Chapter 124: Codename: Sirius

Ensuring Chen Aijia’s absolute safety was a priority Yang Changfeng kept firmly in mind.

From a purely corporate perspective, her safety was the cornerstone of maintaining control over the company; should anything happen to her, the resulting turmoil would be exponentially worse than the current situation. Beyond that, she was not just his boss, but his wife in name.

"Old Zhang, keep your eyes peeled," Yang Changfeng said, pulling Zhang Baode aside after the police had left.

Zhang Baode was initially confused, but after a moment of reflection, he gasped, "Are you saying someone is going to..."

"Don't say it out loud. It’s just a gut feeling I have." Yang Changfeng gave him an appreciative pat on the back. The man wasn't slow, just honest to a fault.

Zhang Baode gritted his teeth. "Leader, don't worry. I can't help much on the outside, but inside the company, I will ensure the boss is completely safe. I’ll hire private security experts to train our guards. It’ll cost money, but no price is too high when it comes to safety."

Finally, he was starting to get it.

He didn't mind the spending, as long as it was for the right reasons. Clearly, Zhang Baode had turned a corner; he was now willing to spend and knew how to spend wisely.

"I’ve always said you were more than qualified to lead the security department, Old Zhang," Yang Changfeng said with a smile. He told Zhang to focus on drafting his report for the next day, then slipped into the study. Moments later, he quietly opened the rear window and climbed out through the same path the intruder had taken. He navigated through the high-rise buildings, traveling several kilometers before catching a ride toward the artificial island.

By the time he arrived, dawn had yet to break. Yang Changfeng spent a while chatting with the guards on duty. They were a professional security team—taking bribes was out of the question—but he gathered that they were highly competent professionals.

"I don't mind admitting to you boys that the pressure I'm under is greater than yours," Yang Changfeng said, carefully choosing his words. "Once I step outside these gates, the safety of two people rests entirely on my shoulders. I have an urgent matter, and I’m hoping you can help me out."

The head of the security shift replied, "Go ahead. If it’s something we can do, we’ll do it. Keeping the residents here safe means our jobs remain secure, right?"

Yang Changfeng made his request openly. "If anyone comes asking, I’d like you to tell them that I went out and didn't return tonight."

As professionals, they understood immediately.

"No problem," the shift leader said. "Don't worry, we know what to do. We’ll just say we didn't notice, and the other party will clearly get the hint."

That was perfect.

Yang Changfeng made a mental note to invite them for a meal when they were off-duty to build a rapport. Taking gifts might be against protocol, but there was nothing wrong with becoming friends in private. This place was excellent; there was no better community in Jiangzhou than this artificial island paradise, and it was the best place for Chen Aijia. Building a solid relationship with the security team would only make things better in the long run.

Often, money wasn't enough to foster genuine connections. Chen Aijia’s previous cold and arrogant demeanor had likely left these guards with some grievances, but there was still time to make amends.

Yang Changfeng asked the shift leader for the team captain’s phone number. "Coincidentally, my contact told me earlier they were looking for experienced security personnel to train the team at my company. I’ll look up your leadership later and see if we can get some assistance."

This was a lucrative opportunity for them. The guards exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy. The shift leader shook Yang Changfeng’s hand, offering only a single word: "Thanks."

After Yang Changfeng slipped back home, the other guards asked their leader, "Why were you so polite to that guy?"

The leader replied coolly, "He’s a good lad who served in the military. If comrades don't help comrades, then where is the justice?"

He had retired from a special forces unit within a certain army group. Despite his title as a security shift leader, his salary was higher than most white-collar workers. He was a man of genuine substance.

Back home, both women were still asleep. Yang Changfeng felt a pang of frustration, but then he smiled. They were sleeping so soundly because they trusted him. Being trusted felt better than anything else.

He looked down at his hands and sighed. If his team were here, if his old commanding officer were here, he wouldn't have to scramble like this.

*Brothers, I really miss you all.*

*Old Chief, is the old unit doing well? Did you manage to recruit any good talent this year? At this time of year, you must be cursing your old subordinate, 'Little Feng,' for being disobedient—for choosing to assist other departments on special missions instead of staying on as a true king of soldiers.*

Yang Changfeng reached under his clothes and pulled out a small, black iron plate. Etched upon it was a fire phoenix, soaring through the heavens and singing amidst the flames.

This was the only memento left to him by his old unit. Unlike his time with the mercenary group, his longing for his old unit only grew stronger with time.

In the brightening light, the fire phoenix seemed ready to take flight. Yang Changfeng felt as though he were watching the scenes of his old training days—frame by frame, memory by memory—flashing before his eyes, impossible to hold onto.

Regrettably, he could never go back. He knew that after the sensitive missions he had undertaken, he was barred from contacting his old unit for fifteen years. What would become of him after fifteen years? If he returned, would he still be able to fight alongside this fire phoenix?

Curled up in the corner, Yang Changfeng wept as helplessly as a child. He didn't regret taking on the special mission as a mercenary captain—he felt a deep sense of pride—but he missed his old unit nonetheless.

"Tianlang!"

"Present!"

Dazed, Yang Changfeng dreamed of a scene: his old commander, with hair graying at the temples, shouting sternly in an underground base: "Do you realize that once you go, you will never come back?"

It wasn't just Yang Changfeng who had this dream. Thousands of miles away, in a secret base, an old man woke up from the same vision.

"Tianlang, it’s about time you came home. You won't be able to avenge your people on your own, kid!" The old man sat up on his cot, checked the time, and drew back the curtains to see the morning star rising. He muttered to himself, turning his gaze to a photograph resting on his simple desk.

In the photo, a dozen young soldiers beamed with joy. Yang Changfeng stood on the edge, wearing a goofy, naive grin. It was taken at the end of their intensive training.

They had been the old man’s pride and joy. Now, they were the backbone of the brigade. It was a pity that "Little Feng" had been sent on a different mission; otherwise, he would have been the perfect man for the current operation.

"Jiangzhou... that’s hardly the place for this kind of mission," the old man thought silently, his gaze turning toward the south.

To the south, where the mysterious city of Jiangzhou lay.