Chapter 159 - 157: My Girlfriend Is Also Surnamed Shen
The "Mr. Gardner" Elder Thorne spoke of was also a central figure of considerable status in Lorcain, and he and Elder Thorne were very close.
It was no exaggeration to say he had watched Saul Thorne grow up. However, Saul was only familiar with a few of Mr. Gardner’s grandsons; this was the first time he had ever met his granddaughter.
Elder Gardner’s face was wreathed in a kind, benevolent smile, and his gaze upon Saul Thorne was full of admiration. He quickly introduced him to his precious granddaughter, "Jane, this is Saul Thorne, your Grandpa Thorne’s eldest grandson."
Although Jane Sterling looked shy, her bearing was composed. Upon hearing the introduction, she gracefully extended her hand to Saul Thorne. "Hello, Saul Thorne. I’m Jane Sterling. I grew up in Occidenta with my parents, but I’ve often heard my grandfather speak of you."
’So she grew up abroad. No wonder I’ve never seen her before.’
Saul Thorne’s expression had been indifferent, but his eyes lit up after hearing Jane Sterling’s introduction. He blurted out, "You’re a Sterling? What a coincidence. My girlfriend is also a Sterling."
His sudden words left Jane Sterling slightly stunned.
’My last name is Sterling.’
’He said his girlfriend is also a Sterling?’
’What does that mean?’
’Could it be...’
As her imagination ran wild, Jane Sterling’s face grew both startled and shy. Beside her, a shocked Elder Thorne snapped back to his senses and asked, "A girlfriend? Grandson, you’re dating someone?"
Saul Thorne nodded, openly admitting, "Yeah. We’ve been dating for over a month. Her name is Cecilia Sterling."
Jane Sterling froze.
’Cecilia Sterling?’
’So he really is in a relationship. And here I thought he was trying to hit on me...’
The shy expression on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual cool indifference.
Elder Thorne and Elder Gardner exchanged a look, each knowing full well what the other was thinking. Who would have thought that Saul Thorne had gone and gotten himself a girlfriend without a word?
But today was Elder Thorne’s big birthday, so this wasn’t the time to press the issue. Elder Gardner chuckled. "Well, isn’t this something! Our Saul Thorne has finally blossomed. He’s finally willing to be in a relationship."
Saul Thorne replied with a helpless sigh, "Mr. Gardner, you make me sound like a monk. I wasn’t dating before because there were so few women at the police academy; it really was like the Serenity Monastery. Besides, I hadn’t met anyone I liked."
Elder Gardner’s curiosity was piqued. "So this young lady, Cecilia Sterling... you like her? Did you pursue her?"
Saul Thorne nodded in earnest. "Yes, I like her."
Standing to the side, Jane Sterling discreetly rolled her eyes. ’I knew Grandpa was unreliable, always trying to play matchmaker.’
Elder Thorne had been observing his grandson’s expression and reactions, trying to discern whether his precious grandson was telling the truth or just trying to fend off Jane.
After watching for a long moment, he had his answer.
’It’s true. My grandson is really in a relationship.’
He felt a surge of secret delight but also a pang of guilt toward old Gardner. He had to force the corners of his mouth down to keep from smiling.
At that moment, Saul Thorne presented his gift. "Grandpa, I found a set of Green Red Sand for you. I was just dropping my girlfriend off, and before she got out of the car, she asked me to wish you, on her behalf, ’fortunes as vast as the Eastern Sea.’ So, I’ll wish you ’a life as long as the Southern Mountains.’"
The moment he heard "Green Red Sand," Elder Thorne could no longer suppress his smile. And when he heard that his grandson’s girlfriend had also sent her blessings, his grin became impossible to contain.
He laughed aloud. "Wonderful! Green Red Sand is a wonderful thing, a real treasure."
As he reached out to take the gift, he couldn’t help but lean in and ask pointedly, "Why didn’t you bring her home?"
Saul Thorne met his grandfather’s gaze, a smile in his own eyes, and explained in a low voice, "It’s too soon. I don’t want to scare her off."
Elder Thorne knew his grandson had good judgment, so he didn’t press further. He cheerfully opened the gift and could tell at a single glance that it was a valuable item.
The other elders present were also antiques connoisseurs, and they quickly gathered around to admire the set. Jane Sterling quietly slipped away from the group. After a final glance at Saul Thorne, she headed outside, her spirits clearly dampened.
Saul Thorne, of course, noticed her departure but merely let out a silent sigh.
’I hadn’t intended to reveal my relationship so soon, precisely because I knew Grandpa would be impatient to meet her. And Cecilia had made it clear that she didn’t want to get involved with my family’s social dynamics.’
’But the moment I walked in the door today and heard the two elders speak, I knew I had to come clean. Otherwise, I’d have to deal with the exhausting fallout later, and it wouldn’t be fair to Jane Sterling, either.’
’I’m not someone who likes complications. It was better to just admit it. That made everything simple and straightforward.’
As midnight approached and the guests departed, Elder Thorne had the housekeeper brew a pot of Pu’er tea and asked his grandson to join him in the study.
Saul Thorne had just sat down when Elder Thorne tossed a file to him.
"Grandpa, what’s this?" Saul Thorne asked reflexively as he began to open the file.
Holding his teacup, Elder Thorne said quietly, "It’s some information on the Air Defense Department. See which section interests you. I’ll have your uncle arrange a position for you there."
After hearing his grandfather, Saul Thorne flipped through two pages before closing the file. "Grandpa, I’m not joining the Air Defense Department. I’m a police officer. You know my dream has always been to be a detective. I’m not interested in anything else."
"If you’re really making me choose, then send me to the Narcotics Division. After that, I’ll listen to whatever you say."
Upon hearing this, Elder Thorne’s face fell. "I don’t even want you in the Detective Unit, and you want me to send you to the Narcotics Division?"
"Being a detective is so dangerous! Do you want me to have to bury my own kin again? Are you afraid I’ll live too long, is that it?"
Saul Thorne’s heart ached for his grandfather, but this was one thing he could not concede.
"Grandpa, I understand. Being a detective is dangerous, but someone has to shoulder that responsibility. Great-Grandpa was one of the nation’s founders, you have a military rank, and my own father died for his country. The Thorne Family is supposed to carry on that passion and glory. Besides, this is my dream. It’s what I want to do. Why is it different when it’s me?"
Elder Thorne fell silent for a moment, but his resolve did not waver in the slightest.
Just like Saul, he was unwilling to yield on this point. He only wanted his grandson to live a safe and peaceful life.
"If you won’t choose for yourself, I’ll have your uncle arrange it directly," Elder Thorne said, standing up, clearly unwilling to discuss it any further.
With a look of helpless protest, Saul Thorne watched his grandfather’s retreating back and called out, "Grandpa! Grandpa!"
The old man gave a silent wave of his hand, opened the door, and was gone.
Saul Thorne heaved a long sigh. He had hoped to use his grandfather’s good mood to win his approval, but in the end, he had underestimated the old man’s iron will.
’As a beat cop, I can still cling to a sliver of hope. After all, even if it’s a different branch, at least it’s still within the same police system.’
’But if I really get sent to the Air Defense Department, my dream of being a police officer will be completely crushed.’
After weighing his options, Saul Thorne had no choice but to send a desperate message to his uncle, hoping he could invent some excuse to put his grandfather off for now.
’Grandpa has never gotten over Dad’s death, but Uncle treats me like his own son. He’ll surely take my side, at least a little.’