Chapter 108: Investigating Dong Xin

Regarding the future of the two children, the two adults truly couldn’t think of any other solutions; everything would have to depend on the children themselves.

However, this was precisely what troubled Dong Jianguo greatly. Judging from the previous interactions between Chen Hao and Dong Xin, their relationship didn’t seem very harmonious—in fact, there were some conflicts. Especially after today’s contest, their relationship would likely worsen even further.

What brought Dong Jianguo some comfort was that when the two children returned at lunchtime, their faces were filled with smiles. Though their clothes and bodies were covered in dust and dirt, the happiness radiating from their expressions was genuine.

It seemed they had a great time! Dong Jianguo looked at the two kids with satisfaction.

“Dad!” Chen Hao excitedly approached Chen Ding’an upon his return. “This place is so much fun! There are monkeys, bears, and even a waterfall on the mountain! It’s really interesting!”

Chen Ding’an patted Chen Hao’s head warmly. “As long as you’re happy! If you like it, I’ll bring you here often.”

Hearing this, Dong Jianguo gave Chen Ding’an a pleased nod, silently signaling that his words were well-chosen.

Chen Hao nodded enthusiastically. “Great!”

But what surprised Dong Jianguo was that while Chen Hao was very willing, his own daughter was not so pleased. “Hmph! This is my home—I won’t allow you, stinky little brat, to come here!”

“Huh?” Dong Jianguo was taken aback. “What’s going on now?”

Unexpectedly, Dong Xin did not respond but immediately ran back to her room.

The two adults exchanged glances, puzzled, and could only ask Chen Hao, “Did something happen when you two were out? Did you have a fight?”

Chen Hao looked equally bewildered. “No! We had a pretty good time! Dong Xin even took me to many fun places. We didn’t argue at all!”

Helplessly, it seemed they had to approach Dong Xin. Dong Jianguo called out casually and quickly followed his daughter to her room.

Afterward, at lunchtime, although everyone sat around the table together, the atmosphere was strange. Dong Xin didn’t utter a word and merely kept her head down, quietly eating her food.

Chen Ding’an coughed several times during the meal, signaling Dong Jianguo to say something. But Dong Jianguo acted as if he had become a different person, pretending not to hear. The meal was extremely awkward, with only the sound of utensils clinking against plates breaking the silence.

When the four finished eating, Dong Xin stood up and said first, “Dad, Uncle Chen, and Chen Hao, I’m done eating. You all enjoy the rest of your meal. I won’t see you off this afternoon, so be careful on your way back.”

After saying this, Dong Xin left immediately.

Chen Ding’an and Chen Hao were baffled by Dong Xin’s words. What was going on with her? Why did she suddenly issue such a dismissal? Although she had been a little unhappy with Chen Hao during the morning contest, it shouldn’t have been this severe. And yet, they seemed quite happy when they came back from playing.

Chen Ding’an had only mentioned coming often in the future, and she suddenly turned hostile?

He could only look helplessly at Dong Jianguo, who shook his head with a bitter smile. “Don’t ask. The girl has her reasons for acting like this, but I can’t tell you. As for her relationship with Chen Hao, let’s just put that aside for now.”

“You…” Chen Ding’an looked at his longtime friend and rival in surprise. “Is Dong Xin okay?”

Dong Jianguo smiled. “She’s fine, don’t worry. The girl’s grown and has her own thoughts. I have to respect her wishes. I won’t keep you either. I have to go out later. You’d better eat quickly and head down the mountain while it’s still daylight.”

Well, with both the elder and the younger urging them to leave, Chen Ding’an had no choice. No matter how close friends were, he couldn’t overstay his welcome.

Besides, to be honest, the food here wasn’t particularly appetizing without Aunt Wu around.

Chen Ding’an shrugged and looked at his son. “Well? Are you full? If you are, let’s get going.”

As a child, Chen Hao had always obeyed his father without question, and he immediately nodded.

Thus, what had begun as a contest both sides took seriously ended abruptly and somewhat awkwardly.

Since that sparring match, Chen Hao never saw Dong Jianguo or Dong Xin again. As he grew older, those two gradually faded from his memory.

Dong Jianguo never again brought up the matter of marriage between the two children, and Chen Ding’an’s spontaneous idea was shelved indefinitely.

Years passed. Though Chen Hao had long forgotten Dong Xin, Chen Ding’an still remembered her clearly, as well as the idea and agreement from back then. But since Dong Jianguo never mentioned it again, Chen Ding’an did not bring it up either. After all, another woman had entered Chen Hao’s life—someone Chen Ding’an believed could become his wife: Fan Yirou.

Now, hearing Chen Shaotian mention Dong Xin’s name, Chen Ding’an immediately thought of Dong Jianguo’s daughter.

“Could it really be her?” Chen Ding’an mused, stroking his chin uncertainly.

“Old master, you know Dong Xin’s identity?” Chen Shaotian asked in surprise.

Chen Ding’an nodded. “If I’m not mistaken, this Dong Xin should be the girl who once sparred with Chen Hao.”

“Sparred with young master?” Chen Shaotian was puzzled. “If they sparred, why doesn’t young master recognize her?”

Chen Ding’an waved his hand. “They were just kids back then—Chen Hao was not even ten years old. So many years have passed; he probably forgot about Dong Xin. After all, I took him to visit many martial arts families in his childhood.”

“If that’s the case… was their relationship not very good back then?” Chen Shaotian asked cautiously.

“Why do you think that?” Chen Ding’an did not oppose but looked at Chen Shaotian with interest.

So Shaotian recounted what Chen Hao had said, including the conflict on the day Chen Hao resigned and his suspicions.

After listening, Chen Ding’an nodded. “Hmm… hearing this, it seems my guess was right. That girl must be Dong Xin.

“And it looks like, although Chen Hao doesn’t remember her, she still has a deep impression of him! Heh heh! So many years later, she must have been diligently training her martial arts all this time. Now she’s probably accomplished and has come out to seek Chen Hao for revenge.

“But she’s smart this time—no longer reckless like before. She knows to approach Chen Hao first, probably to assess his current strength before looking for an opportunity to challenge him.”

Hearing this, Chen Shaotian’s expression changed instantly. “Should we warn young master then?”

Chen Ding’an smiled indifferently. “No need to warn him. If that girl seeks Chen Hao out for revenge, it will just be a martial arts sparring match. She won’t harm him. Besides, I’m curious to see what progress she’s made after all these years, enough to confidently come out looking for Chen Hao.

“To be honest, although Chen Hao has somewhat neglected his martial arts over the years, that doesn’t mean he’s no match for Dong Xin. Back then, their gap in skill was considerable. Even if Chen Hao hasn’t improved at all, that doesn’t mean Dong Xin has caught up to him.

“Also, I’m hoping that this time, when Dong Xin comes out to find Chen Hao, she can properly teach this young man a lesson—to show him how foolish it is to neglect one’s martial arts training. This world is like rowing upstream; not advancing means retreating.”

“Uh…” Seeing Chen Ding’an’s fierce expression, Shaotian could imagine how angry the old master was that young master had stopped practicing martial arts with him over the years.

But in truth, Chen Hao wasn’t entirely to blame. According to Chen Ding’an, young Chen Hao had shown great interest in martial arts when he was a child. Though it was tough, Chen Hao enjoyed it immensely.

Later, Chen Hao stopped training solely because of Chen Ding’an. After inheriting the family business from Chen Hao’s grandfather, Chen Ding’an devoted most of his time to work and no longer taught Chen Hao as frequently as before. Gradually, Chen Hao’s martial arts practice waned.

Until now, Chen Hao rarely spends time training. However, recently it seems he intends to collaborate with Miss Fan to open a martial arts school and has started to pick up his training again.

Shaotian pondered. “So, regarding Dong Xin… should I continue investigating as young master instructed?”

Chen Ding’an thought for a moment. “Yes, keep investigating, but don’t tell Chen Hao the results yet. Send them to me first for review.

“I’m really curious how this girl Dong Xin managed to join Illusion Corporation. Where did she find the connections to get inside, and not just anywhere, but to a high-ranking internal position?”

“Hmm…” Shaotian considered. “Could it be through her family connections?”

Chen Ding’an immediately shook his head. “Impossible. You don’t understand her family situation. If you did, you wouldn’t think that way. Her family has no such channels. Try to investigate discreetly so she doesn’t notice. If you find anything, report to me immediately!”

Afterwards, Chen Ding’an muttered quietly, “Heh heh! The daughter-in-law is coming again…”

(End of chapter)