232: Chapter 229 Acquaintances

"This Durant is indeed insatiable, and there's also something suspicious about his identity...

This man is not as simple as a regular retired military officer; he is deeply involved in politics and has close contact with many congressmen.

We now have some evidence suggesting he is a power broker for the US Congress, representing the US government in intense disputes with Genentech over interests and even equity."

Zhou Guoli paused before continuing, "Regarding Genentech, this company was originally a biological research institute during World War II, with a history of nearly two hundred years.

It has always had deep ties with the US government, and many congressmen are involved with them.

But these congressmen have one thing in common: without exception, they are all from the Democratic faction. In short, this is actually a situation where several major US factions are pressuring the Democrats.

However, Genentech has clearly grown its wings and isn't so easy to deal with. Plus, the Democratic faction is indeed a very large force in the US.

Even other factions don't dare to apply pressure openly, so this situation arose."

Zhou Guoli spoke calmly, clearly relieved by the results of the investigation.

"Then how did he know your purpose? Are you exposed?" Li Changsheng asked while driving.

"That guy was just bluffing. He did discover some of my goals, but only through his channels, finding that I was looking for Genentech's external recruitment information on the Dark Web.

He did find that I was very interested in Genentech, but he didn't discover my identity or my true purpose.

And most importantly, this guy seems to be truly at a dead end.

The other factions seem to have realized they can't do anything to the Democrats. It's said their higher-ups plan to end this dispute through negotiations. And he, Durant, is gradually becoming a likely discarded pawn."

At this point, Zhou Guoli smiled.

"So, he wants to recruit a powerful fighter, or rather, he wants a bargaining chip that Genentech will take seriously!"

"You mean this guy actually wants to turn around and join Genentech, which means joining the Democratic faction?"

Li Changsheng understood what Zhou Guoli meant.

"Exactly. This Durant is very patient; he didn't even try to make us stay before. He was gambling. But clearly, he lost.

I estimate that in less than three days, he will invite us—or rather, invite you—with even more sincerity."

Zhou Guoli remarked with emotion. He really admired Li Changsheng; after that previous performance, let alone Durant, even he had to exclaim how inhuman it was.

"So should we agree? This Durant wants to use me as his token of loyalty." Li Changsheng thought through the cause and effect and couldn't help but give Durant's clever little head a thumbs up.

Since he couldn't make it on this side, he'd just quit—and instead of waiting to be backstabbed, he'd backstab them first.

"It depends on what you want. If you want my advice, of course, agree.

Genentech has indeed been recruiting talents with exceptionally exaggerated physical data through the Dark Web and various channels recently.

The prices they offer are also extremely high. Some top athletes are paid tens of millions of dollars, and even second-tier athletes can get an annual salary of five million.

They even noted that if someone is at a world-record-breaking level, they can even give a small amount of equity. Of course, it's only around 0.1%.

But don't think that's little. For an enterprise like Genentech, which is involved in almost every field of biology, 0.1% is an unimaginable fortune.

I reckon Durant has his eye on this and wants to defect to Genentech completely to seek protection from the Democratic faction," Zhou Guoli said.

"Hmm, this is indeed a good opportunity."

Li Changsheng nodded with a smile.

"I reckon even if I choose to be his bodyguard, he will protect me as if he were protecting himself."

"Haha! That's actually possible. You're his life-saving straw now. Even if you choose to be his bodyguard, he'll probably have to arrange plenty of security to protect both himself and you, to avoid being assassinated by gunmen."

Zhou Guoli also laughed loudly, and both of them were amused.

After all, the thought of Durant hiring a "grandpa" to serve as his bodyguard was quite funny.

In fact, Zhou Guoli still overestimated Durant. He thought the man was patient enough to wait at least three days before calling.

But that very evening, the call came.

To this, after Li Changsheng continuously raised the price, Durant's reaction was as expected; he agreed with almost no resistance.

The price finally reached a hiring fee of thirty million US dollars, and the employment period was only one month.

Thirty million dollars for one month—this was definitely the highest security fee in the world.

Crucially, the actual security service provided could be described as non-existent; Durant might even have to treat this bodyguard like a deity.

The next day, after finishing his run and eating breakfast, Li Changsheng arrived at the club early to report.

Today was for both reporting and signing the contract.

Early in the morning, there were very few people in the club. Li Changsheng went straight to the front desk.

"Are you Mr. Li? The boss has already given instructions. Please follow me."

At the front desk was a mixed-race beauty, likely a mix of Native American and white. She had long flaxen hair and a curvaceous figure; while looking brisk and capable, she also perfectly suited Asian aesthetics.

Following the mixed-race beauty, Anya, out of the elevator to the fourth floor, they didn't head toward Durant's office this time but were led to a conference room instead.

As soon as he entered, Li Changsheng was stunned.

Four people were standing inside. One of them was also stunned to see Li Changsheng. The two exchanged a glance and quickly looked away.

Why is he here?

Li Changsheng was slightly surprised, but after thinking it over, he understood.

The person he saw was none other than Zhang Zhao, the descendant of Xue Dian whom he had seen at the Zhirou Martial Arts Club not long ago!

This Iron Sand Palm expert!

Similarly, seeing Li Changsheng now, Zhang Zhao was even more surprised.

Actually, his impression of Li Changsheng wasn't very deep since he hadn't seen Li Changsheng fight. The reason he remembered him was that Li Changsheng happened to be standing next to Zhang Youdao at the time.

"Why is this guy here? Could he be an expert too?"

Zhang Zhao was somewhat puzzled. He looked at the fair-skinned Li Changsheng and then at his hands, which didn't have many calluses. He found it hard to believe Li Changsheng had any real strength.

"Anya, is this the Mr. Li the boss newly recruited?"

At this moment, a middle-aged white man in the room, who looked out of place among the other three, was dressed like an old gentleman and spoke with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. Tru. This is Mr. Li. He will be one of the boss's bodyguards," the mixed-race beauty Anya quickly introduced.

"Mr. Li is truly young. I hope all four of you pass the test today."

With that, the middle-aged gentleman, Tru, looked around at the four people in the room besides Anya with a smile.

A test?

Hearing this, Li Changsheng looked around and found that the other three, besides Zhang Zhao, were all physically powerful.

One was Asian, one had a Southeast Asian face, and one was dark-skinned.

"A Karate expert, a Muay Thai expert, and one who seems to be a physical athlete..."

Looking at their stances, builds, and hands, Li Changsheng quickly made a judgment, and he had a faint guess about this test.