Unaware that he was being manipulated, Shen Zhengyi, either still angry or naturally straightforward, didn't sense any of Han Lang's schemes.
However, Luo Jiaying, standing beside him, saw through his cunning plan.
While Shen Zhengyi wasn't paying attention, she pinched Han Lang's waist hard and whispered, "Brother Han Lang, you're too wicked! You already heard the gist of it at the property management office entrance, and you're deliberately playing tricks on him. It's only because this young man Shen is so guileless; otherwise, he would have seen through you long ago!"
Han Lang gasped in pain, grabbed Luo Jiaying's delicate hand, and whispered back, "In ancient times, deep affection couldn't be kept, only schemes could win hearts! Listen carefully, this isn't over yet!"
Luo Jiaying rolled her eyes at him but said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhengyi, oblivious to their subtle actions, spoke with a sorrowful expression, "These days, companies only think about making money and completely disregard their responsibilities and bottom lines!"
"Hmm, how so?" Han Lang asked at the opportune moment.
Shen Zhengyi sighed deeply, "Isn't it about strengthening our community's security?"
"You two also know,"
"Last time, there was such a vicious knife-wielding incident at the community entrance. The victim was your parents, who are also residents of this community. Although it didn't result in particularly serious consequences, shouldn't this be enough to make the property management's higher-ups pay attention?"
"If the security system were adequate, how could such a thing happen?"
Shen Zhengyi, already assuming Han Lang and Luo Jiaying were a couple, used terms like "your parents" when referring to Han Zhongyi and his wife.
Han Lang didn't pay attention to these minor details, but the thoughtful Luo Jiaying blushed with shyness.
Fortunately, neither Han Lang nor Shen Zhengyi noticed her unusual reaction, and they continued their conversation.
"You're right, young man Shen! Such incidents should be taken very seriously. Don't the people in property management have any brains?"
Hearing Han Lang's words, Shen Zhengyi seemed to find a kindred spirit. He sat up straighter and continued to complain, "Exactly! I submitted an application to strengthen security at the time, but do you know what they said?"
Han Lang feigned curiosity, "What did they say?"
"Mentioning this, Shen Zhengyi seemed even more infuriated: 'They said the incident happened outside the community, not within its boundaries. Even if something happened, it wouldn't be the responsibility of the property management company!'"
Han Lang added fuel to the fire, "Damn it! Are they even human to say something like that?"
Luo Jiaying gave him a look of disdain, as if to say, "You're overacting," but Shen Zhengyi gave Han Lang a thumbs-up!
"You've hit the nail on the head, brother!"
"They're just not human!"
"And then, another female resident of ours was constantly harassed by her ex-boyfriend after they broke up!"
"That guy might be a psycho. After pleading for a long time, the female resident didn't agree, so he blocked her doorway with a knife!"
"He was even shouting that he wanted to die with her!"
"The female resident was so scared!"
"If I hadn't discovered it in time and subdued that guy, who knows how things would have escalated?"
After hearing this, Han Lang frowned and, like a gossiping aunt, asked incredulously, "Even after all this, property management still refuses to strengthen security?"
Shen Zhengyi also looked completely bewildered, "Yes! If they found an excuse for your parents' incident because it happened outside the community entrance, this incident happened squarely within the community, didn't it? Yet they still disagree. Tell me, should I be angry?"
Just as Han Lang was about to stir up more trouble, Luo Jiaying earnestly and curiously asked, "But why? What's in it for them?"
"Hmph!" Shen Zhengyi sneered, "Isn't it because strengthening security costs the property management company money? They want to save every penny they can, and in the end, it all goes into the pockets of those higher-ups!"
Luo Jiaying still didn't understand, "It shouldn't cost that much, should it? Mingcheng Community is a villa area, so the annual property fees should be quite substantial, right?"
"A full two hundred thousand, beautiful lady! Besides, if they can skim off even a few hundred or a few thousand, not to mention hundreds of thousands, they won't let it go!"
At this point, Han Lang felt the time was right. He immediately held back Luo Jiaying, who still wanted to discuss with Shen Zhengyi, and said,
"Young man Shen, someone with your sense of justice staying in such an unscrupulous company is truly a waste of your talent! I genuinely feel it's not worth it for you!"
Han Lang's words might have truly struck a chord with Shen Zhengyi. His eyes dimmed, and he sighed helplessly, "I don't fear you laughing at me, brother! In this industry, whether it's good or bad, it's all the same. Even if I have the best intentions, changing places would only be a superficial change."
Hearing this, Han Lang also sat up straight and looked at Shen Zhengyi seriously, "Then, if I give you two million to be responsible for the security of a villa cluster, can you guarantee absolute safety there?"
Shen Zhengyi immediately stood up excitedly, "Let me tell you, with the brothers under my command, let alone two million, even with just one million, we can absolutely guarantee the safety of the entire community!"
Han Lang was overjoyed to hear this and quickly seized the opportunity, "Young man Shen, to be honest! Besides thanking you for your past kindness, I actually want to hire you as the captain of my villa cluster's security force!"
"And I can guarantee you that if you bring your brothers along, your salaries will be doubled from the current base. Additionally, the security department will be an independent department within the villa cluster, directly under the jurisdiction of my Han family. Each year, it will receive two million in independent operating funds! At that time, whether you want to increase equipment or manpower, you can do as you see fit."
"Of course, I have requirements! Every member of the security department must have a strong sense of justice and responsibility, just like you. Otherwise, they will not be hired!"
"What do you think?"
Han Lang's sudden offer caught Shen Zhengyi off guard. He looked at them blankly, momentarily flustered.
"No... Mr. Han, you really don't need to worry about me saving your parents. And today, I... I was just venting to you. You really don't have to go to such lengths..."
Before Shen Zhengyi could finish speaking, Han Lang stared at him intently and said seriously, "Do you think I'm joking with you?"
"Could... could you possibly be... serious?"
Seeing Shen Zhengyi's continued doubt, Han Lang was too lazy to explain further. He immediately took out a bank card from his pocket and handed it over.
"Here's three million! Two million is for your operating funds this year, and the remaining one million is my thank-you gift! Do you believe me now?"
Shen Zhengyi numbly reached out, "This... this..."
Seeing his continued hesitation, Han Lang domineeringly slapped the bank card into his hand, "It's decided! Bring your brothers to Lingyue Mountain Villa tomorrow to report for duty! Any lost wages or liquidated damages you incur here, I will compensate you double!"
Shen Zhengyi still seemed to be in a dream, only blankly replying, "Then... then do we need to exchange contact information?"
"Of course!" Han Lang immediately took out his phone and took Shen Zhengyi's phone number.