Two women, each with their own unique qualities, were both difficult for Barrett Walker to let go, especially Julia. Their entangled fate in the past life was still present in this one, even though he had more interactions with Monica. As he distanced himself from Julia, he finally gathered the courage to make a decision - to cherish the person in front of him.
The two of them stood silently at the doorway, their body heat transferring, their hearts in sync. The pulsating sound reached their ears, and Monica felt the powerful force hidden within Barrett, almost suffocating her. She pushed him away with a tearful voice, saying, "Go! Let me think things through."
Barrett looked at Monica's resolute expression, feeling the urge to explain, but ultimately decided to hold back. He embraced Monica tightly, kissing her forehead and saying, "Don't overthink it. In a few days, when I return, I hope you can face everything with me as my girlfriend, okay?"
"Please leave so I can think clearly," Monica said, closing the door and sitting at the entrance, lost in thought.
Barrett, standing outside the door, had the urge to knock again. In the future, he felt an overwhelming sense of confusion. This return home would announce his engagement to Maggie Green, a union that would greatly benefit both families. The obstacles in his relationship with Monica were evident. He eventually withdrew his hand from the door, realizing that everything would resolve itself in due time.
Returning to the slums, Barrett finally managed to temporarily set aside the complex relationships and entanglements that had plagued his mind.
The Thousand-Faced Fox had never felt so stifled before. Her moment of weakness had caused her to miss countless opportunities. Waiting at the station and not seeing anyone, she returned to Barrett's house. As an elite assassin, she could easily enter the house, but to avoid exposure, she decided to wait outside. This wait lasted a whole night, and when she woke up, she found herself with a cold, something that had never happened before. Even sneezing brought about further sorrow. As she tried to take a few steps, she suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. No matter how formidable, fortresses were always breached from within.
Upon returning, Barrett found Julia lying at the doorstep. It took more than courage for such a beautiful woman to stay in the slums for so long. Barrett checked her clothes and found that she was unharmed. He felt her forehead, which was scorching hot, and quickly carried her inside.
"Ah, why are you here again?" Barrett shook his head slightly, placing her on the bed and covering her with a blanket. After searching the whole house and finding no medicine, he left to buy some.
The Thousand-Faced Fox was in a daze, feeling extremely weak. When someone picked her up, she wanted to lash out, but the virus tormenting her left her completely drained. She lay down on the bed, feeling the urge to sleep but resisting with the extraordinary willpower instilled in her from a young age.
Barrett returned with the medicine, boiled some water, and helped her sit up, saying, "Take your medicine."
There is a torture more painful than physical torment - the deprivation of sleep. This form of torment is more widely used in modern times because it doesn't harm the body or nerves. It can break even the strongest of wills, which is why she eventually fell asleep.
"Wake up! Take your medicine and then go to sleep. It's not good for your health," Barrett gently tapped her face and handed her the medicine.
She flinched like a startled cat but, weakened by the illness, collapsed into Barrett's arms. He was bewildered by her reaction, wondering if she had a nightmare. "Wake up! Take your medicine and then go to sleep!" he said.
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"Cover yourself with the blanket and get some good rest. Sweat it out and you'll feel better," Barrett tidied the blanket around her and sat next to her, watching her pale face with confusion. His mind was in turmoil - he had made a decision, so why did he encounter her again? He wanted to light a cigarette to numb his feelings, but his past weaknesses had brought not only peace but also tranquility. Charging in headfirst this time had led to more trouble and painful choices.
"Is this decision the right one? Will you marry Mark Smith again?" Barrett planned to leave, but a strong and intense thought flooded his mind, causing him to shudder with fear. Could some things truly be unchangeable? After this thought surfaced, Barrett was overwhelmed with fear, trying to push it away but finding it deeply rooted, causing him unbearable pain.
"I'm leaving for work," Barrett bid her farewell, but his mind was filled with this strong and relentless thought. He hesitated but found a solution - they couldn't be lovers, but being friends would suffice. At least he wouldn't allow her to marry Mark Smith.
With a heavy heart, Barrett left the house and entered a fast food restaurant. The owner, although grumpy, was kind to the employees. As he entered, he saw the owner dozing off behind the counter. The place was empty, and Barrett had come to resign; after disappearing for so long, he had returned to this familiar place. "Boss, I'll have a bowl of tofu pudding," he said.
The sound of tapping on the counter startled the fat boss awake. He put on a flattering smile and greeted Barrett, "Handsome, come inside. How many servings?"
"Hey, it's you! How dare you deceive me? Do you want to die?" The fat boss immediately realized and flew into a rage, slapping Barrett's head ferociously.
"Hehe, boss, I really came to eat," Barrett dodged and pointed to the special dish behind him.
"Get out! Do you have money? You still want to eat?" The fat boss scrutinized Barrett and then suddenly slapped his own head, revealing a menacing expression. "Stop joking with me! I know what you've been up to these past few days. You're in such a hurry, it's not like you to grieve for so long."
Barrett looked at the boss, knowing his true nature, and didn't argue, but instead retorted, "I'm here to resign. After the college entrance exam, I'm heading to the capital to attend university. I can't continue working here, so I came to inform you."
"Hmph! Do you really think I can't find employees? There are plenty of people waiting in line to work here. If you can't get into university, where will you find a job? I advise you not to leave and stay here!" The fat boss was relentless in his words.
"Boss, I'm telling the truth! This time, I'm sure - even the best War God Academy will send me an acceptance letter." Barrett heard the mockery in his voice but stood his ground.
"Ha! With your lazy and lackluster attitude, you'll just be a freeloader at the War God Academy!" The fat boss's voice grew even louder as he reacted to Barrett's defiance.
The fat boss's wife and daughter happened to be at the door, and upon hearing his loud mocking of Barrett, the fat woman burst into laughter and added, "I bet you won't even have the opportunity to freeload. At most, you'll be polishing someone else's shoes. It's a dream! You want to go to the War God Academy."
As the two mother and daughter entered, Barrett Walker felt genuine antipathy. While the plump boss may be sharp-tongued, he is kind to his employees. However, these two women are not only verbally unpleasant, but also unkind to others, hardly ever considering anyone's feelings. They have offended many people on this street.
"Hey! He's here." Nancy Phoenix and Lucy Phoenix, the two sisters, were dressed almost identically, with white t-shirts and tight blue jeans. Nancy's t-shirt featured an image of Marilyn Monroe, while Lucy was more demure, as gentle as a mountain sparrow.
Barrett Walker looked at the two beauties in astonishment. He hadn't seen them last night, so how did they suddenly appear here?
"What's wrong? Don't recognize us? I told you, my sister is a top student, specially recruited by the Academy of War. Here, this is for you, the special recruitment notice from the Academy of War!" Nancy, this feisty girl, threw a red-paged invitation directly at Barrett's chest, the embossed words "Academy of War" shining brightly.
"Wow! Whose family is this? They look malnourished and yet dare to impersonate. What Academy of War? Barrett Walker, do you really need to associate with these two skinny girls? How much did you pay for this?" The boss's short and plump daughter looked at the Phoenix sisters, clearly indignant, and snatched the special recruitment notice from Barrett's hands, pointing at his nose. Clearly, she was shocked and disbelieving that Barrett Walker could actually get into the Academy of War.