Chapter 39: A Familial Debt and an Unexpected Offer

Upon hearing Zi Yanran’s voice, Su Ruoxi looked up and greeted her with a smile.

After exchanging greetings, her gaze shifted to Bai Mengqi.

“Hmm! Little one, long time no see. You still recognize me, don’t you?”

This unexpected interaction caused Zi Yanran to pause, prompting her to ask with a hint of confusion, “Eh? Auntie, you know Mengqi?”

Since she was already on the Special Abilities Bureau’s radar, Bai Mengqi saw no reason to keep hiding her true nature. She grinned and greeted Su Ruoxi, “Well, Police Auntie, long time no see.”

Upon hearing the address, Su Ruoxi immediately rolled her eyes, feigning indignation as she spoke, “Am I that old? Shouldn’t you be calling me Police Sister?”

Bai Mengqi instantly froze with embarrassment. She scratched her head, unsure of how to respond.

Of course, Su Ruoxi was merely teasing Bai Mengqi. She then stood up, walked over to Bai Mengqi with a serious expression, and bowed deeply and formally.

Bai Mengqi was startled once more. ‘This is Zi Yanran’s aunt, which makes her my aunt too. How could I possibly accept such a bow?’ she thought.

She quickly reached out to help Su Ruoxi up, saying in a flustered tone, “Eh? Police Sister, what are you doing?”

Witnessing this scene, Zi Yanran instantly understood. ‘My aunt must have some special history with Bai Mengqi,’ she mused.

Su Ruoxi looked up, her expression grave, and declared, “This is necessary; you must accept it. If you hadn’t intervened back then to eliminate that malevolent spirit for us, I, along with several of my subordinates, would likely have perished by its hand.”

Zi Yanran had heard about this incident, but she had never imagined that Bai Mengqi was the one who had saved her aunt. She couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, ‘What an extraordinary twist of fate.’

Bai Mengqi quickly waved her hands, explaining, “Actually, back then, I was worried that fellow would harm my classmates, which is why I acted. It wasn’t specifically to help you all.”

Though Bai Mengqi offered this explanation, Su Ruoxi held a different view in her heart.

She believed Bai Mengqi was their savior, and this debt of gratitude was as heavy as Mount Tai.

And so, the two parties were formally introduced.

However, Su Ruoxi’s first words after sitting down startled Zi Yanran.

“By the way, Miss Bai, how did you come to work at Zijing Group, and become Yanran’s secretary and bodyguard? With your abilities, there’s no need for such an ordinary job, is there? How about it, would you like to work for our Special Abilities Bureau? If you’re willing, I can recommend you to the General Bureau for training. After three months, you could be appointed as a deputy director or director in various provinces and cities.”

Bai Mengqi was taken aback.

“Ah? How much is the monthly salary?” This was Bai Mengqi’s primary concern.

Su Ruoxi chuckled.

“Several hundred thousand a month is certainly possible.”

Bai Mengqi’s eyes immediately lit up with avarice.

“Really? Then I…” Bai Mengqi was about to say she needed to consider it, but the next moment, a dangerous glint in someone’s eyes fell upon her, forcing her to swallow her words.

This was undoubtedly Zi Yanran warning her.

“Auntie, why are you trying to poach my talent the moment you arrive?” Zi Yanran asked, displeased.

Su Ruoxi had naturally noticed Zi Yanran’s earlier look. She felt a touch of surprise, sensing that her niece’s relationship with Bai Mengqi seemed to be more than ordinary.

Su Ruoxi and Zi Yanran sat facing each other. Her gaze, gentle yet serious, fixed on Zi Yanran as she slowly began, “Yanran, Miss Bai’s capabilities and skills are extraordinary. Staying by your side as a mere bodyguard is truly underutilizing her talent. She is far more formidable than even your Auntie. If she could join the Special Abilities Bureau, she would undoubtedly be able to better utilize her abilities.”

Zi Yanran listened to Su Ruoxi’s words and nodded slightly, for she understood the truth of the matter.

She was intimately familiar with Bai Mengqi’s formidable capabilities. That level of skill, that ability to handle any sudden crisis, was truly beyond the reach of ordinary ability users.

However, the thought of the Special Abilities Bureau made Zi Yanran frown. Moreover, she didn’t want Bai Mengqi to leave her side.

“But, Auntie, as you know, the higher the position one holds in the Special Abilities Bureau, the greater the responsibility, and the dangers increase exponentially. As for money, Mengqi isn’t short on money. Mengqi, isn’t that right?”

As Zi Yanran spoke, her sharp, piercing gaze fixed on Bai Mengqi, carrying an undeniable, intimidating power.

Under Zi Yanran’s intense stare, Bai Mengqi’s heart tightened slightly. After a brief moment of thought, she spoke to Su Ruoxi with a hint of apology, “Well, Sister Su, CEO Zi is right. I still prefer the life of an ordinary person. For me, the skirmishes and conflicts among ability users are merely a minor diversion in life. Experiencing them occasionally to spice things up is fine, but I’m not particularly enthusiastic about such matters myself.”

Bai Mengqi’s words left Su Ruoxi feeling perplexed.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Zi Yanran held some sort of leverage over Bai Mengqi, otherwise, why would she so resolutely refuse such a prime opportunity at the Special Abilities Bureau?

Yet, she also knew that such matters could not be forced; people had to be willing.

“Alas! Very well. However, if one day you do have a change of heart, you can contact me anytime. Oh, and since you are an unregistered ability user, if you have time, please do visit our Special Abilities Bureau. We need to record your information.”

As Su Ruoxi spoke, she pulled out a business card from her bag and handed it to Bai Mengqi, carefully instructing her, “Just take this card to the Special Abilities Bureau and ask for me when you go.”

Bai Mengqi took the card, nodded, and said, “Okay, I’ll go when I have time.”

Seeing that the matter was settled, Su Ruoxi did not linger.

She stood up, straightened her clothes, and announced, “In that case, I’ll be heading back now.”

Noticing this, Zi Yanran immediately stood up as well, quickly following and walking alongside Su Ruoxi, conversing as they went.

Zi Yanran smiled and said, “Auntie, you really should make time to see my mom. You two sisters haven’t seen each other in a long time. The last time was four years ago! My mom often talks about you.”

Su Ruoxi smiled upon hearing this. “Alright, I miss my sister too. Once I’m past this busy period, I’ll definitely go see her.”

After seeing Su Ruoxi off, Zi Yanran finally let out a sigh of relief. She turned and returned to the building.

The moment she spotted Bai Mengqi, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by a stern, even annoyed, expression.

She glared fiercely at Bai Mengqi and declared, “Smart of you. If you dared to agree, the consequences would be severe. You would not only lose your children but also the girlfriend who loves you.”

Bai Mengqi shivered in fright. She gave an awkward laugh and quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! Didn’t I just say no?”

“Hmph! I should hope you wouldn’t dare agree. Go back to the office,” Zi Yanran retorted unhappily, then headed towards the elevator.

****

Meanwhile, Su Ruoxi, the moment she left Zijing Group, appeared at Zi Ye and his wife’s home with incredible speed.

“Ruoxi, why do you suddenly have time to visit today? You’re such a busy person; you only visit when you need something. Tell me, is something the matter?”

Su Ruoxi smiled in response to her sister, then walked to the sofa and sat down. She set down her tea, a puzzled expression on her face, and inquired, “Today, I saw that female secretary by Yanran’s side. It suddenly struck me that she bears a striking resemblance to our Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yi.”

“Moreover, her relationship with Yanran seems to be far more than just that of a secretary and her boss,” Su Ruoxi continued, meticulously recalling Bai Mengqi’s appearance, finding it more and more unsettling the more she thought about it.