The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

A mosquito-sized insect, nearly invisible, flew through the venue toward Zhao Hongyu.

Chen Dong had long since noticed the Gu Insect. But once he saw its target was Zhao Hongyu, he simply snorted, ’Asking for trouble!’ and paid it no mind.

Sure enough, just as the insect was about to touch Zhao Hongyu’s skin, it instantly vaporized, vanishing forever.

A Grandmaster’s body was not something a mere Gu Insect could trifle with. They were in completely different leagues. Even if a Gu Insect existed that could threaten a Grandmaster, it wouldn’t be one that Wu Haichao, with his superficial knowledge, could possibly control.

The instant the insect vaporized, Wu Haichao clapped both hands over his mouth, forced down the mouthful of blood that had surged up, and bolted for the exit.

The death of the Gu Insect triggered an immediate backlash against its caster, simultaneously provoking a reaction in another Gu Insect. If he didn’t run, a sow would soon charge into the venue straight for him, and then he’d really be done for.

His sudden sprint prompted many people in the venue to start gossiping. ”See? I told you there was something wrong with him!”

”Yeah, totally! I just saw him cough up blood and then swallow it!”

”We should stay far away from him from now on. Who knows, it might be contagious!”

Wu Haichao’s departure didn’t affect the banquet in the slightest. It wasn’t even worthy of being called an interruption.

For her partner in the second dance, Zhao Hongyu ultimately chose her grand-uncle, Zhao Wenxuan.

This made the old man so happy he was grinning from ear to ear.

After the second dance, the ballroom was left to the guests. Banquets like this were the perfect opportunity for networking, and the magnates of Jiangzhou’s prominent families gathered in groups, chatting and laughing.

Li Jianwen and Li Huiran were searching the ballroom.

Li Huiran was looking for Chen Dong. She wasn’t sure why, but she just wanted to find him. Yet, after scanning the entire ballroom, she couldn’t find a trace of him.

Li Jianwen, however, was searching for Zhao Wenxuan. He didn’t find him, but he did spot Zhao Zhitong, who was attending to the guests.

Li Jianwen worked up his courage, approached him, and said, ”Secretary Zhao, I was hoping you could make an introduction. I would like to have a meeting with Mr. Zhao.”

This was Li Jianwen’s best chance yet. In the past two days, he had pulled countless strings but hadn’t even managed to see Zhao Zhitong, much less Zhao Wenxuan.

Zhao Zhitong found Li Jianwen’s words rather amusing.

He then smiled. ”Alright! Follow me.”

At the door to Zhao Wenxuan’s private room, Zhao Zhitong told them to wait while he went in to announce them.

After Zhao Zhitong went inside, Li Jianwen was overcome with excitement. He kept pinching his thigh, trying to force himself to calm down. ’The future of the Li Group will be decided right now. If this fails, I don’t stand a chance in the standard bidding process.’

A moment later, Zhao Zhitong emerged and said, ”Mr. Li, if you’re here about the Qingtian International project, you should just go back...”

His words made Li Jianwen and Li Huiran’s faces turn pale.

The Li Group had put so much effort into this project...

”Because the project has already been informally awarded to your Li Family! You still need to go through the motions of the bidding process, don’t forget. You can contact me directly for the details of the partnership.”

Li Jianwen was still lost in self-recrimination, feeling as if he alone had caused the downfall of the Li Family. He didn’t hear the second half of the sentence at all.

Li Huiran, however, felt as if she were in a dream. It all seemed so unreal. She quickly asked, ”Secretary Zhao, are you telling the truth?”

Zhao Zhitong’s expression turned serious. ”Of course, it’s true. I wouldn’t joke about a matter like this.”

Li Huiran pressed on, ”May I ask, did someone help us persuade Mr. Zhao?” An image of Chen Dong flashed through her mind.

”Not at all. The Qingtian International project was originally slated for the Huang Family. However, Mr. Zhao decided your Li Family was a better fit and made the final call himself.”

Li Huiran felt a sense of relief. ’That makes sense,’ she thought. ’How could Chen Dong possibly influence a project worth hundreds of billions?’ She couldn’t help but laugh at her own foolishness.

Meanwhile, Chen Dong was pulled into a private room by Zhao Hongyu.

”Chen Dong. Is it alright if I call you Chen Dong?” Zhao Hongyu asked, blushing.

Chen Dong shrugged, unconcerned.

Tilting her head, Zhao Hongyu said playfully, ”It feels more familiar this way!”

Chen Dong smiled faintly. ”Did you drag me in here for a reason?”

Zhao Hongyu fiddled with her fingers. ”I don’t feel well.”

The closer it got to twelve o’clock, the higher Zhao Hongyu’s temperature rose.

Chen Dong could feel the scorching heat radiating from her.

”Alright, I’ll take a look.”

Zhao Hongyu leaped to her feet. ”Wait!” Then, she turned off the lights.

Bright moonlight streamed through the French doors, illuminating her feverish body.

With a lift of her delicate hand, her long red dress slithered to the floor. Even from several meters away, Chen Dong could clearly feel the heat radiating from her torso.

Chen Dong couldn’t help but think, ’She doesn’t think she needs to get naked for me to examine her, does she?’

’Well, she’s naked now!’

Chen Dong straightened up and sat cross-legged near the door. He saw that the Jade Pendant on Zhao Hongyu’s chest was fusing with her body.

This was the critical moment of the fusion. She could not be disturbed in the slightest. He decided to act as her Guardian.

The young woman’s jade-like skin flushed crimson from the intense heat. Her lithe body tossed and turned as she let out irrepressible moans.

The agony continued for a short while.

The clock chimed twelve times.

Zhao Hongyu fell silent. The red jade had formed a mark branded onto her chest.

Chen Dong rose and, with his back to Zhao Hongyu, said, ”The fusion was perfect. Your constitution should now surpass even that of a Grandmaster. My work here is done.”

”Wait!” Zhao Hongyu called out.

Then, she said softly, ”I’m returning to Beijing tomorrow.”

Chen Dong shoved his hands into his pockets. ”So soon?”

”Mhm. Grand-uncle said it’s safer with the family.” As she spoke, she picked up her long dress and slowly put it back on.

Chen Dong nodded in understanding.

”My grand-uncle said I’ll definitely become a Grandmaster within two years.” Zhao Hongyu murmured, gently fastening a button on her dress.

In Chen Dong’s eyes, Zhao Hongyu could already be considered a Grandmaster. All she lacked was a Grandmaster’s True Qi. With a body even stronger than a Grandmaster’s, it wouldn’t take her two years. She might not even need a full year to reach that level.

She twisted the fabric of her dress in her hands, then summoned her courage. ”The day I become a Grandmaster, I will come and propose to you!”

Having said her piece, she threw open the door and fled.

Chen Dong was stunned.

’She doesn’t have to wait until she’s a Grandmaster! She could do it right now. Aside from being a little underdeveloped, she’s already great. And she’s loaded!’

Since she had already run off, it wouldn’t be right for him to chase her. He was left with nothing but a wry smile.

By the time Chen Dong emerged, the ballroom was empty. As he walked out of the Jiangzhou Hotel, he realized that while he had gotten a ride here, it looked like he would have to walk back. And the Li Manor was a long way from here.

Well, walking it is. No matter how late it was, he had to get home.

Chen Dong considered hailing a cab, but he figured it was a waste of money. Besides, he could probably walk faster.

Back at the Li Manor, everyone was too excited to sleep. Though it was already one in the morning, no one felt the least bit tired.

Li Qinghe said sternly, ”Although we’ve been informally chosen for the Qingtian International project, you must remember this cannot be made public. For the sake of the Zhao Family’s reputation, as well as for our own safety, not a word of this can get out.”

”We know, Dad!”

”We know, Grandpa!”

”The Huang Family went to great lengths for this project; they won’t give up easily. Starting tomorrow, you must all be extra careful. Take bodyguards with you wherever you go...”

It wasn’t until two o’clock that everyone finally dispersed to go to sleep.

Li Huiran stared at the empty spot on the floor and muttered to herself, ”Still not back, huh? I’m going to add a new company rule: fines for anyone who comes home late!”

Just then, a figure slipped quietly into the room.

Li Huiran knew who it was just from the silhouette. ”So you decided to come back after all?” she said, fuming. ”Why not just stay and become the Zhao Family’s son-in-law?”

Chen Dong chuckled. ”She said she’d be back to propose in two years!”

Li Huiran felt like she was going to explode. She lashed out with a kick at the shadowy figure.