In the warm afternoon, lunch slowly bridged the emotional gap between Xiao Yufan and his parents. He couldn’t help but think about his foster parents far away, wondering how they were doing now.
Watching his mother constantly serve him dishes, despite the lingering resentment in Xiao Yufan’s heart, it was gradually melting away. Maternal love is like water; perhaps it was the best way to gently nourish Xiao Yufan’s heart…
“Yufan, do you still remember what I mentioned to you earlier? Have you made your decision yet?”
Although the table was filled with delicacies exuding a subtle fragrance, affected by the emotional atmosphere, no one really felt like eating. At this moment, Old Master Situ, as if recalling something, spoke up.
Upon hearing this, both the middle-aged man and the beautiful woman slightly trembled, clearly aware of what Old Master Situ was about to say.
“I’ve made up my mind already. Since I am your grandson, naturally I cannot tarnish your reputation. So I will follow whatever arrangements Grandpa makes!”
For once showing determination on his face, from what his grandfather had previously said, Xiao Yufan knew he was about to face a trial even he couldn’t foresee, a trial that would only make him even stronger.
“Good! No disgrace to me Situ Lingyu’s grandson! How could our lineage produce mediocrity? Extreme trials, countless hardships—someday I will make sure my grandson becomes a true legend!”
Old Master Situ was filled with immense pride and looked at Xiao Yufan with admiration. The Situ family wasn’t a single-lineage clan; although Xiao Yufan’s father was the current head of the family, the position was by no means easy to hold.
This was also the first time Xiao Yufan had seen his grandfather show such genuine emotion, which surprised him a little. He didn’t have much concept of the entire Situ family; he only wanted to prove he wasn’t as worthless as he might seem.
“Dad, are you really sending Yufan to the special forces? He just got back—do you really have to send him away so soon?”
Compared to the composed expression of the middle-aged man, the beautiful woman appeared more emotional. Xiao Yufan had only just returned to them, and they hadn’t even had time to make up for lost time before he was leaving again—it was naturally hard to let go.
“This is his own choice, and the right decision. The Situ family doesn’t raise the mediocre. I think you wouldn’t want Yufan to face doubts within the Situ family, would you?”
Sighed Old Master Situ. He knew this might seem too cruel for the couple who had just found their son again, but for Xiao Yufan’s future, he had no choice but to do so.
Hearing his mother’s words, Xiao Yufan’s expression paused momentarily. Although he knew his grandfather would send him somewhere for training, he never expected it to be the special forces. In his mind, that was a place where true strength was forged.
“Dad must have his own plans. Yufan needs more time to accept our presence. Perhaps letting him make his own decisions for a year might help untangle many knots in his heart.”
Surprisingly, the usually silent and often clashing middle-aged man spoke with understanding, gently pulling the reluctant woman into an embrace…
“You two go out first. I want to talk to Yufan alone. They are not only your children, but also the grandson I raised with my own hands. Perhaps I understand him even better than you do!”
The atmosphere became unexpectedly melancholic. Xiao Yufan felt a pang in his nose, looking up at the empty ceiling. It wasn’t that he was overly sentimental—some emotions just needed release.
Upon hearing Old Master Situ’s words, the couple exchanged glances, slowly rising to leave the living room. Before leaving, their gazes lingered on Xiao Yufan for a moment.
The grand hall was now left with only Xiao Yufan and his grandfather. A sense of surrealism washed over him—could such a luxurious life really belong to him?
“Even if you were to live as a spoiled young master now, I could ensure you a life without worries. Out of respect for me, the other branches of the Situ family wouldn’t dare to challenge you. Are you truly determined to choose this path?”
Old Master Situ looked at Xiao Yufan with a serious gaze. He needed to be certain that Xiao Yufan was truly willing to live this kind of life.
“The Situ family doesn’t raise the mediocre—that’s what you once said. Have you forgotten it already?”
Xiao Yufan’s lips curled into a graceful smile, so calm that even the shrewd Old Master Situ couldn’t detect his true emotions.
“Do you even know where I’m sending you? The hardship there is beyond your imagination!”
“Isn’t it the special forces?” Xiao Yufan furrowed his brow slightly, puzzled. Given his physical condition, he was more than qualified for the special forces—after all, in a real fight, it might take more than a dozen men to subdue him.
“Indeed, it is the special forces—but not the kind you’re imagining. In our great nation, the special forces gather many elites, but among them, there are a few that are particularly unique…”
“Unique? Aren’t they still special forces?” Xiao Yufan muttered inwardly but kept silent, waiting for his grandfather to continue.
“These particular special forces are among the most elite in China. There, there is no comfort or rest—only rigorous training and survival skill development. Most importantly, you will learn the art of business management there!”
Although Old Master Situ spoke calmly, Xiao Yufan could sense that entering this special forces unit would mean endless challenges. Would he back down?
Certainly not. What Xiao Yufan was determined to pursue, no one could shake—not even himself. To ride the winds of glory like a dragon, one must endure the most piercing trials…
“I suppose you’ve already met Long Tian. What do you think of his strength? And what about the many bodyguards in the mansion—how do they compare to you?”
Highly satisfied with Xiao Yufan’s response, Old Master Situ nodded slightly. As if to help Xiao Yufan better understand the special forces he was referring to, he added:
“Long Tian is very strong. One-on-one, I couldn’t last ten rounds against him…”
Xiao Yufan didn’t pretend. Although he couldn’t fully gauge Long Tian’s strength, his instincts told him the man was formidable—so much so that he had no courage to oppose him. That was the aura of a true master.
“At least you know your limits. Let me tell you this—every single person in that special forces unit is no weaker than Long Tian. I hope you don’t just aim to reach his level—I want you to surpass them all!”
A sharp gleam flashed in Old Master Situ’s eyes, exuding a commanding presence. Xiao Yufan carried all his hopes; he was determined to make his grandson rise above all others…
Whether he would become a dragon or a worm would be revealed in a year. But Old Master Situ would rather believe that when Xiao Yufan reappeared before everyone’s eyes, it would be like a king’s triumphant return.
From that day on, Xiao Yufan disappeared from everyone’s sight, leaving not a single trace behind…
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