Chapter 25: Tina Feng Gave Me a Hummer!

Chapter 25: Tina Feng Gave Me a Hummer!

Wednesday night, right before Mary went to bed, I sat her down to review our communication parameters for the upcoming assignment.

"Alright, Mary, to make sure a call doesn't come at a bad time—you know, like while I'm hiding from a killer and someone calls, revealing I'm under the bed—I altered my call settings," I said.

"Not funny, Rick," Mary replied, her face tightening. "So what do I need to know?"

I pulled out my smartphone and pointed to the screen to show her the custom overrides. "If you want to talk, just call like normal. My phone will only warn me with a silent vibration on my smartwatch. This way, my position won't be compromised. But if you are ever in a life-threatening situation that requires me to break assignment and get there immediately, call three times in a row back-to-back. My phone will ring at maximum volume no matter what, completely bypassing the silent mode. Your life and safety are my only concerns. Get it?"

Mary leaned forward, hugging me tightly and resting her forehead against mine. "Just text me with [I love you] every once in a while so I know you're fine. And if you need me, call me as well. I am the cavalry."

"I left two days' worth of food in the fridge with explicit instructions on how to heat everything up so I know you won't starve," I said, kissing her forehead. "Love you, wife."

After a few more minutes of mushy interaction, Mary went to bed.

With the house quiet, I began maintaining my bodyguard equipment and prepping the gear for tomorrow's pickup. My tactical layout included a slash-resistant long coat, a concealable bulletproof vest, a miniature surgery kit, my two HK P30 handguns packed with six extra magazines, two titanium telescopic batons, and my laptop secured inside a reinforced, bulletproof case. Finally, I packed two sets of my custom, black kung-fu uniforms into a waterproof gym bag while mounting the active weapons directly onto my body.

Before heading to bed early, I called Hana to explain the communication protocol and reminded her to stay safe during her medical shifts. Navigating two intense relationships made me grateful I only had two lovers; handling a third would be completely impossible. Because both of my partners were mature women, they possessed the patience required to guide me through my youth. I set my alarm, spooned Mary from behind, and drifted off to sleep.

I plunged into a vivid dream about my past life on Earth, confirming the dark details of my previous existence. I had been a complete shut-in—a NEET who lived in absolute fear of the outside world while battling severe clinical depression and suicidal thoughts. I remembered distinctly that I had stumbled upon the system interface while browsing a suicide forum. The realization felt incredibly strange. Why would a reality-altering system be hosted on a dark website like that? Better yet, why did a system even exist in the first place?

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm snapped me awake. I rolled over to find the bed empty, though the sheets still carried Mary's scent. I walked into the bathroom, glanced at the mirror, and my jaw dropped.

"Fuck! Really, Mary? Are you a kid?!" I muttered.

My face was completely covered in roughly ten bright red lipstick kisses that Mary had palmed all over my skin before leaving for her shift. I grabbed my phone and snapped a quick photo for evidence, deciding I would judge her crimes at a later date.

After wiping my face clean, I packed several emergency protein bars and bottles of water into my black gym bag. In my line of work, you never know when an assignment might go sideways, leaving you trapped in a high-risk sector for a day or two. You have to plan ahead for extreme survival contingencies, even if it feels like preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Though if that ever happened, I'd probably just let myself get bit on purpose and join the horde to save myself the headache.

I locked up the apartment after triple-checking the security bolts, climbed into my old BMW, and punched the GPS coordinates for Tina's residence into the terminal. She lived down south in the upscale hills of the city. After a smooth twenty-minute drive, I pulled up to a sprawling estate bounded by high concrete walls. The central four-story mansion was massive—far too large for a standard family.

The security guards stopped me at the main gate to verify my identity and corporate credentials. Once the confirmation cleared, a young woman directed me toward the private parking area. I secured the BMW, grabbed my black gym bag, and stepped out onto the asphalt.

"Rick Lee. My name is Jenifer Han. Please follow me."

I turned to see Tina’s personal secretary. She wore her long brown hair pinned back into a strict office-lady bun, her blue eyes framed by sharp glasses.

Her professional demeanor reminded me slightly of Mary, though she carried herself with far more rigid discipline.

I followed her through the front entrance of the mansion. Dozens of domestic servants were bustling through the hallways, maintaining the massive property. I could tell instantly that this wasn't Tina's personal residence; it belonged to the Feng family collective. Jenifer led me straight into a large, wood-paneled study where three people were actively having tea.

Tina was seated on the central couch. Next to her sat a blonde woman who shared her exact facial structure, whom I assumed to be her mother. Across from them sat Mr. Feng. The man was heavily built, carrying the distinct physical presence of an advanced-level martial artist, though he hadn't achieved master-tier refinement yet. His hair was deep red, peppered with splashes of early grey along the temples.

"Rick, right on time," Tina said, looking up. "Meet my parents."

I offered a formal nod and immediately moved to stand off to Tina’s flank. Seeing me assume a rigid tactical position instead of joining them on the furniture, Tina’s mother looked confused and gestured toward the cushions.

"Rick, why not take a seat?" she asked.

"No, thank you, ma'am," I replied smoothly. "I am on active duty as a bodyguard, so I need to maintain my operational readiness."

Tina’s mother shot her daughter a strange look that I couldn't quite decipher. Tina’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she quickly tried to clarify the situation.

"Rick just received his professional license and was looking for his first high-tier client," Tina explained, shifting uncomfortably. "After seeing his physical skills in action, I offered him the contract."

At the time, I remained entirely blind to my own family background. The leaders of the city's four major syndicates were fully aware of my lineage, but it was clear that Tina had been left completely in the dark by her father. Looking back, her mother likely felt a deep sense of social shame for hiring someone of my specific birth to act as a mere servant.

Mr. Feng set down his teacup, his sharp eyes locked onto my posture. "You didn't seem to recognize my wife when you walked in, but your eyes recognized me instantly. What exactly did you see when you looked at me?"

"You possess a baseline of physical conditioning that sits exactly one realm above your daughter's, and you utilize specialized concealing arts to mask your presence," I stated directly. "I recognized your profile through my own online reconnaissance. It would be bad for business to insult the man who signs my paychecks. My only objective for this assignment is to bring Tina back alive."

Tina pouted, crossing her arms. "How did you even know I specialized in stealth-based martial arts?"

"From the exact manner you used to sneak up on me in the high school hallways," I said. "As for your active fighting style, it's evident in how you balance your weight when you walk and observe an environment. You are a high-agility skirmisher who relies on weapons, vital-strike target selection, and joint-locking holds."

Tina stared at me as if I had just stripped her naked in the middle of the room. I simply shrugged. Her father gave a slow, approving nod. Because he knew my father's history, he immediately attributed my analytical perception to the legendary Lee family genius.

"No one inside this estate is going to attack my daughter, Rick. Have a seat," her mother insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Realizing it would be counterproductive to offend the client's family before the mission even began, I decided to comply. Before sitting down on the pristine couch, I slipped off my slash-resistant long coat, carefully laying it across the cushion to create a barrier between my gear and the expensive fabric. I unclipped my medical kit and titanium telescopic batons, arranging them neatly on top of the coat. Seeing the sheer volume of tactical hardware concealed on my person, Tina's mother raised an eyebrow.

"I had to unmount the gear so the hardware wouldn't puncture or damage the furniture," I explained neutrally. "There are a lot of sharp instruments inside the operational bag."

Mr. Feng leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I watched the footage of your fight against Seven. It was highly impressive. What are your personal thoughts on the match?"

"He's a decent fighter when you analyze his mechanics, but he was mentally defeated before I even initiated my first strike," I said frankly. "Tony hesitated, choosing to wait and see what I would do instead of driving the tempo himself. That hesitation broke his active fighting spirit, leaving him entirely incapable of defending himself once the engagement moved outside standard sporting regulations."

"And what do you think about the active rankings?" Mr. Feng pressed.

"I don't know anything about the official system," I replied, leaning back. "The guy jumped me on my birthday while spouting numbers, so I kicked him. During my follow-up investigations, I deduced that I've somehow been dragged into a martial arts chess game between you and your daughter. I also know Steve Woo holds the number one rank and has a massive stick up his rear because he wants to fight me. That's the extent of my knowledge, and frankly, I don't care about the game. But if Woo ever touches a single hair on my wife's head, he is dead. Game or no game."

The three family members stiffened. My total lack of formal syndicate knowledge, contrasted against the deep intelligence I had harvested independently, sent a visible wave of agitation through the room. The mention of Steve Woo targeting Mary made the atmosphere turn incredibly cold.

I pulled out my smartphone and initiated the audio file I had captured from Woo's office. The room filled with the clear sound of Woo screaming curses and completely destroying his furniture upon confirming my marriage certificate. I paused the playback and slid the phone back into my pocket.

"My promise to eliminate Steve Woo isn't an empty threat," I said coldly. "I have the proof to back up my claim. I hope you understand my position."

Tina's mother looked deeply disgusted by the recording; it was obvious Woo had only ever shown her his refined, upper-class persona. Tina sat completely flatfooted, stunned by the revelation. Mr. Feng looked at me with absolute sincerity, his expression grim.

"Please be completely assured, Rick. I will talk with Steve Woo personally today and deliver a direct warning regarding your wife," Mr. Feng promised.

"If he takes a single step out of line, I will execute him myself. You have my word on that. After all, he was my personal fighter selection for the tournament."

"Thank you, Mr. Feng," I replied, my posture relaxing slightly. "That makes me feel a lot more at ease."

Mrs. Feng, seeing her daughter looking thoroughly embarrassed, turned her gaze back to me.

"So you are a part of the fighting tournament and don't know anything about it, right, Rick?"

"That would pretty much sum it up," I replied neutrally. "But I do get to beat up Woo in the end, so it's worth it just for that. Otherwise, I don't mind fighting as long as they target me directly and keep my family completely out of it."

Tina looked like she wanted to drop dead on the spot. She was practically radiating guilt for hiding the tournament details from me, especially since she had never bothered to ask if I wanted to be in it in the first place. I found out later that I was the single involuntary competitor on the entire roster. Her mother let out a soft giggle, looking amused by my response.

"Ufufu, then I will cheer for you to win and beat up Woo. Just remember that you can't use any weapons to win. You just have to beat him up using pure martial arts, so good luck."

Mr. Feng's expression became more serious as he leaned back. "The danger level should be relatively low at this youth gathering, but keep your baseline alertness high regardless. Just focus on bringing Tina back safely if things go south. Tell me, have you ever had to kill anyone before?"

I shook my head no, but immediately clarified my boundaries.

"I won't kill the innocent, but anyone who attempts to harm my family or my active charge—like Tina here—is getting a bullet. There will be zero remorse or emotional guilt. My father taught me exactly when and why a man needs to use lethal force, and I won't freeze or break down in the field. I watched him and others die, and I've already faced murder up close, so I will be perfectly fine."

Mr. and Mrs. Feng recognized the cold weight behind my words immediately, but Tina hadn't. Looking at her parents' grim expressions, she clearly wondered what part of my history she was missing.

"So you don't spare them," Mr. Feng observed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you are forced to use lethal force, I will compensate you an additional two thousand dollars per assassin eliminated on top of your standard fee. Finish them off completely if they pose a threat to my daughter. Is that acceptable?"

"Deal!"

Who knew this old, sly fox was actively grooming me to eliminate his foes ruthlessly? It was a practical operational lesson.

"Then you two kids have fun on your working vacation," Mr. Feng said, gesturing toward the door. "Go and be safe."

I recollected my tactical hardware, strapped on my long coat, and followed Tina out of the study.

Once the door closed behind us, Mr. Feng turned back to his wife with a heavy sigh. "She shoved him right into the bracket without asking, sigh. But it's not technically a violation of the rules, so I can't scold her. Maybe she actually outplayed my strategy this time?"

"Seeing him up close is incredibly eerie," Mrs. Feng murmured, her face pale. "It's like looking at his father, the older Rick Lee. To be honest, after analyzing his physical movement, I think he could even beat me in a straight match. He thoroughly assessed my power level the exact second he walked into the room. His innate talent sits at the exact same level as his dad's. He is only eighteen years old. The boy is going to be an absolute monster."

"But what happens if he actually wins the whole bracket?"

Tina's mom smiled, waving her hand dismissively. "That won't be your problem to solve. Tina will have to deal with the fallout herself, so don't lose any sleep over it."

"You're right. Oh, and considering that kid possesses such an advanced driver's license, I think he can easily handle the heavy machinery I just pulled out of my garage."

Back in the main corridor, Tina was walking slightly ahead of me with her assistant keeping pace off to her flank. I noticed she was heading straight toward her personal quarters to change, so I assumed a standard security posture outside her door while she got ready.

Ten minutes later, the two women walked out. Jenifer was carrying two packed travel bags, her eyes darting over to me as if she were explicitly giving me the opportunity to act like a gentleman and offer to carry one.

I simply smiled back, tapping the strap of my own heavy tactical bag to imply that my hands were completely full. What? I was an active bodyguard, not a hotel bellboy, and I had absolutely no intention of trying to sleep with the assistant. Sorry, toots.

Tina had changed into a highly interesting red cheongsam outfit, though her upper measurements were a bit too large for the fabric. She possessed a pair of heavy E-cups that made her stand out in a bad but good way.

"Is something wrong with the dress?" she asked, noticing my gaze. "I wore it specifically to match the style of your kung-fu uniform. Imperial Chinese clothing delivers a highly refined appearance for the specific type of high-society function we are attending."

"Then why is Jenifer wearing a standard corporate business suit?" I asked, looking at the secretary.

"Her?" Tina laughed. "That's the only attire I can ever get her to put on. She has a massive businesswoman fixation, ufufu!"Jenifer’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, but she didn't attempt to deny the accusation.

Soon, the three of us made our way out to the expansive garage and vehicle parking structure. Tina reached into her designer purse, fished out a ring containing two sets of heavy keys, and tossed them straight into my hand.

"My dad had this vehicle sitting in his private collection and wanted to clear it out," she explained. "The frame is a bit too massive for me to drive comfortably, but it is highly optimized for keeping me secure. Consider this vehicle a direct gift from the Feng family for you to keep as long as you drive me around."

I looked down at the keys, and my driving skill instantly identified the exact manufacturer and mechanical layout. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I turned my head to look at the highly conspicuous vehicle painted in gloss red with heavily tinted windows.

Sitting there as big as fucking day was a fully armored SUV Humvee 2008 Luxury Edition. It featured reinforced ballistic plating for maximum kinetic protection, and I could tell it came equipped with every single technological bell and whistle available for that model year. Scanning the digital odometer, I noted it barely had any mileage on it, meaning the machine was in near-mint condition. The only downside was that the sheer cost of gas on this bad boy was going to absolutely murder my wallet.

"Not bad, right, Rick?" Tina asked, matching my stare.

"Tina Feng, I can't believe you're giving me a Hummer!"

The exact second the phrase left my mouth, both women froze in place, their expressions completely hardening as the unintended dirty talk hung heavily in the air.