Chapter 54

Chapter 55: The First Toast

Du Ziyang seemed to have some difficulty digesting Zhao Heng's appearance, the joy on her face never fading. She then introduced him to her father in rapid succession: "Dad, this is Zhao Heng. He's from the same college as me. He helped me find the lost notification on the train, and he even saved Principal Ye in the park."

Zhao Heng took a deep breath and smiled at Du Ziyang, "Ziyang, hello again. How is your foot?"

He didn't even glance at Ding Lingling.

"Hello, Zhao Heng! My foot is fine, thank you!"

Du Ziyang ran to Zhao Heng's side with a smile, unconsciously tugging at his sleeve as she called out to her father, "Dad, you should thank Zhao Heng properly. He not only treated my sprained foot but also got into trouble with a group of pickpockets on the train to help me find the notification."

She knew her father was capable, so she took the blame for the train incident to protect Zhao Heng.

Zhao Heng smiled slightly, grateful for her kindness.

"So, you're Zhao Heng."

A hint of surprise flashed across Du Tianxiong's face, and he extended his hand with a smile, "Thank you for helping Ziyang. I've always wanted to thank you and meet a young man who dares to stand up for justice these days. Unfortunately, I never had the time or opportunity. I didn't expect to meet you under these circumstances. Brother, thank you."

He was well aware of the incident on the train and had even sent a message to warn the Qing Gang, which led to Zhang Xiaolin sending a BMW as an apology. However, he hadn't paid much attention to Zhao Heng at the time, as the busy Du Tianxiong hadn't even seen the photos Uncle Lu had secretly taken.

Now, as he looked at Zhao Heng, Du Tianxiong realized he had underestimated him.

He extended his hand to Zhao Heng, "Brother, you're not simple!"

Seeing the unpretentious Du Tianxiong, Zhao Heng also extended his hand. The two shook hands, and Du Tianxiong didn't engage in any dramatic power play. He simply shook Zhao Heng's hand and let go. Ding Lingling frowned and said, "Oh, Zhao Heng, you're back? I thought Sister Siqing had taken you away."

"Sister Siqing took him?"

Du Ziyang looked surprised, "How could that be?"

"By deception!"

Ding Lingling deliberately left out details to pique Du Ziyang's interest and to make Du Tianxiong aware of Zhao Heng's questionable background. She continued, "He has a friend who pretended to be a chess master to deceive Sister Siqing, but she saw through it and almost had him arrested."

"Ziyang, haven't you seen the forum?"

Seeing Du Ziyang's surprise, she described the situation, "Right, he also got into trouble with the mafia. A bunch of people cornered him at the Huahai Bar, disrupting our business. If Sister Siqing hadn't promptly dispatched police to calm things down, Zhao Heng might have been beaten up."

Du Ziyang's mouth opened slightly, and she shook her head, "How could that be?"

She instinctively looked at Zhao Heng, who smiled faintly, "If I had really done something wrong, I wouldn't be so carefree."

Hearing this, Du Ziyang, who had been worried about Zhao Heng, felt relieved. Indeed, if Zhao Heng had broken the law, he wouldn't be so carefree, coming to the student association to look at paintings and chat. Du Tianxiong also glanced at Zhao Heng, and regardless of the truth of Ding Lingling's words, he found Zhao Heng's response impressive.

One sentence hit the nail on the head, rendering Ding Lingling's accusations meaningless. Du Tianxiong smiled, his eyes showing approval. This young man, whether in painting or speech, was sharp and to the point, indicating a straightforward and decisive nature. He suddenly felt the need to have someone investigate Zhao Heng's background.

Ding Lingling, feeling embarrassed and angry, said, "Do you dare deny that the mafia cornered you?"

"I don't deny it."

Facing Ding Lingling's aggressive questioning, Zhao Heng subtly shifted the focus, "They were from the Qing Gang, led by Brother Feihu. He was the one who stole on the train and was beaten by me, so he sought revenge last night with a group of people. Unfortunately, I, Zhao Heng, have a lucky life and managed to escape their clutches."

"Brother Feihu?"

Du Ziyang's body trembled, "The pickpockets on the train?" She felt a sense of responsibility and pulled her father's arm, "Dad, you must help Zhao Heng. He got into trouble with the Qing Gang because of my notification. You must help, so they don't cause him any more trouble."

Ding Lingling's lips twitched, realizing that Zhao Heng had deftly shifted the focus. Although she didn't know the details of the train incident, she knew the Qing Gang's retaliation wasn't just about the notification. However, without knowing the truth, she couldn't argue. As she fumed, Zhao Heng smiled, "Ziyang, it's not your fault."

Under Du Tianxiong's scrutinizing gaze, Zhao Heng sighed, "The notification was just an additional issue. My initial conflict with the Qing Gang started when I beat two pickpockets, and then I beat Brother Feihu and his group when they came for revenge, injuring about seven or eight of them. That's why Brother Feihu mobilized a large group to corner me last night."

Du Ziyang pouted, looking at her father, "I don't care, it's still related to me."

Faced with her stubborn kindness, Zhao Heng could only smile helplessly. However, he appreciated her kindness. Du Tianxiong didn't say much, just nodding at Zhao Heng, "Zhao Heng, you've impressed me. If you had shifted the blame to Ziyang, I would have looked down on you."

"Fortunately, you took responsibility and were honest!"

He pointed to the eagle painting, "It matches your character!"

Then, as Ding Lingling's expression changed and his daughter looked pleased, he said, "I don't care about your conflicts with the Qing Gang, but I can assure you that from now on, they won't cause you any more trouble. All past grievances are forgiven, as a way to thank you for helping Ziyang."

Du Tianxiong laughed, "Thank you for the finishing touch on the painting."

Today, he had come to Huada University with his daughter to relive old memories, and he had unexpectedly met Zhao Heng, a stroke of fate.

Ding Lingling's face darkened. Wasn't this letting Zhao Heng off the hook? No matter how capable Zhao Heng was, he would end up in the Huangpu River if he faced the local gang, the Qing Gang. If she had her father put more pressure on them, Zhao Heng would die even faster, and he wouldn't get close to Ziyang.

But Du Tianxiong had intervened, and Ding Lingling cursed herself for being too talkative. She wished she hadn't brought up the topic. She looked at Zhao Heng, hoping he would refuse the favor, but he nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Du. I can sleep well tonight."

Du Tianxiong laughed heartily, "Zhao Heng, you're an interesting person." He pointed to the eagle painting on the table, "Let's not talk about those trivial matters. I'm very interested in your painting skills. When you have time, come to my house for dinner and paint another eagle for me. Your work is truly impressive."

Zhao Heng didn't refuse; he needed such an opportunity, "Sure! I'll visit Mr. Du when I have time."

His polite and measured response earned another nod of approval from Du Tianxiong. After so many years in Huahai, his nature had returned to simplicity. He wasn't deliberately profound or overly friendly. Over the years, he had seen many young people, but few had impressed him.

Ye Shishi was one, and Zhao Heng was another.

Du Ziyang smiled at Zhao Heng, "Dad, I'm hungry. Please take us to dinner."

Du Tianxiong, understanding his daughter's thoughts, laughed heartily, "Sure, I'll take you to dinner!" He looked at the calm Zhao Heng and waved his hand, "Zhao Heng, it's almost dinner time. Let's go out to eat. Otherwise, Ziyang will scold me for being heartless."

"No, I have two friends waiting for me."

Zhao Heng politely declined Du Tianxiong's invitation, not out of stubbornness but because the dinner would include Ding Lingling and Ding San, who hated him. He smiled at Du Tianxiong, "Another time, I'll treat you to dinner, Mr. Du."

Du Ziyang was slightly disappointed, "Zhao Heng, you're not coming?"

Zhao Heng smiled, "Another time!"

Ding Lingling secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and Du Tianxiong didn't push further, nodding, "Sure! We'll meet another time." At that moment, his phone rang, and after a brief conversation, he looked apologetic, "Ziyang, I have some business to attend to. Let's have dinner another day."

Since Zhao Heng wasn't going, Du Ziyang wasn't very interested, "It's fine."

Du Tianxiong, sensing his daughter's mood, smiled and put his phone back in his pocket, "Zhao Heng, you're busy today, but you should have time the day after tomorrow. I'll have Ziyang pick you up, and we'll have dinner together. I'll also introduce you to Mr. Zhang."

Zhao Heng's eyes narrowed, "Mr. Zhang?"

Then he realized, "Zhang Xiaolin?"

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