Chapter 1: Starlan

The Hulunbuir League, bordered by Heilongjiang to the east, and sharing borders with Mongolia and Russia to the west and north, is a tri-border area between China, Russia, and Mongolia. It has a 1,723-kilometer border with Russia and Mongolia, and a total city area of 263,000 square kilometers, equivalent to the combined size of Shandong and Jiangsu provinces.

Twenty-two-year-old Starlan lies on the vast grassland, a blade of grass in his mouth. Behind him is the Ewenki Autonomous Banner. Every night, Starlan dances the Mongolian dance with the locals at the Ewenki Square. Having been in Hailar for so long, if theres a place that makes Starlan stop, its the square where he sways to the rhythm with the passionate Mongolian people.

Lying on the grassland, Starlan turns to look at a young man beside him, named Horizon. Horizon is one of Starlans closest friends, four years older than Starlan, and very loyal. They served together in the same military unit for five years. In Starlans view, Horizon and he are very similar in character, the most significant similarity being that neither of them curses nor uses foul language in public. In Horizons words, he wont tolerate someone he wants to curse living unscathed; if there is, they would have already succumbed under his fist.

It has been over a year since Starlan retired from the military, and he has always been a solitary figure, coming and going freely. He doesnt particularly like communal living because, compared to liveliness, Starlan prefers quiet. Starlan has much work that requires a quiet environment to complete. The reason for coming to Inner Mongolia might be loneliness, or perhaps something else, but in any case, the moment Starlan received Horizons call, he rushed over without delay.

"Class leader, I know Im handsome, but you always staring at me like that, Im going to feel quite embarrassed, you know were both real men."

Horizon looks back at Starlan, who is chewing on a blade of grass and deep in thought. After speaking, he gives a self-deprecating smile, revealing a set of teeth so white and even that they would make women jealous.

Starlan doesnt say anything but continues to look at him. To be honest, although the intense ultraviolet rays in Inner Mongolia have tanned Horizons skin to a shiny purple, Starlan has no doubt that Horizon is indeed handsome, especially those teeth. Starlan even thinks that if the logo of Black Man Toothpaste were replaced with Horizon at this moment, the sales volume might increase indefinitely.

"Youre always like this, clearly a gentleman, yet always with a rascals appearance. I really dont know how you manage to do it."

Starlan subtly turns his head back. Knowing Horizon well, he understands that this big boy who always appears cynical has many high-voltage lines inside, and there are many forbidden zones for him in real society. However, Starlan never understands why such a good man needs to disguise himself with a false wolf skin. After all, many people among friends regard Horizon as a real scoundrel, and Horizon seems to enjoy it.

"What about you, you obviously like many things, why choose a single book to disguise yourself? You should know that in the 21st century, many ignorant people regard books as a joke, especially someone like you with a slightly lower level of culture, a primary school student, many people will consider you a fool."

Horizon knows that the seemingly modest and friendly big boy in front of him is not as warm as he appears. He knows Starlan has many hobbies. Starlan likes traveling, likes fighting, likes dancing, likes the piano, and above all, Starlan particularly likes firearms. His understanding of firearms has already exceeded the scope of field troops.

"Actually, theres nothing to it, we both just understand a truth."

After a moment of silence, Horizon looks at the sky and says something that Starlan finds unimpressive: "I admit your teeth are very white, but I dont want you to mess up the word truth."

"Do you want to hear it?"

Ignoring Starlans teasing, Horizon turns to look at him and gives a faint smile.

"I dont seem to have shut your mouth."

Looking at Horizon, Starlan also has a rascal-like appearance. Being eager to learn might be Starlans nature. With a four-year difference, Starlan knows there are many gaps in between, and he wont miss the opportunity to learn for free. For Starlan, how to be a rascal is also a kind of gain.

"You have to understand, in reality, a lot of mistakes and troubles come from us saying a lot of right things and doing a lot of right things. Truth is reliable, but it cannot be denied that truth is also the most hurtful. If you dont want mistakes and troubles, this is when we need to disguise ourselves. Just like when people say Im a rascal, I dont need to refute it. Since Im pretending to be a rascal, why be afraid of being called one? If people think Im a gentleman, Im also very happy. At least someone understands me, and I will have one more confidant. Comparing the two, I dont feel like Im at a loss. In this world, everyone actually has their own set of disguise theories. Its just that some people choose right and some choose wrong. Just like you choose books, I dont think its a good thing because books represent cultivation, with too many rules and regulations. Once you violate them, being despised is inevitable. So in my opinion, youre more like digging your own grave."

"Damn it."

Although there are waves in Starlans heart, he still doesnt let up verbally.

"Wow, you cursed at me. I was actually cursed by someone who doesnt curse. How can I endure this?"

Horizon "whoosh" jumps up, pretending to be angry at the unmoved Starlan on the ground.

"I didnt expect you to say foul words too, hehe..."

Looking at Horizon, Starlan has an unmistakable sense of achievement on his face.

"Bad, Ive broken my vow. God in heaven, I am your pitiful child, please forgive my sins."

Horizon closes his eyes and draws a cross on his chest, very arrogantly pious.

Starlan sits up and shakes his head with a bitter smile: "Fortunately, youre not a follower of Jesus, otherwise, I would really doubt whether the old man would come back to life if he knew you joined the church."

"Haha, then weve also given a great gift to the believers on earth."

Horizon opens his eyes and sits down on the spot, returning to his rascal-like appearance.

"Hey, let me show you the photos I took in Xiamen."

Horizon takes out his phone and starts searching, and Starlan approaches him.

"This is where I work, and these are my team members."

Horizon introduces a lot. Looking at the photos of Horizon in a suit, to be honest, Horizon was very handsome at that time, with fair skin and a refined temperament, which indeed fits the image of a senior white-collar worker.

"Hey, look at this, this is my administrative supervisor, what do you think, pretty right?"

Horizon points to a woman with an extraordinary temperament in the photo and introduces her to Starlan.

"Yep, shes indeed quite pretty."

Starlan agrees.

"By the way, youve been in Chengdu for so long, Chengdu is known as a place full of beautiful women, is it true?"

Looking at Starlan, Horizon asks, and before the sentence is finished, his mouth is about to drool.

Mentioning Chengdu, Starlan has many feelings. It has been a long time since he left, and Starlan likes that city.

"Yep, the girls in Chengdu give a very special feeling."

Starlan says indifferently.

"Let me see, whats so special about them."

Saying this, Horizon grabs Starlans phone.

"What are you doing, I dont have their photos."

Seeing Horizon searching, Starlan speaks.

"Youve got to be kidding me, boss, in eight months, you dont even have a photo of them?"

Horizon stops his action, so surprised that his voice is off-key without realizing it, as if he heard the most incredible thing.

"Do you think everyone is like you, starting everything from women?"

Starlan responds irritably.

"Hey, okay, let me see your company photos."

Horizons words sound very disappointed.

"Hey, is this you? Wow, this really shows that the environment can change a person."

Starlan looks at the photo following the sound. It was taken in the sixteenth-floor lobby, showing a pair of black straight trousers, a custom-made black shirt with white spots, paired with a pair of leather shoes, making his 59" height appear even more slender. This is not what makes Starlan daydream, but the aura he exudes, which is not present in him now. Starlan has always been unsure how to understand handsomeness and beauty, but now he realizes that the so-called handsomeness and beauty mean