Chapter 78
"Uncle Wang and my father were old comrades-in-arms. Nathaniel and I grew up together—that kid used to follow me around all the time, calling me 'Brother Andrew,'" Andrew Smith explained with a smile. "When I heard he was sick, I happened to be on a mission nearby and came to check on him. I didn’t expect to run into you. If I hadn’t arrived in time, they would’ve kicked you out."
He found it strange himself. He had only met Luna White a handful of times, and each time, she was at her most vulnerable. Normally, he despised weak, easily bullied girls. He had a strong personality and couldn’t stand people who passively accepted mistreatment.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t let Luna go. Those tear-filled eyes of hers always managed to pierce the softest part of his heart. Stranger still, he felt an inexplicable trust in her—enough to vouch for her in front of Uncle Wang. If Luna failed to cure Nathaniel, he’d be in deep trouble.
"What about you? Why are you in town?" He remembered she should have been at home preparing for university.
Luna pointed ahead. "I came to visit my second sister. She married into town."
Iris White was hurrying toward them. As soon as David Moore got home, he had recounted everything about Luna’s encounter at Factory Manager Victor Green’s house, leaving Iris and Aunt Martha Cooper horrified. What shocked her even more was that her little sister had suddenly gained a soldier fiancé!
From a distance, she spotted a tall, straight-backed figure in a military uniform—his short, neat hair and commanding presence unmistakably that of an officer. Up close, she realized just how handsome he was, speaking gently to Luna.
"Luna, who is this...?" Iris nervously rubbed her hands together.
"Hello, Sister Iris. I’m Andrew Smith," he said before Luna could respond, extending his hand. "Luna’s fiancé. I’m an instructor at the military academy. I was passing through and wanted to meet you."
Iris hastily wiped her hands on her clothes before shaking his. "Oh, hello! Please, come inside." As she led the way, she couldn’t help adding, "Our Luna is a good girl. You must treat her well."
Luna covered her face, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Andrew, however, saluted solemnly. "You have my word, Sister Iris. As a soldier, I swear on my honor to take care of Luna. I’ll cover all her university expenses—"
"No, no!" Iris waved her hands frantically. "We may be poor, but we won’t let our sister rely on her fiancé’s money."
Luna smiled. "I can handle the tuition myself."
Iris tugged Andrew toward their small courtyard. Henry Cooper, flustered by the imposing officer, scrambled to find a bowl of sugared water as a gesture of hospitality. William Cooper, however, hid in his room, too intimidated to show his face.
"Henry, go get two pounds of meat! We’ll make dumplings for dinner!" Iris bustled about.
Andrew quickly stopped Henry. "Brother-in-law, don’t trouble yourself. I have to catch the last bus back, or I’ll face disciplinary action." He deliberately put on a pained expression. "The food at our mess hall is barely edible. I’d kill for a home-cooked meal. Next time I’m on leave, I’ll come try your cooking."
Henry wrung his hands. "But this won’t do! Your first visit, and we can’t even feed you..."
Luna stepped in. "Sis, military rules are strict. If he’s late, he’ll be confined to quarters."
Iris’s expression changed instantly. "Then you must go! Henry, take him to the station on your bike!"
In the end, Andrew politely declined Henry’s offer and left in a hurry. Before he went, he gave Luna one last lingering look—one that made her heart skip a beat.