Chapter 69: Defensive Forces

The two cars entered the Longhai Garden Villas separately. He Tian had specially arranged for Li Kai’s car to be certified and registered, and only after the security personnel personally checked everything were they allowed through.

He Tian didn’t find this troublesome at all; on the contrary, he greatly appreciated such measures. The stricter the security, the safer Longhai Garden would be.

“Wow… this is incredible!” Li Yingying exclaimed repeatedly as she gazed at the villa district that resembled a castle.

“Come on, let me show you around!” Wang Xinyou grabbed Li Yingying’s hand and hurried off with her.

Lan Ji smiled gently and slowly walked away to have a word with Chen Long and the other four.

He Tian invited Li Kai to sit down in the main hall.

Aunt Qiu sent a servant to serve tea.

“How is it?” He Tian asked with a cheerful smile.

“It’s astonishing… This is the life of the wealthy!” Li Kai leaned back on the sofa, grinning.

“Hahaha, I’m no rich man. This villa was gifted to me—I didn’t spend a penny on it! But that’s not important. What matters now is, I want to know about that Young Master He—some information and background!” He Tian smiled as he spoke. “Don’t tell me you have no idea, you sly fellow.”

“There’s nothing to brag about,” Li Kai explained.

“I know that! You don’t need to say more. As long as I see you and Yingying happy, you’re my friend! Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning my back on you. Even if you wield great power, I won’t let you off easy!” He Tian’s tone grew serious.

“Can’t you see my feelings for Yingying?” Li Kai replied just as solemnly.

“It’s best to lay everything on the table first! I have a hunch that things won’t be easy for you two. You’d better be mentally prepared,” He Tian said, blinking.

“No one can keep me from pursuing my own happiness! No one!” Li Kai’s face was resolute, his resolve unmistakable.

“I don’t doubt it… but there will be many hardships ahead! No one can help you, you’ll have to rely on yourself,” He Tian shifted the subject. “Now, tell me about that Young Master He! I don’t believe Young Master Hai can suppress him. We’re bound to have more trouble with him in the future!”

“The He family is a huge clan. Old Master He’s proteges are spread across the country, their influence is vast. When the old man was alive, He Jiansheng—that’s the Young Master He—was the leader of the He family’s external affairs, managing all their outside businesses and connections. But, he didn’t do a great job. He was arrogant and domineering, never learned to hide his sharp edges. Although he amassed a fortune, his methods were ruthless and he brought the He family a lot of bad publicity.

Still, Old Master He was very fond of He Jiansheng, and He Jiansheng knew how to curry his favor. So he kept his position securely for a long time. He was once one of the Four Young Lords of Tianhai! Unfortunately, only three of them are still prominent today.

After Old Master He passed away, the He family’s influence shrank on all fronts, and their power is nothing like before. He Jiansheng was immediately removed from his post, and the family shifted its focus to Beijing. There’s another Young Master He in Beijing who is now the real face of the He family’s external affairs. In our circles, people privately refer to Tianhai’s Young Master He as the ‘Second Young Master,’ though never to his face.

Even though He Jiansheng lost his power, he had held the reins for years, and with the family’s focus shifting north, the resources he controls in Tianhai—especially the hidden ones—are largely unaffected. In terms of overall strength, apart from lacking the He family’s full support, he’s still on par with Young Master Hai, Young Master Cheng, and Young Master Qi.

Tonight, you made He Jiansheng lose face in front of everyone. I doubt he’ll let it slide.

He’s the sort who won’t rest until he gets what he wants, and he’ll use any means necessary. You’d better be careful, and don’t let his silence before Young Master Hai lull you into complacency.”

Li Kai poured out all he knew without reservation.

He Tian didn’t bother asking what influence He Jiansheng had in Tianhai—he guessed Li Kai didn’t know. Otherwise, he’d have said so already.

He Tian narrowed his eyes.

The strength and background of He Jiansheng were within his expectations. As for his character, He Tian had already gotten a good sense of it in their brief encounter.

He Tian wasn’t afraid.

He simply knew that this time, against He Jiansheng, he couldn’t rely on the power of Dragon Soul. At most, he could use certain channels to get information on He Jiansheng from the Security Bureau, Military Intelligence, or even the Dragon Group. Everything else, he would have to face himself.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. As for you… he won’t dare touch you. But I can’t say the same for Yingying. He Jiansheng is capable of anything. To be honest, it’s my fault for dragging you into this…” He Tian said gravely.

“He Jiansheng knows Yingying is my girlfriend! He wouldn’t dare touch her! Even if my family doesn’t agree for now, since I’ve made Yingying’s status public, my family wouldn’t stand by and do nothing. He Jiansheng may be crazy, but he understands that much. Unless he’s gone completely mad and throws all caution to the wind!” Li Kai replied, his face brimming with confidence.

He Tian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—this was the real Li Kai. The version he knew before, in front of Yingying, was just another side, molded to accommodate her.

He Tian could feel Li Kai’s love for Yingying—so steadfast and resilient.

To tell the truth, He Tian felt a bit jealous of him.

Wang Xinyou returned to the living room with Li Yingying, who was still chattering excitedly.

Though Li Yingying’s family was well-off and her father’s real estate business considerable, their living conditions were nothing compared to this place. No wonder she was so full of emotion now.

“Yingying, you’re talented and have a gift for business. I have the capital… So, as long as you work hard, what kind of villa couldn’t you own? Go for it!” Wang Xinyou said, seizing the moment to encourage her.

“I will! Just wait and see!” Li Yingying clenched her fist, as if she’d found a clearer goal.

It was getting late, so Li Kai and Li Yingying didn’t linger and took their leave.

He Tian and Wang Xinyou saw them all the way to the gates of Longhai Garden before returning to the villa.

“Where’s Xinmeng?” He Tian noticed Lan Ji had returned to the living room and immediately asked.

“She has a social engagement; said she’ll be back late,” Lan Ji replied, clearly having already asked about her whereabouts.

“Lan Ji, take Chen Long and Hou Qiang and drive out at once!” He Tian said in a low voice. “It’s not safe at night, especially on the road between the city and Longhai Garden. If anything happens, Old Hu can’t handle it alone.”

“I’ll go right away,” Lan Ji replied, immediately standing up.

She called Chen Long and Hou Qiang, and the three of them left to meet up with Wang Xinmeng.

Wang Xinyou suddenly grew a little anxious.

“Don’t be nervous. I’m just being cautious,” He Tian patted her head with a smile.

“This constant sense of possible danger is really nerve-wracking!” Wang Xinyou gradually calmed down, though she still looked annoyed.

“It’ll get better, don’t worry,” He Tian comforted her.

But looking closely, He Tian realized his side was still a bit short-handed.

Chen Long and his four could guard the house, no problem. But the rest—He Tian, Old Hu, and Lan Ji—were each responsible for protecting one of five people. And He Tian was certain he’d be leaving the house more and more in the future.

That meant the safety of the Wang sisters needed to be considered even more carefully.

He Tian began to consider whether he should call in more people—especially those few…

He still remembered their loyalty, and he didn’t want to see them continue living in those conditions, step by step. In the past, He Tian lacked the means. Now, he had the ability, the finances, and the authority to bring them to his side.

So why hesitate any longer?

“When Xinmeng returns, I’ll probably have to go out, and may not be back tomorrow. For school tomorrow, let Lan Ji accompany you and help excuse my absence,” He Tian said seriously. “Xinyou, you must listen to Lan Ji. You know how much I worry if there’s any danger at all. Don’t make me worry, all right?”

Wang Xinyou, caught by He Tian’s earnest and caring gaze, blushed and lowered her head.

But even with her head down, she nodded vigorously.

“I won’t lecture you! I just want you sisters to be safe—that’s the only way I can uncover the mastermind behind all this, step by step. Don’t do anything foolish!” He Tian urged again.

“I understand!” Wang Xinyou replied obediently. “I’ll listen to Sister Lan Ji in everything.”

“Good girl!” He Tian said with a smile.

“Oh, come on…” Wang Xinyou rolled her eyes.

“Hahaha!” He Tian burst out laughing.

“By the way, where are you going?” Wang Xinyou asked curiously.

“Don’t ask! I can’t really say…” He Tian replied mysteriously. After all, he couldn’t just tell her he was going out under another identity to flirt, and was planning to court Cao Xiaomin, her sister’s trusted lieutenant, could he?

If he really said that, Wang Xinyou would probably explode on the spot.

He Tian could see right through this girl’s feelings for him now, and he was utterly certain of them.

He was still considering what to do, though.

But his thoughts now were already different from the confusion of the past couple of days.

Now, it was more about how to enjoy the best of both worlds, how to be surrounded by beautiful women, how to savor the pleasures of life…

Though these thoughts were still vague, He Tian was wavering and needed to sort them out and define his position.

But the inclination was already there.

All of this was the result of the transformation brought by He Long’s other identity…