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

As the White House envoy humiliatingly signed the confidential chip procurement agreement in the city, a technological storm that had swept the globe finally came to a slow end.

May the country be prosperous and the people at peace.

These four weighty words, after decades of perseverance and the thrilling events of this final year, have finally truly descended upon this ancient land.

Liu Ming finally got his first real long holiday since taking office.

This was a "do-or-die" order personally issued by the top leader inside the red walls. In the old man's words, "If we keep making this iron-willed young man work non-stop, our entire central leadership team won't be able to sleep at night."

Thus, this 30-year-old, powerful vice minister was forcibly "confiscated" of all his official documents and locked up in his quiet courtyard house.

Golden autumn sunlight streamed through the bare grapevines, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs. Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, a small stone table held an unfinished game of chess and two cups of steaming tea.

Liu Ming, dressed in loose loungewear, was frowning as she stared at the "general" on the chessboard, which was now in a hopeless situation.

"You've rushed into this move too quickly."

An aged yet still resonant voice came from across from him. Old Lin, wearing a military overcoat and holding a black "cart" in his hand, said calmly, "You're only thinking about eating my 'elephant,' but you haven't seen that my 'horse' has already taken your place. Young man, your killing intent is too strong; you don't know how to conceal your strength."

Liu Ming shook his head with a wry smile and pushed the "general" piece in his hand onto the chessboard.

"I lost, Mr. Lin."

"You didn't lose, you just weren't really focused on the game." Old Lin tossed the chess pieces back into the box, picked up his teacup, and stared at Liu Ming with his cloudy old eyes. "Tell me, what are you thinking? I gave you a month's leave, and you've been sitting in this courtyard for three days, like you've lost your soul."

Liu Ming didn't speak, but just stared blankly at the few chirping sparrows on the courtyard wall.

He had become accustomed to the tense life of walking a tightrope on the edge of a cliff every day, and suddenly having free time made him feel uneasy.

Looking at him like this, Old Lin suddenly chuckled, a sly smile on his face.

"Xiao Liu, you're... thirty this year, right?"

"Yeah, I just had my birthday."

"At thirty, one should be established, as the old saying goes." Old Lin put down his teacup, his tone suddenly becoming earnest. "You've already established yourself in the affairs of the nation. Now, shouldn't you also consider establishing yourself?"

"Establish a family?" Liu Ming was taken aback.

"Don't play dumb with me, kid!" Old Lin glared at him, annoyed. "Look at you, you're not getting any younger, and you don't even have anyone who cares about you. Do you think you're still that reckless young man risking your life on the border? You're a vice minister now! Your personal problems are also organizational problems!"

Just then, Liu Ming's cell phone, which was on the stone table, rang.

He picked it up and saw the three characters "Wen Boyan" flashing on the screen.

Liu Ming's eyes softened instantly, and he quickly answered the phone.

"Hey, Uncle Wen."

On the other end of the phone came the familiar, yet slightly naive, laughter of Wen Boyan, the former county magistrate of Qingyun County.

"Xiao Liu, did I disturb your work? I heard on the news that you've done another great service to our country! Well done! You haven't let Qingyun County down!"

"Uncle Wen, please stop teasing me." Liu Ming smiled. "Are you still in good health?"

"You're in great shape! You're eating well!" Wen Boyan laughed heartily twice, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more casual, "By the way, Xiao Liu, I heard from Wanqing that you're on vacation lately?"

The moment Liu Ming heard the name Xi Wanqing, her heart stirred as if something had gently touched it.

"Yes, it was forced upon us by the organization."

"That's perfect!" Wen Boyan's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, like an impatient matchmaker. "You and Wanqing should hurry up! She's a young lady who followed you all the way from Qingyun County to Ningzhou, and then to the city. What did she want? Wasn't it you? You can't be a Chen Shimei and let her down!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Ming was both amused and exasperated.

He looked at Old Lin sitting opposite him, who had a "you're teachable" expression on his face, and helplessly shrugged.

"Mr. Lin, this wasn't arranged by you, was it?"

"I don't have that kind of time," Old Lin snorted, setting the chessboard back up. "However, what that old rascal Wen Boyan said makes sense. I've met Wanqing a few times. She's decisive, responsible, and most importantly, she cares about you and this country. A wife like that is hard to find even with a lantern. If you dare to lose her, I'll be the first to punish you!"

After Old Lin and Wen Boyan left, Liu Ming sat alone in the courtyard for a long time until the setting sun cast a very long shadow of him.

He took out his wallet from his pocket, opened the inner compartment, and inside was a slightly yellowed photograph.

The photo shows the aloof and icy female county head of Qingyun County, surrounded by a group of children during a rural inspection tour, with a rare, gentle smile on her face, like the first melting of snow.

From their first encounter in Qingyun County to their joint efforts in Ningzhou, from the life-or-death rescue in Jiangnan Province to their silent companionship in the city over the past few years.

This woman was present throughout almost his entire turbulent and eventful career in officialdom.

She never asked anything of him, nor did she ever make a fuss because of Nangong Yao's existence. She simply did her best to shine in her own role, striving to keep up with him. When he charged into battle, she silently guarded the rear for him; when he was imprisoned, she was the first to stand up and run for him.

Liu Ming suddenly realized that he owed this woman far too much.

He served the country well and can be called a "national hero".

But when it comes to love, he is an absolute "heartless man".

Thinking of this, an unprecedented tenderness and guilt overwhelmed his heart like a tidal wave.

He suddenly stood up, picked up his phone, and dialed the number he knew best, yet always neglected because of work.

The phone rang once and was answered, with Nangong Yao's languid voice carrying a hint of teasing coming through.

"Oh, what a rare guest, my dear Minister Liu. What's this? You've finally remembered your goddess of wealth today? Tell me, how much money do you want to squeeze out of me this time to fund your so-called 'space carrier' project?"

Liu Ming wasn't joking with her; his voice was unusually serious.

"Yaoyao, do me a favor."

Nangong Yao was taken aback; she rarely heard Liu Ming speak to her in this tone.

"explain."

"I need a ring." Liu Ming looked at the magnificent sunset on the distant horizon, her eyes becoming more determined than ever before. "A one-of-a-kind ring."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a meaningful chuckle from Nangong Yao.

"Finally figured it out?" She paused, her tone becoming excited. "Okay, leave it to me! I'll contact the chief designers at Cartier and Tiffany right away. But first, you have to tell me how big of a spectacle you're planning. Are you going to rent out an entire street, or set off fireworks for her on the moon?"