“What? My uncle has been placed under disciplinary investigation?”
“What the hell did you just say?! My mother’s company went bankrupt?”
“Our family’s political faction lost the power struggle?”
“My father has been suspended from his position?”
“I… damn it!”
As one piece of devastating news after another came in, Lu Yun’s expression shifted constantly until his face turned deathly pale.
At that moment, he felt as though fate itself had singled him out for misery, filling his life with nothing but twists and hardships.
In his previous life, he had just enlisted in the army.
Before he had even finished basic training, an accident occurred during a field exercise, and he lost his life.
In this life, he had been reborn as the heir of a powerful political family—the number one of the so-called “Four Young Masters of the Capital.” Every day had been filled with idleness, bullying, extravagant parties, and endless flattery from those eager to curry favor.
It had been a life of luxury and prestige.
Although Lu Yun never truly enjoyed that lifestyle, during the year since his rebirth he had worked hard to change himself.
He wanted to become an upright, respectable second-generation official, leaving behind all the bad habits of the playboy he had once been.
But who could have imagined that before he could even accomplish that modest goal…
His enormous family would collapse overnight.
“It’s all because of political infighting…”
Lu Yun muttered absentmindedly.
Thinking back to all the enemies he had made during his years as a reckless young master before his rebirth, he knew they were probably eager to take revenge now.
He understood one thing very clearly.
Without the protection of his family, he held no significant advantage over the top heirs of China’s elite families or their political rivals.
A tiger fallen from the mountain would inevitably be bullied by dogs.
Nothing described his situation better.
“Young Master, the Old Master wishes to see you.”
At that moment, the family butler entered, his expression unusually complicated.
“Grandfather is awake? Hurry, take me to him!”
Lu Yun immediately stood up and followed the butler.
Not long afterward, they arrived at the intensive care ward of the military hospital.
“Grandfather, how are you feeling?”
Lu Yun hurried to the bedside and grasped the old man’s thin, weathered hand.
His grandfather, Lu Dingtian, was ninety-eight years old.
He had fought in the War of Resistance against Japan, killed countless enemies on the battlefield, and was one of the founding veterans of the nation.
Half a year earlier, he had become critically ill.
Though he had held on until now, it was clear he had finally reached the end of his life.
“Xiaoyun…”
“I don’t have much time left…”
Lu Dingtian said weakly.
Lu Yun’s heart tightened, his eyes reddening.
“Grandfather, you’ll be fine…”
Before he could finish, Lu Dingtian interrupted him.
“Our family’s fortune has come to an end with your generation.”
He sighed deeply.
“Don’t blame your father or your uncles. Political struggles have always been like this.”
“You are the only descendant of our family. My only grandson.”
“You still have to carry on the Lu family bloodline.”
“I can’t bear to see anything happen to you.”
“Our family can no longer protect you.”
“Fortunately… your grandfather still has one last thing he can do.”
“Before I die, I’ve arranged several marriage proposals for you.”
“At least that way, the rest of your life won’t be too miserable.”
“Xiaoyun…”
“Don’t cause any more trouble…”
“Grandfather…”
His voice gradually faded.
The light in his eyes slowly dimmed.
His withered hand suddenly tightened around Lu Yun’s…
Then slowly relaxed.
All strength left his body.
…
One Month Later
The outskirts of Beijing.
Special Operations Military Region.
Today, the usually solemn military base carried an oddly festive atmosphere.
Here and there, splashes of bright red stood out awkwardly against the sea of military green.
On the massive training ground, ceremonial cannons thundered loudly.
Yet despite the celebration, the atmosphere felt strangely subdued.
After the salutes finally ceased, silence returned.
Rows upon rows of soldiers stood around the parade ground in perfectly straight formation.
All of them faced the center of the field.
Their expressions remained stern, but beneath that seriousness lay unmistakable confusion…
Along with poorly concealed disdain and contempt.
“Lei Zhan… I never even got the chance to confess my feelings. Tang Xinyi is getting married… and she’s marrying some useless playboy. It hurts.”
He Chenguang spoke with grief etched across his face.
At the end, he glared at the young man standing in the center of the parade ground, wishing he could draw his rifle and shoot him on the spot.
“Don’t even mention it.”
“Our Wolf Warrior Squadron captain is…”
“Ahhh!”
“I hate this!”
Leng Feng ground his teeth, his face twisted with anger.
“And what about me?”
“My An Ran…”
“That bastard…”
“He’s a notorious playboy and a complete good-for-nothing.”
“Yet he’s marrying every female special forces soldier in the entire military district.”
“I swear I want to shoot him.”
Lei Zhan replied fiercely, his eyes bloodshot.
“Tian Guo…”
“The girl I like… got married…”
Li Erniu burst into tears, crying so hard that his military uniform became soaked.
…
Meanwhile, the military training ground had been transformed into a wedding venue.
Standing in two orderly rows were eighteen brides dressed in military uniforms, each wearing a red ceremonial flower on her chest.
From the Fire Phoenix Special Forces:
An Ran He Lu Ye Cunxin Shen Lanni Ouyang Qian Qubi Azhuo Tang Xiaoxiao Tian Guo
From the Thunderbolt Special Forces:
Xie Sixiao Zhao Xiaoya Gu Yi
From the Red Cell Special Forces:
Tang Xinyi Gu Xiaojie Lin Xiaoxiao
From the Special Operations Unit:
Lin Xiaoying Du Feifei Xia Lan
From the Wolf Warrior Special Forces:
Long Xiaoyun
The eighteen women stood in formation, their expressions cold and emotionless.
Their icy gazes were fixed upon the young man standing opposite them.
Lu Yun looked back at them.
A complicated expression appeared on his face.