Chapter 43: Discarded

Chapter 43: Discarded

Huo Lanjing's eyes darkened, seemingly unable to comprehend his actions.

Luo Le sensed this and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He lifted his gaze to meet Huo Lanjing's, "Because, I don't want it anymore."

If it was something he had never obtained from the beginning, there was no need for him to seek it now.

Luo Le had always been like that, never reaching out to beg for anything since he was young.

But with Huo Lanjing's feelings, he had wanted them so much that he had set aside his dignity and principles.

Like a moth drawn to a flame named Huo Lanjing, yet in the end, the moth's fate was only self-destruction.

And so, this was the outcome.

Perhaps he shouldn't have sought it from the start.

He had previously believed that if he gave enough and nurtured their relationship with love, Huo Lanjing would eventually see him.

Even if Huo Lanjing hadn't bestowed his affection upon Luo Le, he wouldn't have given it to anyone else.

Now, he realized that he had been utterly mistaken.

He now understood that what didn't belong to him could never be forcefully obtained.

Recalling how he had rejoiced for days due to Huo Lanjing's explanation, Luo Le felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.

Huo Lanjing opened his mouth to retort but, upon seeing the fresh red seeping through the bandages, he held his tongue.

Thinking of Luo Le's fair skin, he lifted his gaze slightly. "The healing chamber is free. Why aren't you using it? Previously, you'd whine at the slightest injury. Are scars no longer a concern for you now?"

The smile on Luo Le's lips began to falter. He pinched the back of his left hand with his right palm and lowered his head, his hair masking his expression.

So the healing chamber was free, which was why he could use it.

Upon hearing this, the other four wore indescribable expressions.

Wind City couldn't contain himself anymore and stepped forward. "What do you mean? In your eyes, is my brother Le only worthy of using something that's available?"

Luo Le called out to Wind City and then turned to Huo Lanjing, shaking his head at him. "No need, you must be busy now. Don't waste your precious time on me."

His words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Huo Lanjing's expression darkened at this. He let out a cold snort.

"You're right," he said, turning to instruct Captain Lin, "Take the lady back."

Upon hearing this, Luo Le's anger flared up. He gripped the blanket in his hands tightly.

"You dare," he growled.

Captain Lin, seeing the fierce glare Luo Le shot at him, looked helplessly back at Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing, after waiting for a while without any movement from Captain Lin, clicked his tongue. He strode over to the bedside with long strides.

Wind City quickly stepped in front, blocking his path. "What are you doing? Didn't you hear Brother Le say no?"

A nameless anger surged within Huo Lanjing. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the rich scent of cold pine filled the room, exuding an irresistible aura of authority.

The aura of an elite Alpha was overwhelming, leaving everyone, including Wind City, gasping for breath.

Fixing his gaze on Wind City, he declared, "What concerns me and him has nothing to do with you."

The coldness in his tone felt like needles piercing through Wind City's body, freezing him in place.

Huo Lanjing effortlessly bypassed him, approaching Luo Le and pulling back the covers from his bed.

Luo Le reached for the blanket, but Huo Lanjing swiftly restrained his wrist with one hand.

He struggled to free himself, but his hand was held too tightly, preventing any escape.

In the chaos, Luo Le somehow managed to break free. His hand brushed past Huo Lanjing's lips, producing a sharp sound.

Everyone, including Luo Le, was stunned into silence.

Realizing what had just transpired, Huo Lanjing lifted his hand, using his thumb to gesture at his own lips while maintaining a steady stare at Luo Le.

Undaunted, Luo Le returned the intense gaze, it wasn't his fault after all.

After a moment of silence, a restrained chuckle echoed in the room.

In the next instant, Huo Lanjing stepped forward, grabbed the blanket, wrapped Luo Le up in it, and scooped him up despite his struggles.

"Damn it, Huo Lanjing, are you insane? Put me down, mmph..."

Huo Lanjing gently placed him back down, elegantly retrieved a handkerchief from his person, stuffed it into Luo Le's mouth, then swiftly caught him as he attempted to escape, carrying him away.

The other three could only watch helplessly as Huo Lanjing took Luo Le away, unable to do anything to intervene.

It wasn't until their figures vanished from sight that the oppressive presence lifted from them.

Lieutenant Lin hastily caught up and boarded the hovering vehicle.

In the back seat, Huo Lanjing held Luo Le, who seemed to have resigned herself to her fate. She ceased struggling and closed her eyes.

"Sir Admiral, where are we heading next?"

"Back home."

After Luo Le's injury, his pheromones became somewhat unstable. While he was being held just now, a faint hint of grapefruit scent had drifted over.

Huo Lanjing silently retracted the partition and lifted Luo Le slightly higher.

Captain Lin nodded and inputted the address of where Huo Lanjing currently resided.

The ride was a bit bumpy, and with Luo Le lying down, the jostling exacerbated the pain from his injuries.

Seeing Luo Le squirming slightly with his eyes closed, Huo Lanjing couldn't help but ask, "Does it hurt?"

Luo Le opened his eyes to see Huo Lanjing's worried expression, and he cursed inwardly.

He turned his head irritably, ignoring him.

Huo Lanjing had asked out of concern, but faced with Luo Le's attitude, he decided not to pursue the matter further. After all, it wasn't him in pain.

Throughout the journey, not a single word was spoken in the hovercar.

Thirty minutes later, the vehicle came to a stop in front of a four-story villa.

Lieutenant Lin alighted to open the car door for Huo Lanjing, who then stepped out and immediately embraced Luo Le, heading straight for the house. He left a single instruction behind.

—"You may return."

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Lin acknowledged before departing.

The moment Huo Lanjing reached the entrance, Little Yuan opened the door from inside.

"Welcome back, Master and Young Master."

Huo Lanjing paid no attention to it, carrying Luo Le up the stairs to his room. He gently placed her on the bed, then swiftly removed the disinfectant-saturated blanket, tossing it aside onto the floor.

After the restraint was removed, Luo Le withdrew the handkerchief from his mouth.

She then fiercely threw it at the person in front, the handkerchief hitting Huo Lanjing before falling to the ground.

He threw himself onto his back, burying himself entirely under the covers, believing that out of sight meant out of mind.

His mind was currently in disarray, and with Huo Lanjing's commotion, not only was it chaotic, but his head also ached.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and upon opening his eyes, he found Huo Lanjing's furrowed brow inches away.

"Huo Lanjing, what exactly do you want?"

He then witnessed Huo Lanjing sitting down silently, placing his hand on his back.

"Stay still."

With a serious expression, Huo Lanjing focused on his back. Then, with a exertion of force, a ripping sound echoed, followed by a chill running down his spine.

"Huo Lanjing, you've really had your fill."

Huo Lanjing gazed at the fresh blood seeping out from the exertion, let out a breath, and pressed a palm firmly against the nape of Luo Le's neck, holding him securely in place.

"I told you, don't move."

Luo Le still struggled, the next moment feeling the cool lotion being applied to their skin.

Huo Lanjing was applying medicine on him.

Upon realizing this, Luo Le froze, remaining still and allowing Huo Lanjing to continue his actions undisturbed.

Huo Lanjing's movements were gentle, as if he were conducting a meticulous study. He carefully wiped the area clean before diligently applying medicine.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the sticky sensation on his back dissipated, and the blanket was pulled back over him.

Luo Le closed his eyes without a word.

Huo Lanjing understood this as a silent request for privacy and did not disregard it.

He glanced at the blood-stained bandages that Little Yuan had removed and said, "What should I bring to discuss with Captain Lin?"

Luo Le couldn't help but sigh. "Huo Lanjing, why did you insist on having me come here?"

Huo Lanjing frowned at him. "Luo Le, do you really think of me as so insensitive in your heart?"

Looking at his expression, Luo Le was puzzled. What did he mean by that?

Seeing the confusion on Luo Le's face, Huo Lanjing's expression darkened. Without a word, he left, slamming the door shut with a dull thud.

Luo Le, who had been slightly weary just now, found himself unable to fall asleep with his eyes closed.

He propped his chin on interlaced hands, lost in thought.

He needed time to ponder over the dynamics between himself, Huo Lanjing, and Chen Wuxing.

Huo Lanjing had mentioned that his relationship with Chen Wuxing was merely that of comrades-in-arms. But...

Recalling how Huo Lanjing hadn't spoken a single word to him that day, passing him by like a stranger, Luo Le couldn't accept the idea.

"Just comrades?" He mused. "Impossible."

And it seemed Chen Wuxing had someone he liked within the military compound. The criteria Huo Lanjing fulfilled matched those conditions perfectly.

Perhaps they were mutually smitten, and Luo Le was nothing but an unwelcome intrusion between them.

At this thought, Luo Le chuckled and shook his head. Four years, he might still be able to extricate himself from this situation.

Yet...

Luo Le stared blankly at Little Yuan, who was nearby. He had crafted it with his own hands, solely for Huo Lanjing's sake.

But Huo Lanjing didn't trust Little Yuan, always casting it aside, just as he did to Luo Le.

It was left at home while he was abandoned in the empire.

When Huo Lanjing was pleased, he would chat with him a bit more—no different from how he treated his electronic pet.

Perhaps he really should give up.

At this thought, Luo Le couldn't help but recall that glowing figure on the rooftop that day.

He... couldn't bear to part with it.

Luo Le clenched his palm tightly, not even realizing when it turned red.

In the following days, Huo Lanjing would leave early and return late; they didn't cross paths, nor did they exchange a single word.

It was as if he didn't exist at all.

Luo Le couldn't understand why he was brought back in the first place if this was the case.

But upon reflection, Luo Le realized that everyone in the hospital room that day now knew of his relationship with Huo Lanjing.

Perhaps Huo Lanjing was worried that if he didn't bring him back, rumors might spread.

Or perhaps they were worried that it wouldn't sound good if news of him dying in the Military Academy got out.

Luo Le looked at the people bustling about, moving objects around. She frowned and asked, "Lieutenant Lin, are the healing pods still in high demand right now?"

Lieutenant Lin paused his actions and gave a dry laugh. "What's the matter, Madam?"

Luo Le didn't beat around the bush. "I need to use a healing pod. Can you see if you can get approval for it?"

Lieutenant Lin hesitated, a look of difficulty on his face. "Madam, why don't you ask Admiral himself?"

Luo Le scoffed, "I wish I could, but does he even give me the chance? He's out early and back late – who can have a conversation with him?"

Although Huo Lanjing stayed up very late at night, his temper was like a powder keg, igniting easily and making him irritable during the evenings. Luo Le was afraid that they'd end up in a fight before they could have a proper talk.

Captain Lin chuckled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

Luo Le pressed on, "What has he been up to lately? Is military business really that demanding?"

Scratching his neck, Captain Lin replied, "It's been quite busy, indeed."

As soon as Luo Le finished speaking, he fixed his gaze on the man, noticing the unease on his face.

He casually asked, "How is Chen Fu's recovery going?"

Captain Lin's expression turned grim. His mouth seemed...

Luo Le understood. He smiled and said, "I guess Huo Lanjing has been spending a lot of time over there, hasn't he?"

Captain Lin was dumbfounded. How was he to answer this? If he said yes, the general would hold him accountable. But if he said no, this young master wouldn't be easy to deceive either.

He decided to simply lower his head and remain silent.

"I understand. It's fine now. You can go back to your duties."

Captain Lin took off running.

Looking at the items Captain Lin had just retrieved from the dormitory, Luo Le waved his hand, then stood up.

"An item has been detected underground. How would the young master like me to handle it?"

"Get rid of it."