Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Zhang Shaowen wore an ingratiating smile. "Xiao Lan, I want to apologize for last night. I know I was wrong... Besides that, I wanted to take you to see a house. This is the best residential complex in East Sea. Let's buy a place here."

Ding Lan frowned. "I don't want to talk about last night. And please, keep your distance from me from now on. As for a house, that has nothing to do with me. Take me back!"

Zhang Shaowen pleaded, "Xiao Lan, I truly know I was wrong. I'd had a bit to drink last night and wasn't thinking straight..."

Her expression remained cold. After a moment of silence, Ding Lan sighed. "Zhang Shaowen, please give me some personal space. We aren't a couple yet; we're just getting to know each other. Don't put so much pressure on me..."

Zhang Shaowen nodded, his tone meaningful. "I understand, Xiao Lan. I'll talk to your father and mother about it then. By the way, your father took on two more orders from our Zhang Family last month. Business is good, isn't it? I'll go have tea with him soon. Also, I've already had someone speak with your mother. She's now a manager at the East Sea Bank, so her work should be a lot easier."

Ding Lan's expression shifted slightly. Her parents had originally been factory workers. But now, her father owned his own small company, and her mother had been transferred to the East Sea Bank, becoming a manager after just two months as a teller. Naturally, all of this was thanks to Zhang Shaowen's family; he had pulled the strings. His words were clearly a deliberate reminder, making sure she didn't forget the favors his family had done for hers.

For a moment, Ding Lan felt lost. Honestly, she didn't want to get too entangled with the Zhang Family, especially not so soon. Her parents, however, couldn't wait to bind their families together. She wanted her parents to have an easier, more comfortable life, but she didn't want them relying on the Zhang Family for everything, getting tangled in a complicated web of obligations...

Beside her, Zhang Shaowen smiled. "Xiao Lan, don't overthink it. You've probably been under a lot of pressure lately, and maybe I was a bit too eager. It's alright. I'll be more mindful in the future."

Ding Lan relaxed a little, her expression softening. Although Zhang Shaowen was no saint and was full of schemes, he had, after all, genuinely helped her family. She couldn't bring herself to be completely heartless.

Seeing the change in her expression, Zhang Shaowen smiled to himself. I'm not worried about her running off. Handling Ding Lan is a piece of cake for me. You have to be measured when pursuing a woman; being too aggressive is counterproductive. Besides, the only problem right now is Zhao Dong, but he's just a good-for-nothing veteran with no power or influence. What use is he? The other day, he even hired a woman to pretend to be his girlfriend just to show off. What a loser.

Zhang Shaowen didn't consider Zhao Dong a threat. Ding Lan's connection to him was merely some lingering feelings from their past. But Ding Lan can't be that foolish. Even if she likes Zhao Dong, she wouldn't abandon her future with me to follow him. Zhao Dong... he isn't worthy of her!

At this thought, the corner of Zhang Shaowen's mouth curled up again. He turned to Ding Lan with a smile. "Xiao Lan, let's go check out the house together. This place, Dongding One, just opened. It's the most exclusive complex in East Sea, with units costing over forty thousand per square meter!"

Ding Lan shook her head and said softly, "You go ahead. I'll pass."

"How can you say that, Xiao Lan?" Zhang Shaowen said. "I'm buying this house for me to live in, but it will definitely be our marital home in the future. If you don't look at it, who will?"

Ding Lan's brows knitted together instantly. "Zhang Shaowen, have you already forgotten what I just said?"

Zhang Shaowen immediately changed his tune with a laugh. "My mistake, I misspoke. But as my friend, you should still help me check it out, right?"

Having been put on the spot, Ding Lan felt she could no longer refuse and finally nodded.

Zhang Shaowen chuckled. The two of them got out of the car and walked toward the sales office. After just a few steps, Ding Lan's gaze shifted. Why does that person at the entrance... look like Zhao Dong?

Zhang Shaowen also noticed the people at the entrance and froze. "Xiao Lan, doesn't that man look a lot like Zhao Dong?"

Ding Lan bit her lip. Just then, the man walked into the sales office, but she was certain. It was Zhao Dong! A look of astonishment filled her eyes. Why would Zhao Dong be here? Is he also here to buy a house? That's impossible, right? A single unit here costs at least five or six million, some are closer to ten. How could he possibly afford a place here?

"Let's not worry about whether it's him or not. Let's just go take a look first," she said. Though she had been reluctant to go, the sight of Zhao Dong had sparked a powerful curiosity, and she walked toward the sales office with Zhang Shaowen.

Zhao Dong arrived at the sales office with his parents. Since this was the best and most expensive property development in East Sea, the showroom wasn't very crowded. It was approaching noon, and there wasn't a single other customer inside, just Zhao Dong and his family.

A group of saleswomen glanced over at Zhao Dong's family, their eyes scanning them from head to toe before their brows furrowed in disdain. They could tell at a glance that this family wasn't wealthy, and not one of them wanted to approach them.

The saleswoman closest to Zhao Dong looked visibly annoyed. She didn't want to help them, but with surveillance cameras everywhere, refusing service would result in a fine. With a frown, she walked over to the family and spoke coolly, "Hello, are you here to see the properties?"

Zhao Dong nodded. "Yes. Could you tell us about the available floor plans?"

The saleswoman's impatience was palpable. "Sir, there are far too many floor plans. If you're certain you want to buy, you can find all that information online."

Zhao Dong's brow furrowed slightly as he sensed her dismissive attitude.

Beside them, Zhang Cuimei looked around the opulent lobby, feeling a little intimidated. She asked, "Miss, could you please tell me, what are the prices like here?"

The saleswoman shot Zhang Cuimei a condescending look. Country bumpkin, she cursed inwardly, before saying aloud, "This is the best development in East Sea. The average price is thirty-eight thousand per square meter. The smallest units are 120 square meters, so the cheapest place here is nearly four million. Most of them are priced over seven million."

"Over seven million?" Zhang Cuimei's face paled. Forget seven million; they couldn't even earn one million in their entire lifetimes.

Zhao Kangyou and Zhang Cuimei looked at their son, their faces filled with guilt. With her aged, thin hands, Zhang Cuimei took out the bank card Zhao Dong had given them, then pulled two passbooks from her pocket.

Zhao Dong was startled. "Mom, what are you doing?"

Filled with remorse, Zhang Cuimei said, "Xiaodong, this is the money you gave us last time. We didn't dare touch it, so I'm giving it back. And these two passbooks... this is what your father and I have managed to save over all these years. There's about two hundred thousand in them... Don't think it's too little. This is everything your father and I can give you..."

Zhao Dong looked at the two worn passbooks, then at his parents' weathered faces and calloused hands. His eyes began to sting.

Before he could say a word, the saleswoman snapped, "Are you people done? You dare come here to look at houses with just two hundred thousand? Are you insane? If you don't have money, then get lost! What a waste of my time, you're bad luck!"

Her face full of resentment, she rolled her eyes at them and turned to leave.

Zhao Dong's expression slowly darkened. "Who said you could leave?"

The saleswoman stopped, turning to size him up with a glare. "Who do you think you are? If you don't have money, stop embarrassing yourselves. Your good-for-nothing parents scraped together a measly two hundred thousand in half their lives, and you dare come here? You're completely clueless and stupid country bumpkins."

Hearing the saleswoman insult his parents, Zhao Dong's eyes turned icy. "Say that again."

The woman planted her hands on her hips and shrieked, "I said it, so what? Your parents are useless, just a couple of country bumpkins! Get out now before you dirty the floor!"

A cold light flashed in Zhao Dong's eyes, and he took a step forward.

Seeing that things were escalating, Zhang Cuimei quickly grabbed his arm and pleaded, "Xiaodong, let's just go. The prices here are too high. We really can't afford it. Let's look somewhere else."

Seeing his elderly mother so humbled, Zhao Dong's heart ached. "Mom, it doesn't matter if we buy the house or not. She was disrespectful. She needs to apologize!"

Tears welled in Zhang Cuimei's eyes. How could she not feel aggrieved by such mockery? But the woman was right. She and her husband weren't successful. If they were, their son wouldn't be looked down on and humiliated like this.

Tears streaming down her face, Zhang Cuimei said, "Xiaodong, listen to your mom. Let's go. Please..."

"Mom..." A tightness gripped Zhao Dong's chest. Seeing his mother's pitiful expression, he felt his own tears about to fall.

Just then, two people walked in through the entrance: Zhang Shaowen and Ding Lan.

Zhang Shaowen laughed mockingly. "Zhao Dong, Xiao Lan and I saw everything from outside. The salesperson is right. If you don't have any money, you should hurry up and take your parents away. Stop embarrassing yourselves."

Zhao Dong turned to face Zhang Shaowen, his gaze then shifting to Ding Lan, who sighed softly. "Zhao Dong, two hundred thousand really isn't enough to buy a house here. The down payment alone is at least two or three million. Don't overreach if you don't have the money. You can save up first. You can't afford a place like this right now."

Zhao Dong looked at her earnest expression and suddenly laughed.

Ding Lan was taken aback. "What are you laughing at?"

"I find you two hilarious. What, in your eyes, only you and Zhang Shaowen can afford a house here, and I can't?"

Zhang Shaowen snorted. "You think otherwise? With your family's situation, you could never afford a place here in your entire life. Who do you think you're fooling?"

"And what if I can afford it?"

Zhang Shaowen laughed. "Oh, playing the big shot with me? I, Zhang Shaowen, will make you a promise. If you can afford this house today, I'll kneel down and call you 'Dad'."

Zhao Dong shook his head. "I don't want a bastard son like you. If we're going to make a bet, let's make it bigger. How about this: if I really buy it, you'll streak around this entire place."

Zhang Shaowen cursed, "Are you sick? Streaking?"

Zhao Dong pursed his lips, deliberately provoking him. "If you can't handle it, then don't play. If I lose, I'll do whatever you say. Or are you too scared?"

Zhang Shaowen's face went rigid with anger. In a fit of temper, he blurted out, "Fine! You'd better remember what you said! Whoever chickens out is a coward!"

Zhao Dong smiled, pulled a card from his pocket, and tossed it to the saleswoman. "Swipe this. And today, you can open your damn eyes and see who the real bumpkin is."

The saleswoman's expression changed, a sense of unease creeping in. Could it be that this Zhao Dong is actually someone important? He wants me to swipe the card directly... does that mean he's paying in full? Someone who could fork out several million on the spot was no ordinary person. The saleswoman was shocked, but a sliver of doubt remained.

Biting her lip, she took the card and walked toward the contract room.