Chapter 191: Little Sister
Just as Zhao Dong stepped forward, Song Zixuan's expression changed completely.
"Zhao Dong, you're forcing my hand! You've crossed my bottom line!"
The moment she spoke, her finger was on the trigger, about to squeeze it. In that split second, just before she could fire, Zhao Dong's body flickered—yes, a mere flicker! An afterimage swept across everyone's vision as Zhao Dong vanished from his spot. The next second, he reappeared right in front of Song Zixuan. It was like a cut in a film, a flicker of light and shadow. Everything happened so fast—impossibly fast—that no one could react in time.
Everyone's eyes refocused, but this time they were all frozen in terror. Song Zixuan was suspended in midair, a large hand clamped around her neck. He had lifted her right off the ground!
The air seemed to freeze as Zhao Dong's voice rang out, chilling and hellish. "As a soldier, my bottom line is that no one points a gun at me. No one."
The words had barely left his lips when the gun in Song Zixuan's hand was suddenly his. A series of CRUNCHING sounds followed. With his bare hands, Zhao Dong had crushed the fine steel gun into a twisted heap of scrap! Yes, a mangled heap of scrap metal.
The scrap metal clattered to the ground. Zhao Dong glared at Song Zixuan, his eyes bloodshot, and hissed, "Inspector Song, my patience has its limits. Don't push me."
With that, he slowly released his hand, and Song Zixuan's body slumped limply to the ground. She stared dazedly at the man before her, her face a mixture of disbelief, shock, and fear. Zhao Dong's power had shattered her worldview.
Song Zixuan's two subordinates snapped out of their shock, their expressions hardening as they shouted, "You dare lay a hand on Inspector Song? You're courting death!"
They charged at Zhao Dong. He simply frowned and lashed out with a brutal kick. Both men were sent flying, crashing to the ground. The kick left them winded and unable to even crawl.
Song Zixuan glared at Zhao Dong, biting her lip, her face a mask of indignation and rage. "Zhao Dong, you just wait."
"Any time," Zhao Dong replied, before turning to leave with Zhao Qirou and Shen Zhuxin.
After the three departed, only Song Zixuan, Dong Bowen, and his men remained. Dong Bowen's face was twisted with resentment. Seeing that even Song Zixuan had failed to stop Zhao Dong, he spat angrily, "Inspector Song, what kind of inspector are you? You can't even arrest a guy who causes a scene this big?"
Song Zixuan's face darkened, and she suddenly kicked Dong Bowen, sending him flying three meters before he slammed onto the ground. He stared up in shock and anger, exclaiming, "Song Zixuan, what are you doing?"
"Shut your mouth," Song Zixuan said coldly. "Don't think I don't know that you were the one who brought people to make trouble for Zhao Dong first! All of you are coming with me!"
Dong Bowen was terrified. "Inspector Song, we have other business. We can't go with you. Please, just let us go."
"Nonsense!" she snapped. "Take them all away!"
With that, Song Zixuan personally handcuffed Dong Bowen and led the group away. As she left, she cast one last glance at Zhao Dong's retreating back, her face burning with anger. Zhao Dong, you just wait! No one has ever dared treat me like this. I'll make you regret what you did today!
Song Zixuan and her group departed. Before leaving, she made everyone delete any videos and photos from their phones, warning them that anyone caught spreading the footage would be arrested. After all, public opinion could be a terrifying weapon in this day and age.
Meanwhile, Zhao Dong, Zhao Qirou, and Shen Zhuxin arrived at a restaurant in the city center.
As they reached the entrance, Zhao Qirou's phone rang. She answered, and after a moment, a helpless expression appeared on her pretty face.
After hanging up, Zhao Dong asked, "What's wrong, Qirou?"
"Brother, I can't join you for dinner," Zhao Qirou said helplessly. "There's a last-minute company event, and they're really short-handed. I have to go. You and Senior Zhuxin can go ahead."
Zhao Dong was taken aback. He rubbed his nose, feeling a little awkward. Just the two of us... alone for dinner? How awkward.
Shen Zhuxin, however, just smiled faintly. "It's alright, Qirou. Go on and take care of your work. I'll treat you some other time. For today, I'll just treat your brother."
Zhao Dong forced a smile. "Maybe we should reschedule, too?"
"You're free right now, aren't you?" Shen Zhuxin smiled. "Today is perfect!"
Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. Since she had put it that way, he really couldn't refuse and could only nod.
Just then, Zhao Qirou teased, "Senior Zhuxin, don't you go stealing my brother away, okay?"
Shen Zhuxin's pretty face flushed slightly. "Even if I wanted to, I doubt I have what it takes!"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Zhao Qirou giggled. "You're so beautiful, Senior Zhuxin, you might just charm my brother. Not that I'd object if you two got together. After all, you're a wonderful person."
"Qirou, what are you talking about!" Zhao Dong interjected, feigning a stern expression.
Zhao Qirou grinned. "Brother, take good care of Senior Zhuxin! I'm leaving now!"
With that, Zhao Qirou left, leaving Zhao Dong and Shen Zhuxin alone. He glanced awkwardly at Shen Zhuxin and scratched his head. "That girl just spouts nonsense. Please don't mind her."
Shen Zhuxin's cheeks were faintly flushed. She bit her lip and smiled softly. "It's alright. Shall we go eat?"
"Sure."
They entered the restaurant, a Western-style establishment. The air was filled with a faint scent of pine over fine wooden floors, and the decor was European classical. Waitstaff in maid uniforms or black suits with white shirts bustled about, while in a corner, a blonde foreigner played soothing violin music.
Once they were seated, Shen Zhuxin handed the menu to Zhao Dong with a smile. "It's my treat today. You order."
Zhao Dong chuckled and pushed the menu back. "Ladies first."
Shen Zhuxin gave him a long look before she began to order in fluent English. When it was his turn, Zhao Dong glanced at the menu before rattling off several dishes in flawless, authentic English.
Shen Zhuxin exclaimed in surprise, "Your English is that good?"
Zhao Dong smiled. "I was stationed abroad for a while on a mission and taught myself."
"Self-taught? On a mission?" A flicker of astonished curiosity shone in Shen Zhuxin's eyes.
"I used to be in the special forces, so missions could take me anywhere," Zhao Dong explained with a smile. "And yes, the English is self-taught."
"You're too impressive! I never would have guessed!" Shen Zhuxin said with genuine amazement.
"It's nothing," Zhao Dong replied with a modest smile.
Soon the food arrived, and they chatted as they ate. The more Shen Zhuxin spoke with him, the more amazed she became, and her impression of him improved with every passing moment. His conversation and insights were exceptional. Moreover, he had an indescribable quality about him, a certain charisma that could make any woman's heart flutter. In just a short time, her opinion of him had completely changed, and a strange new light shone in her eyes.
He's so outstanding. He drives a multi-million-dollar luxury car, he knows a huge star like Song Qingwan, and yet he's still so polite and humble. How can such a perfect man exist? It seems I'm starting to fall for him. The thought had barely formed when she inwardly scolded herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks. What am I thinking? This is absurd!
Naturally, Zhao Dong wasn't thinking about any of that, simply enjoying the conversation. His impression of Shen Zhuxin was also improving. At first glance, she seemed aloof and unapproachable, but after chatting for a while, he could see she was the type of person who was warm on the inside despite her cool exterior. Her values and character were also excellent. As a cultivator, his perception was far stronger than an ordinary person's, and he could see the clarity in her eyes. She was truly a good person, so he was happy to talk more.
After a while, Shen Zhuxin looked at him and said with sincere emotion, "I never imagined Qirou had such an outstanding brother. To be honest, I'm a little envious of her."
Zhao Dong grinned and teased, "Well, I wouldn't mind having another sister."
Shen Zhuxin was taken aback, and her face instantly flushed crimson. She was so flustered by his remark that she could hardly look at him.
Zhao Dong coughed, quickly explaining with a smile, "Don't think too much of it. I was just joking."
But at that moment, Shen Zhuxin's gaze flickered. She looked at Zhao Dong and smiled beautifully. "Are you asking me to be your sworn sister?"
Zhao Dong was startled and hurriedly tried to explain, but Shen Zhuxin simply pursed her lips, her smile breathtakingly beautiful—the kind of beauty no man could look away from.
The next second, her voice rang out, "However, I'd be willing to have you as my sworn brother."
Zhao Dong's hand, holding his chopsticks, froze mid-air. He rubbed his nose. "I was just kidding. Don't take it seriously."
Shen Zhuxin's eyes dimmed, and her smile faded into something a little wistful. She hadn't expected him to refuse. She quickly hid her disappointment, but just as she was about to speak, her phone rang.
She glanced at the phone and said to Zhao Dong, "Sorry, let me take this call."
Zhao Dong nodded. Shen Zhuxin offered an apologetic smile and answered. A few seconds later, her expression changed drastically. She shot to her feet, her voice agitated. "What?!" A moment later, she was biting her lip so hard it looked painful, her voice trembling as she spoke into the phone, "Okay... I'm coming back right now! Don't you dare do anything rash!"
After hanging up, her eyes were already red-rimmed. She stood and said to Zhao Dong, "I'm so sorry. Something urgent came up, and I have to leave. I'll treat you next time."
Zhao Dong instinctively sensed something was wrong. He frowned slightly. "What's happened?"
Shen Zhuxin bit her lip, hesitating.
Zhao Dong smiled gently. "We're friends now after this meal. If something is wrong, maybe I can help. Don't treat me like a stranger."
At his words, Shen Zhuxin felt a lump in her throat, and tears nearly fell from her red eyes. She was on the verge of despair, overwhelmed with helplessness. Her voice choked as she said, "Zhao Dong... my... my family's in trouble. My dad... my dad was arrested. I have to go back."
Zhao Dong frowned. "Why was your father arrested?"
Shen Zhuxin fell silent, struggling to hold back her tears. Zhao Dong could see her utter helplessness. A family crisis like this was a devastating blow for a young woman.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Dong said, "How about this, Zhuxin? I'll go with you."
Shen Zhuxin looked at him, wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, and nodded. "Thank you, Zhao Dong!"
"Don't worry about it."
The two immediately got up, settled the bill, and hurried out of the restaurant. Once in the car, Zhao Dong slammed his foot on the accelerator, speeding toward Shen Zhuxin's home. It wasn't long before they arrived.