Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Great!" Qing Yu said excitedly. "You're an Alchemist even stronger than a three-star one. If you go to the sect, you'll definitely be very popular!"

"Oh, right!" Qing Yu suddenly grabbed Zhao Dong's hand across the table, saying excitedly, "What do you think about joining our sect? That way we can always..."

Qing Yu stopped mid-sentence, stunned. Qing Yu! What are you saying!

It was only then that she noticed she had actually grabbed Zhao Dong's hand. She quickly withdrew it, shyly lowering her head and not daring to look directly at him.

Qing Yu's bashfulness didn't move Zhao Dong much. His mind was still on what she had just said about joining the Blood Sect.

Without a doubt, joining the Blood Sect would give me a legitimate chance to get closer to Xu Yafei. But I've already made too many enemies in the Blood Sect. If I really join, wouldn't that just give them leverage over me?

Thus, Zhao Dong shook his head and said, "Let's talk about joining another time. When I have a chance, I'll go check it out with you."

"I see..." A hint of disappointment flashed in Qing Yu's eyes, but then she looked up and smiled. "It's okay, though. With your incredible skills, Senior, you'll be very popular there even if you don't join the Blood Sect!"

Afterward, the two continued their friendly conversation. They got along famously; Zhao Dong was touched by the girl's kindness, while Qing Yu couldn't stop smiling at his occasional humor.

Then, Zhao Dong suddenly said, "Speaking of what happened earlier today, I was a bit impulsive. I didn't mean to hit you. I've refined a lot of Spirit Pills. Here, take these."

As he spoke, he took out several Spirit Pills and handed them to Qing Yu.

Seeing the Spirit Pills, Qing Yu's eyes widened in astonishment. "You... you're really giving these to me?" she exclaimed.

"Of course," Zhao Dong smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm giving them to you mainly because we hit it off so well."

"Senior... you're too kind!"

Qing Yu was incredibly touched. She snatched up the pills and cradled them in her hands, her beautiful eyes, full of affection, fixed on Zhao Dong.

After hesitating for a moment, Qing Yu steeled her resolve and said shyly, "Senior, may I make a bold request?"

"Go ahead."

"Well... when you have time, could you accompany me to the herbal market? As a great Alchemist, you must know far more herbs than I do. There are still many I can't tell the good from the bad, and there are some things I don't understand that I'd like to ask you in person..."

Qing Yu's request was very reasonable, and Zhao Dong had no reason to refuse.

He nodded and said, "Of course. As long as I have the time, I'm available."

"Th-thank you..." Qing Yu's heart fluttered with excitement.

How do things start between a man and a woman, anyway? Isn't it just about catching each other's eye and then meeting more often?

Qing Yu's mind was completely filled with the flutterings of a young girl's heart. But at that moment, Zhao Dong's gaze shifted to the window, where the faint sound of a commotion could be heard.

At the same time, Leng Yue glanced sideways and noticed Zhao Dong. Startled, she quickly looked away, but her movement didn't escape the eyes of the man sitting opposite her.

The man looked in Zhao Dong's direction, squinting for a moment before turning back to ask, "Do you know him?"

Leng Yue nodded with an awkward smile. "I know him, but we're not very close."

Hearing this, the man didn't dwell on the matter. He pulled a small box from his pocket and knelt on one knee before Leng Yue.

"Yueyue, I truly love you. Will you marry me?"

The sudden proposal left Leng Yue frozen. She reacted almost instantly, reaching to help him up. "Chen Jun, we're in the past. I... I can't possibly marry you!"

THUMP!

Leng Yue's words struck Chen Jun like a bolt from the blue. The man stood up woodenly, took a deep breath, and then said, word by word, "Yueyue! We were childhood sweethearts. We both loved each other once. How can you refuse me?"

At the mention of the past, Leng Yue's gaze shifted evasively. "I don't remember much about back then. My focus now is my career; I don't want to be in a relationship."

"Career?" Chen Jun said haughtily. "Yueyue, you know the standing my Chen Family has in Provincial City. On top of that, I, Chen Jun, am the captain of the Xuanlong Special Combat Team! If you marry me, wouldn't your career just skyrocket?"

Chen Jun looked smug, certain that she now had no reason to refuse. But Leng Yue's attitude remained cold. She picked up her bag and started walking toward the door.

Her silence said it all.

Seeing this, Chen Jun felt he was losing face. He strode forward and grabbed her arm. "Leng Yue!" he said coldly. "I've laid all my cards on the table. Why won't you accept me? After all our years as childhood sweethearts, do you really have no feelings for me anymore?"

Chen Jun's words painted a look of helplessness on Leng Yue's face. She kept her brow furrowed, remaining silent.

"Leng Yue! Are you just going to treat me like I'm invisible?"

Her attitude completely infuriated him. "Fine!" he shouted. "Even if you've forgotten the history between us, at our age, are you still expecting some earth-shattering romance? Let's just say we're on a blind date! With the power of my Chen Family and my own influence, what grounds do you possibly have to refuse me!?"

At his words, Leng Yue's expression grew even more grave. She clenched her jaw so tightly that the muscles in her face trembled. Finally, she forcefully wrenched her arm free from his grasp and tried to leave again.

"Leng Yue!" Chen Jun's right hand shot out, yanking her back. "You have to agree today! You're not leaving until you do!" He gripped her arm tightly.

This final act enraged Leng Yue. She glared at him and roared, "Chen Jun! We're adults! Do you think marriage is child's play? I've already told you it's impossible between us, so why do you keep pestering me? Can't we both walk away with some dignity?"

"Haha! Dignity?" Chen Jun scoffed. "I tried to give you dignity, but did you give me any? Rejecting me in front of all these people, where am I supposed to put my face?"

As he spoke, he gestured at the crowd of onlookers that had been drawn by the commotion. This, of course, included Zhao Dong and Qing Yu.

Chen Jun's thoughtless action brought a bitter smile to Leng Yue's lips. She looked at him, her eyes full of disappointment, and said coldly, "Chen Jun, you've truly disappointed me. In your eyes, is family background always the most important thing? All you talk about is how powerful the Chen Family is and how powerful you are. Do you think every woman cares about that stuff? In my opinion, you're just an arrogant fool, a complete and utter fool!"

Fool!?

Leng Yue's words struck a nerve. He violently raised his right hand, his palm swinging straight for her cheek.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out, halting Chen Jun's hand in mid-air.

"You?" Chen Jun's face darkened as he looked toward the source of the shout.

Zhao Dong casually lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and strode forward to stand in front of Leng Yue.