Chapter 613: The Gentle Pawn

Lin Dongfan did not refuse the enthusiastic invitation of his old classmate Xu Jijun, setting the meeting for ten p. m.; the dinner venue was a famous seaside restaurant, Wang Chao Ge.

But Xu Jijun arrived at Wang Chao Ge at eight p. m.

The sea wind, carrying a salty fishy smell, slipped through the half-open carved wooden window of Wang Chao Ge and stirred the cup of Longjing tea that had long gone cold beside Xu Jijun.

He glanced at his wristwatch.

In his view, there are two things in this world that must not be trampled: life and time! Therefore, he is extremely averse to those who lack a sense of time and are late.

Just as he was about to get up and leave.

The waiter lightly knocked on the door and led in a young beauty in a plain-colored dress. Though beautiful, her face was somewhat wan and her spirits low, as if she often suffered insomnia.

This beauty was none other than the daughter of the former Dragon King, Zheng Canghai—Zheng Qingxuan.

That season last year.

Zheng Qingxuan wore world‑class brands, drove a multi‑million‑value luxury car, and strutted down the street; her long hair fluttered in the wind, making her an unattainable goddess in the eyes of countless men.

Now she has fallen from the pedestal.

Even in her eyes there was a hint of panic after being beaten down by society.

"Miss Zheng, please have a seat."

After signaling the waiter to withdraw, Xu Jijun pushed a cup of freshly brewed hot tea toward Zheng Qingxuan, maintaining the grace a gentleman ought to have.

This was Zheng Qingxuan's second meeting with Xu Jijun.

The previous one was yesterday.

Yesterday morning, Zheng Qingxuan was cornered in her rented apartment by a "boss" demanding repayment of her father's debt. A father's debt is the child's duty—just and proper! She was driven to the point of wanting to die.

Coincidentally, Xu Jijun happened to be passing by, happened to know that boss, and helped her out of the siege.

From a normal person's perspective, Xu Jijun had done her a favor. Zheng Qingxuan is a normal person. She would never have imagined that all of this was actually Xu Jijun's carefully designed groundwork.

She sat down opposite Xu Jijun, at a loss, and said: "Xu bro, yesterday's thing, thank you so much. Today you summoned me—are the creditors still pressing for payment? Please tell them to give me a few more days. When I have money, I will surely repay him."

"Don't be so tense, relax."

To show his respect for women, Xu Jijun extinguished the cigarette he had barely smoked in the ashtray.

He then said to Zheng Qingxuan: "Before your father was arrested, he was the Dragon King of Haishan Shi with assets worth over ten billion. He never lacked money—how could he owe anyone? Have you considered that the so‑called creditor is actually someone who bullies you for having no backing and deliberately makes things difficult for you?"

"I know."

Zheng Qingxuan lowered her head, her expression desolate.

Feeling wronged, she lifted her hand to wipe her tears: "My father offended so many people; now that he's locked up, if they don't come after me for revenge, who will they go after? Right or wrong, I have to accept this."

"Since you understand, you must find a way out of this predicament." Xu Jijun said: "You just said your father offended many people; those who want revenge on you like yesterday's 'creditor' are likely still many. I helped you resolve yesterday's crisis, but what about the next one, the one after that? You need a backer."

"I have no backer."

Zheng Qingxuan struggled to restrain her breaking emotions, pulling out a tissue to dry her tears of grievance.

Xu Jijun, sitting opposite, watched her emotional changes throughout; seeing her fragile, helpless state, his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

If not absolutely necessary, he truly did not want to use the other party as a pawn.

For now, the only thing is to make good use of this pawn, Zheng Qingxuan.

Only then can Lin Dongfan be compelled to compromise.

He pondered silently for a moment.

Xu Jijun hardened his heart and gave Zheng Qingxuan direction: "Last year, when Lin Dongfan left Haishan, didn't he give you a check? Don't underestimate yourself; you hold a certain place in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't have cared for you so much. As long as you seize the opportunity and strive for it, Lin Dongfan will be your backer."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qingxuan's face fell again with disappointment.

Last year the Zheng family suffered utter ruin; she had nowhere to turn, once mustered the courage to confess to Lin Dongfan, hoping to follow him, but was coldly rejected by him.

And the living expenses Lin Dongfan left for her when he departed were like an act of charity and pity.

Does Lin Dongfan really care about her?

Even she herself is baffled by this, unable to see through or guess it.

Just as Bai Juyi wrote in "Night Rain": "I have someone I miss, far away in distant villages. I have feelings I feel, knotted deep in my intestines. The villages are far and cannot be reached; I gaze at them day after day. My intestines cannot be fathomed; I ponder them night after night."

The pain of love unrequited can only be felt by oneself.

Zheng Qingxuan struggled to steady her emotions and said frankly: "I admit I like Lin Dongfan, but I have inquired and he has a family. His wife and he are loving; I do not want to destroy his household."

"I am not advising you to break up his family."

Xu Jijun lifted his tea, took a light sip to moisten his throat.

He continued to Zheng Qingxuan: "Among successful people in society, who doesn't have a red‑confidante by their side? You may not become Lin Dongfan's wife, but you can be his confidante, his friend. You have received higher education, possess a certain cultural foundation, are understanding, have correct three views, are beautiful and kind‑hearted; he actually appreciates you quite a bit."

"I am nowhere near as excellent as you say."

If these words had been spoken to her in the past, Zheng Qingxuan might have smiled indifferently.

Times are different now.

Now the Zheng family has collapsed, her father is imprisoned, and the vast estate has been seized. She, Zheng Qingxuan, is no longer the former wealthy young lady; she no longer has the pride to stand on.

Zheng Qingxuan timidly begged Xu Jijun: "Xu bro, I know you also want to help me out of this predicament, and I appreciate your good intentions. But I truly do not want to disturb Lin Dongfan or cause him trouble; please don't bring this up again. The martial‑world debts my father incurred, I will repay them myself—this is my fate."

"What will you repay with? If I hadn't happened to pass by, you would already have been thrown into the sea to feed the fish."

Xu Jijun casually applied a bit of mental pressure; his voice wasn't loud, yet in an instant it pressed Zheng Qingxuan down so she couldn't lift her head, only able to lower it and wipe her tears.

Reality is indeed just as Xu Jijun described—before those martial‑world people, Zheng Qingxuan is nothing but a soft persimmon with no strength to resist at all!

Xu Jijun again advised: "Don't get tangled up over so much; in the face of life, what are rites, righteousness, integrity, and shame? You only have a chance to prove your worth to the world if you live on well."

Saying this, his words instantly rose to the height of life philosophy, leaving Zheng Qingxuan unable to rebut.

Without letting Zheng Qingxuan think too much.

Xu Jijun raised his wrist to check the time again: "I have an appointment with Lin Dongfan for tonight at ten here for the dinner. He should arrive on time. While there's still a bit of time, you should adjust your emotions well."

"Ah???"

Zheng Qingxuan stared up in astonishment, at a loss, looking toward Xu Jijun; evidently she had not expected that tonight's banquet was arranged for her reunion with Lin Dongfan.

When she went out tonight, she didn't dress up.

She looked like an ordinary person, her face weary.

Zheng Qingxuan flustered, started to make excuses: "Xu Jijun, this arrangement is too sudden, I have no mental preparation at all, can't..."

Don't dwell on it so much; it's not shameful for someone to strive to live on.

Xu Jijun stared straight at the nervous Zheng Qingxuan.

He continued saying: "Those jianghu people, no matter how arrogant, are nothing before power. In Haishan, Lin Dongfan can just say a word, and thereafter no one will dare bully you. I arranged this banquet also to give you a chance to catch up; you must seize this opportunity."