Chapter 17: A Display of Authority

"Ling, I... I'm planning to go out and work with my mom, to earn money for my dad's treatment."

Tang Shiyun spoke softly of her decision.

"No way, you've finally made it into university after so much difficulty, how can you give up so easily? If you miss this opportunity, do you want to end up like me, with nothing to show for it?"

"But I..."

"Enough, don't say anymore. It's just money, right? I'll figure something out for you."

Ling Chen promptly took on the responsibility. Having been alone since he was young, he placed great value on his friends. As long as he considered someone a friend, he would never stand by idly no matter what happened.

Especially since his current salary was over ten thousand, which was just enough to cover Tang Shiyun's tuition fees.

"Ling, don't worry about it, I don't want you to do anything illegal."

Tang Shiyun looked at him worriedly; she knew Ling Chen's situation wasn't much better than hers, and she feared he might resort to illegal activities in order to pay for her tuition.

Ling Chen was speechless, but it wasn't surprising; Tang Shiyun only knew that he was fired from the courier company and wasn't aware that he had found a job.

"Relax, I just found a job today, the salary is over ten thousand a month."

"Really?" Tang Shiyun was half in doubt.

Ling Chen nodded.

"Girl, just focus on your studies and don't worry about the rest. If you truly encounter something you can't solve, come find me. Ling will definitely help you."

"Okay. Thank you, Ling, I will surely pay you back double once I earn money."

The next day.

Ling Chen got up early, dressed in the security uniform he had just received yesterday, and took the bus directly to the Hongyu Group headquarters.

Once in the office, it was empty, Wei Jun was probably out on patrol.

"Are you Ling Chen?"

Ling Chen turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a stern face walking in through the door. The man was in his thirties, with wheat-colored skin, sharp facial features, penetrating eyes, and a very sturdy physique.

Just one glance told Ling Chen everything about the man's background. This person wasn't just a soldier; he was also a hardened elite from the military, the kind that had seen battle.

"Yes, I am. And you are?"

"Zhong Wei."

"So, you're Captain Zhong, hello."

He had learned from Wei Jun that the captain of the security department was named Zhong Wei.

Captain Zhong scrutinized Ling Chen with a evaluating gaze.

"Housekeeper Liu said you're quite the fighter."

"I'm alright," Ling Chen said with a modest smile.

"Come with me."

Dropping that line, Captain Zhong walked out of the office.

Before long, the two of them arrived at the gym on the first floor. This training room was exclusively for Team One members, equipped with all kinds of training gear.

When Ling Chen walked in, he saw seven or eight team members training vigorously, each robust and powerful. Compared to these men, his figure seemed somewhat slight.

Soon, his arrival caught everyone's attention.

"Captain Zhong, is this the Ling Chen who got in through the back door?"

Back door?

Ling Chen felt somewhat displeased; after all, he was personally invited.

"Members who join Team One must go through strict tests, but since you're recommended by Housekeeper Liu, you don't need to go through them."

Hearing Captain Zhong's explanation, Ling Chen finally understood why those guys accused him of taking shortcuts.

"However..."

Zhong Wei's tone shifted, "Although you've been spared the test, you can't be exempt from the internal assessment. If your abilities don't meet our minimum requirements, I will suggest to the chairman to move you to Team Two."

"What sort of test?"

Zhong Wei gave a look, and a well-built young man immediately walked onto the training ground, beckoning Ling Chen with a finger and with a provocative expression.

"As long as you can last two minutes under my hands, you'll qualify to stay in Team One."

Ling Chen's lips curled slightly, these guys obviously wanted to give him a tough initiation.

"Captain Zhong, look at my small frame, you should at least choose an opponent of a similar size to me, otherwise, it's too unfair."

Hearing this, the crowd looked at him with a bit more scorn.

Zhong Wei said coldly, "If you don't even have that much courage, then you might as well go to Team Two. We don't need cowards in Team One."

"Kid, at worst, I'll only use one hand."

"That's better."

Ling Chen smiled slyly and swiftly moved to the center of the ground.

"Liang Zhao Hui, be careful with your hands."

Captain Zhong reminded him. After all, he was someone recommended by Liu Kun, it wouldn't be good if he was injured too severely.

"Don't worry, boss, I'll just play around with him, won't hurt him. Come on, kid, bring it on, let me see what you've got."

"Here I come."

"Bring it on."

Ling Chen stepped forward two paces, his hands nervously rubbing together.

"I'm really coming now."

Liang Zhao Hui impatiently said, "What's with all the nonsense, get on with it... Huh?"

Before he could finish his sentence, his pupils shrank as he saw a leg lash out at a ferocious speed. Before he could react, he felt a fierce pain in his abdomen, and his body was already laying on the ground.

Hiss!

The onlookers drew in a breath of cold air.

This kid was too shameless.

He clearly had such good skills but pretended to be so timid, deceiving them all.

Ling Chen walked over to Liang Zhao Hui and said with a grin, "Friend, you must remember, never underestimate any opponent. If I were the enemy, you'd be dead now."

Everyone was speechless, it was supposed to be a lesson for him, but instead, he turned around and gave them a lecture.

"Ling Chen is right. Never underestimate your opponent at any time, or the price could very well be your life. Liang Zhao Hui, you're penalized with two hundred push-ups, I hope you remember this lesson. Ling Chen, come with me to the office."

"Yes, Captain Zhong."

Back in the office.

"Captain Zhong, did I pass the examination?"

"Ling Chen, it's your first day on the job, and I have two things to remind you. First, no matter how strong your ability is, you must follow my orders. Without rules, there is no circle. We are a team; we don't need members who try to be heroes on their own. Second, only I am allowed to discipline my team members, you have no right to do so. Considering it's your first offense, I'll let it go this time, but I hope it doesn't happen again."

"Yes, yes, I'll remember all that."

"First, go back to the gym and get to know everyone, and later I'll assign you a task."

Returning to the gym, Ling Chen greeted everyone individually. However, the attitudes were somewhat cold. They were all ex-military, and the relationship between soldiers is very special. Suddenly having a newcomer made them uncomfortable.

Ling Chen didn't mind, as he knew that it would take time to integrate into a team.

Seeing Liang Zhao Hui still doing push-ups, he walked straight over.

"Brother, sorry about earlier, don't take it to heart."

Liang Zhao Hui kept his eyes straight, as if he hadn't heard him.

Seeing that the other party refused to respond, Ling Chen didn't want to bother further and simply sat down to play on his phone.

"Playing with your phone during work hours, a fine of one thousand."