Chapter 153 The Boy Leaves Home
The next morning.
Alexander was in the director's office, his eyes bloodshot, his expression somewhat stiff. "Samuel, last night I..."
"Alexander, come on and have a seat." Samuel looked up, smiling broadly as he waved him over. "Alexander, you've been hitting the bottle a lot lately. Are you too busy? If you are, just let me know. I can have someone from the office work at your place tomorrow."
"Samuel, stop joking around."
"Who dares joke with you? I'm too scared you'll scold me."
"I was really drunk last night. I meant to call Andrew, but I ended up calling you instead," Alexander quickly explained, "I was really out of it, and my tone was a bit harsh. Samuel, please don't make fun of me."
Samuel sneered before nodding and gesturing for him to sit. "Have a seat."
Alexander sat down across from him.
"What's this about your brother joining the army?" Samuel asked.
"It's the kid I adopted," Alexander responded helplessly, "He got into some trouble a few days ago, and it really stressed me out. I thought about it carefully, and for a boy like him, staying at home isn't the best option. So, I figured I'd send him to the military for a few years of training."
Samuel looked at Alexander with a smile. "He's not really related to you, but you sure care a lot."
"He wasn't before, but now he's like my real brother," Alexander explained with a grin, "Last night, he even bowed to me. This kid is a lot like me, and I want to guide him."
"The military isn't what it used to be; they could be called to fight at any time," Samuel reminded him.
"I've considered that." Alexander nodded. "He's my brother, but I can't take care of him forever. I'll give him a path, and how far he goes is up to him."
"Then let's send him to the Third Brigade. I'll call a friend in the Pine City garrison," Samuel said, knowing that placing someone in the military was just a matter of making a call.
Seeing Samuel reach for the phone, Alexander quickly stopped him. "Samuel, it's best if he can be stationed far from me, not in Pine City."
Samuel was taken aback.
"Being far from home will be good for him."
Samuel blinked and then stretched his neck, asking, "Alexander, how about I make him the Army Commander in Stardust City? Would that satisfy you?"
"Samuel, stop teasing me."
"You sure have a lot of demands," Samuel laughed and cursed, picking up the phone. "The Second Army Group is outside the district. Let's send him there."
"That’s great." Alexander nodded happily. "Thanks, Samuel."
"Thank you, Alexander. Doing you a favor is a real honor."
"Samuel, if you keep talking like that, I won't be able to sit still."
Samuel chuckled, looked through his phone book, and made a call to settle the matter.
After thanking Samuel profusely, Alexander asked, "Samuel, you mentioned earlier that our team is getting new recruits."
"Yeah, the headquarters is sending over a batch of students from Stardust City Police Academy, about twenty or so. The police department will keep some, and we'll get six. I'm planning to assign two to your team," Samuel said with a smile. "The situation in the office is chaotic right now. Many officers got in through connections and can't even handle basic paperwork. So, graduates from formal institutions are quite welcome."
Alexander understood that Samuel was on his side, providing high-quality help to quickly form a solid team. "It's a good thing, but I'm currently in the Fourth Squad. I'm worried that when I leave, Jasper might cause trouble and not let them go."
"Their police registration will be under your team, and they're just interning for now. Once the internship is over, I'll reassign them to your team through internal transfers."
"Samuel, how can I thank you? You're helping my brother join the army and taking such good care of me. I feel so warm inside."
"Get out of here." Samuel waved him off, not wanting to hear more flattery. "Just pave the way and get the business up and running."
"Got it," Alexander said with a smile as he left.
The next day, at 8 AM.
Luke, carrying a simple backpack, looked at Alexander reluctantly. "Do I really have to leave so soon?"
"Yes," Alexander said, holding an e-cigarette in his mouth. He pulled out $100 from his pocket, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't have much money right now. Let's split it."
"I don't need money." Luke shook his head.
"Take this $50. Whether you use it to buy something nice for yourself or make friends, I don't care," Alexander said, stuffing the money into Luke's pocket. "But while you're in the military, I won't send you a single cent. And don't think I have any close friends in the military. I can tell you clearly, getting you into the camp took a lot of favors and money. So if you get into trouble, no one can help you."
"I understand." Luke nodded.
"When you get to Stardust City, go to the Second Army Group's Fourth Brigade office. The address and contact person are written on the paper. Just find him," Alexander said, patting Luke's head at the station. "Alright, safe travels."
Luke nodded woodenly.
Beside him, Chloe also looked at Luke reluctantly. After a long hesitation, she timidly stepped forward and pulled out a pair of knitted gloves from her pocket. "Luke, you're luckier than me and have more hope in life. I wish you well. Do your best in the military."
Luke sniffled and looked at Chloe. "When I start earning money in the military, I'll send it to you so you can go to school."
"I wish you... all the best...!" Chloe said, then turned and ran away.
Luke stared at her back, waving his arms and shouting, "I'll come back to see you when I have vacation."
"That's enough. Are you two putting on a romance drama for me?" Alexander urged impatiently. "Get on the train; it's about to leave."
"Alexander, I'm leaving."
"Go!" Alexander waved him off.
Moments later, Luke disappeared behind the train doors with his luggage.
A bell rang, and the light rail slowly started moving.
Alexander glanced at the train window, feeling a sudden emptiness inside, then turned to leave.
Suddenly, there was a faint sound.
Alexander turned back.
Luke stood behind the closed train window, shouting hysterically, "Alexander, I won't let you down. No matter how tough it gets in the military, I'll study hard and make something of myself!"
Alexander couldn't hear Luke's shout from outside the train, but seeing his expression and lip movements, he nodded heavily.
The train slowly pulled away, taking this brother Alexander had picked up along the way to the next turning point in his life.
Meanwhile.
William, who had been quiet for months, was now making sweeping reforms in the company.
Many new faces and unknown individuals began to step into the spotlight. Joe, who had quietly entered the city from the planning area, also started his own small business.
A new storm was quietly brewing beyond anyone's expectations.
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