Chapter 373: Unexpected Guest
The man's speech was gentle and refined, his words well-chosen. They indeed looked like a couple who had argued, with the worried boyfriend following after her.
Zhao Dong had no interest in getting involved in such matters. He pulled the woman away from his door and pushed her toward the man. "Take good care of your woman. Don't let her run around."
"Yes, yes, thank you, friend," the man hurriedly agreed, his face a mask of gratitude. Then, he forcefully pulled the woman by the arm and started dragging her down the hall.
As the man pulled her, a look of panic flashed across the woman's face. She didn't dare to shout again and could only cover her mouth as she stared at Zhao Dong. Her eyes first held a plea, which then turned to disappointment. In the final moment before Zhao Dong closed the door, he saw deep, profound fear in her eyes.
The instant the door clicked shut, the man's face twisted into a sinister sneer. "You bitch, you're not getting away tonight!"
Hearing this, the woman plunged into utter despair...
Inside the room, Zhao Dong had only taken a couple of steps when a sudden, ominous premonition washed over him. Recalling the woman's final gaze, he felt something was deeply wrong.
If it was just a regular couple's quarrel, why would she look so terrified? Wait a minute! I don't think that man ever called her by name... Zhao Dong, you fool!
Shocked by the realization, Zhao Dong kicked his door open and rushed forward, blocking the group just as they were about to enter the elevator. A flicker of malice flashed through the man's eyes. It was gone in an instant, but not before Zhao Dong caught it.
The man put on a polite front again. "Is there anything else, friend?"
"Yes!" Zhao Dong pulled the woman behind him and demanded, "What's her name?"
"Her name?" The man was stunned. His expression flickered between pale and flushed before a murderous look finally settled on his face, and he whipped out a small knife.
Seeing this, the other two men also pulled out knives.
"Kid! You fucking love meddling in other people's business, don't you?"
Zhao Dong smiled. So these three really are up to no good.
Zhao Dong wasn't one to meddle, but he couldn't just stand by and watch a woman be abducted right in front of him.
Seeing the men draw their blades, the woman's face went pale with fright. "Be careful, they have knives!"
"Merely ants." Zhao Dong's eyes narrowed.
Without another word, he threw three swift kicks, sending the men flying. Screams erupted in the hallway.
Zhao Dong walked over to the leader and stomped on his arm.
CRACK!
The man's arm snapped instantly.
"If I ever see you again, I'll take your lives," Zhao Dong said coldly. "Scram!"
The three had never encountered such a god of slaughter. Utterly terrified, they scrambled away, tumbling and crawling down the stairwell to escape.
Zhao Dong turned around to see the woman behind him, frozen in shock and suddenly sober.
"Don't just stand there dumbfounded. Come inside and talk."
Zhao Dong went back into his room, and the woman immediately followed.
Back inside, the terrified woman curled up on the sofa, trembling uncontrollably. Zhao Dong poured her a glass of water and asked, "Who are you? And who are they?"
The woman looked at Zhao Dong with apprehension before lowering her head again.
What is this? She won't say a word? You could at least let me know who I just saved.
"Th-thank you..." Finally, after a sip of water, the woman managed to squeeze out a few words.
Zhao Dong asked a few more questions, but all the woman would say was "thank you."
Losing his patience, he pulled the door open. "Fine. If you don't want to talk, I won't ask. Hurry up and leave, I need to sleep."
"No!" Hearing him tell her to leave, the woman shot to her feet. "I... I can't leave. I'm afraid they're waiting for me outside... C-can I stay here for one night?"
Spend the night?
"No way!" Zhao Dong refused without a second thought. "We're a man and a woman alone in a room, and I don't even know who you are. How could I possibly let you stay here? Leave now, before I have to throw you out!"
"Sir! Please..." The woman rushed to his side and grabbed his hand, her beautiful eyes welling with tears. "Sir... I know you're a good person. Please, just let me stay for one night. Just one!
"They could be right outside the door waiting for me. If I go out, they'll... they'll ruin me... How could you bear to see that happen? You're not that kind of person. I know you're not... Please... I'm begging you..." she pleaded, her tone even becoming a little coquettish.
How could a hot-blooded young man like Zhao Dong withstand this? Besides, she had a point. If he forced her out and she ended up getting hurt, Zhao Dong knew he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
He sighed in resignation. "Fine, one night. But you have to be gone by dawn, understand?"
"Yes! I'll leave at dawn!" The woman was overjoyed. Her smile, breaking through like the sun after a storm, was enough to melt the midwinter frost and lifted Zhao Dong's mood considerably. One had to admit, a beautiful woman's smile possessed an indescribable healing power.
The woman rushed over to the sofa, grinning. "I'll sleep on the sofa tonight! I promise I won't be any trouble!"
"Good. At least you're self-aware." Zhao Dong waved his hand dismissively and headed for his bedroom.
Back in his room, Zhao Dong left the door open. The woman's origins were unknown; he couldn't let her out of his sight. After her initial joy faded, she sat timidly on the sofa, her face still etched with lingering fear.
「Half an hour later.」
Perhaps thinking Zhao Dong was asleep, the woman quietly took out her phone and tiptoed to the balcony. Then, she dialed a number.
"Mom, are you in bed already?
"No, nothing's wrong! Of course I'm fine. I just suddenly missed you, so I called to check in.
"There's no need, Mom. Everything's great here in the city. I'm eating well and dressing well. My boss even gave me a bonus yesterday. You and Dad should keep the money and buy whatever you like to eat.
"Really, you don't need to. I was actually planning to send you some money today.
"What about me? Of course, I've eaten! Tonight I had... uh... fried beef, boiled mutton, and big steamed buns!"
She spoke with a bright smile, but silent tears were already streaming down her cheeks.
"Yes... my boss is very good to me. I'll definitely keep working hard.
"Mhm, I'll try to buy a big house this year and bring you both over to live with me!
"Okay, Mom, I have to go now. I'm still working overtime, and my boss is calling for me.
"Mhm, I'll take care of myself. You and Dad take care too."
After hanging up, the woman slid down against the wall and collapsed onto the balcony floor. She wrapped her arms around her head, desperately trying to stifle her crying, but her body shook with uncontrollable sobs.
"You don't have to be so strong."
SWISH!
The woman's head snapped up to see Zhao Dong standing before her, though she had no idea when he'd appeared.
"You... When did you get here?"
"When I got here isn't important." Zhao Dong took a deep breath, his gaze drifting toward the moonlight outside the window. "But I know that feeling. You're all alone in a strange place with no one to rely on. You're struggling, but you still have to put on a smile and tell everyone that everything is fine."