Marcel Horne was still the captain, but all the soldiers under his command had been replaced.

"Marcel." Ruby Bluen's voice was as gentle as water as she called his name with a smile.

"I was just about to call you." Marcel didn't respond immediately. Instead, he fell silent for a moment.

"Marcel?" Sensing his silence, Ruby Bluen's smile faded. "Marcel, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Do you have time to come out? Find a place and wait for me. I'm in the car now, on my way back."

The military base where Marcel was stationed wasn't very far from the bustling city district. A round trip by car took about an hour.

"I'm free. How long until you get here? I'll head out now." Ruby Bluen's heart soared upon hearing he was on his way back. The military base wasn't a public market; it was very strict. Marcel was usually on base and couldn't just wander off. Being a highly self-disciplined man, he wouldn't leave the base without a particularly important reason.

Knowing his serious nature, Ruby Bluen usually went to the base to see him. This was the first time he was coming to find her since he'd been back for so long, so naturally, she was overjoyed.

She guessed that if Marcel was coming to find her, something important must have happened. But as long as she could see him, she wasn't afraid, no matter how serious the issue.

Yesterday, Sovia Morris had caused a scene at the Bluen family home, and her mother had been so angry she hadn't let Ruby leave the house all day. She hadn't seen Marcel and could only soothe her longing through phone calls. Perhaps it was because they had finally opened up about their feelings for each other—she had endured years of separation without seeing him before, but now, just one day apart felt unbearable.

No wonder people say that a day apart feels like an eternity.

That was exactly how she felt.

"I'll be there in about ten minutes." Marcel's deep voice came over the line. Even he, usually so cold, found his voice softening when he spoke to Ruby Bluen.

"Ten minutes? Oh my goodness, I need to change clothes and put on makeup immediately! Why didn't you call me earlier?" Upon hearing Marcel would arrive in ten minutes, Ruby Bluen sat bolt upright in bed and slid off. Mumbling to herself, she hurried to the wardrobe, opened it, and began rummaging through her clothes with one hand, phone still pressed to her ear with the other, wondering which outfit would best showcase her beauty.

A woman dresses up for the one she loves, and she was no different. She wanted Marcel to see her at her best, to present her most beautiful self to him.

"Put on a few more layers. No need for makeup; you're naturally beautiful. In my eyes, you're as exquisite as a fairy, like Chang'e from the moon," Marcel said, his spirits lifted by his beloved's excited chatter, his voice growing husky with pleasure.

"Flatterer," Ruby Bluen chided. "I'm not talking to you anymore; I have to change. See you soon. Your route back passes Serendipity Cafe, right? I'll wait for you there." What a romantic spot, she thought. On a cold day like this, sitting in a warm cafe filled with melodious music, across from the man I love, sipping a hot cup of coffee... So romantic!

"Alright. Just remember to wear more clothes. If you catch a cold, I'll be upset," Marcel repeated, his concern evident in his voice.

"I know, I know. You sound like a fussy old woman," Ruby Bluen teased, though her heart felt sweet as honey.

This dynamic was somewhat similar to how Glades Horne and Julia Bluen interacted; perhaps it was a family trait, these shared aspects of their personalities.

After hanging up, Ruby Bluen quickly selected an outfit and changed. Then, she swiftly applied light makeup to further accentuate her beauty, her long hair still cascading down her back. A glance at the clock showed five minutes had passed. She hurriedly grabbed a white LV bag—she owned several, but particularly favored the white one, feeling it exuded nobility and purity.

Snatching her car keys, she hurried out of her room and dashed down the stairs in a flash.

"Ruby, are you going out? Where to? And with whom?"

It seemed fate was playing tricks on her. Just as she ran downstairs, she bumped into her father, Chris Bluen, who had just returned home. He immediately stopped her, his tone laced with a hint of stern authority as he questioned her.

"Dad, Julia asked me to go shopping with her for some... feminine things. I have to go now." Thinking fast, Ruby Bluen blurted out a lie, using her sister as a shield against her father's potential objections.

She knew her father doted on her sister the most. Besides, Julia was now the young mistress of T City's most prominent family. With Julia as a shield, her father was sure not to object.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Chris Bluen smiled. "Then hurry along. Drive carefully, and don't be in such a rush. You're usually more level-headed than Julia."

After speaking, Chris Bluen even stepped aside to let Ruby pass. The most update n0vels are published on novel★fire.net

"It's Julia who's rushing me! She says my brother-in-law is very domineering and doesn't like her spending too much time with others. Dad, I'm off! It's cold out; you and Mom should get some rest soon." By the time Ruby's voice, carrying another fib, drifted back to him, she had already reached the garage, slipped into her car, and sped out of the villa.

Glades Horne was indeed quite domineering. Chris Bluen didn't overthink it, accepted Ruby's words as truth, and went inside with a smile.

「Serendipity Cafe.」

In the evening, business at the cafe was still brisk.

There were several reasons: first, its excellent location; second, the coffee was genuinely superb; third, the ambiance was beautiful, romantic, and cozy; and fourth, the staff were all exceptionally courteous.

Ruby Bluen drove quickly, but it still took her over ten minutes to reach Serendipity Cafe.

As she slowed down, her sharp eyes spotted Marcel's car.

After returning to T City, his old car from before he joined the military had been replaced, by order of the Horne family matriarch, with a new Buick GL8 worth over three hundred thousand. It was the most modest car in the entire Horne family. The matriarch had wanted to get him a Porsche, but he refused. He felt that as a soldier, he shouldn't be flaunting a luxury car; in the military, a Buick worth over three hundred thousand was already considered quite expensive.

The matriarch had no choice but to defer to his wishes.

Although the car had only recently been replaced, Ruby had already etched its image into her memory. She committed everything related to Marcel deeply to heart.