She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198
A few people exclaimed. “Zayn is also a hero?”
The students gathered around Zayn, looking at the medals he wore curiously.
A voice asked, “Zayn, what did you do in the military? Can you tell us?”
Another remarked. “Zayn, I admire soldiers the most but couldn’t get into the military school. Can we take a photo together?”
Zayn was not upset by the students crowding around him. He only said politely, “Sorry, I’m here to see my sister today. It’s not convenient for me to chat. He then looked at Athena. “Athena, you’re going to the library, right?”
Athena wasn’t in the mood to go to the library anymore. She hugged Zayn’s arm and smiled, “No, let’s go home to celebrate.”
At the same time, she puffed up her cheeks to scare the surrounding students. “You’re not allowed to take photos and spout nonsense. Be careful or you might get a virus on your phone.”
Everyone immediately recalled how all their phones and computers had been destroyed by a virus. They retreated to the side and started deleting the photos.
Athena left with Zayn. At the same time, she sent a message to the family chatgroup to inform them that Zayn was back and was now at her school.
After walking a distance, she let go of Zayn’s arm and asked, “Zayn, why didn’t you tell us that you were coming back? That way, we could have picked you up at the station,”
Zayn officially retired from the army at the end of September but did not come home immediately. Instead, he stayed in the area to help the old, weak, sick, and disabled repair their houses, harvest crops, sell agricultural products, and so on.
He also used all his retirement allowance to buy blankets, medicine, computers, books, and so on for the lonely old folks in the village. It took him more than a month to come back.
Zayn smiled and explained, “You’re all very busy, and I’m a guy don’t want you to make a trip to the station just to pick me up. Moreover, the transportation in that region is inconvenient. I’m not sure when I can return to Kitmore City either, so I didn’t inform you in advance.
Athena was touched again. Zayn had not been home for three years. She was sure he had come straight to the school to look for her the moment he returned. She sniffed slightly. “Zayn, everyone will be overjoyed to know you’re back. Let’s go to the
restaurant.”
Zayn shook his head. “I want to go to the hospital to visit Granddad and Grandmom first before going home.”
Athena was surprised. “Alright
At that moment, her phone rang. It was Alaric
Athena put the phone on speaker. “Hello?”
“Athena, is Zayn with you?” Alaric’s voice was so loud that it almost shattered her phone. Tm running to your school now. Wait for me at the parking lot. I want to see him immediately.”
Athena replied, “Got it. Take your time. Don’t knock anyone down” She could hear Alaric’s panting as he ran.
Alaric continued to shout, “Is Zayn here? I want to talk to him
Athena responded, “There’s no rush. Come over f
first. I’ll answeraden’s call first.”
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Chapter 198
She hung up Alaric’s call and answered Jaden’s call.
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Jaden’s voice was very calm, but he spoke a little too quickly. “Tin driving to Kitmore City now, I’ll be there in three hours. You guys eat first. Don’t wait for me.”
Athena knew her eldest brother was steady and she did not have to worry about him driving too fast. She only said, “Sure. Zayn wants to visit Granddad and Grandmom first too. I’ll bring him there now.”
Their parents called too and said they would close the restaurant after 7 p.m. so the entire family could celebrate.
After Athena finished answering the family’s calls, they slowly strolled to the parking lot.
When they got into the car, Alaric arrived, panting. He rushed into the car and hugged Zayn’s neck from the back seat, shouting, “Zayn, you’re finally back. If you don’t come back soon, I’m going to get old.”
Zayn smiled and rubbed Alaric’s head. “Congrats on becoming a professional tennis player. You must teach me how to play someday.
“Of course!” Alarie was elated. “It’s a deal. Let’s play tennis together at the club this weekend.”
They chatted and laughed as they walked toward the hospital.
On the way there. Zayn stopped at a restaurant to buy a traditional cake that their grandparents liked. Then, he went to an old shop to buy their favorite food.
To
prevent their grandparents from crying too much, Athena had already called the caregiver before they reached to tell their grandparents this news so that they could be mentally prepared.
When Zayn arrived at the ward, their grandparents, Cade and Fiona, were standing at the door, supporting each other while waiting eagerly. The moment they saw their grandson, their eyes turned red. They called out “Zayn’ hoarsely and walked forward shakily.
Zayn quickly walked to them and saluted them respectfully. “Grandpa, Grandma, I’m back. Then, he said in a hoarse voice. “Sorry for being away for three years and not being able to take care of you.”
Cade and Fiona couldn’t help but teared up.
Cade said, “Silly child, you did your duty by the country. It’s the same.”
Fiona remarked. “You’re a hero. You made our family proud. Don’t feel bad.”
When the caregiver saw them crying, she quickly turned up the volume of the television that was playing a comedy and reminded them with a smile, “Cade, Fiona, your grandson is back. It’s a happy occasion. We must laugh and not cry.
Cade and Fiona did not have very good eyesight. This was especially true for Fiona. After the surgery, she could not see anything beyond a distance. If she cried too hard, her eyes would be damaged.
Cade and Fiona also understood this and tried their best to control their emotions. As they wiped their tears, they smiled. and said, “Yes, that’s right. We must smile more.”
Zayn and Alaric helped their grandparents into the ward. As they fed them food, they talked about everything that had happened in the last three years.
Everyone knew that Zayn’s missions in the army were likely to be secret. Thus, they did not ask him what he did in the army, only if he had suffered and about his plans for the future.
Zayn replied, “I plan to stay home for some time to help Mom manage the restaurant and help Jaden out on the farm. When I’m free, I’ll come over to accompany you. I might open a boxing gym, a security company, or an auto repair shop with my comrades in the future. I haven’t decided yet
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