Da-da-da!

  The sound of footsteps, extremely rhythmic.

  Sitting in his office, Antonio, who was drawing a character relationship map, closed his notebook. He looked up and pretended to read a newspaper.

  “Commander!”

  Garrison stood outside the door and saluted Antonio.

  “Come in.”

  Garrison handed Antonio an emergency intelligence report. The red word “Urgent” was exceptionally eye-catching.

  “News just received. A rebellion has broken out in a total of three brigades, including Beldora on the other side. Should we provide support? Please advise!”

  Beldora?

  Antonio was slightly surprised; Beldora was his hometown.

  He quickly scanned the specific details on the intelligence report. It was written by an undercover agent on their side: A hospital was burned down; the two armies are in a standoff inside the county seat; street fighting is a possibility.

  Street fighting?

  It was the first time he had heard of a standoff happening inside a county town. Antonio’s intuition told him that someone in the military sub-district of the county on the other side had defected, but it wasn't the work of their own internal agents.

  Miraculous!

  “This matter needs to be reported to Commander Bernardo for instructions. You all keep a close watch for now.”

  “Yes, I am just about to go report to Commander Bernardo.”

  “Wait!” Sudden anger flared on Antonio’s peaceful face. He approached Garrison and questioned in a low whisper: “Are you trying to steal my chance to get close to Bernardo? Are you trying to report over my head?”

  Garrison was shocked. A look of disdain—as if saying "I wouldn't dream of fighting you for a man"—flickered across his face.

  But he quickly controlled his emotions, stamped his feet, saluted, and said:

  “Commander, I have absolutely no intention of going over your head. It’s just an old reporting habit. From now on, if there is any intelligence, I will report to you first, and you will personally present it to Commander Bernardo.”

  “Very well. Go back and monitor the situation closely. Report to me once every hour.”

  “Every hour?” Garrison was stunned again. Since the ceasefire, there had never been such a high density of intelligence collection.

  Besides, people need a break!

  “Something wrong?”

  Every time Antonio showed a spark of anger, Garrison would compromise.

  “Yes, Commander.”

  Antonio and Garrison left the room together. Garrison headed back toward the Intelligence Department, while Antonio made his way to the Commander’s office. Their routes were exactly opposite.

  The office secretary was a fit female soldier: “Commander Antonio, the Commander-in-Chief is currently meeting with the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the National Defense Daily. You might have to wait for a long time. Perhaps you can leave the documents with me, and I will present them to him after he’s finished.”

  “No need. I’ll wait!”

  Antonio stood right outside Bernardo’s closed office door, chest out, head high. His uniform and cap were perfectly straight. His brow was firm and motionless.

  If you didn't look at his shoulder straps, he looked like a sentry right now.

  The voices inside were extremely quiet. Antonio couldn't hear a single word.

  ……

  Meanwhile, a lean man in sneakers strode into Lady Vivienne’s mansion.

  “Vance! Madame isn't upstairs; she’s in the back garden.”

  Vance acted as if he didn't hear the butler’s shout. Like a flash of lightning, he darted through the villa’s main hall and toward the back garden.

  “What’s the big hurry?” Vivienne was standing in the garden with her arms wide open, head tilted back and eyes closed toward the sky.

  This was her daily thirty-minute wellness routine.

  God knows which priest taught her this, calling it: "Absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to maintain eternal youth."

  As a 41-year-old woman and a mother of two, she was already beautiful enough.

  Her figure was curvaceous with a long, slender waist.

  She had a well-proportioned, palm-sized heart-shaped face. Using the most popular high-end American cosmetics, she could stand at any banquet and hold her own against any movie star.

  A slight flaw was that Lady Vivienne was very strict with her diet—she never ate more than necessary and stayed far away from sugar, tobacco, and alcohol. Because of this, she was a bit thin.

  When a person is thin, the cheekbones become high.

  Fortunately, the skin on her face and neck was free of wrinkles—fair, smooth, and delicate, completely masking her flaws.

  Standing in the back garden in a pale purple gown, Vivienne was more beautiful than a cluster of blooming morning glories.

  But now, because her morning cultivation was interrupted by Vance, a hint of displeasure appeared on Vivienne’s face.

  “Madame!”

  “Urgent report. Fighting has broken out on the other side... oh, wait, it’s about to break out...”

  “Oh?”

  Vivienne became interested, her eyes lighting up.

  Internal fighting on the other side—this was a major matter involving her personal interests. Even if she were in bed holding a man, it wouldn't be too much for Vance to rush in and report.

  “Last night, the Ax Gang’s smuggling was discovered. Someone was injured and fled into the small hospital in Beldora. The Brigade Commander of Beldora failed to catch him and thought he was hiding in the hospital. I heard he happened to be drunk and set the hospital on fire.”

  “Idiot. Good thing I always told you to cooperate less with that man. I knew long ago he was a fool; this day of downfall was bound to come.”

  Lady Vivienne cursed indignantly. She admired her own foresight but was also angry that this Brigade Commander had cut off her recent source of income.

  She had just discovered an exquisite jam that could sell for a high price in the US.

  “What else?”

  “The Brigade Commander of Beldora has a partner in the county, supposedly a Chief of Staff. Now they are using three brigades to surround the county military sub-district. It looks like a rebellion. I heard they even asked our side for help, intending to invite our troops to cross over, and then they would surrender to us.”

  “Idiot!”

  Vivienne cursed even louder, panting as her chest heaved up and down.

  “Tell the boys to stop operations. Don't do anything for the next three months. Use the profits from the dance hall to pay their wages.”

  “How can there be such a stupid person in this world? And he even became a Chief of Staff, hmph! I bet it’s Bruno, right? Jealousy really twists a person’s mind!”

  Vance didn't dare answer; he hadn't received confirmed news about the Chief of Staff on the other side.

  “Go back. Don't cause trouble lately. Tell the brothers to be patient with everything. Don't get into conflicts. Those with money shouldn't flaunt their wealth. After the dance hall pays the wages, if there’s any profit left, don't give it to me. Distribute it all to the brothers as bonuses. Let them take the money home to reward their wives and children.”

  “You better not pocket it yourself.”

  “I know. I’ll get it done.”

  Vance nodded honestly, then his figure darted like the wind through the villa hall and out the front gate.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  ……

  Antonio finally heard the sound of farewell from inside the room.

  Click!

  The woman who walked out had exquisite makeup but was short in stature. She almost bumped into Antonio’s stomach.

  “Oh! Sorry!” As she moved aside, her gaze scanned quickly up from Antonio’s long legs, all the way to the ceiling before finally seeing Antonio’s face. She froze.

  Quite handsome, isn't he? I knew it.

  Antonio secretly wanted to laugh, but he kept a straight face and politely introduced himself to the woman, who was nearly fifty:

  “Madame, I am Commander Bernardo’s subordinate, Antonio.”

  Antonio’s self-introduction made Bernardo very satisfied—not calling himself a Division Commander, but a subordinate.

  He waved at Antonio with a smile:

  “Come in, child!”

  The lady nodded very solemnly to Antonio before leaving.

  Of course, Antonio was no longer looking at the woman. His eyes held a smile, like warm sunlight shining on Bernardo’s rosacea nose caused by excessive drinking.

  “Commander, I want to...”

  “Miss me? Haha!”

  Antonio understood that this man was afraid he would bring up conditions again and was using verbal harassment to shut him up. Fine, let the old man speak first.

  “Antonio, let me tell you something good, a great thing!”

  “Oh?” Looking at the beaming old man, Antonio continued to stand still.

  “The other side is about to start fighting, hahaha, fantastic!”

  Antonio felt a surge of anger in his heart: “...”

  So the old man already knew. Damn Garrison—he must have told the old man the intel long ago, yet he pretended he was "going to" report to Bernardo.

  It seemed his position as deputy commander of the intelligence department was just a hollow title.

  Even if it's hollow, I'm going to make it real.

  Garrison!

  Bernardo didn't see the shifts in Antonio’s eyes at all because he was already standing next to Antonio’s shoulder, leaning into his ear to speak. One of his hands dishonestly grabbed Antonio’s large hand.

  He gripped very hard, as if he wanted to swallow it whole.

  “Child, we have a chance to fight our way to the other side. I’ve already arranged the people. As long as people die across the river, we’ll say they are a dictatorship, no freedom, killing people randomly, even killing people for doing business. Then we’ll cross the river, unify the whole country, and then you won't have to look for your three children anymore.”

  You mean start another war and bomb my three children to death so I don't have to look for them?

  That was what Antonio was cursing in his heart, but he didn't dare say it. His expression was only one of shock and joy:

  “Commander, I just received the news and was about to report to you. You really are well-informed; you’ve actually already made arrangements.”

  Since Antonio didn't pull his hand back, the old man became even more pleased, lifting Antonio’s hand and clutching it tightly with both of his own.

  “Good boy. Since you came to report intelligence to me, then report it properly one more time.”

  Antonio: “...”

  “In the future, I’ll have Garrison report to you immediately as soon as something happens!”

  Antonio: “...”

  “What’s wrong, child?”

  Antonio put on a look of resentment toward Bernardo: “He told you everything, but he lied to me saying he hadn't said a word to you. He made me come here for nothing. I’m talking about that Garrison—I kind of hate him right now.”

  Bernardo: “Hey! Silly boy, why get angry at an Intelligence Colonel? He didn't tell me. It was Jax.”

  Jax? A "Yellow-name" character?

  Hidden pretty deep, aren't you!

  Antonio angrily shook off Bernardo’s hand and said loudly: “No way, I’m going to punish those two. They actually dared to report over my head without telling me first. I have no face left today.”

  Antonio stomped his feet as he walked out of the Commander’s office. He caught a glimpse of five or six of the Commander’s subordinates sneaking laughs with their heads down and hands over their mouths.

  When he had walked far enough to a deserted stairwell, he finally couldn't help but let out a muffled laugh.

  "Heh heh heh..."

  ……

  The people in Solana were gathered together, whispering.

  The ox-cart uncle brought news of the hospital fire and the standoff between the two armies into the camp. No one went to work in the fields anymore; everyone was huddled together discussing it.

  “What should we do? I don't want a war. Besides, I definitely don't want to join the rebels.”

  “Exactly. Our families are all in the city. If this side is handed over to the other side, we’ll never be able to go home.”

  “Don't think too much. When the bombs come, hide in the air-raid shelter first.”

  “We are the support troops. Why should we hide in the air-raid shelter?”

  “Who do you want to support?”

  …

  The most clever one, Sienna, was the first to rush toward the Battalion Commander’s office. Commander Barda was likely already involved in the incident; his office door was wide open. She could use that phone to call her foster father:

  “Dad, it’s me.” Sienna’s voice was aggrieved and husky.

  “It’s Sienna! How do you have a phone to call? Why are you crying? Do you miss Dad?”

  “Dad, it’s because I performed very well and got a reward. The Commander allowed me to call home.”

  At this moment, seven or eight people were already standing behind Sienna, all waiting to use the phone and covering their mouths as they snickered.

  Sienna turned back and gave them a fierce glare.

  As Sienna’s roommate and good friend, Camila naturally had to show some support, covering her mouth while making a gesture as if to hit the others.

  “Dad, I received the money you sent last time. Thank you.”

  “Silly child, I’m your dad. What’s there to thank? You should call home and tell your mother you're safe. Stop fighting with her. Apologize to her, okay?”

  “No, ugh...” Sienna really started sobbing, but there were no tears in her eyes.

  “Alright, alright, Dad won't force you. Are you used to the food over there?”

  “It’s okay. I cook for myself. Dad, did you forget? I know how to cook.”

  “Pffft...” Even Camila couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Sienna turned back and glared at Camila again.

  “Dad, but there’s going to be a war here. I’m afraid I’ll never see you again, waaaah...”

  “Dad has also seen the internal reports. Things are a bit urgent, but the Central Government is already working on a solution. Child, as long as you stay honestly in the village and don't participate in anything, things will pass. You have to be strong, okay?”

  “You must remember Dad’s words. You must never participate in this matter. If possible, try not to stand out. Listen to Dad, okay?”

  “Okay, Dad,” Sienna responded sensibly.

  “Alright, the office is still having an emergency meeting. Dad has to go join it. That’s all for now.”

  The phone hung up.

  Five or six more people crowded into Barda’s office, all erupting into loud laughter:

  “Hahaha.”

  “You all go to hell! You don't even know how to coax a father! Learn something!”

  Sienna curled her lip and sneered, with an expression that said "I’m just good at charming people, what are you going to do about it?" as she left the office haughtily.