1/2
Chapter 449
“Hmm, I’m turning thirty next month. I can’t very well tell people on blind dates that I’m unemployed,” Matthew responded His eyes were pale, and his words were so ambiguous that it was hard to diser whether he was serious or joking.
His simple statement caused Cynthia to worry on his behalf. She blurted out, “You’re right. You are not getting any younger.
Matthew laughed, sorming amased. This girl. Was she implying he was old?
“Well, I’m not as young and energetic as you,” Matthew responded nonchalantly.
Cynthia quickly explained, “That’s not what I meant.”
“You don’t think I’m old? Hmm,” Matthew chuckled lightly.
Cynthia was not very good at flattery, but at this moment, she mustered up a compliment anyway. “Being a man near thirty, you don’t look old at all”
“You’re a bad liar.”
“Captain…”
Matthew moved his bishop. “Cynthia, checkmate.”
Only then did Cynthia snap back to reality. Looking at the chessboard in front of her, she felt for the umpteenth time that her Captain was a tricky character. He distracted her, played with her mind, and put so much effort into a single game of chess.
“Your attacks pose no threat, and your defense is in pieces. Have you all been complacent in the past two years?” Matthew stood up.
Cynthia remained silent. She knew he was toying with her!
“Lunchtime,” Matthew concluded.
This time, Cynthia compiled without a fuss. She knew that mentality was crucial anywhere, and as long as you had a strong mentality, you could attack or defend and withstand whatever came your way. During her days of being let down, it was due to ber resilient mentality that she pulled through.
She knew that the Captain was looking out for her. However, she wished he had not dropped such a bombshell at their first meeting. It was a bit too much for her to take in
During dinner, Old Man Tanz was casually conversing with Matthew. After a while, Old Man Tanz noticed that Cynthia seemed a bit off and asked out of concem, “Cynthia, what’s the matter?”
“I’m fine”
“Did Little Quier bully you?
Cynthia glanced at her Captain instinctively, then shook her head. “No.”
“He’s not your Captain anymore. You don’t need to be afraid
Old Man Tanz seemed to know everything
“Alright.” Cynthia smiled faintly,
If he bullies you, tell me, I’ll teach him a lesson for you.”
Matthew did not interject, allowing the two in talk about him. After lunch, Old Man Tanz asked them to stay and chat with him. If she had not seen Matthew, Cynthia might have found an excuse to leave earlier. She needed to prepare in advance to escape after meeting Shirley and her boyfriend tomorrow.
Now that she had seen him, there was no nesh, Cynthia and Matthew spent the afternoons playing chess with Old Man Tanz Initially, Matthew played against Old Man Tanz. Later, when Old Man Tan grew tired, be watched as Cynthia played aga
Unknowingly, it was already past live in the afternoon, Cynthia glanced at the time and intended to leave but did not know how to bring it up. Matthew noticed her movements. While playing chess with Old Man Tanz, he said, “Old Man Tanz
Cynthia, and I have some things to take care of. We’ll finish this game and head out. We’ll come to keep you company another
*Dragging pour Cynthia into your con affairs. It’s always our Cynthia who takes the blame,” Old Man Tanz stuffed.
Matthew merely chuckled, continuing his paras of chess.
A sense of rebel washed over Cynthia. She had always found it hard to refuse the old man’s invitation to stay. However, if she did not leave rew, she was afraid that after dinner, Old Man Tanz would insist they stay overnight. Her main concern, though, was the top of the antidote with the Captain. It had merely been a casual remark before, without further discussion.
