Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Ding Lan gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's my fault..."

He Haisheng sighed. "Lan, forgive me for nagging, but as your dean, I have to say this. It's clear that Mr. Zhao is no ordinary man. His medical skills... are probably unmatched in all of East Sea! How could you break up with someone like that? A man like him must have powerful connections. You... *sigh*!"

Ding Lan unconsciously bit her lip, a complicated expression flickering across her face.

He Haisheng sighed again. "Well, enough of that, Lan. I was just offering some advice. Still... you do know Mr. Zhao. Even though you've broken up, you once loved each other, so you must hold a special place in his heart! Lan, I have a task for you!"

"What task?" Ding Lan asked, puzzled.

He Haisheng smiled. "If you can convince Mr. Zhao to become an honorary professor here, I'll guarantee you receive the expert title next year. I'll also promote you to Head of Department, with a starting monthly salary of fifty thousand."

"Dean He, this..." Ding Lan exclaimed in shock.

He Haisheng just smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Think it over."

After saying that, He Haisheng left.

Ding Lan, however, stood rooted to the spot, lost in a daze for a long time. I broke up with Zhao Dong because he had no money or power, yet now... I have to rely on him to climb the ladder. She felt a profound sense of irony, and an indescribable bitterness filled the hollowness in her heart. If only I hadn't broken up with him back then...

After a long while, Ding Lan departed, her spirit crushed.

Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Zhao Dong was explaining the cause of Gu Moning's condition to Gu Qihui and Hu Na.

Upon learning that Gu Moning was possessed, Gu Qihui was shocked. "Mr. Zhao, how could my daughter just become possessed out of the blue?"

Zhao Dong pondered for a moment, then closed his eyes and silently focused his senses before speaking with a grave tone. "If I'm not mistaken, Miss Gu, have you recently visited any places in the countryside?"

Hearing this, Gu Moning was startled. "I only went to the ancestral home in the countryside a month ago."

"You went to the ancestral home?"

"Yes. It was in disrepair, and since no one lives there, it hasn't been maintained. I went to check on it and arranged for repairs."

Zhao Dong closed his eyes, pinched his fingers together in a silent calculation, and then opened them again, his expression solemn. "The problem should be with your family's ancestral home. Also, Mr. Gu, have you been sleeping poorly recently? Waking up frequently in the middle of the night, or even having nightmares?"

"That's right!" Gu Qihui exclaimed in shock. "Mr. Zhao, you can tell that too? You're incredible!"

Zhao Dong smiled, his suspicions confirmed. "I have a general idea of the cause now. The problem lies with your ancestral home. But since I've never been there, I can only tell that there's an issue, not the specifics."

"Mr. Zhao," Gu Qihui pleaded, "I have a bold request. Could you please go with my daughter to take a look at the ancestral home? If you go and solve this urgent crisis for our family, I will agree to any condition you set."

The Gu Family is one of the Four Great Families, after all. Befriending them would definitely be beneficial. If I'm on good terms with all four great families, even Hong Wu would have to think twice before making a move against me.

Thinking this, Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "Sure, no problem."

"Great! Then you can set off now! Mr. Zhao, we're troubling you!" Gu Qihui said.

Gu Moning, however, bit her lip and eyed Zhao Dong with suspicion. There's something off about his smile... He isn't planning something, is he?

Guo Chao, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, Moning," he declared, patting his chest, "I've decided I'm going too! With one more person, Moning will be that much safer!" He was also worried that Zhao Dong might be harboring ulterior motives, so he decided to tag along.

Gu Qihui paused for a second, then smiled. "Then we'll have to trouble you too, Guo Chao."

Guo Chao grinned. "No problem. I'm just worried about Moning," he chuckled, his eyes sweeping over Zhao Dong. "Besides, we don't know some people very well. It's good to have someone else along to watch our backs."

Gu Qihui and Hu Na smiled. They didn't think Zhao Dong was a bad person, but what Guo Chao said made sense. Having an extra person for support was a good idea.

Gu Moning hesitated at the side. "Dad, Mom, are we going today?"

"Moning," Gu Qihui spoke gravely, "your mom and I need to stay here to handle family affairs. The auction is tomorrow, and there's too much to do. We can't afford any mistakes. It's a good thing Mr. Zhao is free today, so you should go with him!"

Gu Moning's expression was a little unnatural. The memory of Zhao Dong seeing her completely unclothed made her feel like ants were crawling all over her skin. Making eye contact with him was awkward, but...

Finally, she sighed. "Alright then. I'll go. Let's leave now."

With that, it was settled. Gu Moning gathered her things, and the group headed downstairs, ready to set off for the Gu Family's ancestral home in the countryside.

In the first-floor lobby, just as Zhao Dong was about to exit, a voice called out from behind him.

"Zhao Dong!"

Zhao Dong turned to see Ding Lan. He frowned. "What is it?"

Ding Lan bit her lip, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Zhao Dong, when are you free? You should come over to my place for a meal."

"Go to your place for a meal? Why?" Zhao Dong asked with suspicion.

Ding Lan pursed her lips. "It's nothing, I just want to treat you to a meal. There's no other reason."

"There's no need," Zhao Dong replied, shaking his head.

Ding Lan's face paled slightly. Her knuckles whitened as she clenched her fists, and her voice trembled. "Zhao Dong, I'm begging you, please... We... We're still friends even after breaking up. Do you have to be so cold to me?"

Zhao Dong gave her a long, deep look, then smiled. It was a somewhat piercing smile. "Alright. It's just a meal, right? I accept. Just let me know when."

With that, Zhao Dong turned and walked away. Outside, Gu Moning was waiting beside her white Porsche. He got straight into the driver's seat, as Gu Moning was still too weak to drive. He stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.

Ding Lan watched the entire scene unfold. When she saw Zhao Dong get into the white Porsche, an indescribable shock flashed through her eyes. Zhao Dong... How does he know Miss Gu of the Gu Family?

In an instant, she felt hopelessly inadequate. Why... why is he suddenly surrounded by such noble and exceptional women? I used to think I was the best woman Zhao Dong would ever meet in his life. I was certain that if he left me, he would never find anyone better. Because of that, I always felt a sense of superiority around him. But now, that superiority has vanished completely, replaced by a deep sense of inferiority...

Watching the car disappear into the distance, Ding Lan clenched her hands, her eyes turning red as she murmured, "Zhao Dong... do you really not like me at all anymore? Why... why are you so heartless..."

On the city highway, Zhao Dong sped along, with Guo Chao's BMW following close behind. The Gu Family's ancestral home was over two hundred kilometers away, in a remote part of the East Sea countryside. With the heavy traffic in the developed region, it was hard to pick up speed. It was already afternoon, and he estimated they wouldn't arrive until early evening.

Inside the car, neither Zhao Dong nor Gu Moning spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, as if a thought struck her, Gu Moning turned to look at Zhao Dong. "Zhao Dong, that female doctor at the hospital... she seems to have an unusual relationship with you?"

"She's my ex-girlfriend," Zhao Dong said nonchalantly.

Gu Moning's face immediately showed surprise. "Your ex-girlfriend? No wonder..."

"No wonder what?"

She just smiled without answering. Instead, she asked, "Your ex is quite beautiful. Why did you two break up? Did you cheat on her?"

Zhao Dong shook his head. "No, she's the one who broke up with me."

"The reason?"

"She looked down on me for having no skills or money, for being unable to give her the life she wanted."

"Is that so?" Gu Moning looked skeptical.

"Why not? Do you have doubts?"

Gu Moning bit her lip. "It's just a little strange... Logically, if she really felt that way, she wouldn't have any feelings for you anymore. But I feel like she still likes you, that she still has feelings for you. It's a woman's intuition."

"Intuition isn't always accurate."

"A woman's intuition is scarily accurate," Gu Moning said with a light laugh. "Your ex-girlfriend seems very nice. I suggest you try to win her back."

"You're overthinking it. That's all in the past."

"Alright then..." Gu Moning didn't press the matter further. After all, relationships were a private affair.

Finally, after driving for two or three hours, the car arrived in the countryside around four in the afternoon. The skyscrapers were gone, replaced by low-rise houses and old, dilapidated streets. Gu Moning's family was from a small town, and the ancestral home itself was located in a village in the surrounding countryside.

The car drove on until it reached a bustling old street. Suddenly, Gu Moning said, "Stop the car!"

Zhao Dong, startled, slammed on the brakes. He looked at Gu Moning in confusion.