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

Airport parking lot. Li Weiguo led Zeng Long toward a black Land Cruiser with military license plates.

Zeng Long paused, his eyebrows behind his sunglasses twitching slightly. An exaggerated expression, a mixture of surprise and worry, crossed his face, and his voice rose eight octaves:

Hey buddy!

You... skipped work to pick me up, and you used the company car for personal purposes... I'm starting to get a little uneasy!

Is it dangerous for me to get too close to you?

What if we've barely gotten in the car, and before we've even warmed up to each other, we're invited in for tea and a chat by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)?

Or... should I just take a taxi myself?

Safety first, safety first! He said, making a gesture as if to shrink back, but his eyes gleamed with a mocking light.

Li Weiguo was both amused and exasperated by his exaggerated performance, and opened the car door in an annoyed tone:

Stop talking nonsense! Get on the bus!

This car is sometimes used for special missions; it's bulletproof!

Besides, I, the Minister of Security of the Dragon Kingdom, am personally acting as your driver and bodyguard. What are you afraid of?

You, Zero, have seen all sorts of storms. You can watch shells explode right next to you without your heart even racing. Are you afraid of getting too close to me?

Li Weiguo knew that he was still wary of him, so he wanted to sneak away alone.

Zeng Long shrugged, with an expression that said, "You're right, but I'm just worried about you," and nimbly climbed into the passenger seat.

The car smoothly drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic flow of the airport expressway.

Silence fell over the car. Li Weiguo focused on driving, while Zeng Long casually gazed out the window, his eyes behind his sunglasses scanning the surroundings like a highly sophisticated instrument.

Suddenly, Zeng Long spoke, his voice calm and even, yet like a series of precisely dropped bombs, sending chills down Li Weiguo's spine:

"Hey buddy, can I ask you something?"

"Hmm? You go ahead."

Li Weiguo responded instinctively.

"When I just went through customs and security."

"Those two high-definition cameras at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions."

"About three seconds after I appeared, it shifted by about 25 degrees and precisely aligned itself with the position I was standing in."

"This debugging is very professional."

Li Weiguo's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

Zeng Long continued speaking slowly.

"Also, about 100 meters away, at the 12 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 5 o'clock directions."

"There were three guys dressed differently but with similar vibes, and their positions were quite interesting."

"It's a standard defensive and observation triangle formation."

"His eyes kept glancing our way, and his fingers were probably typing Morse code next to the miniature microphone, weren't they?"

"Is it reporting 'Target contacted, all is normal'?"

Fine beads of sweat began to appear on Li Weiguo's forehead.

"Oh, right," Zeng Long said, as if he had just remembered something.

"About 50 meters away, there was a rather thin and beautiful woman."

"He stared at me for at least three minutes and five seconds. That look... well, it was quite complex, with gentleness and warmth in it."

"But as soon as I looked over, she immediately turned around and hid behind a pillar. She must know me."

Li Weiguo felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

"Finally," Zeng Long turned his head and looked at Li Weiguo's stiff profile through his sunglasses.

"Our car has been here since it left the parking lot."

"About 400 meters behind, there was a black Land Rover, which maintained this distance the whole time."

"There was a car driving at about 60 mph ahead, and about 200 meters ahead there was a black Mercedes."

"That teamwork, that formation... Dude, are they protecting you, or spying on me?"

"However, I don't sense any malice from them at the moment. On the contrary, I feel that they are quite nervous, even more nervous than I am."

"So... this shouldn't be someone you arranged, right? Their rank doesn't seem to be appropriate."

"Creak—!"

Li Weiguo almost slammed on the brake instead of the accelerator!

The car suddenly stopped, but fortunately he reacted quickly and managed to stabilize it.

He felt like his brain was smoking!

Fuck!

What the hell kind of monster is this?!

This level of observation, analytical ability, and attention to detail... it's simply outrageously abnormal!

It was as if he was directing the whole thing!

In his presence, my little plan seemed as transparent as children playing house!

He took several deep breaths before he could barely suppress the turmoil in his heart.

I know that hiding it any longer will only make things more awkward.

He could only tell the truth with a wry smile, his voice hoarse:

"...I'm sorry. They...were indeed sent to protect you."

"Because of your special status, and because Baroque repeatedly emphasized that he wanted to provide you with an absolutely safe and peaceful environment... therefore, we can only adopt this method of covert protection."

"I hope... I hope you can understand."

After listening, Zeng Long nodded in satisfaction, his tone relaxed and even slightly lecturing:

"So, my friend, you should be as honest as I am."

"When I was five years old, I could distinguish all uncertain factors within a hundred meters around me."

"At seven years old, I could tell exactly how many male and female mice were in a mouse hole just by listening to their sounds and smelling them."

"So next time, you security personnel could be a little more open and honest, and not be so nervous. I'm not going to eat you."

"Although I don't know what I've done to deserve such a large gathering of elites, it's probably... because of you, my friend."

Li Weiguo was truly on the verge of tears, inwardly cursing:

"My face?"

"My pride is practically shattered in your eyes!"

"If I stay with you for a few more days, I'm afraid you'll be able to figure out what color underwear I wore the day before yesterday!"

"The scary thing is I showered yesterday and already changed my clothes!"

"I can't live like this anymore!"

He quickly changed the subject, his voice trembling slightly:

"Well... nephew, let's get down to business. Do you have any preferences for schools? Beijing Tsinghua or Beijing Beihang? I'd like to make arrangements in advance."

Zeng Long waved his hand, displaying a heroic and exuberant air:

"Oh dear, school matters aren't urgent!"

"Dude, didn't you say you'd treat me to the best restaurant and let me eat my fill?"

"Food is as essential as iron; you'll get hungry if you skip a meal!"

"Let's eat and drink our fill first!"

"Don't worry, you have money, I have a stomach!"

He patted his flat stomach and smiled broadly.

Li Weiguo: "..." He felt his heart start to ache again.

The car eventually stopped in front of a luxuriously decorated restaurant called "Dragon Pavilion".

As soon as he entered, Zeng Long went straight to the front desk, knocked on the counter, and, pointing to the somewhat bewildered receptionist and Li Weiguo beside him who looked utterly dejected, began to spout nonsense with a straight face:

"Do you recognize this man? He's Li Weiguo, the Minister of State Security of the Dragon Kingdom! We're here for dinner, please get us the largest private room!"

The receptionist was somewhat intimidated by Li Weiguo's helpless yet authoritative aura.

She said timidly, "I'm...I'm sorry, sir, the largest 'Dragon Hall' has already been reserved..."

Zeng Long immediately frowned.

His expression turned serious.

His voice also lowered, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure:

"Reserved? Even the minister himself couldn't get a private room?"

"Your restaurant... has a lot of problems!"

"I suspect there's a foreign intelligence force secretly manipulating the booking system, deliberately disrespecting the minister!"

"An attempt to undermine the stability of Chinese society!"

After he finished speaking, he did it as if he were performing a magic trick.

He pulled out a black ID card with the national emblem from somewhere.

"Smack!" The fist landed on the front desk.

The first page of the document clearly displays the words "Ministry of State Security of China" and "Minister: Li Weiguo"!

Holy shit!

Li Weiguo's eyes widened instantly, almost popping out of their sockets!

He instinctively reached into his inner pocket—it was empty!

Fuck!

When did my ID end up in his hands?!

Where am I? Who am I? I am Li Weiguo!

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water; he was completely petrified, utterly bewildered in the wind.

When the receptionist saw the ID, she turned pale with fright and frantically picked up the walkie-talkie to call the manager.

A short while later, a middle-aged manager in a suit, looking somewhat wealthy, ran over, sweating profusely.

Grabbing Li Weiguo's still bewildered hand, he bowed and scraped:

"Ouch!"

"Minister Li! Minister Li, your presence is truly an honor!"

"We are so sorry for not welcoming you properly! Our hospitality has been inadequate! We are truly terrified!"

"Please forgive the staff for being ignorant!"

"It is a great honor for our Dragon Pavilion to have you here!"

He was terrified. If this powerful figure really thought there were spies in his shop, then his business was truly over.

Li Weiguo was about to explain, saying it was fine and they could just change to a regular private room.

Zeng Long, who was standing next to him, spoke up first.

At this moment, he seemed to have truly become Minister Li's chief spokesperson, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable air:

"Boss, I am Minister Li's confidential secretary and personal assistant."

"Our minister just returned from a top-secret mission in the Middle East. The guns and bullets were incredible!!!"

"Alas! I haven't slept for three days and three nights, and haven't eaten a single grain of rice!"

"We urgently need to replenish our energy! Immediately! Right now!"

"Get your largest 'Dragon Hall' ready!"

"Also, serve every dish on the menu, hot or cold, meat or vegetables, at least once!"

"If that's not enough, we'll order more."

Our Minister Li is completely dumbfounded!

What Middle East... guns and bullets everywhere... and not even a grain of rice eaten...?

Am I, the Minister of Security of the Dragon Kingdom, supposed to go to the battlefield hungry and carrying a Type 38 rifle?

After saying that, Zeng Long magically produced a bulging wallet.

"Smack!" The desk was slapped again.

"Money is plentiful! Our Minister Li is as incorruptible as water; he never dines and dashes! Because he's just a minister, not a dine-and-dash hog!"

Li Weiguo stared at the familiar wallet, his vision blurred, and he almost fainted from lack of breath!

That's his wallet!!

His identification documents! They're all gone!!

He, the Minister of Security of the Dragon Kingdom, was unaware that his most important documents had been stolen by someone who got close to him, and he was also completely oblivious to the fact that his wallet had been taken by the same person!

If this gets out... how will he ever face the National Security system again?! How will he face his family and friends back home?!

Zeng Sheng!

What kind of bizarre and monstrous talent did your Zeng family produce?!

Oh my god... my heart... my liver... half a year's salary!!!

Li Weiguo clutched his chest, feeling like he was having trouble breathing.

He could already foresee the miserable future of coming home, kneeling on the keyboard, typing love letters while being questioned by his wife about "where did six months' salary go?"

Despair, a deep despair, enveloped this high-ranking minister.

Zeng Long, the instigator, wore an expression of righteous indignation, as if he were "helping the minister solve his problems," and patted him on the shoulder:

"Come on, buddy, are you starving? Your eyes are practically popping out. Don't worry, we'll pack up what we can't finish!"