Love Began with the First Meeting

Wilson and William considered that if Maggie would pursue a civilian career after graduation, maybe Edgar would also apply to be transferred to a civilian position, so as not to part from his wife for a long time.

It really didn't matter to Wilson. However, it was quite a problem for William. As a father who hoped that his daughter could live a comfortable and easy life, he didn't want Maggie to work in the special forces. But as a leader in the army, he also didn't want such a capable subordinate as Edgar to leave either. Therefore, it was not until now that he found himself in a massive dilemma.

"In my opinion," Wilson said, twirling the glass with its fiery spirit before taking a sip. "Children should make their own decisions. I don't bother to become involved in their things." Hinting at William to have another sip too, he continued, "I remember that you disliked being controlled by your father when you were young. But look, what are you doing now? Now that your own child has grown up, you also want to control her." His words sounded disgruntled, as if he were personally disappointed in William's take on matters.

When William heard what Wilson said, his mouth pressed into a thin line of pensiveness as he considered the situation. After thinking twice, he had to agree with Wilson. Therefore, he said to Edgar, "Now that you have married Maggie, I won't bother to take part in her job selection. She is your responsibility now."

This was exactly what Edgar had wanted to hear. He had never discussed the future of Maggie's career with her, but he was quite capable of roughly guessing what she wanted, based on his understanding of her. There was wild and arrogant blood burning in her body. With such a disposition and unquenchable passion, the Eagle Special Brigade could temper her into the sharpest weapon. However, it didn't mean that he wanted Maggie to be a member of the special forces. In fact, he didn't want her to be involved in any danger, of any kind. However, how could he cool her passionate blood by himself?

If he did that, it would be too cruel not only for her, but also for him.

*

Tompson was packing up. His face looked very calm and almost serene, but the people who were watching him pack didn't look calm at all. The assembled group opened and closed their mouths, intending to speak, but failed to find the correct words to say.

"You need not say anything," Tompson said. He closed his backpack before turning around to look at the men who wore olive green informal suits. "The reason why I chose to become a military surgeon was because I couldn't find anything else to do. I've never really liked doing the job. So it's okay with me. Now I will no longer need to think of doing the job."

A middle-aged man, whose epaulet indicated the military rank of senior colonel, looked downcast as he helplessly studied Tompson. Finally, he said, "Tompson, the final conclusion hasn't been reached yet, and your request for discharge from the army hasn't even been approved. Given that, what are you packing up for?"

At the gentle rebuke, a smile formed at the corners of Tompson's mouth. In a casual and almost careless tone, he said, "It is just a matter of time. Everybody knows that. Therefore, I don't want to linger around here." After taking a short pause, he turned to look at the man who looked barely twenty years old and whose shoulder epaulet indicated the military rank of second lieutenant. Focusing his eyes on the young man, Tompson said, "Nobody will supervise you from now on. And neither will anybody accept the responsibility for you, in case you cause any trouble." With an evil and yet attractive smile, he continued, "Nevertheless, I still want to point out that the path you take is decided by yourself. Once you make a decision about which path to take, you must walk steadily without looking neither left nor right. You'd better not change your mind frequently."

The second lieutenant had attempted to control his emotions because he was loath to part with Tompson, who had helped him a lot and whom he had always looked up to. However, as soon as he heard his advice, his eyes turned red and instantly tears spilled over the young man's cheeks.

Tompson could not help but sneer bitterly at him, "Look at you. All right. Stop! How could a man weep like a woman?!"

"Sir..."

"I'm no longer your sir," Tompson said, patting the second lieutenant on his shoulder and hinting at him to say no more. After looking around the room, his sight fell on the senior colonel. "Sir, I don't take the matter too seriously. You don't need to worry about me," he said casually. After taking a short pause, he continued, "As you know, I'm as stubborn as a cockroach. I'm more likely to rise in a hopeless situation." Then he raised his eyebrows in an unruly manner. "I don't have anything specific on my mind. I can accept whatever happens to me," he said quietly.

"Alas," the senior colonel sighed deeply after hearing what Tompson had said. "I'm only feeling so sorry, I know that you haven't tried your best in your career. Despite this, you have managed to make us proud of you, and you have even become rather endeared to the men. If you leave, it will be a great loss for our army. What a pity!"

Tompson responded to him with only a smile. Then he swung the backpack over one shoulder. Before taking another step, he said, "I'm leaving. I won't return. You have only a couple of hours' leave. You are dismissed now." As soon as his words sounded in the tense and sorrowful room, he walked out without waiting for the others to leave the room first.

Standing outside the low wall which surrounded the compound, Tompson unconsciously looked in the direction of Maggie's home. He didn't look away again until quite a while later when his train of thought was disturbed by the noise of a group of children passing by. With a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, he turned around and walked towards the gate of the compound. Once upon a time, Maggie and he had played and fought like these children. However, all those memories had been left in the past.

Sometimes he wondered whether he could become self-willed instead of being so reasonable. Somebody had once commented that his love was too peaceful. He never expressed his affection frankly or eagerly enough, nor did he ever insist on getting any response from the woman whom he loved. Perhaps he could have won Maggie's love if he had taken some extreme measures.

Tompson stood at the gate of the compound. Without turning to look back, he knew that all of the military surgeons in S Army were there behind him, their eyes fixed on his back, silently willing him to reconsider. A bitter smile played at the corners of his mouth. He sighed slightly. After taking a last look at the guards, finally he took a step forward, intending to leave.

Then, at that moment, some unknown person said, "Why is the Captain of the Eagle Special Brigade's car parked outside the deputy commander's house?" Hearing these words, Tompson stopped dead in his tracks.

*]]]