In the past, unaware of her father's identity, she felt lost and fearful.
She could only strive to be a positive, aspiring minor character.
Now, things were different.
Although she still had to live as an ordinary person, it didn't mean she truly was one.
She had her own confidence now.
"But I never expected Teacher Chen to be Lin Shuang's fiancé!" A Zhu exclaimed.
Li Ziling's pretty face fell.
She hadn't expected this either.
Her expression dimmed.
"However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing for you, Li Ziling. Haven't you always wanted to not owe Chen Jie? And you were forced to accept him. This way, you won't feel guilty about accepting Chen Jie's gifts!"
"The moment your father appears, you can repay everything you owe Chen Jie! As the White Feather War God, he certainly has the means for this small sum! Chen Jie's status before you won't be as impressive. In the future, you can find a much more outstanding man!"
A Zhu said with a smile.
Li Ziling's expression was unnatural.
After a long pause, she said to A Zhu, "A Zhu, actually, actually, I've already fallen for Chen Jie!"
"Ah, no way?" A Zhu felt a pang of unease.
She had thought Chen Jie was an excellent man. If Li Ziling didn't fancy him, she could step in.
Now, hearing Li Ziling say this made her feel awkward.
"He's the first man who's been so good to me. During this time, I've relied on him for care, and if it weren't for him, I still wouldn't know my father's true identity."
Li Ziling said with a blissful expression.
"But you said he was living off others, didn't you? And he's already engaged to Teacher Lin..."
A Zhu quickly added.
She hadn't told Li Ziling Chen Jie's true identity.
Given their close relationship, she should have told Li Ziling everything she knew immediately, but she herself didn't know why she was keeping it a secret.
"It doesn't matter! When my father returns to my side, I can help Chen Jie escape that kind of life!"
"Even if Chen Jie eventually accepts Teacher Lin, it's fine. Whatever I gain is my fortune, whatever I lose is my fate. At worst, I can treat Chen Jie as an elder brother..."
Li Ziling looked at A Zhu and said, "You know? Actually, in my heart, I already consider Chen Jie family, because he's the first person who made me feel dependent!"
"As long as he's happy, I'll be content!"
"You, you're beyond saving! I advise you to stay away from Chen Jie. Didn't you see Zhao Zilong wanting to deal with Chen Jie?" A Zhu said anxiously.
"It's alright. Aren't I my father's daughter too? I'll help Chen Jie then! Chen Jie has helped me so much; it's time for me to help him!"
Li Ziling said with a gentle smile, her face full of confidence and joy.
Chen Jie received a notification from He Wenwu. After completing the defensive formations at Qianlong Mountain Villa, he rushed to the Dragon Group headquarters.
However, he didn't see Tong Hao first, but Lin Shuang.
Lin Shuang had clearly just learned of the annihilation of the Tianyi Sect.
She looked at Chen Jie in shock and asked, "Did you really eliminate all the people from the Tianyi Sect?"
"All those discovered so far have been dealt with. I just don't know if there are any escaped fish that haven't been found," Chen Jie replied.
"You actually did it. I didn't believe it at first," Lin Shuang looked at Chen Jie with complex emotions.
Achieving this feat, Chen Jie's merit was beyond comparison for an ordinary person.
"I have one more thing to ask you."
Just as Lin Shuang was about to speak, Tong Hao walked over. "Chen Jie, come to my office quickly!"
"Oh right, Lin Shuang, you too!"
The two followed Tong Hao into the office. Tong Hao shook Chen Jie's hand with deep respect. "Chen Jie, I never imagined you'd actually do it! I had already prepared myself to negotiate with the Tianyi Sect if you failed! You've accomplished something great! Hahaha..."
Chen Jie said lightly, "I just wanted my mission to end early."
"End early? Chen Jie, are you willing to let go of Li Ziling?" Tong Hao was taken aback.
Chen Jie thought to himself that Li Ziling's father was dead, and she would eventually have to know.
Moreover, while the White Feather War God held a high position, he was no longer present, and Li Ziling's future life might not be easy.
Chen Jie couldn't help but ask, "How do you plan to arrange for Li Ziling?"
Tong Hao's tone turned somber. "You already know?"
Chen Jie did not deny it.
Tong Hao sighed and said, "What if we make no arrangements for Li Ziling?"
Chen Jie thought for a moment and said, "If you have no arrangements for her, I will help her fulfill her dream. I've recently opened an entertainment company, which perfectly suits Li Ziling's aspirations."
"Wait, what are you two talking about?"
Lin Shuang's face showed a hint of displeasure. "What do you mean by Chen Jie letting go? Did the two of them get carried away at the dance school?"
"And, Chen Jie, what is Li Ziling's status that you want to have her work as an entertainer in your company? What's your motive?"
Chen Jie retorted, "What's wrong with being an entertainer? In my company, I won't let her suffer any grievances. This might not be a bad thing for her."
"You... this is just your mission. Do you intend to keep Li Ziling for yourself?"
Lin Shuang said unhappily.
She was still engaged to Chen Jie.
Chen Jie openly making a beautiful young woman the star of his company, with his intentions seemingly too obvious.
"What business is it of yours whether I keep Li Ziling for myself?" Chen Jie disliked her tone immensely.
Lin Shuang's breath hitched.
Then she let out a cold laugh. "Fine! You know Li Ziling's identity, so you want to be her boyfriend to get close to the White Feather War God, right?"
"Chen Jie, Chen Jie, I always thought you were different from other men I know, but now I realize I was wrong about you."
"So you're also someone who flatters the powerful and uses any means to achieve your goals!"
"How am I using any means to achieve my goals?" Chen Jie frowned.
"You..."
"Stop arguing!"
Tong Hao said sternly, "Lin Shuang, I asked you to come over precisely because it concerns Li Ziling!"
"The White Feather War God is dead!"
"What?"
Lin Shuang gasped.
Her face was full of disbelief.
Tong Hao showed a bitter smile. "You heard me correctly. Two months ago, the White Feather War God was assassinated by a mysterious person. The current White Feather War God is just an imposter!"
"This, this..."
Lin Shuang found it hard to accept this reality.
On one hand, the White Feather War God was one of the most important figures in the Dragon Gate. On the other hand, it was for Li Ziling's sake.
Today, she had seen Li Ziling's reaction upon learning her father's identity and felt genuinely happy for her.
But she never expected that Li Ziling's joy would be in vain.