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

At Jingqing University, when Zeng Long's familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar and distant figure reappeared at the classroom door, the tranquility was instantly ignited.

"Brother Long! My dear brother! You're finally back!"

An exaggerated, almost sobbing scream shattered the silence of the classroom.

Zhu Yiqun, that slightly chubby, always energetic guy, rushed over like a rolling ball with an agility that belied his size, and gave Zeng Long a solid bear hug.

Zhu Yiqun raised his head, his eyes actually a little red. He patted Zeng Long's back hard, his voice rising with excitement, and shouted to the whole class:

"Brother Long! You've made a huge contribution and ensured the future of all the students in our class! Although, when I asked Ziteng and the other two, they were both tight-lipped, neither of them would tell me exactly what happened."

He pointed to Du Ziteng and Hao Shuai, who looked helpless, beside him:

"But I, and all the other classmates, know that Brother Long, you must have paid a price we can't even imagine! So!"

He whirled around, facing all the students who were staring intently at him, and raised his arms, shouting:

"Classmates! What are we waiting for? With our most excited hearts and warmest applause, let's welcome our class's hero, our meritorious contributor, my forever Brother Long—Zeng Long!"

"Whoosh—!" As if a fuse had been lit, enthusiastic applause erupted instantly, echoing and reverberating throughout the classroom like thunder.

Every student's face was filled with sincere gratitude and admiration.

In the past two days, they have thoroughly investigated the power and influence of the Wu family and other major wealthy families, which further demonstrates Zeng Long's immense influence.

The applause was not just for welcoming and thanking them, but also for the real opportunity and turning point in their lives that they were facing.

Looking at the excited young faces before him, and at Zhu Yiqun's genuine enthusiasm, Zeng Long felt a warmth in his heart.

He raised his hand and gently patted Zhu Yiqun's shoulder, saying nothing more, only offering a gentle smile. Everything was understood without words.

The bell rang, and Zeng Long packed his things, preparing to leave the classroom alone to go to Class 1 to see Xiao Ya, the girl he was always worried about.

Just as he stepped out of the classroom, a figure awkwardly blocked his way.

It was the class monitor, Xiao Wanru.

She wore simple, slightly faded clothes, her long, black hair casually draped over her shoulders, with a few strands falling beside her delicate face.

However, even with such an unadorned appearance, it could not conceal her delicate, porcelain-doll-like features and her expressive eyes.

Zeng Long's heart stirred slightly. He was certain that as long as she dressed up a little, her appearance and temperament would definitely not be inferior to that of a beauty like Yan Ruge.

Xiao Wanru raised her head and looked at Zeng Long with a complex expression, which included gratitude, shyness, and a hint of inferiority.

Without any hesitation, she bowed deeply to Zeng Long, the bow being very large, and remained standing for a long time.

"Zeng Long... I'm so, so very grateful to you!"

Her voice trembled slightly, clearly from mustering her courage, "You saved me, and you saved my whole family."

She straightened up, her eyes already slightly red:

"Yesterday...yesterday someone came to my house in person to apologize and returned all the money my father had lost. And...they even...forced me to leave behind a check for two million dollars."

As she spoke, she took out a check from her somewhat old backpack and handed it to Zeng Long with both hands, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force.

"I definitely can't take this money. I think... I want to give it to you. After all, you've already given so much for me, for our family..."

Zeng Long looked at her quietly, his gaze calm and gentle, as if he could see into her inner unease.

He didn't take the check, but smiled slightly and softened his voice: "Class monitor."

Just those two simple words made Xiao Wanru's heart skip a beat.

"Here, take it. It's yours." Zeng Long's tone carried an unquestionable calmness.

"Didn't I make it very clear that night? An apology and compensation are necessary. So, this money is the compensation you deserve, and it's perfectly reasonable."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the wall, landing on his mother who toiled tirelessly for the family:

"Take this money and do something for your hardworking mother, so she won't have to work so hard anymore. Improve her life a little, or buy yourself something you need."

His words contained no charity, only a sense of self-righteous concern.

"Furthermore, I believe that after this incident, your father will behave himself. If anything else happens later..."

He looked at her with a determined gaze, "Just come to me directly."

He concluded by emphasizing, "Alright, let's not mention the thanks or the cash check again."

After saying that, Zeng Long nodded to her, then strode past her with ease, his figure quickly disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

Xiao Wanru stood frozen in place, still holding the heavy check in her hands as if it were a scalding hot potato.

She stared in the direction Zeng Long had disappeared, her vision blurring rapidly. Large tears finally rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, dripping onto the cold ground.

He... He is the only person in this world, besides her mother, who treats her unconditionally without any self-interest, and who shelters her from the wind and rain.

He was so mysterious and powerful, like a towering mountain, that she could only look up to him.

She knew perfectly well that there was an insurmountable chasm between her and him, and she had no reason or condition to hope for even the slightest bit of affection to get closer to him.

But... the heart is beyond control. Just receiving his unintentional protection and care was enough to make her feel incredibly content.

A bittersweet warmth welled up and spread in her heart.

Even if she could only watch his back from afar for the rest of her life and grow old alone, it seemed to her to be a humble yet happy kind of romance, a silent kind of gain.

Love arises without warning, and deepens with time. The seed named "Zeng Long" has quietly sprouted and taken deep root in the softest corner of her heart.