Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Promise

"Everyone in Huahai says that Zhang Xiaolin is unpredictable, uneducated, and unpopular."

Jiang Changlong pondered for a moment and finally smiled as he replied to Zhao Heng, "But you mustn't think that way. Many years ago, Huahai had four major gangs. Besides the unpredictable Zhang Ye, there was the well-versed and martial Niu Bangzhu, the meticulous Liu Dashi, and the versatile Zhou Jiaozhu. But now, only the rough and despised Zhang Ye is still alive. This not only tells us that Zhang Xiaolin is lucky, but also reveals many underlying issues."

Zhao Heng exhaled, "I understand!"

Jiang Changlong's expression lightened, and he resumed his teasing tone, "Although Zhang Xiaolin is terrifying, as long as you win over Du Ziyang, the Qing Gang will be helpless against you. In Huahai, whether it's Zhang Xiaolin or Ye Shishi, they all show respect to Du Tianxiong. No one dares to touch the Du family, who have made significant contributions."

Zhao Heng ignored his teasing and scanned the computer screen, "Strange, there's no information on Dongfang Xiong. I wanted to see what the first war hero of Huaguo looked like twenty-eight years ago, to see how much better he was than your former genius self. Unfortunately, all the information about him has been completely deleted."

"Dongfang Xiong?"

Jiang Changlong glanced at Zhao Heng, "Why are you looking up his information?" Then he seemed to remember something, slapped his head, and replied, "Was it Professor Sun Yongbing who gave you a lecture? He always starts the first class of the year with a boring lecture. I fell asleep during his class and woke up to hear him talking about Dongfang Xiong twenty years ago."

Zhao Heng clearly noticed that when Jiang Changlong mentioned Dongfang Xiong, his eyes showed a hint of respect and passion. He could see the admiration and reverence. Then he heard Jiang Changlong add, "I didn't expect he's still talking about it. But this old man is not simple; he really has a lot of knowledge."

"Is that so? Unfortunately, there are no written records."

Zhao Heng sighed again, then smiled and flipped to the page with Du Yaqi's picture, "You and Du Yaqi entered school at the same time, in the same college and major. So you must have taken Professor Sun's class. I wonder what Senior Zhao was doing while you were snoring in class?"

"She's a genius, of course she was studying diligently."

Jiang Changlong walked inside with his book and added casually, "We are from two different worlds. She's an excellent student, and I'm a lazy one!" As he said this, a ripple of emotion passed through his heart, and he remembered that clear face and the slightly yellowed white paper.

He also remembered the fifteen questions on that white paper, which made his heart warm like spring.

Zhao Heng watched Jiang Changlong disappear into the library, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a hint of loneliness in Jiang Changlong, a loneliness that never seemed to fade. He looked down at Du Yaqi on the computer screen, and her clear, beautiful face made him think more deeply. Then he closed the page and turned to leave.

"Zhao Heng!"

Just as Zhao Heng reached the stairs, Du Ziyang suddenly appeared from the side. Her hair was tied up, she wore a small tank top, light yellow shorts, and her toenails were painted a reddish-brown color, exuding youthful vitality. "What a coincidence? You're also at the library?"

Du Ziyang's legs were so long and beautiful that they could rival Ma Xiaoling from "My Date with a Zombie." Although Zhao Heng was looking at Du Ziyang's smile, his peripheral vision couldn't help but linger on her legs. Some things are so beautiful that they dazzle, and Zhao Heng felt this way at the moment. He then sincerely praised, "Ziyang, your legs are really beautiful."

This unexpected response made Du Ziyang pause, but then she smiled warmly, seeing the purity in Zhao Heng's eyes. She approached him with youthful charm and said with a light laugh, "Really? You really admire them? Then would you like to buy a coffee for a beautiful lady at the café?"

The library has a lounge that serves pastries and drinks.

Zhao Heng realized his words were a bit impolite as soon as they left his mouth. He always knew how to handle different women. For someone like Bei Ruyan, who was immersed in high society and praised by the Premier, he could openly show his affection. But Du Ziyang was a pure young girl, and inappropriate words could easily hurt her.

So when he heard Du Ziyang's "blackmail," he responded without hesitation, "I'd be delighted."

As Zhao Heng and Du Ziyang walked side by side down to the café, even touching each other, the Huada students resting by the railing, who were staring at Du Ziyang's legs, felt a sharp pain, watching the princess and the stable boy chatting and laughing. They secretly cursed themselves for not having the courage to ignore Ding San and pursue Du Ziyang.

They all cursed Zhao Heng to be killed by Ding San.

As they had expected, at the circular railing of the library, Ding Lingling watched Zhao Heng and Du Ziyang chatting happily, her eyes filled with intense killing intent. She wished she could personally wield a machete to kill Zhao Heng, so as not to lose Du Ziyang, her future sister-in-law. Then she turned to Tu Honggang and hissed, "Think of a way to get that guy out of here."

Tu Honggang nodded, "Alright, I'll find an opportunity to add some spice."

At the café, two cups of coffee were served, steaming hot.

Zhao Heng gestured for Du Ziyang to drink her coffee, then took a sip himself. Du Ziyang noticed that Zhao Heng's coffee-drinking posture had a touch of European royal elegance. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, not because she looked down on children from the mountains, but because it was hard to imagine such attention to detail.

Without years of immersion and family upbringing, how could Zhao Heng be so refined and natural? She became even more curious about Zhao Heng. Each time they met, he gave her a different feeling. She smiled slightly, "Thank you for the coffee. Actually, I wanted to talk to you during the last public lecture, but you ran too fast."

Her smile was warm, "Chatting with you is very comfortable."

Du Ziyang's eyes were as clear as Zhao Heng's. Her kindness made her not overly reject others, but she felt suppressed by various entanglements, whether with the Ding siblings or other friends, making it hard for her to open up and be her true self. But this changed when she met Zhao Heng.

The man in front of her was like a poppy flower, gradually making her addicted. His strength, iron-bloodedness, tenderness, and melancholy, all these contrasting qualities blended seamlessly in Zhao Heng, each side making Du Ziyang admire him uncontrollably. Most importantly, Zhao Heng gave her a sense of sincerity and openness.

Making her feel at ease.

"But chatting with you, I feel a lot of pressure!"

Hearing Du Ziyang's honest words, Zhao Heng glanced at her legs, smooth and flawless, then teased, "As we walked down together and even now, countless boys are staring at us, wishing they could stab the one who makes you smile."

"Do you fear that?"

Du Ziyang didn't mind Zhao Heng's teasing. Instead, she looked at him warmly and eagerly, her chest slightly leaning forward, revealing a glimpse of white. She was a smart girl, knowing her position in Huahai and how Huada viewed her.

Ninety-nine percent of Huahai people saw her as Ding San's fiancée, and even some of her uncles and cousins in the Du family thought so. Her mother had mentioned Ding San a few times in front of her, only waiting for her father's final nod. So everything seemed to be set for her, but Du Ziyang felt repulsed and pained.

She also knew that getting close to Zhao Heng would bring him trouble, but each time she saw him, she was irresistibly drawn to him. Now, hearing Zhao Heng's teasing, she mustered the courage to test him, wanting to see if the man in front of her would be afraid. Zhao Heng sipped his coffee calmly, "If you're not afraid of losing your status, why would I, Zhao Heng, be afraid of danger?"

"As long as you like and are willing, I, Zhao Heng, fear neither others' gazes nor their threats."

In the soft light, Du Ziyang's heart trembled, moved. She gazed at Zhao Heng, whose face was cold and aloof, his tall and imposing figure like a sharp blade, piercing through the dark night, exuding a fierce and majestic aura.

Du Ziyang stood up, "Zhao Heng, do you really mean it?"

Zhao Heng nodded gently, "Yes, I do."

"Zhao Heng, remember that."

Du Ziyang finished her coffee in one gulp, smiled at Zhao Heng, then hugged him and left. Watching the girl's retreating back, Zhao Heng's eyes filled with more content and reflection. He knew it wasn't easy to be a wealthy young lady, and even harder to be a Du family heiress with great expectations.

This girl, in the midst of a bustling city, was so lonely.

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