340 Boss, Rest Easy and Allow Me! (1/2)

Nanfeng, who felt he had quite a bit of work experience, started to get nervous.

He did more research on Fang Zhao, but the information he gathered was all superficial, stuff that he had already known. As for insider information, Yan Biao wouldn't reveal too much about Fang Zhao before Nanfeng was officially hired as an assistant.

He could ask friends to uncover unreported tidbits through other means, but if he did that, he could kiss his job goodbye.

For now, all Nanfeng could do was extrapolate from the info he gathered online.

When Yan Biao and Zuo Yu got up the next morning, they saw Nanfeng using a device they had never seen before to conceal his puffy eyes.

”Captain, the more I think about the gig, the more nervous I get,” Nanfeng said.

”You're not mentally tough enough. You're regressing.” Yan Biao started to wonder whether Nanfeng would be able to grip his gun properly during an emergency.

”Oi, I was affected by what you said. You said that the boss is different from other celebrities, so my prior experience is irrelevant. Now I feel like I don't even know what to say. Captain, what do you suggest? What should I say when I see the boss this afternoon?” Nanfeng asked.

”Just call it as it is. Don't embellish and don't be too humble. Boss doesn't buy that crap,” Yan Biao said.

”Understood!”

”In any case, behave yourself!”

Nanfeng nodded vigorously. ”Rest assured, Captain! I will be on my best behavior. After all, I have plenty of experience working in Huangzhou. I want to let the boss know that I know the rules of the entertainment industry, that I can start the job right away and deal with any challenges that come my way!”

Fang Zhao arrived at 3 p.m. on the dot. When he entered, he noticed the floor was sparkling clean and the apartment was very tidy. There was not a speck to be found on the windows.

In anticipation of their boss's scrutiny, Zuo Yu and Yan Biao had cleaned their apartment meticulously, personally attending to nooks and crannies that might otherwise have been easily missed.

”How do you do? I'm Nanfeng, as in southern wind.” Nanfeng tried hard to smile naturally, but he was so nervous that it came off as awkward.

Fang Zhao gestured to a neighboring chair. ”Don't be nervous.”

Nanfeng's teeth were clattering as he said, ”I'm n-not nervous!”

Yan Biao resisted the temptation to slap Nanfeng in the face. He briefed Fang Zhao on Nanfeng's personal history. When he got to the part about Nanfeng's new prosthetic eye, he glared at his former teammate.

At this point, Nanfeng recovered his senses. His quick thinking was back and his attention sharp. He explained to Fang Zhao how he had earned the money for his new eye.

Ten million was not a small sum for the average Joe. Most people couldn't earn that amount in a lifetime. Fang Zhao had to be wondering how someone with as little job stability as Nanfeng had been able to get his hands on so much cash. And why did this guy want to become his assistant? Would he be a dedicated employee?

Take Yan Biao and Zuo Yu, for example. They might not be able to earn 10 million after 10 years in the bodyguard business unless some major events happened and they were awarded bonuses.

So on this matter, Nanfeng had to thoroughly explain himself to Fang Zhao.

Nanfeng took a few sips of water, paused, and said, ”I didn't make a lot of money my first two years in Huangzhou, just enough to cover my expenses. During my military service, I had been quite out of touch. I hadn't had much work experience before joining the military. When I left the military, it took me some time to adjust, to learn how to handle my affairs and personal relationships. Things started improving after I got to know my surroundings and built up a personal network. I invested in a low-budget TV series made by a few university students. The year before last, the returns were quite good. I earned nearly 5 million that year between my dividends and the return on the investment.”

When he had seen his income statement, Nanfeng had felt like he was on Cloud Nine, but soon, he'd realized that Huangzhou was home to many high-income individuals. Small potatoes like him barely caused a ripple.

Now, Nanfeng had stopped investing in TV productions for a couple of reasons: firstly, he had run out of cash, and secondly, his previous collaborators had made it to the big leagues and were now backed by major corporations. He was fortunate enough to have come across that one investment opportunity. He wouldn't always be so lucky. There were plenty of smart investors in Huangzhou. He was a nobody.

”So you don't have to worry about the source of the cash. I didn't earn money through illegal means.”

Huangzhou was full of opportunities, but one would have to work hard. Whether or not someone could strike it rich depended on their talent. It hadn't been easy for Nanfeng these past few years. He had been so busy that he'd felt like a constantly spinning top. He'd wished he had multiple brains that could function concurrently. There were no free lunches. Life was a constant learning experience.

But now Nanfeng had his future mapped out.

Many folks said that if you were to identify the entertainment industry with a color, it would be gold mixed with black. Money came quickly, but it was also easy to make enemies. But Nanfeng liked the industry. He could get used to things.

He felt that being Fang Zhao's assistant was a decent position. Fang Zhao wasn't short on cash, so he didn't have to venture into illegal dealings. Also, word was that Fang Zhao was connected in the military. Connections were a good thing, a form of protection. Not to mention that one of Fang Zhao's bodyguards was Nanfeng's former captain, an old friend. The salary that Fang Zhao could offer certainly would pale in comparison to his investment returns, but it would be high by industry standards.

The bottom line was that this was Nanfeng's best job prospect right now.

After he had accumulated enough experience as an assistant, Nanfeng was confident that he could become a talent agent, build his own team, and produce a few superstars. It would be the pinnacle of his life!

The only thing that worried Nanfeng was Fang Zhao's positioning in the industry. From what he could see, Fang Zhao was more of the artsy variety. This was an area that Nanfeng was less familiar with.

Nonetheless...

Nanfeng went for the hard sell. ”I will do my best as an assistant so you can focus on your studies and composition and have time to rest, Boss. I will take care of Boss's daily chores, walk the dog, and feed the 'rabbit.' I will plan your trips in advance and even double as a bodyguard.”

Zuo Yu and Yan Biao stared him down immediately.

Double as a bodyguard? What do you think we are, window dressing? Why would we need an assistant to double as a bodyguard?

What a f*cking calculating fella this Nanfeng is! Zuo Yu thought to himself.

After Nanfeng finished his spiel, he looked at Fang Zhao expectantly. ”Why don't I start on a probationary basis? You can decide whether or not to keep me after my probation.”

Fang Zhao stared at Nanfeng for a few seconds and nodded. ”One month's probation. I'll send you a contract when I get home.”

”Wow! Yes, Boss!” Nanfeng worked hard to contain his emotions. He wanted to show that he was a steady hand.

”Is there anything Boss wants to eat? I'll order the ingredients.” Nanfeng wanted to show off his cooking skills to his new boss and two colleagues and make a good impression. He wanted to prove he wasn't lying.

”That won't be necessary. I'm heading back to campus. Yan Biao is a former comrade. Why don't you stay and catch up with him? You can come by campus tomorrow to sign your contract,” Fang Zhao said as he got up.

”No, no, no. Boss, let me head back to campus with you so I can familiarize myself with the route,” Nanfeng said while getting up himself.

Are you kidding me? He could catch up with his comrade later. He had just been hired as an assistant, on a probationary basis no less. He had to seize the chance to impress his boss.

”Boss, where's your car? I'll pick it up,” Nanfeng asked.