Chapter 1836 - 678: A Romantic Encounter with a Foreign Beauty

Chapter 1836: Chapter 678: A Romantic Encounter with a Foreign Beauty

To be honest, at this moment, Lin Xiangwan also feels a bit inclined to get closer to Zhang Jingdong.

After all, it’s late at night, and one’s mind is somewhat impulsive, and she’s quite satisfied with Zhang Jingdong now.

So she hesitated for half a minute, then replied: What do you suggest?

Zhang Jingdong: How about this, after I finish my business in Europe, I won’t return to Jiangdu immediately. I’ll fly to Yanjing first.

I haven’t really been to Yanjing much, and since you studied there for three years in college, you must be very familiar with it. So, can you be my guide for two days?

Lin Xiangwan: Of course, consider it as me returning the favor from today.

Zhang Jingdong knew she deliberately added that last part, but since she has agreed, he’s not going to feign modesty.

He immediately replied: It’s settled then, we’ll meet in Yanjing.

Lin Xiangwan: Okay.

The two chatted a little longer before ending the conversation.

At 9 AM the next day, Zhang Jingdong called Sophia and then left the hotel.

He waited for about ten minutes at the square in front of the Duomo di Milano, and then he saw Sophia approaching from afar.

At this moment, she was wearing a brown tight-fitting T-shirt and white denim shorts.

It must be said, European women really have great figures, both voluptuous and graceful, with a unique exotic allure.

Zhang Jingdong waved at her.

Sophia saw Zhang Jingdong, and her originally cool face instantly broke into a brilliant smile as she walked over.

Zhang Jingdong said casually, "I used to think those European romance movies were very fascinating, but sometimes I didn’t understand why. The plots are simple, the scenes are simple, and some are quite short."

"But now I understand. I have to say, you Italian women are truly beautiful, and you’re even more beautiful than the actresses in those movies!"

Sophia, caught off guard by the compliment, was momentarily stunned, then laughed shyly, "Thank you!"

"And to be honest, I’ve spent almost three years in Jiangdu and have seen many outstanding Huaxia men, but you are one of the few who are tall, handsome, young, and also carry yourself with elegance and charisma."

Zhang Jingdong smirked, "I’m not the only one? Seems like I need to keep striving!"

Sophia blinked her beautiful blue eyes, "If you add ’confidence’ to that, then you’d be the only one."

"You’re actually trying to say arrogant, right?"

Sophia burst into laughter, "You’re very smart."

Zhang Jingdong shrugged, "You’re very honest, haha..."

The two exchanged a smile.

Zhang Jingdong said, "Alright, show me the sights of those ancient streets and alleys."

Sophia was slightly taken aback, then turned to glance at the nearby Duomo di Milano, "You’re not going to look inside the cathedral first? Haven’t you been there before?"

Zhang Jingdong shook his head with a smile, "I intended to, but it’s just too tall and grand; I don’t want to feel that oppressive atmosphere, so I’ll pass." ⅇℓ.

"Alright then, let’s go."

With that, she turned and led Zhang Jingdong in another direction.

Sophia glanced at the distant river and then asked, "You don’t seem interested in religion?"

Zhang Jingdong smirked, "Here, religion might be a faith, but to us Huaxia people, religion is just a tool of governance."

Sophia pondered seriously for a moment, then hesitantly said, "But it does make people hold kind thoughts due to reverence."

Zhang Jingdong patiently said, "In Huaxia, we have a saying: ’Human nature at birth is inherently good, with nature being similar, but habits diverging over time.’ This means that people are born good and inherently similar, but differences arise due to the diverse environments and education they receive after birth."

"So, the human inclination towards goodness can actually be achieved through family education."

"And over the years, I’ve read so many Western novels and watched so many Western films, and realized that religion in Europe became so dominant because historically, there was never a strong and powerful regime here, allowing religion to compete with governments for control over the common people."

"And control means countless offerings, endless wealth, and even the power of life and death."

"That’s why these cathedrals are built in the heart of cities and made so tall and grand; they want to show the world how sacred and high they are, and that everyone should believe in them."

Sophia nodded thoughtfully, "Well, what you said is a bit extreme, but I can’t deny there’s some truth in it."

Zhang Jingdong chuckled, then said, "You’ve been in Huaxia for quite a while; do you know there was an ancient emperor called Emperor Wu of Han?"

"...I think I’ve heard of him. Isn’t the term ’gold house to hide the beauty’ related to him?"

Zhang Jingdong was immediately surprised, "You even know about ’gold house to hide the beauty’! Yes, that’s one of his brilliant deeds."

"Do you know about his deed called ’abolishing the hundred schools and venerating Confucianism alone’?"

Sophia shook her head, "No, I don’t."

"Do you know about Confucianism, represented by Confucius in our country?"

"I know about Confucius."

"Then you’re doing well. When Emperor Wu of Han first became emperor, the country adopted a political ideology called Huanglao Taoism, which essentially meant being lenient towards the common people and reducing everyone’s income tax."