Chapter 53: Naming He Long

“Mr. Hu?” He Tian was just about to head out when he saw Mr. Hu at the door, hand raised to knock.

“He Tian, I have something to discuss with you.” Mr. Hu’s tone carried a subtle respect, his expression turning serious and solemn.

“Please, come in!” He Tian’s face grew grave as well. Seeing Mr. Hu so earnest, He Tian wondered if something momentous had happened—perhaps a new clue to the Dragon Fang incident? It was entirely possible.

But he never expected it would be about Lan Ji.

“Mr. Hu, what’s happened?” He Tian asked carefully, his tone cautious.

Seeing He Tian’s intense seriousness, Mr. Hu instantly realized his own demeanor had likely given the wrong impression.

He quickly smiled and said, “The woman named Lan Ji downstairs—is she the new bodyguard you found?”

“All for that?” He Tian couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He’d found not a single lead in the Dragon Fang case, and had hoped Mr. Hu might bring good news. So he’d simply been overthinking it.

“Lan Ji seems to have killed quite a few people. Can she be trusted?” Mr. Hu asked gravely.

“She’s absolutely trustworthy! If she hadn’t killed before, I wouldn’t have asked her to be a bodyguard. Mr. Hu, you’ve really let me down,” He Tian replied.

“Haha, that’s my fault! But you really do have an overactive imagination. If finding clues to this were so easy, wouldn’t that make things a bit too simple?” Mr. Hu laughed heartily, fully understanding what He Tian had been hoping for.

“Forget it,” He Tian chuckled as well, feeling perhaps he was being a little too sensitive.

It seemed he needed to relax his mindset a little, and never let himself get too anxious. The more urgent the matter, the harder it became to handle, and it was all too easy to throw oneself off balance.

By the time He Tian and Mr. Hu went downstairs, Mrs. Qiu had already set the table with a generous spread. Everyone took their seats.

It was clear Lan Ji had become fast friends with the Wang sisters. One after another, their faces lit up with laughter.

“I never expected you’d become a fashion spokesperson, He Tian! I told Xinrou that no matter what, we’re coming with you tomorrow for a look,” Lan Ji said with a smile.

“So you’re all conspiring to sell me out!” He Tian shook his head at Wang Xinmeng and Wang Xinrou.

“Oh please, how is that selling you out? Who doesn’t know about this already?” Wang Xinrou replied, grinning.

“Xinrou, seriously, it’s enough that our family knows about this. No need to tell anyone else, understand?” He Tian said sternly.

“Why so serious? I wasn’t planning to tell anyone!” Wang Xinrou knew he was right, but refused to admit it directly, insisting on making a detour before accepting.

“And another thing, you two can’t accompany me tomorrow. There must be no link between the He Tian of tomorrow and the He Tian of today. No, I need a different name!” Only then did He Tian realize that sharing a name would make him too easy to identify.

“Oh, come on! You’re only thinking of a new name now?” Wang Xinrou rolled her eyes.

“It’s not too late! Everyone, let’s think together—more heads, more ideas!” He Tian said with a laugh.

“He Wang!” Lan Ji blurted out.

He Tian glared at her. Of course he understood her meaning, recalling his old nickname—the King of Soldiers—so she’d just combined the two.

“No, no, that’s awful! It sounds like some ancient monarch… Not relatable at all!” He Tian waved off the suggestion.

Lan Ji pouted slightly. Though she enjoyed chatting with the Wang sisters, this life still felt unfamiliar, especially since she couldn’t call out the name she revered. That made her even more uncomfortable.

“He Dan! That’s a good name!” Wang Xinrou pursed her lips, tossing out a suggestion.

Everyone burst into laughter, unable to hold back. He Tian shot her an exasperated glare.

Wang Xinmeng’s face was wreathed in smiles. At home, she’d never felt such liveliness before.

This new feeling was both novel and soothing for Wang Xinmeng.

“I doubt any of us can come up with a name you’ll like. Why don’t you choose one yourself?” Wang Xinmeng said, smiling as she served Lan Ji some food.

He Tian thought for a moment before replying, “Then let’s go with He Long.” He didn’t consider changing his surname; among names, he preferred the character for “dragon.”

Mr. Hu smiled faintly, as if he’d expected He Tian to choose “Long.” He wholeheartedly approved.

“He Long it is, then! We’ll go with that name,” Wang Xinmeng agreed after a brief consideration.

This wasn’t just a change of name; company paperwork would need to be updated as well. But for Wang Xinmeng, those were just minor details.

As the meal went on with laughter and conversation, He Tian suddenly felt a kick under the table. He looked over to see Wang Xinrou giving him a meaningful look.

He Tian quickly understood she was reminding him about the villa.

He remembered the issue of the villa at Dragon Sea Gardens. Setting his chopsticks down, He Tian said, “Xinmeng, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Wang Xinmeng asked, noticing he’d put down his utensils and sensing it was no trivial matter.

“I’ve acquired a villa at Dragon Sea Gardens—number 03, right by the sea. I’m very satisfied with it, especially the spaciousness; it’ll be easy to arrange staff. Let’s find time in the next couple of days to move in,” He Tian said with a smile.

Wang Xinrou stared at him in disbelief—not because of what he said, but because from start to finish, he wasn’t consulting Wang Xinmeng, but giving her a direct order. That was what astonished her most.

And it only made her more curious—what secret did He Tian share with her sister? What had happened that night when her sister stayed in He Tian’s room?

She even wondered what she would do if her sister had fallen for He Tian as well.

Admittedly, Wang Xinrou’s imagination and tendency to leap from thought to thought were truly remarkable.

“Dragon Sea Gardens, villa 03… How did you…” Wang Xinmeng looked at He Tian in shock.

She was a successful businesswoman, and though her total assets weren’t anything extraordinary in Tianhai’s business world, her rapid rise and great potential had attracted much attention. She was well informed about all the high-end properties in Tianhai, including Dragon Sea Gardens.

She’d even met Lin Guang a few times and exchanged a few words.

Precisely because she understood, she was so surprised. How could He Tian possibly afford a villa at Dragon Sea Gardens?

“You’re wondering how I could afford it? It was a gift, absolutely aboveboard and legitimate. Just move in and don’t worry! I don’t want to always be on guard outside, and then still be uneasy at home. A good home is important,” He Tian explained, smiling.

“The day after tomorrow, then! Tomorrow I’ll be at your shoot, and after a day of filming, you’ll be ready for the TV ad. It should be no problem,” Wang Xinmeng replied after a brief consideration, nodding in agreement.

Wang Xinrou was even more astonished. She never expected her sister to agree so readily, and under He Tian’s orders, no less.

Her curiosity soared. She resolved to pester her sister that very night until she uncovered this secret—otherwise, it would drive her mad.

What Wang Xinrou didn’t know was that Wang Xinmeng’s reasoning was simple: He Tian was the one who had avenged their father and protected her little sister. He was absolutely trustworthy—whatever he did, he had his reasons. Though she wouldn’t act rashly on her own, she would support He Tian’s investigation with all her strength.

He Tian, understanding Wang Xinmeng’s mindset, had assured Wang Xinrou that her sister was completely reliable.

And so, everything unfolded exactly as He Tian had expected.

After dinner, He Tian had a good chat with Mr. Hu.

Later, when Wang Xinmeng returned to her study to handle some work, Wang Xinrou pulled He Tian aside, begging him to teach her a new move. Mr. Hu retired to his room with a smile.

“I’ll teach you in a bit!” He Tian smiled, then gave Lan Ji a look.

Lan Ji walked over, and He Tian whispered something in her ear. She nodded.

“What are you whispering about? So secretive!” Wang Xinrou got along well with Lan Ji—they were like sisters now—but she still kept her guard up, worried that Lan Ji might steal He Tian from her. She really couldn’t stand even the hint of secrecy between them.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” He Tian replied with a smile, then led Wang Xinrou outside the villa. “Show me the move, and if you’ve mastered it, I’ll teach you something new.”

“Alright!” Wang Xinrou’s expression turned serious as she began to perform the move, which she’d broken down into several sections. The key lay in the subtle application of force, which varied each time and had to be adapted to both herself and her opponent. Mastering this control was crucial.

It was clear that Wang Xinrou had completely grasped it. Watching her go through the whole routine, He Tian was very satisfied.

“I’ll teach you a new move now. This one is more about technique. Watch carefully!” He Tian said solemnly, then demonstrated the move slowly.

“Did you catch it?” he asked.

“I saw it, but I didn’t get the trick,” Wang Xinrou admitted frankly.

“Get the form first, then I’ll explain.” He Tian said, “Try to do it the way I showed you.”

“Okay!” Wang Xinrou nodded seriously, thought for a moment, and then did her best to replicate He Tian’s move. She had little internal foundation, but in terms of form, she’d caught most of it.

“Heh, let me explain,” He Tian said with a smile, about to break down the move step by step.

Suddenly, a commotion could be heard not far away—a sound of fighting.

Wang Xinrou’s attention was instantly diverted.

“Oh no! Why is Sister Lan Ji fighting with Chen Long and the others?” she exclaimed in surprise.