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

Kong Zhuo looked at the three cups, and the smile on his face finally disappeared completely.

His eyes were sharp as knives as he stared intently at Zeng Linglong, his heart churning with turmoil.

He had only heard that Zeng Linglong was powerful and had a mysterious background.

Only when facing them in person can one truly feel the terrifying mindset and control they possess—a control so effortless yet so powerful, capable of striking with unwavering precision.

A seemingly simple act of pouring wine, coupled with a profound statement, forced him into a situation where he had no choice but to follow the other person's lead.

Should I not choose anything? Or should I not choose the largest cup?

That would not only be a slap in the face, but could also be interpreted as malicious and narrow-minded. In that case, tonight wouldn't be a time to "congratulate" or "get to know" someone, but rather to make an enemy.

To make an enemy in public for someone you've just met and whose true strength you haven't yet figured out is definitely not a wise move.

Choose the largest wine glass?

That would be tantamount to publicly acknowledging and accepting the "framework" set by Zeng Linglong for this meeting, which in a sense is a veiled gesture of "entering the game".

Caught between a rock and a hard place, there is really only one "respectable" path to take.

Kong Zhuo's mind raced, but his expression quickly returned to composure.

He suddenly burst into loud laughter, breaking the deathly silence of the private room.

"Young Master Long...it's Young Master Long!"

He laughed and shook his head, but his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and solemnity.

"Today I have witnessed Young Master Long's boldness and methods..."

He stepped forward.

"I, Kong Zhuo... have not had a wasted trip!"

After saying that, he reached out without hesitation and picked up the largest wine glass.

His movements were steady and without the slightest hesitation.

However, instead of drinking immediately, he looked intently at Zeng Linglong.

"Young Master Long..."

A faint yet sharp smile returned to the corners of his mouth.

"As a guest, I have already raised my glass."

Where's your wine glass?

Counterattack! Even though we're already in the game, we'll drag them down with us!

If we're going to drink, let's drink together! If we're going to set rules, let's both abide by them!

Zeng Linglong seemed to have anticipated this outcome.

He raised his eyes calmly.

"Young Master Kong..."

"No rush."

Then, with a wave of his hand, he instructed Yan Hai beside him:

"Please... offer Young Master Kong a seat of honor!"

"I...your mother..." Kong Zhuo's mind was in turmoil.

His hand holding the wine glass trembled almost imperceptibly, and he nearly lost control of his facial expression!

He only said "take the seat of honor," he didn't say he wanted to sit here! His intention was just to offer a toast, test the waters, get to know each other, and then leave!

But now... "Granted a seat of honor"? If he sits down, wouldn't that be equivalent to formally participating, or even "voluntarily participating" in this comeback banquet held for Zeng Linglong to some extent?

But the words had already been spoken, the wine glass had already been raised, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, could he really refuse to sit down?

You have to jump into the hole you dug yourself, even if it brings tears to your eyes!

"Alright! Young Master Kong, please proceed!"

Yan Hai reacted quickly, scurrying over a dining chair that was clearly larger and more imposing than the others, and placed it at the head of the table (the seat of honor) to the left of Zeng Linglong, who was in the main seat.

Kong Zhuo gave Zeng Linglong a deep look, but ultimately remained calm, picked up his wine glass, and sat down in the "seat of honor".

This sitting was of extraordinary significance.

Zeng Linglong nodded in satisfaction.

Under everyone's gaze, he picked up a clean stemmed glass of the same size again.

Then, he did something that made everyone gasp in shock—

He picked up another bottle of top-grade, extremely strong liquor from the table—a special military-grade Moutai!

He poured the clear, transparent liquor, which exuded a strong aroma, directly into the tall glass!

Yes, it's not red wine, it's 53-proof strong liquor!

Moreover, it was poured to the brim, completely level with the surface of the red wine in Kong Zhuo's glass!

He held the surprisingly strong glass of liquor in both hands, looking at Kong Zhuo with a calm and open gaze.

"Young Master Kong!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a resounding force like the clash of metal, echoing throughout the silent private room.

"You just said you're a guest."

"Then I, as the master... will absolutely treat you with courtesy!"

"I, Zeng Linglong... have always acted this way!"

He paused slightly, his gaze sharp:

"The color of the wine... represents my pure and unadulterated heart!"

"The strength of the liquor...represents the warmth I feel for my friends!"

He raised his glass of strong liquor, level with Kong Zhuo's glass of red wine:

"Young Master Kong, your liquor... is only around ten degrees."

"You're a guest..."

"As the master, I should...double it!"

"Let's treat each other with this 53-proof liquor... as a sign of courtesy!"

His voice was resolute, carrying an undeniable boldness and domineering presence:

"I was once Linglong..."

"That's how you treat your friends!"

"The same applies to the enemy!"

"Let's do it! Young Master Kong!"

boom--!

These words struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in everyone's hearts!

If you're a friend, I'll toast you with double the strength, with fervent sincerity!

If they are enemies, I will retaliate with double the amount of strong liquor, fierce and resolute!

What magnanimity! What domineering presence! What confidence!

Lay your attitude, principles, and bottom line out in the open without any concealment, and express them in the most direct and manly way!

If you treat me with respect, I will treat you with even greater respect! If you offend me, I will repay you tenfold!

Kong Zhuo's hand, holding the red wine, froze in mid-air.

His eyes flashed intensely, and the usual composed smile on his face finally disappeared, replaced by deep shock and solemnity.

He looked at the glass of strong liquor in Zeng Linglong's hand, clear yet seemingly burning with flames, and at the other's calm eyes, which contained boundless power and sincerity.

He never expected that Zeng Linglong would give such a strong yet incredibly sincere response in this way.

This is more than just drinking.

This is not only a demonstration of strength, but also a prelude to a heart-to-heart talk.

Rejection? That would mean completely closing the door to friendship, and might even turn you into an "enemy" on the spot.

Acceptance? That would mean acknowledging the other party's magnanimity and principles. In this contest, Kong Zhuo was already slightly inferior in terms of momentum and vision.

But... the overwhelming sense of pride and absolute confidence that came over him instantly dissipated most of the unpleasantness he felt from being "tricked" into sitting down. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement and respect for a worthy opponent and a talented strategist.

"Hahaha--!!!"

Kong Zhuo suddenly burst into laughter again!

This time, the laughter was more hearty and genuine than before, with less distance and more admiration!

"Young Master Long! Well said! 'Treat friends the same way, and enemies the same way!'"

His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he suddenly stood up.

"Today I have witnessed the true dragon! I have experienced the young master's boldness and domineering presence!"

"I, Kong Zhuo... am completely convinced!"

"This glass of wine..."

He raised the glass of red wine in his hand and said loudly:

"I did it!"

"Respect to Young Master Long! Respect to his...openness and courage!"

"good!"

Zeng Linglong also burst into laughter, the sound shaking the roof tiles.

"Respect to Young Master Kong! Respect for his... straightforwardness and vision!"

"clang--!!!"

Two identical stemmed glasses, each containing different liquids and symbolizing different meanings, collided heavily in mid-air!

It produced a crisp and long striking sound, like the clash of metal, or the sound of bells and chimes marking the completion of some kind of ceremony!

Both of them looked up at the same time.

Zeng Linglong downed the large glass of strong liquor in one gulp!

Kong Zhuo also downed his full glass of red wine in one gulp without hesitation!

As the wine entered my throat, a warm current surged through me.

Their eyes met, and sparks flew.

This touch, this drink.

It's not just about alcohol.

It was also the first face-to-face, silent contest and recognition between two young giants.

It is a collision and fusion of perspectives, temperament, methods, and mindset.

This laid the first, tense yet mutually respectful foundation for whether the future will be one of enmity or friendship, cooperation or competition.

Set the wine glass down.

The private room remained silent.

But everyone's eyes have completely changed.

The gaze directed at Zeng Linglong now held a new kind of fanaticism, bordering on worship, in addition to the previous awe and following.

Facing another equally outstanding "Third Young Master" Kong Zhuo, Young Master Long remained calm and composed!

With a series of seemingly effortless yet overwhelmingly powerful moves, he forced his opponent to willingly sit down, clink glasses, and drink!

That skill, that boldness, that control... it's divine!

Kong Zhuo's act of sitting down and drinking with him was tantamount to publicly acknowledging Zeng Linglong's status as an equal to his, or even superior to him in some aspects!

Yan Ruge gazed at the figure who calmly put away his cup and sat down, her eyes overflowing with pride and tenderness, but deep within them also flickered a trace of bitterness and complexity that only she herself understood.

His world was so magnificent, yet so fraught with danger.

The other socialites were even more captivated, their eyes shining and their hearts fluttering.

That exchange just now, though without bloodshed, was absolutely brilliant; it was a dialogue and choice brimming with masculine hormones and the brilliance of wisdom!

It has already left an indelible mark on their hearts, a profound impression of top-tier male charm.

Zeng Linglong, with a glass of strong liquor, a confrontation.

Not only did it subdue the uninvited but powerful dragon Kong Zhuo.

Furthermore, it solidified his undisputed leadership status and extraordinary charisma in the hearts of all the top young people in Beijing present.

The foremost of the Four Young Masters of the Capital?

Perhaps, the competition has already begun from this moment on.

The banquet, thanks to the intervention and admiration of this uninvited guest, reached a new and more subtle yet cohesive peak.

After Kong Zhuo sat down, his expression returned to calm, even showing a hint of genuine relaxation, and he began to talk to Zeng Linglong in a low voice.

But deep in their eyes, the scrutiny and assessment that belonged to their kind and to the pinnacle of predators never disappeared.

The banquet was not over, but a new situation had already arisen.

Starting tonight, the landscape of Beijing's younger generation has been quietly rewritten.