The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 406 - 415: Emma Campbell’s Father Gambles Again

Chapter 406: Chapter 415: Emma Campbell’s Father Gambles Again

On Friday afternoon, John Brown arrived at Emma Campbell’s school gate. It wasn’t long before Emma ran out from inside the school, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Clad in a flowing white dress, she resembled a white cloud as she approached John Brown.

John Brown took out a tissue to gently wipe Emma’s sweat, his heart full of concern. He said tenderly, "Silly girl, why are you rushing like that?"

Emma, basking in John’s care, wore a sweet smile on her face. She tilted her face up, allowing him to wipe her sweat, and said, "I was afraid Big Brother Brown would be anxious, so I hurried out."

John Brown playfully pinched Emma’s cheek lightly and said, "Silly girl, how could I be anxious? Waiting for my little Emma is a kind of pleasure in itself. Next time, remember to come out a bit later. A girl ought to be a little reserved—you’ve got to make your boyfriend wait a bit longer."

Emma chuckled softly and said, "Got it. Next time I’ll make you wait... an extra minute."

"Haha..." John laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around Emma’s shoulder. He said, "Come on, didn’t you say you wanted to visit your father today?"

At that moment, the school gate saw quite a few people. When they noticed Emma being embraced by John as she got into a Mercedes, many of the male students’ hearts broke. If Emma had found a boyfriend within the school, they might’ve felt a bit better about it, but instead, someone outside of school had taken her away. To them, Emma appeared to have been "swept away by a wealthy man," and that thought only deepened their heartbreak.

Emma, too, had heard the occasional gossip at school, murmurs about how she might be getting "kept." But she always brushed it aside, and her heart was instead filled with sweetness. She knew that even if John Brown were indeed "keeping" her, she would still be the happiest of them all. Because Big Brother Brown liked her—genuinely liked her; and she, in turn, liked him, deeply and completely.

The two arrived at Emma’s home, and this was John’s first visit. He had brought along some gifts. Though Emma’s father was somewhat unreliable, he did bring Emma into the world, so John couldn’t entirely disregard him—that would embarrass Emma.

Emma lived in Hubris County. The county had developed nicely in recent years, with many skyscrapers along the streets. However, behind the tall buildings, there were still areas of old single-story houses. Emma’s home was located near one such cluster at the edge of the county.

The alley in this area of single-story houses was too narrow for cars to get through, so John and Emma parked a little further away before carrying their things in on foot.

"Big Brother Brown, it’s so dirty here, yet you insisted on coming with me," Emma said with a touch of complaint, though her heart was actually filled with joy.

John smiled and said warmly, "My little Emma has come along; could I possibly not follow? If I didn’t come, what would the neighbors think afterward? I need to make an appearance, don’t I?"

Emma’s smile grew sweeter. At that moment, a woman in her forties walked toward them. Upon seeing Emma, she greeted her cheerfully.

"Oh my, Emma has truly grown into a fine young lady! It feels like it’s been no time at all since I last saw you, and now you’ve become so beautiful," the aunt remarked, showering Emma with compliments the moment she approached.

Emma shyly responded, "Hello, Aunt Mary."

"Haha, I’m doing well. Oh, Emma—who is this gentleman here?" Aunt Mary asked, turning her gaze toward John Brown.

Emma looked back toward John but didn’t quite know how to introduce him.

John smiled and said, "Hello, Aunt Mary. I’m Emma’s boyfriend."

"Ah!" Aunt Mary’s eyes lit up immediately. She gave John a thorough once-over and said, "Emma already has a boyfriend? Not bad at all. A fine young man, truly outstanding!"

Hearing the neighbors praise John filled Emma’s heart with joy. It was written all over her face; she couldn’t hide it if she tried. What delighted her most was that John had openly called her his girlfriend in front of others—nothing could make her happier.

As they walked onward, plenty of neighbors greeted Emma, and she responded to each one cheerfully. Their attention frequently turned to John as well, and Emma now introduced John as her boyfriend with ease.

It was a happy walk back to her house. But before they even opened the door, the sound of mahjong tiles clattering from inside reached their ears, and Emma’s smile instantly vanished.

"Big Brother Brown..." Emma clung weakly to John’s arm. Lately, she had rarely returned home, but every time she did, her father would promise that he wasn’t gambling anymore. That thought filled her with happiness. Today, she hadn’t called ahead, wanting to surprise her father, but now, before even stepping inside, she felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped onto her. Her father was gambling again, right at home.

John furrowed his brow slightly. Last time, he had given Emma’s father a stern warning, thinking the man would take it seriously. But apparently, some people just couldn’t change their nature. However, John still offered a gentle smile, grasped Emma’s hand, and said, "Come on, let’s head inside."

"Big Brother Brown... let’s leave. I don’t want to go home anymore," Emma’s eyes reddened. Having a father like this stirred a deep sense of inferiority within her. Her father was, after all, the one who had brought her into this world and raised her. Even though he was unreliable, as his daughter, she couldn’t turn her back on him forever. But at the same time, she was afraid her father would become a burden for John Brown.