Chapter 51 (1/2)

Translator: – – Editor: – –

The battle was spreading to Baghdad, Iraq’s capital. The sound of explosions made for a sleepless night as it cast a gloom of war on the once prosperous city.

Of course, that was only for the natural citizens of Baghdad.

As for the foreigners like Jiang Chen and Robert, they drank and caroused, untouched by the events around them.

Amidst the bar’s flas.h.i.+ng lights, heavy metal rap pierced through everyone’s ear drums. A Lebanon beauty writhed on stage with her snake-like waist and dark blond hair swinging. The men sitting by the dance floor howled and screamed as one as they threw Franklins in exchange for more exotic moves.

Behind the bar, a black bartender placed mixed c.o.c.ktails in front of Robert and Jiang Chen. The establishment was rumored to belong to a British man as most of the customers were either foreign soldiers or laborers and reporters.

The people here didn’t have to bear the burdens of this war, even if the battlefront was at the doorstep. They knew their country’s army would come and cover their departure.

It truly made people envious, to have your home country always be your staunchest ally and protection no matter where you were.

“Safe trip.” Robert raised his cup.

“Safe trip.” Jiang Chen toasted him and threw it back.

The c.o.c.ktail tasted rather odd. Other than the alcohol, there seemed to be something else mixed with it.

“I heard they banned alcohol.” Jiang Chen swirled the crystal gla.s.s as he enjoyed the beauties dancing on the floor.

“That’s for religious people. The owner here has an influential background which grants him a special license to sell. Also, the majority of the people here are active UA soldiers or Black Water International mercenaries. Even if the occasional drunk were to cause problems, they’d be kicked out immediately. This place doesn’t even need bouncers.” Robert smiled with narrowed eyes as he took a sip. “For these guys that live on a knife’s edge, only this sort of stimulation can give them the peace of mind again to feel alive.”

Speaking of the people who could die any second, Robert referred to not only the soldiers who were in danger of stepping on landmines, but also to himself as a firearms merchant.

Jiang Chen’s hand holding the gla.s.s briefly trembled as he thought deeply about the chaotic apocalypse and the people who suffered there.

He did not feel any pity.

It was only that he realized he was one of those who could lose his life at any moment.

[I’ll be more careful in the future.]

He shook his head as he took another gulp.

“Handsome, do you want a shot?” Two Middle Eastern beauties in tank tops stopped in front of Jiang Chen and Robert and winked seductively.

“Which one do you want?” Robert whistled at the two beauties as he glanced slyly at Jiang Chen. “This is on me.”

“Neither, I have a headache. I’ll go sleep since I have to catch a flight tomorrow.” Jiang Chen didn’t feel tempted in the slightest as he sighed and tossed the cup onto the counter.

“Don’t act like a middle-aged man, buddy. Haha, then I’ll take both.” Robert laughed, gathering both of the beauties into his arms and caressing them in his drunkenness.

Jiang Chen rubbed his slightly sore temple and stood up to leave.

He left the bar with its heavy metal screams and desire-filled cheers as he drowsily searched for the hotel door in his alcohol-driven stupor.

He shoved the door open and dived into the soft bed, snoring almost immediately with a pungent, alcohol smell wafting from him.

Ayesha, who was curled up on the side, smelled the liquor and slightly raised her eyebrows before she let out a sigh.

He was a non-believer after all.

Once they reached the hotel, Jiang Chen brought her here. Not only did she take a shower, but he also brought her a hot lunch to enjoy. He also requested the hotel attendant to purchase new clothes for her from a store nearby. Although it was not in their job descriptions, a hefty tip took care of the problem.

After settling her in, Jiang Chen left the hotel.

And then he didn’t come back until almost midnight.

Ayesha didn’t sleep until he came home, acting out her role as wife as she courteously waited for her man to come home. This was what her mother had taught her, but unfortunately, she would never be able to see her daughter get married.

Marriage was an uncertainty as Ayesha heard that many countries believed in monogamy. For her who was “picked up”, she didn’t envy the ritual—only, she was happy that Jiang Chen did not leave her behind.

Different from before, she was clean and dressed in new clothes.

The exotic beauty was just under the surface, ready to bloom at any moment. Yet even now, it was hidden under an emotionless expression. The rigid and thin body was noticeably malnourished, but the existing curves were accentuated by the slightly thin fabric of the clothes. After a bit of care, Ayesha would become a beauty like her mother.

There were many beauties from her country.