Chapter 49

"Vivian, thank you."

At the military base entrance.

Sophia looked at Vivian with sincere gratitude.

She was really happy today. Not only did she watch Vivian's concert, but she also became a lucky audience member, got an autographed album, and even had dinner with Vivian.

Looking at this girl smiling like a flower, Vivian couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

Vivian smiled gently, "I had a great time today too. It's been a long time since I've had such a relaxing meal."

As she spoke, Vivian's gaze drifted toward Jack, who was standing at the entrance not far away.

Jack had lit a cigarette. Under the dim streetlight, smoke swirled around, blurring his handsome yet somewhat distant face.

Sophia followed Vivian's gaze, her lips curving slightly upward as she waved at Jack. "Jack."

Hearing her voice, Jack put out his cigarette and walked over with a faint smile on his lips.

"Done chatting?"

His voice was low as his gaze swept over Sophia. "It's getting late. You should go back and rest. You have school tomorrow, it's Monday."

Sophia stuck out her tongue and made a face. "No way, I want to spend more time with Vivian."

She then looked at Vivian reluctantly, "Vivian, will you come back to Viridis State for another concert?"

"Of course I will." Vivian's voice was soft. "As long as I get the chance, I'll definitely come back to Viridis State. When that happens, I'll treat you to something delicious again, okay?"

"Really? That's great!" Sophia jumped up excitedly and gave Vivian a big hug.

Seeing Sophia's pure and innocent smile, Vivian's own smile brightened.

Sophia was like an angel.

People around her couldn't help but be affected by her innocent optimism.

After hugging Sophia, Vivian turned to look at Jack.

"Mr. Carter."

Vivian spoke softly, her voice carrying an emotion that was hard to define.

Jack raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Vivian.

"Can I have your phone number?"

Vivian asked.

"Phone number?" Jack was taken aback.

As a soldier and a legendary three-star general, Jack's phone number was classified as a state secret.

Even his personal cell phone number was known to very few people.

"Yes."

Vivian nodded. "Sophia and I really hit it off. If I come to Viridis State for another concert, I can let her know in advance."

Vivian gave a reasonable explanation.

She said it was for Sophia, to notify her about the schedule.

But only she knew that she just didn't want to lose contact with Jack.

Hearing this, Sophia immediately looked at Jack excitedly.

Having Vivian's private number.

If word got out, her fans would definitely be jealous to death.

But Jack paused, looking at Vivian with calm eyes.

He was silent for a moment.

Vivian's heart jumped to her throat. This was the first time she had asked a man for his phone number, and she was afraid of being rejected.

"Okay."

Jack glanced at the expectant Sophia and nodded.

Then he quickly recited his phone number.

Vivian didn't try to memorize it.

Instead, she took out her phone and dialed the number, clearly afraid that Jack might trick her.

"Ring ring ring."

The next moment.

Jack's phone rang. He took it out and answered the call. Seeing the call go through.

Vivian finally confirmed that this was indeed Jack's phone number.

She looked up, her gaze lingering on Jack's stern face for a moment.

"Well then, goodbye, Mr. Carter."

Vivian took a deep breath, suppressing the reluctance in her heart, and turned to Sophia with a smile. "Sophia, let's say goodbye here."

"Goodbye, Vivian! I'll miss you!" Sophia nodded vigorously, waving her little hand.

Vivian took one last look at the siblings, turned around, opened the car door, and got into her car.

The engine roared, and the red taillights traced a beautiful arc in the night, gradually fading away until they completely disappeared at the end of the street.

"Let's go, time to go home."

Jack withdrew his gaze and ruffled Sophia's hair, his tone returning to its usual warmth.

"OK!"

Sophia obediently responded, her small hand tightly holding Jack's large hand.

The night breeze was cool, blowing their clothes. The streetlights stretched their shadows long, one big and one small, closely together.

Back at the villa in the military base, they opened the door to a warm atmosphere.

"Go take a shower and rest. You have class tomorrow." Jack changed into slippers at the entrance and looked at the still-excited Sophia, shaking his head helplessly.

"I know!"

Sophia stuck out her tongue, carefully placed the treasured autographed album on the table, then skipped into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of water and Sophia's off-key humming came from the bathroom, singing the theme song from Vivian's concert tonight.

Jack leaned back on the sofa, listening to that sweet voice, and the nerves that had been tense all day finally completely relaxed.

For Sophia.

Today was one of the few happy days she had had since William's death.

But actually, for Jack, today was also a rare, relaxing day.

Since joining the military, Jack had been living on the edge of death every day. He didn't know how many times he had brushed past the Grim Reaper. Many people just thought it was incredible that someone so young could become a legendary three-star general.

But they couldn't imagine everything Jack had been through.

It was no exaggeration to say that Jack's rank and position were built step by step through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, with enemy blood and his own scars.

He had seen the ugliness of human nature and understood the impermanence of life and death.

In this position, he couldn't trust anyone, and he didn't dare easily turn his back on anyone.

Only in front of Sophia would Jack relax a little.

"Jack, can you get my pajamas for me?"

Sophia's voice came from the bathroom.

"Do your own things yourself."

"Okay..." Sophia's voice sounded a bit disappointed.

Though complaining, the sound of water in the bathroom soon stopped.

Ten minutes later.

Sophia came out wearing cute pink pajamas, her hair still wet, like a little duckling fresh from the bath.

"Jack."

Sophia came up to Jack, letting her wet hair drape over her shoulders.

After her bath, she looked like Snow White from a castle, beautiful and adorable.

"Alright, come here."

Jack looked at Sophia's wet hair, water dripping onto the floor.

He shook his head helplessly.

Sophia's eyes curved with joy, and she immediately sat down in front of Jack, leaning against him.

Jack picked up the hairdryer and started drying her hair, his long fingers running through Sophia's hair, massaging her scalp, bringing her a tingling sensation.

Sophia was like a docile kitten.

Quietly leaning in Jack's arms.

"Okay, time for bed."

After a while, Jack finally finished drying Sophia's hair and gently patted her shoulder.

"Good night, Jack!"

Sophia happily went into her room.

Jack went to the bathroom for a shower.

Then he came to Sophia's bedroom door and gently pushed it. The door opened.

She was still the same as before, never guarding against him, not even closing her door.

Jack tucked in her blanket and turned off the bedroom light.

Back in his own room.

When he lay on the bed looking at the ceiling, the time was already pointing to late at night.

Moonlight from outside the window spilled into the room, coating it with a layer of silver frost, and Jack fell into a deep sleep.