Chapter 41
Jasper and Natalie locked eyes for a second, then two seconds…
By the third second, a flashlight bean suddenly shone in their direction, accompanied by hurried footsteps and a loud shout, “What are you doing? You can’t act like that in a movie theater!”
Natalie instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes and peered through her fingers, spotting two middle–aged women in uniforms with red armbands striding toward them.
Panic washed over her as her face paled. No way… She hadn’t meant to touch Jasper’s thigh–would the neighborhood patrol ladies drag her away for questioning?
Jasper was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his composure, even mentally preparing how to fill out a marriage application.
While their thoughts diverged, the two women halted before the couple.
The flashlight beam illuminated another pair of couples in the same row
The heavier–set woman glared at the couple, saying, “What’s going on? How dare you kiss in a movie theater? We’ve been watching you two for a while!” The thinner woman was also wearing a serious expression. “Which organization are you from, and what’s your relationship? Show y your identification!” The movie had stopped, and the lights in the theater came on, drawing the attention of several audience members who g commotion
gathered around to see the
Natalie and Jasper were trapped in a circle of onlookers, forced to sit and watch. She looked up to scrutinize the couple at the center of attention. The man had a broad face with flat features and slanted eyes that were far from handsome.
In contrast, the woman beside him wore a military uniform, had a round face and large eyes, and her braided hair conformed to the era’s standard of beauty,
The crowd began to gossip about the pair, especially when they noticed the woman’s military attire. “Wow! Even a female soldier is kissing someone in public?”
“Isn’t that a violation of military discipline? If the army finds out, she could be discharged!”
that tarnish the image of soldiers…”
“Oh dear, the world is going downhill. If she gets discharged, it might be for the best. People like th The comments were not too loud but enough for the male companion to hear. Instead of defending herself, the woman blushed, indignantly declaring, “I didn’t kiss him! I’m not acting inappropriately either! We’re not even dating. We just met for a blind date.”
The thinner woman with the red armband shot her a stern glare. “What are you shouting about? We all saw you kiss. As a soldier, you’re leading the way in breaking the rules! Which unit are you with? I will report this to your superiors!”
The woman grew more anxious. “I didn’t kiss anyone!”
Seeing the man beside her remain silent, she nudged him urgently. “You need to explain! We’re just here for a blind date, and we just met today. There was no inappropriate behavior!”
Finally, the man spoke up, but it was a different story. “Ma’am, we kissed, but she initiated it. We’ve been dating for some time now and are considering marriage.”
“You… You’re talking nonsense!” The woman was in disbelief, glaring at him.
Ignoring her protests, he continued to address the women with the armbands. “Her name is Haven Stein, and she’s with the Air Force Art Corps. I work at the logistics division.
His words exposed Haven’s background.
Fuming, she pushed him away. “You’re lying!”
The heavier–set woman with the red armband grabbed Haven’s wrist, excitedly saying, “What are you doing? No fighting! We’ve finally caught a typical example. Not only did you act inappropriately in public, but you also laid hands on someone.
mare
“Someone like you, morally corrupt, should be taken away for a meeting to criticize you!”
The thinner woman said, “Not only should there be a meeting to criticize her, but the army should also discharge her. Someone like this cannot Influence the military.”
