Chapter 1837 - 678: Romantic Moments with a Foreign Beauty

Chapter 1837: Chapter 678: Romantic Moments with a Foreign Beauty

"But back then our country had a very powerful enemy called the Xiongnu. In order to deal with this enemy, Emperor Wu of Han gradually adopted Confucian thought, because Confucianism has this idea of a great unified empire, which could provide a strong theoretical foundation for his campaigns."

"And this example fully proves what I just told you—religion, at its core, is a tool of rule."

Sophia said, moved, "You really know a lot. I’ve never heard anyone talk about this issue from this angle before. You’ve given me a kind of... a kind of sudden, wide-open clarity. Did I use that phrase correctly?"

"You did. There’s another phrase close to it, it’s called ’ti hu guan ding’."

"Ti... hu... guan... ding? What does that expression mean?"

"It means pouring wisdom into someone’s head, making them completely awaken."

"Alright, your Huaxia culture really is broad and profound. I definitely have to keep studying it from now on."

Zhang Jingdong joked, "I’m really not bragging: as long as you can stay in Huaxia for ten years and seriously study our politics, economy, and culture, then when you go back, becoming a prime minister or president in your country will be a piece of cake."

Sophia shook her head with a laugh. "Forget it. In our country, sitting in those positions means arguing with people every day, and getting cursed at all the time. My psyche isn’t that strong."

Zhang Jingdong nodded in deep agreement. "True enough."

Chatting as they walked, the two of them strolled through the streets and alleys of Milan.

The weather was excellent today: sunshine blazing, but not the least bit sultry.

In the course of the conversation, Zhang Jingdong realized that Sophia wasn’t just pretty with a great figure, she was also very eager to learn and very interested in Huaxia’s culture.

And Sophia, on her side, discovered that Zhang Jingdong was just too amazing—practically one of those legendary ancient and mysterious men from the East.

He seemed to know everything: culture, art, fortune-telling, politics, business... he was thoroughly versed in all of it.

Most crucially, he was this young, this handsome, and in this good shape...

Her gaze at Zhang Jingdong unconsciously filled with appreciation and admiration.

Turning a corner, Zhang Jingdong saw another street football pitch not far away.

Not the turf kind, just a big patch of open ground with a couple of makeshift goals at either end, and right now a bunch of kids in their early teens were playing there.

Zhang Jingdong couldn’t help sighing. "No wonder football in your country is so strong. There are so many people here playing football!"

Sophia nodded. "Yeah, lots of countries in Europe are like this. After all, there are really very few kids here who don’t like football."

Talking as they walked, the two of them came up to the side of the pitch.

Zhang Jingdong turned his head. "Do you usually like watching football matches?"

"Of course."

"Who’s your favorite player?"

"Ronaldo."

Zhang Jingdong was a bit surprised. "You actually like Ronaldo and not Kaka?"

Kaka was currently still playing for AC Milan in Italy, one of Milan’s home teams.

Sophia pressed her lips together. "I like Kaka too, but I think his level is quite a bit lower than Ronaldo’s. I’m really into that unparalleled creativity and dominance Ronaldo has."

At that, Zhang Jingdong reached his hand out to Sophia. "Let’s shake on that. In Huaxia we’d say ’heroes share the same view.’ Ronaldo’s my favorite too."

Sophia blinked in mild astonishment, then, a little shy but still poised and natural, extended her hand and clasped his.

And just then, the football on the pitch suddenly boomed over toward the two of them.

Zhang Jingdong reacted fast, catching the ball one-handed.

Then he turned to look at the culprit in the middle of the pitch.

Just from the power and precision of that kick you could tell someone had done it on purpose.

The other was a white kid; not only was he not cowed, his eyes were full of provocation.

"Asian kid, you actually dare hit on our white girl? You’ve got some nerve!"

Zhang Jingdong snapped back, "Your character is just as trash as your football skills!"

The kid was instantly enraged. "What? An Asian dares say my football is bad? Has your country ever won the World Cup? Our country’s already won it three times!"

"Your country may have three titles, but not a single one was thanks to you. My country may not have won a World Cup, but that doesn’t stop my skills from crushing you."

"Arrogant bastard! Since you dare talk like that, do you dare come up here and compare skills with me?"

"Alright then. Since you’re so eager to humiliate yourself, I’ll show you what it means that there’s always someone better and a sky beyond the sky."

As he spoke, Zhang Jingdong turned to Sophia. "Do you think I can beat him?"

Seeing Sophia hesitate a little, he went on, "You don’t seem to have much faith in me, huh? How about this: let’s make a bet. If I beat him, you agree to one small request from me. If I lose, then I’ll agree to one small request from you. How’s that?"

Realizing he’d seen through her lack of confidence, Sophia felt awkward saying no, so she nodded. "...Alright... go for it!"

Zhang Jingdong smiled, then turned and walked onto the pitch.

"You tell me—how are we playing this?"

The kid said, "Simple. We do half-pitch one-on-one. Whoever scores three goals first wins!"

"Deal!"

As Zhang Jingdong spoke, his heart stirred. "I want to draw a prize!"

"Host has accumulated 160 points of goodwill from the target character, meeting the lottery condition. You may draw a prize!"