Chapter 31: Interrogation

Chapter 31: Inquiry

"There indeed is a possibility, but I would like to ask if you suspect that the fluctuations in your mental energy might be due to the medicine you consumed earlier?"

"Um-hum."

Dr. Lin could tell that Luo Le was considering using that medicine again. After some thought, he suggested, "Madam, how about I run another examination on you? Right now, it's just a suspicion without any evidence. This newly developed medicine can have certain detrimental effects on the body. It's better not to administer it blindly before we have confirmation."

Luo Le's eyes flickered slightly. "There's a way to find out?"

He had initially assumed that there was no means of determining it.

"I'll give it a try."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you."

"Madam, please don't mention it. This is part of my job anyway."

Afterward, Dr. Lin took Luo Le for further examinations.

It was merely a routine check, and Luo Le had no idea how Doctor Lin would conduct it. But since he had sought out the doctor's help, he had to put his trust in him.

---

Luo Le no longer wished to rely on his mentor's method. These few days, he had been studying the damaged chip intensively. He believed that if Teacher Tang could create such a chip based on mecha knowledge, then it must be feasible – he just hadn't grasped the essence of it yet. Luo Le immersed himself in the laboratory, poring over Teacher Tang's book and a pile of literature related to mechas.

Unfortunately, Teacher Tang hadn't left any information about the chip behind.

Two days later, Doctor Lin sent him the report.

It stated that he had indeed consumed substances detrimental to mental power previously. However, the specifics of the diagnosis were not elaborated upon in the report.

The pile of technical jargon was beyond his comprehension, so he decided to directly contact Dr. Lin, given that they had already exchanged contact information previously.

After a brief moment, the call was answered, and Dr. Lin's voice held a tinge of weariness, "What's up?"

Looking at the report with its alarming readings, Luo Le asked, "Are there any abnormal indicators?"

"Yes, the medication in your system has worn off over time. However, some side effects of the drug can manifest through specific indices," Dr. Lin replied.

"But I recall that the premarital examination was quite thorough. Why wasn't it detected back then?"

"Because... your marriage to the General was arranged by your elders, so mental power wasn't considered significant, hence it wasn't examined. Besides, your mental strength isn't low either... Furthermore, this index is related to other indicators and is calculated based on them..."

No wonder this result wasn't listed as part of the examination.

"Can we estimate approximately when the medication was taken?"

"It would be around thirteen or fourteen years ago, judging from the indices... The duration of medication use seems to be roughly one or two years."

One or two years.

If it really was Wang Yiyi, that would be incredible – she had managed to drug him for so long without his knowledge.

Luo Le's gaze swept fiercely across the screen, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the useless chip.

Dr. Lin, observing Luo Le's expression, unintentionally softened his tone. "That medicine... yes, Madam, you can take it if needed. I can help apply for it on your behalf."

Luo Le took a deep breath before forcing a smile. "Then thank you, Dr. Lin."

Seeing the insincere expression, Dr. Lin chuckled awkwardly. "Alright, I'll have it delivered to your residence when the time comes."

After ending the video call, Luo Le tossed the bloody chip into the trash and then took a tissue to gently wipe his hand.

If Wang Yiyi had fed him prohibited drugs...

Where did she get them? To his knowledge, Wang Yiyi came from an ordinary family; her maternal side should not have access to such medications.

The most likely source then would be their circle of close friends.

Luo Le planted his feet on the sofa, burying his head deep into his knees. Wang Yiyi must be terrified that he would threaten Luo Zhining, resorting to both acting and drugging him.

Initially, he hadn't had such intentions, but now he did.

At this moment, Wind City should be in training.

After some thought, Luo Le sent a message to Wind City.

He asked him to investigate whether it was indeed Wang Yiyi and, if so, where the drug had come from – he wanted all the details.

Wind City had a small team, and he had once boasted about a job they took on to investigate an illegitimate child for a wealthy man on the Fifth Planet, which had earned them quite a sum.

Just as Luo Le was about to exit the screen, a figure suddenly appeared – Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing had just returned to the military base and discovered Luo Le's resignation. Fueled with anger, he immediately initiated a call.

However, upon seeing Luo Le completely hidden in his knees, with his expression concealed, something tugged at Huo Lanjing's heart.

"What's wrong with you?"

Upon first sight of him, Luo Le had guessed the purpose of his call, but he wasn't in the mood to argue with him now.

He revealed his eyes, "I'm not in a good mood."

Luo Le's voice was slightly raspy.

Huo Lanjing detected that he was being coquettish, even though he knew it might be an act, he still couldn't help but ask, "Did someone bully you?"

Luo Le lifted his head and saw a hint of concern flash through Huo Lanjing's usually cold eyes. Something compelled him to respond, "Mm..."

Huo Lanjing noticed the slight redness at the corners of Luo Le's eyes, wondering if he had been crying.

It was the first time he had seen Luo Le like this.

"Why didn't you go find Huo Fei?"

Luo Le's eyelashes fluttered slightly before he put on a smile, "It's just a small matter, no need to bother my sister. Are you heading back?"

He didn't want Huo Lanjing to know about his childhood experiences; it would only make him pity him.

He only wanted Huo Lanjing to witness his current state.

Huo Lanjing's brows knitted slightly. If it was something trivial, why would Luo Le react like this?

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to ask.

Forget it, he'd have Huo Fei keep an eye on the situation later.

Not receiving a reply from Huo Lanjing, Luo Le continued with his report.

"I've returned to the Empire."

"Mm."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum or anything."

"Mm."

"You know, I didn't pass the assessment..."

"Mm."

Huo Lanjing lowered his head to attend to some documents, seemingly indifferent, but the tone of his voice told a different story.

If it were any other day, Huo Lanjing would have hung up before Luo Le could even begin explaining.

"I originally planned to wait for you to come back and say goodbye before leaving, but my mentor mentioned needing my assistance on something. Also, I wasn't sure when you'd return, so I decided to go ahead and leave."

Huo Lanjing picked up another file. "Mm."

"It's not that I didn't want to tell you; I just got caught up in my work and forgot."

"Mm."

Luo Le: ...

Mm this, mm that. Did someone sew your mouth shut?

"I still need to work on a chip later. If you're all set, I'll get back to my tasks."

This time, the person on the other end didn't respond with an "mm-hmm." As soon as Luo Le finished speaking, there was silence.

Huo Lanjing was occupied with his own affairs.

Luo Le was in a dilemma, unsure whether to hang up or not.

After a moment, he couldn't tolerate the awkward atmosphere any longer and softly asked, "So, should I go?"

Huo Lanjing reacted this time, capping his pen. "You failed the assessment?"

"Mm."

"What kind of assessment?"

Luo Le was caught off guard. He pondered for a long while but couldn't recall any physical fitness tests in the mecha class. Huo Lanjing knew that he was fairly competent when it came to mechas.

What kind of lousy excuse had he come up with previously?

"Well, it's just about some mecha assessments and the like."

Huo Lanjing leaned back, gazing at him steadily without responding.

Luo Le had no choice but to forge ahead with his fabricated story. "I wasn't paying attention and mixed up the numbers or something, so I didn't pass."

Huo Lanjing looked at him coldly. "Are you sure?"

Suddenly, several documents appeared on the screen, prominently displaying the words 'Application for Military Withdrawal.'

Luo Le: ...

He hadn't expected Huo Lanjing to actually produce these.

Deciding there was no turning back, Luo Le adopted a bold new approach.

"You already know everything, so why are you asking?"

Huo Lanjing observed the suddenly assertive Luo Le, rubbing his fingers together. "Luo Le."

"What are you doing?"

Huo Lanjing tapped the table with his pen. "This is the military, not some child's play. You can't just come and go as you please?"

"I..."

Luo Le paused. He hadn't thought of it that way.

He just... wanted to discard his identity as the general's wife and enter with dignity on his own.

He wanted to help Huo Lanjing as an ordinary soldier, standing by his side.

But he couldn't say any of this.

"I understand."

Luo Le lowered his head obediently, but it only made Huo Lanjing feel more annoyed. Deciding it was best to avoid further irritation, he hung up straightforwardly.

As the dial tone rang in his ears, Luo Le took a deep breath.

He knew he had angered him again, but he couldn't refute anything.

This time, when he entered the First Army again, no one would know he was the general's spouse, and there would be no gossip.

By then, it would be best for him not to meet Huo Lanjing, just catch a distant glimpse would suffice.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Luo Le rose to answer it, finding the intern standing outside.

"Is something up?"

"Oh, Senior, our mentor asked me to summon you to his office. It seems to be regarding some mecha matter."

Something clicked in Luo Le's mind. He straightened his clothes, thanked the intern, and hurried to his mentor's office.

"Mentor, you called for me?"

The mentor lifted his gaze to see Luo Le and pulled open a drawer to retrieve a piece of paper. "Your mecha has been coated. Go take a look."

Indeed, it was about that.

Luo Le took the paper with a smile. "Thank you, Mentor."

"I didn't really do much. By the way, how's your progress on that chip?"

"It's still under research. Why? Is there something I need to do?"

"Well, in a few days, I'll be attending an academic symposium for a month. There might be some final tasks that will fall on you."

Luo Le acknowledged this and reached for the documents. "Sure."

"Alright, that's all. Now go and indulge your curiosity about your cherished mecha."

Luo Le smiled slightly. "Alright."

He took the application form to the school's exhibition hall. After showing it to the staff, they led him to a small room.

Inside the room, only two black cloths hung suspended.

Luo Le walked over and pressed a button. In a short while, the cloths were lifted, revealing two enormous, square glass cabinets.

Within stood two majestic mechas, one black and one white, both with a distinctive logo emblazoned on their left chests.

"Please wait a moment. I'll go through the procedure. Once that's done, you can take the mechas."

"Alright."

Luo Le swiped his hand horizontally across the glass cabinets. Gazing at the two mechas with their dark cockpits, a smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of his lips.

These two mechas, from the chips to the components, had been assembled by him piece by piece.

They were like his children, embodying years of his hard work and dedication.

One was his, the other belonged to Huo Lanjing.

However, he knew that his skills had yet to reach the pinnacle. He couldn't match Lone Wolf, so these couldn't be given away.

Currently, his mental energy was still fluctuating, and he hadn't figured out the chip; he was utterly incapable of operating it.

At this thought, Luo Le sighed.

But it didn't matter; he could set it aside for now.