Chapter 1363: Following Behind Like A Shadow
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Another invalid number.
Huo Shaoheng remained calm and asked, “What’s the number?”
His subordinate gave him the number.
It was another four-digit number, and it was claimed to be an international number. Based on their telecommunication tracking, it was confirmed that the call had indeed been made to the trans-oceanic submarine cable, all the way to the other side of the ocean.
However, it was cut off when it reached the other side of the ocean.
Because there was no such phone number on the other side.
Huo Shaoheng’s expression didn’t change at all. He said indifferently, “Continue to monitor her, and report back if there’s anything.”
“Yes, Chief.”
The person on the other side hung up.
Huo Shaoheng looked at Gu Nianzhi thoughtfully.
Gu Nianzhi felt extremely comfortable after eating a sumptuous breakfast and dinner.
Counting her steps as she walked, she stood up and paced back and forth in the living room.
Huo Shaoheng put the dishes into the dishwasher in the kitchen, put in the detergent for the dishwasher, then adjusted the program so that the dishwasher could start working.
He went to the bathroom to take a shower, then also went online to check his work emails in Gu Nianzhi’s bedroom.
Half an hour later, he came out of the bedroom and saw that Gu Nianzhi was still pacing around the living room.
Feeling speechless, Huo Shaoheng shook his head. He grabbed a military magazine and sat down on the sofa in the living room. He crossed his legs and flipped through the magazine as he asked calmly, “What are you doing? You’ve been walking for half an hour. Aren’t you tired?”
“I ate too much. I can’t sit down right after eating. I have to exercise more or my stomach will get bigger.” Feeling a little distressed, Gu Nianzhi rubbed her stomach. “I seem to have gained some weight recently.”
His Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, Huo Shaoheng’s gaze swept across her waist and abdomen. He said, “… You’re fine.”
He looked at the magazine in front of him. The black words and colorful pictures swayed in front of him, but he couldn’t bear to look at them.
After a while, Huo Shaoheng put down the military magazine in his hand and walked to the window. He crossed his arms and leaned against the windowsill. He looked carefully at Gu Nianzhi, who was still walking around the living room. Suddenly, he asked, “Is your period normal?”
Gu Nianzhi looked up at him in surprise. “It’s normal. It’s extremely on time. I just had my period a few days ago. What’s wrong?”
She just had her period a few days ago…
Therefore, it definitely wasn’t that.
Huo Shaoheng looked away with mixed feelings.
For a moment, he couldn’t tell whether he was more happy or more disappointed.
He decided not to think about it anymore. He walked to Gu Nianzhi’s side and said, “It’s useless to just walk if you want to reduce your stomach size.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Do push-ups. Do 20 standard push-ups at a time, inhale and suck in your stomach. Do a total of five sets. I promise you won’t have a big belly afterwards.”
Gu Nianzhi stopped in her tracks and blinked her big eyes twice. “Really? It’s that effective?”
She found a yoga mat and laid it on the ground. She laid down and did two.
Huo Shaoheng watched her slender waist collapse like a spoon. It made her back and waist and b.u.t.tocks look extremely alluring. He felt a little aroused inside, but he corrected her on the side. “Use all your strength on your waist. Don’t let it collapse.”
He patted Gu Nianzhi on the waist.
With a thud, Gu Nianzhi fell to the ground.
“What are you doing?!” Gu Nianzhi was furious. She looked up and wanted to retort, but saw Huo Shaoheng looking down at her. There was a faint smile on his lips, as if the morning sun was s.h.i.+ning through the cracks in the clouds.
Gu Nianzhi’s anger instantly melted like a snow lion under the sun.
Her eyes darted around as she got up from the yoga mat and sat on the ground hugging her knees. She said, “It’s useless. I don’t think this method can reduce my stomach size.”
“Why is it useless?” Huo Shaoheng glanced at her. “That’s because you didn’t do it properly.”
As he spoke, he flexed his muscles and bones, then laid down. His hands rested on Gu Nianzhi’s yoga mat as he began doing push-ups.
Gu Nianzhi counted for him beside him. When she reached 10, Gu Nianzhi suddenly jumped up and laid down on Huo Shaoheng’s back, she hugged his neck and said proudly, “Do it, do it again! I can see how standard this push-up can be when you’re carrying me!”
Huo Shaoheng’s back sank. He was indeed caught off guard.
However, he quickly stabilized his arm and said, “Continue counting.”
As he spoke, he carried Gu Nianzhi on his back and continued to do push-ups.
Even though he was carrying a person on his back, his back was still as straight as a line.
Gu Nianzhi hugged his neck and moved up and down on his back. She realized that for him, doing push-ups while carrying a person on his back was effortless.
The resilience of his back and the strength of his arms were heaven-defying!
Gu Nianzhi’s eyes sparkled. She suddenly moved a hand away and quietly moved to Huo Shaoheng’s armpit. She used all her strength to scratch the itchy flesh under his armpit!
This sudden attack almost flipped Huo Shaoheng over.
He quickly steadied his mind and tensed up all his muscles.
When Gu Nianzhi scratched him again, she realized that Huo Shaoheng’s armpits were also hard. She scratched him again, and it was like an egg hitting a rock. Her fingertips hurt.
“You’re cheating…”Gu Nianzhi mumbled softly. Panting slightly, she rolled off Huo Shaoheng’s back and lay on the floor next to him.
Huo Shaoheng held out his arm and calmed down for a while. He turned his head and saw Gu Nianzhi lying next to him.
He looked at her silently for a while, then leaned over and kissed her gently.
Gu Nianzhi felt the kiss and reached out to hug him.
Huo Shaoheng held her in his arms and sat up from the ground. He let her lie on his lap and leaned his upper body against his arm. He held her head and kissed her deeply again.
The next morning, Huo Shaoheng woke up very early.
After going out for morning exercise, he bought two servings of breakfast and walked back with them.
Waiting for him, Xiao Ye stood at the entrance of the building with a smile.
“Oh? You’re here.”Huo Shaoheng greeted her.
Xiao Ye handed Gu Nianzhi’s car keys back to Huo Shaoheng.
Huo Shaoheng took the car keys and asked her, “Why did you only bring the keys here today?”
Xiao Ye whispered,”… You were at Miss Gu’s house yesterday. I was afraid to disturb you guys.”
After she had driven Gu Nianzhi’s car over yesterday, she had wanted to wait for Huo Shaoheng to leave before giving him the keys.
She didn’t want to disturb the two of them.
She hadn’t expected Huo Shaoheng to go in and not come out until this morning.
Huo Shaoheng replied with an “uh huh”and said pleasantly, “Xiao Ye, you just happen to be here, so I’ll tell you directly. After you came back this time, your mother begged me to let you stay in the country for a little longer.”
“Huh?” Xiao Ye was very embarra.s.sed and quickly said, “Chief, don’t listen to my mother’s nonsense. She doesn’t know anything. I like to be in the field, so you can send me anywhere you want!”
Huo Shaoheng smiled and said, “Let’s go upstairs first. Have you had breakfast yet?”
Xiao Ye looked at the breakfast in Huo Shaoheng’s hands. It was only for two people, so she quickly said, “I have. I had breakfast early in the morning.”
Huo Shaoheng stopped in his tracks and looked at her. He said calmly, “You ate? You stayed in the parking lot all night, right? Where did you eat breakfast?”
Xiao Ye’s face instantly turned red.
She smiled sheepishly. “Chief, I didn’t…”
“You’re actually lying to me?” Huo Shaoheng glanced at her. “You smell like Nianzhi’s car. That proves that you’ve been in her car for at least six hours. Your hair and face are oily. You probably haven’t showered or washed your hair all night. Also, your stomach was growling. You just came out of the parking lot and didn’t have breakfast, right?”
Xiao Ye was both embarra.s.sed and impressed. She was glad that she had chewed a piece of gum when she came out of the car in the morning. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to talk to anyone.
Her face full of admiration, she looked at Huo Shaoheng.
“Chief, you’re too good. Not even the slightest clue can escape your sharp eyes!” Xiao Ye was full of admiration for him.
Huo Shaoheng handed her the breakfast in his hand. “Take it upstairs and wait for me at the door. I’ll be right back.”
Xiao Ye didn’t dare disobey his orders.
Huo Shaoheng pressed the elevator floor for her and told her to go up. He went out to buy another breakfast.
By the time he returned to Gu Nianzhi’s floor, Xiao Ye had already been waiting there for more than ten minutes.
Huo Shaoheng opened Gu Nianzhi’s door and invited Xiao Ye in.
Xiao Ye was still a little embarra.s.sed and said, “Why don’t I not go in? There’s something in the forces…”
Huo Shaoheng pulled her in and closed the door. He said seriously, “If I tell you to come in, then come in. I have a mission for you.”
When Huo Shaoheng said he had a mission, Xiao Ye immediately cut him some slack.
After entering Gu Nianzhi’s small suite, Xiao Ye stood upright with her eyes fixed on her.
“Please give the order, Chief.”
Huo Shaoheng placed three servings of breakfast on the dining table. “Come and have breakfast. We’ll talk as we eat.”
Xiao Ye followed him to the dining room and sat down. When she didn’t see Gu Nianzhi after she entered, she asked, “Where’s Miss Gu?”
“She’s still sleeping. She was exhausted yesterday, so she won’t wake up until noon today.”
Xiao Ye nodded. “I heard that Miss Gu is quite good at litigating. Did she win yesterday?”
Huo Shaoheng replied nonchalantly, “That’s her profession.” There was a hint of pride in his tone.
Xiao Ye couldn’t help looking up at him. “Chief, when do you plan to get married?”
Huo Shaoheng took out the steamed buns and placed them on the plate. He smiled and said, “There are too many things to prepare. I think it’ll be next year at the earliest.”
Actually, it was because of Zhao Liangze and Bai Shuang that Huo Shaoheng and Yin s.h.i.+xiong had decided to postpone the wedding date by a year.
“Congratulations, Chief.” Xiao Ye was beaming with joy. “I’ll give you a big red packet then. Does Miss Gu need a bridesmaid? I can recommend myself.”
Upon the mention of the wedding, Huo Shaoheng’s brows relaxed and his smile grew wider. “You reminded me. I’m worried about those guys. Since you’re back, I’ll hand Nianzhi over to you. Keep an eye on her for me.”
“Huh?” Xiao Ye was surprised. “Me?”
“Yeah.” Huo Shaoheng whispered about Gu Nianzhi’s situation, “…because her father is still missing, a lot of people are keeping an eye on her.”
Huo Shaoheng remembered that whenever something happened to Gu Nianzhi, the ubiquitous invalid number would appear, and a gloomy expression appeared on his face.
“Xiao Ye, I’m not worried about your abilities. I’ll leave Nianzhi’s personal safety for the next year to you.”
Xiao Ye listened attentively and was very sympathetic to Gu Nianzhi’s plight. She quickly said, “Don’t worry, chief. I promise to complete the mission!”
There were actually quite a few security guards around Gu Nianzhi, but Huo Shaoheng was still worried. He had always wanted to find another bodyguard for her.
A man definitely couldn’t do it, and there wasn’t a suitable female candidate at the moment.
It wasn’t until Xiao Ye returned that he was relieved to hand Gu Nianzhi over to her.
“I’ll let Nianzhi know later. You will follow her around on a frequent basis, and your public ident.i.ty would be her personal a.s.sistant.” Huo Shaoheng quickly had the Special Operations Forces prepare another set of ident.i.ty doc.u.ments for Xiao Ye. “This place is too small. I’ll get Nianzhi to move to the apartment on Sanhuan road. It’s bigger there, so you can move in with her.”
Personal bodyguards, as the name implied, were only called personal bodyguards if they followed closely behind.