At this moment, in the study of the Li family’s patriarch in Beijing.
Old Man Li frowned as he scrutinized his most accomplished eldest grandson.
Tall and well-built, with handsome features and a resolute gaze, he lived up to the title of “Scholar-General” that everyone had given him.
Old Man Li had married twice in his lifetime. His first wife passed away early, leaving him with only a daughter, while his current wife had borne him two sons.
Unfortunately, both sons were disappointments.
Left with no choice, Old Man Li turned his efforts to grooming his grandsons.
Fortunately, though his eldest son was inept, the grandson he had given him—Li Tingxuan, the young man standing before him—was nothing short of extraordinary.
If there was one person in the entire Li family whom Old Man Li doted on the most and had invested the most effort in nurturing, it was undoubtedly his eldest grandson, Li Tingxuan.
From childhood, Li Tingxuan had been close to his grandfather and had grown up following the path meticulously laid out for him.
Now, at just 24 years old, he had already risen to the rank of regimental commander, with a future brimming with limitless potential.
Old Man Li intended for him to eventually inherit his position and had been paving the way for him all along.
Until now, Li Tingxuan’s performance had always satisfied him.
But at this moment…
“Tingxuan, can you tell your grandfather the reason behind all your efforts to transfer to the Northwest Military District?” Old Man Li asked with a stern expression.
He couldn’t understand why his grandson, who had been doing perfectly well in Beijing’s Northwestern District, was so determined to go to the Northwest Military Region.
Though it was ostensibly framed as a mission requirement, Old Man Li could see at a glance that this was something his grandson had orchestrated himself. By the time Old Man Li realized it, it was already too late—the transfer order was practically finalized.
Furious, Old Man Li had no choice but to summon his grandson for an explanation.
Li Tingxuan looked up at his grandfather, his refined brows slightly furrowed. After a pause, he said, “Grandfather, I have my reasons, but I can’t tell you just yet. However, Grandfather… there’s a voice in my heart telling me that if I don’t go, I’ll regret it.”
As if recalling something, a trace of confusion, anticipation, and even a hint of eagerness flickered in Li Tingxuan’s eyes.
Old Man Li sighed softly. “Fine, if you want to go, then go.”
Though he had initially groomed Li Tingxuan as his successor, after all these years—and having raised him personally—how could Old Man Li not have genuine affection for him? Especially since this was his own flesh and blood.
Naturally, he would indulge him.
“But what about the matter with the Lin family’s daughter…” Before Old Man Li could finish, Li Tingxuan interrupted.
“Grandfather, I don’t like the Lin family’s second daughter. There’s absolutely no possibility between us.” Li Tingxuan’s expression was even more serious than when he had spoken about transferring to the Northwest Military District.
Old Man Li knew how stubborn his grandson could be, but still…
“Fine. But Tingxuan, you should understand what kind of background and capabilities your future wife must have. I won’t remind you further—I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
Old Man Li wasn’t sure if Li Tingxuan already had someone he liked, but he laid out his expectations first.
Whoever entered the Li family and became its future matriarch absolutely could not be some ordinary woman with no background or abilities.
Li Tingxuan nodded.
As he stepped out of his grandfather’s room, he ran into his younger sister, Li Shuyao.
“Brother, I heard you’re transferring to the Northwest Military District?” Li Shuyao, holding a cat in her arms, looked at him with questioning eyes.
Li Tingxuan gave a faint “Mm” in response.
“Why? You were doing so well in the Beijing Military District. Why go to the Northwest? Is there some mission?”
Li Tingxuan frowned. “That’s none of your concern. I’m leaving.”
With that, he walked away.
Li Shuyao stared at his retreating figure, fuming. Just then, a nanny carrying a plate of dishes stumbled and fell.
The food splattered all over her.
Li Shuyao shrieked, “Ah! What are you doing? Are you blind?”
She glared at the nanny, who kept apologizing, her eyes burning with anger.
Li Shuyao felt that ever since her trip to the Northwest Military District, she had been plagued by bad luck. Even after returning to Beijing, misfortune still followed her.
Her previously fractured leg and arm had been set and healed after some time, but not long after recovering, she found herself constantly running into mishaps whenever she moved around.
She was convinced that the Northwest Military District was jinxing her.
She even wondered if she had been targeted by some evil presence.
Too bad such superstitious talk was forbidden these days.
As she continued cursing, her gaze drifted toward Li Tingxuan, who had already disappeared from sight. Her brows furrowed slightly.
Meanwhile, Li Tingxuan returned to his room.
Standing by the window, that same lost look flickered in his eyes again.
Li Tingxuan was 24 years old. For the first two decades of his life, as the eldest grandson of the Li family groomed for greatness, and born into such a powerful household, his life had been smooth sailing.
He had always followed the path laid out for him without a hitch.
But things changed six months ago—last November. For some reason, he started having dreams.
At first, whenever he dreamed, he would forget everything upon waking up.
But as the dreams became more frequent, he gradually began to recall more and more of their contents.
In the dreams, he seemed to have been on a mission, but during that operation, information was leaked. To cover for his comrades, he was captured by the enemy.
After that, within just one month, he endured unspeakable torture at the hands of his captors.
Even after being rescued, he developed PTSD.
Unable to recover, he was forced to resign from his post. Eventually, he became mentally unstable and, unable to bear it any longer, took his own life.
That was the nightmare he initially had.
Later, he started having another dream.
The first half was the same, but the second half changed.
After being rescued, the Li family indeed sought countless doctors for him, but none could cure him.
Until, in the dream, a young female doctor appeared and successfully treated his PTSD.
In the dream, Li Tingxuan couldn’t clearly see her face—he only remembered her voice, sweet and melodious, like the song of an oriole.
That voice was deeply imprinted in his mind.
Li Tingxuan believed that if he ever heard that girl’s voice in real life, he would recognize it instantly.
And he was certain that, in the dream, he had fallen for that female doctor. The longing and affection he felt were so intense that even after waking up, he could still feel their echoes.
It was something he had never experienced in his 24 years of life.
In reality, Li Tingxuan had always been disciplined and principled—he had never been in a relationship, nor had he ever liked any girl.
Even though many girls had shown interest in him over the years.
But he remained indifferent to them, always turning them down.
Raised under his grandfather’s strict guidance, he knew he bore the weight of the Li family’s legacy.
As his grandfather had said, his future wife had to be someone of status and capability. So he had long prepared himself for an arranged marriage when the time came.
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