Zhao Dong was dazed for a moment. After a few seconds, he asked, "When did you wake up?"
Lin Qingyun said softly, "I've been awake for a while."
Feeling a bit awkward, Zhao Dong glanced at Lin Qingyun. She was completely uncovered, and the sight of her snow-white skin exposed before him was enough to give him a nosebleed.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Dong asked, "Why didn't you scream at me?"
"Why should I scream at you?"
Zhao Dong looked down and coughed twice. "We, uh, did that again. Don't you want to kill me?"
Lin Qingyun rolled her eyes at him before biting her lip and saying resentfully, "I really did want to kill you. When I woke up this morning and saw this, I wanted to strangle you."
"Then why didn't you?"
Lin Qingyun lowered her gaze, a blush rising on her pretty face. "Because you saved me, after all."
Zhao Dong smiled.
A second later, Lin Qingyun suddenly asked, "By the way, I'm very curious. How did you rescue me last night? How did you manage to defeat Xiao Hongtian?"
I can't believe I actually comprehended something from the Mystic Sky Technique yesterday! Zhao Dong smirked to himself. Through the technique, he learned that China had powerful experts known as Masters of Inner Strength. There was another type, however, who could sense nature's spiritual energy—they were known as Cultivators.
And he was a Cultivator.
Masters of Inner Strength were one in ten thousand, while Cultivators were nearly one in a hundred thousand. The former increased their power by tempering their bodies, training their muscles and bones. The latter, however, grew stronger by absorbing nature's spiritual energy. If Masters of Inner Strength were strong, then Cultivators were even stronger.
The ranks for Masters of Inner Strength were Inner Strength, Grandmaster, and War Master, with each rank divided into nine layers. Cultivators were divided into the realms of Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul, each also containing nine layers. Because Cultivators were innately more powerful than Masters of Inner Strength, Zhao Dong, despite only being at the third layer of Qi Refinement, had been able to clash head-on with Xiao Hongtian, who was at the seventh layer of Inner Strength.
Cultivators were extremely rare, held very high status, had boundless prospects, and were highly respected wherever they went. But this also attracted the envy and jealousy of countless others. The slightest carelessness could lead to being secretly assassinated. Thus, his identity as a Cultivator was his greatest secret.
Zhao Dong pondered for a moment before saying, "Regardless, I'm a former special forces soldier. My physical condition probably isn't inferior to Xiao Hongtian's. Besides, he was arrogant and underestimated me, so it's not surprising he lost."
Lin Qingyun sighed with worry. "But Xiao Hongtian is ruthless, treacherous, and extremely arrogant. He won't let this go after losing to you. I'm afraid you're in danger, and it's all my fault."
It's true, Zhao Dong took my virginity, so he should be responsible. But if responsibility costs him his life, I can't bear it. A deep sense of guilt filled Lin Qingyun's heart.
Zhao Dong chuckled nonchalantly. "It's fine. Since I dared to rescue you, I'm not afraid of his retaliation. What's the relationship between your Lin family and the Xiao family? Are you really that afraid of them?"
A complicated expression crossed Lin Qingyun's face. "The Lin family is also one of the four great families in the Provincial City, but we're not as powerful as the Xiao family. You must be curious why I'm here instead of in the Provincial City. It's because my father tried to force me to marry Xiao Hongtian. I couldn't stand it, so I ran away to East Sea to start my own career."
Zhao Dong looked impressed. "So now that I've driven off Xiao Hongtian, aren't you free?"
Lin Qingyun shook her head bitterly. "Not really. I'm sure the Lin family will hear about this soon, and they'll never allow me to be with you. However, there is one way to make them give up completely. And that is for you to marry me, right now."
Her eyes were fervent as she looked at Zhao Dong.
This time, Zhao Dong didn't outright refuse. He simply spoke earnestly. "Let's hold off on getting married for now. But from today on, tell me if you have any trouble. It doesn't matter if it's the Lin family or the Xiao family—as long as I, Zhao Dong, am still breathing, I won't let them take you away."
Lin Qingyun frowned. "Zhao Dong, is marrying me really that difficult?"
"I told you, I have circumstances beyond my control."
I can't marry Lin Qingyun until my leukemia is cured. I don't want to be a burden to her. But now that I've embarked on the path of cultivation, a terminal illness like leukemia should be manageable.
Beside him, Lin Qingyun sighed softly. "Maybe your reasons really are unavoidable, but you could tell me. Perhaps we could solve it together."
Zhao Dong shook his head. "You can't solve it. Let's just leave it for now. We can talk about marriage later."
Lin Qingyun didn't press the matter. After a moment of silence, she asked, "You still haven't found a job, have you? How about I arrange one for you?"
"No, I think I'll try to find one myself first."
Lin Qingyun pouted. "I know you men have your pride. Fine, you look first. If you can't find anything, I'll arrange one for you."
Zhao Dong smiled. "That works. Let me try looking on my own first."
"Okay... if you need my help with anything, just contact me. I have to go now, I still have things to do."
"Alright."
After their brief conversation, Lin Qingyun gathered her things and left.
Zhao Dong returned home alone. Just as he reached the gate to his family's small courtyard, he saw a figure inside.
It was a girl—beautiful and stylishly dressed, with a tall, slender figure. She wore a black, strapless long dress that revealed her delicate, snow-white collarbones. She had on high heels and carried a shoulder bag, looking both pure and stunning.
Zhao Dong didn't recognize her at first, but on second glance, he realized it was his cousin, Zhao Qirou. She was adopted by his uncle's family, but she and Zhao Dong were extremely close.
The girl saw him too. After a three-second pause, she exclaimed with delight, "Brother? When did you get back?!"
With a happy cry, Zhao Qirou rushed over and threw herself into his arms.
Zhao Dong was suddenly very aware of the soft curves of her well-developed figure. Combined with her sexy dress, he felt a bit awkward. He hugged her and said with a wry smile, "You're all grown up now. Why are you still acting like a child?"
"But I am still a child! Brother, I missed you! Why didn't you tell me you were back?" Zhao Qirou's excited little face was beaming with surprise, but her eyes were also slightly red.
Zhao Dong affectionately rubbed her head. "I only just got home myself. There's been too much going on, I haven't had a chance to tell you."
"Just excuses! You just weren't thinking of me!" Zhao Qirou said reproachfully.
Her pouting gaze touched Zhao Dong's heart, making it soften. He and Zhao Qirou had a great relationship; they had been playmates since they were young. She was three years younger than him, which meant she was probably a junior in college now.
Just then, Zhang Cuimei came out, smiling. "Xiao Dong, your cousin Qirou came to visit us today. She even bought us a lot of supplements. We've relied on Qirou so much these past years."
Zhao Dong looked at Zhao Qirou, deeply moved. She just smiled and said, "Aunt Cuimei, don't say that. We're all family."
Zhang Cuimei smiled with relief. "You two chat. I'll go make you something to eat."
Zhao Qirou's gaze turned back to Zhao Dong. Seeing his simple clothes, she felt a pang of distress. Brother must have had such a tough life all these years.
After a moment of silence, she asked softly, "Brother, now that you're discharged from the military, have you found a job yet?"
Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. "Not yet. I'm not sure what to do."
Zhao Qirou bit her lip, her fine brows furrowed in thought. A moment later, her face suddenly brightened. "I have an idea! Brother, do you want to make some money? I know a way."
His interest was piqued. I need money. Even though I'm on the path of cultivation now, it requires a lot of it. Without money, I can't buy the various heavenly materials and medicinal herbs useful for my training. Besides, I need to provide a better living environment for my parents. I'm really short on cash.
"What is it?" he asked.
Zhao Qirou gave a sly smile. "Just come with me."
Zhao Dong scratched his head. After a moment's hesitation, he called out a goodbye to his parents and followed her out.
Zhao Qirou took his hand, just like when they were little, without the slightest hint of awkwardness. At the side of the road, she hailed a taxi, and they set off toward their destination.
They soon arrived. When the car stopped, Zhao Dong stared at the scene before him, stunned.
It was a skyscraper with the words "Fengya Media Company" written on it.
Zhao Dong was astonished. This was the largest media company in East Sea, a giant that had launched thousands of internet celebrities on major platforms and had an enormous roster of signed artists. In other words, this was the place with the most beautiful women in all of East Sea.
Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. "Qirou, what did you bring me here for?"
Zhao Qirou beamed. "To make money, of course! Follow me."
"You know people here?"
"Of course! I'm one of their signed artists!"
"What?! Aren't you still in school?" Zhao Dong was shocked. Zhao Qirou worked here?
She just smiled. "I work part-time. What can I say? I guess I'm just so exceptional they had to sign me."
Zhao Dong smacked his lips. He really hadn't expected his cousin to become a signed artist.
"Come on, Brother, don't just stand there in a daze. I'll take you inside and introduce you to someone important!" Zhao Qirou said, pulling him into the building with a bright smile.
Zhao Dong couldn't refuse and was simply dragged inside. The moment he stepped through the doors, he was stunned.