"Don't meddle with his business. Let him be. If he continues acting like this, he'll regret it sooner or later," Baldwin told Cecelia. He knew this enough. With his wisdom, he was well aware that when it came to love, only the two people involved could solve their problems. Whether Wesley and Blair would end up together was entirely up to the two.
The following day, Blair had finished packing her things and was ready to set out. Wesley was still in his grandfather's room, so she carried her bag on her own, brought it downstairs, and waited for him.
Meanwhile, in Keith's room, the old man and Wesley were still talking. He took out a cash card from his drawer and placed it in front of Wesley. "I feel sorry for Blair. She has no parents. Although it's fortunate that the Ji family treats her well, I heard she rarely goes there to trouble her aunt and uncle. I also knew that she broke up with her fiance. There's no one taking care of her now. You should give her more attention." He pointed at the card and continued, "Here's five million. This should have more in it, but I was cheated into buying Niles an apartment. That's all I have right now. I don't need this at the moment. I want you to take it."
Wesley stayed still as he looked at the card. "She doesn't like Niles. She won't be your granddaughter-in-law." He tried softening the blow; he knew it was pointless for his grandfather to treat Blair so kindly if she wouldn't end up as Keith's granddaughter-in-law.
The old man took a deep breath. His lips trembled in annoyance. He glared at his stubborn grandson and rambled, "It's my money. I can give it to anyone I like. I look at Blair as my own granddaughter. I don't see anything wrong with me supporting her financially. So, cut the crap and take it!"
Wesley stood up from his chair and politely asked, "Grandpa, is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"
"Yes." Keith's face grew more somber as he thought of what he was going to say to Wesley. "You're a high-ranking officer now. You don't have to do anything yourself anymore. Our country has a lot of talented soldiers; you're not the only one. You see where I'm going here?" Keith knew how big of an asset his grandson was to the army. He spared no effort in accomplishing any of his missions. Wesley was a force to be reckoned with. With him leading, victory was certain.
He was very proud of his grandson. However, the fact that his life was always in danger bothered him. Wesley was always a few bullets away from getting decommissioned. The old man had always wished his grandson would stay behind instead of the frontlines. He'd rather he retired to settle down with a family of his own.
"Grandpa, you knew from the day I decided to go to a military school that my destiny was shaped. Not once did I regret it. I love my career and I won't fall back no matter what happens in the future. Even if I was promoted, I can't leave my comrades who have gone through fire and water with me," Wesley replied firmly. His resolve was very clear in his eyes.
"I'm not asking you to leave them behind. I just don't think it's necessary for you to be in the battlefield all the time."
Wesley's rank in the army was special. He had no set scope of duty. He went wherever and whenever he was needed. He'd always be present if it meant protecting the country.
He saluted his grandfather. "Grandpa, I always have my life mission in mind—I'm born to bleed for my country and safeguard the peace." His words echoed through the room. He paused and pressed his lips together in a fine line as though he was thinking hard about his oath. "Grandpa, I remember what you told me the night before I went to the military school—'Better die in a battlefield than live in disgrace.' I have always kept that in mind and will continue doing so. I know where to offer my life to."
The determination in the young man's eyes made the old man's heart tremble in awe. After a few moments of silence, the old man started talking again in a hushed voice. "Fine. Take the card and off you go."
Wesley took the card and put it back in his grandfather's hand. "Please keep the money. I have enough."
Keith tried to push the card away. "No. You keep it. I have my retirement pension, and your uncle always gives me allowance. Don't worry about me."
Wesley still refused to take the card. "If I can't support a woman myself, then what kind of a man am I? I can give Blair whatever she wants. Maybe you can ask Niles if he needs this money. I heard he wanted a new watch." Wesley believed his younger brother needed the money more than he did.
Keith sighed deeply. He knew his grandson too well. Wesley had always cared about Niles, but he never admitted it out loud.
Keith stopped insisting. He was aware that Wesley had his own savings. "Okay, but remember, I'm not forcing you to marry Blair. I only have one request: treat the girl better and stop hurting her." He knew that Wesley kept turning her down.
Wesley stayed silent. 'Not forcing me to marry Blair? Why ask me to treat her better then?' However, he somehow understood where his grandfather was coming from. He nodded and replied, "I know, Grandpa."
Keith was done talking to Wesley. His cold demeanor returned and he drove the young man away. "That's it. You and Niles never fail to annoy me. Off you go now. Drive carefully, and remember to bring all the food your mom prepared. Don't starve Blair; she's too thin."
Wesley felt wronged. Never did he starve Blair. She was as thin and as frail since he had known her. He could even lift her up with just an arm. It was true she needed to put on some weight. The touch of her body would surely feel much better if she were a little bit plumper.
He couldn't help but imagine how she would feel like if she gained enough weight.
Wesley and Blair left the Li family's villa with bags full of the foods prepared by Cecelia. He still had two days off. He could opt to stay for the rest of his days off, but Blair needed to head back to Y City. He decided to go with her.
Wesley stopped by the Jiang family's house and bade everyone farewell. Blair stayed inside the car and waited for him.
She rolled the window down to watch Wesley ring the doorbell. Someone opened the door and welcomed him in, but only a few minutes later, he was out again.
Lauren and Garnet escorted him out. Blair saw Garnet sporting a girl's dress and not a military uniform. The orange dress looked perfect on her as she basked in the sunlight. She looked very wealthy and very graceful, although her skin was a little bit tanned.
Garnet glanced at Wesley's car. Hers and Blair's eyes met, but the emotions they were filled with went unnoticed.
Wesley looked towards his car too. Blair knew Garnet and her mother had seen her already. It would be inappropriate if Blair stayed in there, so she unbuckled, opened the car door, and got out of it. She stood by the car and waved at them as she smiled politely.
But to her surprise, Garnet's mother went to her. "Please, come and visit us whenever you're free. I know your aunt. You're a little bit younger than Garnet, so she should take care of you. Call her when you need help," Lauren said with enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, Lauren knew her mother too. She just didn't want to mention Blair's late mother and make the girl sad.
Blair realized Lauren was a nice and caring woman. She felt a little touched. "Thank you, Auntie and Garnet. I'll make sure to pay you a visit sometime soon."
Garnet stayed silent the whole time. Her face remained emotionless. Nevertheless, it was so much better than the angry look she wore the day she answered Blair's call. When Blair looked at her, Garnet smiled widely and said, "I'll be working in Y City very soon. Mind if I swing by your place?"
Blair smiled. "Sure. I really admire female soldiers. I've always wanted a friend like you. We should hang out and go shopping together when you're in Y City," she answered genuinely. Blair was not trying to butter her up. She was a weak girl, so she genuinely admired those strong female heroes like Garnet.
