Chapter 37: Reconciliation

Chapter 37: Reconciliation

Huo Lanjing suddenly called out to him, his tone grim.

Luo Le turned back and took a deep breath. "What exactly do you want to say? If you keep up this attitude, I'm sorry, but I won't play along."

Huo Lanjing's eyes narrowed slightly. "Luo Le, don't push your luck."

—"Push my luck?

Luo Le laughed in spite of himself, fueled by anger. "Yes, you probably think that yesterday's marking was your grace upon me. An explanation... oh no, not even that, a mere notification that you and Chen Wuxing are comrades is the greatest reward I could receive, and I should be overflowing with gratitude."

Seeing Huo Lanjing's face darken, Luo Le unexpectedly felt a sense of satisfaction.

He continued, "You keep insisting that you're just comrades, yet the entire military district believes you two are a couple. On forums, there are more fans shipping you two than there are digits in my bank account. I can't believe you think your single statement can resolve everything, Huo Lanjing."

Huo Lanjing frowned, seemingly pondering how to refute him.

Luo Le stepped back to his previous spot, poured himself a cup of tea, and waited for him to speak.

He realized that unless the matter was fully clarified, Huo Lanjing wouldn't let him off.

In truth, he couldn't understand why, since they were already married, Huo Lanjing had fulfilled his elders' wish.

Moreover, it was Luo Le who had initiated the divorce. Huo Lanjing wouldn't be blamed at all.

Given this situation, shouldn't Huo Lanjing be eagerly welcoming the divorce and then taking off with Chen Wuxing?

Looking at the AI screen, Huo Lanjing's frown deepened. Then, lifting his gaze to Luo Le, he pursed his lips. "I'll handle the matter on the forum... Since I've married you, I won't engage in infidelity. Therefore, your reason for divorce doesn't hold water."

Luo Le paused. Yesterday, he had been too angry to choose his words carefully.

Of course, he understood. As the noble Young Master of the Huo family, how could Huo Lanjing allow himself to do such a thing?

But Luo Le had seen how Huo Lanjing treated Chen Wuxing.

Luo Le: "Huo Lanjing, maybe I'm not as easy to deceive as you think. Let me tell you, based on your attitude towards him, your relationship is definitely not ordinary."

At this point, Luo Le sighed. "Yes, you might not cheat, but if it's unbearable for me to see you two lovers suffer, then let's just say the divorce is for the best, for both of us."

Huo Lanjing's hand, gripping the teacup, turned vein-throbbing, his gaze sharp as arrows piercing through the air.

Suddenly, Luo Le felt a chill, instinctively averting his eyes from that intense stare.

The anger that Huo Lanjing had been suppressing finally reached its boiling point.

He abruptly stood up and strode over, firmly grasping Luo Le's wrist.

Luo Le, not as strong, was pulled to his feet despite his resistance. No matter how much he cursed, Huo Lanjing paid him no heed, dragging him straight to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.

Huo Lanjing pressed a button, and the curtains automatically drew apart, revealing the golden glow of the setting sun upon them.

Fuming, Luo Le raised his other hand, aiming a swing at Huo Lanjing's face, but it was halted just ten centimeters away, held captive by Huo Lanjing's grip.

Pointing outside, Huo Lanjing's tone laced with fury, "Look down there at the people carrying files."

Luo Le, equally frustrated, responded with a tinge of sarcasm, "What's there to see? Aren't they just three people with files? What's so fascinating about that?"

Huo Lanjing scoffed coldly, "In half an hour, those files will be delivered here. Luo Le, do you really think the First Military Division is some casual place? This is the military, not a spot for sentimental affairs. Everyone has their roles to fulfill. If not for them, do you really believe you could live so carefree in this empire?"

Luo Le was taken aback and turned to look at the table behind him, which was piled with documents.

Huo Lanjing continued, "Chen Wuxing joined the military at fifteen. He fought alongside me in the 721 Campaign, the 22nd Planet War, and the Flying Star Incident, as well as numerous other battles. Despite being an omega, he bears unsightly scars. He's an officer of the Empire, a hero. Luo Le, he deserves our respect."

This was the first time Huo Lanjing had spoken so much to him.

After fully digesting Huo Lanjing's words, Luo Le didn't know what to say.

Could it be that Huo Lanjing treated Chen Wuxing more gently out of respect, leading to misunderstandings from others?

But Huo Lanjing's words made him sound like the bad guy. At this thought, he felt somewhat displeased.

Of course, Luo Le knew how difficult and impressive it was for an omega to rise to his current position through military merit.

However, he had never made things difficult for Chen Wuxing or gossiped about him.

Luo Le didn't want to continue this topic.

He lowered his head in contemplation, then hesitantly asked after a moment, "Then why did you say I should terminate the pregnancy when I... was suspected to be pregnant last time?"

Luo Le finished speaking and fixed his gaze on him, unmoving.

He was genuinely curious. If it wasn't because Huo Lanjing had feelings for someone else, then what was the reason?

Huo Lanjing, upon hearing this, took a sip of tea before calmly responding, "I'm not ready for a child right now."

Luo Le didn't believe his words for a second. He leaned back and glanced at him indifferently. "Is that so? When will you be ready then? We've been married for four years."

In truth, Luo Le didn't want a child either. However, he just wanted to prove a point.

Huo Lanjing replied, "We'll talk about this later."

Looking out the window, Luo Le's expression darkened. "Can you convince yourself with those words? You simply detest me from the bottom of your heart. There's no 'later'—it's already over."

Huo Lanjing frowned as he looked at him. "Luo Le, do you have to be like this? The war is intense, the insectoids are lurking, and many planets are seeking help from the Empire. I don't have time to accompany you."

He had only not returned to the Empire frequently, yet Luo Le had followed him all the way to the military. If Luo Le, with his delicate nature, were to actually get pregnant, wouldn't that force him to return? Moreover...

Luo Le understood. Huo Lanjing was afraid that if he became pregnant, he would cling to him and compel him to return to the Empire.

He chuckled bitterly. Could he really be that kind of person in Huo Lanjing's eyes?

Both of them remained silent. The room was filled with an eerie stillness as the matter came to a temporary close.

—Until the sound of knocking disrupted the silence.

"Come in."

Lieutenant Lin entered with a document in hand. "General, these are the latest mecha specifications."

Huo Lanjing acknowledged him with a nod, gesturing towards the file on his right.

Lieutenant Lin understood and, after placing the documents down, left the room, making sure to close the door behind him.

Luo Le approached and casually glanced at the file on the table. He asked nonchalantly, "You picked that for him?"

Confusion clouded Huo Lanjing's face. "Who?"

"Chen Wuxing, of course."

Huo Lanjing furrowed his brow, uncommonly offering an explanation, "Fenglang is no longer fit for the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, Luo Le understood.

So he was selecting one for him.

Luo Le picked up the mecha files and started flipping through them, asking as he did so, "None of these catch your eye?"

Huo Lanjing didn't hide his thoughts. "Mm."

These past few days, whenever Huo Lanjing looked at any mecha, he couldn't help comparing it to Fenglang, finding none satisfactory. Thus, he hadn't made a decision yet.

But they were leaving in two days, so he had to choose one.

Luo Le tapped the closed file against the table.

Huo Lanjing looked up at him, his expression seemingly asking what he was doing.

"Is there a place here where I can see the mechas on display?"

Luo Le's tone was still rather unfriendly.

"Hou Lanjing will show you the way," the man said nonchalantly, reverting back to his cold demeanor.

This irritated Luo Le, who shot back sharply, "You take me there."

Huo Lanjing didn't react or respond, as if time had frozen.

Just when Luo Le thought Huo Lanjing would refuse, the man suddenly stood up and strode straight towards the door.

Seeing that Luo Le wasn't following, Huo Lanjing glanced back at him indifferently.

Luo Le snapped out of his stupor and hurried after him.

They took an elevator reserved exclusively for Huo Lanjing, which was usually unused.

Before long, they arrived at a secluded compartment on the eighteenth floor.

Luo Le deftly retrieved a black mecha from his personal space.

The mecha bore a distinctive emblem on its chest, with its craftsmanship impeccable down to the finest details.

Huo Lanjing approached and ran his hand over it, feeling the cool, smooth surface. He could tell at once that the exterior paint was of the highest quality.

Seeing his reaction, Luo Le chuckled. "Go ahead and give it a try."

Huo Lanjing climbed aboard the mecha without a word.

Luo Le felt somewhat displeased. Couldn't he have at least said something nice? It seemed as though he was forcing this gift upon him.

This gift-giving experience was utterly devoid of warmth.

He watched as the mecha executed several intricate maneuvers with precision, then unleashed a beam of light conjured by mental power.

After a moment, the cockpit's lights dimmed, and Huo Lanjing returned to his side.

"Well?" Luo Le asked.

Huo Lanjing observed Luo Le's expectant expression and asked, "Your creation?"

Luo Le nodded, his eyes gleaming as he spoke with enthusiasm, "Yes, from the chips to the components and then the assembly, I did it all. Although it's only an A+, the stats and materials are top-notch. Plus, I added a little something that can be further upgraded in the future."

The setting sun shone through the window, casting a warm glow on Luo Le's face.

Looking at him, Huo Lanjing found himself momentarily lost in thought. After a moment, he inquired, "For me?"

A hint of a smile tugged at Luo Le's lips, "Depends on your performance."

Huo Lanjing fell silent.

He knew what Luo Le meant by 'performance.'

"You keep it for now, consider it lent to you temporarily."

Despite his words, Luo Le had no intention of taking it back.

Huo Lanjing acknowledged with a casual hum, stowing away the mech without much ado.

Given his status, he should be using S or even SS class mechas. The military zone had S class models too, but for some reason, they didn't appeal to him.

Despite it being an A+ class, it still aligned with his aesthetic.

Suddenly, Huo Lanjing's hand appeared in front of him.

Luo Le looked at it, then asked with confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Pay for it."

Luo Le felt a surge of irritation. Huo Lanjing always kept track of every little thing between them.

He replied surlily, "You're thinking too much. If you don't perform well, I'll take it back."

Huo Lanjing knew that once Luo Le gave something away, he would never reclaim it. He pondered for a moment and said, "This is an approved allocation from the military department."

Luo Le had heard before that anything not accounted for through the military's records couldn't be used for military purposes.

So, if he refused to accept it, this mecha wouldn't be registered in the military system and couldn't be deployed on the battlefield.

The existence of such regulations is to facilitate investigation and accountability in case of incidents.

With this in mind, he didn't linger on the matter and promptly transferred the money from Huo Lanjing's account.