074 Who Exactly Is He? (Asking for Recommendations)

Interstellar Super Empire

Zhao Tingjian broke free from his memories, suddenly struck by a thought. He asked, “Is that Zhong Yun popular in your class?”

“Him?” At the mention of Zhong Yun, the right corner of Xiaoruo’s mouth lifted in a smile, leaving Zhao Tingjian sighing inwardly.

“He’s the least popular. You wouldn’t know—he used to be like an invisible person. I didn’t even know he existed before.” As she spoke, her eyes narrowed slightly.

“He used to have only one friend in the class, then another joined, and it became a trio. Their relationship was really good...” Xiaoruo chattered on endlessly, as if she could never run out of things to say.

Zhao Tingjian listened attentively, without a hint of impatience. At this moment, he was no longer the legendary son who dominated the business world with decisive and ruthless tactics, but a kindly father doting on his daughter.

Who could have imagined that Zhao Tingjian, renowned for his iron-handed methods in business, possessed such a gentle side?

Listening to Xiaoruo recount countless trivial stories about Zhong Yun, Zhao Tingjian gained a deeper understanding of this boy—low-key, ordinary, not adept at socializing... In short, a person of modest talent.

This only strengthened the decision brewing in his heart. In his mind, Xiaoruo’s future partner, even if not a peerless genius, should at least be someone with potential.

Someone as ordinary as Zhong Yun simply wasn't good enough for her.

“Do you still remember the pretty girl classmate I told you about last time?”

Xiaoruo’s words snapped Zhao Tingjian back to reality. “Oh, yes, the one with the surname Liu, right?”

Sending Xiaoruo to a public school had been her mother's idea. Zhao Tingjian had always believed Xiaoruo should attend the top schools and receive the best education, not waste her time in an ordinary public institution.

Though he could not go against her mother’s wishes, out of protective concern, he investigated the family backgrounds of all the students in Xiaoruo’s class.

The results shocked him. This ordinary school was actually full of hidden talent. There was Niu Ben, the so-called son of a mafia boss, but he wasn’t even the most surprising.

The third son of the Chen family, a giant in the metal industry, and the princess of the Yang family were both in Xiaoruo’s class. It was astonishing.

But it wasn’t a bad thing. Zhao Tingjian decided not to reveal what he knew, pretending ignorance.

He had just been pondering matters concerning the Yang family when Xiaoruo mentioned the little princess of the Yangs, startling him.

He had always believed Yang Yunrong had taken Zhong Yun away to embarrass the Dao Group, since a student as ordinary as Zhong Yun could hardly have any connection with the Yangs.

Now, hearing Xiaoruo mention the Yang family princess, he suddenly realized—wasn’t Zhong Yun in the same class as her?

Could there be a special connection between them?

This thought struck him as utterly absurd.

Who was the Yang family princess? At ten, she broke the adult IQ test record. At fourteen, she surpassed the eighth level in physical training, a feat never seen before.

It could be said that, whether in intellect or physical prowess, the Yang family’s princess stood at the pinnacle of human achievement.

She was an unprecedented genius.

All who knew of her waited with anticipation, wondering what heights she would reach as she grew.

How could someone like her have any association with an ordinary student like Zhong Yun? Zhao Tingjian simply couldn’t believe it.

But he still asked, “Is Zhong Yun very close with your classmate Liu?”

“How did you know?” Xiaoruo was momentarily stunned.

Even though he had guessed as much, Zhao Tingjian was still shocked when it was confirmed.

“There are even rumors at school that they’re dating... Eh, Uncle Zhao, what’s wrong?” Xiaoruo paused mid-sentence, noticing Uncle Zhao’s ghost-stricken expression. She was startled, fearing something had happened, and anxiously inquired.

Despite years in business, weathering countless storms and surprises, Zhao Tingjian was floored.

“I’m fine.”

His composure quickly returned, masking his shock. He feigned anger, saying, “That boy is two-timing! Don’t worry, your uncle will stand up for you.”

“No, please!” Xiaoruo panicked, waving her hands. “There’s nothing between us, don’t go looking for him.”

Zhao Tingjian shook his head and kept silent.

Xiaoruo’s eyes reddened with anxiety, “Uncle Zhao, please, don’t go after him. I like him—it’s my own business, nothing to do with him.” In the end, tears streamed down her face.

Seeing her cry, Zhao Tingjian was both heartbroken and angry. “Alright, alright, I won’t go after him. Don’t cry.”

“Honestly.” He punched the table in frustration.

“Really?” Xiaoruo stopped crying, but remained doubtful. “You promise?”

“I promise.” Zhao Tingjian held up three fingers as an oath. “Satisfied now?”

After comforting her for a while, he finally hung up.

“Connect me to Manager An of the Intelligence Department.” With the call ended, Zhao Tingjian reverted to his business persona.

Once connected, he instructed, “Do you remember the investigation I asked about Zhong Yun? Find out his whereabouts over the past month. I’m giving you A-level clearance.”

Manager An responded with resolve. A-level clearance meant he could use every available resource for the investigation.

Though he didn’t understand why the boss was so interested in a mere high schooler, as a subordinate, he simply followed orders.

“Connect me to Ou Feng.” After ending the call, Zhao Tingjian gave another directive.

“Old Zhao, what brings you to call me?” Ou Feng’s familiar voice came through as soon as the line connected.

A smile appeared on Zhao Tingjian’s face. In this world, Ou Feng was one of his few friends. Hearing his voice always put him at ease.

“I want you to do me a favor.” Though a subordinate, Zhao Tingjian couldn’t bring himself to command sternly, sounding almost like he was asking.

“Knew you’d be up to something. Go on, what task are you giving me this time?” Ou Feng feigned helplessness.

“Help me pick someone up at Mingzhou Airport. I’ll send you the information now.”

“Who’s so important they need my personal attention?” Ou Feng joked, then suddenly exclaimed, “Zhong Yun? Well, that’s worth a trip.”

Zhao Tingjian was surprised. “You know him?”

“How could I not? He’s the young man who repaired the heiress’s violin. I gave you his information before.”

Ou Feng was baffled. If he didn’t know Zhong Yun, how would Zhao Tingjian know him? He assumed Zhao Tingjian had learned about Zhong Yun from the file he’d provided.

“He’s that young man?” Zhao Tingjian was utterly shaken, a storm raging in his heart.

Just who was Zhong Yun?

ps: Another week has passed. As usual, I’m humbly asking for a few votes.