Chapter 163 Two Old Men
"You finally understand what it's like to be embarrassed, huh? Remember back in Novaria when I had to personally go to the Harris family to invite you?" Bennit glared at Ethan before giving a slight smile.
"The old man is waiting for you inside, go on in!" Ethan then took Sarah's hand and followed Bennit into the villa. Despite being called a villa, it was just a modest two-story building. Elderly figures like Remington, who had endured hardships in the past, were unfamiliar with luxuries, leading a life of frugality.
As Ethan observed the simple decor and plain furniture in the house, he couldn't help but admire Remington's disciplined lifestyle that had earned him such respect in the military. The meeting with Remington took place in his study. Ethan and Sarah greeted Remington, who then gestured for them to take a seat on the sofa.
"Remington looked healthy. Ethan smiled and asked, 'When are you available so that I can remove the other two bullet fragments from your body?'
My situation is not urgent. I called you to Houston mainly for my old friend. But before that, you must promise me that, whether you can cure him or not, you must keep this matter to yourself and not tell anyone," Remington said, looking at Sarah with a stern expression.
"Not even me?" Sarah pouted unhappily.
"Don't make trouble. The military has strict confidentiality rules," Ethan scolded Sarah sternly.
"It's fine if this little girl wants to know, but she also has to keep it a secret. If this information gets out, there will be serious consequences. No one can breathe a word, not even to your grandfather," Remington said with a light laugh, emphasizing the importance of secrecy.
“Can you finally tell me who this mysterious friend of yours is?" Ethan's curiosity piqued even further.
"I can't disclose his identity just yet. You'll find out when you meet him later this afternoon!" Remington playfully teased, leaving Ethan and Sarah eagerly anticipating their encounter.
Later, Ethan and Sarah enjoyed a simple lunch at Remington's house. The meal, consisting of four dishes and a soup, was specially prepared by a nutritionist. The menu changed daily, focusing on Remington's health without being too extravagant.
After lunch, Bennit arranged for a car and personally drove Remington and Ethan out of the residential area. About thirty minutes later, Ethan caught sight of the large stone with the three gold characters "Fragrant Garden" engraved on it, causing a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He never expected to visit this mysterious place! The Fragrant Garden was unknown to the general public, but Ethan was aware that it was a top-notch sanatorium.
The reason why it was considered top-notch was because anyone who managed to secure a bed here was a person of influence who could make waves not just in the capital, but across the entire country!
Fragrant Garden was divided into two areas, with the true core area reserved for only a select few top executives.
Ethan observed that even esteemed leaders like Bennit had to undergo rigorous security checks before gaining entry to Fragrant Garden Building One.
Remington, due to his special status, was exempt from the usual checks, but Ethan and Sarah were thoroughly searched, almost to the point of being stripped naked.
"Remington, can you finally tell me who your friend is? I need to prepare myself mentally!"
Ethan felt a cold sweat on his palms for the first time and couldn't help but feel nervous in this unfamiliar environment.
"I can only say his name is Norman! You'll meet him soon," Remington whispered, leading the way into the courtyard of Building One. Inside the building, there was a hidden oasis, complete with a small open-air garden at its center.
As Ethan and Remington entered the garden, they were both taken aback by the sight before them.
Sitting in the pavilion in the middle of the garden were two elderly men playing chess.
Despite their advanced age, Ethan and Sarah recognized these familiar faces from their childhood memories.
These figures, who appeared to be in their eighties or nineties, had been ingrained in their minds since elementary school textbooks and childhood news broadcasts.
Neither Sarah nor Ethan could have anticipated they would encounter these two people in person, let alone in such close proximity.
Ethan felt a sense of gratitude towards Remington for allowing him to receive medical treatment from one of these men, viewing it as a gesture of respect.
Despite their retirement from the country's highest positions, these men still held significant influence and were sought after for advice by the current authorities.
The weight of this realization overwhelmed Ethan, as he recognized the risks and rewards of being in their presence.
Remington, on the other hand, expressed his frustration with the two elderly men's obsession with chess, jokingly questioning the appeal of their constant games.
“Remington, how dare you mock us with your chess skills? Find somewhere else to cool off! Don't interrupt our game!" scolded Alfred, one of the elderly men, looking displeased.
Meanwhile, Norman, the other old man, mentioned that Remington had promised to introduce a young person to him that day. "Let us finish this game first," he added, smiling kindly at Ethan and Sarah nearby.
Ethan, feeling embarrassed, apologized and suggested a move in the game. Remington, dissatisfied, analyzed the situation and expressed his superiority in a few words.
This caused Alfred to lose his temper and scatter the chess pieces in frustration. Norman, visibly upset, accused Alfred of playing unfairly.
Remington, trying to diffuse the situation, reminded them not to comment while watching a chess game. As the elders turned their attention back to Ethan and Sarah, the atmosphere grew tense.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
