The battlefield of youth

The battlefield of youth

Chapter 126 The Battlefield of Youth

Twelve years later, in early autumn.

Six o'clock in the morning, in the courtyard of Xishan.

Lu Zhanting stood in the courtyard, holding a cup of strong tea in his hand, his gaze fixed on the training field.

That was a small fighting arena he had specially set up three years ago, and at this moment two figures were fighting in the morning light.

Lu Chen, 15 years old, and Lu Xi, 13 years old.

The siblings had grown taller; Lu Chen, now 1.75 meters tall, had broadened shoulders, and each punch he threw whistled through the air. Lu Xi, on the other hand, was as agile as a cat, petite yet with unpredictable movements, always finding an opening when her brother's attacks were at their most ferocious.

"The left side has too much of a flaw."

Lu Zhanting spoke calmly.

Lu Chen paused for a moment, and the next second his sister swept his leg and knocked him to the ground.

"Dad!" The boy lay on the ground, his tone defiant, "You did this on purpose."

"On the battlefield, the enemy won't wait for you to adjust."

Lu Zhanting put down his teacup, walked into the venue, and said, "Let's do it again."

Lu Xi stuck out her tongue and reached out to help her brother up.

Lu Chen turned over and stood up on his own, brushed the dust off his clothes, and his eyes became focused again.

This time, his offensive was even more intense.

The wind howled as punches rained down, and Lu Xi could only defend at first. But her eyes were constantly observing and searching.

Suddenly, she ducked down, slipped under Lu Chen's ribs, and delivered a backhand elbow strike.

Lu Chen reacted quickly, dodging to the side and grabbing her wrist with his other hand.

The two were locked in a stalemate.

That's enough.

Lu Zhanting strode over and separated the two. "Lu Chen, you didn't use your strength advantage well. Lu Xi, you rely too much on speed. Once you're controlled, it's a dead end."

The brother and sister stood at attention at the same time.

"yes."

The voices were perfectly synchronized.

Lu Zhanting looked at the two children in front of him, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Lu Chen perfectly inherited his fighting talent, and at the age of fifteen, he was already able to spar with the elite students in the academy. In his eyes, there was a composure and decisiveness rarely seen in people his age.

Lu Xi is very much like Su Wanqing in her youth—agile, intelligent, seemingly weak but incredibly resilient.

"Wash up and eat."

Lu Zhanting turned around and walked back.

Behind them came Lu Chen's voice as he spoke softly to his sister.

"That was a good move."

"Hehe, I learned it from my mom."

Lu Zhanting paused slightly, a silent smile playing on his lips.

In the kitchen, Su Wanqing was preparing breakfast.

Twelve years have passed, and her appearance has hardly changed; instead, she has gained a more refined charm with the passage of time. At this moment, she is wearing simple home clothes, her long hair casually tied up, and she is frying eggs.

Nian'an hasn't gotten up yet.

Lu Zhanting wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

“He stayed up late last night working on his thesis, let him get some more sleep.” Su Wanqing turned to look at him, “How are the two younger ones?”

“Lu Chen is progressing very quickly, and he can enter the academy in two years.” Lu Zhanting paused. “Lu Xi’s talent is also good, but she doesn’t seem to be very interested in fighting.”

“That girl is more interested in medicine.” Su Wanqing smiled. “Yesterday she even pestered me to teach her acupuncture.”

Lu Zhanting remained silent for a moment.

"Whatever she wants."

His voice was soft, "As long as she's happy."

Su Wanqing turned around, tiptoed, and planted a kiss on his lips.

"You spoil your daughter too much."

"That's my daughter," Lu Zhanting said matter-of-factly. "If I don't spoil her, I might beat her up."

Su Wanqing chuckled.

Just then, footsteps came from upstairs.

Seventeen-year-old Lu Nian'an went downstairs.

The boy had grown to 1.82 meters tall, with deep-set, well-defined features, a perfect blend of his parents' best qualities. He wore a simple white T-shirt and black sweatpants, his hair was still a little messy, and glasses perched on his nose, giving him a refined air.

"Good morning, Dad and Mom."

He yawned as he walked into the kitchen and skillfully took out milk from the refrigerator.

"Have you finished reading the paper?" Su Wanqing asked.

"That's about it." Lu Nian'an rubbed her eyes. "Professor Li's paper on quantum entanglement has a very interesting approach."

"I started studying quantum mechanics at seventeen," Lu Zhanting said calmly. "Are you sure you don't want to come to the academy?"

This topic has been discussed countless times.

Lu Nian'an shook his head. "Dad, I'm more interested in physics. And..." He paused, "I'm not suited to be a soldier."

Lu Zhanting didn't say anything more.

He knew his eldest son's personality.

Gentle, rational, and instinctively resistant to violence. This child is more like Su Wanqing, possessing a healing gentleness, yet also extraordinary wisdom.

“Everyone has their own path,” Su Wanqing said, trying to smooth things over. “Nian’an, go call your younger brother and sister for dinner.”

"good."

The boy turned and went out, and returned shortly afterward with two little ones covered in sweat.

A family of five sat at the dining table.

Lu Xi chattered excitedly about the sparring session they had just had, while Lu Chen ate his meal quietly, occasionally chiming in. Lu Nian'an was looking at academic materials on his phone, and Su Wanqing was putting food on the children's plates from time to time.

Lu Zhanting sat in the main seat, watching this scene, and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.

He once thought he would die on some battlefield.

He once thought he was destined to be alone for the rest of his life.

But now, he has a wife, three children, and a complete family.

"dad."

Lu Chen suddenly spoke.

"Um"

"The college will be holding selections next month, and I'd like to give it a try."

The boy's eyes shone with longing.

Lu Zhanting put down his chopsticks and looked at his son.

You're only fifteen.

“You went to the battlefield when you were thirteen.” Lu Chen didn’t back down. “I’m ready.”

The dining table fell silent.

Su Wanqing looked at her son, then at her husband, and said nothing.

Lu Nian'an pushed up his glasses. "Second brother, the academy's selection process is very brutal."

“I know,” Lu Chen’s voice was firm, “but I want to try.”

Lu Xi bit her chopsticks, her big eyes darting back and forth between her brother and father.

The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Finally, Lu Zhanting spoke first.

"Can."

Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

“However,” Lu Zhanting changed the subject, “from now on, train according to the academy’s standards. If you can hold out until the selection day, I’ll let you go.”

"no problem!"

The boy almost jumped up.

Su Wanqing sighed.

She knew that the father and son were the same at heart.

After breakfast, Lu Nian'an went to the study to continue researching her thesis, Lu Xi pestered Su Wanqing to teach her medicine, and Lu Chen was taken to the training ground by Lu Zhanting.

"Starting today, I will do five kilometers of cross-country running, two hundred push-ups, and three hundred squats every day."

Lu Zhanting stood at the edge of the training field, his voice calm.

"Fighting training has been increased to four hours, physical training to two hours, and tactics training to one hour."

Lu Chen swallowed.

This intensity is twice as great as before.

"I'm scared."

"I'm not afraid."

The boy stood up straight.

"Then let's begin."

Lu Zhanting glanced at his watch. "It's eight o'clock now. We need to finish the basic training before twelve o'clock."

Without saying a word, Lu Chen turned around and started running laps.

Lu Zhanting stood there, watching his son's back.

The little guy who once needed to be held in his arms has now grown into a teenager and is starting to pursue his dreams.

He suddenly remembered that many years ago, he was the same way, sweating on the training field, eager to become stronger, eager to protect the people who were important to him.

"What are you looking at?"

Su Wanqing walked up to him without him noticing.

"Look at our son." Lu Zhanting reached out and put his arm around her waist. "He's grown up."

“Yes.” Su Wanqing leaned on his shoulder. “The three children have all grown up.”

"Nian'an is about to participate in the selection for the gifted youth class, Lu Chen wants to enter the academy, and Lu Xi says she wants to be a doctor in the future."

Time flies.

Lu Zhanting remained silent for a while.

"Qingqing".

"Um"

"Thank you."

Su Wanqing looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Thank you for giving me a home." Lu Zhanting lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for letting me know that living can be so blissful."

Su Wanqing's eyes were a little moist.

She stood on tiptoe and returned his kiss.

On the training field, the boys are running.

In the study, the boy was deep in thought.

The girl is studying in the infirmary.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard on the western hills, bathing the family in its warmth.

The legend has come to an end.

But life goes on.

All those past battles and clashes, all those life-or-death struggles, have transformed into the peaceful tranquility of this moment.

Looking at his son sweating on the training field, looking at his son buried in his books in the study, looking at his daughter studying diligently in the infirmary, Lu Zhanting suddenly felt...

This is his true battlefield.

It was not a fight, nor a war.

It's about protecting.

Protect this home, protect this hard-won happiness.

As the sun set, Lu Chen finally finished all his training.

The boy slumped to the ground, his body soaked in sweat and breathing rapidly.

Lu Zhanting walked over and handed him a bottle of water.

How are you feeling?

"Not bad," Lu Chen said, panting. "Let's continue tomorrow."

Looking at his son's stubborn eyes, Lu Zhanting suddenly smiled.

"OK."

He reached out and helped his son up.

"Let's go home and have dinner."

The father and son walked back side by side.

The setting sun cast their shadows long, long, until they eventually merged together.

In the courtyard, Su Wanqing was setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

Lu Nian'an is helping to serve the dishes.

Lu Xi squatted by the flower bed, watering the herbs she had planted.

Smoke curls from chimneys, and the twilight deepens gently.

This is their daily routine.

Ordinary, yet precious.