Chapter 109: Jade
Han Chuxue's eyes glinted as she stared coldly at Zhao Dong. "I really wish Hong Wu had killed you today!"
Zhao Dong was speechless. "Then why did you come and save me?"
"If it weren't for Yafei begging me, I wouldn't have come if my life depended on it."
Zhao Dong raised an eyebrow, recalling Ah Sheng's odd behavior outside the private room earlier. He asked in surprise, "Was this your plan?"
"What else? If it weren't for us, an idiot like you would've died eighteen times over by now."
Zhao Dong wanted to retort, but Han Chuxue had, after all, come to help him. Besides, he had taken her first time... He didn't argue back.
Soon, the car stopped in front of the bar they had visited before.
Han Chuxue got out of the car. She gave Zhao Dong a cold glance and walked inside by herself.
Zhao Dong forced a smile, getting out of the car to follow her.
He followed Han Chuxue to a private room upstairs. The room was empty, save for some drinks set out on a tatami mat.
Today, Han Chuxue was wearing a black sleeveless, spaghetti-strap dress that hugged her hips. She was tall with a slender waist and long legs, which were encased in black stockings and paired with white high-heeled boots. Her waist-length hair cascaded down her back, and her delicate, oval face bore an aloof indifference.
Han Chuxue's looks could easily score a 9.9 out of 10, putting her on par with Lin Qingyun and Xu Yafei. Her youth only added an air of innocence to her beauty. But her icy indifference created a sense of distance, which Zhao Dong found strange for such an exceptional beauty.
Ignoring Zhao Dong, Han Chuxue took off her boots and sat on the tatami mat. Zhao Dong rubbed his nose and asked hesitantly, "I..."
Han Chuxue shot him a disdainful look. "You what? What are you just standing there for?"
Zhao Dong gave a wry laugh, shook his head, and also sat down on the tatami. With only the two of them in the room, the atmosphere instantly grew quiet.
Han Chuxue glanced at Zhao Dong, a hint of unease in her eyes, and she sighed inwardly.
I, Han Chuxue, am a beauty in my own right. I have the looks, the figure, and the status. How did I end up sleeping with this guy?
Looking at Zhao Dong, she felt a surge of irritation, but she told herself to stay calm.
Zhao Dong noticed her unease and, wanting to break the oppressive silence, rubbed his hands together and grinned. "How old are you?"
Han Chuxue nearly spat out her drink. She glared at him. "Don't you know it's incredibly rude to ask a woman her age?"
Zhao Dong rubbed his nose. "Right... It's just, you look like you're eighteen. You seem so young."
Han Chuxue froze. Her expression softened slightly, and though she just snorted, a hint of pleasure bloomed within her. "You certainly have a way with words. Do I really look eighteen?"
Zhao Dong smiled. "Yes, I'm being honest. You're young and beautiful. It's rare to find a woman as pretty as you."
A faint blush appeared on Han Chuxue's cheeks. She glared at him again. "You sure know what to say."
Zhao Dong smiled, then his expression suddenly changed. "Wait, don't move!"
Han Chuxue froze. She looked up and met Zhao Dong's deep eyes, their gazes locking. The atmosphere seemed to solidify. Han Chuxue felt a sudden unease and shifted her gaze away. "Wh-what is it?"
Zhao Dong's expression slowly turned grave. He had just noticed a faint wisp of black mist swirling between her eyebrows. Ordinary people couldn't see it, nor could ordinary cultivators. But he was no ordinary cultivator; he was a true Cultivator.
The Mystic Sky Technique activated on its own, and he immediately sensed that something was wrong with Han Chuxue.
A wisp of black mist between the brows... It means she's been near something evil recently!
Seeing how serious Zhao Dong's expression had become, Han Chuxue grew even more puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Zhao Dong was silent for a moment before speaking somberly, "Have you been having a streak of bad luck recently?"
Han Chuxue responded irritably, "Isn't meeting you bad luck enough? You stole my car, and you even slept with me..."
She immediately clamped her mouth shut. Then, flush with shame and anger, she demanded, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Zhao Dong said gravely, "Have you started wearing anything new recently?"
Han Chuxue paused, her eyes suspicious. "Why are you asking that?"
"There's a black mist on your forehead," Zhao Dong explained. "It means there's a tainted object near you, and from the looks of it, it's been there for quite some time."
Han Chuxue stared at him strangely. "Are you trying to trick me? Do you think I'm some naive girl you can fool with a few words?"
Zhao Dong forced a smile. "I have no reason to lie to you... Are you wearing a piece of jade? One that you only started wearing recently?"
Surprise flashed in Han Chuxue's eyes. She pulled a jade pendant out from under her collar. "How did you know?" she asked, bewildered.
"Would you mind if I took a look at that jade?"
After a moment's hesitation, Han Chuxue handed the pendant to Zhao Dong. He took it in his hand, closed his eyes, and his brow slowly furrowed.
Han Chuxue felt a hint of unease. "Don't scare me. Is there a problem with this jade?"
"Where did you get this?" Zhao Dong asked in a low voice.
Han Chuxue gritted her teeth. "A childhood friend gave it to me. His grandfather and my grandfather have known each other for many years; our families are old friends."
Zhao Dong's expression shifted. "There's something wrong with this jade," he said gravely. "It will bring you nothing but disaster. I'll get rid of it for you."
With that, he moved to throw the jade away, but Han Chuxue snatched it back, displeased. "Are you insane? Why would you throw away a gift someone gave me?"
She looked at him suspiciously, sweeping her hair back to reveal her stunning profile as she scoffed, "I get it now. You're jealous, aren't you? Just because you slept with me, you think I'm your woman, and you can't stand seeing me with something from another man? I didn't realize you were so petty."
"I..."
"You don't need to explain, Zhao Dong. Let me make this clear: I don't like you. I despise you. From the moment you tried to steal my car, I knew you were a thug! And don't you dare think that just because you slept with me, I'm your woman. That's impossible!" Han Chuxue said angrily.
Zhao Dong gave a wry smile. "You're overthinking things. I'm really just trying to look out for you."
"I don't need it!"
"I'm not lying to you. Just think about it carefully. Isn't it true that you, and your entire Han Family, have been having a string of bad luck recently?"
Han Chuxue froze, a strange look in her eyes. It was true... her family had been having a terrible run of luck lately. The family business had been cheated on several deals. Her father had gotten into a car accident yesterday; he had escaped serious harm but was still injured. A few days ago, her mother had slipped and nearly drowned in a river. And just today, she herself had narrowly avoided being crushed by a falling chandelier...
Could it be... that Zhao Dong is telling the truth?
Just then, her phone buzzed with a text message. She glanced at it and frowned, a look of disappointment on her face. "Yafei just texted. She has something urgent to deal with, so she can't make it. I'm leaving too."
Zhao Dong was taken aback. So, Xu Yafei had planned for them to meet here.
Han Chuxue gave him one last look and left. The moment she stepped out of the room, her phone began to ring urgently. She answered, and a few seconds later, her voice rose in alarm.
"What? Grandpa had an accident? I'm heading back right now!"
Zhao Dong was stunned. Han Chuxue's grandfather… Han Qingtian?
Han Qingtian had helped him before, even giving him that VIP card. Without a second thought, Zhao Dong blurted out, "Wait, what happened to your grandfather?"
"It's none of your business," Han Chuxue snapped. "Stay out of it."
With that, she hurried downstairs. Zhao Dong rushed to follow. She got into her car and was about to start the engine when Zhao Dong slipped into the passenger seat.
"Zhao Dong, what are you doing!" she said furiously. "I have to go! Get out, now!"
"Your grandfather and I know each other," Zhao Dong said calmly. "Since he's in trouble, of course I should go and see. Besides, I was just saying the other day that I needed to thank him in person."
"My Han Family doesn't need your thanks! Get out!"
Zhao Dong shook his head. "By the way," he added, "I'm not joking. There's a reason your family has been having so many problems lately."
Han Chuxue froze. She stared at Zhao Dong, her expression shifting rapidly. After three seconds of silence, she gritted her teeth. "Come with me to the Han residence. But you are not to talk too much, and don't you dare mention what happened between us!"
"Agreed."
Han Chuxue floored the accelerator, and the Mercedes-Benz tore through the city streets.
They soon arrived at the Han Family estate, and Han Chuxue drove the car straight through the gates. Stopping in front of the central villa, she threw open her door and dashed inside, with Zhao Dong following close behind.
He was also curious about what had happened to Old Mr. Han.