Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

The autumn wind in the Forbidden City brought wave after wave of chill, sweeping across the long red walls of the Western Hills and carrying a few withered yellow leaves into the Lin family's unassuming, almost shabby courtyard.

In the courtyard, two old jujube trees rustled in the wind. Old Lin, wearing a faded military overcoat, sat on a stone bench, a handful of broken rice in his hand, slowly feeding a few sparrows that had flown in from the woods. His movements were extremely gentle, and his old face, etched with the marks of war and time, wore a kind of tenderness that he only showed when he saw his closest relatives and younger family members.

"Little Ming, did you have a bad time drinking at the Star-Picking Pavilion last night?" Old Man Lin didn't even look up, his voice carrying a hint of teasing.

Liu Ming was standing to the side, helping to water several pots of orchids. Hearing this, he smiled, the clear spring water flowing gently from the kettle. "Grandpa, your eyes and ears really do cover the whole city. I just walked in the door and you already knew."

"Hmph, I could count the number of worms in those spoiled brats' bellies with my eyes closed." Old Lin tossed away the last handful of broken rice, dusted off his hands, and stared intently at Liu Ming. "That Ruihu from the Zhao family is cunning and resourceful. He's been operating in the Development and Reform Commission for so many years; he'll definitely try to trip you up. But if my grandson can't even swat these flies, that would be truly shameful."

Liu Ming put down the kettle and said seriously, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I've already started cleaning up the High-Tech Division. Zhao Ruihu wants to sideline me, but I hold national strategic assets in my hands. His petty schemes can't make a ripple in the face of absolute strategic needs."

"Good! That's the spirit you need." Old Lin nodded approvingly, then his eyes became somewhat subtle, and his tone softened considerably. "However, you can't just force your way through the Forbidden City. Sometimes, you need to find yourself a few reliable and trustworthy helpers."

Liu Ming's heart skipped a beat. He knew this old general too well; this hesitant tone must be hiding some "big move."

"Grandpa, just say what you mean, why beat around the bush with me?"

"You rascal, you're just too clever." Old Lin laughed heartily, then waved his hand, "Come on, don't go back to your little alley tonight. Your uncles are all here, we're having a family dinner tonight, and while we're at it... let me introduce you to someone."

……

The Lin family's dinner was simple, even somewhat monotonous.

A large pot of stewed cabbage and tofu, a plate of braised pork, a few home-style side dishes, plus two bottles of unlabeled liquor.

Seated around the table, besides Old Lin, were his eldest son, Lin Zhenhua—the current head of a ministry—and several other second-generation members holding important positions in the military. These people were all powerful figures who could change the course of events with a stomp of their foot, but in front of Old Lin, they were as obedient as green recruits.

"Xiao Ming, come, sit next to your uncle." Lin Zhenhua patted the empty seat next to him, smiling warmly. "I've read the internal reports about your 'chip breakthrough' project in Jiangnan Province. Well written! You have guts! Our country needs all-rounders like you who can combine technology and politics."

Liu Ming sat down modestly, "Uncle, you flatter me. I was just doing what I was supposed to do."

"It's my duty? Heh, how many people in this Forbidden City occupy positions without doing their jobs?" The second son of the Lin family, a tough major general, sneered, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at Liu Ming. "If Jianguo could see you like this, he'd probably be happy to drink two bottles of Moutai."

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Seeing that the time was right, Old Lin called out towards the door, "Where's Xiaoxiao? Where did that girl disappear to again? Brother Liu Ming is here, hurry up and come out to say hello!"

With that shout, the curtain in the side hall was lifted.

A youthful and beautiful figure, even with a touch of heroic spirit, walked out.

She was a girl of about twenty-two or twenty-three. She wore a simple white sweatshirt, and faded jeans that hugged her long, straight legs. Unlike the refined elegance of the socialites and noblewomen of the Forbidden City, her face exuded a sharp, clear, and heroic air, honed by long-term martial arts training. Her large eyes, bright as stars in the night sky, flashed with an extremely rare shyness the moment she saw Liu Ming.

"...Brother Liu Ming." Lin Xiaoxiao walked to the table, her voice barely audible.

Is this really the "Little Devil of the Lin Family" who used to swagger around the inner circle of the Forbidden City and kick people into the moat at the slightest provocation?

She's clearly a girl next door experiencing her first love.

Liu Ming was taken aback. Of course he remembered Lin Xiaoxiao; she was the little girl he had rescued during a special mission a few years ago. Back then, she was only in high school and constantly pestered him to teach her how to kill.

"Wow, Xiaoxiao has grown up and become even prettier," Liu Ming greeted her with a smile.

"Brother Liu Ming, you've changed too... You've gotten older, and you've become fiercer." Lin Xiaoxiao sat down next to Old Lin, but her eyes remained glued to Liu Ming's profile like a magnet.

Old Lin watched this scene from the side, his face crinkling with laughter. He turned to look at Liu Ming, his tone suddenly becoming earnest and earnest.

"Xiaoming, Grandpa won't hide anything from you. In this generation of the Lin family, Xiaoxiao is the only girl I love the most. She's a bit wild and doesn't like most boys. But ever since you rescued her that time, she's been talking about you a lot."

"Grandpa!" Lin Xiaoxiao exclaimed coquettishly, her cheeks instantly turning red to the roots of her neck, grabbing Lin Lao's sleeve and shaking it incessantly.

Lin Zhenhua chimed in with a smile, "Yes, Xiaoming. Xiaoxiao is now pursuing her master's degree at the National Defense University, specializing in high-tech strategic research. Your majors are related, and you both saved each other's lives. I think that if you can have someone to support each other in the future, it would be a great thing for you, for the Lin family, and even for the country."

These words were no longer just hints; they were a blatant proposal for a marriage alliance!

Within the power structure of the Forbidden City, the Lin family's resources are unparalleled. If Liu Ming becomes the Lin family's grandson-in-law, he will no longer just have the position of a director at the National Development and Reform Commission, but the full support of the entire military system and the communist camp. That means that even if he were to create a huge hole in the sky, countless hands would rush to hold it up for him.

The air became somewhat subtle at that moment.

All eyes of the Lin family were on Liu Ming, anticipating an answer that would allow the Lin family to take another step forward.

Lin Xiaoxiao gripped the hem of her clothes tightly with nervousness, her usually arrogant eyes now filled with humble yet fervent adoration.

However, Liu Ming fell into a long silence.

Two faces flashed through his mind in an instant.

One photo shows Nangong Yao, at a tense banquet in Ningzhou, throwing herself into his arms without regard for her image and declaring that she would build a business empire for him.

The other photo shows Xi Wanqing, holding back tears, saluting him on a stormy platform in Jiangnan Province, promising to meet him at the highest point.

These two women, one provided him with absolute financial support, and the other with his most steadfast political alliance. They accompanied him from humble beginnings to the pinnacle, and stood by him through thick and thin.

Although Liu Ming is arrogant and wild, his heart is not made of stone.

In the treacherous Forbidden City, he could confront his political enemies and fire on the compradors, but when faced with this overwhelming "favor from a beauty," he felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

"grandfather."

Liu Ming spoke slowly, her voice low and even tinged with helplessness.

"Xiaoxiao will always be my younger sister. The Lin family will always be my closest family."

"As for the rest..."

Liu Ming raised her head, met Old Lin's deep gaze that seemed to see through everything, and gave a bitter smile.

"I'm carrying the weight of the nation's semiconductor strategy on my shoulders, and I have a list of dozens of compradors to be investigated. The knife in the Forbidden City is practically stabbing me in the back of the head. How can I possibly have the mind to think about personal matters?"

Old Lin fell silent.

He looked at the indescribable weariness and determination deep in Liu Ming's eyes, and then at his granddaughter beside him whose eyes had dimmed instantly.

He sighed.

Having spent his entire life in this industry, how could he not see that Liu Ming was subtly refusing him?

This young man didn't want to climb the ladder by taking shortcuts, nor did he want to let down those who walked alongside him in the darkness.

"You..." Old Lin shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, but also a deeper appreciation. "Your temper is just like your grandfather's, stubborn and unpleasant."

"Alright, alright, stop looking so gloomy." Old Lin waved his hand, picked up his wine glass again, and said, "Drink up! We can talk about feelings later. Xiao Ming, since you've chosen the hardest path, let me give you one more piece of advice—in this Forbidden City, those who can't be seduced by beauty or bought with money will ultimately be considered 'outcasts.' Are you ready to be that 'outcast'?"

Liu Ming picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, the spicy liquid rolling down his throat.

"Grandpa, I, Liu Ming, have never been one to fit in in my entire life."

……

When I left the Lin family's old house, the moon was already hanging on the treetops.

Liu Ming didn't take Lao Chen's car; instead, she chose to walk alone in the secluded alleyways.

The autumn wind blew, and most of the effects of the wine dissipated.

He recalled Lin Xiaoxiao's red eyes when she saw him off, and her tearful words, "I will try my best to catch up with you."

He couldn't help but rub his throbbing temples.

"The water in the Forbidden City..."

Liu Ming muttered to herself, her shadow stretched long in the moonlight.

"They're definitely harder to dodge than bullets."

He quickened his pace.

The road ahead grew narrower and darker.

But he knew that as long as he got over it...

That's the path to the top.

The only way out.

Looking at the brightly lit Chang'an Avenue in the distance, Liu Ming sighed softly:

"It seems that I haven't even settled into my position as director yet, and the headaches are already piling up until next year."