"Ah, it's you, Miss Lu. Why are you here?" Kevin asked with a frown as he checked the time on his wristwatch.

  "Here's the thing. I'm wondering if I could have the honor of inviting you for dinner since you saved me last time. It was very kind of you to help me." Dorothy was a popular celebrity. She was both pretty and smart.

  "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Lu. Serving the people is a soldier's pledged duty. Dinner is not necessary." Kevin turned her offer down without hesitation. He didn't save her in exchange for anything. Furthermore, he didn't want to have dinner with a woman alone.

  "Major General Gu, are you looking down on me because I'm an actress? Do you think I don't deserve to have dinner with you?" Dorothy's voice trembled a bit as she pretended to feel sad and dejected.

  "Miss Lu, I didn't mean it that way. I just can't make it this time." Embarrassment washed over Kevin in an instant. He would have rejected her offer in a more resolute way if Dorothy acted bossy. However, she looked like she was about to cry and Kevin really had no idea on how to politely decline her offer. He simply didn't know women.

  "If you really have no time, then I won't push you. How about this? Will you please give me your private number? We may have dinner next time when you're available," asked Dorothy. She might be a little disappointed, but then, she was clever to know when enough was enough.

  "I'm sorry, but we soldiers are not allowed to disclose our numbers." Kevin rejected Dorothy in a more subtle way this time. He didn't want to have a close relationship with any woman other than his wife. Though he didn't think Dorothy bore malice against him, he was always alert to the possibility of getting involved in scandals. He was a soldier and he must be a model of clean living.

  "Oh, really?" Biting her lower lip

  ed seriously at Kevin. He had known Kevin since Kevin was a kid, thus, he knew Kevin like the back of his hand. However, the outsiders knew nothing about Kevin, and would think ill of him. This would greatly affect the reputation and image of army force.

  "Don't worry. I'll handle it myself," said Kevin through gritted teeth. He really felt angry and frustrated. Nonetheless, he had to face whatever problem it was and find a way to solve it. He believed that there would be a way out.

  "How are you going to solve it? People won't believe what you are going to say." The Commander sighed with resignation. He would be retiring in a few years and he had planned to recommend Kevin for a higher position. However, it seemed impossible now as this situation would leave a stain in Kevin's personnel file. Furthermore, the fight among the soldiers had barely subsided when the army base was again exposed in the public eyes. It would be really hard to put things in order again.

  "I will find a way out. If you don't need me for anything else, I'll take my leave," said Kevin. The only thing he was worried about now was that Leena might have seen the news and misunderstood him. He had to call her now to explain everything.