"As your guardian spirit, I make the right decisions for you. Look, now. That woman, seeing her strong cousin defeated by you so easily, will think twice about her revenge."

"Hmm?" Lin Fang blinked, turning his attention toward the blonde-haired beauty, who stood frozen for a moment, mouth parted. "He's that strong that even my cousin, someone who could defeat even an A-rank hunter, got destroyed in one hit?" The thought replayed in her head like a bad loop. She stared at the place where Adam had crashed and then at the ring, as if the arena itself had betrayed her sense of order.

*

After a long, groggy breath, Adam started blinking awake. He pushed himself up, dazed, scanning the gym until his eyes landed on Vivian. "Where—where's Lin Fang?" he croaked, voice rough.

Vivian answered with a darkened face, clearly not pleased by the outcome. "You were out for three hours."

"Three hours?!" Adam shot up in alarm, clutching his head. He stared around in disbelief, then fixed his gaze on the ring like someone realizing the world had shifted. "Three hours… damn."

Vivian's face hardened into something colder. She stepped closer to him, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "Cousin, you should believe me when I say that man is not what he seemed. He is the intruder. He did this to me."

Adam groaned, rubbing his ribs. "If he's a bad guy who attacked my sister, I don't care who he is; I'll punish him even if I lose a limb." The protectiveness in his tone was immediate, reflexive.

However, Vivian's next set of words surprised him: "No, I don't want to punish him anymore. I can see that rather than pursuing him for revenge, it is better to put away my ego." Her eyes then glittered with a different plan as she announced. "I decided. I will recruit him."

Adam blinked, confusion and curiosity mixing in his expression. "Recruit him?"

Vivian nodded decisively. "Yes. If I can't punish my enemy, then I must bend his knee and make him an ally. Do you know where he lives?

Adam thought for a moment, then nodded. "I don't know his exact address, but I know he runs a shop — Fang Fang Pets. It's quite popular."

Vivian tucked that tidbit away like a weapon. "Good. We'll start there."

In the late afternoon, as sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the training chamber of Fang Fang Pets store, casting long, narrow stripes of light across the floor, Lin Fang was seen in the middle of sparring with Blazing Smilodon, Cloud, moving fluidly without daggers or Alpha's powers.

The air vibrated with energy as the sabertooth lunged and twisted, and Lin Fang dodged, countered, and rolled with seamless precision.

A faint chime interrupted their rhythm. Lin Fang glanced at the screen installed in the room. It was a call from reception. He accepted the call.

"Mr. Lin Fang, someone named Vivian Moreau is here and wishes to see you," the receptionist's voice came through, polite but firm.

Lin Fang paused mid-roll, brushing sweat from his brow. Vivian? He didn't recognize the name. "Tell her to wait at the lounge," he replied casually, ignoring the curiosity prickling at the back of his mind.

Finishing the session, he sheathed his weapons and wiped his face, walking toward the first floor. The lounge was a quiet, separate section, with plush sofas and soft lighting. There, sitting with a composed posture, was the blonde-haired woman. "So, her name is Vivian, huh…" He thought.

"Hello," she said, her tone even but her eyes sharp, measuring him as if he were an equation she had yet to solve.

Lin Fang's greeting came awkwardly, a simple, "Hello."

He lowered himself into the chair opposite her, trying to mask his unease. Vivian's gaze didn't waver. She took a slow, steady breath.

"I'm not confused," she said finally. "I know it was you."

Lin Fang exhaled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes, it was me. But I didn't want Adam or Zhi Yan to misunderstand… they're good friends of mine." His voice held sincerity, tinged with unease.

Vivian nodded slightly. "I won't pursue that matter further." Her eyes softened fractionally, though a hint of fire still lingered. "But I remember you said you'd compensate me for the mental damage. Not only in the hotel room, but also that morning… You made a fool out of me."

Lin Fang bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry… again. But you are hell bent on revenge, turning my good friend into my enemy. I have no choice."

She waved her hand, cutting him off. "Forget it. I don't hold it against you," she said firmly. Her voice had an edge of finality, yet there was no malice. "I'm here to put away the grudge, but it isn't going to disappear unless you do something for me."

Lin Fang stared at her for a few seconds. He knows that this girl is rich and rich people have a high ego, and they go to any extent for it. Seeing this girl intended to bury it, Lin Fang took the chance and asked. "What is it? Please speak freely. As long as it doesn't cross my bottom line, I'll try my best."

Vivian's gaze was steady as she stared directly into his eyes. "Protect me for three days until I leave the city. And of course, not for free either. I'll pay one hundred thousand credits per day." She watched his face for a reaction. "Take the job and I'll let it go. No grudges."

One hundred thousand a day. Lin Fang's eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly. "That much? You in danger that bad?"

Vivian gave a small, dry laugh, not at all amused. "I'm next in line to inherit my grandfather's company. That comes with… complications. Yes—there's a life threat. But no one here knows I'm staying in the city. I don't like bodyguards. They're noisy, obvious, and attract attention." She paused, eyes narrowing just a fraction. "What I want is someone who can stay with me and protect me. But clearly, my fiancé failed in that task. And approaching a guild will attract unnecessary attention from my rivals."

Lin Fang asked. "So, all I have to do is stay with you at the hotel and accompany you wherever you go for three days and protect you from harm?"

"Exactly." Vivian's tone was flat, businesslike as she explained. "It isn't as complicated and tiring as you expect, either. The first two days are easy, just accompany us to the dinners and shopping. And make sure nobody takes advantage of me, verbally or physically. That includes my fiancé." She added the last part like it was a minor footnote, but the look she shot in Vivian's direction—sharp and practiced—made the point clear. "On the third day, I will have to attend an auction. I need you to protect me and the items I win in the auction until I get onto the plane. Protect me, keep me safe, and deal with trouble as it arises. Do this, and I'll write off the grudge I have on you."

Lin Fang considered the rhythm of her words. He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. Low risk. High payoff for three days. For someone like him, who is in debt to the system, he certainly needed to earn as much money as he could.

After what seemed like eternal silence, he gave a nod. "Fine. But I have a few conditions."

Vivian tilted her head. "Name it."

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