The Rise of a Special Forces Soldier Abandoned by a Wealthy Family

Day 11.

The villa halfway up the mountain finally welcomed New Year's Eve.

Bright red lanterns hung high, couplets covered the door frames, and window decorations reflected the morning light, immersing the entire villa in a festive red sea.

Zeng Linglong, Ye Feng, Tie Zhu, and Xiao Ya finally welcomed the most meaningful Spring Festival of their lives.

At this moment, they are no longer ghosts on the battlefield, no longer death, beasts, or divine birds in the dark night.

They are ordinary children, surrounded by their families.

Zeng Linglong stood on the ladder pasting couplets, Yan Hai handed him tape from below, Teng Fei held the ladder, and Yang Li, Li Lunjie, and Hu Sanshao stood around pointing and gesturing.

"Brother-in-law, a little to the left—no, no, a little to the right—oh, that's too far, go a little further to the left—"

Zeng Linglong turned around and glared at Yan Hai. His gaze was like a sharp blade, and Yan Hai immediately shut his mouth and shrank back.

Zeng Linglong adjusted his position, pressed the horizontal scroll onto the door frame, then jumped down the ladder and stepped back a few paces to examine it.

First line: Riding the spring breeze, the horse's hooves are swift.

The second line reads: "In one day, one can see all the flowers of Chang'an."

Horizontal scroll: Peace and Joy.

He nodded in satisfaction.

Tie Zhu, Ye Feng, Lone Wolf, and others were cleaning.

Tiezhu carried a mop and mopped the living room floor until it was so smooth you could see your reflection in it.

Lone Wolf led several Dragon Shadow members to clear the fallen leaves in the yard, their movements clean and efficient, as if they were on a combat mission.

Tie Zhu's mother, Li Yingxiu, stood aside, watching her son's busy figure, her eyes moist.

She remembered how Tiezhu's father used to be so busy in the old house in the mountain village, carrying the burden of the whole family on his own.

Now her son is successful and has many brothers.

Her daughter is lively and sensible, and she finally has a shoulder to lean on.

At this time, He Jing led a group of women in the kitchen to make dumplings and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.

He Jing kneaded the dough with just the right amount of force, the dough rolling and stretching in her hands as if performing a silent dance.

Zhou Simin rolled out the dumpling wrappers with lightning speed, each one flying out of her hands, evenly thin and uniform in size.

Su Wan makes dumplings, her nimble fingers pinching out decorative edges, each dumpling resembling an exquisite work of art.

Li Yingxiu chopped the meat filling with a clear, rhythmic motion, producing a delicate yet chewy filling.

Yan Ruge and Anna assisted them, handing out dumpling wrappers, arranging dumplings, and boiling water.

The two beautiful young women, with aprons tied around their waists and flour on their faces, were laughing like two children.

Zeng Lingyu led Shiliu between the living room and the tea room, setting out bowls and chopsticks, pouring drinks, and serving melon seeds, keeping herself very busy.

Shiliu ran the fastest, her ponytail swinging back and forth behind her head like a cheerful little bird.

Two ordinary black sedans were parked in front of the villa.

Two guards, both lean and sharp-eyed, stepped out first. They quickly scanned the surroundings to ensure safety before opening the rear doors of the car.

Zeng Rong and Lin Fen got out of the car. Zeng Rong was wearing a dark Zhongshan suit, his back was straight, and his face was solemn.

Lin Fen wore a dark red coat, her hair was neatly combed, and she had a kind smile on her face.

Next are Zeng Wen, Zeng Xuan, Zeng Yuan, and Zeng Ke.

Zeng Linglong is putting up another couplet.

Upon seeing his grandparents arrive, he immediately jumped down from the ladder.

He quickly stepped forward to help the two elderly relatives, his voice filled with surprise and joy:

"Grandpa and Grandma, what brings you here?"

Zeng Sheng and the others came out when they heard the car outside.

"Mom and Dad, what brings you here?"

Zeng Sheng and He Jing quickly stepped forward to help the two elderly people, replacing Zeng Linglong.

Grandma Lin Fen looked at Zeng Linglong with affection, her eyes filled with tenderness and longing:

"We miss our grandson so much that our hair has turned completely white."

"Today, Xiaolong can finally spend the Spring Festival with us two old folks."

"We don't know how much longer we can live, Xiaolong. Your grandfather said that if we can spend one more Spring Festival with you, we'll have earned one more Spring Festival."

"That's why your grandfather was afraid of missing Xiaolong's first New Year's Eve dinner with him, so he traveled in a small car and rushed over at full speed."

Zeng Linglong's eyes reddened.

He held his grandmother's hand tightly, his voice choked with emotion:

"Okay, tonight I'll stay by Grandpa and Grandma's side, pour them wine, serve them food, and spend a happy and joyful New Year with them."

Then came the sound of screeching brakes.

The car had barely come to a stop when a voice, both angry and amused, rang out:

"Old Zeng, I knew you'd come here!"

"That's so unfair! They didn't even tell me they were coming; they just wanted to play mysterious!"

Everyone turned around and saw Grandpa Yan Fushan getting out of the car while talking. He was in good spirits and walked briskly. He didn't look like an old man at all. He was clearly a playful old man.

"Hmph!" Zeng Rong pointed at Yan Fushan, his words sharp and cutting. "You old geezer, why aren't you staying in the capital? What are you doing here?"

"Can't I come?" Yan Fushan asked proudly. "Can't I come to spend the New Year with my granddaughter's wife?"

Yan Rugo and Yan Hai immediately helped their grandfather up, and said at the same time:

"Grandpa, why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

"What's there to say? What's there to say? Hehe, Old Zeng plays mysterious, so I'll play mysterious too!"

Yan Fushan walked up to Zeng Linglong, patted him on the shoulder, and looked at him with approval in his eyes:

"Granddaughter-in-law, your grandpa is here to celebrate the Spring Festival with you. Please toast me a couple more times tonight."

"Okay!" Zeng Linglong nodded emphatically. "I'll definitely make sure to have a good meal and drinks with Grandpa Yan tonight."

But another distinguished guest has arrived tonight.

The patriarch of the Roth family in America—Old Roth—also came.

His car was also parked at the entrance, and he was helped by bodyguards.

Anna and Zeng Linglong greeted them with surprise.

He came to stand in front of the crowd.

Old Ronnie was dressed in a well-tailored dark gray suit, his silver hair was neatly combed, and he was leaning on a black cane. He looked energetic and had bright eyes.

Zeng Linglong immediately gave everyone a detailed introduction.

Old Ronnie's Mandarin is a bit broken, but still fairly standard.

He gently grasped Zeng Rong's hand, his voice steady:

"General Zeng, I am Anna's grandfather—Old Ronnie."

"I used to see you often in the news. It's a pleasure to meet you today."

"I'm also very happy to participate in the Spring Festival of your Dragon Kingdom and your Zeng family. You won't be unwelcome, will you?"

"Hahaha--"

Zeng Rong laughed with immense joy and pride:

"It is an honor and a great privilege for my family to have you, Mr. Ronnie, come to China and to be here."

He pointed at Zeng Linglong, his eyes filled with pride:

"But tonight we are not the main characters. We are just here as elders, as grandfathers, to accompany our beloved grandson and witness his love with your granddaughter."

"Great, great!" Zeng Rong looked at everyone with moist eyes. "Today is the happiest day of my life."

"Hehe," Yan Fushan chuckled, "This is also the happiest day of my life."

Old Ronnie was also laughing heartily, his eyes crinkling with wrinkles, and his voice booming:

"It was also the most meaningful day of my life, Ronnie."

So the three old men, three old men whose stomping feet could shake the world, walked side by side toward the villa's hall, supported by the crowd.

Their silhouettes stretched long in the morning light, like a historical scroll.