Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Yang Sixue stared at Zhao Dong, her mouth dropping open. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Zhao Dong was also stunned. How could he have possibly expected Yang Sixue to show up?

The most critical point was… Yang Sixue was Lin Qingyun's best friend!

His scalp tingled as he looked at Yang Sixue and finally managed a pained smile. "Sixue, listen to me, let me explain…"

Before he could finish, Yang Sixue interrupted, "Zhao Dong, you don't have to explain. I understand everything."

Zhao Dong felt completely helpless. Song Qingwan was still lying on top of him; now, he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Yang Sixue looked at Zhao Dong, her voice thick with complex emotions. "Zhao Dong, whatever you do on the side… it's none of my business. But… don't you feel you're letting Qingyun down? How could you… with Qingwan…"

Yang Sixue trailed off, unable to continue. Zhao Dong could only respond helplessly, "Just listen to me first. I got injured while buying a car today. Qingwan brought me back. She was just exhausted and fell asleep on me, that's all."

Yang Sixue said quietly, "Zhao Dong, do you dare to swear that there's nothing going on between you and Qingwan?"

Zhao Dong fell silent. Looking at Yang Sixue, he finally sighed, unable to refute her.

Yang Sixue looked at him, her eyes filled with threads of complexity as she murmured, "Zhao Dong, I admit you're a very charming man… so much so that I can't forget you either. It's just… you're far too fickle."

Zhao Dong smiled bitterly. "This isn't a matter of being fickle or not… Forget it, you wouldn't understand."

Yang Sixue shook her head, not bothering to say more. She turned her gaze to Song Qingwan, whose eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she had sensed their conversation.

Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Zhao Dong in front of her, and her face lit up with a joyful surprise. "Zhao Dong, you're awake?!"

Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Song Qingwan threw her arms around Zhao Dong, pulling herself into his embrace.

Zhao Dong was incredibly embarrassed. "Qingwan…"

"What's wrong, Zhao Dong?" Song Qingwan asked. "You look a little off."

Zhao Dong gave a pained smile. "Qingwan, why don't you see who's standing at the door?"

Song Qingwan frowned and followed his gaze. The moment she saw Yang Sixue, she shrieked like a startled fawn and instantly leaped out of Zhao Dong's embrace, her face flushing crimson.

"Sixue, you… When did you get here?"

Yang Sixue's expression was complicated. Seeing how they had just been, even a fool could guess that something was going on between them. However, she couldn't quite pinpoint her own feelings about it. On the one hand, one could say Zhao Dong owed something to Lin Qingyun. But their marriage was contractual, a facade, so there wasn't really any debt to speak of. On the other hand, they had fulfilled the duties of a husband and wife, and now this had happened. Yang Sixue felt a headache coming on.

Finally, she decided to pretend she knew nothing. She really didn't want to get involved in this mess. After all, Song Qingwan was now her best friend, too… Yet, the fact that both of her best friends had become Zhao Dong's women made her feel extremely awkward.

At last, Yang Sixue managed a smile and asked Song Qingwan, "Qingwan, you and Zhao Dong… when did it start?"

Song Qingwan fell silent for a moment, knowing she could no longer avoid the truth about her and Zhao Dong. After a long pause, she said softly, "It was at that first banquet… I… I developed feelings for Zhao Dong. Sixue, do you think I'm a bad person?"

Yang Sixue sighed gently. "It's not about being good or bad. This is your choice, and it's only human. But… are you sure Zhao Dong can give you the happiness you want?"

Song Qingwan replied softly, "Being with him is the greatest happiness. I desire nothing more."

Yang Sixue gave a wry smile. "You sound hopelessly lovesick."

Song Qingwan said quietly, "Sixue, if you ever meet the person you truly love, you'll become lovesick too. I don't need any official title from Zhao Dong. As long as he has me in his heart and I have him in mine, that's enough. Even if… there might be other women by his side… when emotions run high, no one can stay rational."

Yang Sixue sighed softly again, then glanced at Zhao Dong. "Hey, I'm going shopping with Qingwan in a bit. Want to come?"

Zhao Dong forced a smile. "You two go ahead. I'll sit this one out."

Yang Sixue laughed mirthlessly. "Then what are you still standing around for? We have secrets to discuss. Don't be so clueless."

Zhao Dong scratched his head and looked at Song Qingwan. She pursed her lips and smiled. "Go on, Zhao Dong. See you next time."

Zhao Dong finally nodded. He stood up and walked toward Yang Sixue. Their eyes met, and her gaze was incredibly complex. She wasn't even sure what she felt for Zhao Dong… It wasn't love, and yet she was always thinking of him…

Without a word, Zhao Dong gave Yang Sixue one last deep look and turned to leave. He knew the topic of their conversation would undoubtedly be him. Fine, let them talk.

After leaving Song Qingwan's apartment, Zhao Dong didn't go home but instead rushed to the medicinal herb market.

My cultivation is still a bit low at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Although I can take on seventh or eighth-level masters—who are considered top-tier experts in East Sea—I feel a genuine sense of panic. From what Lin Qingyun and her cousin Ling Feng have said recently, Xiao Hongtian's absence from East Sea is likely due to a significant opportunity to break through to a new level. He'll be coming to East Sea soon, and when he does, he definitely won't let me off the hook. If I slack off now, the chances of being beaten to death will only increase! And if I'm killed, my parents will never escape his clutches, given his vengeful nature. So for my own sake, and for my family's, I have to improve my strength in the shortest time possible!

Zhao Dong went straight to the medicinal herb market and bought the herbs he needed, which could be used to refine more pills. With those, his cultivation level could see another significant boost. Holding the purchased herbs, Zhao Dong was about to leave when he caught sight of a figure across from the shop. He immediately raised an eyebrow; it was an acquaintance.

The figure was none other than Yun Keqing, the young lady of the Yun Family who had previously asked him for the Dragon Blood Stone and with whom he had a later conflict involving Zu Zhanpeng. Seeing Yun Keqing reminded him of Zu Zhanpeng. Both she and Zu Zhanpeng were disciples of the Zixiao Academy. Zixiao Academy was one of the six major sects in Longdong Province. Its influence spread far and wide, and its strength was extraordinarily formidable. And Zu Zhanpeng was a Core Disciple of the Zixiao Academy. He had disappeared without a trace after Zhao Dong taught him a lesson, and Zhao Dong had later found it odd—why hadn't Zu Zhanpeng come looking for revenge? He had almost forgotten about the incident, but seeing Yun Keqing brought it all back.

At this moment, Yun Keqing was also holding a few herbs. She wore a white dress with a silver hairpin in her hair, giving her a noble and ethereal aura, as if she were a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm. Her delicate, snow-white oval face was exceedingly beautiful. Her brows were like distant hills and her eyes like autumn waters. Below her graceful, straight nose were cherry-red lips, making her look so enchanting she seemed to have stepped out of a painting. She was frowning slightly, a troubled look on her face.

Sensing his gaze, she looked over at him. The moment she saw Zhao Dong, she paused, a hint of surprise on her face. "Zhao Dong, what are you doing here?"

Seeing that Yun Keqing bore no ill will, Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "I came to buy some herbs. And you…?"

His eyes fell on the herbs in her hands, and he paused. Those herbs seem to be for… treating a condition that's rather delicate to mention.

At his question, Yun Keqing's pretty face flushed slightly, and she smiled with a bit of embarrassment. "I… I'm also here to buy some herbs. What a coincidence to run into you again."

Zhao Dong smiled. "I kept saying I'd lend you the Dragon Blood Stone to examine, but I never did. I feel pretty bad about it."

Hearing this, Yun Keqing covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled, shooting him a playful look. "To think you actually remembered. Well, if you feel so bad, why don't you give it to me now so I can take it back for a look?"

"Of course," Zhao Dong grinned. "Here you go."

With that, he generously took out the Dragon Blood Stone. Yun Keqing was taken aback. "You're really giving it to me?"

Zhao Dong smiled. "I made you a promise; I wouldn't go back on it. Take it and have a look. I hope you get something out of it."

Yun Keqing gave him a grateful look and took the Dragon Blood Stone. "Thank you," she said. "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way then?"

Zhao Dong glanced at her, then asked with some uncertainty, "Oh, right. I can actually treat illnesses. If you have any condition that's difficult to handle, you can tell me."

Yun Keqing stared in surprise. "You can treat illnesses?"

Zhao Dong smiled. "A little. Enough to cure you, anyway. You came to buy herbs, so you must be feeling unwell lately, right?"

Yun Keqing's cheeks flushed. He had hit the nail on the head. She had indeed been feeling unwell recently, and it wasn't something she could easily discuss with others. After all… it was a very private symptom.

Seeing the embarrassment on her face, Zhao Dong smiled. "A healer's heart is a benevolent one. You don't need to feel awkward. In my eyes, you're a patient; gender doesn't matter. Of course, if you trust me, I'll take a look. If not, then forget it."

Yun Keqing hesitated for a moment before smiling. "Thank you, Zhao Dong, but… I don't really need help right now. I'll… I'll try taking some medicine on my own first. It's not a serious illness, just a minor ailment."

Zhao Dong smiled lightly. "Alright. Trying some medicine on your own is fine."

Yun Keqing smiled back. "Thanks. Thank you for your concern, and thank you for the Dragon Blood Stone. I'll return it in a few days."

"No problem, there's no rush. See you around."

Zhao Dong gave a wave and was about to leave when a figure strode over and spoke to Yun Keqing. "Junior Sister Yun, who are you talking to?"

The newcomer was dressed in black, looking dashing and heroic, but his handsome features were marred by an air of pride and arrogance. It was Yun Keqing's senior brother, Dong Bowen!

Upon seeing him, Yun Keqing's expression changed. Knowing about the past conflict between Zhao Dong and Dong Bowen, she quickly whispered to Zhao Dong, "Zhao Dong, hurry and leave! He's here!"

Of course, Zhao Dong had also heard Dong Bowen's voice and turned to face him.

At that moment, Dong Bowen's gaze also landed on Zhao Dong. Their eyes locked, and in an instant, Dong Bowen's expression sank, his face turning ugly as he sneered, "Zhao Dong, so it's you again, you spineless coward? Looks like I finally caught you today!"

Zhao Dong's eyes instantly turned icy. "Try saying that again."