Some of the hostility had also gradually dissipated.
Training seemed to have become a kind of enjoyment.
Time passed very quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the morning was gone.
Dallas Taylor called out "Dismiss," and the girls exhaled a sigh of relief, discussing what to eat.
Mia Ginger bent down to pick up her jacket when a clear male voice called her name from not far away.
She looked towards the voice, a bit surprised.
Mason Sutton, dressed in an extremely formal white shirt and black trousers, approached with long strides, a briefcase under one arm, and a bottle of pure water in his other hand. His handsome appearance drew quite a few curious looks from the students.
"Brother Sutton, why are you here?" Mia Ginger ran her hand through her hair, muttering softly.
"Your dad asked me to check on you." Mason Sutton handed her the bottled water, smiled, and said, "Come on, I’ll take you to lunch."
"Oh." Mia Ginger rubbed the water bottle with her hand, turned to the few people waiting nearby, and said, "Then I won’t be joining you for lunch."
"Alright, alright." Wren King responded with a mischievous smile, exchanging winks with the person next to her, Tong Tong.
Mia Ginger gave the two a small sideways glance, uncomfortably turning around, "Brother Sutton, let’s go."
Mason Sutton nodded with a smile, walking calmly by her side.
At the beginning of September, it was the hottest time in Cloud Capital.
He wore a white shirt, with every button from his wrist to his neck properly done, looking meticulous and distinct from the students in camouflage uniforms as well as the instructors.
Out of place, yet outstanding among the crowd.
He received many curious looks along the way but remained poised, smiling as he asked Mia Ginger, "Is the military training tiring?"
"It’s okay, I’ve gotten used to it."
"It’s only a month; it’ll be over soon." Mason Sutton nodded with a smile and then turned the topic, concerned, "Your friend’s case has been resolved. Those involved were sentenced, and the family accepted the fines. Don’t be too upset."
"What good is money when the person is gone?" Mia Ginger bit her lip, speaking.
"That’s true." Mason Sutton paused, quickly recovering, and comforted, "Having something is better than nothing."
Mia Ginger glanced up at him, "Are all of you officials so cold?"
Discussing life-and-death matters with the same ease as talking about the weather.
Mason Sutton was a bit exasperated by her jab, he explained, "There are too many unstable factors in today’s society. Heartbreaking things happen every day. After seeing so much, you get used to it. The deceased have passed on, and those living must continue with life."
"Secretary Sutton is right." Mia Ginger responded sluggishly.
"You girl..." Mason Sutton glanced at her, knowing she was not in a good mood and let it slide.
He drove her out of the school gate to eat.
It was the same restaurant where Mia Ginger had eaten with Koa Jackson last time.
Mia Ginger, still in her camouflage t-shirt, couldn’t avoid the waiter’s additional glances as she followed him inside.
Feeling down, her phone rang in her pocket.
She answered immediately.
Koa Jackson called her name gently and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Just about to," Mia Ginger barely replied when Mason Sutton suddenly turned his head, "Shall we sit by the window?"