Years turn into wind

In the evening, the banquet hall in the military camp was ablaze with lights, the lively atmosphere forming a stark contrast to the war outside. The generals, dressed in their finest attire, toasted and chatted, seemingly momentarily forgetting the raging battles on the front lines. Although Cheng Yuwei wasn't adept at such socializing, she couldn't disobey Ling Xiaotian's orders, so she had no choice but to respond.

She wore a simple yet elegant cheongsam today, her slightly cool aura at odds with the lively atmosphere of the banquet. She quietly sipped wine in a corner, not wanting to draw too much attention. As an outsider, especially a woman gradually rising to prominence in the military, she was well aware that she was being watched by countless eyes.

Sure enough, not long after, Lin Yuzhu slowly approached her. Lin Yuzhu was an old acquaintance of Ling Xiaotian, and many in the military tacitly considered her his "fiancée." Although Ling Xiaotian had never explicitly acknowledged the relationship, Lin Yuzhu held a considerable position and influence within the military, especially among women, making her a near-unchallengeable presence.

Lin Yuzhu looked particularly dazzling today, wearing an exquisite cheongsam and flawless makeup. Her appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention. She smiled gracefully, walked up to Cheng Yuwei, raised her glass and said softly, "Miss Cheng, long time no see."

Cheng Yuwei smiled slightly and raised her glass in response: "Ms. Lin."

"Miss Cheng has been really popular lately." Lin Yuzhu's smile remained unchanged, but there was a hint of sarcasm in her words. "I heard that you helped Marshal Ling win several battles. Everyone in the army is talking about you."

Cheng Yuwei knew in her heart that this wasn't a compliment, but Lin Yuzhu's way of hinting that she had become a target of public criticism. She remained calm and said calmly, "I'm just trying my best to do my job well. All the credit should go to Marshal Ling and the soldiers."

Lin Yuzhu chuckled, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "Ms. Cheng is truly modest. But sometimes I wonder, as an outsider, especially a woman, are you really suited to participating in these military affairs?"

Cheng Yuwei's smile remained calm, but her gaze gradually became firm: "No matter if it's a man or a woman, anyone who can contribute to this war is suitable. In the face of war, there is no gender distinction."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuzhu's smile gradually faded, replaced by a barely concealed hostility: "Ms. Cheng, don't you think you're overconfident? Ling Xiaotian has always been surrounded by smart and capable people, but history has proven that many people who move too fast end up falling even harder."

Cheng Yuwei's heart tightened. Lin Yuzhu's threat was obvious. She was well aware of Lin Yuzhu's influence within the military. While she had made considerable achievements on the front lines, she was still an outsider, a mere "tool" in the eyes of many generals. If Lin Yuzhu truly joined forces with other forces to deal with her, her situation would be extremely dangerous.

"Thank you for your reminder." Cheng Yuwei said nothing more, just raised her glass and took a sip of wine, then said lightly, "But I believe that as long as I continue to do my job well, I will not disappoint anyone's expectations."

Lin Yuzhu's expression instantly turned stern. She suddenly put down the wine glass in her hand and said in a low and cold voice, "Then we'll wait and see."

She turned and left, leaving Cheng Yuwei standing there alone. The people around seemed to have noticed the tension between the two and were whispering about it, but no one dared to step forward.

Cheng Yuwei stood there, feeling mixed emotions. She knew Lin Yuzhu was no easy opponent, and she would face even more severe tests in the days ahead. Having to deal with both external wars and internal hostility, Cheng Yuwei felt the road ahead would be incredibly difficult.

After the banquet, Cheng Yuwei walked alone on the way back to the tent, the moonlight shining on the ground, and the chill set in. Her thoughts could not calm down, and Lin Yuzhu's hostility was like a sharp thorn, deeply piercing her heart.

"I must be more careful." Cheng Yuwei said to herself softly, "No matter if it's the enemies on the battlefield or the hidden arrows in the back."

She looked up into the distance. The light in Ling Xiaotian's tent was still on, clearly he was still attending to military matters. Cheng Yuwei felt a surge of mixed emotions. She knew she couldn't withdraw and could only keep moving forward.