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

The crowd was still reeling from Zeng Linglong's extraordinary skill and personal charisma, deeply impressed and their enthusiasm undiminished.

"Squeak—"

The heavy solid wood door of the private room was slowly pushed open once again.

Instantly, like a magnet attracting iron, it drew everyone's attention.

At the entrance, where light and shadow intertwined, a new figure stepped in with an air of nonchalance.

The person who arrived was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in casual clothes that looked casual but were actually extremely well-tailored, exuding a perfect amount of laziness and casualness.

His lips naturally curve upwards, as if he always wears a warm smile that is just right and makes people feel like they are basking in a spring breeze.

With his refined and elegant demeanor, he resembled a noble gentleman who had stepped out of a classical painting or an art film.

however--

The moment his toes touched the floor of the private room!

The lively atmosphere in the entire "Lingyun Hall," which had been barely maintained after the confrontation between Zeng Linglong and Kong Zhuo, was suddenly gripped by an invisible giant hand!

"hiss--"

"Is it...Young Master Luo?"

"Luo Haoran! What's he doing here...?!"

Extremely low, suppressed gasps and whispers, filled with immense astonishment, exploded and spread through the crowd like water being poured into a hot oil pan!

Apart from Zeng Linglong, almost everyone present recognized this uninvited guest.

Luo Haoran.

Another of the "Three Young Masters" of the capital.

The most outstanding political star of the third generation of the Luo family.

Along with Kong Zhuo, he is known as one of the "two stars of the political arena," and has long been privately regarded by some bigwigs in the upper echelons as the leading figures for the next twenty years.

Surrounding him were also the eldest sons and grandsons, and young talents, whom various political families were actively cultivating.

Unlike Kong Zhuo's deep and reserved demeanor and natural aura, Luo Haoran has always been known in the industry for his shrewdness and social skills.

He is impeccable in his dealings with people and has woven a vast and resilient network of relationships in both political and business circles, earning him an excellent reputation.

But those who truly know him are well aware that beneath that warm smile and refined appearance lies a sharp mind, meticulous planning, and immense ambition that are in no way inferior to Kong Zhuo's, and in some aspects even more formidable.

He simply chose a different, more "gentle," more "harmless," yet equally efficient, and even more difficult-to-defend-against way of dealing with the world and making progress.

Kong Zhuo had just been "pressed" into a seat, still feeling the effects of the alcohol.

Luo Hao then appeared gracefully, beaming with smiles.

Tonight's banquet is getting increasingly murky and complicated.

Luo Haoran seemed completely unaware of the eerie, almost frozen atmosphere that suddenly filled the private room.

His gaze swept across the room with gentle composure, finally settling naturally on Zeng Linglong, who was in the main seat.

"I apologize for interrupting your enjoyment."

"I heard that Young Master Long is hosting a banquet here tonight to celebrate his glorious return."

"I, Luo Haoran... have come uninvited."

"I'd also like to share in the joy and ask for a cup of wine..."

"This is just a token of my...congratulations."

"I hope... I haven't been too forward with Young Master Long and everyone else."

His words were tactful and considerate, and his posture was extremely humble.

He first expressed his apology, then revealed his identity and purpose, and his attitude was so humble that no one could find any fault with his manners.

Compared to Kong Zhuo's direct probing, it seemed more "sincere" and was also more difficult to deal with.

All eyes, once again like spotlights, focused instantly on Zeng Linglong, who was in the main seat!

Just as I used a glass of strong liquor to "suppress" Kong Zhuo, now another smiling tiger, Luo Haoran, has appeared!

How will this newly crowned "Young Master Dragon" respond?

Kong Zhuo sat in the newly added seat, leaning back in his chair, his fingers gently twirling the empty wine glass. His eyes were calm and unwavering as he looked towards the door, but the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly, as if he were anticipating an even more interesting show than before.

Teng Ao, Yan Ruge, and the others felt their hearts leap into their throats again, even more nervous than before.

Unlike Kong Zhuo's straightforwardness, Luo Haoran is more adept at achieving his goals through witty banter and warm gestures, often catching people off guard and leaving them in a dilemma.

Zeng Linglong had already put down his wine glass when Luo Haoran entered the room.

His posture remained relaxed, even somewhat languid, as he leaned back in his chair, but his back remained straight as a javelin, completely still.

The gentle smile on his face remained, but the all-knowing calm in the depths of his eyes became even more unfathomable, like an ancient well.

He did not immediately respond to Luo Haoran's "sincere" speech.

With a calm, even slightly inquisitive gaze, he met the other person's warm, bright, and smiling eyes.

The two were separated by most of the private room, where glasses clinked and figures moved about.

Yet it seemed as if two invisible auras, completely different in nature but equally powerful, were silently colliding, squeezing, probing, and intertwining in the air.

Luo Haoran's eyes were warm, friendly, and infectious, like the all-pervasive sunshine in spring, trying to melt away all barriers and eliminate all defenses, making people unconsciously let down their guard.

Zeng Linglong's eyes were calm, deep, and still, like a deep pool in the stillness of an autumn night, reflecting the sun, moon, stars, and ever-changing winds and clouds, yet remaining deep, cold, and unmoved.

It is like water, gentle and kind, yet capable of penetrating stone and eroding gold, reaching everywhere.

One is like a mountain, heavy and silent, yet it stands firm and unyielding, regardless of the winds from all directions.

It was as if an invisible string was slowly tightening in the air, producing a subtle tremor that only a master could hear.

Just when the atmosphere was so delicate, almost suffocating—

"ha--!!!"

Zeng Linglong suddenly burst into an extremely hearty, even somewhat exaggerated, laugh without any warning!

A loud laugh instantly shattered the eerie silence!

Amidst the stunned, bewildered, and completely bewildered gazes of everyone (including Luo Haoran)—

Zeng Linglong suddenly sprang up from his seat, his movement so fast it created a gust of wind!

His face lit up with an incredibly bright and enthusiastic smile that was almost "burning". He took three steps at a time, almost running, and rushed toward Luo Haoran, who was standing frozen at the door!

"Young Master Luo! You're too kind!"

As he walked, he shouted in a loud voice that could be heard in the next private room.

"You...you're a very special guest, someone we couldn't invite even if we tried!"

Before he finished speaking, he was already in front of Luo Haoran.

Then, under Luo Haoran's suddenly widened, astonished and bewildered gaze—

Zeng Linglong, with an extremely natural, even somewhat "rough" affection, stretched out his strong right arm and wrapped it around Luo Haoran's neck!

With an overbearing enthusiasm reminiscent of "two buddies, inseparable brothers," he almost caused Luo Haoran, who was caught off guard and maintaining an elegant posture, to stumble!

"We'll talk about it later—"

Zeng Linglong's voice was still loud enough to be heard throughout the venue, and his tone was so affectionate it was almost nauseating:

"Given our 'brotherly' relationship..."

"How can you call it 'abrupt'?!"

"Aren't you just slapping me in the face?!"

"boom--!"

Inside the private room, everyone's brains collectively shut down at that moment!

Holy crap?!

What's going on?!

Young Master Long and Young Master Luo... know each other?! Or are they "brothers"?!

Look at how tightly they're hugging each other... like long-lost brothers!

I've never heard of this before!

Luo Haoran was completely dumbfounded by Zeng Linglong's sudden and extremely abnormal "intimate attack"!

His ever-present gentle smile froze instantly, his body stiffened slightly under Zeng Linglong's iron grip, and his brain worked at its fastest speed ever, but it couldn't keep up with this unpredictable pace!

What kind of strategy is this?!

Outgoing and familiar with everyone?!

Forced kinship claim?!

Is he possessed by an Oscar-winning actor?!

Zeng Linglong gave Luo Haoran absolutely no chance to react or break free!

He put his arm around Luo Haoran's neck and, half-dragging and half-pulling him, led him toward the main table in a very affectionate manner.

As they walked, they continued to "complain" at the volume of the public address system, their voices filled with "deep emotion":

"Young Master Luo! It's been so long!"

"You said you were coming... but you didn't even tell your brother beforehand?"

"I want to personally greet you at the gate!"

He patted Luo Haoran's shoulder forcefully.

"Based on our 'brotherly' relationship..."

"Tonight... we must drink until we drop!"

"What do you say...?!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Luo Haoran's heart and also disrupting the already confused understanding of the onlookers!

Alarm bells rang wildly in Luo Haoran's mind, like a stampede of horses!

To say you don't know them or aren't familiar with them?

That was tantamount to slapping Zeng Linglong hard in the face in public, completely tearing off their relationship, and instantly turning them from "potential friends" into rivals or enemies!

It would only make Luo Haoran appear narrow-minded and ungrateful. His initiative to visit tonight would be seen by outsiders as a huge joke and a failure!

If we don't respond, don't explain, and just let him continue this "performance"?

Everyone present, and the news that would soon spread throughout the entire Beijing circle, would all believe that Luo Haoran and Zeng Linglong not only knew each other, but were also extremely close, like "brothers"!

This leads to the conclusion that the Luo family and the Zeng family have a close relationship and are allies!

Luo Haoran is here tonight to support his brothers and give them their backs!

I... damn it!

In a flash, Luo Haoran, with his top-notch political acumen, instantly discerned the terrifying implications behind Zeng Linglong's seemingly absurd behavior!

This is fucking...so insidious and shameless!

I entered gracefully and said a few polite words.

Without saying a word, you came up and forcibly "recognized" someone as a relative, and "kidnapped" them in public!

With this extremely exaggerated performance, every gesture and movement dug a huge pit for me, one that I couldn't jump into, nor could I not jump into!