Chapter 53: Pregnant

On the fourth day, Luo Le could no longer tolerate the oppressive atmosphere. After informing his mentor, he packed some belongings and moved into the small resting room provided in the laboratory.

The confined space gave Luo Le a sense of security. The fridge was stocked with neatly arranged nutrient solutions.

Everything he needed for living was available there.

As soon as he entered, Luo Le collapsed onto the bed and slept soundly until dawn.

Still mindful of Huo Lanjing's words, Luo Le went to the Huo residence the following day.

To gain the Huo family's approval, he essentially had to win over Huo Fei's consent, as she now held the highest authority in the family.

As expected, Huo Fei agreed almost immediately after he finished explaining his intentions. It was almost effortless.

The more challenging task lay ahead with Luo Lu.

However, these past few days, he had come to terms with it.

Luo Lu's disagreement was because she wanted to rely on him to keep the Huo family's assistance and favors flowing.

But if he, the support, was no longer dependable, Luo Lu would feel that it made no difference whether they stayed together or not.

The following evening, Luo Le went to Luozhai to have a conversation with Luo Lu. He went straight to the point, explaining that Huo Lanjing had grown tired of him, but due to Huo Lanjing's obedience to his elders, divorce had not been mentioned.

Nonetheless, Huo Lanjing had hinted that Luo Le should initiate the divorce. If he didn't, not only would the Huo family cease their aid to the Luo family, they would create difficulties for them as well.

Afterward, Luo Le asked Luo Lu to call the Huo family for a casual favor. The moment Luo Lu called, Huo Fei, who had already coordinated with Luo Le, immediately declared that they would no longer assist the Luo family.

Upon hearing this, Luo Lu completely trusted Luo Le and hastily agreed. It was no joke; the Huo family held influence in the military, politics, and business. Unless the Luo family wished to leave the empire, they would never dare to defy Huo Lanjing.

With the matter resolved, Luo Le felt at ease. After returning home and freshening up, he fell asleep the moment he hit the bed.

In the early morning, before Luo Le's consciousness fully awakened, a wave of acid reflux jolted him upright. He leaped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.

Luo Le gazed at his slightly reddened eyes in the mirror, pausing in contemplation.

Something was off, very off.

His reaction seemed too much like he was carrying a life within him.

During this period, he hadn't engaged in any intimate activities with Huo Lanjing; their most recent encounter... had been in the military zone on the Fifth Planet.

- That branding incident.

But he had taken precautions, hadn't he?

Recalling this, Luo Le didn't dare to delay any further. After informing his mentor, he rushed to the hospital.

He opted for a hospital that had no connection to the Huo family.

The Empire had a law forbidding pregnancy tests without the patient's or their family's consent, so he hadn't been checked during his previous hospitalization.

"The good news is, you're pregnant."

Luo Le still couldn't believe it. "Did you make a mistake? I took the pill, how could I possibly be pregnant?"

The doctor glanced again at the machine-generated report and exhaled. "There's no mistake."

Suddenly, an idea struck the physician, who lifted his gaze. "You took the pill right after, didn't you?"

Luo Le nodded, then shook his head after some thought.

Noticing the doctor's puzzled expression, he explained, "I... I took it the next day."

The doctor patted the report in his hand. "It might have to do with the dosage or timing. Don't dwell on that. The question is, do you not want it?"

Luo Le lowered his head, rubbing his belly, his face concealed by his disheveled hair.

His mind was in chaos.

Observing his demeanor, the doctor concluded that Luo Le indeed didn't want the pregnancy. He sized up the young man, who seemed to be in his early twenties.

He sighed. "You're not married, are you? You youngsters these days, how can you be so careless? You've... got a lifelong mark, yet you engage in such activities without being married."

Moreover, without marking, a high compatibility could still lead to conception.

Luo Le remained silent, and the doctor shook his head. "What about the other father of the child? He needs to be present if you decide to terminate the pregnancy."

According to Empire law, both the A and O parties must sign the consent form for an abortion to proceed.

"Have you made up your mind?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Le looked up and slightly parted his lips. "I need some time to think..."

The doctor could tell from his eyes that he was deeply confused.

Handing over the report, the doctor said, "Alright, take your time to consider it."

Luo Le's mind was in a whirl throughout the journey back. By the time he regained his senses, he had already arrived home.

He looked up at the room he had lived in for four years, feeling somewhat dazed.

Sitting on the sofa, he placed his hand on his abdomen, still finding the whole situation hard to believe.

Just once, and with contraception taken—how could it happen?

He caressed her stomach gently, his lips curving into an unconscious smile.

Right here, within her, their child was beginning to take form. In the future, the little one would call him "Daddy" in a sweet voice...

No, that was wrong. Luo Le and Huo Lanjing were getting divorced.

At this thought, Luo Le's hand on her belly froze.

Yes, they were getting divorced.

Very soon, he would have no connection to Huo Lanjing.

So, what did this mean now?

Luo Le smiled bitterly as she continued to stroke her flat stomach. "Baby, why did you come now?"

Why did the child choose to arrive precisely when he had finally seen through Huo Lanjing and decided to leave?

He watched Little Yuan directing the other robots with a somewhat dazed look in his eyes. "What should I do?"

None knew to whom he was posing the question.

*

On the hovering vehicle, Huo Lanjing feigned sleep with his eyes closed.

"General, when are we returning?"

The insectoid issue had yet to be fully resolved, leaving a pile of tasks for Huo Lanjing to handle upon his return. Yet, he showed no intention of going back anytime soon.

The military personnel didn't dare approach Huo Lanjing directly, so Lieutenant Lin had been receiving a mountain of urgent messages these past few days.

After waiting for several days, he finally mustered the courage to ask.

Huo Lanjing opened his eyes, maintaining his posture. "In a few days." He then closed them again.

With a troubled expression, Lieutenant Lin continued, "But... it's already been so long..."

"As I said, in a few days."

Huo Lanjing's tone was chilling, causing Captain Lin to shiver involuntarily. He quickly closed his mouth, not daring to speak another word.

These past few days, it seemed that the General's mood hadn't been too great. Perhaps he should wait a few more days before asking again.

Indeed, Huo Lanjing's mood had been sour since that argument with Luo Le.

Moreover, Luo Le had been avoiding him these past few days.

This realization only worsened Huo Lanjing's already gloomy disposition.

He shouldn't have agreed to Luo Le's divorce request that day. Didn't that effectively confirm Luo Le's accusations against him?

But Huo Lanjing's pride wouldn't allow him to retract his decision.

By the time they arrived home, dusk had already settled in. Huo Lanjing didn't invite Captain Lin inside, instead taking the items from him and bidding him farewell.

The lights were off in the house. After changing his shoes, Huo Lanjing held the items in hand and switched on the light.

In that instant when the light illuminated the room, Luo Le's figure suddenly appeared before him.

Luo Le has returned.

Huo Lanjing glanced at the item in his hand, a fleeting warmth stirring within him.

He closed the door and approached Luo Le, placing the item on the table before him. "Cake. Do you want some?"

Luo Le drew his legs up onto the sofa, encircling them with his arms, resting his chin on his knees as he stared blankly ahead.

Not receiving a response, Huo Lanjing approached him in confusion, waving a hand in front of Luo Le's face.

"Are you blind or deaf?"

As if suddenly realizing Huo Lanjing's presence, Luo Le lifted his head to look at him, blurting out, "I've already told both the Luo and Huo families, and they've agreed."

Huo Lanjing's hand twitched. "Luo Lu agreed too?"

Luo Le nodded. "If you don't believe me, you can ask our sister, or directly inquire with Luo Lu yourself."

Since Luo Le was so assertive, Huo Lanjing knew that what he said must be true.

For some inexplicable reason, the moment Luo Le finished speaking, Huo Lanjing's heart twisted uncomfortably.

"So, are you free tomorrow? Let's go and take care of the paperwork."

Huo Lanjing's pupils constricted as a sharp pang struck him somewhere deep inside. Without control, he leaned in and grabbed Luo Le's shirt collar. "Luo Le, is this all that's on your mind?"

Luo Le didn't resist, allowing him to hold on as he looked straight back at him, his eyes unwavering. "Mm."

This was the only thing occupying his thoughts now.

Huo Lanjing observed his earnest expression and released his grip, smiling.

But the smile held no warmth, tinged with a hint of mockery.

"However, the Huo family hasn't given their consent yet."

Luo Le frowned and replied loudly, "That's impossible. Huo Fei clearly agreed."

Huo Lanjing drew closer, his breath brushing against the tip of Luo Le's nose. Luo Le instinctively stepped back slightly.

In the next moment, Huo Lanjing pushed against his chest, causing his upper body to crash onto the sofa.

Huo Lanjing leaned forward, propping his elbows on either side of Luo Le's neck. "I'm also a member of the Huo family, and I haven't agreed to this."

The man beneath him widened his eyes, filled with rage. "Huo Lanjing, you're playing me."

Luo Le couldn't help but laugh out of frustration. "The esteemed Empire Admiral is such a two-faced, backtracking scoundrel."

Huo Lanjing's gaze narrowed slightly.

Luo Le's amusement turned into sarcasm. "Why, such an esteemed Admiral, would go back on your word like that?"

Fixated on the movement of Luo Le's reddened lips, Huo Lanjing unconsciously pressed his own together. "Luo Le, why do you want a divorce? I've never felt trapped by you. You don't need to set me free."

Exhausted from the day, Luo Le didn't have the energy to argue. Instead, he gazed at the ceiling, asking calmly, "Huo Lanjing, do you love me?"

Huo Lanjing's expression froze, his deep eyes reflecting indiscernible emotions.

After a long silence without an answer, Luo Le's hand resting on his stomach moved gently, a bittersweet smile forming on his face. Tears, like a flowing stream, trickled down his cheeks in an instant.

"You see, you don't love me anyway, so why not agree to a divorce?"

Upon hearing the mention of divorce again, he took a deep breath and replied with a stern expression, "Luo Le, our marriage wasn't based on love to begin with. It was arranged by the previous generation. Can't you just stop this charade?"

Although Luo Le already knew this to be true, her heart still stung at the reminder.

"Since our marriage was indeed arranged by our elders, we have fulfilled our obligations to that agreement."

Huo Lanjing looked at the person beneath him with a hint of confusion, remaining silent as he continued to listen.

"You might not know me well, Luo Le. I've always believed in marriages based solely on love. In the past, I had no choice, but now, I want to make my own decision. Huo Lanjing, can you grant me that chance?"

Huo Lanjing's mind seemed to short-circuit at her words. He leaned in, pinning down Luo Le's shoulders. "No, do I have an obligation to give you a choice?"

Luo Le gazed coldly at Huo Lanjing's face, questioning if she had ever truly known this man.

"I am determined to end this marriage."

Huo Lanjing sneered. "In court, then? Luo Le, are you so certain you'll emerge victorious?"

Huo Lanjing was a general, while she was merely a mecha pilot.

Without fame or connections, even with solid evidence, he might not necessarily triumph.

Huo Lanjing continued, "Luo Le, unless you die, you will be my wife, Huo Lanjing, for life."

Gazing at his unwavering determination, Luo Le shut her eyes in despair.

Unless he died... Ah.