Eating alone was boring.Thankfully, Daniel was here.More importantly, James did not have money and needed someone to pay the bill.“No, I wouldn’t dare.” Daniel instantly froze in his tracks. How would he dare have lunch with James?James scowled at him. “I’m giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to treat me to a meal. You should be honored. No one else would ever have the chance to do so.”“Fine, then.” Daniel nodded and quickly got off the jeep.He was not in military uniform but in his casual clothes.James wrapped his arm around Daniel’s shoulder and walked toward The Gourmand.“By the way, General Highsmith, I have a question.”Daniel was feeling uncomfortable, having his shoulder grasped by James. “A-ask away, James.”“What do you think the higher-ups are up to, reorganizing the five military regions and even transferring the Blithe King to Cansington as the commander-in-chief of the five armies?”Daniel shivered. He hurriedly replied, “I-I wouldn’t dare presum
What was Xara seeing?Why was James, the son-in-law of the Callahan family, rumored to be an infamous loser, having lunch with General Highsmith, a general under the command of the Blithe King?She did not know how to react.Utterly shocked, she covered her mouth with her hands.Hearing a gasp, James turned around and noticed her.‘What is she doing? Is she that surprised to see me?’However, one glance at Daniel, and he understood everything.James then stood. “What a coincidence, Xara, you’re here too. Have you eaten? Come, join us. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to Daniel. He’s a good friend of mine. We grew up together in the orphanage. It’s our first time seeing each other in years, so we decided to have lunch together.”Daniel cast a glance at James, taken aback.He immediately understood the situation and played along. Standing up, he greeted Xara with a smile, “Hello, I’m Daniel.”“Ah…”Xara gasped.She was thrilled.‘General Highsmith is talking to me! What
Xara glanced at James and seated herself.“A-Are you General Highsmith?” Xara’s eyes gleamed.Daniel looked at James.James laughed. “Xara, his name’s Danny. He’s not a general.”“H-He’s right.” Daniel quickly nodded in agreement. “Miss… Xara, was it? I’m not a general. My name’s Daniel… Sorry, Danny. I just resemble Daniel.”He stumbled over his words.Hearing this, Zara let loose a hearty laugh.She did not expect the majestic-looking General on TV to have such a cute side to him. She knew that the person before her was indeed General Highsmith. She had watched the Blithe King’s succession ceremony countless times. There was no way that she would mistake him for someone else.No way. He had to be Daniel.‘Danny? Seriously?’“General Highsmith, I really look up to you. C-Can I get a picture with you?” Xara blushed as she summoned the courage to ask him for a picture.“Uhm…?” Daniel glanced at James.James said with a smile, “Feel free. It doesn’t cost you anything.”Dan
Xara could not understand this. How did James get to know General Highsmith?Danny? An old friend from the orphanage?“James, be honest with me. What’s your relationship with General Daniel Highsmith?” Xara asked.James replied while munching on his food, “General Daniel Highsmith? I don’t know who that is. That guy earlier is a childhood friend of mine. We haven’t seen each other in years. Since we bumped into each other, we decided to have a meal together. Is he a general now?”“You don’t know?” Xara was rather suspicious of James’ words.General Highsmith seemed to obey James’ every command and acted according to his wishes.James went on, “I don’t know. It’s been more than ten years since I was at the Southern Plains. This Daniel… Sorry, Danny. From what I know, this Danny guy went to the Western border. He never mentioned anything about being a general.”James put his chopsticks down and looked at Xara. “He’s… a general?”“Yes. Did you not watch the Blithe King’s successio
After saying that, she turned and left.James was close behind her. Before leaving, he added, “Remember to pay the bill.”“Damn it.”Francis clenched his fists angrily. A hint of disappointment flashed across his somewhat handsome face.“James, you piece of junk. Just wait.”As James had ruined his plans, he was full of hatred for him.James led Xara out of The Gourmand. He put her suitcase in the trunk and drove to the Callahans’ residence.Xara sat in the passenger seat. She wore a silly smile as she scrolled through the photos she had taken with Daniel on her phone.James could not help but comment, “They’re just photos. Is that necessary?”“What do you know?” Xara shot him a look. “General Highsmith is my idol. The Blithe King’s an even greater idol of mine. It’s been my lifelong dream to take a photo with them. Finally, my wish has come true.“With that being said…”She stopped for a moment and glanced over at James, who was driving, before saying, “The person I admire
Xara was merely throwing words out.She was not hoping to get anything out of it.Even if General Highsmith had known James since he was a child, he was still a general and a person of high status.Moreover, to the Blithe King, he was just a subordinate.He might agree to help James, but the Blithe King himself might not be convinced.Upon hearing James’ words, her eyes gleamed. “Really?”James said with a smile, “Of course. I used to be in the military too. Since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll come up with something.”“James, that’s great! Thank you.”Xara was excited.The Blithe King was one of the Five Commanders.Although the Blithe King was not the most admired of all, she would be more than content if she got to take a picture with him.James glimpsed at the rear-view mirror.The jeep was still there.He knew that the Blithe King was still tailing him.Xara eventually recollected herself and asked with an upset look on her face, “James, don’t give me false hope. You m
The Blithe King unwrapped his arms and walked toward James. “This is a military region. You shouldn’t come here so often. No, scrap that. You shouldn’t be here at all.”He was implying that he did not want to see James, as James often brought trouble along.The Blithe King then got onto a military vehicle and left, leaving behind an astonished Xara.It took Xara some time to process the situation. When the realization hit, she kept gasping for air. She hurriedly made her way to James and snatched her phone from him. “Let me see. Let me see.”She opened the album and saw the photo.In it, the Blithe King had his hands around her shoulders. He wore a compassionate look, almost looking like a loving father.“Ah…” Xara cried.She bawled her eyes out.After all these years, her wish had finally come true.There stood the Blithe King, commander of the Western border and one of the Five Commanders.She crouched down and cried.They were tears of joy.James frowned. It was just a p
Xara was firm in her belief.James had to be the General of the Southern Plains.James just laughed and remained silent.They reached Thea’s place soon after.Gladys and her family had left early in the morning to settle their car insurance and other household affairs, and they returned home quite a while ago.Thea and Yuna had also just returned from shopping at the Trade City Center.By the time James arrived, it was almost one o’clock.Gladys scolded him as he walked through the door, “How long does it take to pick up a single person? Look at the time! What are you waiting for? Get cooking now!” Ever since James married into the Callahans, Gladys stopped cooking.By now, they had all grown lazy. No one even bothered to prepare lunch, and so, none of them had eaten anything.James carried the suitcase in and put it aside. Upon hearing Gladys’ words, he nodded. “I’ll get to it right now.”Right away, he headed to the kitchen.“Xara,” Gladys greeted her warmly.As Xara wa