The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 46 - 46 45 The Little Girl

46: Chapter 45 The Little Girl 46: Chapter 45 The Little Girl James Brown originally lived close to the company, so he could walk, but Gina Lopez lived much further away, so she had to take the bus.

James Brown was taking the bus for the first time since returning to YODC City.

When he reached the station, he realized just how crowded it was, with everyone—those going to work and those going to school—jostling for a spot on the bus.

After two buses came and went without James being able to board—having tried to queue in a civilized manner, he found others were swarming the entrances instead—he knew he couldn’t miss another one.

Fearing he might actually be late, James squeezed onto the third bus when it arrived.

Thanks to his physical strength, boarding the bus was like a game for James, and he easily pushed his way inside.

Once on the bus, however, he discovered it was as cramped as the elevator he’d been on before, with people packed even more densely.

The entire vehicle resembled a sardine tin.

James was squished in the middle, surrounded by people on all sides, but he didn’t feel depressed.

This was the life of an ordinary person, and after all, wasn’t that the kind of life he wanted after leaving the military?

As the bus lurched forward, the passengers swayed.

James quickly grabbed a handrail to steady himself, only to feel someone press tightly against his back.

Despite the layers of winter clothing, James could still feel the softness pressing into him—an indication that there was a woman behind him.

Turning his head, he saw a young girl in a down jacket.

She couldn’t have been more than sixteen or seventeen, and was quite tall for her age, about 165 centimeters.

After all, by that age, girls have usually reached their full height.

She wore a backpack and had her hair tied into a ponytail.

With her oval face, slightly pointed chin, and big round eyes, she appeared quite embarrassed, likely aware she’d bumped her chest against James.

James responded with a polite smile and turned away.

She was certainly a pretty girl, and would no doubt be as striking as Gina Lopez when she was older.

However, James wasn’t interested in children, especially a high school student.

Two minutes into the ride, the girl behind him began to fidget and kept inching closer to James, making him wonder what she was up to.

She couldn’t possibly be trying to hit on an older guy like him—though, it’s said that girls these days have a thing for older men.

Just as he was about to look back, he heard the girl shout from behind, “You filthy pervert, get away from me!

Do you think I’m easy to bully?”

Her voice was high-pitched, sharp, and loud, drawing the attention of everyone on the bus to her, including James.

The girl was glaring furiously at a young man in his twenties who was next to her.

Her big eyes blazed with anger; she looked quite fierce.

The young man sported a leather jacket and an edgy green hairstyle.

He seemed neither embarrassed nor ashamed as he snapped back, “What are you yelling about?

In such a crowd, a little bump is normal, isn’t it?”

“You call that normal?” the girl retorted angrily.

“Move away now.”

“You find me a spot then.

I don’t want to stand either.

Don’t get feisty with me, you little brat, or I’ll smack you.” He glared back at her.

The situation was clear to everyone—it was evident that the man was trying to take advantage of the chaotic bus, but the girl was not the type to endure such behavior meekly, unlike some other women might.

James gently tugged on the girl’s arm, “Let’s switch places.”

The girl turned to James, nodded immediately, and said, “Thank you, mister.”

James laughed silently, now officially branded as a “mister.” He put his hand on her shoulder, and before she knew what was happening, they switched places amidst the crowded bus.

James now stood between the girl and the green-haired young man, blocking any further moves the man might have made on her.

The bus was still crowded, and James remained in contact with the girl, his shoulder against her back.

The girl didn’t seem to think that James was taking advantage of her and even smiled back at him, a beautiful smile.

After four stops, James prepared to get off the bus, and the girl made her way toward the exit as well.

They seemed to be getting off at the same stop.

James knew there was a high school behind the company—the girl must be a student there.

James even helped the girl off the bus.

“Thanks, mister.

You’re getting off here too?” The girl didn’t leave right away but smiled and spoke to James.

James pointed to the company building ahead and said, “I work there.”

“I go to the high school behind it.

Let’s introduce ourselves; I’m Sarah Grandy.” She extended her delicate hand for a shake.

James found the formality amusing, as if the kids these days were little adults.

He shook her hand and said, “I’m James Brown.”

“Giggle, so now we know each other.

What time do you get off work, Mister?”

“What for?”

“After work, we can walk together again.

I don’t want anyone else taking advantage of me, and you can protect me, Mister.”

James Brown couldn’t help but grin and said, “Alright, I get off at five thirty, and I usually leave the company around five forty.”

“That’s perfect, I get off school at four fifty, so I’ll wait for you, Uncle.

We’ve made a deal now, you can’t ditch me, okay?”

James laughed, “I won’t.

I don’t usually have anything to do after work.

I just go straight home.”

Sarah Grandy giggled, waved at James, and ran forward, but after a couple of steps, she ran back and said, “Uncle, can I borrow your phone?”

James knew that Sarah wanted his phone number, so he handed over his phone to her.

Sarah Grandy dialed a number on James’s phone, and shortly after, her own phone rang with music, indicating the number had connected.

She then returned the phone to James, smiling, “Uncle, save my number, okay?

Don’t make me call you and have you not know who it is.”

“Sure.” James agreed with a smile and waved to Sarah as she happily skipped towards the school.

Young people are great.

Once upon a time, James too had such a carefree life, but those days were gone, never to return.

Looking at Sarah Grandy brought back memories, making James feel much lighter at heart.

Though the Logistics department seemed to lack major issues, there were endless small tasks.

James was busy all day, to the point where he wasn’t even sure what he was busy with.

But for James, this fulfilling life was quite nice.

All the while, Gina Lopez was worried that Douglas Smith would cause trouble for James at work, but Douglas did not show up at the company that day.

Today was Friday, but because of the Chinese New Year shift, there was no rest tomorrow; everyone had to work.

This resulted in a rather exhausting two-week stretch, but James felt pretty good.

Working at least felt fulfilling; on weekends, he didn’t have much else to do.

After work, James strolled out of the company and saw Sarah Grandy pacing back and forth at the company’s front gate, looking into the company compound.

The security guards were glancing at her from time to time.

Such a beautiful girl attracted the attention of these bachelors, and they were curious about whom she was waiting for.

“Uncle!” Sarah Grandy saw James, stopped in her tracks, and called out while waving.

James had forgotten that Sarah was waiting for him.

He approached with a smile, but at the entrance, he was stopped by a familiar security guard who whispered, tugging on James’s arm, “James, who’s that young girl to you?”

“Nobody in particular, just met her,” James casually replied.

The guard’s eyes widened, “Whoa, James, you’re really something now, picking up a young girl like that.”

James suddenly felt a headache, “What nonsense, do I look like that kind of guy to you?”

“That’s exactly what you are,” the guard emphatically nodded, then looked at Sarah Grandy again with envy.

James, speechless, shook off the guard and walked straight to Sarah, asking, “You really waited for me?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I utilize a bodyguard like you, Uncle,” she replied with a giggle.

James shook his head, “I never imagined I’d end up being a bodyguard for a young girl.” He had protected many people in his life, and girls Sarah’s age too, but none had been as forward as her.

They walked shoulder to shoulder toward the bus station.

Sarah tilted her head and asked, “Uncle, you just started working at this company, right?”

“Pretty much.”

“No wonder I haven’t seen you before.

That means you’re definitely not some high-level manager, just a junior employee.”

“Yes, where would you find a high-level manager taking the bus?

They all have their own cars.”

“Hehe, but all managers start as junior employees, don’t they?

I believe, Uncle, one day you’ll be a manager,” Sarah stated confidently.

James laughed, “I don’t even have confidence in myself, where do you get so much confidence in me from?”

“That’s easy, Uncle.

You like to help people, that will surely get recognition from the leadership.”

“Forget it, our leaders don’t really recognize me.”

“That’s because they lack vision.

Humph, once I start my own company, I’ll definitely make you my general manager.”

James laughed heartily, “Alright, I look forward to that day.

Just don’t make me wait until my hair turns gray.”

“Hehe…” Sarah mischievously stuck out her tongue, “That’s true, I don’t even know what kind of job I’ll find in the future.”