"Good." I suppressed a smile and said seriously, "I want to hire a skilled bodyguard to protect me up close for a month."

This time, Luan Zhong also sat up straight, staring at me in silence for a moment. "Since the esteemed guest has a request, then I shall fulfill it. In my escort agency, there are three top-tier bodyguards, ten second-tier, and several third-tier. I will call them all for you to choose from..."

"I don't want anyone else." I interrupted Luan Zhong, "I want you, Mr. Luan."

Luan Zhong was taken aback again. After a moment of contemplation, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said with a smile, "Since the young lady trusts me, I will certainly carry out this escort mission diligently and ensure your safety this month."

I extended my hands to help Luan Zhong up, "Words alone are not enough, let's draw up a written agreement."

Luan Zhong laughed heartily and had someone bring pen, ink, paper, inkstone, and his seal. He gave me a thumbs up, "Miss, you look young, but I didn't expect you to be so meticulous and mature in your actions."

I thought to myself, I've been a ghost for over ten years, of course I'm mature.

After signing the agreement, I kept half of the contract in my purse.

Hiring Luan Zhong would greatly prevent any schemes from Auntie and Zhou Yan during this month. I must resolve all troubles within this month.

Suddenly, Cui Lu discreetly tugged at my sleeve, "Miss, have you been cursed today? Why did you come to such a dreadful place? And you even hired a bodyguard? If the master finds out, he will surely be angry. Also, how did you suddenly produce five hundred taels? Did you discuss this with the madam? When we return, the madam will surely punish me for not serving you properly."

At that moment, Luan Zhong personally brought a cup of hot tea and said with a smile, "Since I am now the young lady's personal bodyguard, I must serve you with respect. Please have some tea."

I picked up the tea and took a sip.

Luan Zhong asked, "May I ask what the young lady plans to do next? Should I escort you home?"

I smiled and looked at Cui Lu, "This girl is treacherous, she has insulted me, an orphan without parents, and has stolen from me multiple times. I brought her contract with me today. Please ask Mr. Luan to find a tattoo artist to mark her face with the word 'slave' and then sell her off."

Luan Zhong snapped his fingers, instructing a young bodyguard to find a tattoo artist. He said coldly, "I detest disloyal and unjust people the most. I will find her a good place to go."

Cui Lu hadn't reacted yet, her face suddenly turned pale. She knelt down, clutching my legs, crying like a pig about to be slaughtered, "Miss, have mercy! I don't know where I have offended you to be treated like this. Yesterday, you said I was like your own sister."

Seeing my indifferent attitude, Cui Lu started to act out, "I am the madam's confidante. I dare anyone to lay a finger on me!"

I smiled faintly and said to Luan Zhong, "Before selling her, strip her of her satin coat and jewelry. Such a disloyal slave is unworthy!"

After selling off Cui Lu, I breathed a sigh of relief.

If someone respects me, I will respect them; if someone disrespects me, I will repay them tenfold.

In my past life, I was too weak and foolish, which led to being bullied by such treacherous slaves.

Seeing me lost in tears, Luan Zhong couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Miss, have you experienced something unpleasant before?"

Without answering, I stood up and said, "Now let's move on to the second task."

Luan Zhong asked, "What do you mean?"

I looked expressionless outside where it was snowing, covering the ground completely.

"Please select a few fierce and sturdy bodyguards, Mr. Luan, to accompany me to the Cui residence. I want to move my belongings out."