Chapter 302: I Love You
Lin Qingyun suddenly jolted and froze, her body trembling uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face.
Could it be him?
Footsteps sounded from behind, and Ling Feng turned to look. When he saw who it was, he trembled violently. The expression on his face was indescribable—shock, unparalleled shock!
Struggling to swallow, Ling Feng asked in a trembling, hoarse voice, "Qingyun… pinch me. Am I dreaming?"
Sensing something, Lin Qingyun slowly turned around. What caught her eye was a gaunt man. His eyes were bloodshot and his lips were pale. His hair was disheveled and his beard was scruffy. Yet, his eyes were still as deep and dark as ever.
The bag in Lin Qingyun's hand clattered to the ground. Time seemed to stop, and it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. The noisy crowd and the constant stream of people around them faded away like images in a slideshow. In the middle of the bustling airport terminal, they simply stared at one another.
Tears slowly fell from the corners of Lin Qingyun's eyes, large and bead-like, dripping onto the floor. Tears welled in Zhao Dong's eyes as well. He wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in his throat, his voice failing him at that moment.
Lin Qingyun slowly covered her mouth as tears fell one by one through her fingers. Her vision blurred until she could only make out the figure of Zhao Dong walking toward her. Those few steps felt as long as a century.
When he reached Lin Qingyun, Zhao Dong's heart clenched. Looking at the haggard woman before him, his heart ached.
She's lost weight... Her lips are pale, lacking their former rosy sheen... She has dark circles under her eyes, and they're a bit swollen...
Zhao Dong slowly raised a trembling hand and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Lin Qingyun's eyes.
"Qingyun…"
Without another word, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Zhao Dong… you jerk! You're a jerk!" Lin Qingyun cried out, pounding on Zhao Dong's chest with her fists like a madwoman! Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
After what felt like an eternity, her hands lost their strength. Zhao Dong held her tightly, his eyes moist, and said in a trembling voice, "Qingyun… I'm here…"
Lin Qingyun's tears flowed silently as she let Zhao Dong hold her. Feeling the warmth of his chest, she said in a hoarse, red-eyed voice, "Zhao Dong… tell me… this isn't a dream."
"Qingyun, this isn't a dream! I'm not dead!"
Zhao Dong's embrace was so tight that Lin Qingyun could barely breathe. She closed her eyes without another word and hugged him back fiercely.
Under the astonished gazes of countless onlookers, the two held each other tightly in the vast airport terminal.
In his arms, Lin Qingyun's choked voice was heard, "Zhao Dong… I never really knew how I felt about you. It wasn't until the moment I lost you that I finally understood… I realized I can't live without you. These past few days, I prayed day and night for a miracle. Maybe Heaven heard my prayers and gave me a chance to make up for everything.
"Zhao Dong… I love you… I love you!"
Lin Qingyun couldn't control the hot tears that fell as she pressed against his chest.
Zhao Dong held her tightly and said in a hoarse voice, "Qingyun… I love you too. I will never leave you again in this life. Trust me… I will always protect you."
They looked at each other, their hearts overflowing with emotion.
Soon, a blush crept up Lin Qingyun's cheeks as she sensed what was about to happen. The instant she had this premonition, a strange feeling she couldn't explain bloomed in her heart. It was a sensation that made her feel lost, that made her love for him surge.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Zhao Dong's neck and kissed him.
Applause broke out nearby, and some people's eyes welled up with tears. Ling Feng, scratching his head on the side, smiled, filled with emotion. Beside him, the ticket checker also watched the couple with a flushed face.
"How sweet! I'm so jealous of them!"
"Isn't it? A happy ending for the lovers, and here we are, the single ones, getting a front-row seat…"
The long kiss finally ended, and the crowd began to disperse. Zhao Dong and Lin Qingyun let go of each other. Blushing, Lin Qingyun lowered her head and remained silent.
A moment later, Ling Feng let out an awkward chuckle before shaking his head and smiling. "Alright, are you two done with your emotional reunion?"
Lin Qingyun's face turned an even deeper shade of red. Zhao Dong coughed twice, his own face flushing.
Ling Feng grinned mischievously. "Alright, Zhao Dong, hurry up and tell us how you survived."
"Well… it's a bit complicated. You could just say it was a faked death." Zhao Dong still didn't plan to mention the Jade Pendant, so he brushed it off with that excuse.
Although Ling Feng felt something was off, he didn't press the matter. After all, everyone had their secrets, and he knew not to pry. As long as Zhao Dong was alive, that was all that mattered.
The two exchanged a few more words before Zhao Dong turned to Lin Qingyun. "Qingyun, are you still going back to the Provincial City?"
Lin Qingyun rolled her eyes and mumbled, "No, I'm not going."
"Why not?"
Clenching her teeth, she said irritably, "Are you that dense?"
Zhao Dong was taken aback for a moment, then he scratched his head and smiled, taking her hand without another word.
At the side, Ling Feng sighed. "Sigh! You've stolen my cousin away again! Zhao Dong, Zhao Dong, I still think it would be better for you to let Qingyun go back."
Lin Qingyun was quiet for a moment before saying, "I'm not going back for now, Cousin. My career is still here… and Zhao Dong is here too…" She blushed as she spoke.
Ling Feng paused. "Qingyun, do you really think staying here with Zhao Dong is a rational decision? Let me tell you, it's not. Now that Zhao Dong is alive, Hong Wu will definitely not let him go." He then looked at Zhao Dong with a grave expression. "Zhao Dong, what are your plans for Hong Wu?"
"Him?" A murderous glint flashed in Zhao Dong's eyes. "He must die!"
「...」
「At the Dragon Sky Sea View Villa」
Hong Wu sat on the sofa, his right eyelid twitching incessantly. For some reason, ever since evening, a sense of foreboding had settled in his heart.
Just then, the villa's main door was suddenly thrown open by one of his subordinates.
"B-Bad news!"
"Fuck! Are you looking for death? How dare you just charge in like that?" Hong Wu was already in a foul mood, and seeing his subordinate's recklessness, he flew into a rage and shot to his feet.
The subordinate looked distraught. "Lord Hong, it's… it's about Zhao Dong…"
"He's a dead man. What the hell are you panicking about?" Hong Wu's anger flared.
"N-no… he… he's alive!"
"What!?"
The color drained from Hong Wu's face, and his pupils constricted. He grabbed his subordinate by the collar, his eyes wide with terror. "What the fuck are you talking about? Wasn't he already buried? How could he possibly be alive?"
"It's… it's like this… Tonight, following your orders, we were supposed to check on Zhao Dong's grave to see if there were any problems. But when we got there, we found the grave had been disturbed and Zhao Dong's body was missing. We immediately sent people to search for him, and… Lord Hong, look!"
With that, the subordinate took out his phone and played a short video.
As he watched the video, Hong Wu's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning. He collapsed onto the sofa.
Zhao Dong… isn't dead?!
If Zhao Dong wasn't dead, he would surely come for revenge. He was no match for Zhao Dong before, so how could he possibly face him now? Hong Wu felt his breath catch in his throat, and his heart pounded in his chest as if he were facing his own doom.
No, I have to run! The men from the Black Dragon Commerce haven't arrived yet, and I have no experts by my side. If Zhao Dong catches me, it will all be over! Run! Flee!
Hong Wu gritted his teeth and barked, "Get everyone to the villa immediately! Go, now!"
"Yes, Lord Hong!"
Without further delay, Hong Wu hurried to his study and began packing his valuables.
Where there's life, there's hope! As long as I survive now, I, Hong Wu, will one day return to the East Sea and kill Zhao Dong to get my revenge!
「Half an hour later.」
A dozen large vans parked downstairs at the Dragon Sky Sea View Villa.
Upstairs, after Hong Wu had finished packing, his expression suddenly changed, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He strode to another room and kicked the door open.
Xu Yafei was curled up on the floor, her face stained with tears. Her body was covered in bruises, and she was shaking uncontrollably from the pain. Seeing Hong Wu, she cried out in terror.
"Hong Wu… you bastard, what do you want?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Hong Wu approached her with a cold, sinister look.