Chapter 73

Ding Hao's days of focused cultivation passed quickly, and Liu Yiding had another mission that kept him from paying attention to Ding Hao. Ding Hao's trip to the capital indirectly proved to both Qiao Siping and Liu Yiding that Ding Hao was indeed an orphan. If Ding Hao were a member of a prominent family, it would be impossible for him to risk his life to visit a girlfriend who wasn't even that close to him.

It would be even more impossible for him to be beaten half to death. When Ding Hao called Liu Yiding for help when his life was threatened, it made Liu Yiding feel that Ding Hao was beginning to trust him. Of course, it also ruled out the possibility that Ding Hao was a member of another family.

The only thing that Liu Yiding regretted was that An Qi had disguised herself so terribly to avoid being recognized by Qinglong, scaring Ding Hao away. In Liu Yiding's view, Ding Hao was still a young man with little experience with women. That's why he couldn't forget Xia Lin and why women often came and went from his residence.

Given An Qi's beauty, it wouldn't be difficult for her to seduce Ding Hao, and as senior and junior disciples, they could use the pretext of practicing together... Unfortunately, An Qi was also a stubborn girl, and Liu Yiding didn't want to lose out on one front to gain another, so he agreed to let An Qi leave. Liu Yiding also specifically discussed Ding Hao's trip to the capital with Qiao Siping.

Qiao Siping basically accepted Liu Yiding's perspective. As a result, Liu Yiding removed most of the hidden operatives near Ding Hao's residence and began to consider how to arrange for Ding Hao to serve the organization.

Chen Fang had been busy with the business at Yunhe Manor, acting as if she didn't even know Ding Hao. It was Liu Jiang who occasionally called, hoping that Ding Hao would visit the manor frequently. Of course, it wasn't because his daughter lacked a boyfriend; he wanted Ding Hao to maintain a sufficient threat to keep the small hooligans away.

Ding Hao didn't know what Liu Jiang was thinking, but Liu Xia's visits to Xixi Qingyuan had also decreased since Xia Lin's disappearance. People are strange like that. Perhaps Liu Xia felt that she could openly compete with Xia Lin at the time. Now that Ding Hao had just returned from the capital searching for Xia Lin, Liu Xia was afraid of being accused of taking advantage of the situation.

Ding Hao was immersed in pain and didn't want to be misunderstood as taking advantage of his vulnerability. Even if he were to start a relationship with Ding Hao, he would have to wait until Ding Hao slowly recovered from his shadow.

Chen Fang probably thought the same way. Sometimes Ding Hao felt that this sister Chen Fang was actually quite nice! She was just a beautiful young woman, and it was normal for her to be attracted to a young man like Ding Hao. Didn't this just show that he was charming?

Of course, Ding Hao didn't have the heart to worry about the manor's affairs. To Liu Jiang and Chen Fang, the manor might be important, but for Ding Hao, a few million wasn't a big deal. Strengthening his own abilities was the most important thing!

Without the interruptions from Chen Fang and Liu Xia, Zeng Ya was out recruiting, and Gu Wen was in Yungang. Ding Hao's life became even simpler, leaving the villa management staff puzzled. Even the community aunties had knocked on Ding Hao's door several times, only to find that someone was indeed living inside.

Gradually, Ding Hao began to understand. Xia Lin was gone, but life must go on. Perhaps Xia Lin was somewhere, wishing him well. It was time to go out and clear his mind. If not, returning to the manor to be the boss would also be good. In any case, Ding Hao decided to go out! Adjust his mindset, and school was about to start!

It was a bright and sunny day. In the morning, although there was still a hint of coolness, the air was very clear.

Ding Hao remembered the many fun places he had visited in Qianjiang as a child. He decided to take a drive in the countryside. He got into his car, which hadn't been used for a month, and drove aimlessly on the national highway to clear his mind.

The Jiangnan region in summer was gentle and beautiful, like a young girl taking small steps, full of vitality, fresh, and delicate. The willows were adorned with green crowns, dancing by the babbling streams and beside the pavilions, like silk threads in the hands of embroiderers, dancing freely to the early spring charm of Jiangnan.

The water in Jiangnan was clear even in early spring, with green grass and flowers dotting the blue sky reflected on the water's surface. Lotus leaves began to stretch out, calling to the fledgling swallows passing by. The lakes shimmered with fairy-tale colors. Willow branches hung over the still lake, evoking myriad emotions.

Sitting in a black-roofed boat, admiring the villages along the shore, all with their blue bricks and black tiles, neatly arranged, with camphor trees sprouting new yellow buds, and the golden rape flowers blooming on the open land by the shore. A small wooden door creaked open, and a soft voice greeted him.

"By the lake, in front of my house, come for tea if you have time," Ding Hao believed that such tea must be intoxicating. He found himself at Meijiawu, the favorite place for tea in Qianjiang. He vaguely remembered coming here a few times with his parents as a child.

But he was alone, and Ding Hao didn't want to sit by the roadside and be a spectacle. He drove deeper into Meijiawu but still couldn't find a suitable place, so he continued up the mountain. The fewer the mountain farmers, the quieter it became.

Finally, he found a place on a hillside. Due to its location, the table was empty. The owner, a kind woman in her fifties, greeted Ding Hao warmly.

Ding Hao ordered a cup of green tea and some snacks, sat down, and enjoyed the surroundings. The owner, after bringing him his order, went back to watch TV. Ding Hao realized that there was a reason why so many literati and artists praised Qianjiang. It was only a few miles from West Lake. The mountain streams gurgled, and occasionally, the clear chirping of birds could be heard.

Although it wasn't as bustling as the Broken Bridge or the Su Causeway, it had its own charm. Gradually, Ding Hao became entranced. He had once been captivated by the countless bridges and causeways of Qianjiang.

The bridges in Jiangnan seemed to carry a cultural and spiritual heritage, exuding a graceful beauty. If water was the spirit of Jiangnan, then the bridges were its soul. Various in shape, they spanned the streets and lanes or dotted the gardens. The blue stone slabs extended into the depths of the alleys, depicting the unique refinement of the water towns.

In July, the bridge surfaces became damp due to the rain and humidity, like many stories in Jiangnan, evoking a moist and nostalgic memory.

People seeking love wandered through the flower beds, passed by the willow paths, lingered on the Broken Bridge, and strolled in the Peony Pavilion. They imagined a beautiful face under the flower umbrellas, waiting for the reenactment of ancient myths. Jiangnan was always filled with love stories. The figures of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai lingered outside the pavilions, the Leifeng Pagoda continued the story of unwavering love, the walls of Shen Garden were carved with passionate love, and the tomb of Su Xiaoxiao in Xiling was a testament to eternal love. Love was a calling card of the misty Jiangnan, where touching folk tales were compiled.

Ding Hao knew that couples might be holding hands on the Broken Bridge, watching the strange kites and fish in the water, or passionately embracing on a wooden bench on the Su Causeway.

Ding Hao had once dreamed of standing on the bridge where Xu Xian and Bai Niang met, holding his beloved and kissing her. But now, Xia Lin was like a kite that had lost its string, with no news. Thinking of this, tears welled up in Ding Hao's eyes.

Despite being surrounded by many beautiful women, Ding Hao couldn't explain why he was so preoccupied with Xia Lin, why she was so heartless, and why she couldn't even send a text to say hello. Was their relationship really so fragile?

If the stories of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, and the Legend of the White Snake, were all lies, or the fantasies of literati, what about his parents? Ding Hao thought of his parents. In his memory, they were very much in love. Whenever they went out with him, he would run ahead, and his parents would hold hands and follow, their faces beaming with happiness.

The happiness of his parents was so real, but it was now so distant... He had finally grown up, thinking that with the magical space, he could start to control his destiny. But who would have thought that his beautiful college life hadn't even begun when the heroine disappeared.

He rushed to the capital and was severely beaten, almost falling into the hands of the enemy and losing his life! Was pursuing happiness really that difficult? Or was he too stubborn? Perhaps Chen Fang was right? Xia Lin wasn't suitable for him? He hadn't even found his parents and had already attracted the attention of two major families, and he couldn't even defeat the young experts from those families...

Before the magical space, he was a typical "three-nothing" loser, at the mercy of others. With the magical space, he had trained hard for a year. Was he going to return to a life of being bullied and hiding? He was unwilling, truly unwilling.

Zhao Jing, I'll be waiting for you. Qinglong, I will defeat you one day! This world belongs to me, and my life is destined to be extraordinary. My parents and relatives are waiting for me!

Qianjiang was indeed a beautiful place. The serene scenery made Ding Hao emotional, and he couldn't help but shed tears. But when he stood up, he suddenly felt refreshed, and the gloom in his heart seemed to dissipate. He wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled wryly.

No matter what, he was stronger now, at least compared to a year ago. Without the magical space, he might be working hard in a factory in Qianjiang, earning a living, with no time or qualifications to fall in love.

One should be more open-minded. As the sages said, "If I gain it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate." He couldn't be depressed; he had to face the future optimistically. One day, he would bring back his parents, revitalize his family, and stand proudly at the door of the Zhao family, making their patriarch apologize personally!

One day, he would capture Qinglong with his own hands, ensuring that he and those around him had nothing to worry about... Thinking of the future, Ding Hao raised his teacup and stepped over the simple fence of the teahouse, starting to walk up the mountain.

The forest path was dappled with sunlight filtering through the leaves, a mesmerizing sight!