Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Yueyue, don't be like this..." Chen Jun stepped forward and spoke gently. "I'm mainly here to apologize. I was too abrupt today, and my words were a bit harsh, but I know you haven't forgotten me, right?"

Chen Jun suddenly grabbed Leng Yue's hand. "I know you still love me. You're just too proud to forgive me, isn't that it? Yueyue... I truly love you. Please, just agree to be with me..."

Chen Jun's posture was sincere. For some reason, however, the moment he grasped her hand, an image of Zhao Dong flashed through her mind.

She immediately shook off Chen Jun's hand. "I'm sorry, we're over!"

Leng Yue's icy words made Chen Jun's expression change. The gentleness on his face vanished, replaced by a sinister expression. "Leng Yue! I'm trying to be civil, but you're throwing it back in my face? I'm pursuing you out of respect. Do you really think you're so incredible now that you're the Inspector General? Let me tell you, with the power my family and I have, I could have you removed from your post in minutes!"

"Chen Jun! Are you threatening me?" Leng Yue's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

She never imagined he could be so despicable!

Chen Jun sneered, "What if I am? It's not just your position as Inspector General. Your parents' current jobs? I'm the one who arranged those for them back in the day!

"If you don't agree, not only will you be forced to step down, but your parents' careers will be over, too!"

Leng Yue felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes trembled, her heart filled with helplessness and the injustice of it all. Looking at the man before her, she felt a wave of nausea. She wanted to scream at him, to lash out.

But Chen Jun had already seized upon her greatest vulnerability, leaving her no room to resist.

She wasn't afraid for herself, but she was terrified for her parents!

At that thought, her resolve began to waver.

Seeing this, Chen Jun's face filled with smug satisfaction. "Leng Yue, don't say I didn't consider our past. I'll give you two days to think it over." He stepped forward, hooking a finger under her chin. "Stay with me," he said arrogantly. "You won't regret it!"

With that, Chen Jun turned and left with a loud, swaggering laugh.

Staring at the open door, Leng Yue's eyes finally reddened. A sob caught in her throat, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. She was a strong woman, but in the end, she was still a woman. When she felt helpless, crying was a primal instinct. Her inner strength wouldn't allow anyone to witness this vulnerability, but when she was alone, that seemingly tough exterior proved to be incredibly fragile.

"Go on and cry. You'll feel better if you let it all out," Zhao Dong's voice came from behind her.

Leng Yue turned to see him standing there, and the dam of her composure finally broke. She threw herself into his arms, her quiet sobs turning into unrestrained wails.

His heart ached for her as he gently stroked her back. "A man like that isn't worth your tears. But I know you're hurting, so go ahead and cry. Let it all out."

Leng Yue cried in his arms, a mess of tears. After a long while, her sobbing subsided. With her face still streaked with tears, she looked up at Zhao Dong.

After a moment of silence, she wiped her eyes and pulled Zhao Dong to sit on the sofa.

"Zhao Dong, who exactly are you?" she asked, her voice filled with doubt. The more time she spent with him, the more she felt he was far more complex than he appeared. His assertive declaration of protection just a moment ago had sent a tremor through her heart.

"Why are you asking all of a sudden?" Zhao Dong asked, a little puzzled.

"I mentioned your name to my boss," Leng Yue said seriously, "and he seemed to recognize it!"

"He recognized me?" Zhao Dong asked in confusion. "What's your boss's name?"

"Sima Zheng."

The name struck Zhao Dong like a clap of thunder. He shot to his feet, his eyes wide with shock.

How could it be him?

"You know him?"

"Of course!" Zhao Dong paused for a moment before managing a smile. "He was my superior officer in the military."

"No wonder! No wonder he knows you!" Leng Yue exclaimed with delight.

Zhao Dong, however, couldn't share her happiness. It was Sima Zheng who had assigned him to protect Lin Qingyun in the first place, but then he had lost all contact with him. He had too many questions he needed to ask.

"Leng Yue," he said urgently, "can you take me to see your boss?"

"Of course!" Leng Yue said excitedly. "Since you're old comrades-in-arms, he must want to see you too! But it's too late today. How about we go first thing tomorrow morning?"

"Of course," Zhao Dong nodded in agreement.

「A quiet night passed.」

After their earlier passionate moment, a slight awkwardness hung between them, and Zhao Dong chose to sleep in the guest room.

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, Leng Yue and Zhao Dong went to the Inspectorate. According to Leng Yue, Sima Zheng had retired from the military and was now the deputy mayor of the Provincial City, overseeing political and legal affairs. He still occasionally worked from an office at the Inspectorate.

"Zhao Dong, wait here a moment. I'll go see if Mayor Sima is free right now," Leng Yue said, leaving him outside the office as she went in.

「Inside Sima Zheng's office.」

A middle-aged man with a dignified bearing and a square face sat working at his desk, dressed in a uniform. He had thick eyebrows and a pair of sharp, piercing eyes.

When the door opened and Leng Yue entered, Sima Zheng's expression turned cold for an instant before he smiled in surprise. "Yueyue, what brings you to see me today?"

Leng Yue smiled. "You're not just my superior, you're also my mentor. Can't a student visit her teacher without a reason?"

Sima Zheng laughed. "Of course, you can. But knowing you, I doubt you're here just for a social call."

"As expected, nothing gets past you, Teacher," Leng Yue said with a hint of embarrassment. "Actually, I came to ask you about Zhao Dong."

"Zhao Dong?" Sima Zheng's brow furrowed, and he shook his head. "That business with Zhao Dong is in the past. I don't want to talk about it."

Seeing his attitude, Leng Yue felt a pang of disappointment. She had wanted to speak with Sima Zheng first to learn more about Zhao Dong, but it was clear he was unwilling to say more.

So, she changed tactics with a smile. "If you don't want to talk about it, Teacher, that's fine. But I brought someone to see you. Can you guess who?"

"Oh? How mysterious," Sima Zheng's interest was piqued. He smiled and asked, "And who might that be?"

Leng Yue smiled and clapped her hands.

The door opened.

As the two men saw each other, their eyes widened in mutual shock. Sima Zheng shot up from his chair and rushed over to Zhao Dong. They stared at each other, overcome with emotion, silent for a long moment.

"Commander, we meet again!" Zhao Dong's voice trembled with excitement.

Sima Zheng was just as moved. He grabbed Zhao Dong's hand, patting the back of it firmly. "You brat... you're still as solid as a rock!"

Then, he looked at Leng Yue and exclaimed, "I can't believe you actually brought him here!"

Leng Yue gave a faint smile.

After the initial excitement faded, Sima Zheng pulled Zhao Dong over to the sofa.

Zhao Dong hesitated for a moment before asking, "Commander, you held such a high-ranking, powerful position in the military. Why did you retire?"