Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Zhao Dong's heart pounded as he sprinted, pushing himself to his absolute limit. Although Ding Lan's past actions had broken his heart, how could he possibly stand by and watch her die?

When Zhao Dong reached the riverbank, he froze, a strange expression on his face. He had completely misread the situation. In the middle of the river, a little boy who had accidentally fallen in was struggling desperately. Ding Lan was swimming swiftly toward the boy, clearly trying to save him.

Seeing this, Zhao Dong breathed a sigh of relief. He watched from the bank as Ding Lan quickly reached the boy, grabbed him, and began swimming back to shore. But the boy, panicked from nearly drowning, began to struggle frantically the moment she reached him. Ding Lan had to fight against his wild thrashing while trying to swim.

In just a few moments, Ding Lan's strength failed, and she began to sink.

Nearby, a frantic couple rushed over. Seeing the scene unfolding, they screamed in terror.

"Someone help! Save them!"

Zhao Dong's expression changed as he realized Ding Lan was out of strength.

So stupid. Why didn't she consider if she even had the ability before jumping in to save someone?

Zhao Dong cursed inwardly before diving headfirst into the water.

In the river, Ding Lan had lost all her strength and was slowly sinking toward the bottom. At that moment, her mind went blank, and a grim smile touched her lips.

Looking back on her life, she'd had her moments of happiness, but she had destroyed them with her own hands, leading to her current miserable plight.

Perhaps dying like this is better than continuing to live in disgrace?

Asphyxiation starved her brain of oxygen, and her body felt as if it were plummeting into a void. Death was just a hair's breadth away. Ding Lan stopped struggling. She closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.

But just then, a strong hand suddenly grasped her arm, then wrapped around her waist.

She was dragged to the surface, and the sensation of suffocation vanished instantly. Her survival instinct took over as she greedily gasped for fresh air, coughing up mouthfuls of river water. By the time her consciousness fully returned, she had already been dragged onto the riverbank.

Groggily, she opened her eyes. She saw a couple holding the little boy, repeatedly thanking the tall figure standing before them. Ding Lan's gaze shifted to the imposing figure. When she saw his face clearly, her heart lurched.

"Zhao... Zhao Dong!"

Ding Lan stared at Zhao Dong, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Zhao Dong... why is it you?"

Zhao Dong glanced at her and responded indifferently, "Why couldn't it be me?"

"Zhao Dong..." Ding Lan's eyes welled with tears, and she desperately wanted to rush into his embrace.

Suddenly, her body trembled and she sat up. In that instant, she had an overwhelming urge to hug him. Just then, however, her face flushed crimson. She was wearing a white dress that had become nearly transparent after being soaked in water. Onlookers had gathered to watch.

Zhao Dong scratched his head. After a moment's hesitation, he took off his shirt and draped it over her.

Ding Lan's face flushed slightly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Zhao Dong responded coolly. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

Ding Lan gave a bitter smile, her face pale as she shook her head. "No, there's no need..."

Silence fell between them again. They met each other's eyes, then simultaneously looked away.

A cold wind swept across the riverbank. Ding Lan's lips turned purple from the cold, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Finally, Zhao Dong spoke up. "You should head back. It's cold out; you'll catch a cold."

"But I..." Ding Lan said awkwardly. "My clothes are soaking wet and transparent. How can I walk anywhere like this?"

"Then what's the plan? Stay here forever?" Zhao Dong frowned.

"Can... can you take me back?" Ding Lan asked, stealing a glance at him, her pretty face blushing.

"Why would I take you back?" Zhao Dong asked, taken aback.

"If you don't, I'll be completely exposed! Please, just help me stay covered... I'm begging you..."

"Just wear my shirt. You'll be fine."

"But if I wear your shirt, how can I give it back to you?" Ding Lan said helplessly.

"Keep it," Zhao Dong stated flatly.

"No... I can't! Please, just take me back this once. Could you really bear to watch me walk back alone like this? My phone's dead, so I can't call a cab. The hotel isn't far. You just need to walk with me," she said, her eyes filled with pleading.

Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. "Is there any other way?"

"No! I'm really begging you, or I'll die of embarrassment," Ding Lan pleaded.

Looking at her pitiful state, Zhao Dong sighed. Oh well, I might as well see this through. With that thought, he finally gave a reluctant nod.

Zhao Dong walked quickly.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

Zhao Dong and Ding Lan arrived back at her hotel. At her room door, Zhao Dong said expressionlessly, "Give me my shirt. I'm leaving."

Ding Lan took off the shirt, bit her red lip, and hesitated before saying, "Zhao Dong, your clothes are wet too. Why don't you come in for a minute? I can blow-dry them for you."

"No, thanks. A little dampness is fine," Zhao Dong said, turning to leave.

"No!" Ding Lan immediately stepped forward to block him, pointing at the dirt on his back. "You got your back dirty because of me. People will laugh if you go out like that! Take off your shirt, and I'll wash it for you. I'll have the front desk send up a bathrobe."

Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. "It's really fine. I have to go."

Walking out with a dirty shirt wasn't ideal, but the thought of Ding Lan washing it for him just felt strange.

Ding Lan looked at him, a teasing smile suddenly appearing on her face. "Zhao Dong, you aren't over me yet, are you?"

"What do you mean?" Zhao Dong frowned.

Ding Lan pursed her little lips, a half-smile on her face. "I feel like you're a little nervous around me."

"No, you're overthinking it. I just think this is inappropriate," Zhao Dong said flatly.

Ding Lan beamed playfully. "We're just ordinary friends now. You saved me, and out of gratitude, I want to wash your clothes. It's as simple as that. There's nothing inappropriate about it. If you think there is, it just means you have a guilty conscience. It means you still have feelings for me!"

Hearing this, Zhao Dong sighed helplessly. "Even as ordinary friends, men and women should keep their distance. Besides, you're dating Zhang Shaowen now. What would he think if he found out you were washing my clothes?"

Zhao Dong's words brought a flash of loneliness to Ding Lan's face. She gave a bitter smile. "Actually, my relationship with Zhang Shaowen isn't what you think. He did my family a great favor, so my mother wanted me to try dating him. We aren't really a proper couple."

"That has nothing to do with me. Give me the shirt. I'm really leaving," Zhao Dong said, his expression turning cold.

Ding Lan immediately shook her head, clutching the shirt to her chest. "No. You saved me, so I have to wash and dry your shirt. Now come in, don't just stand there."

Saying this, she grabbed Zhao Dong and pulled him into the room.

BANG. The door slammed shut.

"What do you think you're doing?" Zhao Dong frowned.

"I don't mean anything by it. I'm just going to dry your shirt, so please don't get the wrong idea," Ding Lan smiled, her eyes twinkling slyly. "What's wrong? Are you shy?"

Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. Just as he was about to speak, Ding Lan covered her mouth and giggled. "Alright, a grown man like you acting so bashful... I really don't know what to do with you. Now, take off your shirt."

As she spoke, her delicate fingers moved to the buttons on his shirt. In that instant, both of their bodies trembled.