Chapter 52: Exit Card

Luo Le's body was still recovering, and the sudden exertion caused his breath to become uneven. "Get lost, I don't need it."

After saying that, he curled his lips and looked up at Huo Lanjing mockingly. "Why do you disagree? Could it be that you've fallen for me?"

Huo Lanjing adjusted the cuffs of his military uniform nonchalantly, glanced at him indifferently, then shifted his gaze to his wrist. "Goading won't work on me. I have matters to attend to in the military district."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to leave. However, after just two steps, he heard Luo Le call out to him.

He turned back to see Luo Le looking at him with determination. He paused. "Something else?"

Luo Le released his grip on the bedsheet. "In that case, we'll see each other in court. Have a good day, no need to see me off."

Huo Lanjing's expression froze. Hearing those words through intermediaries was different from hearing them directly. A burst of inexplicable anger surged within him.

Although Luo Le had been willful in the past and would deliberately oppose him, he had never looked at him with such an expression before.

Now, Luo Le's determination was absolute, showing no signs of pretense.

Luo Le genuinely wanted a divorce...

Recalling his actions just now, Huo Lanjing's pupils constricted. What was he doing? Trying to persuade her to stay?

He... was persuading Luo Le to stay?

At this thought, Huo Lanjing's expression turned grim. He stepped closer to Luo Le, narrowing the gap between them.

Seeing his somewhat somber expression, Luo Le's heart tightened as she clutched the pillow to her chest. "W-What?"

Huo Lanjing's gaze darkened. "If you want a divorce, fine. But you'll have to handle the situation with both the Huo and Luo families on your own. I'll be waiting for you." With that, he spun around and strode out of the room decisively.

This time, Luo Le didn't call out to him. Reflecting on his words, she let out a sigh.

He wasn't worried about the Huo family; since he had entered their household, no one from the Huo family had given him any real attention.

But the Luo family was a different story. As Huo Lanjing had pointed out, after their divorce, the Huo family would no longer extend any favors to the Luo family. There was no way Luo Lu would consent to it.

Luo Le massaged her temples. She'd deal with it when the time came.

After two more weeks in the hospital, Luo Le was finally discharged.

During his stay, perhaps due to their argument, he didn't encounter Huo Lanjing or Captain Lin again.

Only those seeking to curry favor with him because of his status constantly visited, practically breaking down the door.

On the day of his discharge, Huo Lanjing didn't show up, nor did he send anyone over.

Luo Le didn't mind. He chose a garment that appealed to him, left without packing anything, and simply walked out.

Sure, someone would take care of the health supplements and gifts anyway.

The thought that Huo Lanjing had agreed to the divorce lifted his spirits.

"Hey, Senior, you're out of the hospital?"

Luo Le had just closed the door when he heard the voice and turned around, spotting Qin Runzhi standing in front of him. Their mentor was also there, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Why... are you here?"

Qin Runzhi looked down at the flowers in his hand and shook his head. "Seems like I bought these for nothing."

Following his gaze, Luo Le noticed the red rose on Qin Runzhi's chest and twitched the corner of his mouth. Who would bring a red rose to visit a patient?

The mentor glanced at Qin Runzhi and then walked over to Luo Le, patting his shoulder. "Glad you're better. How about it? Your military service is up, aren't you going to come back and help an old man like me?"

Luo Le smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'll be back. Actually, since you're here, why don't we all have dinner together? My treat."

Before the mentor could respond, Qin Runzhi winked at Luo Le. "Since Senior has offered, it would be rude to decline."

"Right, there's also this. Here, take it, Senior." With that, Qin Runzhi handed the flowers to Luo Le.

Luo Le looked at the flowers in his arms, aware of Qin Runzhi's persistence. He didn't refuse but didn't say anything either.

The group left, chatting and laughing.

Luo Le's hovercar had been fetched earlier by someone and was now in the garage. The mentor drove his own hovercar, while Qin Runzhi did not.

Three people in one hovercar was too cramped, so Luo Le had already informed his mentor.

He opened the car door and casually placed the flowers he was holding into the small compartment at the back. Just as he was about to close the door,

a hand suddenly clung onto the edge of the door, followed by Qin Runzhi's upper body squeezing in. "Senior, why don't you sit over there."

Despite his confusion, Luo Le moved to the right side as instructed.

After Qin Runzhi slid in and closed the door, he gave Luo Le a grin. "Senior, where should we eat?"

Luo Le paused for a moment. "Do you have any particular place in mind?"

Qin Runzhi shook his head.

Luo Le thought for a bit. There was only one place that came to mind, so he blurted out, "Qi Xiang Yu Bar."

Qi Xiang Yu was a renowned restaurant in the Empire, operating on a membership basis.

Qin Runzhi didn't object and simply nodded. "Sounds good."

Arriving at Qi Xiang Yuang, it was just past mealtime and the place was quiet. Soon, their dishes were served.

"Your order is complete. Please enjoy your meal. The waiter is just outside. Ring the bell if you need anything," the waiter said politely.

Luo Le waved, dismissing the waiter who then closed the private room door behind him.

The mentor observed Luo Le as he picked up his food, suddenly recalling something. He sipped his tea. "By the way, there's an update on that matter you inquired about earlier."

Lifting his gaze, Luo Le remembered as well, seeing the expression on his mentor's face.

It was common knowledge across the entire galaxy that gaining entry to the Empire and obtaining a residency permit was challenging. In reality, leaving the Empire was equally difficult.

A mountain of documents had to be prepared, followed by submitting an application and obtaining approval from the relevant authorities.

That alone wasn't enough. The approval process could take anywhere from a week or two to half a year, with a fifty-fifty chance of rejection.

In the past, with his identity as Madam Hao, he enjoyed the privilege of free passage out of the country. A simple notification would usually suffice for travel arrangements.

However, upon divorcing, this special right vanished.

Luo Le had always anticipated a divorce and hoped to take his mother away with him, hence he paid extra attention to matters concerning exit permits.

Last year, he'd heard a rumor that the Empire might issue a hundred exit permits, but the veracity of the information and the exact release date were uncertain.

Without waiting for Luo Le's response, the mentor continued, "Well... It should be announced in the next few days."

A glint appeared in Luo Le's eyes. "Really? Are there any requirements?"

The mentor pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "The specific requirements haven't been disclosed yet. When they're out, I'll apply for one on your behalf directly."

With his mentor's assistance, the chances of success would be higher.

Luo Le smiled obediently. "Alright, thank you, Mentor."

"Mentor, why do you need an exit permit?" Qin Runzhi asked, raising his head as if he had just entered the conversation belatedly.

Recalling something, Luo Le chuckled and teased, "To attend the mech exhibition and fashion show, of course."

Qin Runzhi hummed in response and didn't ask further.

The mentor waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be formal. Eat quickly. We still have work to continue after this."

Luo Le nodded and picked up his chopsticks, taking a piece of meat. As he leaned in to smell the greasy scent, he furrowed his brows.

Did Qi Xiang Yuang change their chef?

With that thought, he put the meat in his mouth and chewed for two bites. Suddenly, something felt off. He swiftly grabbed a napkin nearby, wrapped the spat-out meat, and rushed towards the restroom in the private room.

Luo Le held onto the sink, retching loudly. He had been on nutrient supplements for the past few days, so there was nothing in his stomach. After dry heaving for a while, only a translucent white liquid came out.

Qin Runzhi followed closely behind, gently rubbing his back. Knowing how uncomfortable Luo Le must be, he didn't ask any questions.

In the quiet bathroom, only Luo Le's retching sounds echoed, as if he were trying to expel his entire stomach. His eyes reddened from the effort, and tears welled up in his sockets.

After about five minutes, the nauseating sensation subsided. Luo Le turned on the faucet and splashed water onto his face with both hands.

When the sound of running water stopped, Qin Runzhi tore a piece of paper and held it out to Luo Le. The latter looked to the side at the person, reached out, and took it, saying, "Thank you."

Qin Runzhi waved dismissively, his face filled with concern as he leaned closer to examine him. "Senior, what's wrong?"

Luo Le pondered for a moment, remembering the slightly fatty piece of meat he had just eaten. "I guess it's because I've been on nutrient supplements for so long. Suddenly having such greasy food might not agree with me."

Qin Runzhi, partially understanding, offered his support. "Then, Senior, you should stick to vegetarian dishes for a while."

Luo Le nodded in agreement.

The meal passed quickly, and after bidding them farewell, Luo Le headed straight home.

After parking his car in the garage, he got out and was about to close the door when he suddenly remembered the bouquet of flowers. He turned back to retrieve them.

Taking only a few steps, a familiar hovercar pulled up to his left.

Huo Lanjing emerged from the vehicle, standing right by Luo Le's left side.

The moment he stepped out of the car, Huo Lanjing noticed the conspicuous red flowers. He gave Luo Le a casual glance but said nothing, heading out ahead of him.

Luo Le retracted his hand that was about to greet, glanced at the inexplicably aloof Huo Lanjing, and waited a moment before following.

Huo Lanjing had no desire to talk to him, and he wasn't in the mood to converse with Huo Lanjing either.

Luo Le returned home, took a shower, and fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed, as if he could never get enough rest.

At three in the morning, he woke up from hunger.

This kind of hunger couldn't be satisfied by nutrient solutions.

His stomach acid burned fiercely, so Luo Le hurriedly went downstairs and asked a robot to make him a bowl of noodles.

Halfway through his meal, drowsiness overtook his mind, slowing down Luo Le's eating pace. He nodded off now and then, jerking awake each time.

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed.

"Are you eating or sleeping?"

Luo Le snapped awake, lifting his gaze to meet Huo Lanjing's dark, somber eyes.

After a moment, he lowered his head, picked up a noodle, and honestly replied, "Eating noodles."

Huo Lanjing approached the fridge, took out a carton of milk, poured it into a glass, and then placed it in front of him.

He looked at the man with a puzzled expression, observing his unusual behavior.

"To clear your mind," he said, his tone as irritating as his words.

Luo Le put down his chopsticks, picked up the glass in defiance, and drained it. "I'm full."

Then, she stomped upstairs with a clatter.

It was only after Luo Le's figure disappeared around the corner that Huo Lanjing returned the milk to the fridge. From the top shelf of a cabinet, he took a piece of tea cake and headed for the study.

In the following days, Luo Le encountered Huo Lanjing every day, and their interactions were vastly different from before.

They were already in a silent war, so despite seeing more of each other these days, they barely spoke.

When they did, it was usually to exchange barbs.

At mealtime, they ate separately, and at night, each slept in their own bed. Usually, Luo Le would occupy the grand sofa in the living room, while Huo Lanjing would be found by the floor-to-ceiling window in the same space.

Perhaps due to witnessing Huo Lanjing's loss of appetite and discomfort, Luo Le hadn't been eating much these past few days.