Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 206: Chapter 178: Top-tier Pomp and Professional Bodyguards

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruan was dressed in an expensive, custom-made, sky-blue formal dress. Her pure, cool-toned fair skin seemed even a shade whiter than the surrounding snow. Her already flawless face, lightly dusted with makeup, possessed a beauty that could make heaven and earth pale in comparison. Paired with the expensive jewelry Gu Heng had given her, it added an air of nobility to her cold and exceptional temperament.

The two appeared to be dressed rather thinly, but the moment they stepped out of the car, two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and draped coats over Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan.

The coat draped over Gu Heng was a black cashmere overcoat from Loro Piana, while Jiang Ruan’s was a purple mink coat that reached her ankles, made from the prized fur of the Russian sable, which was exceptionally soft and had a superb sheen.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman—such a striking pair.

The sight left Chu Zhengxiong and the others at the main entrance of Xingchuan International Headquarters completely stunned.

There’s a saying: Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. People judge the attire before the individual.

Gu Heng had come well-prepared. He was using every advantage at his disposal, intending to stun Chu Zhengxiong and his men and seize the initiative.

That was why, naturally, he had to bring Jiang Ruan.

When it came to making an impression, Jiang Ruan had never been outdone.

Even in Zhonghai, a city teeming with top-tier beauties, Jiang Ruan could still effortlessly outshine everyone, anytime and anywhere.

Even Luo Xiwen, whose overall "score" was comparable to Jiang Ruan’s, fell slightly short in the art of making an impression.

Jiang Ruan was, simply put, born with the Sacred Body of a goddess.

That innate, icy aura she possessed would first ignite a powerful desire to conquer in any man who laid eyes on her, only for that feeling to be immediately replaced by an overwhelming sense of his own inadequacy.

When the long, purple mink coat was draped over her, it instantly gave her an even more indescribable air of nobility.

"Chairman Gu, this way, please..."

The burly man who had just personally opened the car door for Gu Heng bowed slightly and gestured for him to proceed.

Zhong Hua, 34. A former member of the Chinese Marine Corps, he served in the Jiaolong Assault Team as an assault trooper and participated in missions such as guarding the South Sea Islands and Reefs and escorting convoys in the Aden Bay.

After his discharge, he joined Long Yan, a top international private security firm, specializing in field security for high-net-worth clients in regions like Africa and South America. He had successfully escorted clients through war-torn zones on numerous occasions.

He was proficient in Sanda, Chin Na, Brazilian Jujutsu, and Israeli close-quarters combat, and skilled in stealth reconnaissance and anti-tracking tactics, possessing a wealth of international security experience.

He currently served as the Deputy Director of the Zhao De Inheritance Capital Holdings Security Department, with his primary duty being Gu Heng’s close protection, ensuring his personal safety at all times.

Naturally, such a high-caliber individual had been poached by Gu Heng for a handsome salary from Deloitte China’s extensive talent pool.

As his wealth grew, so did his public profile.

Although public safety was excellent in China, Gu Heng believed it was best not to test human nature when immense profits were at stake.

Losing that bet just once could cost him his life.

And so, the Zhao De Inheritance Security Department was born.

Through a process of careful selection and generous offers, Gu Heng had assembled a team of twenty for the Zhao De Inheritance Security Department, consisting of one director and four deputy directors.

If needed in the future, the numbers would be further expanded.

Throughout the recruitment process, Gu Heng strictly adhered to the principle of quality over quantity.

All personnel in the Zhao De Inheritance Security Department were former special forces operators, SWAT officers, or secret agents, each with unique, complementary skills.

Take Xiang Lingshuang, another deputy director alongside Zhong Hua. She was the woman who had been in the passenger seat and had just opened the door for Jiang Ruan.

She was of mixed Chinese and European descent.

A former special agent, she possessed exceptional adaptability and social skills, and was fluent in multiple languages, including Mandarin, German, French, Thai, and English.

She had successfully uncovered numerous cases of corporate espionage targeting Chinese companies.

After leaving the service, she joined Anda International, a Port City security firm, where she was responsible for security during business negotiations for the wealthy in the Asia-Pacific Region. On multiple occasions, she preemptively neutralized potential extortion and blackmail threats against key clients abroad.

Furthermore, as a former special agent stationed overseas, her combat skills were naturally top-notch. She was an expert in Israeli close-quarters combat and Brazilian Jujutsu, and particularly specialized in short-weapon combat and rapid takedowns.

A fit young man like Gu Heng, who had some basic Sanda training, would be worthy of the title "real man" if he could last five seconds against her, and that’s assuming she was unarmed.

As for the Director of the Zhao De Inheritance Security Department, he had not yet assumed his post. If Zhong Hua and the four deputy directors, including Xiang Lingshuang, were the brawn, then the director, Tan Guoqiang, was the brains.

Tan Guoqiang, 55. A former top anti-terrorism expert from the National Special Bureau and an honorary consultant to the International Anti-Terrorism Alliance. He had planned and executed national-level anti-terrorism operations on several occasions and was deeply involved in the security arrangements for major events like the APEC and G20 summits.

He had spearheaded the design of the "Three-Dimensional Protection System" for high-level dignitaries, a framework that integrated human surveillance, technological countermeasures, and emergency protocols. Its remarkable effectiveness earned him high praise from peers both in China and internationally.

He had recently opted for early retirement. Just as Securitas, the world’s largest security services provider, was about to hire him, Gu Heng snatched him up, nearly giving the head of Securitas an aneurysm.

Now that Gu Heng had shored up this vulnerability in his personal security, he could finally be at ease.

’He was reminded of a point from Machiavelli’s *The Prince*, one exemplified by the rise of Napoleon: for power to be exercised smoothly, you need laws to shape the rules and force to defend them. Neither can be missing.’

Law—

Gu Heng now had Jun Cheng and Deloitte watching his back.

Force—

Gu Heng now had the many professional bodyguards of the Zhao De Inheritance Security Department protecting him.

Never mind the merely shady Xingchuan International Headquarters; Gu Heng would now dare to charge into a den of gangsters without a second thought.

Flanked by his professional bodyguards, including Zhong Hua and Xiang Lingshuang, Gu Heng gently took Jiang Ruan’s soft, fair hand. He walked toward Chu Zhengxiong and his people, who were standing on the steps. As he moved, the lawyers from Jun Cheng and accountants from Deloitte, who had been standing in neat lines on either side, began to converge behind him.

At this moment, Chu Zhengxiong and his men were positioned higher up on the steps, which should have given them an advantage, allowing them to look down on Gu Heng’s party. Yet, none of them felt it. Instead, they had the absurd and unsettling feeling that the true master of Xingchuan International had just returned.

Soon, the two imposing groups met.

Although the Xingchuan International side had superior numbers, the moment the two groups stood on the same level, the imposing aura of Xingchuan International melted away like snow under a blazing sun. The change was instantaneous and plain to see.

The old guard who had followed Chu Zhengxiong from his humble beginnings, men who had always prided themselves on being tough, now found themselves unable to meet the gazes of Gu Heng’s bodyguards. They instinctively looked away or lowered their heads, like mice cornered by a cat.

Before a single word was exchanged, it was already clear who held the upper hand.

Chu Zhengxiong took a deep breath, struggling to compose himself and appear calm. He looked at Gu Heng, who had stopped about half a meter away, and extended a hand as large as a fan. "Chairman Gu, welcome to Xingchuan International!"

"I’m Chu Zhengxiong, the chairman of Xingchuan International. It is a great honor that you’ve chosen to invest in our company, Chairman Gu. We at Xingchuan International will redouble our efforts to live up to your high expectations."

Chu Zhengxiong’s expression seemed utterly sincere.

In response to Chu Zhengxiong’s welcome, Gu Heng simply stared at him for a full five seconds before suddenly breaking into a faint smile...

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