Chapter 71: Pushed Beyond Endurance

“Sour grapes, just because you can't have them,” Lin Wanyu sneered in Qin Chuan's direction, then turned to Fu Tingxiu with eager anticipation. “Senior Fu, please go on.”

Fu Tingxiu felt a surge of pride at her reaction, but his expression remained unchanged. His eyes narrowed as he gazed into the distance, his face filled with nostalgia. The sharp, masculine features of his face, already distinguished and striking, seemed even more attractive under the soft glow of the lamp.

“Wanyu, you might not know this, but although our country appears peaceful on the surface, the border has never been truly stable. Take the Southeast Border Army where I served, for example—over the past three years, there have been hundreds of clashes and skirmishes. It's not about how many died, but getting stabbed or shot is routine for us.”

Fu Tingxiu’s voice was magnetic, as if imbued with a kind of power that drew listeners into the smoke-filled battlefield he described.

For Lin Wanyu, who had grown up in a bustling metropolis, such vivid tales of blood and fire were a powerful sensory shock. Most girls naturally felt admiration for tough, heroic soldiers, and even the famously aloof Lin Wanyu was no exception—indeed, she seemed even more curious and eager.

“Senior Fu, I never imagined you actually fought in battles. Can you tell me more?” she pressed.

Fu Tingxiu ignored Qin Chuan’s disdainful glare, stood up, and sighed softly. In that moment, the youthful masculinity of his face was tinged with a maturity beyond his years.

“I’ve studied boxing and martial arts since childhood, so I drew attention as soon as I enlisted. My performance in subsequent training was outstanding—less than half a year later, I was transferred to the Southeast Field Division… that’s the Special Forces, specializing in jungle warfare.”

He paused, eyes shining with memories. “That region is rife with drug lords, cruel and ruthless, with well-equipped weapons. Thinking back, coming home intact was truly the blessing of Lady Luck.”

Fu Tingxiu deliberately glanced at Lin Wanyu as he said “Lady Luck,” the implication clear.

Lin Wanyu blushed under his intense gaze, but her curiosity and longing were irrepressible. “Senior Fu, could you tell me about a specific battle?”

“Of course! Let me tell you about our clash two years ago with the infamous drug lord Sha Kun, known locally as the ‘King of Hell.’”

“At the time, our ten-man squad encountered over a hundred members of Sha Kun’s gang. If not for our experience and flawless teamwork, we could have been wiped out completely.”

“The battle raged on, and we endured dozens of assaults from the drug lord’s group. By the end, fewer than ten of them remained and finally retreated. But as we soon learned, the real danger was only just beginning…”

Fu Tingxiu paused, claiming thirst, and Lin Wanyu hurried to pour him a cup of tea, urging him to continue.

Draining the tea in one gulp, Fu Tingxiu resumed his tale. Even Qin Chuan had to admit that Fu Tingxiu was talented in storytelling, painting vivid scenes with his words.

It wasn’t just Lin Wanyu, inexperienced and naive, who felt transported to the battlefield—even Qin Chuan nearly believed it himself.

“Next comes the turning point—the stage for personal heroism,” Qin Chuan mused silently, imagining himself the scriptwriter.

As expected, Fu Tingxiu suddenly shifted the narrative. “When we pressed on to wipe out the remaining drug lords, we walked right into their ambush. Those drug dealers knew the terrain far better. Our captain took several bullets, half his body destroyed. Wanyu, you can’t imagine how tragic it was…”

“So pitiful…”

“No, you’re wrong! For a soldier, dying in battle is an honor, not a pity.”

“Not afraid of blood, not afraid of sacrifice. Soldiers are truly great.”

“Sacrifice is destiny.”

A few simple words deepened Lin Wanyu’s admiration.

Fu Tingxiu decided to fan the flames, pushing his story to its climax. “Wanyu, you don’t know—when our squad saw our captain fall, we all went mad with grief and rage, charging into the drug lord’s ranks, guns blazing.”

“The battle lasted more than two hours. In the end, we nearly annihilated their fully-armed gang. We avenged our captain, but I was the only one left alive…”

He paused, letting out a deep sigh, then continued, his voice heavy and sorrowful. “We all knew the danger, but when we saw our captain die, nothing mattered anymore. We had only one thought in our heads—avenge him at any cost. Those days of burning passion truly make me nostalgic…”

Fu Tingxiu was masterful at stirring emotions; his voice rose and fell with the drama, drawing Lin Wanyu deeper into the story.

She felt her blood boiling, especially at the thought of the soldiers risking death for their captain. She was moved to tears.

“Senior Fu, you’re all so loyal and true,” Lin Wanyu’s voice quivered with emotion.

Fu Tingxiu thoughtfully handed her two tissues, speaking boldly, “If we abandon loyalty, then we don’t deserve to be…”

Before he could finish the word “human,” a furious voice interrupted him. “Can you stop spewing nonsense? Aren’t you disgusted with yourself?”

“Qin Chuan, don’t push it!” Fu Tingxiu glared at Qin Chuan, deeply annoyed. If he were sure of winning, he would have already taught Qin Chuan a lesson.

Lin Wanyu, lost in admiration for the iron-blooded warriors, was equally displeased by Qin Chuan’s sudden crude comment.

“Qin Chuan, what gives you the right to say that? Senior Fu was only sharing his experience. Even if you’re jealous, there’s no need to be so rude,” she said coldly, almost commanding, “You’d better apologize to Senior Fu, or you’re not welcome here.”

“Why? Because your senior is full of lies.”

“As for apologizing, ask him if he can take it,” Qin Chuan retorted, his eyes burning as he stared at Fu Tingxiu.

Fu Tingxiu felt uneasy, but he couldn’t back down now, or his carefully crafted heroic image in Lin Wanyu’s eyes would be shattered.

“Mr. Qin, even if you are Wanyu’s fiancé, when it comes to the honor of soldiers, I will not back down. If you can’t give me a reasonable explanation, I won’t hesitate to see you in jail,” Fu Tingxiu declared, his words ringing with threat.