Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Promise

  "The whole Huaihai says Zhang Aoling is moody and unpredictable, with no ink in his heart and unpopular."

  Jiang Changlong thought for a moment, and finally smiled and replied to Zhao Heng: "But you mustn't think that way. Many years ago, Huahai had four major gangs, not only the moody Zhang Ye, but also the versatile Cow Gang leader, the meticulous Liu Dashi, and the cunning Zhou Jiaozhu, but who managed to survive until now..."

  In Zhao Heng's thoughtful gaze, Jiang Changlong let out a sigh: "The ones who were both literary and martial died, the meticulous calculators died, the cunning and clever ones also died. Only Zhang Ye, the big roughneck who was despised and looked down upon by others, is still alive. This not only tells us that Zhang Yaolin has good luck, but also reveals many underlying problems."

  Zhao Heng let out a sigh: "I understand!"

  Jiang Changlong dispersed the solemn atmosphere, and resumed his previous joking tone: "Zhang Xiulin may be formidable, but as long as you take down Du Ziyuan, Qing Bang will have no choice but to yield to you. In Huahai, whether it's Zhang Xiulin or Ye Shishi, they all show deference to Du Tianyong, and no one dares to make a move against the illustrious Du family."

  Zhao Heng ignored his teasing and quietly scanned the computer page, saying: "It's strange, there really isn't any information on Dongfang Xiong. I wanted to see what China's number one warrior looked like twenty-eight years ago, who was several times better than you, a former genius. Unfortunately, all his information has been deleted."

  "Oriental Hero?"

  Jiang Changlong glanced at Zhao Heng and asked, "Why are you checking his information?" Then he suddenly remembered something and slapped his forehead, saying, "Is it because Professor Sun Yongbing taught your class? He always lectures dryly in the first lesson of each year. I fell asleep during that lecture back then, and when I woke up, he was already talking about Dongfang Xiong twenty years ago."

  Zhao Heng clearly saw that when Jiang Changlong spoke of the three words "Dongfang Xiong", a hint of reverence and fervor flashed in his eyes, and he could see that it was an expression of admiration and respect. Later, he also heard Jiang Changlong add a few more sentences: "I didn't expect him to still be talking about this now, but this old man is not simple, he really has substance in his heart."

  "Is it? Unfortunately, there is no written material."

  Zhao Heng sighed again, what a pity. Then he smiled and turned to Du Yaqi's page: "You were in the same school as Du Yaqi back then, even in the same college and major. So you must have also taken Professor Sun's class. I wonder what Zhao Shijie was doing while you were sleeping soundly?"

  "She is a genius, of course she studies well."

  Jiang Changlong walked in with a book, casually throwing out a sentence: "I and she are people from two different worlds, she is an excellent student, I am a lazy student!" As he said this, his heart involuntarily rippled, thinking of that delicate face, thinking of that slightly yellowed white paper.

  He couldn't help but think of the fifteen questions on the white paper, and his heart felt warm like spring.

  Zhao Heng watched as Jiang Changlong's figure disappeared into the building, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a hint of desolation from Jiang Changlong, a kind of desolation that could never be dispelled. He lowered his head to look at Du Yaqi on the computer, and her clear and elegant face made him think for a moment. Then he closed the page and turned to leave.

  "Zhao Heng!"

  Just as Zhao Heng was about to walk up the stairs, Du Ziyuan suddenly appeared from the side, her hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a small tank top on top and light yellow sports shorts on the bottom, with her toenails painted a color between red and brown, full of youthful vitality: "What a coincidence? You're also at the library?"

  Du Ziyuan's legs are really too long and beautiful, comparable to Ma Xiaoling in "Corpse Husband", so although Zhao Heng is looking at Du Ziyuan's smile, his gaze can't help but fall on her legs. Some things that are beautiful to the extreme will make people dizzy, and Zhao Heng is feeling this way right now. He then sincerely praised:

  "Zi Yan, your legs are really beautiful."

  This answer that didn't quite address the question left Du Ziyuan momentarily stunned, but then she burst out laughing again because she could see the sincerity in Zhao Heng's eyes. She leaned in close to him with a charming smile and asked, "Really? You really think so? Then would you like to invite this beauty to have a cup of coffee with you?"

  The library's basement has a rest hall, which specializes in providing pastries and beverages.

  Zhao Heng felt that he had spoken out of turn, and he always had different standards for dealing with different women. For someone like Bei Ruyan, who was immersed in high society and had even been praised by the president, he dared to show his love openly; but Du Ziyuan was a pure and innocent young girl, and if he spoke improperly, he would inevitably hurt her.

  So when he heard Du Ziyuan's "extortion", he smiled without hesitation: "Delighted to the extreme."

  When Zhao Heng and Du Ziyuan walked side by side towards the stairs, even with physical contact, all the students of Huada University who were leaning on the railing in the corridor, staring at Du Ziyuan's legs, felt a sharp pain, as if they had been stabbed by needles. They couldn't help but secretly resent themselves for not having the courage to ignore Ding Sanshao and pursue Du Ziyuan.

  Then Zhao Heng was also cursed and beheaded by Ding Sanshao.

  As expected, on the fourth floor of the library's circular railing, Ding Lingling gazed at Zhao Heng and Du Ziyuan who were chatting happily, with a thick murderous intent bursting in her eyes, wishing she could personally take out a machete to behead Zhao Heng, so as not to lose Du Ziyuan this future sister-in-law. She then glanced sideways at Tu Honggang and whispered:

  "Think of a way to get rid of that kid."

  Tu Honggang nodded: "Alright, I'll find a chance to add some strong stuff."

  Here is the translation:

  Water bar, two cups of coffee were served, steaming hot.

  Zhao Heng gestured for Du Ziyuan to drink her coffee, and then he himself picked up a cup and took a sip. Du Ziyuan noticed that Zhao Heng's movements were quite elegant, with a hint of European royal flair. A look of surprise flashed across her eyes, not because she looked down on the young man from the mountains, but because it was hard to imagine such refinement in him.

  Without years of immersion and home education, how could Zhao Heng be so refined and natural? She couldn't help but feel more curious about Zhao Heng, this boy who gave her a different feeling every time they met. With a slight smile, she said: "Thanks for the coffee, actually I wanted to talk to you after the last public class, unfortunately you ran away too fast."

  She smiled warmly: "It's very comfortable talking with you."

  Du Ziyuan's eyes were as clear as Zhao Heng's, her kindness made her unwilling to refuse others, but in her heart, she was oppressed by various entanglements, whether it was towards the Ding siblings or other friends, making her unable to open up and be her true self. However, this situation changed after meeting Zhao Heng.

  The man in front of her was like a poppy flower, making her gradually fascinated and unable to extricate herself. Strong, iron-blooded, gentle, melancholic, countless different qualities merged seamlessly on Zhao Heng's body, each side making Du Ziyuan involuntarily admire him. Most importantly, Zhao Heng gave her a sense of sincerity and openness.

  Let her get along easily.

  "But talking to you, I feel very pressured!"

  When Du Ziyuan spoke her mind, Zhao Heng glanced at her legs, *** smooth and flawless. He then smiled and said: "As we walked together just now, and even now around us, countless boys have been staring at me and you, their eyes filled with hatred, wishing they could stab me to death for being able to make you smile."

  "Aren't you afraid?"

  Du Ziyuan didn't mind Zhao Heng's teasing, instead she stared at him warmly and openly, with a mixture of expectation and nervousness. Her slightly forward-leaning chest revealed a patch of snow-white skin in front of Zhao Heng. She was an intelligent girl who knew her position in the Huahai organization and how others viewed her.

  Ninety-nine percent of the people in Huahai considered her to be Ding Sanshao's fiancée, and even some of Du's uncles and cousins thought so. Her mother had also mentioned Ding Sanshao a few times in front of her, and all that was missing was her father's final nod of approval. Everything seemed to indicate that her path was paved, but Du Ziyuan felt extremely uncomfortable and painful.

  She also understood that getting close to Zhao Heng would bring him trouble, but every time she saw him, she couldn't help but be drawn to him. Now, hearing Zhao Heng's teasing, she mustered up the courage to probe, wanting to see if the man in front of her would be intimidated? Calmly meeting his gaze, Zhao Heng picked up his coffee and took a sip, his voice calm:

  "You're not even afraid of losing face, why should I, Zhao Heng, be afraid of danger?"

  "As long as you like it and are willing, what does Zhao Heng fear about other people's gaze or murderous intentions?"

  In the soft light, Du Ziyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he was deeply moved. He gazed silently at Zhao Heng, whose face had an icy coldness, like a sharp blade that seemed to pierce through the dark night, exuding a fierce and majestic aura that made him seem invincible.

  Du Ziyuan stood up: "Zhao Heng, is what you said true?"

  Zhao Heng nodded slightly: "Really!"

  "Zhao Heng, you must remember."

  Du Ziyuan finished the coffee in one gulp, smiled at Zhao Heng with a radiant smile, then stepped forward and hugged him before turning around and leaving. As he watched the girl's back fade into the distance, a hint of complexity and emotion appeared in Zhao Heng's eyes. He knew that being a rich young lady was not easy, and being the Du family's highly anticipated rich young lady was even more difficult.

  This girl, living in a bustling metropolis, is so desolate.