Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Zhang Shaowen had been waiting downstairs for a while. He and Lv Hao had spent half the day discussing how to deal with Zhao Dong. After all, they had both heard snippets suggesting Zhao Dong's current strength was formidable, his combat abilities terrifyingly so.

The two had originally planned to find someone to throw a sack over Zhao Dong's head and break his legs, but after thinking it over, they decided the plan was flawed. They weren't sure they could actually handle Zhao Dong, so they failed to come up with a concrete plan and decided to discuss it again later.

After parting ways with Lv Hao, Zhang Shaowen called Ding Lan several times. When she didn't pick up, he assumed she hadn't gotten off work yet and went to the hospital, only to learn she had left for the day. This made Zhang Shaowen suspicious, so he decided to wait for her downstairs at her apartment building.

When he saw Ding Lan approaching, Zhang Shaowen instinctively glanced at the man beside her car. One look was all it took to shock him. He couldn't believe his eyes. Upon confirming it was Zhao Dong, he erupted in fury.

"Zhao Dong, what the fuck are you doing here?"

Zhao Dong frowned at Zhang Shaowen. "Watch your mouth. Are you asking for another beating?"

Zhang Shaowen's mouth twitched. He turned to Ding Lan, his face as dark as a stagnant pool. "Lan, what's going on? Why are you with Zhao Dong?"

Ding Lan was clearly flustered, but she steadied herself and feigned calmness. "I just happened to run into Zhao Dong. We had a meal, and I asked him a few questions about medicine."

Zhang Shaowen gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead throbbing. "Lan, do you take me for a fool? Zhao Dong knows medicine?"

Ding Lan frowned. "He really does. If you don't believe me, you can ask at the hospital tomorrow. He cured a patient there the other day."

She was telling the truth; Zhao Dong had indeed treated Zhao Qirou in her hospital room.

Zhang Shaowen frowned at Zhao Dong, still finding it hard to believe. Wasn't Zhao Dong just a worthless veteran? How did he suddenly know how to treat illnesses?

However, that wasn't important right now. He wasn't a fool; he could tell Ding Lan was hiding something. Sniffing the air, he caught the scent of alcohol on her, and his expression darkened further. "Lan, you're my girlfriend. If you go out drinking, shouldn't you at least tell me? What is the meaning of this?"

Ding Lan furrowed her brow slightly. "Zhang Shaowen, for as long as we've been seeing each other, haven't I always insisted that we start as friends? Yes, I admit that in front of other people and my parents, I've said we're a couple. But you know that's just to shut them up. I told you beforehand that we are only in a trial period."

So that's their relationship, Zhao Dong thought, raising an eyebrow. No wonder things seemed off when I saw them together before. They looked friendly enough on the surface, but there was always this faint sense of distance. So that's what it was...

Zhang Shaowen gritted his teeth. He glanced at Ding Lan, took a deep breath to suppress his anger, and forced a smile. "My apologies, Lan. I lost my temper just now. It's fine. It's normal for you to have your privacy. I was just worried about you. How much did you have to drink?"

Ding Lan rubbed her forehead wearily. "It's nothing. I'm a bit tired, so I'm going to head up and rest."

With that, she walked into the apartment building. As her figure disappeared from sight, Zhang Shaowen turned his cold gaze on Zhao Dong.

"Zhao Dong, don't get cocky just because you know some kung fu. This isn't the old days. Wealth is everything, and power crushes all opposition. If you really want to make an enemy of me, I will have you killed."

Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "Who do you think you are? You're not worthy to talk about wealth and power in front of me."

"You... you dare say that again?"

Zhao Dong laughed. "I'll say it again. You're a worthless piece of trash, and you're not qualified to act tough in front of me. How about that?"

Zhang Shaowen clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes blazing with fury. "Zhao Dong, I'll kill you!"

"If you have the guts, come and try."

Zhang Shaowen flinched, looking at Zhao Dong with undisguised fear. He gritted his teeth and snorted. "So what if you know some kung fu? I'm not stupid enough to fight you one-on-one."

"Then stop barking, you worthless coward."

Zhao Dong gave Zhang Shaowen a disdainful look, then turned and walked away, leaving him fuming but too scared to say another word. He could only watch helplessly as Zhao Dong disappeared down the street.

"Goddammit, Zhao Dong! I swear I'll kill you sooner or later!" Zhang Shaowen snarled, stomping his foot hard before turning and rushing into the building.

The elevator was out of order, so Ding Lan had no choice but to take the stairs. She had just reached her floor and was about to close her apartment door when a strong force from outside stopped it.

Ding Lan froze. Looking up, she saw it was Zhang Shaowen and panicked slightly. "Zhang Shaowen, what are you doing?"

Zhang Shaowen gave a refined smile. "Don't be afraid, Lan. I just came to check on you. Since you've been drinking, I was a bit worried."

"I'm really fine. You should go back and get some rest."

"Lan, I waited for you for so long. Can't I at least come in and sit for a while? Not even for a glass of water?" Zhang Shaowen asked, pretending to be hurt.

Ding Lan felt helpless. He had put it that way, and while she was reluctant to let him in—after all, it was the middle of the night and she'd be alone with a man—she didn't know how to refuse. He probably isn't bold enough to try anything, right? With that thought, she sighed and stepped aside, letting him in.

Zhang Shaowen sat down on the living room sofa. Enduring her headache, Ding Lan poured him a glass of water and sat down nearby, rubbing her temples. "It's getting late. My head hurts, so I should probably get to bed soon..."

Her words were an obvious hint for him to leave, but Zhang Shaowen pretended not to understand. He looked around and smiled. "It's all right, Lan. You know my family owns the company; it doesn't matter if I stay up late."

Ding Lan managed a bitter smile. "Your family may own a company, but I don't. I have to work in the morning."

"That's true. In that case, just answer a few questions for me," Zhang Shaowen said, dropping all pretense. His gaze turned cold as he stared at her. "Lan, what did you and Zhao Dong talk about today?"

Ding Lan glanced at him and replied coolly, "We didn't talk about much. Besides, that's my privacy. I don't have to answer."

The smile on Zhang Shaowen's face became stiff. "Lan, you know we're getting engaged soon. Both our parents have agreed to it, and you agreed when we were looking at potential homes. You should know where things stand. I don't want you to have any more contact with Zhao Dong."

Ding Lan sighed softly. "Shaowen, it's too soon to be talking about a marital home. I've told you... I don't want to get engaged just yet, let alone look for a house. I'm still young, only twenty-five. I want to wait a little longer..."

A look of melancholy filled her eyes, and she felt a pang of sadness as she spoke. Right now, Zhang Shaowen was indeed her most suitable marriage prospect: young, successful, from a wealthy and powerful family. For a while, Ding Lan had been certain he would be her future husband... But for some reason, after Zhao Dong reappeared, her feelings had undergone a subtle shift. She felt agitated and resistant to any talk of marriage, and she didn't know why...

Zhang Shaowen stared into her eyes. "You don't want to get engaged... it's because Zhao Dong showed up, isn't it?"

Ding Lan's expression changed, and she quickly shook her head. "No, it has nothing to do with him. I just feel that our relationship hasn't reached that point yet."

"It doesn't matter. We can get married first and cultivate our feelings later. In any case, our families have already settled the matter. How about this? We'll go look at houses together tomorrow. My family is planning to buy a place in East Sea's best residential district for our home."

"Shaowen, it's still too early... I'd like to wait a bit longer," Ding Lan sighed softly.

Zhang Shaowen shot to his feet, glaring at her. "Ding Lan, don't you dare try to fool me with that nonsense! You just want to be with that loser Zhao Dong, don't you? Don't think I don't know your filthy little thoughts. I honestly don't get it. Are you blind or something? Still pining for a guy you broke up with years ago! How can you be so damn cheap?"

Zhang Shaowen couldn't hold back any longer. He was already seething after his humiliation at the hands of Zhao Dong, and tonight's events made all his fury erupt at once.

Ding Lan's face paled. She stood up and glared right back at him. "Zhang Shaowen, you bastard! Shut your filthy mouth and stop judging me with your own disgusting thoughts! I simply feel that our relationship isn't at that stage! The way you think is sickening! Get out! Get out of my house right now!"

Her words only enraged Zhang Shaowen more. A malicious glint appeared in his eyes and, in a hot-headed rush, he pounced, throwing Ding Lan down onto the sofa and starting to grope her.

With a scream of shame and indignation, tears welled up in Ding Lan's eyes. She struggled desperately. "Zhang Shaowen, you bastard! Let go of me! Let go!"

"I won't let go!" Zhang Shaowen roared, his face a mask of madness as he tore at her clothes. "I've been with you for a year, and I haven't even gotten a kiss! To think you'd go on a date behind my back! I'm going to take you right here, right now!"