Chapter 3: The Unfortunate First Encounter

  He glanced at his watch, it was 8:40. Zhang Fan's head was getting anxious. It was all because of that damned taxi driver who had gotten into an accident on the road and wasted time. If not for him, he wouldn't have arrived at the airport just as the plane was about to take off. He wondered what kind of expression Helena would have when she saw that he was late. No matter how he imagined it, it wouldn't be a smiling face or a warm welcome.

  At the fastest speed, Zhang Fan arrived at their gathering place, Channel 5, at 8:45. From a distance, he could see Helena and her group standing there, with some people who came to see them off talking in low voices. Helena was standing there, chatting with Professor Ilans, while Ilans was anxiously looking around while talking to Helena. It seemed that not only Zhang Fan was anxious.

  As Zhang Fan saw Professor Yilans, Professor Yilans also saw Zhang Fan. Suddenly, Professor Yilans' eyes shone like light and he rushed towards Zhang Fan.

  "You've finally arrived, I thought you'd died in some tender village." Professor Ilans greeted Zhang Fan while also teasing him. This damned Zhang Fan, showing up so late. He's made me guarantee to Helena that this bodyguard would definitely come, although I was worried to death myself, but still had to pretend to be confident. I don't know how much longer my confidence can hold out thanks to Zhang Fan.

  "Traffic jam... traffic jam..." Zhang Fan hastily explained the reason to Professor Elans. No matter what, it was his own fault. He hated that time couldn't be turned back; otherwise, he would have taught that driver a good lesson for not driving properly and causing trouble.

  "Is that you? You big pervert? Professor Elrond, is this the bodyguard you found for me?" Before Zhang Fan could even react and give his acquaintance a warm hug, he heard her let out a shocked cry, followed by a furious whisper to Professor Elrond.

  "His kung fu is the best, the best." The Black Dragon website. Facing Helena's anger, Professor Ilan's kept wiping his forehead with his hand. The airport's air conditioning was good, it wasn't actually hot, but for a while, Professor Ilan could only wipe away sweat, after all, when it came to this precious granddaughter of his, he had no choice but to take the scolding."

  Upon hearing Helena's words, Zhang Fan was taken aback. Could it be that Professor Elans didn't tell her that the bodyguard she hired was himself? Before Zhang Fan and Helena could communicate further, boarding time had arrived. A tall and sturdy man who had been standing with them walked over to pull Helena towards the gate, also saving Professor Elans from the impending trouble.

  Zhang Fan, who was still in a daze, was swept into the crowd by the people boarding behind him. By the time he came to his senses, he had already sat down in his seat on the plane, and sitting next to him was none other than the person involved, that stubborn little wild donkey, Professor Elans' granddaughter, the beautiful medical doctor Helena.

  When Zhang Fan saw Helena, Helena also saw him.

  "How could it be you? I want to change bodyguards." If looks could kill, Zhang Fan would have been killed by Helena countless times.

  Zhang Fan touched his neck, although nothing substantial had come into contact with his neck, but the feeling of being stared at was still quite unbearable.

  "Do I look like a pervert? Or is my name Pervert? If I'm not mistaken, Professor Elms introduced me to you beautiful lady. My name is Zhang Fan, a private investigator and now your personal bodyguard. If you don't accept this assignment, please ask my client, Professor Elms to cancel our contract, so after getting off the plane, I can head back home and catch the striptease show at Pink Cat Bar."

  "I didn't expect Grandfather to find a pervert like you to be my bodyguard, I don't know if all the good bodyguards in the world are dead, leaving only you to make a living here."

  Facing Helena's vicious accusations, Zhang Fan could only shake his head and smile. This little wild donkey was indeed very stubborn, he really didn't know what kind of man could tame her and make her lie quietly under him. Black Dragon. Thinking of this, Zhang Fan's eyes involuntarily glanced at Helena's chest. Today, Helena wore a low-necked tight-knit sweater, her plump breasts were about to burst out of the clothes, tempting Zhang Fan's hands to move. The tall and strong man who had pulled Helena earlier turned his head around and looked at them after hearing their conversation. In his eyes, it was clearly written: "Do you want me to chase him away?"

  Zhang Fan shrugged, although this little wild donkey wasn't quite to his taste, but it seemed that her admirers weren't lacking either, and they were very devoted. The tall and sturdy man should be Mr. Greenham, the leader of this expedition, according to the information provided by Professor Irlans. He was also Helena's superior, but Zhang Fan didn't know what role he played in Helena's work. Was it because of Helena's abilities that she could participate in the company's action? Or was it because Mr. Greenham had a discerning eye for talent? Zhang Fan maliciously speculated about this.

  Perhaps aware of the gaze around her, Helena gave Zhang Fan a fierce glare and buried her head in the research materials she had brought with her, no longer paying attention to Zhang Fan's movements. With Helena quieted down, Zhang Fan could focus on researching the personnel who followed them on this mission.

  Based on Zhang Fan's observation, the tall and sturdy man with a dark complexion in the front three rows was likely the leader of the mercenary group, Lowell. Initially, there wasn't time for this, but now Zhang Fan had the opportunity to study them carefully. Although the safety of the entire activity group wasn't his concern, if there were no threats to their safety, he wouldn't have anything to worry about either. As a good person, he didn't want to get involved in unnecessary matters. There were fourteen people on this trip, and the seating arrangement was likely made by Lowell. Eight mercenaries were divided into two groups of four, with the researchers sandwiched between them. This way, if an emergency arose, they could quickly protect the researchers. As Helena's personal bodyguard, Zhang Fan naturally sat with her. However, it was unclear whether Lowell had placed him in the middle because he underestimated Zhang Fan or wanted to utilize his abilities in case of unexpected events. Zhang Fan didn't bother to think about these possibilities; he was looking forward to a wonderful vacation in the Papua New Guinea jungle.

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  Morse Bay Airport

  Zhang Fan looked around the airport, waiting for their group's numerous luggage. As soon as they got off the plane, Helena had already called back to Paris. However, Professor Irlans, that old sly fox, pulled a beautiful disappearing act at this time, and Helena's plan fell through. Helena couldn't get rid of Zhang Fan's commission, no matter how much she disliked this smiling Oriental man, nor could she send him back to Paris or anywhere else. Zhang Fan followed her due to professional ethics, and he also couldn't let her say a word that wasn't true, because it was Helena's grandfather, Zhang Fan's client, who had arranged this.

  The airport wasn't very big, but it was bustling with people coming and going. Although Morseby Island is just a small island in New Guinea, there were still many tourists and adventurers flocking to visit. This trip was led by Mr. Greenham, who took care of all the arrangements. Zhang Fan was happy to be carefree and uninvolved, except for Helena's safety, which didn't concern him at all. However, they were only at the airport now, just a reconnaissance team, so there shouldn't be any danger. Even if something unexpected happened, with Zhang Fan's skills and reaction, he should still be able to handle it.

  In a casual glance, Zhang Fan found that Mr. Greenham was frowning and talking to Mr. Lowell for a few words after finishing a phone call. It seems that there are some changes or inconveniences in the itinerary, Zhang Fan smiled slightly, an inspection team composed of medical institutions, what kind of tricks would they play?

  Before Zhang Fan's thoughts were finished, Greenham had already spoken out the ins and outs of the matter. It turned out that the hotel they had booked in advance was overcrowded with tourists, causing a serious mistake, resulting in someone else moving into their pre-booked room. The final result was that Greenham and his party had to temporarily find a place to stay, but for so many people, in a completely unfamiliar place, and under the tense situation of the hotel, it was a very difficult thing to find a new place to stay.

  Zhang Fan heard the news, but didn't show any special expression. For Zhang Fan, following this team was just like being a guest. Whatever the host arranged, he would follow, so he didn't care about not having a place to settle down. It's not possible to leave him alone somewhere, wherever Helena went, he would follow, that was what he and Professor Ilans had agreed upon in their entrustment.

  In the end, Greinhom and Lowell decided not to look for a hotel anymore, but instead rented several off-road vehicles locally and took a boat to their destination - a nameless small island in the New Guinea Islands with a primitive forest. Fortunately, the guide was the one they had booked over the phone from the beginning, so with just one call, he rushed to the airport from his residence.

  The guide was a lean, agile native man named Teli. He looked to be between fifty and sixty years old, and his skin had turned dark brown from long exposure to the wind and sun, which he took pride in as a badge of his experience as a guide.

  For Greenham, they changed their itinerary, Terrie complained constantly, bringing a lot of trouble to his arrangement. However, after Greenham promised to pay him more, Terrie shut up. With Terrie's help, they quickly arranged the itinerary, including renting several off-road vehicles suitable for island travel, placing their many luggage and research equipment, including some military supplies equipped by the mercenaries.

  In the fading light of day, they donned a cloak of colorful lights and embarked on their new journey to Inner Mongolia.