Chapter 83: A Mere Passing Byproduct

The Eastern patriarch, Dongfang Shiguo, never truly intended to use force to detain Zhuo Nan. If word spread that the Dongfang family had resorted to such measures, it would be a disgrace. His actions were merely to test Zhuo Nan’s abilities, to see if the young man was truly skilled both in intellect and in combat.

As the bodyguards pressed closer, Dongfang Shiguo rose from his seat and withdrew to the side. Zhuo Nan, however, knocked his leg against the tea table once again, clearly unimpressed. To him, these so-called bodyguards were nothing more than empty shells.

Dongfang Shiguo was curious. His bodyguards were all former special forces soldiers, retired from the military. It was not an exaggeration to say that a single one could take on five ordinary men. No matter how skilled Zhuo Nan was, it seemed impossible for him to handle all six bodyguards.

“Stop…” Just as the bodyguards were about to act, a gentle voice echoed through the room. Dongfang Zhiyi appeared at the doorway, clad in a snow-white dress adorned with subtle floral patterns. She had spent considerable time preparing herself before entering, knowing Zhuo Nan would be arriving. Had she walked in to witness this scene immediately, her heart would have surely tightened with anxiety.

“Grandfather, why are you treating Zhuo Nan this way?” Dongfang Zhiyi demanded angrily.

She had styled her hair with soft waves draping over her shoulders, her lips tinged with pale pink gloss, and the white dress completed her look, making her every bit the image of a young princess.

Dongfang Shiguo chuckled, waving his hand to dismiss the bodyguards. He spoke affectionately, “No, I was merely joking with Zhuo Nan.”

Zhuo Nan was only mildly surprised upon seeing Dongfang Zhiyi, quickly regaining his composure. “Miss Dongfang is indeed beautiful, but she and I are from different worlds. Best not to dwell on it,” he silently reminded himself.

“Are you alright, Zhuo Nan?” Dongfang Zhiyi asked, turning to him. Zhuo Nan’s demeanor remained as nonchalant as ever, legs propped on the tea table, a stark contrast to the dignified and beautiful Miss Dongfang.

He shrugged to indicate he was fine. Dongfang Zhiyi continued, “I’m sorry…” Her cheeks flushed as she looked at him, her heart fluttering wildly like a startled fawn.

Dongfang Shiguo was well aware of his granddaughter’s feelings. Yet, Zhuo Nan was hardly suitable for the family. Though Dongfang Shiguo admired the young man, he could not see him as an ideal grandson-in-law.

“Miss Dongfang, you needn’t apologize,” Zhuo Nan replied, then turned to Dongfang Shiguo. “Mr. Dongfang, please make out the check. I have urgent matters to attend to.”

“What check?” Dongfang Zhiyi inquired with curiosity.

Before Dongfang Shiguo could answer, Zhuo Nan spoke, “Nothing much. I saved you twice, so your grandfather owes me twice. I asked him to do two things for me, and this check is one of them.”

He spoke casually, but to Dongfang Zhiyi, his words were heartbreakingly pragmatic. She hadn’t expected Zhuo Nan to be so realistic, unhesitatingly making demands as if it were his right. Well, perhaps it was. She tried to convince herself.

She realized she had begun to fall for Zhuo Nan. To impress him, she had carefully styled herself today. In her eyes, Zhuo Nan was intelligent, calm, and mature. Moreover, he had risked his life for her—how could she not be moved? When a man is willing to give everything for her, her heart had long since belonged to him.

Zhuo Nan was no fool; he noticed Dongfang Zhiyi’s sudden sadness. He sighed, “Miss Dongfang, I only saved you in passing. Now that your grandfather wishes to repay the favor, it’s only natural I ask for what I want. This way, everything is settled between us—wouldn’t that be best?”

Dongfang Shiguo nodded slightly, waving his hand again to dismiss the bodyguards. “Very well, I’ll write the check now,” he said, pulling out his checkbook and writing a check for ten million, handing it to Zhuo Nan.

Zhuo Nan took the check, glanced at it, and flicked it with his finger. “All done, Mr. Dongfang. I don’t wish to be entangled with your family. Please keep your promise. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave—could you arrange for someone to drive me back?” His gaze settled on Dongfang Yuyan.

Dongfang Yuyan was startled and quickly stepped back. She had no desire to spend any more time with Zhuo Nan, fearing what he might do next. Zhuo Nan smiled at her and continued, “Mr. Dongfang, let your bodyguard drive me.”

Dongfang Shiguo laughed inwardly. This young man was indeed thick-skinned. “No problem,” he replied with a smile.

Zhuo Nan nodded and turned to leave, but Dongfang Zhiyi suddenly called out, “Zhuo Nan, why did you block that bullet that day?”

He turned, gazing at Dongfang Zhiyi. Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes. Zhuo Nan understood her feelings, yet could not accept her love. Not only was there a vast gulf between them, but would Dongfang Shiguo ever approve, especially since Zhuo Nan already had two girlfriends? The answer was obvious. Why invite trouble for this girl? Coldly, he said, “No reason. I just thought it’d be a pity for such a beautiful face to be marred by a bullet.” With that, he turned and left without looking back.

Once Zhuo Nan had gone, Dongfang Zhiyi could no longer hold back her emotions. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She had always been the one to reject others; no one had ever dared refuse the illustrious Miss Dongfang. She believed Zhuo Nan understood her feelings, but he had still turned her away. In this moment, she tasted true heartbreak.

Dongfang Yuyan gently gathered her into her arms. “Miss, don’t be sad. He’s nothing but a rascal…”

Dongfang Zhiyi looked up at her curiously, puzzled by Dongfang Yuyan’s words. This glance made Dongfang Yuyan blush deeply. “Miss, I didn’t want to say anything, but for your sake, I must. I’ll tell you what Zhuo Nan did to me…” She recounted the incident, her face full of shame.

Dongfang Shiguo stood to the side, listening with amusement, bursting into laughter. Dongfang Zhiyi found the story absurd, yet felt a tinge of disgust toward Zhuo Nan.

Seeing her grandfather so amused, Dongfang Zhiyi asked, “Grandfather, what’s so funny?”

Dongfang Shiguo turned to her and replied, “Zhuo Nan is truly extraordinary. Yuyan, from what you said, and from his behavior here, I realize we’ve all been fooled by him.”

Dongfang Yuyan thought to herself, “Fooled? He really did touch me!” Dongfang Zhiyi waited eagerly for her grandfather’s explanation. “Zhiyi, Zhuo Nan isn’t suitable for you, and he has no desire to be with you.”

Hearing this, Dongfang Zhiyi nodded helplessly, though she knew being fooled and being rejected were not the same. Dongfang Shiguo continued, “Zhuo Nan truly wishes to avoid any entanglement with our family. From the moment he met Yuyan, he tried to make her dislike him. Even his behavior in front of me was calculated for this purpose.”

Dongfang Yuyan refused to believe this. “If he didn’t want to come, he could have just stayed away.”

Dongfang Shiguo smiled and shook his head. “If he hadn’t come, we would have kept inviting him. Better to resolve everything at once so we can go our separate ways.”

“Master, I don’t understand. If Zhuo Nan cultivated a good relationship with our family, he could save himself twenty years of hard work. Is he foolish?” Dongfang Yuyan asked.

Dongfang Shiguo shook his head. “He said a few things by accident that gave me great insight. I wanted him to elaborate, but he refused. I thought his ambition was limited, but perhaps it is greater than ours. To be blunt, what our Dongfang family has may not even interest him.”

“Nonsense, master. Don’t exaggerate his worth and diminish ours. As far as I know, Zhuo Nan is just a middle school student, his parents both workers at a steel factory. What’s there to be arrogant about?” Dongfang Yuyan scoffed.

Dongfang Zhiyi suddenly remembered something. “Grandfather, I think Zhuo Nan has connections with people in Deqing’s underworld…”

Dongfang Shiguo was momentarily stunned, then quickly pieced together several keywords: Party Secretary, Deqing underworld, ten million check. He burst out laughing. The two women exchanged confused glances. “Grandfather, what’s so funny?” Dongfang Zhiyi pressed.

He waved his hand, “It’s nothing. Zhiyi, get ready—we’re returning to the capital tonight.”

“But, Grandfather…” Dongfang Zhiyi began, but Dongfang Shiguo raised his hand to stop her. “I know what I’m doing.” With that, Dongfang Zhiyi fell silent.

Dongfang Yuyan spoke up, “Master, what about Second Young Master?” She referred to Dongfang Ping.

Dongfang Shiguo’s expression darkened. “Don’t mention that beast to me.” The words frightened Dongfang Yuyan into silence, and she led Dongfang Zhiyi away.

Now, Dongfang Shiguo was alone in the room, sitting quietly on the sofa, deep in thought. The agents from the National Security Bureau had already uncovered the truth: Dongfang Ping was the mastermind behind the attempt on Zhiyi’s life. After the failed assassination, Dongfang Ping had disappeared. Though the authorities had, through the captured assassins’ testimonies, destroyed the northern stronghold of the killers, their leader had escaped. This meant Zhiyi was still in danger. The only option was to leave Deqing and return to the capital, where, under the emperor’s gaze, the assassins would not dare act rashly.

Dongfang Shiguo’s thoughts drifted to Zhuo Nan. If this young man were willing to return to the capital, he could serve as Zhiyi’s bodyguard. Unfortunately, his ambitions were far too great. Dongfang Shiguo smiled self-deprecatingly; moments ago, he had thought Zhuo Nan lacked ambition and was unfit for important tasks.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

Lan Zhenghao was elated when he received Dongfang Shiguo’s call. He hadn’t expected Zhuo Nan to act so swiftly. The two arranged a meeting, and their conversation remained private. A month later, Lan Zhenghao unexpectedly ascended to the position of Party Secretary.