chapter 11 Victory or defeat ===

After breakfast, Alexander Xu, not bothering to shower, summoned ten bodyguards and lined them up in the backyard. Hearing that the young master was going to spar with his own bodyguards, all the servants and bodyguards gathered to watch. Grace Fang sat aside, secretly harboring a hint of anticipation. "Alright, show your true skills. If anyone can defeat me, I'll increase your salary tenfold!" Alexander declared to the group of bodyguards dressed in black. Tenfold salary increase? The ten men's eyes sparkled with greed. Their current salaries were already substantial. A tenfold increase would elevate them to the status of top-tier professionals! "Young Master, if we injure you, you won't hold it against us, right?" Tempted by the high salary, they were cautious not to harm Alexander. Their concern was less for Alexander and more a subtle hint to Grace Fang. Grace Fang saw through the bodyguard's implication and replied, "David, as long as the injuries aren't serious, I won't blame you!" Humph, let's see how this braggart son fares against these men. She wondered if he'd beg for mercy after being beaten up. Alexander looked at the bodyguard named David and chuckled, "Whoever injures me, I'll give them one percent of Prosperous World Group's shares!" One percent of Prosperous World Group's worth was over five hundred million! Hearing this, the ten men were instantly invigorated, their eyes burning with eagerness to fight. Grace Fang slapped her forehead, thinking her son must have lost his mind. But then she reconsidered; her son was no fool. Without absolute confidence, he wouldn't have made such an offer. Could he really be that capable? If so, it would be a miracle! "Alright, we can start now. Don't say I didn't give you a chance. I'll let you strike first!" Alexander stood with his hands behind his back, adopting a masterly pose. This gesture infuriated the bodyguards, who saw it as blatant disrespect. They spread out, encircling Alexander. Grace Fang, watching the bodyguards' stance, felt nervous for her son. He was practically asking for a beating with his hands behind his back. "Attack!" David commanded, and the ten men surged forward, fists aimed mercilessly at Alexander. As the fists neared him, Grace Fang, terrified, covered her eyes. “Boom boom boom.......” After a series of loud thuds, an eerie silence descended. No cries of pain or agony, just a deathly quiet. Surprised, Grace Fang peeked through her fingers, only to see all ten bodyguards lying on the ground, some clutching their legs, others their stomachs. But all shared a look of terror when they glanced at Alexander, who still stood with his hands behind his back, unmoved. The watching bodyguards and servants were equally shocked, disbelieving their eyes. They couldn’t understand how the ten men had been defeated without even seeing Alexander move. Were they acting? Impossible, they were randomly selected by Grace herself. There was only one explanation: their young master was a master among masters! "Alexander, how did you do that?" Grace rushed over, excited as a young girl. When had her son become so formidable? Was it a blessing from their ancestors? "Mom, didn't I tell you they're no match for me? Do you believe me now?" Alexander smiled at Grace. "I believe! Of course, I believe!" Grace's eyes sparkled, looking at her son with admiration, like a young girl idolizing her hero. The ten bodyguards struggled to their feet, each pulling up their clothes to reveal the swelling where Alexander Xu had struck them. They knew Alexander had held back; otherwise, they all would have been in much worse shape. Seeing their wounds, everyone became even more convinced that these bodyguards had indeed been easily defeated by the young master. "Go apply some medicinal wine, and make sure to drain the bruises first!" Alexander instructed the ten men. They looked at Alexander somewhat numbly, still immersed in the shock of being effortlessly defeated by him. It was only after someone nearby reminded them that they woke up from their daze, nodding their heads and leaving dejectedly with the help of others. At that moment, they felt utterly useless. "Son, tell me, how did you suddenly become so powerful? Did you secretly learn something like the 'Sunflower Manual' or other martial arts?" Grace Fang asked eagerly, her face full of curiosity. Sunflower Manual? Alexander Xu was taken aback, wondering what kind of TV dramas his mother had been watching... "Mom, remember I was almost beaten to death? So, I decided to diligently practice martial arts. Who knew your son would be a martial arts prodigy? I managed to master those techniques in just a few days!" Since his mother liked TV dramas, he decided to use that to explain, avoiding the need for a more complicated explanation. "Really?" Despite the absurdity of his explanation, Grace Fang actually believed it, but then she looked worried, "Son, tell me the truth, will this martial arts practice harm your body? You mustn't castrate yourself for the sake of martial arts, I'm still waiting to hold my grandchildren!" Alexander Xu was defeated by his mother's bizarre concerns, rubbing his forehead and saying, "Mom, what are you thinking? I'm perfectly healthy!" "That's good, that's good…" Grace Fang patted her chest, sighing with relief, then joyfully went to make a phone call, likely to report to her husband. Alexander Xu, having just finished his bath and not yet fully dressed, was interrupted by Grace Fang knocking on his door: "Alexander, it's bad, all the bodyguards are leaving!" "What happened?" Alexander hurriedly put on some clothes and opened the door to a worried Grace Fang. Grace gave him a reproachful look and gently thumped him, scolding, “It’s all because of your antics. You took down our family's bodyguards so easily, they feel useless and guilty about taking their salary. They're too embarrassed to continue working. You better go down and persuade them!” Such a thing happened? Alexander quickly followed Grace downstairs to the courtyard, where a group of bodyguards had already packed their luggage, standing silently with bowed heads, the yard engulfed in a disheartened atmosphere. "Have you all really decided?" Alexander sat down on a chair in the courtyard and asked the group calmly. "Young Master, we really can't face staying with the Xu family any longer. With you here, it feels like we're just freeloading. Please allow us to maintain some dignity…" David, mustering up courage, stood out, his face filled with desolation. "Hmm, with your current abilities, you really aren't suitable as bodyguards," Alexander nodded, stating a fact rather than offering empty sentiments. Grace subtly pinched Alexander, chiding him silently. How could he speak like that? Most of these men had served the Xu family for over five years; even if they lacked merits, they had their hardships. Even if they had to leave, they shouldn't be treated unfairly. Alexander Xu gave Grace Fang a slight smile, then turned to the even more ashamed bodyguards and said, "You've been with the Xu family for many years. Letting you go like this doesn’t sit right with us. So, I plan to establish a security company. If you don't mind, you can come to work there, but of course, only after passing my assessment!" These men were indeed unsuitable as bodyguards for the Xu family, but for tasks like armed escort, they should be capable enough. Some of them had a decent foundation and, with training, could become skilled professionals! Most importantly, they were trusted confidants of the Xu family. "Young Master, we…" David started to say something, but Alexander waved his hand to cut him off: "Don't think of this as charity. Even if it wasn't for you, I would have to hire people from outside. You know my lazy nature; do you really want to see this playboy go through the trouble of recruiting?" "Haha…" Hearing Alexander call himself a playboy made everyone laugh, lightening the previously oppressive mood. "Alright, those willing to work at the security company, move to the left; those who aren't, to the right. I'll give a severance package to those who choose to leave." Swish, swish, swish! All twenty bodyguards moved to the left. "Since everyone has decided to work at the security company, stay at the Xu family's house for now. I'll find a place to set up the company tomorrow!" Alexander gestured for the bodyguards to disperse. Watching her son handle the situation so methodically, Grace Fang secretly wiped away tears. Her son had really grown up, thinking of others now! "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying? You're not getting sentimental over them, are you?" Alexander smiled at Grace Fang. Shaking her head, Grace gently touched Alexander's cheek, "I'm fine, I'm just happy to see you've really grown up." Countless sleepless nights were spent worrying about this child. Now, her son had finally grown up, becoming a pillar of the Xu family, no longer needing to rely solely on his father. After so many years of anticipation, this day had finally arrived! No matter how wayward her son had been, she had never given up on him. Now, her persistence had finally paid off! "Mom, don't worry! I won't let you down!" Alexander Xu embraced Grace Fang, cherishing this rare moment of affection. No matter who he had been in the past, now he was the distinguished heir of the Xu family!