Chapter 55: Powerful Rival!
「East Sea City, Han Family Estate.」
Han Qingtian was fishing by a river in his villa complex when his bodyguard, Kuan, approached.
"Patriarch! There is urgent news to report!"
"Speak."
"According to reliable information, Xiao Hongtian has sent someone to East Sea City. This man is named Wei Wu, and he's from the Wei Family of the Provincial City."
"Oh? Xiao Hongtian sent someone to East Sea City? What is this Wei Wu's strength?"
"Reporting to the Patriarch, Wei Wu is a late-stage First-Tier Grandmaster, approaching the Second Tier. In the Provincial City, the Wei Family is second-rate and can't compare to the Xiao Family. However, they were a branch of the ancient martial Wei Family many years ago, so they are still considered a power in their own right."
Han Qingtian was stunned. "Approaching the Second Tier of Grandmaster? In East Sea City, that would rank him third on the Earth Ranking! Xiao Hongtian can actually dispatch such an expert? Could it be that he intends to move against Zhao Dong?"
"It's highly likely!"
Han Qingtian stroked his beard, falling silent for a moment before saying, "The strongest expert in my Han Family is only at the seventh level of Inner Strength. I can't help Zhao Dong. I'm afraid he's in grave danger this time."
"What are your plans, Patriarch?"
Han Qingtian's gaze turned deep. "I have no plans. Even if I wanted to help Zhao Dong, I'm powerless to do so. It all depends on his fate now. If he can survive this, he will soar to great heights. If he perishes, then it is his destiny."
Kuan nodded. "Yes, Patriarch!"
After a moment of silence, Kuan spoke again. "By the way, Patriarch, Miss Chuxue has seemed a bit off these last two days. She often locks herself in her room, and she won't say what's wrong when asked."
"Is that so?" Han Qingtian frowned. "I'll go check on her."
With that, Han Qingtian left the riverside and went to the villa where Han Chuxue lived. He knocked on her door.
"Chuxue, Grandfather is here. Open up."
Inside, Han Chuxue was soaking in the bathtub, her eyes brimming with tears.
Ever since she'd been with Zhao Dong, she felt utterly defiled, as if her body was unspeakably filthy. She had washed herself over and over again.
Hearing Han Qingtian's voice, she got out of the bathtub, tidied herself up, and opened the door, her eyes red. "Grandfather, what is it?"
Han Qingtian asked with concern, "Chuxue, what's been the matter with you these last two days? Are you not feeling well?"
Han Chuxue shook her head and remained silent, burying all her heartache and grievances deep in her heart.
Han Qingtian knew his granddaughter's personality; if she didn't want to talk, no amount of questioning would make her.
He sighed and then smiled kindly. "If anything is wrong, just tell your grandfather. If you have any grievances, I will help you resolve them."
Then, Han Qingtian added with another smile, "I was actually planning to arrange a meeting for you with someone in the next couple of days. He's a young man I think very highly of—immensely potential, quite dashing, and a good match for you."
Her curiosity piqued, Han Chuxue asked, "Grandfather, who is this person?"
Han Qingtian pondered for a moment before saying, "His name is Zhao Dong. However, he's in some trouble right now. We'll decide what to do after this matter blows over."
"Zhao Dong?"
Han Chuxue's expression changed instantly. She clenched her teeth and said, "Grandfather, he's the one you want to introduce me to?"
"Yes, what's wrong?" Han Qingtian asked, confused.
Han Chuxue's face turned icy. "I would rather die than agree! He's a beast, a degenerate!"
Han Qingtian looked surprised. "Chuxue, Grandfather is a good judge of character. Zhao Dong isn't a bad person. Why do you have such a strong opinion of him? Do you know him?"
"Know him?" Han Chuxue's face was frosty. "It's more than that! In my eyes, he is utterly disgusting. I wish he would drop dead this very instant!"
Han Qingtian looked deeply into his granddaughter's eyes. "He might actually be about to die."
Han Chuxue was taken aback. "Why?"
Han Qingtian shook his head. "He has offended people he shouldn't have. In a few hours, he may be dead."
After saying this, Han Qingtian sighed and turned to leave.
Han Chuxue stood at the door in a daze for a long time, unable to articulate the complex feeling in her heart.
***
Meanwhile, Zhao Dong and Lin Qingyun arrived at the hotel entrance.
The two got out of the car. Zhao Dong glanced at Lin Qingyun before taking her hand.
Lin Qingyun instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Zhao Dong held it firmly.
Blushing, she shot him a look of helpless annoyance. "Don't talk nonsense once we're inside. Just sit down and eat your meal."
Zhao Dong laughed. "Got it!"
The two walked into the hotel together and entered the banquet hall, where many people had already gathered.
Lin Qingyun deliberately kept her head lowered slightly, not wanting to draw too much attention, and found a discreet table for them to sit at.
As they sat down, Zhao Dong looked around curiously. "The crowd is different from last time. Who is this banquet for?"
Lin Qingyun replied softly, "The last event hosted nearly eighty percent of East Sea City's entrepreneurs and various high-society figures. This time, it's a gathering for people in the business world, and the focus is on a plot of land next to the East Sea CBD. Lin's Group and several other conglomerates made the shortlist, and the final winner will be announced tonight."
Zhao Dong nodded. "I see."
The banquet hall was bustling with people, and everything seemed harmonious as more guests continued to trickle in.
Just then, a woman in an extremely sexy and revealing outfit sauntered into the hall.
She was exceptionally beautiful and charming, with dyed white hair and a sexy slip dress that left her enchanting curves on full display.
Zhao Dong glanced at the woman, looking her over and smacking his lips. This woman has a real coquettish air about her.
At that moment, the woman scanned the room. Her eyes landed on their table, and a playful smirk crossed her face as she made her way toward them.
Lin Qingyun also noticed and furrowed her brow slightly.
Soon, the woman reached their table and sat down uninvited. She looked at Lin Qingyun with a grin that didn't reach her eyes.
"Well, well, President Lin. Long time no see."
Lin Qingyun gave her a cool glance. "Miss Xu, if I recall correctly, this is a business gathering. What brings you here?"
The woman wore an arrogant expression as she lit a slim cigarette, crossed her legs, and revealed the seductive curve of her hips.
"Who says you can't come if you're not in business? I may not be, but that doesn't mean my man isn't."
Lin Qingyun smiled faintly. "So, Miss Xu has found a new partner. The last one was an actor, if I remember."
The jab made the woman frown. She retorted sarcastically, "A woman's most important skill isn't making money, but finding a man. In that respect, President Lin, you seem to be somewhat lacking."
With that, she turned her gaze to Zhao Dong and couldn't help but sneer.
"President Lin, this must be the guy from all the rumors, the one you had a one-night stand with, right? I heard he's just a useless ex-soldier. You really have no shame, do you, President Lin!"
Lin Qingyun frowned. "Who I'm with is my private life. What does that have to do with shame?"
The woman scoffed. "You feel ashamed yourself; you just won't admit it. Look at this guy. He's got nothing, just a total loser. I bet you bought him those clothes, didn't you? Tsk, how pitiful."
Lin Qingyun's expression turned ugly. Beside her, Zhao Dong glanced at the woman, then suddenly covered his nose, fanned the air dramatically, and exclaimed loudly, "Who's so classless as to fart in public? It stinks! The smell could kill someone!"
The woman immediately lost her composure. Zhao Dong's words had struck a nerve.
She glared at him furiously. "You stinking soldier, how dare you insult me! Are you looking to die?"
Zhao Dong smiled. "Oh, so you didn't fart?"
"Nonsense! Of course not!"
Zhao Dong blinked. "Then I know what it is. You must not have brushed your teeth this morning, lady. Go brush them. The stench is unbearable; I can't take it!"
Xu Ying'er flew into a rage, grabbing a wine glass from the table and hurling it at Zhao Dong.
He dodged it deftly and grinned. "Don't tell me you really didn't brush your teeth. Is that why you're so easily triggered?"
Xu Ying'er's face was ashen with rage. "Bastard! Do you have any idea who I am?"
Zhao Dong pretended to think for a moment before saying seriously, "I do. Aren't you the popular starlet Xu Ying'er? I've heard of you. I've even seen you on TV."
Xu Ying'er's vanity swelled, and she smiled with satisfaction. "It seems you have some discernment. Yes, I've acted in television dramas. Which one did you see?"
Zhao Dong grinned. "Why, it was the one where Miss Xu stripped naked for a passionate romp in bed with a man. Tsk, tsk. That film was a classic, a true masterpiece from Miss Xu."
Xu Ying'er's face burned with humiliation, her expression turning incredibly foul.
That was a softcore film she had made when she first entered the entertainment industry. Years had passed, and it was a dark mark on her history. Now that Zhao Dong had brought it up, she nearly blacked out from rage.
Just as she was about to explode, a man in a white suit with a distinguished air approached their table.
He smiled gently at Lin Qingyun. "Qingyun, long time no see."
Zhao Dong and Lin Qingyun both turned to look at the newcomer. Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes, while Lin Qingyun's expression shifted slightly.