In July, in China, the heat was unbearable. However, high in the mountains of Beigu, it was still covered in snow.

Tens of thousands of soldiers stood in the biting wind, their eyes fixed on the youth under the national flag of Huaguo.

The great banner flapped in the wind, while his figure stood tall and imposing, gazing into the distance at the rolling snow-capped mountains.

This was the most important day of Ye Cheng's military career, because he was awarded a star, a medal with a hanging broadsword, hung on Ye Cheng's shoulder. This medal was specially customized, and there were only a handful of people in Huaguo who had this medal.

Because this medal is of great national importance.

Behind this medal lies Ye Cheng's advance through the enemy's carnage, a path paved with white bones.

For five years, he rose from an unknown soldier to the founder of China's most powerful special forces unit, dedicated to protecting the nation. Wherever he went, border threats were met with swift annihilation.

Even many people don't know Ye Cheng's name, because he has another chilling nickname: the Army

This was the pinnacle of Ye Cheng's life, yet he chose to leave. It wasn't that he was weary of such days, but five years of warfare had left a sense of guilt in his heart.

The person who silently waited for him for three years

"It's been five years since I joined the army. The last time I went home was three years ago. I should go back now."

Yecheng gazed at the vast snowy mountains, silently murmuring to himself.

Nanjing Airport.

The moment Ye Cheng stepped off the plane, five years flashed before his eyes.

Five years ago, the Ye family, a renowned medical dynasty in Yanjing, experienced a major upheaval. The family suffered heavy losses, and Ye Cheng's grandfather, overcome with anger and grief, passed away suddenly. Ye Cheng himself was also framed and expelled from the family. In an instant, he went from being the heir to the Ye family to a destitute outcast, becoming a laughingstock.

He was forced to flee from Beijing and arrived in Jinling, where he received help from Liu Lao, a former servant of the Ye family. This enabled him to embark on his military journey. Three years ago, Liu Lao fell seriously ill and asked him to return home to marry Liu Lao's granddaughter.

It was also on that day, the military sent an urgent telegram, asking him to carry out the top-level mission. Even though the wedding had just begun halfway, he had to set off on his journey, completely cutting off all contact with the outside world.

He didn't know about Master Liu's passing until just recently, even though it had been a year. It had been three years since he left.

By the time he returned, everything had changed.

"Tianlang, I'm preparing a gift. Please deliver it to the Liu family for me another day."

Three days later, the ancestral home of the Liu family in Jinling.

Wearing tattered camouflage, Ye Cheng stepped back into the place. A strange feeling welled up inside him—both familiar and foreign. Five years ago, he had found a chance at rebirth here. Three years ago, he married his wife, Liu Zhaoqing, here.

Today is his third time stepping into the Liu family ancestral home.

Ye Cheng was actually a little scared. Facing the world's most brutal and vicious, facing a hail of bullets, Ye Cheng had never been afraid. For five years in the army, he guarded the border, to his country, he asked himself with a clear conscience.

But deep down, he felt guilty towards his own wife.

On his way to the living room, Ye Cheng walked with an unusual heaviness. He didn't know how to face Liu Zhaoqing.

The Liu family living room is filled with laughter and joy at this moment. The faces of the Liu family members are beaming with smiles because today, Zhong Zekai, the young master of the Zhongshi Group, has come to visit, and he's here to discuss a cooperation. Of course, receiving Zhong Zekai is the current head of the Liu family, Liu Feng.

At this moment, no one noticed that Ye Cheng had quietly arrived in the living room. After all, everyone's eyes were focused on Zhong Zekai.

When Zhong Zekai spoke, his eyes involuntarily drifted towards Liu Zhaoqing, a greedy expression in his brows.

Liu Zhaoqing naturally met Zhong Zekai's gaze, her heart filled with disgust. She knew this time Zhong Zekai came to the Liu family, it wasn't just about discussing a cooperation, but also wanted her uncle Liu Feng to announce the termination of his marriage to Ye Cheng and marry Zhong Zekai instead.

For families like theirs, marriages were arranged by the family. Just as three years ago, my grandfather had forced me to marry Ye Cheng because he felt indebted to the Liu family.

That was the marriage three years ago. On their wedding day, Ye Cheng disappeared without a trace, leaving the bride unwanted and becoming a laughingstock for the Liu family and even Jinling City.

He wanted to break off the engagement, but his grandfather threatened suicide and even on his deathbed, his grandfather told him not to blame Ye Cheng.

For three years, Liu Zhaoqing had lived as a widow for Ye Cheng. But even when her grandfather passed away, Ye Cheng never returned.

For the past three years, Liu Zhaoqing has only harbored resentment towards Ye Cheng. If Ye Cheng had never appeared, perhaps she could have lived a good life.

But if I had to choose between Zhong Zeyi and Ye Cheng, I would choose Ye Cheng.

Because I know Zhong Zekai too well, he is a complete jerk. He's a mess in his private life and uses the Zhong Group to take advantage of countless women.

Liu Zhaoqing gritted her teeth fiercely. Three years ago, she hadn't had the ability to resist, but three years later, she absolutely wouldn't allow herself to fall into Zhong Zekai's hands. Marrying Ye Cheng meant she still had a life of her own. Marrying Zhong Zekai would mean her life was utterly destroyed.

Zhong Zekai's appreciation for Liu Zhaoqing's beauty became even more intense. He vowed to himself that he would definitely win her over today.

Of course he knew Liu Zhaoqing wouldn't agree, after all, he had already asked privately, but Liu Zhaoqing's attitude was very firm.

If one refuses, what can be done?

He, Zhong Zekai, used the ancestral home of the Zhong family and had Liu Zhaoqing agree to it.

What right does someone unwanted have to hold on?

Thinking of this, Zhong Zekai suddenly took out a scroll from the box by his side and said with a smile, “Master Liu, this is a gift from my nephew. I heard you like calligraphy and painting, so I wonder if this early work by Tang Bohu can catch your discerning eye.”

When Zhong Zekai's voice fell, everyone in the Liu family was shocked. That was a painting by Tang Bohu, priceless.

Liu Feng also excitedly stood up, tremblingly opened the scroll. It was an early work by Tang Bohu. Liu Feng also knew a fair bit about antiques and knew this painting was worth several million.

While the distant Yecheng only glanced at it, a sneer involuntarily arose in his heart because the painting was fake.

It wasn't that Ye Cheng was very knowledgeable about ancient paintings, but because this genuine copy was in his hands. Two years ago, when he was on a mission in Eastern Europe, he happened to see a peddler with this painting preparing for auction. Knowing that Old Liu liked the calligraphy and paintings of Tang Bohu, he used his own resources to obtain the painting.

This time back to the Liu family, although Old Master Liu had passed away, he still decided to send someone over to fulfill Old Master Liu's care for Ye Cheng. As a result, Zhong Zekai actually sent the same painting.

Of course, Ye Cheng was too lazy to expose this kind of thing. After all, in a few days, the truth would be revealed.

"No, no, Master Zhong, this is too valuable." Liu Feng said tremblingly, his entire palm was almost unable to hold the ancient painting.

"Where, where? This painting is only worthy of being owned by Master Liu. And furthermore, this isn't just a gift, it's my dowry."

Zhong Zekai coughed lightly and continued, "I have long been smitten with Miss Zhaoqing, although I know she is already married."

But I've already investigated, Ye Cheng eloped on his wedding day and is now missing. So they weren't even married to begin with. Besides, that kind of person, even if he were alive, wouldn't be worthy of Miss Zhaoqing.

"Master Liu, as long as you dissolve the engagement with Miss Zhaoqing, I am willing to marry her. This painting will naturally belong to your Liu family, and regarding the difficulties your business is facing, just say the word and those are not problems."

After finishing, Zhong Zekai gently pushed the scroll again. At this moment, Liu Feng had already been captivated by this Tang Bohu painting. He almost instinctively said, "Good, good, good."

Ye Cheng heard the conversation among the people, anger rising on his face. After all, Liu Zhaoqing was his nominal wife. How could Ye Cheng bear the hatred of being robbed of his wife?

What's even more infuriating is using a fake as a dowry.

He also knew that over the past three years, he had been MIA for special missions. Liu Zhaoqing must hate him; after all, who would want to be abandoned by their husband on their wedding day?

Ye Cheng couldn't help but smile wryly, "You should have been waiting for this opportunity all along."

However, what Ye Cheng didn't expect was that Liu Zhaoqing's voice immediately came from the living room, "Uncle, I disagree. I'm already married."

"You're married, are you? What about your husband? On the day of his marriage three years ago, he disappeared without a word, leaving our family humiliated in front of all our relatives and friends. Don't you even realize how embarrassing this was?"

Back then, you begged your grandfather to not marry Ye Cheng. After Ye Cheng disappeared, you pleaded with your grandfather again to break off the engagement. Did your grandfather agree? He cared about the face of the Liu family so much that he let you become a widow, still believing Ye Cheng would definitely return. But did Ye Cheng come back?

Now's your chance. Zhong Ye is a talented man. What else are you dissatisfied with? And your grandfather is gone, I'm in charge of this household now." Liu Feng's face darkened, and he coldly said.

Hearing Liu Feng's words, Liu Zhaoqing hurriedly looked at her father and cried out, "Dad, you persuade my uncle."

“Second brother, persuade your son. Don't be ungrateful. Ye Cheng hasn't been heard from in three years, he's probably dead by now. Are you going to let your son spend his life as a widower? Besides, there are problems with your own factory, and you even borrowed money from me the other day. If this marriage falls through, even if you go bankrupt, I won't help you.”

Before Liu He, Liu Zhaoqing's father, could speak, Liu Feng blocked the path.

From small to large, Liu He has always been afraid of Liu Feng. As soon as Liu Feng gets angry, he immediately cowers. He also said to Liu Zhaoqing, "Zhaoqing, what your uncle said is right. Ye Cheng hasn't been in touch for years. When your grandfather passed away, he didn't come back. For a person like that, just treat him as dead."

And you know our family factory. If it goes bankrupt, our whole family will be left with nothing, Zhaoqing. Just listen to your uncle.

"Dad, I will definitely solve the factory's problems." Liu Zhaohing naturally knew about her family's factory situation, but she was still unwilling.

"You solved a fart? If you could solve it, your dad would come beg me," Liu Feng immediately roared.

While others were advising Liu Zhaoqing to marry Zhong Zekai, after all, marrying into the Zhong family would elevate the Liu family from a small clan to something more substantial. Plus, it could also help resolve the crisis plaguing her own family.

Liu Zhaoqing's whole heart instantly felt like it had fallen into an ice cave, tears uncontrollably streaming down her eyes. She was utterly defeated; even her own father wouldn't help her, who else could?

her own husband

The image of Ye Cheng involuntarily flashed in my mind, and my heart sank even further.

It has been three years, three years with no news from Ye Cheng. His life or death remains unknown. No matter how much she opposed him initially, and refused to marry him, he was still her husband after all. She needed an explanation.

But Liu Zhaoqing also knew, pointing at that husband who had disappeared for three years, how ridiculous it was.

Three years ago, my family treated me as a sacrifice. Three years later, am I still going to be a sacrifice?

Just when everyone thought that was the end of it, Ye Cheng's voice suddenly rang out, "I disagree."

(Editor in charge:wings of fire graphic novel)