manynovel Chapter 23 The Red Rope in the Army
Chapter 23 The Red Rope in the Army
When Lin Zhe returned to the Hunter Blade Special Forces, the videos online had already gone viral.
The 15-second video of the mall robber being subdued, captured by phones from different angles, went viral across various social media platforms. The headlines were increasingly exaggerated:
"A real-life super soldier! He subdued three armed thugs in fifteen seconds!"
"This isn't a movie! It's a true story! A super soldier appeared in a shopping mall!"
"The coolest moment—a soldier takes down a criminal in seconds!"
In the video, Lin Zhe's movements were lightning fast and clean. From rushing out of the crowd to subduing the three people, his actions were fluid and without any hesitation. His calm, decisive, and powerful aura could be felt even through the screen.
More importantly, this actually happened; it wasn't movie special effects or staged footage. In the video, you can hear the gasps of onlookers, the shouts of the police, and the screams of the perpetrators... everything is so real, so shocking.
The comment section has been completely overrun:
"My God! Is this even possible for a human?"
"That last roundhouse kick was absolutely awesome!"
"This guy is so handsome! Can I get his contact information?"
"Don't even think about it, he's a soldier. Look at him disassembling a gun with one hand!"
"Really? I feel like only the military could train someone with this skill?"
"My uncle works at the police station. Seriously, this soldier took down three murderers in fifteen seconds."
"This is a true male god!"
The video's popularity continued to climb, quickly reaching the top three on the trending topics list. Netizens scrutinized every detail, some zooming in on Lin Zhe's profile, others analyzing his movement techniques, and still others speculating that he was a special forces soldier...
However, Lin Zhe was unaware of all this. The special forces camp was isolated from the outside world, and personal cell phones were not allowed during training. Upon returning to the base, he immediately threw himself into training.
On the afternoon of the third day, he was summoned to the military region headquarters.
In Chen Jianfeng's office, the commander was looking at the computer screen. When Lin Zhe entered, he beckoned him over: "Lin Zhe, come and take a look at this."
Lin Zhe walked to the desk, where the video from the shopping mall was playing on the screen. He frowned: "Commander, this..."
"A letter of thanks from the Jinghua City Public Security Bureau, and this video." Chen Jianfeng lit a cigarette. "Three cross-province murderers, three lives on their hands, were dealt with in fifteen seconds by you. The Jinghua City Public Security Bureau called me, praising you to the skies."
Lin Zhe stood at attention: "Reporting to the Commander, the situation was urgent at the time, and I only did what I was supposed to do."
"It's something I should do..." Chen Jianfeng laughed, "Your 'should do' has gone viral. Now the whole country knows that this young soldier is not only highly skilled but also handsome."
Lin Zhe was a little embarrassed. He really didn't expect it to escalate this much.
"But this is a good thing." Chen Jianfeng changed the subject. "The army needs a positive image, and your act of bravery has brought honor to the entire army. The military region is preparing to award you a commendation—although it was a local matter, it showcased the spirit of our soldiers, and you deserve the award!"
"Thank you, Commander."
"Don't thank me yet." Chen Jianfeng waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, his expression becoming somewhat subtle. "There's something else... a personal matter."
Lin Zhe's heart skipped a beat; he had probably guessed it.
"You know General Zhang Dajiang, right?" Chen Jianfeng asked.
"I know him, Commander of the Jinghua Military Region."
"You should have met his daughter, Zhang Xueying, in Beijing this time," Chen Jianfeng said directly. "Old Zhang called me and said his daughter has a very good impression of you and wants to ask for your opinion."
As expected. Lin Zhe remained silent for a few seconds.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Chen Jianfeng assumed he was being resistant, so he explained, "Lin Zhe, don't feel pressured. This isn't an order or a mission; it's just a matchmaker. You're not young anymore; it's time to think about your personal life. I've met Zhang Xueying; she's nice and pretty. The key thing is, her father is a soldier, and she grew up in a military compound, so she understands the hardships soldiers face."
He paused, then said half-jokingly, "I've risen to this position as commander, and I still have to introduce you to potential partners. Do you think it's easy for me? I'll have to get Old Zhang to treat me to a good meal later."
Lin Zhe finally spoke: "Commander, I understand. Comrade Zhang Xueying... is indeed very good. It's just that I have a lot of things to do in the army right now, so I may not have much time..."
"Time can always be found," Chen Jianfeng said. "Here's what we'll do: I won't pressure you. You can think it over first, get to know them, and see if it's a good fit. If it's not, just say so, and I'll explain to Lao Zhang. If it is... wouldn't that be great?"
He walked up to Lin Zhe and patted him on the shoulder: "Lin Zhe, you're a smart man, you should be able to see that this isn't just a simple matchmaking. Old Zhang genuinely admires you and thinks you're a talented person. His daughter also really likes you—according to Old Zhang, that girl has been absent-minded ever since she came back, just giggling all day long."
Lin Zhe recalled the way Zhang Xueying looked at him in the mall, and the way she mustered up the courage to ask for his contact information when he took her home... Indeed, she was a good girl.
"I...I'll consider it," Lin Zhe finally said.
"Okay!" Chen Jianfeng nodded in satisfaction. "That's settled then. Go back to training. There's no rush, take your time."
Back at the special forces unit, Lin Zhe felt a bit unsettled. In both his previous lives, he had never seriously dated. In his previous life, at thirty-five, he was completely focused on scientific research, and although colleagues introduced him to a few women, he didn't feel anything for them. In this life, enlisting in the army, he was constantly engaged in physical labor and had even less time for romance.
Zhang Xueying... he admitted, she was a good person. Beautiful, generous, well-mannered, and... she understood soldiers. That was important.
But was he truly ready? Love, marriage, family... these were all unfamiliar territory for him. More importantly, he was a special forces soldier, always ready to undertake dangerous missions, always at risk...
"Captain Lin, what are you thinking about?" Chen Feng walked over and asked curiously when he saw Lin lost in thought.
"It's nothing," Lin Zhe shook his head. "Let's go train."
Jinghua, at Zhang Dajiang's home.
Zhang Xueying has been in a daze for the past few days. She stares blankly while eating, stares blankly while watching TV, and even laughs out loud in her sleep.
Wang Hui watched all this with a mixture of joy and worry. She was happy that her daughter had finally found someone she liked, but worried because... the other person was a soldier, and a special forces member at that.
"Yingying, come here." Wang Hui called her daughter to her side and asked seriously, "Tell Mom the truth, do you really like Lin Zhe?"
Zhang Xueying blushed, but this time she didn't deny it: "Mm."
"Do you know... how hard it is to be a soldier's wife?" Wang Hui held her daughter's hand. "Your dad's a soldier, you know. He's only home for a few months a year. Sometimes when a mission comes, he's gone without a word, not even where he's going or how long he'll be gone. You have to support the whole family alone, endure loneliness, and constantly worry about his safety..."
"Mom, I know." Zhang Xueying's eyes were firm. "I know everything. But I just like him. I like his sense of responsibility, I like his strength, I like... him in his military uniform."
She paused, her voice becoming even more resolute: "And Mom, it's precisely because I know how tough it is for soldiers that I should be with him. Others might not be able to handle the long periods of separation, or the constant fear, but I grew up in a military compound, so I understand. I can be a good wife to a soldier."
Wang Hui's eyes reddened, and she hugged her daughter tightly, saying, "Silly child..."
Just then, Zhang Dajiang returned. He had specifically canceled a meeting today to go home early. Seeing the mother and daughter, he took off his coat, his expression serious.
"Yingying, come to the study, Dad wants to say a few words to you."
In the study, the father and daughter sat facing each other. Zhang Dajiang looked at his daughter and got straight to the point: "Commander Chen Jianfeng called me. Lin Zhe... didn't refuse, but he didn't agree either. He said he'd consider it."
Zhang Xueying's eyes lit up: "So there's a chance?"
"There is a chance, but Yingying, Dad has to be clear from the start," Zhang Dajiang said solemnly. "Lin Zhe is a good young man, I'm sure of that. His ability, character, and family background are all excellent. But..."
He emphasized, "He's a special forces soldier, a soldier who's always on the front lines. You should understand what that means. Long periods of separation are inevitable, and so is the danger. You might not see him for months, you might suddenly get a call saying he's injured, or even..."
"Dad, I understand." Zhang Xueying interrupted her father. "I understood it today at the mall. There were three armed robbers, and even the police didn't dare to make a move. Lin Zhe rushed in without thinking. In fifteen seconds, all three robbers were down. At that moment, he only had the duty to do his job, not the danger."
Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes hardened: "That's precisely why I like him. Dad, aren't you a soldier too? Didn't Mom know all this when she married you?"
Zhang Dajiang was stunned. He hadn't expected his daughter to say that.
"I am a soldier, but I am also a father now," Zhang Dajiang said. "I hope my daughter is happy and I don't want her to live in fear and anxiety."
"Dad, I'm happy with Lin Zhe," Zhang Xueying said earnestly. "Even if we're apart most of the time, even if I'm filled with anxiety, I'm willing. Because he's a worthwhile person."
The study fell silent. Zhang Dajiang looked at his daughter, then suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with emotion: "Good...good! This is my daughter, Zhang Dajiang! Responsible, discerning!"
He stood up and patted his daughter's shoulder: "Since you've made up your mind, Dad supports you. But Yingying, relationships involve two people. It's not enough for just you to like someone; Lin Zhe has to like you too. All Dad can do is create opportunities for you two. The rest is up to you."
"I know," Zhang Xueying nodded. "I will try my best."
Emerging from the study, Zhang Xueying felt exceptionally cheerful. She took out her phone, found Lin Zhe's number, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't call—calling now would be too abrupt.
But she had already made up her mind: when Lin Zhe returned to Beijing next time, she would definitely take the initiative. Being a soldier's wife wasn't easy, but she was prepared.
Hunter Blade Special Forces Training Ground.
Lin Zhe was leading a team in an urban warfare drill. The team members were divided into two groups, one defending and the other attacking. Lin Zhe was on the attacking side, and he led three people to silently infiltrate the "enemy-occupied area".
Their movements were clean and efficient, and their teamwork was impeccable. Twenty minutes later, they successfully "eliminated" all the defenders, completing their mission.
During the break, Chen Feng leaned over and said, "Captain Lin, I heard you've done something big again in Beijing? We saw the video!"
"You saw it too?" Lin Zhe frowned.
"Everyone saw it now!" Chen Feng laughed. "Those female soldiers in the team were completely mesmerized watching the video. Captain Lin, you're a national heartthrob now!"
Lin Zhe shook his head and remained silent. This matter had escalated to a greater extent than he had anticipated.
"By the way, Captain Lin," Chen Feng lowered his voice, "I heard the Commander introduced you to someone? General Zhang Dajiang's daughter?"
News travels fast. Lin Zhe glanced at him: "Who told you that?"
"Do you even need to listen? The commander's loud voice... we overheard him on the phone..." Chen Feng chuckled. "Captain Lin, this is great news! General Zhang's daughter is a true daughter of a military family, a perfect match for you!"
"Let's go train." Lin Zhe didn't want to continue the topic.
But deep down, he was indeed thinking. Zhang Xueying... perhaps, he could give it a try?
Having lived two lives, this was the first time he seriously considered matters of the heart. Although he was still somewhat uncertain, why not give it a try?
After all, life should have other colors besides military service and scientific research.
The setting sun cast its rays across the training field, making Lin Zhe's shadow long. He gazed into the distance, Zhang Xueying's smiling face appearing in his mind...
Perhaps, this is fate.