Chapter 40: The Courtyard Finally Quieted Down

The courtyard finally quieted down.

Martin Reed and his wife left with worried expressions, even their farewell to Instructor Stone seeming distracted. The students, however, were unusually eager—fetching water, sweeping the floor, their eyes darting toward Elena Ward every now and then. After all, she was their future instructor’s wife. They had to make a good impression.

Adrian leaned against the doorframe, his gaze lingering on Elena. The girl had been fidgeting since earlier, looking like she had something to say but couldn’t bring herself to speak. He touched his own face—was he really that intimidating?

"Instructor Stone..." Elena finally blurted out, grabbing his wrist and pulling him inside. The coolness of her fingers sent a jolt through him, and instinctively, he tightened his grip.

"In a hurry?" he teased in a low voice once they were inside.

Elena suddenly realized how improper her actions were and quickly yanked her hand away. This wasn’t like the future she remembered—men and women couldn’t just casually touch like this in 1985!

"I need to talk to you," she said bluntly.

Adrian sighed. "Let me guess—you don’t want to burden me?" As a former scout, he could read her like an open book.

Elena’s head snapped up, her wide eyes full of surprise.

Unable to resist, he reached out and ruffled her hair, the dark strands slipping through his fingers. "Don’t touch me!" Elena recoiled like a startled cat, her face flushing red.

A few muffled chuckles came from outside the window.

"Ten push-ups!" Adrian barked, shoving the window open. Three eavesdropping students scrambled into the courtyard and dropped to the ground.

Elena burst out laughing. "Do all soldiers love listening in on private conversations?"

"I have plenty of other good qualities. You’ll find out soon enough," Adrian said with a smirk.

"Stop joking around!" Elena turned serious. "We’re not a good match. You’re a promising officer, and I’m just a village girl..."

"But you’re a college student," he interrupted. "The only one from this village. Doesn’t that make us a perfect pair?"

"I’ll be studying in the city for four years!" Elena argued. "What if I meet someone I like more there?"

Adrian’s expression darkened briefly before he smiled again. "Even better. Focus on your studies—I’ll send you living expenses every month. And if you do meet someone..." He paused. "I won’t stand in your way."

Elena was stunned. Was there really someone this foolish in the world?

"What do you get out of this?"

"A chance." He glanced at the students groaning through their push-ups in the courtyard. "Who knows? Maybe after spending time together, you’ll decide I’m not so bad. Besides..." He turned back to her. "Your grandmother won’t let this go easily, will she?"

That hit a nerve. Agnes Ward would never give up so easily...

"Fine," Elena finally relented. "But if either of us finds someone better, we end this immediately."

"Deal." Adrian grinned like a fox.

Outside, the students exchanged knowing looks at the sound of their instructor’s laughter—looked like this was settled!

When it was time to leave, Adrian firmly declined Elena’s offer to stay for dinner. The students cast longing glances at the stove—they’d been dreaming about the braised pork Calvin had raved about for ages...

"Next time," Adrian murmured to Elena, mischief glinting in his eyes.

Her face flushed as she nodded, watching them go. The moment the gate closed behind them, a thought struck her—this arrangement might not be as simple as she’d thought.