Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Oh, you're up," came a pleasant voice from the doorway.

Zhao Dong turned his head to see He Xiao standing there, holding breakfast.

The warm sunshine shone on He Xiao's face. Her smile was so heartwarming, like the sweet and gentle one of a girl next door on a sunny afternoon. For a moment, Zhao Dong was stunned.

"What are you looking at?" He Xiao giggled.

Zhao Dong snapped back to his senses. "Nothing," he said awkwardly. "It's just that you're very beautiful."

"Thank you," He Xiao said shyly, pointing at the breakfast in her hands. "I bought breakfast for you. Come on and eat."

"Alright."

Zhao Dong got out of bed to wash up, then he and He Xiao finished breakfast together at the dining table.

"I really can't thank you enough for yesterday. You're such a good person," He Xiao said to Zhao Dong, her face filled with gratitude. "So... shall we exchange contact information?"

"Sure." Zhao Dong didn't refuse and gave He Xiao his phone number.

"Zhao Dong?" He Xiao looked at her phone and said timidly, "Can I call you Brother Dong from now on then?"

The two chatted briefly before He Xiao left the room.

After seeing her off, Zhao Dong tidied up, then left the hotel with the Black Dragon Stone that Thunder Tiger had given him. He made a special trip to a shopping mall to buy a decent outfit before heading to the Lin family's estate.

As a prominent second-tier family in Provincial City, the Lin family patriarch's birthday banquet had the whole city abuzz. On this day, the estate was teeming with luxury cars and bustling with people.

Ling Feng had mentioned that the Lin family didn't hold him in high regard, so Zhao Dong didn't reveal his identity, instead slipping in with the crowd. It wasn't that Zhao Dong was scared. He was just unclear about the family's attitude toward him. If he rashly exposed his identity, it could cause trouble for Lin Qingyun. That was the last thing he wanted.

Once inside the estate, Zhao Dong immediately began searching the crowd for Lin Qingyun. But even when the banquet officially began, he still hadn't found her. So, he found a corner to eat and drink, deciding to wait for Lin Qingyun to appear before figuring out his next move.

Soon, the banquet officially began. The Lin family didn't make an appearance. Instead, a steward took the stage and began to announce the congratulatory gifts from the guests.

"From the Li Family of North City, a pair of Qing dynasty dragon-patterned vases! Wishing Patriarch Lin fortune as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains!"

"From the Wang Family of South City, a seaside villa! Wishing Patriarch Lin good health and a life as long as the heavens!"

"From the Han Family of West City, offering..."

After each family was announced, cheers erupted from the crowd below. The families who were mentioned would stand tall and proud, relishing the flattery.

Zhao Dong was disdainful of this. They call them congratulatory gifts, but to put it bluntly, this birthday banquet is just an arena for the great families to flaunt their wealth. Not only are they currying favor with the Lin Family with extravagant gifts, but they're also showing off their own family's strength!

After a full half hour, the steward finally finished announcing all the guests' gifts. Just as he was about to announce the next part of the banquet, a loud call suddenly came from the entrance.

"The Xiao Family's steward has arrived!"

"What? Someone from the Xiao Family?"

"Wow! There have been rumors about a marriage alliance between the Xiao and Lin families. Could their arrival mean the rumors are true?"

"The Xiao Family is a true top-tier family. If the Lin Family can secure a marriage alliance with them, they're bound to soar!"

"Tsk, tsk, how enviable!"

The crowd buzzed with astonishment, all turning to look at the old man striding in through the entrance. The man, clad in a traditional Tang suit, had a naturally imposing aura. His gait was steady, and his presence was extraordinary. This was none other than the steward of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ming.

At the same time, the villa's main doors were pushed open. An elderly man, followed by a middle-aged couple, hurried out to greet the steward.

"Steward Xiao, your presence graces our humble home with great honor!" the old man said, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully to Xiao Ming.

The elder was the Lin family patriarch, and the couple behind him were Lin Qingyun's father, Lin Rulong, and her stepmother, Cai Sumei.

Xiao Ming returned the greeting casually, stating with arrogance, "I have come on the Young Master's behalf to wish Patriarch Lin a long life."

"This is the gift."

With that, Xiao Ming took out a piece of snow-white ancient jade and tossed it to the Lin family patriarch.

Upon seeing the jade, a cry of recognition immediately rose from an expert in the crowd.

"White Dragon Jade! The gift Steward Xiao brought is actually White Dragon Jade!"

"What's White Dragon Jade?"

"White Dragon Jade is a type of Spirit Jade that contains innate Spiritual Energy. A cultivator could use it to accelerate their absorption of Spiritual Energy, while an ordinary person who carries it can ward off all diseases!"

"That's right! This White Dragon Jade is extremely rare. The last time one appeared, it fetched an astronomical price of five hundred million, second only to the legendary Black Dragon Stone!"

"A lavish gift worth five hundred million right off the bat! It seems the rumor of an alliance between the Xiao and Lin families is no idle talk!"

Hearing the origins of the jade in his hand, the Lin family patriarch's smile was so broad he could hardly close his mouth. After putting the White Dragon Jade away, he hurriedly invited Steward Xiao to take a seat.

"Steward Xiao, you are too kind. Please, have a seat."

Xiao Ming waved his hand. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't sit. Besides celebrating your birthday, I mainly came to see Miss Lin. Where is she?"

"She..." The patriarch's face immediately fell.

Lin Rulong stepped forward. "My daughter is feeling a bit unwell. Perhaps you could..."

"Unwell?" Xiao Ming said, displeased. "It's her grandfather's birthday banquet. Can she really not come out? Have her come out and see me!"

"Yes... I'll go call her right away."

Seeing Xiao Ming's anger, Lin Rulong's expression changed, and he hastily sent someone to fetch Lin Qingyun.

A moment later, Lin Qingyun was dragged out by several servants. Her eyes were red, and she was noticeably thinner.

Seeing this, Xiao Ming's expression changed instantly. He strode forward and demanded, "What's happened to Miss Lin? Has she been on a hunger strike?"

"Hmph!" Lin Qingyun snorted coldly, offering no reply.

As an old fox, Xiao Ming knew exactly what her attitude meant. Yet, he couldn't have cared less.

He sneered, "Miss Lin, our Young Master will be back in Provincial City in a few days. Then, you will be a daughter-in-law of the Xiao Family! I suggest you take better care of yourself, because this is an unchangeable fact!"

"Hmph!" Lin Qingyun snorted again, still looking at Xiao Ming with a sidelong glance. Her eyes were filled with disdain and indifference, as if he were nothing but a joke.

Such an attitude finally made Xiao Ming's simmering anger boil over.

"Insolent!" he roared. "What is the meaning of this? Are you looking down on me?"

Seeing Xiao Ming enraged, Lin Rulong became frantic. "No, no, Steward Xiao, you've misunderstood."

As he spoke, he hurriedly pulled on Lin Qingyun's arm. "Qingyun! Speak up! Didn't you hear Steward Xiao speaking to you?"

"Hmph!" Lin Qingyun snorted once more.

Everyone was stunned. Was Lin Qingyun actually defying her own father?