Chapter 65 - Little Yuan

"Well... now that you mention it, I recall that our school is hiring an online teaching assistant to manage student profiles... though the pay isn't very high. Would you like to give it a try?"

In the Empire, such positions at prestigious institutions required registration in the national system.

It might be the same on the Second Planet.

After some deliberation, Luo Le didn't want to reject the offer outright. "Alright, I'll think about it and let you know. Thank you."

Gu Heting: "Alright, let me know once you've thought it through."

Upon returning home, Luo Le gazed out the window, lost in thought for a moment.

My hand unconsciously caressed my belly, already seven months along.

In two months' time, the due date will arrive.

Luo Le's original plan had been to surreptitiously return to the Luo household and retrieve their mother's ashes, but unforeseen was the tiny life already nestled within their womb.

With this thought, Luo Le sighed, soothing his stomach, and murmured, "Mom, I'm sorry for not being able to pick you up on time as promised. You might have to stay in that unpleasant place for another two months. But don't worry, I'll come for you once the baby is born."

The job that Gu Heting mentioned is not an option anymore.

Suddenly, Luo Le recollected something, promptly activating his intelligent brain to commence a search. Considering the presence of such a need prior to 423, perhaps it might also exist here.

Yet, after searching for a while, not a single relevant piece of information was found.

Luo Le sighed. Without a holographic helmet, he couldn't access the Star Network to take on missions either.

After two days of searching, nothing turned up.

There wasn't anything valuable in the space, so he couldn't possibly sell his mecha.

Wait a moment.

Luo Le suddenly recalled something – before heading to the military zone, he seemed to have purchased a 70 million credit cufflink.

With a wave of his hand, a box materialized in his palm.

Upon opening it, the obsidian-like cufflink shimmered with a crimson glow.

Fortunately, it was still there.

Though such an item didn't hold its value, it was enough.

Luo Le smiled and posted a bounty online, borrowing someone's identity to schedule an appointment with a luxury goods recycler.

After bidding farewell to that person, Luo Le grabbed a nutrient pack, consumed it, then proceeded to freshen up and rest.

*

Qin Chen entered from outside and spotted the person sitting in the office chair. He smiled and closed the door behind him.

"Welcome back. Did you have any luck?"

After that day, Huo Lanjing had been shuttling between Planet 423 and the Empire, inspecting several planets connected to 423, but to no avail.

Huo Lanjing remained silent with a grim expression.

From his demeanor, Qin Chen deduced the situation. Casually walking over to the sofa, he sat down and glanced at him. "Are you planning to reestablish your military?"

Huo Lanjing didn't respond immediately. "Did they have any contact?"

Qin Chen shook his head. "I've been keeping an eye on him all this time."

"That account."

"It's been traced. It's a custom number exclusive to the Capital Bank, allowing the user to alter it freely without leaving any trace in their system, even their own."

Huo Lanjing frowned, muttering, "Capital Bank?"

"Never heard of it? Me neither, until now. I wonder how they got the authorization. Even the military zones couldn't find anything."

It was only through his own authority that he managed to uncover this information.

Recalling the person sewing clothes in that small room on Planet 423, Huo Lanjing bit the inside of his lip. If he had known Luo Le would leave, he should have given him more back then.

During his search, Huo Lanjing realized that there were still slums existing in this era. The children were emaciated, subjected to violence and theft as common occurrences.

There, human nature distorted, and justice was nowhere to be found.

Whenever he shut his eyes, Huo Lanjing would see Luo Le, defenseless and alone, being bullied – just like those emaciated victims of injustice.

This only fueled his urgency to locate Luo Le, though his efforts remained fruitless.

He had no clue where Luo Le was or how he was faring.

Huo Lanjing shot to his feet, heedless of his companion, and strode toward the door.

Qin Chen: "I have to say, your application is about to expire. You should consider renewing it soon, or it'll cause me quite a headache."

"Mm-hmm."

He had initially planned to return after a brief respite.

"By the way, do you intend to come back?"

He recalled that the old man hadn't approved Huo Lanjing's request to withdraw from the military. Hence, he was currently on leave. If he wanted to return, all he needed to do was give a word.

Huo Lanjing glanced at him sideways upon hearing this. "Are you afraid I'll snatch your position?"

Qin Chen: "How could that be? By the way, the insectoids will be coming to the empire to sign the treaty in two months. You're aware of this, right?"

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing much. Haven't you been traveling around lately? Take Captain Lin with you. I'll assign a few more people to your team. Although the insectoid king is willing to retreat and sign the treaty, he's an heir who succeeded the previous king who fell ill and died. The subordinates of the deceased king were pro-war and don't accept this new king's decisions. They've caused quite a ruckus. Now that they've fled, it wouldn't bode well for you if you were to encounter them, outnumbered as you would be. It's better to be cautious."

"No need." With that, Huo Lanjing strode out of the room.

Qin Chen spread his arms wide, looking up at the ceiling, then sighed. After much deliberation, he decided to secretly dispatch someone to follow Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing had an illustrious military record, and the insectoids' retreat was a result of his efforts. Both the military and the citizens of the empire were well aware of this.

The credit for this feat already stirred discontent, and Qin Chen couldn't afford to let anything happen to Huo Lanjing.

As the door opened, Little Yuan's familiar voice rang out. "Welcome home, Master."

Huo Lanjing tossed his coat to Little Yuan before loosening his tie and heading upstairs.

"Master, shall I prepare dinner for you, Little Yuan?"

Frustrated, Huo Lanjing adjusted his tie hastily. "No need. Just bring a pot of tea to the study."

"Aye."

During this period, it was Huo Fei who had been managing the affairs of the Huo family while Huo Lanjing devoted all his efforts into searching for Luo Le.

Yet... there were no significant findings.

Huo Lanjing gazed at the small figurine on the desk that seemed to be moving, lost in thought.

"Tired? Perhaps you should have a sip of tea and take a break."

That voice?

Luo Le!

Huo Lanjing quickly turned around, but there was no sign of Luo Le in the room.

At the tea table, only Little Yuan was seen serving the tea.

He rose slowly and approached, wondering if the sound had originated from it.

Huo Lanjing switched off its power and connected it to his AI, beginning to inspect the system's programs.

After a moment, the AI detected a sequence of code, which upon analysis, turned out to be a small program containing a voice package.

Huo Lanjing paused, then reached in to tap the voice package, selecting the one labeled "Study - Tea."

The same voice clip as before was played once more.

Huo Lanjing tapped on the next one, and then the one after that...

Each represented a different scenario with distinct messages, but they all shared two common features: Luo Le's voice and words of concern.

Take a break.

Have something to eat.

It's time for bed.

...

Something along those lines.

So... Luo Le had prepared all these?

That was why Luo Le had been inexplicably upset during his first visit, right?

At this thought, Huo Lanjing felt a pang of anxiety. What else had he missed? Was there more to it?

Luo Le must be quite disappointed, given that he hadn't noticed this after such a long time.

Could there be things in the Empire that he had overlooked as well?

He needed to go back and take a look.

*

The winter sun shone warmly through the window, bathing Luo Le, who sat in an armchair, with a small blanket covering his abdomen.

He swayed, grabbed a bunch of peeled grapes from the table, and stuffed them into his mouth.

Before he could swallow, a sudden, intense pain gripped his abdomen, and he felt a dampness below.

Luo Le froze, a realization dawning on him... it seemed he was in labor.

But there were still almost two weeks left until the due date!

With no time to ponder, he gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and struggled to his feet, intending to fetch the birthing kit.

"What's wrong?" Hearing the commotion, Gu Heting came in from outside and saw Luo Le with one hand on her waist and the other hand covering her stomach, her expression pained.

Understanding dawned on him, "Just wait a moment, I'll go get the hospital bag."

Originally scheduled to head to the hospital for delivery the day after tomorrow, he had an engagement tomorrow, so he came today to help Luo Le pack her things.

During this period, through their interactions, Luo Le and Gu Heting have become familiar with each other.

Later, Gu Heting confessed that he had fabricated the story previously, and the medicine was also developed by himself.

When Gu Heting is not attending classes, he goes to the hospital to work.

After some consideration, Luo Le decided to visit the hospital where he was located.

Gu Heting, carrying a bag, approached Luo Le, took his hand, and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Luo Le was sweating profusely as he tried to speak, but before he could utter a word, Gu Heting directly lifted him up by his waist. Subconsciously, Luo Le wrapped his arms around Gu Heting's neck to maintain his balance.

"Hold on tight,"

Gu Heting did his best to avoid hitting his stomach and carried him forward with haste.

"I'm right here, don't be scared, we're almost there," she reassured him, her voice filled with soothing concern.

Luo Le had initially felt nothing, but for some reason, his words tugged at her heartstrings, and tears welled up in her eyes, refusing to cease.

Gu Heting scrutinized the road carefully, failing to notice his presence.

Luo Le held his coat with one hand, burying his entire face into its fabric.

Gu Heting pressed the button, placed Luo Le in the passenger seat, fastened his seat belt, and then got into the driver's seat.

I can drive at a quicker pace when I'm alone.

Moments later, the hovercar came to a halt in front of the hospital entrance.

Gu Heting had already given a heads-up beforehand. As soon as he stepped out, a bed was wheeled in.

"Wheel him into the delivery room first, I'll be right there."

They acknowledged and, with a concerted effort, pushed the bed toward the delivery room.

After tidying himself up, Gu Heting entered the delivery room.

Luo Le bit her lip, a touch of crimson staining the corners of her mouth. Beads of sweat adorned her forehead and neck, veins pulsating beneath the skin. Yet, she only let out an occasional groan, refraining from crying out in pain.

"If it really hurts, feel free to cry out."

He's only dilated two fingers; the cervix is opening too slowly.

Luo Le clung tightly to the quilt, speaking in a halting manner: "Rather than... calling... for me, it would be better... to save... my strength..."

Gu Heting sighed, "You have a clear understanding. Come, do as I say."

"Breathe in!"

"Breathe out!"

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Luo Le followed his instructions, and after a while, the pain would subside for a few minutes.

"Push hard, don't take a break."

Luo Le could only comply. His hair was damp with a mix of tears and sweat that he couldn't distinguish.

Come on, baby, hurry up and make your entrance.

"Breathe in."

After a while, Luo Le was exhausted, feeling as if he were in a dream.

"Almost there, Gu Zhiwei, wake up. Don't sleep."

In the main hall of the Huo family, tensions ran high at the same time.

"I just don't get it. What kind of enchantment did Luo Le cast on you? First, he makes you retreat, then he has you jumping between planets."

Huo Fei glared at the expressionless individual and lashed out.