you; his strict demands have made you more mature and resilient than your peers. And the years you spent training abroad have truly shaped your growth. I firmly believe that with you here, my daughter will surely weather this storm."
Tang Hao gazed into Jiang Xia's eyes, a modest expression on his face. "Uncle Jiang flatters me," he said. "My return to the country this time is actually because I was disciplined by my organization. During a mission, I failed to achieve the expected results, so I was transferred back. But I promise such a mistake will not happen again; I will do everything in my power to prevent similar situations."
Jiang Xia smiled faintly, indicating his understanding. "Failure is the mother of success; everyone experiences setbacks. One can only imagine the difficulty and hardship of the missions you carried out abroad. The fact that you persevered for so many years is already ample proof of your capability."
At that moment, Steward Liu walked over and softly inquired, "Master, the meal is ready. Shall I ask the young ladies to come downstairs for dinner?"
After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Xia nodded. "Have them come down. I still have a few things to discuss with them."
Steward Liu acknowledged the order and left. Soon, Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi appeared together at the entrance of the dining room. Jiang Wan's eyes were slightly red and swollen, as if she had just been crying.
Steward Liu led the two young ladies to the dining table, while Jiang Xia guided Tang Hao to his seat. The table was laden with a wide variety of delectable dishes, featuring both Chinese and Western cuisines, clearly arranged to cater to different tastes.
Steward Liu said respectfully, "Master, Young Miss, these dishes were all prepared according to your preferences. I hope you will enjoy them."
Jiang Xia nodded with satisfaction, showing his appreciation. Afterwards, everyone took their seats. Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi sat on one side, Jiang Xia and Tang Hao sat on the other, and Steward Liu took the very end of the table.
Looking at the table full of delicacies, Tang Hao felt an urge to pick up his chopsticks. But seeing that the others had not yet begun eating, he managed to restrain his impulse.
Seeing this, Jiang Xia smiled and said, "Xiao Hao, no need to stand on ceremony. Today you are our guest, and this feast was prepared especially for you. Please help yourself."
Hearing Jiang Xia's words, Tang Hao finally cast aside his reservations and began to taste the fine food on the table.
Every single dish was a top-tier culinary masterpiece from an international hotel: steamed Chinese mitten crabs, braised fish in yellow sauce, three-fresh soup, Western-style cold cuts of beef, Western-style lamb chops, and a dazzling array of other mouth-watering creations.
He savored each dish carefully, inwardly full of praise for Steward Liu's culinary skills. Seeing Tang Hao eating with great relish, the others also picked up their chopsticks to enjoy this rare feast.
However, unlike Tang Hao who ate with hearty abandon, Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi ate cautiously, their moods evidently far from relaxed.
Jiang Xia laid down his chopsticks, looked solemnly at his daughter and Xiaoxi sitting opposite him, and slowly began, "My dear, Xiaoxi, I have something to tell you. After we finish this meal, Steward Liu and I will be moving out. From now on, this villa will be left to you two. I have other matters to attend to, and in the future, Xiao Hao will take care of you."
Hearing this, Jiang Wan's chopsticks froze mid-air. She stared at Jiang Xia in disbelief, a nameless wave of distress welling up inside her. "Why do you have to leave? Are you really leaving? By letting a stranger live with us, aren't you afraid something might happen?" Her tone was full of worry and incomprehension.
Jiang Xia looked at his daughter with a resolute gaze. "To employ someone is not to doubt them; to doubt them is not to employ them. You should understand this principle better than I do. Alright, we must be on our way now. Take good care of yourselves." With those words, he stood up and briskly walked away from the dining table.
Steward Liu seemed to have anticipated all of this long ago; he immediately rose to his feet to pack their luggage. Seeing this scene, the three of them lost their appetite entirely. They hastily laid down their chopsticks and followed them out.
At the entrance, Jiang Xia and Steward Liu had already packed their luggage. Carrying their bags, they quickly stepped outside, boarded a luxury commercial vehicle, and drove off into the distance. The three women stood at the doorway, watching them leave, their hearts filled with a tangled mixture of complex emotions.
Returning inside the villa, they no longer had any appetite to eat. They each sat on the living room sofa, mindlessly playing with their phones while lost in their own thoughts.
Lifting her head and seeing Tang Hao, Jiang Wan felt a sudden surge of anger, feeling that her father's departure was intricately tied to this man.
"You... as our bodyguard, I think it's necessary for us to set some ground rules," Jiang Wan said rigidly.
Tang Hao turned his head to look at Jiang Wan's stern face and nodded. "Alright, please go ahead."
"Rule number one... you stay downstairs while we stay upstairs. Without our permission, you are not allowed to step foot upstairs even once," Jiang Wan stated.
Tang Hao frowned slightly, but still nodded. "That's fine, but if you encounter danger and I don't go up, wouldn't that mean..."
"You don't need to worry about that. In short, without our permission, you are forbidden from coming upstairs," Jiang Wan interrupted him, her tone resolute.
"Rule number two... you must respect our privacy and not engage in any untoward behavior. Otherwise, I have the right to fire you," Jiang Wan continued.
Tang Hao nodded in agreement once more. "And what about the third rule?" he asked.
Jiang Wan thought for a moment, but hadn't come up with a third rule yet, so she said, "I haven't thought of the third rule yet; we'll talk about it later. Anyway, you must abide by the first two rules, or else I will dismiss you from your position as bodyguard."