Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Upon hearing this, Sima Zheng shook his head with a bitter expression. His weathered eyes were filled with complex emotions, but in the end, he chose not to explain.

Seeing this, Zhao Dong didn't pursue the matter. He changed the subject, "Commander, I won't press you about your own affairs, but can I know why you wanted me to protect Lin Qingyun in the first place? It wasn't your idea, was it? Who exactly gave the order?"

Sima Zheng frowned. "Zhao Dong, there are some things I can't tell you right now. It wouldn't be good for you to know these secrets too early."

Secrets? Zhao Dong's heart sank.

Sima Zheng continued, "Your questions will be answered soon. Just remember, no matter what, you must ensure Lin Qingyun's safety!" As he spoke, Sima Zheng looked out the window and murmured, "The crisis... is coming..."

Zhao Dong grew more and more confused. What crisis? Why all the mystery?

Before Zhao Dong could ask, Sima Zheng grasped his hand and said solemnly, "Remember this: besides protecting Lin Qingyun, you must do everything in your power to keep her by your side. Do not let another man take her from you. Many things are tied to Lin Qingyun. As long as you can protect her, the answers you seek will soon reveal themselves..."

Zhao Dong was still in a complete fog. He shook his head and was about to ask another question when a sudden knock sounded at the door.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK…

Sima Zheng asked, "Who is it?"

"Mayor Sima, it's me, Chen Jun."

Chen Jun!? The name alone made the expressions of both Zhao Dong and Leng Yue change.

Sima Zheng, however, calmly said, "Come in." He then explained, "Chen Jun's father and I are old friends. He's quite capable himself. You two can get to know each other."

As he finished speaking, the door opened, and Chen Jun walked in. The three of them stared at one another, all frozen in place.

"Why are you here!?"

"You know each other?" Sima Zheng asked, surprised.

Being in Sima Zheng's presence, Chen Jun couldn't make a scene. He said darkly, "We've met once before."

"Oh, I see. In that case, I won't bother with introductions," Sima Zheng said with a smile. He then turned to Leng Yue. "Leng Yue, since Chen Jun is here, I'll give you the day off. Go out and have some fun with him. Work is important, but your lifelong happiness is just as important."

Sima Zheng said this cheerfully, completely unaware of the complex dynamic between the three people before him. He had always thought Chen Jun and Leng Yue made a good pair. Now that Chen Jun was actively pursuing her, Sima Zheng saw it as a perfect opportunity and was trying to play matchmaker.

Leng Yue shook her head. "No, thank you. I have work to do today. I'll take a day off some other time." With that, she turned to leave. She had absolutely no good feelings toward Chen Jun now.

Anxious, Chen Jun grabbed her arm and pleaded earnestly, "Yueyue, why are you still so cold to me? Mayor Sima is here today; he can be my witness!"

With that, Chen Jun took out the ring again and knelt on one knee. "Leng Yue, this is the third time I've proposed to you. Can't you see how sincere I am? I swear before Mayor Sima, if you become my woman, I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world. I will never let you suffer even the slightest bit of wrong!"

Chen Jun's earnest attitude and bold gesture filled Sima Zheng's eyes with satisfaction. He chimed in, "Chen Jun has certainly shown his commitment. What are you still hesitating for? Don't worry, if he ever dares to bully you after you're married, I, Sima Zheng, will be the first to teach him a lesson!" Sima Zheng acted the part of a kindly peacemaker.

A surge of triumph washed over Chen Jun. He refused to believe she had forgotten him. She just needed an honorable way out. With his three proposals and Mayor Sima's help, that escape route was paved right to her feet! What reason could she possibly have to refuse him now?

As he had hoped, Chen Jun's relentless pursuit and Sima Zheng's support did make Leng Yue hesitate. She bit her lip, her gaze drifting involuntarily toward Zhao Dong, who stood behind her.

Zhao Dong's brow was furrowed, but he remained silent. After all, he had no real relationship with Leng Yue. It wasn't his place to comment on such matters.

Looking at Zhao Dong, a struggle flickered in Leng Yue's beautiful eyes. Finally, she sighed. "I'm sorry, I can't accept."

Chen Jun's heart shuddered. Sima Zheng was even more stunned.

"Leng Yue, didn't you used to like Chen Jun? Are you still angry about what happened back then?" Sima Zheng tried to reason with her. "Yueyue, all men make mistakes, especially when they're young. This kid, Chen Jun, can be reckless sometimes, but I don't believe he's a bad person. Why don't you reconsider?"

Sima Zheng's persuasion only made Leng Yue more flustered. After a moment, she grabbed Zhao Dong's hand and said, "Teacher, I have some work I need to rush off to."

Zhao Dong gave Sima Zheng an awkward smile. "Commander, I'll visit another time."

The two hurried away, leaving a baffled Sima Zheng staring after them in utter confusion.

"What on earth is that girl thinking?" Sima Zheng sighed helplessly. He turned to the furious Chen Jun. "Get up. Stop kneeling. If you hadn't angered her so badly back then, would she be treating you like this now? Honestly, what am I supposed to do with you?" With a look of one frustrated by wasted potential, Sima Zheng sighed again and sat back down in his chair.

Chen Jun's heart was filled with gloom. The image of Leng Yue grasping Zhao Dong's hand was seared into his mind. She had held it so naturally, so tightly. And last night? He had merely touched her, and she had shaken him off with a look of pure disgust.

At that moment, Chen Jun pinned all the blame on Zhao Dong. If it weren't for him, Leng Yue would never have rejected me!

He turned his head and asked, "Uncle, what's Zhao Dong's background?" Their families were close, so when they were alone, Chen Jun always called Sima Zheng "Uncle."

Sima Zheng smiled. "Oh, you mean Zhao Dong? He was a former subordinate of mine." He added, "A very outstanding one. Since you two have met today, you should try to see each other more often and get along well."

Sima Zheng spoke with deep contentment in his eyes, which only intensified Chen Jun's foul mood. With a tinge of jealousy, he said unhappily, "Uncle, so Zhao Dong is outstanding? Is he more outstanding than me?"

Sima Zheng laughed. "He's outstanding, and so are you. You're both on par; there's no ranking between you."

Chen Jun's expression grew even darker as he muttered under his breath, "Zhao Dong! So what if your fists are stronger? Don't get cocky! I'll defeat you sooner or later!"

「At the entrance of the Inspection Bureau.」

Leng Yue was still clutching Zhao Dong's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

"Zhao Dong..." Leng Yue murmured softly, "do you know why I refused Chen Jun?"