Chapter 40

The courtyard finally quieted down.

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

Andrew leaned against the doorframe, his gaze lingering on Luna. 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 Andrew..." Luna 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.

Luna 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.

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

Luna’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!" Luna recoiled like a startled cat, her face flushing red.

A few muffled chuckles came from outside the window.

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

Luna 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," Andrew said with a smirk.

"Stop joking around!" Luna 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!" Luna argued. "What if I meet someone I like more there?"

Andrew’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."

Luna 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. Clara White would never give up so easily...

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

"Deal." Andrew 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, Andrew firmly declined Luna’s offer to stay for dinner. The students cast longing glances at the stove—they’d been dreaming about the braised pork Jack had raved about for ages...

"Next time," Andrew murmured to Luna, 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.