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

Inside the luxurious private room, the atmosphere was relaxed and warm after a satisfying meal.

Most of the exquisite dishes were devoured, and the air was filled with the lingering aroma of food and a faint scent of wine.

Everyone wore expressions of relief and satisfaction, chatting quietly with smiles on their faces.

However, there is one exception in this harmony—Tiezhu.

The mountain of bones piled up in front of him was already quite large, but he still buried himself in his work, gnawing on a richly flavored beef hoof with both hands, making smacking noises!

It was as if his stomach was a bottomless pit, and it wasn't even half full yet.

His focused and contented, simple-minded appearance created an interesting contrast with the gradually quieting atmosphere around him.

Just then, Zeng Long gently put down his chopsticks.

This subtle movement, however, was like an invisible signal, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

He picked up a clean white napkin and wiped his mouth with elegant and delicate movements, every gesture exuding a composure and nobility beyond his years.

Almost the instant he put down his napkin, the laughter and conversation in the private room came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing, put down their chopsticks or wine glasses, and all eyes turned to him.

Even Tie Zhu seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. He slowed down his gnawing on the beef hoof, raised his sauce-covered face, looked around blankly, and then continued to work hard.

Zeng Long's gaze slowly swept over every face present:

Dependence and care in Zeng Lingyu's eyes!

Yan Ruge's aloofness and inquisitiveness!

Hao Shuai and Du Ziteng were excited and grateful!

The complexity and awe in their father's eyes, the Zeng sisters' curiosity, Tengfei's fervor, and the seemingly casual yet focused listening posture of the three "nuclear bombs" in the corner.

His gaze was calm and profound. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Everyone here tonight is an insider." He paused, giving his words considerable weight, "And what I'm about to say is relevant to everyone present."

He scanned the crowd again, his gaze sharpening and carrying an undeniable solemnity:

"I hope that...everyone here must classify what I am about to say as top secret."

The word "Top Secret" was like two blocks of ice, instantly lowering the temperature in the private room.

"Because," Zeng Long's voice was deep and powerful, "this information not only concerns the vital interests and future wealth of each of you, but may also... involve the core secrets of the nation!"

He leaned forward slightly, and the oppressive aura he exuded caused everyone to involuntarily hold their breath.

"By keeping this secret, you may have the opportunity in the future to stand at the pinnacle of this world and overlook the scenery."

His tone suddenly shifted, carrying a chilling undertone:

"But if we can't hold on... then the consequences won't just be disgrace and ruin, but could very well... threaten our lives!"

A deathly silence enveloped the entire private room, with only Tie Zhu's deliberately suppressed chewing sounds and the increasingly clear heartbeats of everyone present.

"Now, I'm giving you a choice."

Zeng Long's voice returned to calm, but sounded even heavier. "If you are willing to believe me, willing to follow me, and continue to listen, then please continue to sit here."

"If... anyone is worried that they cannot bear this weight, or cannot keep this secret, then they may leave now. I will not stop them, nor will I hold a grudge against anyone for it."

"I'll give you... one minute to consider."

Time seemed to stretch out infinitely at that moment. The air was still, so heavy it was hard to breathe.

No one spoke, and no one moved.

Every face showed struggle, shock, and hesitation, but more than anything, it showed a sense of bewilderment and trepidation as they were struck by both immense opportunity and danger.

Their gazes involuntarily refocused on Zeng Long. His expression was eerily calm, as if those earth-shattering words from just moments before had not come from him at all.

He simply waited quietly, like a patient hunter, or a judge examining a soul.

A minute passed slowly and steadily, accompanied by the faint sound of the iron rod gnawing at the cow's hoof. In the end, no one got up, and no one left.

Everyone's gaze shifted from initial confusion to a firm eagerness, fixed intently on Zeng Long, waiting for him to unveil a corner of the mysterious veil.

Zeng Long seemed unsurprised by the result. He slowly tapped the smooth tabletop with his fingers, lightly and casually.

The "tap, tap, tap" sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet private room, as if striking a chord in everyone's heart.

Suddenly, his tapping stopped. His gaze, like two tangible bolts of lightning, shot sharply towards Teng Ao, who sat a little further away, still feeling uneasy!

"Young Master Teng!" Zeng Long's voice carried a soul-piercing power, causing Teng Ao to stiffen.

"You," Zeng Long said, each word carrying immense weight, "are you willing to give up your status as the eldest son of the Teng family, to give up all your current achievements and career...?"

His gaze sharpened instantly, meeting Teng Ao's deepest, most genuine thoughts. "Willing to follow me?"

"Boom—!" These words were like a bombshell dropped into Teng Ao's mind!

He was completely stunned, his mind went blank! His heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping its beating!

Giving up his status as the eldest son of the Teng family? Giving up his career and achievements, which he had painstakingly built over many years and which had already begun to make him a rising star among the younger generation in Beijing? This... how could this be possible?!

The Teng family is one of the most powerful families in Beijing. As the eldest grandson, he enjoys a noble status and abundant resources, and has been expected to achieve great things since childhood. His starting point is an end point that countless people can only dream of reaching in their entire lives.

To make him give up all of this is like severing the roots that sustain him, pushing him from the familiar clouds into an unknown, bottomless abyss!

His face turned deathly pale instantly, and fine beads of cold sweat even appeared on his forehead. His hands clenched into fists involuntarily under the table.

He thought quickly:

What did Zeng Long mean by that? Was it a real test? Or... some kind of scheme he couldn't understand?

Given Zeng Long's demonstrated intelligence, methods, and unfathomable power, he would never easily ask others to follow him.

Once he approves of you, it means you will enter his innermost circle, and it means he will protect you unconditionally, just like he protected Du Ziteng and Hao Shuai, and even pay the price of his life for you!

Everything that happened tonight is the most powerful proof!

But... following him meant completely binding his proud future to Zeng Long's giant ship, whose destination was unknown!

Agree? It would be very difficult for him! That was the family he was born and raised in, the source of his pride, and the symbol of his identity!

Asking him to give up all of this is like asking him to deny his past!

Disagree? Then tonight might be the closest he ever gets to Zeng Long's mysterious vortex. After that, he will be forever excluded from that inner circle—

The path that might have led to the "world's pinnacle" will never be accessible again! This will be a lifelong regret!

A contradiction! An endless contradiction was tearing him apart in his heart!

He couldn't ask! He knew perfectly well that he absolutely could not ask Zeng Long for any details at this moment!

Asking the question would be a low move, turning into a naked exchange of interests, which is by no means the followers' intention, but rather an insult to Zeng Long! That would be the most foolish choice!

In the midst of this extreme struggle and chaos, it was as if a bolt of lightning flashed across the dark night sky in his mind!

He suddenly remembered Zeng Long's initial words—"Personal interests, wealth and glory, the pinnacle of the world!"

Wealth and glory? He, Teng Ao, already possesses them!

The pinnacle of the world? That is such a distant and alluring realm!

Achieving that through personal ability alone? How incredibly difficult! But... personal ability! Yes! Personal ability!

If I were to leave the protection of the Teng family and rely solely on my own abilities and choices to realize my ambitions and climb to that awe-inspiring peak...

That would be the best proof of my own value as Tengao! That would be the true glory that belongs to Tengao!

Which scion of a wealthy family doesn't have a sense of pride and integrity?

He was proud and outstanding among them! He longed to prove that his achievements today were not entirely due to his family, but that he himself possessed the potential to soar to great heights!

At this moment, all the hesitation, struggle, and fear in Teng Ao's eyes...

Like a mist dispersed by sunlight, it vanished instantly! In its place was a resolute determination, a steadfastness and fervor born from a clear understanding of the path ahead!

He abruptly raised his head, without the slightest hesitation, his gaze meeting Zeng Long's scrutinizing eyes intently—

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, yet he spoke with exceptional clarity and determination, enunciating each word clearly:

"If you need me, I'll be proud and let go of everything, so what!"

These few words seemed to have exhausted all his strength, yet they also felt like a huge burden had been lifted.

No one knows what kind of earth-shattering battle and baptism Teng Ao's heart went through in that short period of silence and choice.

But it was this seemingly simple promise, this difficult yet absolutely correct decision, that completely changed Teng Ao's life trajectory—

This led him down a path that was far more magnificent and brilliant than simply inheriting the family business!

Many years later, when the name "Teng Ao" resounded throughout the world, when he had achieved great success, was surrounded by children and grandchildren, and was old and frail, he would still solemnly establish the ancestral precept passed down through generations before his descendants:

"All descendants of the Teng family must follow the lead of Mr. Zeng Long and his descendants without question! Regardless of conditions or reasons, we must wholeheartedly assist them until death!"

Because tonight's decision is the most correct, the most worthy of pride and boasting decision of his life!

Even as his life drew to a close and his consciousness began to fade, a final glimmer of light suddenly burst forth from the depths of his cloudy eyes:

As if traversing time and space, he looked once again in the direction of the man who had changed his life, and then, without any lingering attachments, slowly closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, in a private room at Yuetingyuan, as Teng Ao uttered his resounding vow, a new era seemed to quietly begin.

Zeng Long looked at Teng Ao, whose eyes were firm, and a deep and elusive smile slowly appeared on his lips.