Chapter 78: The Personal Bodyguard

Under the great willow tree at the entrance of the village, all the children soon gathered. There were older kids from high school and tiny ones just starting elementary school.

The two preparing to arm wrestle on either side of the old tree stump were Yang Tian and Big Dog. Almost everyone bet on Big Dog to win. Though they all knew he wasn’t a good kid, when it came to arm wrestling, his build was no match for Yang Tian’s.

“Brother, make sure you humiliate him!” Erhua whispered gleefully to Big Dog, certain her brother was bound to win.

“Hey, Yang Tian, come on, what are you waiting for!” Big Dog, emboldened by Erhua’s words, shouted confidently at Yang Tian.

The other kids began to cheer for Big Dog, while Huang Juan and Yang Xueling looked worried, afraid that Yang Tian would be at a disadvantage.

Yang Tian exhaled gently, placed his right hand on the tree stump, and gripped Big Dog’s right hand firmly.

Big Dog was sly. As soon as their hands met, he exerted force, his thick palm nearly bending Yang Tian’s hand. If Yang Tian hadn’t reacted quickly, he would have lost immediately.

Erhua and her group cheered, while Huang Juan and Yang Xueling cried out in alarm.

A little later, something surprising happened. Even though Big Dog had nearly pressed Yang Tian’s wrist to the stump, several minutes passed and he still hadn’t managed to win. On the contrary, Big Dog’s face grew uglier, while Yang Tian remained composed and unhurried.

The children nearby began to sense something was wrong; the cheers for Big Dog grew quieter.

“Do you admit defeat?” Yang Tian suddenly smiled and asked Big Dog.

“I give up!” Big Dog nodded hurriedly.

“Brother, why did you give up? You had the advantage and nearly pinned him!” Erhua exclaimed in confusion. With Big Dog’s defeat, she would have to give the magpie in her hand to Yang Xueling.

“Shut up! What do you know! Yang Tian, I know you learned martial arts from Huang Biao. Fine, you’re tough. Don’t leave—I'll get Brother Xia to deal with you!” Big Dog first cursed Erhua, then clutched his right hand with his left, his face twisted in pain as he ran off.

The surrounding children were bewildered, even Huang Juan and Yang Xueling were puzzled. Big Dog almost won—why had he suddenly admitted defeat and fled?

In truth, during the arm wrestling, Big Dog focused entirely on beating Yang Tian, never realizing Yang Tian was using only a little strength to defend, while concentrating his power on gripping Big Dog’s thick palm.

Yang Tian had studied martial arts for three years; his grip was naturally stronger than most. If Big Dog refused to admit defeat, Yang Tian could easily squeeze his hand until he cried for his mother.

“Brother Xia is amazing, Yang Tian, just wait to get beaten up!” Erhua put down the magpie and left with Big Dog.

Seeing Big Dog and Erhua flee, the other children started to stir, their admiration for Yang Tian growing.

“Brother Xia?” Yang Tian, Huang Juan, and the others were surprised. Who was this Brother Xia? There wasn’t a Xia family in the village.

“That Brother Xia’s name is Xia Dong. I heard he’s the bodyguard of Big Dog’s dad’s boss’s daughter. He’s skilled in martial arts, really tough. The Taiwanese boss wants to open an investment company in Binhai and let his daughter come here first to get familiar with things. Big Dog’s dad heard about it and invited them to dinner at his house! Didn’t you see? There were a lot of fancy cars parked outside Big Dog’s home!” an informed child explained.

Yang Tian realized then that Xia Dong was the bodyguard of Boss Zhou’s daughter, who had been invited to Zhou Sheng’s home as a guest. No wonder there were so many luxury cars parked outside earlier—it was because important guests had arrived.

Still, Yang Tian remained unperturbed. He knew Zhou Sheng held little status at the Taiwanese company; Big Dog couldn’t possibly command Xia Dong.

After all, Xia Dong was the bodyguard of a big boss’s daughter. How could he stoop to fighting with kids in the countryside? That would be beneath his dignity.

“Brother, the magpie is dying!” Yang Xueling, holding the little magpie whose cries grew ever weaker, spoke with a tremulous voice.

“Don’t worry, let’s take it home first. I promise it won’t die! Remember? When we were kids, we saved many nearly dead little birds together!” Yang Tian comforted her gently. In their childhood, they often rescued dying birds found by the roadside—a cherished memory. Each time they released a revived bird, they felt a sense of accomplishment.

Hearing this, Yang Xueling brightened and nodded eagerly.

“We’re done for! Big Dog and Erhua really brought Xia Dong!” Suddenly, a child shouted, pointing to the village entrance.

Sure enough, Big Dog and Erhua rushed ahead, followed by a man in a suit and large black sunglasses.

That man wasn’t tall, but Yang Tian could tell he was definitely skilled. Yet judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to be there to fight.

“Yang Tian, you still have time to apologize. If not, Brother Xia Dong will beat you until you’re searching for your teeth on the ground!” Big Dog shouted as he approached Yang Tian, his right hand swollen like a slab of fat.

The onlooking children were astonished, finally understanding why Big Dog had conceded so suddenly and fled in disgrace.

“Why should I apologize? Accept your loss! Brother, let’s hurry home!” Yang Xueling stepped in front of Yang Tian, speaking loudly, then took his hand and started to leave.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Erhua rushed over, trying to grab Yang Xueling’s hair.

Yang Tian was alarmed, quickly stepping forward to protect Yang Xueling. With a light slap, he sent Erhua aside.

“You dare hit my sister?!” Big Dog was furious and lunged at Yang Tian.

But before he could get close, Yang Tian gently raised his right leg and, with a simple side kick, knocked Big Dog—who weighed over 180 pounds—flat onto the ground.

“Brother Xia Dong, help! I’m getting beaten! Huh, where’d he go?” Big Dog staggered to his feet, crying for help, only to find Xia Dong had vanished. The other children were baffled.

Only Yang Tian noticed that while he was dealing with Erhua and Big Dog, Xia Dong hadn’t come to assist; instead, he quietly slipped away. He had no idea why.

“My dad says his boss is a big official and very rich. Ordinary folks should bow and scrape before them!” Erhua shouted as she ran home, tears streaming down her face.

“That’s right! Miss Zhang is at my house now. From now on, none of you are even worthy to carry our shoes. You dare hit me? Wait till you see what Xia Dong does to you!” Big Dog yelled as he followed her, still seeking reinforcements.