It turns out that Gao Ming opened a dried fruit processing factory in Qili Village, and after a few years he had made a small fortune.

When people have money, their standards rise.

His sworn brother often lamented when drinking that if his aunt hadn't found such a good husband, his family would still be repairing the earth in Qili Village!

When he was drunk, he advised Gao Ming that Gao Dianlan was beautiful and shouldn't be let marry a peasant so easily.

If he could marry someone rich and powerful, the Gao family would benefit from it in the future.

When this was said the first time, Gao Ming just listened and let it go.

On the second try, Gao Ming became a bit more creative.

By the third time, he secretly made up his mind that he must find a good brother-in-law for his sister.

However, Gao Dianlan was a very opinionated girl. She didn't like to interact with others much, but she always went to the Fan family.

The Fan family was dirt poor. There was an older brother and a younger sister in the family, both of whom were old and unmarried.

Gao Ming realized this was no good; if the girl got together with Fan Jingzhu, it would be disastrous.

When he got anxious, he started making a mess of things.

First, they strictly forbade Gao Dianlan from going to the Fan family, and then they openly began to introduce potential partners to Gao Dianlan.

However, a man with money and power is in high demand anywhere.

Besides, people naturally have their own social circles for marriage, so it's unlikely to circulate to the lower classes.

Gao Ming was so anxious that his lips were covered in blisters. He drank too much and complained to his sworn brother, "If we can't find anyone soon, I'm really afraid that Dian Lan will be carrying that kid Fan Jingzhu's child!"

He can defend against the first day of the month, but not the fifteenth.

Gao Ming couldn't stay at home all the time, so whenever he went out, Gao Dianlan would secretly go to the Fan family's house.

He came back late at night several times, and there were all sorts of rumors circulating in the village.

When his brother burped from drinking, there wasn't much he could do, so they started chatting about other things.

As they talked, they started talking about Li Xiangdong.

A wealthy man who can get the Chief Justice of the High Court to personally greet and take care of him, is said to be very generous and also very handsome.

After praising Li Xiangdong seriously for a long time, the brother exclaimed that there are always people more capable than oneself, and that there is always something beyond one's reach. He had thought he was already quite capable, but he never expected that the other person was even more amazing.

The two chatted for a while and then parted ways.

However, Fan Jingmei overheard their conversation.

A faint smile appeared on Fan Jingmei's lips. She went back and discussed the idea with Gao Dianlan.

It's actually quite simple.

They took advantage of Gao Ming's anxiety and had people intentionally or unintentionally mention Li Xiangdong in his ear.

Then she added that it would be great if her family had a daughter or a younger sister who could marry Li Xiangdong.

This way, you can not only have a lot of money to spend, but also get in touch with the president of the High Court, making it easier to do things in the future!

When others say these things, the speaker may have ulterior motives, but the listener may take them to heart.

Gao Ming immediately discussed this idea with his father.

First, they used rosewood to lure Li Xiangdong to their destination, and then they set up a honey trap to force Li Xiangdong and Gao Dianlan to marry.

He thought he was incredibly lucky, but he never expected that his actions would fall right into Fan Jingmei's trap.

On the day they got drunk, Fan Jingmei and her brother Fan Jingzhu were waiting outside the Gao family's house.

Therefore, even if Du Liang hadn't appeared, Gao Dianlan would have helped the Fan siblings move Li Xiangdong out.

Of course, Du Liang's sudden appearance disrupted the three's plans.

God knows how nervous Gao Dianlan was during Li Xiangdong and Du Liang's conversation!

However, Du Liang's rescue of Li Xiangdong played right into the hands of the three men.

As soon as Li Xiangdong left, Fan Jingzhu went inside, leaving Fan Jingmei alone at home to wait for news.

After hearing this account, Li Xiangdong slammed his fist on the table in admiration. This girl is quite capable; given time, she will surely become a remarkable person.

Despite nearly being forced into marriage by a honey trap, Li Xiangdong still admires Fan Jingmei and Gao Dianlan.

Their love was not accepted by the world, but they still tried their best. Their methods might not have been sophisticated, but as long as they worked, that was enough.

Of course, it would be even better if he didn't use himself as a pawn, Li Xiangdong thought to himself, touching his nose.

When Li Xiangdong left Hainan, he heard that Gao Dianlan and Fan Jingzhu had already obtained their marriage certificate.

After he returned to Lijiapo, he told his family about it as a joke.

Of course, he omitted the crucial information about the sexual orientation of the Fan siblings, but that was enough to attract attention.

Zhao Sufang was still shaken. "You must never eat or drink at a stranger's house again! Nothing happened this time, but what if you run into a murderer or robber next time?"

Li Jin also said sternly, "Your mother is right! If you're this careless again, don't even bother going out!"

His older sister, Li Lan, also advised him, "You don't know how treacherous people can be. We just solved a long-standing case a couple of days ago."

Three young men from the neighboring county went to Fanshi County to do small business, but then they disappeared without a trace. The villagers all said that they had made a fortune and were not coming home.

So, the police solved the case. They said the couple had lost money at the hotel and were poisoned and their bodies thrown into the river.

Li Xiangdong was startled.

I also realized that I had been a bit too arrogant this time.

He solemnly promised that he would keep a low profile in the future and would not personally handle any business dealings.

Li Jin and Zhao Sufang were finally relieved.

Yanjing (Beijing).

Yu Shi's face was full of anger.

Du Liang, Zhang Lu, and Pu Ying stood straight in front of him, not daring to utter a sound.

"The person I told you to protect so carefully, is this how you protect them?! Huh?!"

Yu Shi, though not angry, exuded authority: "Do you all feel that you used to protect high-ranking leaders, and now that you're asked to protect an ordinary citizen, you're unwilling?"

Du Liang quickly retorted, "No, we absolutely did not mean that!"

"No, no!"

"We are not unwilling!"

Looking at his comrade-in-arms and brother who had followed him for many years, Yu Shi showed no mercy whatsoever.

"No? If it were anyone else, would you also be eating and drinking like crazy? And getting completely drunk?"

Yu Shi walked up to Du Liang and asked, "Are you not drinking this time because your body can't handle it, or do you genuinely feel that you can't drink while on a mission?"

A layer of sweat instantly appeared on Du Liang's forehead.

He, he really couldn't drink because he himself.

Du Liang realized that they had made a big mistake.

Those who fail to prioritize protecting those in the course of their mission are committing a complete dereliction of duty.

Perhaps Li Xiangdong was too easy to talk to, or perhaps they simply looked down on him from the bottom of their hearts.

They felt that Li Xiangdong wasn't worth using the three of them.

————

Li Xiangdong received a phone call from Yu Shi in the evening.

During the phone call, Yu Shi didn't say anything else, only that Du Liang and the other two were having trouble getting home and might not be able to serve as Li Xiangdong's bodyguards anymore.

He then hired three more bodyguards for Li Xiangdong.

Li Xiangdong didn't ask any questions and accepted it with a smile.