Cang Ying looked embarrassed and quickly explained:
"Master Jiang, your achievements in dance have already reached the world's top level. In addition, you're an honorary professor at Tsinghua and Peking University. You've officially been listed as an S-Class protected individual by the state, so you fully qualify for government protection.
"Our National Security team will now be responsible for your personal safety."
Inside, Cang Ying felt utterly depressed. He and his colleague Pan Jincheng had been far too careless this time. Not only had they been discovered by Jiang Ning, but he had nearly been knocked unconscious by the very person they were assigned to protect. It was incredibly humiliating.
Jiang Ning curiously asked,
"Oh, so that's what's going on. Cang Ying, how many people are assigned to protect me in total?"
Su Meng had mentioned before that outstanding figures in the education field who were somewhat connected to government affairs would receive protection from the Ministry of State Security depending on their importance.
Jiang Ning was quite curious about the personnel arrangement for his S-Class protection detail.
Cang Ying immediately answered,
"There are four people in our team altogether. We work in two rotating shifts. I'm the team leader, and tomorrow the team led by codename White Wolf will take over."
Jiang Ning continued,
"Are you carrying guns?"
Cang Ying nodded.
"Yes, but under normal circumstances, unless it's an extremely urgent situation, we won't draw our weapons lightly."
As he spoke, Cang Ying subconsciously prepared to take out his gun to show him.
Jiang Ning quickly stopped him.
"No need to take it out. I was just asking casually. Alright then, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up. You guys continue your mission. I'm heading back."
Cang Ying apologized repeatedly.
"Master Jiang, sorry for causing you trouble."
Without turning around, Jiang Ning casually waved his hand.
"It's fine. As long as everything's clear now."
In truth, Jiang Ning felt lingering fear in his heart. Learning that they carried guns had startled him into a cold sweat.
If they had actually been enemies, and if his reaction had been just a little slower, he might already have been shot dead. The thought alone was terrifying. Thankfully, they were there to protect him.
"How was it, hubby? Who were they?"
The moment Jiang Ning returned to Su Meng's side, she asked curiously.
With a proud expression, Jiang Ning replied,
"Don't worry, honey. They're from the National Security Bureau, assigned to protect me. There are four of them, working in two shifts."
Su Meng understood these matters better than Jiang Ning did, so she nodded knowingly.
"I see. That means you've definitely been classified as an S-Class or above key protection target by the state."
Jiang Ning nodded.
"That's right. I'm currently S-Class."
Now that Jiang Ning was beginning to display remarkable talent in various fields, Su Meng's feelings were mixed with both pride and worry.
Over the years, there had been frequent reports of top talents from all industries in Great Xia—especially scientists, mathematicians, and inventors—mysteriously dying or disappearing.
Su Meng had heard about such incidents before, and she could roughly guess the reasons behind them.
She only hoped that such misfortune would never fall upon Jiang Ning.
The more outstanding and dazzling Jiang Ning became, the more likely he would attract the attention of hostile foreign forces.
Once his achievements began threatening their national interests, Jiang Ning would become either a target for recruitment… or elimination.
"Daddy! Daddy! Where did you go just now?"
Mengmeng hadn't noticed what happened earlier. She had only seen her father walk away and disappear.
Jiang Ning smiled and lied casually:
"It's nothing, Mengmeng. Daddy just walked around for a bit. Come on, let's go look over there."
He pointed toward the lakeside, skillfully changing the subject.
"Okay! Let's go play there, Daddy and Mommy!"
Mengmeng's attention was instantly diverted as she happily ran toward the lake.
"Daddy, this round lake is so pretty!"
"Daddy, there's a flower here! It's beautiful!"
"Daddy, look! There's a pair of butterflies! Are they a family? Do they have babies too?"
"Daddy, come quickly! There's a super cute beetle here! Its wings have little round spots—so pretty!"
…
Mengmeng was unbelievably happy.
She had never climbed a mountain before, never seen a real lake, and never seen a beetle in person. Previously, she had only seen these things in children's books.
Now that she could finally see them with her own eyes, she was overwhelmed with excitement.
Most of her past life had been spent either in the orphanage or inside the villa, with very few opportunities to go out and play.
Watching Mengmeng so happy, Jiang Ning and Su Meng exchanged smiles filled with satisfaction.
"Alright, it's about time. Mengmeng, we should head back now. Grandpa and Grandma are still waiting for us."
Jiang Ning checked the time and spoke.
By now, Mengmeng's cheeks were flushed red, and sweat covered her forehead.
She pouted and acted spoiled.
"Daddy, my feet are soooo sore. Can you carry me on your back?"
"Of course. Come on up, sweetheart."
Jiang Ning laughed as he crouched down.
"Hehe, my daddy is the best daddy in the whole world!"
Mengmeng immediately wrapped her arms around Jiang Ning's neck like a little koala and skillfully climbed onto his back. She definitely didn't look like someone whose feet were too sore to walk.
Jiang Ning and Su Meng exchanged another knowing glance but didn't expose her little act, allowing her to continue being playful.
Today's outing was meant for her to have fun and enjoy herself freely.
Soon, the family of three chatted and laughed happily as they headed down the mountain together.
As a martial arts grandmaster, Jiang Ning's senses were extremely sharp. Naturally, he noticed that besides the two National Security agents secretly observing him, there was also that strange old man still hiding in the woods, quietly watching them.
"I really want to see the old leader again… I really want to see little Taozi again…
"Those days when we fought side by side are memories I can never forget in this lifetime.
"Old leader… do you still remember me? I'm Xiao Du, your former guard soldier…"
Tears streamed down the old man's face as he muttered to himself, watching the backs of Jiang Ning's family gradually disappear into the distance.
In the end, he never stepped forward again.
Perhaps this was the unique purity of the older generation. They were simple and kind-hearted. No matter how many grievances or longing they carried in their hearts, they buried it all silently within themselves.
Naturally, Jiang Ning had no idea what the old man was thinking, nor did he know about the unforgettable past hidden within him.
"Leader, that old man in the woods has been staring at Master Jiang the whole time. Should we detain him for questioning?"
Pan Jincheng had also noticed the old man and turned to ask Cang Ying.
"Xiao Pan, you're being overly sensitive. Look at the old man's eyes—does he look anything like a spy?"
Cang Ying shook his head and patted Pan Jincheng on the shoulder.
"Come on. As members of the National Security Bureau, we need not only sharp observation skills, but also accurate judgment and discernment."
With that, Cang Ying closely followed behind Jiang Ning from a distance, continuing their protection mission.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)