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

The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly became subtle because of Lin Zhenhua's straightforward "hint".

All eyes were focused on Liu Ming.

In that gaze, there was expectation, scrutiny, and even a hint of undeniable pressure.

Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her head, her pretty face as red as a cloth, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her heart pounding like a drum. She was both expectant and afraid.

She hoped the man she had admired for years would agree, yet she was also afraid... he would refuse.

Liu Ming's hand, holding the wine glass, paused in mid-air for half a second.

He felt as if he had returned to the battlefield.

However, this time the "enemy" is no longer those mercenaries carrying guns.

Rather, it was the overwhelming power and...favor from a beautiful woman that no one could refuse.

he knows.

If only he agrees today.

Then his future life will be smooth sailing.

No one dared to trip him up anymore, and no one dared to touch his cheese.

He will become the most dazzling new star on the giant ship of the Lin family.

but……

But another face flashed uncontrollably through his mind.

That aloof face, its eyes reddening at his words "comrade-in-arms" in the Jiangnan Provincial Government office.

I forgot the stubborn figure on the high-speed rail platform, braving the cold autumn wind, who gave him a standard military salute.

—Xi Wanqing.

"grandfather."

Liu Ming slowly put down her wine glass.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Elder Lin and all the elders of the Lin family present.

"I appreciate your kindness."

His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable resolve.

"Xiaoxiao, you will always be my dearest little sister in my heart."

I will protect this love for the rest of my life.

"but……"

He paused, then looked up to meet Old Lin's gaze, which was as deep as an ancient well.

"...I cannot marry her."

"boom!"

A single sentence was like a thunderclap dropped on a calm lake!

The entire restaurant fell into a deathly silence instantly!

The smiles on the faces of the eldest and second eldest Lin brothers froze.

Lin Xiaoxiao's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and her bright eyes instantly filled with glistening tears.

Why?

Old Lin's voice deepened.

That powerful aura of authority, born from long-standing power, pressed down on Liu Ming as if it were a tangible force!

"Is it because you feel that our Lin family is not good enough for you?"

"Or is it because you think you're all grown up now and don't need us old folks to shelter you from the storm anymore?"

"Neither."

Liu Ming, bearing pressure that would break anyone, stood ramrod straight!

He looked at Old Lin, and in his clear eyes there was no fear whatsoever, only openness and...sincerity.

"Grandpa, you know I'm not the kind of person who would curry favor with the powerful and wealthy."

"You know how my father died."

"In my life, what I hate most is the kind of despicable person who would sell out everything for power and profit."

"I cannot and will never become that kind of person."

He took a deep breath and uttered an answer that would shake the entire capital city.

"because……"

"...I already have a girlfriend in Jiangnan Province."

"I love her."

"I promised her too."

"Yes, I will marry her."

"I, Liu Ming, am not some saint or gentleman."

"But what is spat out is a nail."

"I will never be a treacherous...heartless man like Chen Shimei!"

……

His words were powerful and resounding!

These words left everyone present, including the older generation of revolutionaries who had lived through that era of burning passion, speechless!

They looked at the young man before them, who was willing to give up the shortcut to instant success in order to uphold the seemingly "naive" sentiment in his heart.

The slight displeasure in his eyes was gradually replaced by a more complex feeling of appreciation and...respect.

Lin Xiaoxiao could no longer hold back and ran out, covering her mouth.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was extremely awkward.

"You...you..."

The second son of the Lin family pointed at Liu Ming, trembling with anger, "You...you're confused!"

"Do you know what you're rejecting today? It's a path to heaven that so many people dream of but can't attain!"

"I know."

Liu Ming looked at him, her eyes calm yet resolute.

"However, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

"If you can't even protect your own heart."

"Even if you climb to the highest position, you're still just a soulless... puppet."

After saying that, he bowed deeply to Elder Lin once again.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you."

Then, he resolutely turned around, ready to leave this suffocating place.

he knows.

From the moment he said "no".

He had already lost the Lin family, his biggest backer.

From now on, he will have to rely on himself.

however.

Just as he was about to step out the door...

"Ha ha ha ha!"

A burst of extremely hearty and gratifying laughter suddenly echoed throughout the entire restaurant from behind him!

It's Elder Lin!

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly!

There was no anger in his cloudy old eyes; instead, they burst forth with an unprecedentedly brilliant light!

"good!"

"What a fine saying: 'If you can't guard your heart, you're just a puppet!'"

"What a loyal and courageous soldier!"

He walked up to Liu Ming and patted her shoulder heavily with his large, calloused hand!

"Who the hell said I was disappointed?"

"I'm fucking overjoyed!"

He looked at Liu Ming with the same gaze he would give a piece of uncut jade that was already shining brightly!

"This is how my grandson, Lin Zhentian's grandson, should be!"

"Compassionate! Loyal! Responsible!"

"I will not bow to power! I will not be swayed by beauty!"

He turned to his two sons, who were completely dumbfounded, and shouted at them:

"You two, you fucking better learn from this!"

"What do you mean by integrity!"

"That's what you call integrity!"

He pulled Liu Ming and sat her back down at the table.

I personally poured him a large cup of strong liquor!

"Xiao Ming!"

He raised his glass, his old eyes, which had seen through a century of ups and downs, filled with endless admiration and...pride!

"This glass of wine, Grandpa, is for you!"

"I salute you, for that unyielding spirit that even we old folks are ashamed of!"

"From today onwards, you are not only my godchild, Lin Zhentian's godson!"

"And he is the person I, Lin Zhentian, respect most in my life... a friend despite the age gap!"

"As for Xiaoxiao..."

Old Lin smiled, a smile like that of a cunning old fox.

"...Children and grandchildren have their own blessings."

"I won't get involved."

"but……"

He blinked at Liu Ming.

"...You'd better step up your game, kid."

"I understand my granddaughter's temper."

"She's not one to give up easily."