Chapter 266

"Brother, I submitted my marriage report!" Andrew Smith announced the moment he stepped through the door. His elder brother, Andrew Sr., was the first person he wanted to tell.

Andrew Sr. nearly dropped his teacup. "What? Don’t tell me it’s that girl, Diana! She’s nothing but a pretty face—useless. And you know exactly what kind of ties she has to that woman!"

Andrew calmly poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it in one gulp. "Good stuff. You’re overthinking it, brother. Her name’s Luna White—a girl I saved while stationed in the countryside. She’ll be nineteen after the New Year. We’ll marry when she turns twenty."

"A country girl?" Andrew Sr.’s frown deepened. "Don’t get me wrong, I don’t look down on rural folks, but those tangled family ties will be a nightmare for you!"

"Luna’s different." Andrew refilled his brother’s glass. "She’s a doctor now. Both her parents passed away, and she only has a few siblings left. Her eldest brother was my comrade—just as capable as I am."

Andrew Sr. raised an eyebrow. "A doctor at nineteen? No strings pulled?"

"Family tradition—acupuncture." Andrew’s eyes gleamed. "Remember Nathaniel Smith, that troublemaker from the Turner family? She saved him. Now they call her 'Luna the Healer' at the hospital."

Andrew Sr. studied his brother for a long moment before suddenly laughing. "You really do like her." His younger brother had always been picky—this was the first time he’d ever praised someone so highly.

"Brother..." Andrew’s ears turned faintly pink.

"Fine, as long as you’re happy." Andrew Sr. lowered his voice. "But you know Father won’t let this slide easily. And that woman—she won’t give up her claim on you."

Andrew’s expression darkened. "We’ll deal with it when Luna’s old enough. Telling Father now would just spike his blood pressure."

"When are you bringing her to meet us?" Andrew Sr. suddenly perked up. "Bring her for New Year’s! Father won’t make a scene in front of guests."

"Next time. She went back to her hometown for the holidays." Andrew deftly changed the subject and topped off their glasses again.

Andrew Sr. slammed the table. "Leave the wedding arrangements to me! House, car, furniture—I’ll handle everything. Don’t argue. That girl’s already settling for you—she deserves a proper home."

"It’s too early..."

"Too early, my foot!" Andrew Sr. cut him off. "After New Year’s, I’m opening a branch office in your area. Perfect chance to meet my future sister-in-law. And I’ll get your wedding home ready—I’ll need a place to stay anyway."

Andrew sighed. "Brother..."

"Honestly, I should just have Father transfer you both back to the capital." Andrew Sr. warmed to the idea. "Once you have kids, you can’t raise them in that frozen wasteland—"

"Enough!" Andrew laughed helplessly. "We’re not even married yet, and you’re talking about kids? Besides, if other families can manage there, why can’t we?"

"Fine, you’re impossible to reason with right now." Andrew Sr. raised his glass. "You’ll understand when you’re a father. Cheers!"

By the end of the night, Andrew Sr. had to be carried home. Andrew handed his drunken brother over to his sister-in-law, whose face was stormy with irritation. He offered an apologetic smile—this happened every year. He was used to it.