Chapter 192 Don't Get Any Crazy Ideas
It had been ages since the three of them hung out.
Especially after Stuart's divorce, he barely showed up to gatherings.
When Jair and Robin saw him, they were shocked.
He looked better than when he was last hospitalized, but still much thinner.
More importantly, his whole vibe had changed too.
He used to be all about that high-class, confident, successful look.
Now, he still had that air, but he was way more reserved.
If he used to be flashy and bold, now he was hiding his shine.
He seemed almost invisible, like a completely different person.
Jair and Robin exchanged glances, both clearly surprised.
Robin spoke up first. "Stuart, what happened to you? You look so different."
To others, Stuart's change might not be obvious, but these two knew him well.
Stuart now seemed like someone much older, like he'd been through a lot and come out the other side.
He looked like he had no more desires, just content.
Jair asked, "Is your company okay?"
Stuart walked over, sat down, and casually unbuttoned his suit. "I'm fine. You guys look like you've seen a ghost."
"It's just how you look," Robin said. "Anyone would think you've been through something rough."
Jair added, "If something's wrong, just tell us. We're friends; we'll help if we can."
"I'm fine," Stuart repeated. "Weren't you guys going to drink?"
Jair stopped him. "You can't drink."
Stuart had a duodenal ulcer, so drinking was a no-go.
Unlike before, Stuart didn't argue. He just nodded and poured himself a glass of water.
Jair and Robin were stunned again.
"Are you really okay?" Jair asked.
Robin handed Stuart a cigarette, which he took.
After lighting it, Stuart said, "It's nothing, just that a lot of things seem meaningless."
Robin frowned. "That sounds like depression. Maybe you should see a therapist."
Jair cut him off. "Robin!"
Robin shrugged and poured himself a drink. "I'm just being honest. Fine, I'll shut up."
Jair shot him a disapproving look. Stuart's condition was clearly off, and Robin wasn't helping.
Jair turned to Stuart. "If your company's not too busy, you should take a break. If you don't want to go alone, I'll take some time off and go with you."
Stuart smiled a bit. "Aren't you supposed to be in training?"
"Training doesn't start for a while," Jair said. "I can spare a few days."
Stuart nodded. "Alright."
Robin, seeing them plan a trip, quickly chimed in, "I'll go too."
Jair shot him a look. "You stay put."
Robin protested, "Why should I stay put?"
Jair insisted, "Listen to me."
So, the trip was set. Stuart's side was easy, but Jair took two days to sort things out and free up some time.
They didn't go far. Jair planned everything. They took a train, then rode bikes to the foot of a mountain.
For Stuart, this was all new.
They climbed to the top, surrounded by greenery.
Jair shouted a few times, then looked at Stuart. "You should shout too."
Stuart shook his head.
Jair patted his shoulder. "Stuart, what's really on your mind? If you can move on, look forward. If not, be ready to win Josephine back. Don't be so down."
After a long pause, Stuart finally spoke, "I don't even know what's wrong with me. Nothing feels meaningful. I often think about the past. I didn't realize it then, but now, without even putting myself in her shoes, I see how excessive I was. I even hope Josephine never loved me. If she never loved me, the harm I caused wouldn't be so deep. I want to find her, to win her back, but I know I probably don't have that chance anymore. Don't worry about me. I won't do anything stupid. I just think, how could I have been so foolish before."
Though he said he wouldn't do anything stupid, Stuart's lifeless eyes made Jair very worried.
"Yeah, you made mistakes," Jair said, "But if you sincerely repent, there's always a chance."
Stuart lowered his head. "I can't even find her; there's no chance."
Jair saw Stuart quickly wipe his eyes. He pretended not to notice and sighed inwardly.
They stood on the mountaintop for a while, the wind drying their clothes.
Stuart finally said, "Let's go down."
They checked into a hotel, and Jair planned to visit other places the next day.
But in the middle of the night, he got a call from the military base, asking him to return immediately.
He quickly packed, took less than three minutes to get out, and then knocked on Stuart's door.
No response, so he called, but no answer.
'Is Stuart sleeping that soundly?' Jair thought.
A terrifying thought crossed Jair's mind, and he broke out in a cold sweat!
He pounded on the door. "Stuart! Stuart!"
In his urgency, he even kicked the door, but the five-star hotel door was too sturdy.
Jair didn't waste time and immediately contacted the staff, explained the situation, and asked them to open the door.
With a beep, the door opened, and Jair almost flew inside.
Seeing the scene inside, Jair was scared out of his wits. "Stuart!"
