Hello, Mr. Major General (1)

Chapter 145 - We Have A Deal

“Take it slow—what you need is real-life practice.” Deepak nonchalantly changed the subject. “For example, I just told you something isn’t right with the way Brother Khatri looks at you. The next time you see him, make a
note of the way he looks at you, and compare it with everyone else.”

There were two ways to explain it: in academic terms, this was part of the field of psychology. The books published on this topic would fill an entire library. In layman’s terms, this was what was commonly referred to as 'street smarts”—most people picked it up on their own. Children who were accustomed to watching the body
language of the people around them eventually grew up to be shrewd and clever adults, one step ahead of everyone else. Most of the wealthy, high IQ members of elite society were too inflexible and rigidly educated to be truly 'street smart.”

“That makes no sense!” Shehnaaz was not convinced. “How am I supposed to measure something like that, if it can’t be quantified?!”

“Which is why I said it won’t be easy. Do you have what it takes to learn?” Deepak straightened up, a wide grin on his face. “Okay, I’m going back to my room now. What do you want for dinner? Takeout?”

Shehnaaz stared at Deepak for a long moment, uncertain whether to believe him.

The two of them had their dinner. After that, Shehnaazfinished unpacking the last of her boxes and went to take a shower. When she stepped out of the bathroom, she saw a missed call from Sidharth on her phone and hurriedly called him back.

“…Uncle Sid?” As soon as he picked up, Shehnaaz launched into a hasty explanation: “We’ve been busy unpacking, we just moved into our new place today. I was in the shower after that, and didn’t hear the phone ring.”

Sidharth was talking to Shehnaaz on his headset. He scrolled through the satellite images of the ocean on his computer as he said indifferently, “Don’t worry about it. I was just calling to ask how you’re settling in. How’s the new
place?”

“Not bad, but it’s warmer here than in Boston.” Shehnaaz wiped the sweat from her brow. “Maybe I should turn up the AC.”

“Don’t overdo it.” Sidharth had come across an unusual satellite image, and was now too preoccupied with it to keep up the conversation. He decided to end the phone call. “Stay on your toes once you start working in Congress. Is there anything else? If there isn’t, I’m going to hang up
now.”

Shehnaaz quickly said, “Wait!Don’t hang up!”

“Is there something else?” Sidharth moved his mouse cursor over the ocean map, pulling up strings of data. His brow furrowed.

Shehnaaz recalled what Deepak had just told her, and immediately repeated it to Sidharth—every single word of it. “…Uncle Sid, I heard about the Special Ops
training. The soldiers have to learn how to tell what someone is really after, and also how to react when someone tries to seduce them. They’re also taught how to
tell whether someone is truly interested in them, or just acting a part, and also how to gain the confidence of their target during a mission. Is that true? I want to learn all that, too…”

Sidharth was momentarily stunned. He gathered his scattered attention to focus on what he was hearing over his
headset. “What did you just say? Repeat all that to me, again.”

Shehnaaz repeated herself. She insisted, “I want to learn all that. I think I’m terrible at reading people.”

Sidharth’s expression had darkened. He said stiffly, “Who’s been feeding you all this nonsense? We’re soldiers, part of the regular army, not some secret spy agency—why would we learn all that crap?”