Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

On the bus, Zhang Xueying and Lin Zhe chatted so engrossed that they lost track of time.

"You have no idea how much I've been hoping for your call these past few months!" Zhang Xueying said, her eyes a little red. "Sometimes I couldn't reach you for days, and I would worry..."

"I'm sorry." Lin Zhe held her hand. "There are some missions that require me to stay in touch."

"I know, I just..." Zhang Xueying wiped her eyes, "I just couldn't help worrying."

"Ahem!" Zhao Keke in the back seat finally couldn't hold back anymore. "Hey you two, there's another person here! Can't you guys be a little considerate of a single person's feelings?"

Zhang Xueying then realized what had happened and smiled sheepishly, "Coco, I'm sorry, I got too excited."

Zhao Keke leaned back in her seat, looking at Lin Zhe: "Lin Zhe, this is our second official meeting, right? The first time was on the plane, do you remember?"

Lin Zhe nodded: "I remember, you and Xueying sat next to me."

"I thought you were really handsome back then!" Zhao Keke said casually. "I even told Xueying to go after you. I joked that if you wouldn't, I would, and I never expected you two would actually get together!"

Zhang Xueying blushed: "Coco!"

"What, you won't let me say it?" Zhao Keke said with a grin. "But Lin Zhe, Xueying and I have been best friends since childhood. If you dare to bully her, I won't let you get away with it!"

"No," Lin Zhe said seriously.

"That's more like it." Zhao Keke nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, let's get to know each other formally. My name is Zhao Keke, and my father is Zhao Gang, the political commissar of the Jinghua Military Region. He and Xueying's father are old partners."

Lin Zhe then learned about Zhao Keke's background. She was the daughter of the political commissar of the Jinghua Military Region, and like Zhang Xueying, she was from a family of generals.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Lin Zhe said.

The car stopped in front of a boutique. Lin Zhe got out and bought some gifts—good tea for Zhang Dajiang, tonics for Wang Hui, and a small gift for Zhao Keke.

"Me too?" Zhao Keke took the gift, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, Lin Zhe, you're really good at this!"

"Of course," Lin Zhe said.

When they arrived at the Zhang family's residence, they saw Zhang Dajiang walking side by side with a middle-aged man. The man was about the same age as Zhang Dajiang, wore the rank of major general, and had a refined yet dignified demeanor.

"Dad! Uncle Zhao!" Zhang Xueying called out as she got out of the car.

Zhang Dajiang's eyes lit up when he saw Lin Zhe: "Lin Zhe's here? Perfect timing! Old Zhao, let me introduce you, this is my future son-in-law, Lin Zhe!"

Zhao Gang looked Lin Zhe up and down, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes—such a young colonel?

"Good morning, Political Commissar Zhao!" Lin Zhe stood at attention and saluted.

"No need for such formality," Zhao Gang said with a smile, waving his hand. "At home, just call me Uncle. Old Zhang has been praising you to the skies; it's great to finally meet you today."

"Come on, come on in, let's talk inside!" Zhang Dajiang was in a great mood. "Old Zhao, let's have a couple of drinks!"

"Then I won't be polite." Zhao Gang nodded.

The group entered the house. Wang Hui was already preparing the meal. Upon seeing Lin Zhe, she greeted him warmly, "Lin Zhe is here! Please have a seat! Political Commissar Zhao is here too..."

"Uncle Zhao and Dad came back together," Zhang Xueying said.

"Political Commissar Zhao, welcome, welcome!" Wang Hui greeted him quickly.

The food was served quickly. The six people sat around the table, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Zhang Dajiang took out some good wine and was about to pour some for Lin Zhe.

"Uncle, I can't drink," Lin Zhe politely declined. "There might be missions at any time, so I can't drink."

Zhang Dajiang was taken aback for a moment, then nodded understandingly: "Yes, yes, your job is special. Then we won't force you."

Zhao Gang looked at Lin Zhe, seemingly lost in thought.

During the meal, everyone chatted casually. Lin Zhe didn't say much, but he said everything he needed to say, and his manners were impeccable. Zhang Dajiang became more and more satisfied, and his smile never stopped.

"Lin Zhe, how many days can you stay this time?" Wang Hui asked.

"About a week."

"That's great, spend more time with Xueying," Wang Hui said. "That girl talks about you all the time."

"Mom!" Zhang Xueying blushed again.

As they chatted, the room got a little warm, so Lin Zhe took off his coat and draped it over the back of the chair. This revealed a holster under his arm—a black pistol sat quietly there.

Zhang Xueying and Zhao Keke both saw it and were stunned for a moment. Wang Hui also saw it, and her eyes showed some surprise.

"Lin Zhe, you...carry a gun with you?" Zhao Keke couldn't help but ask.

Lin Zhe nodded: "It's necessary for work."

"But..." Zhang Xueying said, puzzled, "My dad never brings a gun home. Even the guards at the military compound keep their guns and bullets separate..."

Zhang Dajiang and Zhao Gang exchanged a glance. Zhang Dajiang explained, "Xueying, Lin Zhe's job is special. He might be on an emergency mission at any time, so he always carries a gun."

"What kind of job requires this?" Zhao Keke asked curiously.

"Military secrets," Zhao Gang replied. "Coco, don't ask questions you shouldn't."

Zhao Keke stuck out her tongue and fell silent. But both she and Zhang Xueying realized that Lin Zhe's job might be more unusual than they had imagined.

Zhang Dajiang knew perfectly well that Lin Zhe was now in "Hidden Dragon," the country's top secret unit. Their authority was so high that even he, as a military region commander, couldn't compare. Carrying a gun was nothing; he knew that some "Hidden Dragon" members' vehicles were equipped with gear comparable to a special operations squad!

But he couldn't say. That was the rule.

The dinner continued, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Zhang Xueying looked at Lin Zhe, her eyes filled with not only love but also understanding—her man was doing something very important and dangerous.

Meanwhile, in another villa in the military compound, Wang Yu sat on the sofa, looking sullen.

His parents were both home. His mother, Li Yun, noticed something was wrong with her son and asked with concern, "Xiaoyu, what's wrong? Didn't you go to pick up Xueying from get off work today? Did it not go well?"

Wang Yu didn't say anything.

The father, Wang Feng, a major general in his fifties, put down his newspaper: "What happened?"

Wang Yu then spoke, recounting the events of the day. When he spoke of Zhang Xueying throwing herself into Lin Zhe's arms in public, his face turned grim; when he mentioned that Lin Zhe was a 23-year-old colonel, his tone was filled with resentment.

"Lin Zhe?" Wang Feng frowned. "Is it that Lin Zhe from the Southwest Military Region?"

"Dad, you know him?" Wang Yu asked in surprise.

"I know a little bit." Wang Feng's expression was serious. "Xiao Yu, you'd better not mess with this Lin Zhe."

"Why?" Wang Yu protested. "He's just a colonel! You're a major general!"

"It's different." Wang Feng shook his head. "He was promoted to colonel directly by the Central Military Commission, breaking all the usual procedures. Do you know how many merits he's earned? Three first-class merits! At twenty-three years old! What does that mean? There haven't been many like him since the founding of the People's Republic!"

Li Yun was also shocked: "That amazing?"

"Not only that," Wang Feng lowered his voice, "I heard that he's now in... a special department. That department reports directly to the Central Military Commission and has immense authority. Even Zhang Dajiang treats people from that department with great respect."

Wang Yu was stunned: "What department is so powerful?"

"I can't say, it's classified." Wang Feng waved his hand. "In short, this Lin Zhe, his background, ability, future prospects... are all beyond your reach. It's perfectly normal for Xueying to choose him."

"But..."

"No buts," Wang Feng said seriously. "Xiaoyu, you're not bad either. You've done well doing business with your uncle. But you have to understand that some people are born to be on different tracks. Lin Zhe is a soldier, a national asset. Comparing yourself to him is meaningless."

Li Yun also advised, "Son, Xueying is a good girl, but since she has a boyfriend, let's just let it go. Mom will introduce you to other girls; there will definitely be better ones."

Wang Yu remained silent for a long time, finally managing a bitter smile: "Dad, Mom, I understand. I won't go looking for Xueying anymore."

He said that, but he was still resentful. From childhood to adulthood, he rarely failed to get what he wanted. Zhang Xueying was the first person he truly liked, yet he didn't even have a chance to compete with her before being completely defeated.

Moreover, the one who defeated him was someone he could never reach.

"Oh, right," Wang Feng recalled something, "this Lin Zhe's family background isn't simple either. His grandfather was Lin Weiguo, a founding major general. His father is Lin Guodong, the mayor of Jinghua City. His brother works in a ministry... With such a family background and such personal abilities..."

He shook his head: "Xiaoyu, don't think about it. Some gaps can't be bridged by hard work alone."

Wang Yu was completely disheartened. His father rarely spoke so seriously, which meant that Lin Zhe was truly extraordinary.

He recalled Lin Zhe's eyes—calm, yet unfathomable. He had only ever seen that kind of look in the eyes of his father's high-ranking old comrades-in-arms.

That's not the look an ordinary soldier should have.

"I understand, Dad." Wang Yu stood up. "I'm a little tired, I'm going back to my room."

Watching his son's retreating figure as he went upstairs, Wang Feng sighed. Li Yun asked worriedly, "Old Wang, won't Xiaoyu do something rash?"

"No, he's not that fragile," Wang Feng said. "He just needs time to accept it. It's good for him; it lets him know that there are always people more capable than him. It'll prevent him from always thinking he's something special."

He paused, then said, "But this Lin Zhe... he's really something. A 23-year-old colonel in a special department... his future is limitless."

Dinner was over at the Zhang family's house. Zhao Gang and Zhao Keke said their goodbyes and left, and Lin Zhe also prepared to go.

"It's so late, why don't you stay here?" Wang Hui suggested.

"No, Auntie, I haven't been home yet during this vacation," Lin Zhe said. "I'll come again tomorrow."

"Then let Xueying take you," Zhang Dajiang said.

Zhang Xueying escorted Lin Zhe to the door. In the darkness, the two stood by the car.

"Lin Zhe, your job... is it dangerous?" Zhang Xueying asked softly.

"It's alright." Lin Zhe didn't want her to worry.

"You don't need to lie to me." Zhang Xueying looked at him. "Carrying a gun and being ready to be deployed at any time... I know it's not simple. But I'm not afraid. I just... hope you can come back safely every time."

"I will." Lin Zhe held her hand. "For you, I will come back safely."

Zhang Xueying's eyes reddened again, but this time it was from emotion: "Yes! I'll wait for you."

Lin Zhe got into the car and drove away from the Zhang family's house. In the rearview mirror, Zhang Xueying's figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared.