In that instant, a warm current slid across Lin Qingyun's frozen heart. For so many years, she had silently borne everything alone. It seemed as if no one had ever stood by her side the way Zhao Dong did, as if someone was willing to defy the entire world for her.
Zhao Dong's voice rang out again—deep, powerful, and firm, with immense presence. "I'll say it one more time. If you have the guts, stand up now!"
Still, no one stood. Who would dare challenge a former special forces soldier at a time like this?
Only then did Zhao Dong smirk. "Alright, no one, huh? Then I don't want to hear anyone speaking ill of Lin Qingyun ever again. If anyone dares to say another word, I guarantee I'll smash their teeth in. Try me if you don't believe it."
Everyone shuddered. They knew Zhao Dong was more than capable of carrying out his threat.
"Good. In that case, this meeting is adjourned! But I have one last thing to say." Zhao Dong stroked his chin, enunciating each word. "What I want to say is that Lin Qingyun's private life, whatever it may be, is her own personal business. None of you have any right to pry. As the management of this corporation, you should be thinking about how to survive this crisis, not kicking someone when they're down. Do you understand?"
The group in the conference room exchanged uneasy glances.
Zhao Dong suddenly slammed his fist on the table, instantly punching a hole through it.
"I said, do you understand?"
Everyone below him gasped, hastily stammering, "We... we understand!"
"Then the meeting is dismissed!"
Without another word, Zhao Dong pulled Lin Qingyun along and left, leaving the stunned group staring after their departing figures for a long time.
***
In the car, Lin Qingyun looked at Zhao Dong in the passenger seat and suddenly burst out laughing. "So you can be quite domineering."
Watching Lin Qingyun's blossoming smile, Zhao Dong was momentarily lost. How could a woman be this beautiful? She's like a woman who walked right out of a painting.
Zhao Dong scratched his head. "Isn't the word 'domineering' a little... juvenile?"
"Then I'll use a different word. You were really handsome back there."
"Don't praise me. You'll make me blush." Being praised by a woman like Lin Qingyun was, indeed, a little embarrassing.
Their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away. For some reason, Lin Qingyun's heart was in turmoil. She forced herself to calm down before speaking softly, "Anyway, thank you for what you did back there. If you hadn't been there, I honestly don't know how I would have handled it."
"You're the President and the Chairwoman of the Board. You have the most shares. Are you really scared of them?"
Lin Qingyun sighed softly. "If it's just one person opposing me, that's fine. But if it's a group..."
"They all have their own agendas?" Zhao Dong asked, astonished.
A look of confusion crossed Lin Qingyun's eyes. "I've made drastic reforms in the corporation over the last few years. Although the company has grown rapidly, I've also stepped on a lot of toes, especially in the management tier. It's normal for them to oppose me."
Zhao Dong gave her a deep look. He didn't understand the complexities of the business world, but for a woman his age to be able to take charge of a corporation and grow it successfully spoke volumes about her capabilities.
"Let me take you home," Lin Qingyun said softly.
"Okay."
Zhao Dong didn't say much more. He just felt that her mood had become a little strange—almost too calm. The car moved through the city as lights and shadows flickered across their faces. Suddenly, Lin Qingyun's voice broke the silence.
"Zhao Dong, I want to marry you."
"I can't."
"Why? Are you getting revenge for how I looked down on you before?"
"No."
Lin Qingyun slammed on the brakes, screeching to a halt by the riverside as the tires let out plumes of white smoke. Her dark hair cascaded around her as her watery eyes stared coldly at Zhao Dong. "What will it take for you to marry me?"
"I..." Zhao Dong trailed off, at a loss for words.
Lin Qingyun suddenly smiled. "I'm giving you one last chance. If you refuse me, I'll jump into this river right now."
Zhao Dong sighed helplessly. "I'm sorry, I really..."
Before he could finish, Lin Qingyun threw open the car door and bolted toward the river, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Zhao Dong's pupils contracted. "Lin Qingyun, have you lost your mind?"
He scrambled to chase after her, but just as he was about to grab her, she plunged into the water with a splash.
"Lin Qingyun!"
Zhao Dong yelled, diving into the river after her without a second thought. He swam with all his might, reaching her side and grabbing hold of her. But Lin Qingyun struggled like someone determined to die, trying to push him away. Seeing the tears mixed with river water on her face, Zhao Dong's heart ached. After what felt like an eternity of struggling, he managed to haul her ashore. They both lay on the grassy bank, gasping for breath.
Zhao Dong looked at her and said helplessly, "Beautiful Miss Lin, can you be rational for a moment? Was that really necessary?"
Her tears fell silently as she unexpectedly threw her arms around him in a tight hug. Her cold tears soaked his chest, followed by choked sobs.
"Why does everyone abandon me... why? Am I that unlovable?"
Zhao Dong's heart skipped a beat. He could tell there was a hidden meaning behind her words.
Lin Qingyun dissolved into tears, and Zhao Dong could genuinely feel her deep-seated grievance and pain.
"Stop crying, it's okay..." he murmured, gently patting her back.
"Zhao Dong... I'm so tired... Why can't anyone understand me? Why won't anyone help me?" Her sobs were heartbreaking.
Zhao Dong said nothing more, knowing that at this moment, he just needed to be a quiet listener. In the distance, the sunset painted the sky in shades of blood, the afterglow stretching across the horizon. As they sat by the river, for a fleeting moment, Zhao Dong felt a sudden, powerful urge to protect Lin Qingyun.
***
By the time he got home, it was already dark. Lin Qingyun had dropped him off at his door and driven away alone, her high-and-mighty composure restored after her tears.
Zhao Dong walked into the narrow alley that led to his house. Just as he reached his door, a cold gust of wind shot toward him from behind! He dodged instinctively as a hidden blade scraped against the adjacent wall, striking sparks.
Before he could react, however, a large hand grabbed the back of his clothes with utterly overwhelming force. He was lifted off his feet and, in a few powerful leaps, carried to the deserted riverside nearby.
What terrifying strength! He's even stronger than me! Zhao Dong was stunned.
By the river, the shadowy figure slapped a palm against his back. Zhao Dong immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and went tumbling across the ground. The shadow closed in and kicked him hard in the chest. He collapsed, feeling as if his organs had been shattered.
A wave of despair washed over Zhao Dong. He knew in an instant that he was no match for this person. He, a special forces soldier, was being tossed around like a chicken. How could someone this powerful exist in the world? He's so strong he barely seems human!
Zhao Dong coughed up more blood and asked hoarsely, "Who... who are you?"
"I'm the one who's here to kill you," the shadow said flatly.
"Did... did Wang Hao send you?"
"He doesn't have the authority to send me. At best, he could only ask."
Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. "I regret not killing him when I had the chance."
The shadow chuckled faintly. "There's no medicine for regret in this world. Are you an Inner Strength master?"
"An Inner Strength master?" Zhao Dong was surprised. "What's that?"
The shadow snorted. "Those who cultivate Inner Strength are called Inner Strength masters. It seems you are not one. But if you aren't, how did you survive two of my attacks? I can kill an ordinary man with a single palm strike."
Zhao Dong laughed bitterly. "My bones are just tough!"
He forced himself to his feet. Even facing an impossibly strong enemy, he would never back down. He would fight to the death! Zhao Dong summoned all his strength and charged at the shadowy figure. He would rather die fighting than admit defeat.
But the shadow moved like a phantom, its speed extraordinary. It instantly dodged his attack and slammed another fist into his abdomen. Zhao Dong spewed another mouthful of blood and crumpled to the ground, with no strength left to get up.
He smiled bleakly. So, I'm destined to die? Fine. At least make it quick.
The shadow stepped on his neck, its eyes full of mockery, looking down on him as if he were a clown. "Just an ordinary man. A mere clown. I'll be taking your pathetic life now."
Just as he was about to crush Zhao Dong's neck—BANG!
It was the sound of a silenced pistol. A flash of purplish-red light bloomed in the darkness. The shadow collapsed stiffly to the ground. A huge, bloody hole had appeared in its forehead—no, half of its head had been blown away.
Zhao Dong's pupils constricted. From out of the darkness, a crisp, enchanting laugh echoed.
A woman who could only be described as a stunner appeared. She wore a tight-fitting skirt and high-heeled boots, her long legs wrapped in black stockings. Her face held a bewitching charm capable of infatuating countless men, like a rare orchid blooming in the dead of night.
The woman walked over to Zhao Dong and squatted down. Unconcerned by her revealing posture, she gave him a playful smile.
"So, you're Zhao Dong?"
Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. "Who are you?"