Chapter 204: Jealousy
As soon as he arrived at the estate, Han Qingtian greeted him with a wide smile. "Little Dong, you've finally arrived!"
Zhao Dong smiled and said, "Elder, I'm sorry to have troubled you. Is there any news about the alchemy cauldron?"
Han Qingtian waved his hand. "The cauldron is no problem at all! I've already sent someone to find one!"
The words had barely left his mouth when a car pulled up. It was the men Han Qingtian had sent out.
The car stopped, and two of the Han Family's men carried an ancient-looking cauldron out of it. The entire vessel was a dark, crimson red, intricately carved with elaborate patterns of a dragon and a phoenix. A profoundly mysterious aura seemed to shimmer faintly around it.
Zhao Dong's gaze was fixed on the cauldron, his pupils contracting slightly. My intuition is telling me this cauldron is no ordinary item—it's a high-tier Magic Artifact! In the world of cultivators, Magic Artifacts are categorized into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. This cauldron… it should be at the early Mysterious rank!
Beside him, Han Qingtian chuckled. "Little Dong, what do you think? It should be suitable, right?"
"It's perfect!" Zhao Dong replied sincerely. "No issues at all. It's more than enough for alchemy!"
Han Qingtian let out a breath of relief and grinned. "That's wonderful! Men, take this cauldron to the warehouse behind the villa!" Then, he turned to Zhao Dong with a smile. "Little Dong, the warehouse is quiet and undisturbed, an ideal environment for you to perform alchemy. You can work there. But there's no rush. Come, sit for a while and have some tea."
Zhao Dong smiled. "Alright. Thank you, Elder Han."
Beaming, Han Qingtian led Zhao Dong inside the villa.
After Zhao Dong sat down, Han Qingtian personally brewed some tea and handed a cup to him. Zhao Dong accepted it with a word of thanks, took a sip, and then asked, "Elder, where is Chuxue?"
Han Qingtian laughed heartily. "And here I was, thinking you didn't care about Chuxue at all. When that girl heard you were coming, she was too embarrassed to see you. She's up in her room. You can go up and see her yourself in a bit."
Zhao Dong gave a wry smile. Too embarrassed to see me? It's more likely she doesn't want to see me at all.
He knew that what happened that night had been a heavy blow for Han Chuxue, and she had harbored a grudge against him ever since. But it hadn't been intentional. He had been unconscious at the time, his body completely out of his control. He felt incredibly guilty for having slept with her.
Besides, he never said he wouldn't take responsibility; in fact, he was trying to. He had helped the Han Family with so many things and had even given Han Chuxue a protective Amulet. He considered her his woman, but she refused to accept it. What else could he do?
Zhao Dong finished his tea and said to Han Qingtian, "Elder, I'll go upstairs to see Chuxue."
Han Qingtian chuckled. "Good, good! Little Dong, don't blame your old grandpa for being nosy. Chuxue's personality is admittedly a bit cold and eccentric. But, between the two of you, you're the man, so you should be more magnanimous and indulge her a little. I know you two have your issues right now, but Grandpa believes you'll work things out eventually!"
Feeling a bit awkward, Zhao Dong murmured a few agreeable words before heading upstairs.
Meanwhile, Han Chuxue was sitting on the sofa in her room, holding a doll. She was fiercely pinching its cheeks, muttering angrily under her breath.
"Damn you, Zhao Dong, you jerk! Don't think I'll ever forgive you! I will never, ever forgive you!"
"Just die! Go and die! All this time, you've been saying you see me as your woman, but you've never once tried to contact me! Hmph! I saw through your hypocrisy long ago. Not that I like you anyway—I'm just disgusted by you! Ptooey!"
The more she spoke, the more agitated she became. She clenched her small fists and began pummeling the doll's face, her own face flushing red with anger.
Part of her anger stemmed from the fact that Han Qingtian had actually suggested introducing Zhao Dong to Han Churan. Han Churan was just as beautiful as her, with a personality that was far more gentle and virtuous.
But… but why?! He already slept with me, and now they want to introduce him to someone else?
Han Chuxue couldn't make sense of her feelings. She detested Zhao Dong and wanted nothing to do with him. But he was, after all, the man who had taken her virginity. If he were to get together with another woman now, what would that make her? And her own cousin, no less! This…
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it all felt. Her fist slammed down on the doll's face again, mangling its features.
"Zhao Dong, you bastard, just die!"
She flung the doll onto the bed. As she was about to stand up, a deep voice came from behind her.
"What did I do to make you hate me so much?"
His voice made Han Chuxue jump, and she shrieked as she shot to her feet. Turning around, she saw it was Zhao Dong, a smirk playing on his lips.
"AHHH! Zhao Dong, you bastard! You scoundrel, you were eavesdropping on me! I'll kill you!"
Humiliated and furious, Han Chuxue balled her fists and began hammering on his chest. Zhao Dong stood perfectly still, letting her hit him with a smile on his face. To him, her punches were little more than a tickle. Soon, she grew tired, her face flushed red, but her stubbornness wouldn't let her stop. She swung again.
This time, Zhao Dong caught her snow-white wrist. Han Chuxue froze, and their eyes met. Gazing at his handsome face, she felt dazed for a moment before she blushed and tried to pull her hand away. But Zhao Dong held fast, his eyes locked on hers as he asked flatly, "Why do you hate me so much?"
Han Chuxue bit her red lip, her eyes filled with resentment and anger. "Don't you know why?"
"I already explained it to you. Last time wasn't intentional."
"I don't care! You're the one who bullied me!" As she spoke, her eyes reddened. Her delicate, oval face was etched with a heartbreaking grievance. She was beautiful to begin with, and her current appearance, with shimmering tears welling in her large, expressive eyes, was enough to make anyone's heart ache.
Zhao Dong's heart instantly softened, and he unconsciously released her wrist. They stood facing each other, their gazes complex.
He sighed softly. "Chuxue, no matter what, I was at fault. That's why I'm willing to take responsibility. I truly see you as my woman."
Holding back her tears, Han Chuxue retorted coldly, "No need! I don't like men like you, and I look down on them!"
Zhao Dong chuckled. "Then what kind of man do you like?"
"At the very least, he has to be capable, like a Prince Charming… In any case… it's definitely not you!" she huffed.
Zhao Dong shook his head and sighed. "Alright, then. I hope you find your Prince Charming."
With that, he turned, left the room, and walked downstairs. Han Chuxue was left completely stunned.
He's leaving? Just like that? He left without another word? What the hell?! What was that supposed to mean?
"Zhao Dong, you bastard! Is that your attitude?!" she screamed in her empty room. How could he act like that? Acting so nonchalant… What right does he have?
The more she thought, the angrier she became. Unable to contain herself any longer, she stormed downstairs.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, the scene before her made her lips twitch. Downstairs, Zhao Dong was laughing and chatting with a beautiful woman—her cousin, Han Churan. He had run into her right after coming down.
Han Churan stood about 1.75 meters tall, with the tall, graceful figure of a model. Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, framing a delicate, radiant face with skin like snow. Especially striking were her luscious red lips, true crimson against pearly teeth—a peerless beauty. Like Han Chuxue, she was a top-tier beauty, but where Chuxue was cold and aloof, Churan had the warm, gentle air of a girl next door. She was wearing a beige, off-the-shoulder chiffon dress that revealed her long, slender white legs, paired with small, flat boots. A white ribbon butterfly clip in her hair completed the look, making her appear both beautiful and enchanting. Her gentle way of speaking made conversation easy, and the two had quickly fallen into a lively chat.
Seeing this, Han Chuxue felt a surge of anger so intense her lungs could have burst. Just a moment ago, he was telling me he saw me as his woman, and now he's joking around so casually with Han Churan! Zhao Dong, I will never forgive you!
Nearby, Han Qingtian watched the pair with a beaming smile. Noticing Chuxue, he immediately called out, "Chuxue, come over and sit!"
Han Chuxue's first instinct was to turn and leave. But then again, why should I be the one to go?
With that thought, she put on a cold expression, walked over, and sat down directly across from Zhao Dong and Han Churan.