The Beautiful CEO's Close Bodyguard

Chapter 1727: Chapter 1713

The Old Gang Leader finally pursed his lips with great reluctance. "You young folks these days only know how to play tricks! I do indeed have something here, and for you it’s even a good thing. Its value is worth far more than a jug of wine!"

Chu Ge raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Since that’s the case, I’ll add another jug. If the news you’re about to tell me isn’t worth it, then..."

Before Chu Ge could finish, the Old Gang Leader snorted dully. "If you think it’s not worth it, I’ll pay you back a jug of wine!"

Although he hadn’t spent much time with the Old Gang Leader, he could feel that the man was bold and straightforward, not fussing over trifles. Since he said so, he would definitely do it, which also proved that the news he spoke of really was worth something.

Chu Ge’s lips curled slightly into a smile. He handed the unopened wine to the Old Gang Leader. "Here, since you’re so confident, let’s have a drink first."

The Old Gang Leader had long been waiting impatiently. As soon as he heard Chu Ge say they should drink first, he hurriedly snatched the wine from his hand, grinned slyly at Chu Ge, then tipped his head back and took a big, unapologetic swig.

"So refreshing!" The Old Gang Leader couldn’t even bear to wipe away the wine at the corner of his mouth. After swallowing, he directly licked his lips.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve drunk such strong liquor. Lad, what I’m going to tell you is absolutely to your benefit!"

The Old Gang Leader adjusted into a comfortable sitting posture, then continued to say to Chu Ge, "I’ve received news that Prince He Shuo is preparing to drill troops on Yellow Island!"

"Drill troops on Yellow Island?"

Chu Ge was puzzled. "If they’re drilling troops, wouldn’t the guard on Yellow Island be even tighter?"

How was that good news? If the defenses became stricter, it would be even harder for them to get in.

Chu Ge’s mouth twitched. This Old Gang Leader was fooling him on purpose again.

The Old Gang Leader waved a hand. "Stricter defenses have nothing to do with us."

He patted Chu Ge on the shoulder and lowered his voice. "This island drill will recruit youths over seventeen. We can use the chance to slip in."

The first half sounded reliable enough, but the second half somehow felt off.

"We?"

Chu Ge looked at him, baffled. "You just said they want people over seventeen. Are you sure there’s a ’we’? And not just me, including you as well?"

The Old Gang Leader immediately gave a dry chuckle. "Over seventeen, I’m already fifty‑seven. You think I qualify or not?"

Chu Ge’s mouth twitched again. In principle that was true, but he worried they’d end up disliking the Old Gang Leader for being too old.

"They’ve already started preparations. Official conscription starts tomorrow. Tomorrow you’re coming with me to sign up."

The Old Gang Leader picked up the wine jar and lifted it to his nose for a light sniff. "Smells wonderful."

Seeing him take a drink, Chu Ge couldn’t help asking again, "You mean it’s just the two of us going? You’re the Old Gang Leader of the Beggar Gang—are you sure Prince He Shuo will take you?"

The Old Gang Leader lazily lifted his eyelids. He smiled and said, "I’m from the Beggar Gang. You’re living in the Beggar Gang now, and before this you even went to treat Princess He Shuo in the name of the Beggar Gang. In their eyes, you’re one of us as well. So tell me, do you think they’ll take you?"

Chu Ge started, then shut his mouth. He really hadn’t thought about that, but in his heart he was quite sure he would be selected. As for why, he didn’t know either.

The Old Gang Leader seemed to see right through Chu Ge’s thoughts. He laughed heartily. "See? You figure that even as a man of the Beggar Gang you’ll be chosen, so why wouldn’t I?"

"But..." Chu Ge looked at the Old Gang Leader with some worry. His age was right there for all to see. Even if they hadn’t clearly stated an age limit, he would still be the oldest in the campaign. Never mind whether he could be selected; there was a good chance Prince He Shuo would seize on this and see it as deliberate troublemaking.

Before he could finish, the Old Gang Leader cut him off. "No ’but’. When it comes to recruiting soldiers and horses, Prince He Shuo won’t use his power for private revenge."

"You’re that sure?"

Chu Ge was skeptical.

"Prince He Shuo is at odds with our Beggar Gang in matters of state. The ones he clashes with are Luo Qi and Luo Jiu. As for the rest, he doesn’t even bother to put them in his eyes. Especially beggars who are willing to contribute their strength—he won’t fuss over them, he might even welcome them."

Chu Ge thought it over and felt the Old Gang Leader had a point. Realizing he might be biased against Prince He Shuo, he smiled a little awkwardly.

"I was using a petty man’s heart to gauge a gentleman’s."

"You can’t be blamed for overthinking. A lot of people would think the same way you did."

The Old Gang Leader let out a long sigh. "Although I say Prince He Shuo won’t care about these things, that doesn’t mean others won’t."

"What do you mean?"

Chu Ge didn’t understand.

"He has many loyal subordinates. They all know that our Beggar Gang and Prince He Shuo don’t see eye‑to‑eye in the court, so they’ll bully some little beggars."

Chu Ge nodded. What he said was, in fact, quite normal.

As the two were chatting, Chu suddenly heard the sound of something being kicked and knocked against something below.

Chu Ge abruptly sat up straight, alertly sweeping his gaze around. That noise just now clearly meant there was someone else nearby.

Compared to Chu Ge’s vigilance, the Old Gang Leader beside him was much calmer. He was extremely indifferent, as if he had known all along.

"Who’s down there!" Chu Ge barked.

Lurking around down there in the middle of the night, clearly up to no good! Chu Ge listened to the hurried footsteps below as the person tried to leave.

Chu Ge jumped straight down from the roof, blocking that person’s path.

"Ye Liang?"

Chu Ge was baffled. "Why is it you? What are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Ye Liang looked embarrassed. She gave a sheepish smile. "Um... I just couldn’t fall asleep, so I came out to get some air. I’d just walked over here when I heard you two talking on the roof. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I wanted to sneak back quietly."

As she said this, she didn’t dare look into Ye Liang’s eyes, and her words lacked conviction; she was a bit guilty.

The Old Gang Leader also jumped down from the roof. Smiling with narrowed eyes, he walked up to Ye Liang and said, "Is Lady Ye not used to the shabby rooms of our Beggar Gang?"

Ye Liang hurriedly shook her head. "No, Old Gang Leader, you really flatter me. I just felt the room was a bit stuffy and came out for some air."

"Stuffy?" The Old Gang Leader was puzzled. "It’s not the height of summer. How could the room feel stuffy?"

Ye Liang was stumped for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Beside them, Chu Ge was also a bit puzzled—puzzled as to why the Old Gang Leader kept pressing Ye Liang with questions.

"Maybe I’m just a little restless and irritable."

By the faint moonlight, Ye Liang noticed the Old Gang Leader’s gaze on her was rather sharp. She lightly pressed her lips together and bent slightly. "I won’t disturb you two any longer. I’ll go back and rest."