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

"Oh? I didn't expect my exchange meeting to be so lively before it even officially started?"

A voice, tinged with languor yet clear enough to reach everyone's ears, suddenly rang out, instantly breaking the tense standoff in this corner of the Tengge Hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Teng Ao walking slowly towards them, surrounded by a group of extraordinary young men and women.

He wore a well-tailored dark suit, a faint smile on his face, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he swept over everyone present, naturally becoming the focus of the entire room.

The group of people following behind him sent chills down the spines of many who knew the inside story!

Teng Fei, Zeng Lingyu, Zeng Yuan, Zeng Ke, Yan Ruge, and Yan Hai, who has recently become a prominent figure in Beijing's social circles and whom no one dares to easily provoke, along with Yang Li and his group.

This group almost brings together the most elite and untouchable young people in Beijing!

Especially the Zeng and Yan families, whose status and position have long transcended simple wealth measurement, representing the most elite circle of power and wealth in the capital.

A suppressed gasp and whispers suddenly rose from the crowd of onlookers.

"Look! The younger generations of the Zeng and Yan families have arrived!"

"My goodness, tonight's lineup... it's truly a constellation of stars!"

"Is that Yan Hai? I heard he's all high and mighty in the industry now, doesn't give anyone face, and nobody dares to mess with him!"

This is going to be interesting.

Yan Hai certainly lived up to his reputation as a "mischievous little devil".

He strode past Teng Ao, hands in his pockets, head tilted, and glanced at Hu Sanshao, whose face was already turning pale, with the typical look of a spoiled brat!

Because he is the third child in his family, he is known in the industry as Hu San or Hu San Shao.

Yan Hai's tone was undisguised mockery:

"Hu San! What's wrong? Haven't seen you for a few days, got all cocky? Bullying people here again?" He sneered.

You saw with your own eyes what happened to those idiots in the Yuetingyuan Hall last time.

My brother Long lives upstairs. If you dare to make a fuss here and disturb him!

Believe it or not, he doesn't even need to lift a finger; your grandfather and father will come over and break your legs, then say they don't know anyone like you.

Yan Hai's words were like ice water poured over his head, sending a chill down Hu Sanshao's spine.

He had personally witnessed Zeng Long's godlike methods and influence, even figures like He Shao and his ilk had fallen, so what was Hu San compared to him?

Even if he had eight hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare to act recklessly in any situation where Zeng Long might appear.

Hu Sanshao's arrogance vanished instantly, replaced by a forced smile that looked more like a grimace. He hurriedly explained to Teng Ao, his tone ingratiating:

Teng...Young Master Teng! Please don't misunderstand! I really didn't mean to bully anyone!

Well... I heard from Mr. Han next to me that there are two identities that might not be enough...

Well, I didn't receive an invitation, but I managed to sneak in.

I was thinking that tonight is a high-end exchange meeting hosted by you personally. Who here isn't a big shot with a prominent family background or a net worth of over 10 billion?

So...so I came to find out what's going on, I absolutely have no intention of causing trouble!

As he spoke, he pointed to Ye Zhenkang, whose face was ashen.

"Oh? You have such 'kindness'?" Teng Ao glanced at Hu San expressionlessly, his gaze calm, yet Hu San felt as if he had been pricked by a needle.

Immediately, Teng Ao's gaze turned to Ye Zhenkang and his wife, who were being protected by Yin Hang and Du Hanyuan.

Yin Hang knew that he had to step in now.

He took a deep breath, forced a slightly stiff smile, stepped forward, and explained to Teng Ao:

Young Master Teng, here's the thing. Mr. Du and I are old acquaintances of Chairman Ye Zhenkang and his wife.

Chairman Ye is an upright person, and we can tell that he must have come here on important business.

As former friends and business partners, it's just a small favor to bring them in, right?

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Fatty Han, whose face was pale.

"I just didn't expect that this Mr. Han would keep pressing this matter, which caused this unpleasant incident."

"Stop!" Teng Ao raised his hand, interrupting Yin Hang, his tone carrying an undeniable distance:

"Mr. Yin, I'm very busy today. I don't have time to listen to your detailed explanation, let alone deal with these trivial matters."

His gaze lingered on Yin Hang and Du Hanyuan's faces for a moment, his tone softening slightly—

"However, we're old acquaintances. Since you, Mr. Yin and Mr. Du, brought this friend in..."

He turned to Ye Zhenkang and nodded politely, but with a noticeable sense of distance:

"This must be Chairman Ye, right? Now that you're here, you're one of us. Let's leave it at that and move on."

Having said that, he clearly didn't intend to waste any more time on the matter, and turned around to leave with Zeng Lingyu and the others to deal with what he called the "more important" thing.

However— "Wait! Young Master Teng!"

A trembling yet exceptionally firm voice rang out!

Ye Zhenkang clenched his fists tightly. He looked at Teng Ao's departing figure, struggling to suppress the turbulent emotions of excitement and humility churning within him. His voice trembled noticeably:

"Young Master Teng! I...I came here with my wife this time...actually, we wanted to see you! We have something...we want to ask you for help!"

He seemed to use all his strength to quickly pull a bank card from the inside pocket of his suit, his hands trembling slightly with excitement, and presented it to Teng Ao.

His waist was slightly bent, and his posture was extremely humble:

Young Master Teng! This…this card contains one hundred million! This is…all the savings my whole family has right now!

I didn't want to discuss this here because it's crowded and noisy, and I was afraid of bothering you... but... but you're so busy, and I was afraid of missing this opportunity, so... so I'll have to keep it short...

His voice was slightly choked, but he tried his best to remain clear:

"I have a favor to ask... Mr. Teng, you have extensive connections and resources... I... I have a son who has been missing for over ten years... to this day... without any news... could you... perhaps help me find some clues?"

He raised his head, his eyes bloodshot and filled with an almost desperate hope:

"This...this one hundred million might be just a drop in the ocean for you...but this...this is what I managed to raise by selling everything I could...Please...Please accept it, Young Master Teng! Thank you!"

A once powerful and influential group chairman, now, for the sake of a slim hope, offers up his entire fortune in front of everyone, like the most humble beggar.

This scene moved many people around.

Teng Ao turned around, looked at the bank card Ye Zhenkang handed him, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he didn't take it.

His tone still carried a businesslike detachment:

Mr. Ye, I understand how you feel. However, I'm really busy right now.

Longyu Group is in the early stages of preparation, and there are many things to deal with. I have a lot of things to handle immediately.

Finding someone requires a lot of time and energy, and I simply can't manage it all. I hope you... can understand.

Upon hearing Teng Ao's almost direct rejection, Ye Zhenkang swayed, and the light in his eyes dimmed instantly, as if his last bit of support had been drained away.

"Young Master Teng! Please! Help me!" Just then, Zhou Simin, who had been holding back, could no longer control herself!

She suddenly stepped forward from her husband, her voice trembling with tears, a mother's most primal and helpless plea in her panic!

She looked as if she was about to kneel down at any moment, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.

"This...this might be our last hope! Please!"

She frantically pulled out an old photograph from her handbag, her hands trembling, and it was clearly yellowed and the edges were worn and blurry!

Holding it in both hands as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, she presented it to Teng Ao, sobbing uncontrollably.

"This...this is the last photo of my son before he went missing...the photo...his name...and...his date of birth are written on the back of the photo..."

Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she was almost incoherent:

"Young Master Teng! We dare not delay your important business... We only beg you... once you're done with this busy period... later... later when you have some free time... please... please keep an eye out for clues again... Please! We really beg you!"

A mother's desperate and humble plea, with its deep-seated sorrow and unwavering devotion, instantly moved everyone present.

Even those who had initially come out to watch the spectacle changed their expressions, their eyes revealing sympathy and sighs.

Yin Hang and Du Hanyuan sighed deeply. They knew how the Ye family had endured the past ten years or so; such torment was enough to destroy any strong soul.

But at this moment, they could say nothing more on behalf of Ye Zhenkang and his wife, and could only cast expectant and nervous glances at Teng Ao.

Teng Ao looked at Zhou Simin, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and then at the yellowed photograph. His brows furrowed even more, as if he was still weighing his options.

He was indeed very busy, and such private, low-probability requests for finding people were of too low priority to him.

Just as Teng Ao took a deep breath, seemingly preparing to politely decline again—

A clear and gentle voice, like a mountain stream, rang out beside him: "Brother Ao."

It was Zeng Lingyu.

Looking at Zhou Simin's heartbroken and desperate state, as if she were grasping at a last straw, a barely perceptible hint of emotion flashed in her beautiful eyes.

In this mother, she seemed to see the shadow of her own mother, who secretly shed tears because she missed her eldest brother Zeng Long.

The pain and unwavering resolve of losing her beloved child touched the softest part of her heart.

She gently tugged at Teng Ao's sleeve, her voice low, yet carrying an undeniable seriousness and earnestness:

"This is the story of a father and a mother, their unwavering devotion to their lost son after more than a decade. Since we've met today, it must be fate... If you can, please help them, okay?"

Zeng Lingyu's words, though seemingly casual, carried more weight than any other plea.

A glimmer of hope instantly shone in the eyes of Yin Hang and the others!

They knew all too well the importance of this little princess of the Zeng family in Teng Ao's heart!

Yin Hang reacted extremely quickly, without waiting for Teng Ao to respond!

He immediately stepped forward and carefully took the photo, which carried countless hopes and tears, from Zhou Simin's hands!

Then, she respectfully handed it to Teng Ao, her tone sincere: "Young Master Teng, Miss Xiaoyu is right, please... help me!"

Teng Ao's gaze lingered for a moment on Zeng Lingyu's clear, pleading eyes!

She glanced at the yellowed photo Yin Hang handed her, and the formulaic aloofness on her face finally melted a little.

He hesitated for a full three seconds, as if weighing some kind of decision, and finally, he let out a soft breath and reached out to take the photograph.

He didn't even look down at the portrait in the photo or the writing on the back; he just casually held the photo in his hand!

Then, looking at Ye Zhenkang and Zhou Simin, who seemed to be awaiting final judgment, his tone was calm yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

"You... should thank Xiaoyu who's by my side."

He waved the photo in his hand:

"Alright, I've accepted the photos. I'll have someone keep an eye out for them when I'm done with this. Right now, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

After saying that, he didn't linger and casually put the photo into his suit pocket!

Then he led Zeng Lingyu, Yan Rugo, and the others, each with a different expression—

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he turned and left the center of this small disturbance, heading towards Zeng Long's room.

Ye Zhenkang and Zhou Simin stood there blankly, watching Teng Ao's departing figure, as if they had not yet recovered from this sudden turn of events.

Hope, like a candle flame in a storm, is faint, but ultimately... it is not completely extinguished.

That yellowed photograph, along with Teng Ao, headed in another direction that might determine its fate.