The Supreme Soldier in the City-Chapter 162: Putting Down the Burden

James Brown had adjusted his emotions by the time he returned to the company, although he felt an indescribable sense of loss, there was also a sense of relief, as if the emotional debt that had been weighing on his heart for years was finally put down with Melody Yoody’s departure.

"Could it be that I no longer like Melody Yoody?" James wondered to himself.

He was startled by his own thought; he felt that his feelings for Melody Yoody were not that deep after all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so calm when she left. Time is a butcher’s knife; he had thought that Melody Yoody was his true love, and for her, he had refused to accept the affections of any other woman. Now he realized that it was just self-deception. He did think about Melody Yoody, but that youthful fondness was not real, enduring love—it couldn’t withstand any turmoil, and a small incident was enough to shatter it.

James didn’t feel regretful; he had grown up and could examine himself now. He knew that he and Melody Yoody were on different paths; their lifestyles were very different. Melody Yoody had a strong personality, and although he seemed easygoing, he was also quite stubborn at heart, so even if they married, it would be difficult to adapt to each other, as neither could smooth out their sharp edges for the other.

Perhaps letting go was a better method after all, James concluded in the end.

Although the company was busy, James still found himself quite relaxed. Today was Friday, and he went straight home after work, unlike others who stayed late at the office.

As soon as he exited the elevator, James saw Emma Campbell standing at his doorstep, her face lit up with joy as she greeted him, "Big Brother Brown, you’re back?"

Seeing the smile on Emma’s face, James felt as if his heart was soothed by a stream of fresh water, and he couldn’t help but smile as well, saying, "Silly girl, why didn’t you call me before coming?"

Emma smiled sweetly, saying, "I was afraid I’d disturb you at work, so I just waited here."

"What if I hadn’t come back?" James asked while unlocking his door.

"Then I would have gone back home."

Emma said it lightly, but it made James’s heart flutter. To say who treated him the best, it was undoubtedly Emma. Her kindness towards him was entirely selfless, never asking for anything in return, only giving quietly.

Emma entered James’s home and quickly tied a small apron around her waist, initially put on some rice to cook, then began tidying up the house.

"Emma, you’re not a maid. When you come to my place, please don’t always work, okay?" James followed behind Emma, persuading her.

Emma turned around and gave James a radiant smile, saying, "Big Brother Brown, I like doing things for you. If I don’t, I wouldn’t know what else to do. Just let me do this, you must be very tired after working all day... Oh, go and change your clothes, I will wash them after I finish cooking."

James hesitated for a moment but finally changed his clothes according to Emma’s suggestion, then sat on the living room sofa to watch TV and rest. He knew that by doing so, he would make Emma happier.

And indeed, Emma was happy, busy with her tasks while frequently giving James sweet smiles and even humming a few tunes; it was hard work, but she enjoyed it.

While Emma was cooking, there was a knock at the door. James went to open it and Emily Jenkins squeezed in with a grin, saying, "Good timing, it’s good I haven’t missed dinner."

James couldn’t help but smile, replying, "You seem more and more at home here."

Emily chuckled, saying, "Why pass up a free meal? Oh, you have a guest here? Why is the guest cooking?"

Emma was startled when she saw Emily, mistaking her for James’s girlfriend, and looked at James timidly, unsure of what to say.

James explained with a smile, "Emma, this is Emily Jenkins, my neighbor, a flight attendant. Emily, this is Emma Campbell, a good friend of mine."

Relieved by James’s natural introduction and sensing that James appeared closer to her, Emma immediately responded warmly to Emily, "Nice to meet you, Sister Jenkins. I’m almost done cooking; please join us for dinner here."

Emily unabashedly nodded, saying, "I’m here to mooch a meal; you’d still find me here even if you didn’t invite me, haha."

James laughed lightly, saying, "You really have thick skin."

Emily replied proudly, "Thick skin gets you more, thin skin leaves you hungry. For food, I just have to thicken my skin a bit."

"Go sit down; stop bothering us here," James chided playfully, inviting Emily to join him on the sofa. Emily moved close to James and whispered in his ear, "Big Brother Brown, she’s your girlfriend, right?"

James shook his head, saying, "No, she’s not."

"What a nice girl, and you won’t make her your girlfriend? You’re really foolish," Emily scoffed with a disdainful look.

"Am I being foolish?" James asked with a chuckle.

"Of course, she’s silly. These days, how many girls know how to cook? And look at her, not only can she cook, but she’s also pretty. Especially how gentle she is, she’s definitely the first choice for a wife. If I were a guy, I’d definitely marry her."

James Brown playfully knocked Emily Jenkins on the head and teased, "I think you just want to find someone who can cook for you."

Emily giggled, "Being able to cook is definitely better than not knowing how to. Plus, look at her coming over here to cook for you, clearly showing interest in you. You’re like a blockhead, not reciprocating her affection."

James watched Emma Campbell bustling about in the kitchen, and suddenly felt a sense of peace. It seemed like this was what home should feel like, uniquely warm. If he really had Emma as his wife, they would certainly live a stable and happy life together.

"Feeling the pangs of love, huh? Go for it, I support you," Emily teased with a grin.

James laughed heartily and said, "Alright."

Emily immediately burst into gleeful laughter, her sly gaze letting James know that this girl had caught herself a long-term meal ticket. Even if he wasn’t home, she could just come over and freeload meals from Emma.

"Big Brother Brown, Sister Jenkins, come and eat," Emma called out.

Emily didn’t wait for James to ask; she had already run over to the dining table, showing no embarrassment.

Emma served Emily and James their meals and then sat down herself. Emily had already started eating. After a few bites, she remarked, "Lemon, your cooking isn’t as tasty as Big Brother Brown’s. You’ll have to work harder in the future."

Emma’s face flushed red with embarrassment, managing to say, "I’ll work hard."

James tapped Emily’s head with his chopsticks and feigned anger, "You cheeky girl, you can’t even keep your mouth shut while eating. If you dare criticize Lemon’s cooking, then you don’t have to eat."

"I’ll eat; I never said Lemon’s cooking wasn’t tasty, just not as good as yours." Seeing James raise his chopsticks again, Emily quickly bowed her head and stuffed her face, daring not to say another word.

James gently said to Emma, "Lemon, don’t listen to Emily’s nonsense. I really like your cooking."

Emma smiled sweetly, "I’ve also had dishes cooked by Big Brother Brown, and I know mine aren’t as good as yours. But I’ll definitely strive to improve, and maybe you can teach me too."

"Sure, I’ll teach you in the future," James readily agreed.

Emma was momentarily taken aback by James’s enthusiastic agreement, especially since his attitude toward her today seemed particularly kind.

James put some food into Emma’s bowl and said, "Hurry up and eat, or this glutton will finish everything."

At this moment, Emma felt so happy she was nearly moved to tears; she had long expressed her feelings to James, and though he had been nothing but kind to her, he had always kept a distance. But his kindness today was so unexpected, she hadn’t been prepared for it.

"Lemon, Big Brother Brown is really good to you. I’m so jealous and envious," Emily teased Emma at that moment.

Emma, with her cheeks flushed, glanced at James and found his gaze, unexpectedly soft today, which made her heart flutter. She bashfully said, "That’s not true at all."

Emily chuckled and said, "There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I think you and Big Brother Brown make a good match. You’re so gentle, so hardworking, and so beautiful. If he doesn’t like you, he’d be a fool."

Emma, flattered by Emily’s compliments, turned even redder and shyly responded, "Sister Jenkins, you are beautiful."

"What’s the use of being beautiful? I’m lazy and not gentle. Otherwise, I would chase after your Big Brother Brown and make him marry me, then I would never have to worry about having good food all my life."

James playfully scolded, "You glutton, eat up, or I’ll finish everything."

Emily quickly protested, "Hey, don’t do that. I haven’t had a meal here in over a week. It’s hard to catch a chance like this, and you won’t even let me eat to my heart’s content. You’re really too much." While speaking, she continued to eat voraciously, as if fearing she’d miss out if she ate slowly, truly the mark of a glutton.

After the meal, Emma took the initiative to clean up the dishes and then busied herself with washing James’s clothes.

Emily sprawled on James’s couch, legs spread wide—a good thing she was wearing pants; if it had been a skirt, she would have exposed herself—and hands rubbing her belly. She glanced at the door to the restroom and said to James, "Big Brother Brown, you’re really lucky."

James nodded and smiled. Letting go of his past relationship with Melody Yoody, being with Emma truly made him feel fortunate.