Chapter 76: Concern

Chapter 76: Concern

When Luo Le stepped out, he found the entrance deserted, with no sign of Huo Lanjing.

But in the next second, he received a message from Huo Lanjing, saying he was waiting at the door.

Luo Le asked Qin Runzhi to drop him off at his car, expressed his gratitude, and then headed home.

From afar, Luo Le spotted the familiar license plate.

He parked beside it.

As he got out of the car, he saw Chen Chen push away Huo Lanjing's hand and rush over.

Luo Le bent down to scoop him up.

With his arms around his father's neck, Chen Chen thought about what the uncle had said on the way and lowered his head to apologize, "Daddy, I'm sorry."

How could Luo Le blame Chen Chen? Even if he had resisted, what difference would it have made?

He blamed himself for his failure to discern people's true nature, wishing he had taken precautions earlier.

However, Luo Le did not understand why Gu Heting insisted on involving him in the matter.

He lacked both connections and social standing.

Surely it couldn't be because of loneliness.

Observing Luo Le in deep thought, Huo Lanjing approached her. "Le Le, should I recall the person?"

His voice was hushed.

Luo Le snapped back to reality and glanced at him, then said after some thought, "Thanks for today."

Huo Lanjing sensed the distance and paused, "It's alright."

"You don't have to worry. Those people aren't watching you or reporting your recent activities to me. They're simply there to protect you."

Luo Le replied, "There's no need to bother. I'll handle this matter myself."

That was someone from Huo Lanjing's camp; who knew if he could trust them or not.

"The day is fading, it's best for you to return early."

I was about to forbid him from coming again in the future, but after all, he did resolve today's crisis.

Luo Le cast him a sidelong glance before turning to leave.

Upon arriving home, Luo Le urged Chen Chen to cease all contact with Gu Heting.

Without questioning, Chen Chen simply nodded his head.

On their way back, he had overheard the uncle mentioning that Uncle would hurt Papa.

Now, Papa was telling him not to contact Uncle. Thus, he wouldn't.

He disliked anyone who harmed Papa, even if it was Uncle.

Perhaps it had been an exhausting day. As Luo Le gave Chen Chen a bath, the boy dozed off right in the bathtub.

Having dried Chen Chen and tucked him into bed, Luo Le sat motionless on the sofa in the living room, not bothering to turn on the lights.

He had once believed that he was finally going to have a family.

At this thought, Luo Le smiled bitterly. How could he possibly have a family?

He was not destined for such fortune.

But at least, he still had Chen Chen.

What should I do next?

Gu Heting will certainly not let things rest, the mentor has not yet returned from the no-man's land.

As for Qin Runzhi, he was an enigma to him.

Excluding these individuals, there was not a single person left.

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Le wondered if she should still seek out Huo Lanjing?

He didn't want to, but it seemed there truly was no one else...

Luo Le sat through the entire night, unwavering.

Huo Lanjing, outside the door, also spent the night in his car.

He utilized the power of the Huo family to investigate Gu Heting.

This individual had been dormant on the Second Planet for a considerable time, abruptly deleting their ID three years ago. Any events subsequent to that point have proven untraceable.

The enterprises formerly belonging to the Gu family, now under the Gu Corporation, were operated using various aliases. They had transferred their assets to an ID.

This ID was spotless, without any issues.

However, he couldn't locate the actual identity of the person behind it.

To delve deeper into the investigation, he would need authorization from the palace.

They had stipulated that the permission could be granted, but on one condition: he must return to the First Army.

He feared that once he left, Gu Heting might pose a threat to Luo Le.

Besides, with Luo Le here, he had no intention of leaving.

Huo Lanjing lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

The sky gradually revealed its pale, fishbelly white.

Huo Lanjing rolls down the car window, allowing the cigarette smoke inside to dissipate.

Checking the time, he set off for the designated location.

In the following days, Huo Lanjing accompanied Luo Le. After seeing Chen Chen enter school, he would drive along with Luo Le to the research institute.

Chen Chen's teacher had already been entrusted to keep an eye on him.

Huo Lanjing would wait in the car, following Luo Le until she finished work, picked up Chen Chen, and returned home.

Early on the third day.

Luo Le requested an extra breakfast from the teacher, determined to rouse Chen Chen, who was still sound asleep in bed.

Swiftly, he helped Chen Chen freshen up, dress, and head out with his schoolbag in hand.

The previous night, he had thought about someone for hours on end.

Wind City.

By this time, Wind City should also be on holiday. There truly wasn't anyone else.

After much deliberation, he sent a message to the person across from him.

Before, he had been afraid that Huo Lanjing might trace Wind City to find him, so he hadn't dared to contact him.

Yet, fearing that Wind City would be upset, he had sent festival greetings through a public smart brain ever since Chen Chen's birth.

Within just a few minutes of sending the message, Wind City replied.

The response was concise, merely asking for his address.

The spacecraft from Wind City was scheduled to arrive at eight this morning.

Luo Le still decided to go pick him up.

After not being in touch for so long, he knew that Wind City would be upset. Given that he was already imposing on the man, it was only right for him to go and receive him.

Huo Lanjing followed Luo Le from a distance. Seeing him drop off Chen Chen at school, Luo Le then headed in the opposite direction of the research institute.

Curiosity piqued, Huo Lanjing followed.

Upon discovering Luo Le's destination, Huo Lanjing's heart raced with panic. But then he reminded himself that Chen Chen was still here; there was no way Luo Le would leave.

Luo Le stood at the entrance with a sign in hand, raised high from his car.

As soon as the towering figure of Wind City emerged, Luo Le spotted him and waved the sign around.

Wind City caught sight of him too, waving back as he dragged his luggage towards Luo Le.

"Brother Le! Long time no see, I've missed you so much!"

He bent down to embrace Luo Le.

Luo Le still wasn't accustomed to such warmth and gently pushed him away without leaving a trace.

"Let's go."

Wind City nodded and followed him into the car.

What was meant to come could not be avoided.

Throughout the journey, Wind City continued to scold Luo Le.

Feeling guilty, Luo Le took it all in stride.

"Oh right, how's my godson?" Wind City took the water bottle from Luo Le and drank eagerly.

Luo Le gave him a quick once-over. "He's still at school. You seem a bit more muscular and tanned."

Wind City used to be very fair, tall, and slender, with thin arms and legs. Calling him a pretty boy wouldn't have been an exaggeration.

Wind City sighed, "Sheesh, following that damn idiot leader through the jungles of Wormstar every day, it's no wonder I'm getting dark. But this time, I don't plan on going back. My application has already been submitted."

Luo Le asked, "Why?"

Didn't Wind City always want to advance in the military and serve until retirement?

"I just find it uninteresting now, rather dull. Freedom is better," Wind City said with a wistful expression.

"That's fine too. You can stay at my place for now, the room is ready."

Suddenly, Wind City leaped to the front passenger seat and disabled the autonomous driving mode.

"What's going on?" Luo Le asked, puzzled.

With a serious look, Wind City replied, "Someone has been tailing us, Brother Le. Buckle up and hold tight, I'm going to shake them off."

Luo Le grabbed the nearby handle. "Alright."

Wind City leaned back, and the hovercar shot forward with a whoosh.

With great speed, the car navigated through several turns, soaring high and diving low in quick succession.

Huo Lanjing followed for a while. Upon realizing that he had been noticed, he decelerated and pulled over to the roadside.

His mood was gloomy, and his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly.

He retrieved a cigarette from the compartment, held it between his fingers, lit it, and leaned back against the seat, inhaling deeply.

The turmoil within him seemed to have no outlet.

Luo Le preferred to trouble Wind City to come all the way instead of accepting his help.

Huo Lanjing roughly ran his fingers through his hair, pulling out a dozen strands in the process.

It was as if he was punishing himself.

"Sir, you can't park here. Violation fine: 1000 yuan."

A traffic officer in uniform approached and tapped on the car window.

Huo Lanjing was already annoyed and, without a word, reached into the compartment to retrieve a card and handed it over.

The traffic officer's lips twitched when he saw the card.

It was an idea thought up by someone in their team. For a normal parking violation that would normally cost one thousand, this card entitled the holder to four thousand for each instance.

As long as it didn't cause significant disruption, one could park for an additional four hours.

It was equivalent to having a VIP pass.

When the officer swiped the card, he noticed several records from the past few days.

In recent days, Huo Lanjing, following Luo Le around, often found himself parking illegally. There was one instance where he was stopped, nearly causing him to lose track of Luo Le.

After that incident, he had obtained this card.

The traffic officer sighed; this person was truly something else. He didn't know what to say.

"You must move your car within two hours."

In two hours, the road would become congested; before leaving, Huo Lanjing issued a warning.

After smoking another two cigarettes and somewhat alleviating his vexation, he drove away.

That evening, Luo Le and Wind City went to pick up Chen Chen.

Wind City didn't have much belongings; he had finished packing in the afternoon.

Luo Le found a private kitchen to host a welcome dinner for him.

Originally, they should have eaten at home, but Luo Le was well aware of her cooking skills.

Eventually, she decided on a safer option – the private kitchen.

At first, Chen Chen was very shy, hiding in Luo Le's embrace and refusing to come out despite Wind City's teasing.

On their way back home after dinner, Wind City couldn't help but chuckle at the matured little adult.

Playfully, he lifted Chen Chen onto his shoulder with one hand.

Chen Chen initially struggled, but the moment he experienced a different perspective, he gave up resistance.

Ever since Luo Le's injury, his back had been sensitive, and for safety reasons, he had never allowed Chen Chen to do this before.

Chen Chen had only seen other children doing this before. Now that it was his turn, he was ecstatic.

He held Wind City's head, "Left!"

Wind City chuckled, "Turning left, then."

"Right!"

With a solemn expression, Wind City replied, "Acknowledged, sir. Executing right turn command."

Chen Chen nodded seriously, "Accelerate forward."

Without looking, Wind City knew Chen Chen's expression must be hilarious. "As you wish, sir."

He picked up the pace slightly.

In an instant, they left Luo Le behind.

Luo Le, carrying Chen Chen's backpack and jacket, hurried after them, "Take it easy."

They looked like the perfect family of three.

This scene fell into Huo Lanjing's eyes in the car, causing his gaze to darken.

The position of Wind City should have been his.

Yet, he had no right to intervene.

All of this was a consequence of his own doing...

Wind City ran ahead with Chen Chen on his back, maintaining a swift yet steady pace.

Just as they were about to arrive, he noticed a figure standing in a dark corner.

Instantly, he became vigilant.

"Who?" Wind City gently set Chen Chen down, adopting a defensive stance.

Luo Le stepped forward, watching as the figure in the shadows emerged into view.

"Huo Lanjing, why are you here?"

Huo Lanjing replied, "And why is he here?"

Luo Le chuckled. Was this his way of accusing her?

"It has nothing to do with you, Huo Lanjing. You used to accuse me of being irrational, but it seems you're the one being unreasonable now."

Huo Lanjing paused, "I was worried about you."

Luo Le scoffed, "Really? What right do you have to say that?"

"He's all alone. No matter how skilled he is, there will be times when he slips up. If you don't want to use my people, there are still mercenary groups available," Huo Lanjing offered another option.

Luo Le had no intention of engaging in conversation and simply walked to the door to open it, saying to Wind City, "Let's go."

Under normal circumstances, Wind City would have eagerly grabbed the microphone and started chatting.

But with Chen Chen around, he didn't want to corrupt the child's mind.

He quietly carried Chen Chen into the kitchen to wash their hands.