Chapter 21: What on Earth…

Chapter 21: What's the Fuss...

He heard the sound of the young man's hurried footsteps and turned to call out, "Where are you going?"

"I'll just check if anyone is currently using our test-driving area. Please wait a moment."

"No need. I just want to sit in it, not drive it."

The young man was taken aback, then tried to persuade him, "You should still take it for a test drive to see if there are any issues."

Luo Le knew that the young man was worried he might cause trouble later if something went wrong with the mecha.

In the past, after Luo Le made his selection and requested any modifications, the mecha would be delivered straight to his home.

It had never been this troublesome.

"No need," he said, his tone tinged with impatience.

The young man picked up on it but hesitated for a moment before still approaching and pressing the button.

In the next instant, the glass wall retreated into the ground.

The mech, now unobstructed, appeared even more lustrous and sophisticated.

Luo Le looked on with increasing satisfaction. He walked over to activate the mech, allowing a beam of light to draw him into the cockpit.

Inside, there was a seat, three control panels, and three rows of buttons.

All were in black and white, a stark contrast to the exterior design.

He reached out and placed his hand on the glowing screen to the right.

Soon, three holographic screens illuminated before him.

Frowning, Luo Le studied the various parameters displayed on the screens, full of questions.

With the previous C-class mechs, he couldn't even enter, let alone operate the control panels.

What was going on? Could it be that he was capable of piloting this one?

He attempted to lift the left arm of the mecha, but after waiting for a while, there was no response from the machine.

He tried several more actions, but all resulted in the same outcome.

Is it... still not working?

Ever since the mecha's two eyes lit up with a blue glow, the young man's heart had been on edge.

He feared that Luo Le might suddenly activate the mecha under his watch and accidentally break something in the shop.

After a moment, Luo Le emerged from the mecha, patting its arm.

"I'll take this one."

The young man froze, not expecting him to actually make a purchase.

He wouldn't have to leave tomorrow!

"Alright, alright. How would you like to pay?"

Luo Le instinctively reached for his Star Need Card but, upon remembering that its use would be detected, promptly withdrew his hand.

"Payment through an AI Brain, then?"

"Certainly, sir. Please follow me."

Upon completing the payment, Luo Le placed the mecha into his storage ring and departed.

The young man watched his retreating figure, filled with gratitude in his heart.

The store manager, standing by, gazed at the payment screen, still in disbelief that he could have been so mistaken.

Thankfully, I managed to keep those words unspoken just now.

Luo Le retraced his steps but upon scaling the wall, he found that the stepping stones beneath were gone.

He flipped over and sat with his legs dangling.

With a furrowed brow, he studied the marks left by the stone, suddenly sensing an ominous premonition.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his ear.

"Madam, why are you sitting on the wall for no reason?"

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Captain Lin, attired in a light blue military uniform, standing under a tree just ahead, accompanied by seven or eight others.

Luo Le felt a twinge of annoyance. He should have turned back the moment he sensed something amiss.

However, it was sheer coincidence that Captain Lin happened to catch him.

After some contemplation, he lifted his gaze and accused, "You were following me?"

Lieutenant Lin put on a fake smile. "How dare I? I was merely ordered to capture the new recruit who slipped out from here, disregarding military discipline and staying out all night. I didn't expect Madam to be among them."

Luo Le paused. It wasn't him being paranoid, but these people clearly had been waiting here for quite some time.

They were obviously here to catch him.

With Lieutenant Lin's position, he wouldn't bother with such trivial matters.

Yet, he forced a laugh and refuted, "What a coincidence. I happened to hear about it too, so I thought I'd come take a look first and then discuss it with you. Didn't expect you to be here as well."

Captain Lin's lips twitched. Madam didn't even blush when she lied.

"Hmm?"

Luo Le nodded vigorously, afraid to admit it too late.

"Madam, perhaps you should come down first. It's windy up there, don't catch a cold."

This wind couldn't even stir his hair.

Luo Le's lips twitched. Captain Lin was knowledgeable in yin and yang.

Truly worthy of being Huo Lanjing's capable aide, his words were just as infuriating.

"What are you standing there for? Go help Madam down."

After a while, Luo Le looked at the two reaching hands below him, measured the height, and finally relented.

Just as he was about to reach out, someone called him from behind.

He turned his head to see Wind City looking up at him from below.

"Brother Le, what's wrong?"

Luo Le's body stiffened, and he instinctively turned back to glance at the man by the tree with a cryptic smile.

"My lady, you went out with friends, huh?"

It was over.

Luo Le took a pitying glance at the people behind him, their faces troubled.

Before he could even plead for mercy, a video call flashed on his AI device.

It was Huo Lanjing.

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Le still chose to accept the call.

Upon connection, Huo Lanjing's slightly hoarse and deep voice echoed, "Luo Le, what are you up to now?"

He was causing trouble?

Luo Le's heart skipped a beat as he lowered his gaze to his instep. Did Huo Lanjing think that anything he did was irrational and childish?

Suddenly, he felt like a mere joke.

Luo Le swung his foot casually and asked, "Then when will you be back?"

In an instant, Huo Lanjing's brows knitted together as he fixed his gaze on him.

Originally, Luo Le had intended to inquire about the situation on the 9th Planet, but the memory of that morning made it feel as if his words were stuck in a jammed zipper.

An eternity seemed to pass before Huo Lanjing spoke.

Lieutenant Lin waved his hand, dismissing his subordinates as he left the scene.

At this moment, Feng Cheng, who had witnessed the entire incident from outside the wall, wore an expression of disbelief.

His Brother Le, it turned out, was the wife of General Huo?

Just as he was pondering this, a large hovercar pulled up in front of him, one bearing the military's emblem.

Soon, Luo Le was left alone, sitting on the wall and staring stubbornly at the person on the screen.

If not for the ongoing video call, he would have thought it had been disconnected.

Luo Le noticed the indifference etched across Huo Lanjing's face on the screen. He knew that further persistence would be futile.

So, he let out a sigh and said, "Forget it, Huo Lanjing. I want to return to the Empire."

Those words were like a match striking a fuse, igniting Huo Lanjing completely.

He lifted his gaze slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto Luo Le, his tone laced with danger.

"Luo Le, what do you think the military is?"

Luo Le's fingers trembled slightly, but he forcefully suppressed his emotions.

After a long internal struggle, he decided to explain, "Huo Lanjing, whether you believe me or not, at first, I truly didn't know that winning the competition would allow me to enter the First Army. And aren't you supposed to be happy to see me go since you dislike me so much?"

At this point, a mocking smile tugged at Luo Le's lips.

He knew that even with an explanation, Huo Lanjing might not believe him.

But he still needed to say it.

On the other end, there was silence again, and after a while, the call was abruptly ended.

Looking at the turquoise screen, Luo Le grew angrier by the second.

In a fit of pique, he leaned against the wall with one hand, jumped, and landed.

Not paying attention for a moment, he twisted his ankle, causing his body to lurch forward.

"Ahh..."

Announcement of Temporary Suspension

I've encountered an important examination thrice, which requires adequate preparation.

Moreover, the book's performance isn't optimal, and the writing process has been sluggish. I need time to revise and refine the content.

I apologize, it might take a few weeks.

I'm truly sorry (┯_┯)

I'm genuinely remorseful (┯_┯)

I'm deeply regretful (┯_┯)

I'm exceedingly apologetic (┯_┯)