Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Jiang Nianyu was shocked awake and sat bolt upright in bed, so startled that she jumped out without even arranging her clothes.

"Zhao Dong, it's my mom! What should we do?!" she paced anxiously, like an ant on a hot pan.

Zhao Dong scratched his head, then said in a deep voice, "Nianyu, how about I go out and tell your mother the truth?"

Jiang Nianyu slapped her forehead and retorted, "No way! That's insane! Zhao Dong, my mom is very conservative. If she sees us like this, it's over for us! We absolutely can't let that happen!"

"Then what should we do?" Zhao Dong asked with a wry smile.

Just then, her mother Qian Mengru's voice came from outside. "Nianyu, I thought I heard voices in your room. Do you have a friend over?"

Jiang Nianyu hastily stammered, "No, Mom, you heard wrong..."

"Oh! Then it seems I did. Why aren't you out of bed yet? Someone from the Yun Family is coming to see you later today. You'd better get up and get ready."

"The Yun Family?" Jiang Nianyu was shocked. "Mom! What is the Yun Family coming here for again? I didn't agree to anything last time!"

Outside, Qian Mengru laughed cheerfully. "You silly girl, the Yun Family's visit is a good thing. They are one of the hidden families of East Sea, and that young master of theirs is a decent man. Hurry up and get ready; they'll be here soon."

"I don't want to! Tell them to leave!" Jiang Nianyu said petulantly.

"Nianyu, you're an adult now, you can't act like a child anymore. This isn't a matter where you can just tell them to leave. Hurry up and get ready!

"I'm leaving now. We have quite a few people over today—a lot of relatives and some prominent figures from East Sea. Get yourself ready, quick!"

After she finished speaking, Qian Mengru's footsteps faded away.

In the room, Jiang Nianyu sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands, waves of helplessness and despair washing over her.

Zhao Dong scratched his head and glanced out the window. It was clear—he could easily slip away without being noticed. But the thought of leaving Jiang Nianyu behind now pricked his conscience. He sat down beside her and gently stroked her hair. "Nianyu, what are you thinking about?"

Jiang Nianyu lifted her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed, with tears glistening at the corners. "Zhao Dong, I don't want to marry into the Yun Family. I'm not interested in that young master of theirs. I just want to stay by your side."

Zhao Dong smiled, then sighed softly and took her into his embrace. "Nianyu, I understand how you feel. But since the Yun Family is already here, you should at least see them. How about this? They'll surely stay for lunch. What if I come over then?"

"You're coming?" Jiang Nianyu looked at Zhao Dong in surprise, then gave a bitter smile. "But what good would that do? The Yun Family's power is extraordinary. They're one of the hidden families of East Sea. Your being here won't change anything."

Zhao Dong smiled. "No worries. I've visited your Jiang family once before when I brought the Beauty Cream. Your family will definitely remember me for it. I'll just say I'm here to discuss that with you and help you out of this bind at the same time."

Jiang Nianyu was stunned, then her face lit up with delight. "That sounds like a good idea, but..."

"But what?"

She bit her lip. "I'm afraid that if you come, you might get into a conflict with the Yun Family. They're no ordinary family."

Zhao Dong laughed. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Besides, you're my woman. Am I supposed to stand by and watch you get engaged to the Yun Family while I do nothing? Since I've slept with you, I have to take responsibility for you."

A blush crept up Jiang Nianyu's cheeks. She shot Zhao Dong a bashful, reproachful glance and buried her head in his chest.

Zhao Dong wrapped his arms around her, whispering, "It's alright, Nianyu. I'm here. Just do as I said."

"Alright..."

Jiang Nianyu lifted her beautiful face and gently pressed her lips to his. Zhao Dong kissed her back deeply.

After their tender moment, Zhao Dong left, promising Jiang Nianyu he would return at noon.

He jumped from the second floor to a small path below. Looking at the high wall, he cracked his knuckles and stretched his legs. Then, with a powerful leap, he sailed over it. A moment later, he was on the other side.

Jiang Nianyu stood on her balcony, watching his receding figure, lost in a daze.

Zhao Dong, oh, Zhao Dong... I never imagined any of this would happen. From now on, I truly am your woman...

「…」

Meanwhile, Zhao Dong returned home. Having been out all night, he knew his parents would be worried. Sure enough, his parents were waiting for him in the living room. Zhao Dong's reassurances finally put their minds at ease.

Just then, his phone rang. Zhao Dong glanced at the number, a little surprised. It was Xu Yafei's number!

He answered with a smile. "Hello, Yafei..."

"Zhao Dong, something's happened! Quick, leave East Sea immediately! Hong Wu has issued a city-wide manhunt for you!"

"What?!"

Zhao Dong's brow furrowed instantly. On the other end of the line, Xu Yafei's voice was frantic. "I don't know what got into Hong Wu. He was talking to Kou Hongmin this morning, and then he suddenly issued the manhunt! You're now a wanted man in both the underworld and the Cultivation World of East Sea! Hong Wu even put out a bounty: fifty million and one of his promises for your head. If you're captured alive, the reward is one hundred million and three of his promises! The entire underground of East Sea has gone crazy! You need to leave East Sea now, before it's too late!"

Zhao Dong felt his heart sink to the depths. Hong Wu's retaliation... has it finally come? He hadn't bothered him for some time, making him think he might have been let off the hook. But now, he had made such a ruthless move, and it was most likely related to Kou Hongmin.

Zhao Dong took a deep breath and said to Xu Yafei, "I understand. I was planning to see you today for your treatment, but that seems impossible now."

Xu Yafei was taken aback for a moment before she said, "Zhao Dong, actually, I have a place where you can hide for a while. Hong Wu definitely doesn't know about it. You can come over."

Zhao Dong laughed. "Aren't you afraid I'll implicate you?"

Xu Yafei's voice was soft on the other end. "I'm already your woman. My life is yours, so how could you possibly be a burden?"

Zhao Dong's heart shook. He took a deep breath. "Give me the address. I'll get my parents settled, then I'll come to you. Even if I have to leave East Sea, I'll give you one last treatment before I go."

After three seconds of silence, Xu Yafei gave him an address.

After she hung up, tears slowly welled in Xu Yafei's eyes. Hong Wu's retaliation was so fierce. She feared Zhao Dong... might not be able to withstand it.

She leaned against the door, crying silently. Just then, Hong Wu's sinister voice echoed from the living room, "Yafei, what are you doing?"

Goosebumps erupted all over Xu Yafei's skin. "I... I'm changing my clothes," she said, her voice filled with terror. "What's wrong?"

"I thought I heard you talking to someone. Were you on the phone?"

Xu Yafei's heart sank. "No... You heard wrong."

"Open the door."

"Oh... alright!"

Xu Yafei reached for her phone to delete the call history, but at that exact moment, the door was blasted open! The force of the blow threw Xu Yafei back onto the bed.

Hong Wu walked in slowly, his eyes chillingly fierce. Spotting the phone on the floor, he narrowed his eyes, picked it up, and opened the call history. When he saw the call from two minutes ago, a terrifying murderous intent flooded his face.

"Who is this?"

Xu Yafei kept her composure, feigning calm. "A friend of mine. What's wrong?"

"Is it that Zhao Dong?"

"Zhao Dong?" Xu Yafei said indifferently. "Are you joking? I have no contact with him."

Hong Wu smiled sinisterly. He dialed the number with one hand and drew a pistol with the other, aiming it at Xu Yafei's head.

The color drained from Xu Yafei's face. "What... what are you doing?" she stammered in absolute terror.

Hong Wu's smile was grim. "If Zhao Dong answers this call in the next few seconds, I'll kill you. I'm a man of my word."

For a split second, Xu Yafei's breath hitched, her face ashen with complete despair.

Three seconds later, BEEP. The call connected.