I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 459 - Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine 0.007

Lucia was anxious and unsure whether Shire would welco her.

He might directly refuse, after all, it’s warti now, and he’s got endless things to busy himself with, things that concern the life and death of Belgium.

Or perhaps he would choose to et her but act cold, because what he’s thinking about is the "Lady in White" and the intelligence she has.

Lucia glanced around and saw their eyes filled with joy or hope, causing her to regret bringing them along.

She should have been firm in her refusal or co alone, so she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of her family or disappoint them!

...

Shire was contemplating similar issues as he walked out of the command post and downstairs.

How should he face Lucia?

Directly ask if she has intelligence and then send her away?

Doing so would be too blunt, not at all like a couple.

How should couples act?

Shire slowed his pace, reminiscing about the surprise of reunion with a girlfriend, then he should...

Shire gradually quickened his steps and soon started to run.

As he rushed to the door, he saw Lucia from afar and shouted with excitent, running forward to embrace her, spinning half a circle, then unhesitatingly pressed his lips to her warm ones.

That’s how it is in the movies.

But to Shire’s surprise, Lucia seed a bit resistant.

She gently pushed Shire and whispered in his ear, "There are people."

Shire was stunned and then noticed a few people beside them who were staring blankly; they seed to have co with Lucia.

Lucia tidied her dress and introduced quietly to Shire, "This is my father, mother, and younger brother!"

This caught Shire off guard, his eyes looking at Lucia in confusion, eting the parents? This was not part of the mission I gave you!

Mr. Jilard nervously rubbed his hands and stepped forward to shake hands with Shire, "It’s an honor to et you, General. My na is Jilard."

"Honored, Mr. Jilard," Shire replied.

Madam Jilard approached with a smile, her eyes looking at Shire as if she had found a treasure, "Hello, General. I am Lucia’s mother!"

"Hello, Madam Jilard."

The always lively Stein stood frozen, only to be suddenly awakened by a push from Lucia, hurriedly gripping Shire’s hands with both of his, "Ge-General, I-I..."

His hands trembled, his teeth chattered, "I" for a long ti but couldn’t squeeze out a sentence.

"His na is Stein." Lucia rolled her eyes, "He was just saying he wanted to join the army to fight the Germans, but now he looks like a coward!"

Shire smiled at Stein, "That’s because I’m not a German. I believe he will be a warrior when facing the enemy."

"Yes, General," Stein nodded gratefully, "I promise!"

Lucia glared at Shire and whispered, "He’s only seventeen."

"Oh." Shire imdiately realized the problem and turned his gaze to Stein, "Then you should train your body well, prepare yourself, and wait for the country’s call!"

Though a bit disappointed, Stein straightened up and responded, "Yes, General!"

Mr. and Madam Jilard found it unbelievable; since when had Stein beco so agreeable?

Lucia understood why.

It wasn’t "agreeable" at all; Stein perceived Shire’s words as orders.

As they entered the airport, Stein was once again startled with his mouth agape by the fighter planes parked there. He had never seen Cal fighters up close, the most advanced warplanes of the Allies, not a single one in Belgium; his only feeling was envy.

...

Shire led everyone to the reception room on the first floor.

According to regulations, civilians are not allowed in the command post; many things, even a glance, could lead to leaks, such as battle maps.

The reception room had two sofas and a coffee table, the orderly Adrian brought so cakes and fruits for everyone, along with several cups of hot coffee.

Madam Jilard’s eyes were constantly on Shire, smiling, making Shire feel sowhat uncomfortable.

"Sorry, General," Mr. Jilard said, "we didn’t intend to disturb you, but Lucia happened to co to Gent to see us, so..."

Shire looked at Lucia sitting beside him with surprise, "You are a Gent person?"

Lucia took a sip of coffee, "At that ti, Belgium was still in the hands of the Germans, my origin doesn’t matter."

Then she glanced at Shire, half-jokingly said, "No one would know you could reach Antwerp in just one day, General, otherwise I would have asked you to take care of my family."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Mr. Jilard secretly nodded, it seed like Lucia and Shire were getting along well.

Shire once again marveled at Lucia’s acting skills and her clever social ability; she always managed to turn awkward monts into relaxed and enjoyable ones.

"There is sothing I need your help with." Lucia made a request.

"What is it?" Shire asked.

The first thing he thought of was car, house, bank savings, and exorbitant dowry; it seed like these things were usually discussed when eting the parents.

But... foreigners seem not to need these.

Lucia pointed her head towards Stein sitting opposite, "He has a revolver."

"Lucia!" Stein stood up, protesting against Lucia for betraying him.

But once Shire glanced at him, Stein imdiately shrunk back and sat down.

Shire got up and beckoned Stein to co closer, "We are similar in age, Stein, and both interested in the military. We should have common topics to discuss."

"Yes, General," Stein followed respectfully.

Shire led him to the window, looking at the fighter planes taking off outside, "Do you know what kind of people we need the most?"

Stein shook his head blankly, "I don’t know, General."

Shire pointed towards the fighter planes flying into the sky with engine noises:

"Pilots, Stein."

"Right now, we only have over seven hundred pilots who can execute combat missions, and that’s with almost no losses as German warplanes haven’t developed yet."

"Can you imagine? We have millions of soldiers but only over seven hundred pilots."

"Once the Germans have new warplanes capable of confronting us, pilots will imdiately be in short supply."

"Do you want to be one in a million or one in seven hundred?"

Stein’s eyes lit up, his chest heaving intensely, "You-you an, I could be a pilot?"

"Why not?" Shire answered, "As long as you are an ally mber and can fly a plane, we need you."

Stein stood up and responded, "I understand, General, I aspire to be one in seven hundred!"

"Good." Shire nodded and turned his gaze to Stein, "If you want to be one in seven hundred, what you need to learn now is not about revolvers but about the principles of flying and related knowledge, understand what I an?"

"Understood." Stein stood up again, "I will hand over the revolver as soon as I return."

Madam Jilard looked at Shire and Stein by the window with a gratified expression, gently patting Lucia’s hand, "He’s excellent, not just in fighting!"

"Hmm." Lucia answered, lowering her head to drink coffee to conceal the sorrow in her eyes.