Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

This dragged what should have been a three-minute task for Zhao Dong into more than ten minutes. Fortunately, the poison's spread was controlled, so there was no serious danger.

Finally, a hot stream with a fishy smell gushed out. With quick reflexes, Zhao Dong jerked his head away, ending the treatment.

Exhausted, Zhao Dong collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Chen Rongrong wasn't in much better shape. She lay on the ground, soaked in sweat, her eyes dazed. The pallor on her face had been replaced by a healthy, rosy glow.

"Alright, I've sucked all the snake venom out." Zhao Dong got up, turning his head to the side.

Startled awake, Chen Rongrong hurriedly straightened her clothes and timidly stood next to him. At that moment, an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart. Just yesterday, she had treated him so poorly, yet today, he had done *this* for her…

Although there were extenuating circumstances, they weren't husband and wife, not even boyfriend and girlfriend. Yet they had performed an act so intimate that it was just one step short of the final act between a man and a woman.

They were both silent on the way down the mountain. When they returned to the small courtyard, Chen Rongrong's parents saw her rosy complexion and broke into knowing smiles. They became even more enthusiastic toward Zhao Dong, insisting he stay for dinner, but he was in a hurry and had to decline their kind offer.

Chen Rongrong walked him out of the courtyard. A car from the East Hall was already waiting at the gate.

Just as Zhao Dong was about to get into the car, a sharp pain shot through Chen Rongrong's heart. It felt as if she were about to lose the most precious thing in her life! She knew her connection with Zhao Dong would end here. If she let him leave just like this, she might never see him again in her entire life.

"Brother Dong!"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Dong turned around, only to see a graceful figure throwing herself into his arms.

"Brother Dong… I… I can't bear to see you go…" she sobbed. "I'm sorry… I know I'm not worthy of you, and I even tried to use you. But after everything these past two days, I've realized… I've started to like you… maybe even… fall in love with you… Please, don't leave me… I don't want to lose you… I don't…"

"But…" Zhao Dong looked embarrassed.

Chen Rongrong quickly looked up. "Brother Dong, you… you don't think I'm just after your power and influence, do you? I don't want anything. I don't want money, I don't need your help, and I don't need any title. After what happened on the mountain, I just know… I… I can't live without you… I've never been like that with any other man, nor has any other man ever done that to me. If you don't want me, Brother Dong… I… I really don't know how I'll go on living…"

The feeling was mutual. He was a man, and after all they had just experienced, it would be a complete lie to say he had no feelings for Chen Rongrong. But he already had too many women in his life and couldn't make any promises to her. Her words, however, dispelled all of his worries.

So, Zhao Dong reached out and gently stroked Chen Rongrong's hair. "Don't worry," he said with a sigh of resignation. "I won't forget you, but I have important things to do right now. When I get back, I'll come find you, okay?"

"Mmm! I know you won't lie to me, Brother Dong!" Chen Rongrong said blissfully, burying her head in his chest.

Chen Rongrong remained standing there in a daze long after Zhao Dong's car had departed, a blissful smile on her face.

Inside the courtyard, her parents had witnessed everything.

"Sigh… old man, do you think our daughter is at a disadvantage here? That young man is great, but he's a powerful figure. He surely doesn't lack for women. This is…"

Her father shook his head with a wry smile. "That's for the young folk to decide; we can't dictate it. As long as Rongrong is happy, we should just focus on living our own lives."

Her mother sighed and nodded. "You're right. We're old. As long as we don't cause Rongrong any trouble, that's enough. Besides, if it weren't for that young man, Zhao Dong, Rongrong probably would have been violated by that animal Wang Shan by now."

"Yes…" Her father's eyes flashed with a mix of grief and indignation. "We know our Rongrong. If she had really been defiled by that animal Wang Shan, she would have rather died than live with the shame…"

***

After saying goodbye to his parents, Zhao Dong went to see Jiang Nianyu. When she learned that Zhao Dong was about to leave East Sea, she was incredibly reluctant to see him go. The two shared a passionate moment in Jiang Nianyu's bedroom, only parting with great difficulty.

Zhao Dong gently stroked her hair. "Don't worry, I'm not leaving forever. It's just for a few days. If Yun Kefeng comes to bother you again, you have to call me immediately."

"Hmph! So you're allowed to go out and fool around, but I can't have other men hitting on me?" Jiang Nianyu pouted, her small fists drumming against his chest.

"Then I'll just have to satisfy this little hungry wolf first!"

The great dragon rose once more, and they were lost again in a storm of passion.

After leaving the Jiang residence, a call came in from Yun Keqing. Zhao Dong was stunned. He never expected Yun Keqing to call him. He quickly answered, and her elegant, sweet voice came through the line.

"Zhao Dong, I heard you're going to the Provincial City?"

"That's right," Zhao Dong laughed. "Just for a few days."

"I see… Well, the Dragon Blood Stone is still with me. Is it alright if I study it for a few more days?"

Zhao Dong didn't have an immediate need for the Dragon Blood Stone, so he readily agreed to her request.

Yun Keqing was grateful, then her tone became apologetic. "About that… I heard about the conflict between you and my brother."

"I'm truly sorry. My brother can be very impulsive. On his behalf, I apologize if he offended you in any way."

Her apology was sincere, and besides, she wasn't the one at fault. So Zhao Dong offered a few words of comfort, assuring her he hadn't taken it to heart.

After hanging up, Zhao Dong had one last cigarette at home before turning to leave.

「To the airport.」

Provincial City, here I come!

***

At the airport, Lin Qingyun had already been waiting for a long time.

"Where's Cousin Ling Feng?" Zhao Dong asked, not seeing him anywhere.

Lin Qingyun smiled. "My brother had some business to attend to, so he went back by himself yesterday. I waited so we could go back together."

Zhao Dong chuckled. "Were you afraid I wouldn't show up?"

Lin Qingyun's pretty face flushed red. "Of course not!" she retorted. "I really wanted to wait for you. This is our first time going on a long trip together."

Zhao Dong was slightly taken aback. He looked at her deeply, a warmth spreading through his heart. Her face was a lovely pink, and her expression held a new layer of tenderness. They made for a striking couple, drawing many admiring glances.

"Zhao Dong?" a voice called out nearby.

Zhao Dong looked up and saw a young woman in a light blue dress standing before him. The woman was tall with beautiful features, a goddess-like beauty who would stand out in any crowd. Zhao Dong's brow furrowed, however, and a hint of indifference appeared in his eyes.

The newcomer was Ding Lan.

At the same moment, Lin Qingyun also noticed Ding Lan and looked slightly surprised. Ding Lan's gaze fell upon Lin Qingyun in turn, and an imperceptible flicker of complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Her eyes returning to Zhao Dong, she asked, "Zhao Dong, what are you doing here?"

Zhao Dong frowned. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

But before she could answer, a tall, handsome man strode to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Zhao," the man said, staring at Zhao Dong with disgust. "Lan is going to the Provincial City on business, and I'm accompanying her. You got a problem with that? More importantly, what are you doing here?"

The man, dressed in a black suit, was none other than Zhang Shaowen.