Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Quiet Bar

While a Merit Earl was still an Earl, their title was earned through merit, which in some ways placed them at a rank even higher than an ordinary Duke.

“How is that possible? What did you do? Why would Her Majesty the Queen give you such a reward?” Lu Ge Wei asked, her voice cracking from the sheer shock.

In her eyes, Lu Xiao was nothing more than a foolish young female with no real abilities, the type to be easily sweet-talked and led astray by any male.

And now, this very same young female she so disdained was telling her that she had been rewarded by Her Majesty the Queen and made a Merit Earl.

How was she supposed to believe it?

Lu Xiao, however, had no obligation to clear up her confusion. She sneered, “Mother, you should focus on figuring out how to handle Lu Yu’s situation.”

With that, she didn’t bother engaging with Lu Ge Wei any further and simply disconnected the call.

The four teachers noticed she had been taking quite a few calls all afternoon. “Dear,” one of them couldn’t help but ask, “is something wrong at home? Do you need our help?”

“Thank you for your concern, Teacher Ai Li. But it’s fine, my mother can handle it herself.”

Hearing this, Teacher Ai Li didn’t press the matter. After all, Lu Xiao’s mother was an Earl; surely she was capable of handling things.

But a place like the black market… Lu Ge Wei had never been to one herself. She had no idea who to contact to resolve this. She couldn’t even fathom how Lu Yu had dared to go to a place like that!

After racking her brain, as reluctant as she was, her only option was to contact Admiral Clan and inform him of the situation.

After hearing the news, Admiral Clan merely gave a cold reply. “Understood.”

He didn’t add a single word of blame, as if he’d never had any expectations of her to begin with. It was as if he didn’t care in the slightest how she raised their child.

Admiral Clan’s cold indifference hurt Lu Ge Wei more than any direct criticism of her failures ever could.

But there was nothing she could say, so she could only feign an air of arrogance. “Then see to it as soon as possible.”

As if saying it that way would make it seem not that she *couldn’t* handle it, but that she simply couldn’t be bothered.

Lu Xiao couldn’t care less how Lu Ge Wei ultimately handled the situation. Since she wanted no part in it, she wouldn’t give it another thought.

As Lu Xiao left the Fifth Research Institute’s main building with her four teachers, she saw Ares. He had been waiting in his car and only stepped out once he saw them emerge.

Ever since she’d asked him to wait in the car, Ares had been very good about it. He no longer stood foolishly waiting for her in the sun.

But he still made a point of getting out to open her door every time.

Seeing this, one of the teachers smiled. “Dear, you and Ares can just follow our hovercar.”

“Okay, Teacher Ai Li.”

Once in the car, Lu Xiao told Ares about the rewards she’d received, and they made a plan to go house and car shopping over the weekend.

She also briefly mentioned the situation with Lu Yu.

’Ares could just imagine how shocked Lu Ge Wei must have been to learn Lu Xiao had become a Merit Earl. Only his Lu Xiao would be so unconcerned with such a prestigious honor, far more delighted by the ten-million-credit prize money.’

’How could there be a female in this world who achieves so much yet seeks neither fame nor glory?’

’The more time he spent with Lu Xiao, the more he realized just how unique she was.’

’It seemed she did things simply because she wanted to, without a single thought for the accolades they might bring.’

’And yet, she was absolutely delighted with the prize money.’

’So worldly, and yet so unworldly at the same time.’

The bar the teachers had chosen was not what Lu Xiao expected. It was more of a lounge, with none of the deafening music or dizzying, strobing lights of a nightclub. Soft, soothing music played, and the warm, dim lighting created a cozy atmosphere.

The singer on stage wasn’t dressed in some outlandish outfit, but simply sat and sang quietly.

It was a little crowded, likely because it had just recently opened, but it wasn’t chaotic.

It had a great atmosphere without being loud. Lu Xiao liked it the moment she walked in.

“So, what do you think? Not quite what you were imagining, is it?” Teacher Ai Li asked, looking pointedly at Lu Xiao, as if she knew her student wouldn’t enjoy a rowdy nightclub.

Lu Xiao didn’t hesitate to give her a thumbs-up. “Of course! I can always trust your taste, Teacher Ai Li!”

A host noticed their party and quickly approached with a smile. “Good evening. Do you have a reservation?”

Teacher Ai Li showed him the reservation number.

The host understood immediately. “Right this way, please. Private Room 2 has been prepared for you.”

This area, of course, was reserved exclusively for females.

He opened the door to reveal a spacious private room.

The room featured a massive floor-to-ceiling window that offered a clear view of the singer on stage.

“Wow, this place is amazing!” Teacher Sherry exclaimed as she walked in, sinking into a soft sofa. She immediately picked up a nearby menu to flip through it. “I hear you’re famous for your seafood, is that right?”

The waiter stood at a respectful distance—not too close, not too far—clearly the product of meticulous pre-service training.

A sense of discretion was especially crucial when serving esteemed female patrons.

Lu Xiao noted these details, and her already positive impression of the establishment improved even more.

After ordering several dishes, Teacher Sherry passed the menu to Teacher Ai Li.

Teacher Ai Li took the menu and glanced over it, seeing that Teacher Sherry had already ordered the main items. She added two more dishes herself, then asked Lu Xiao if she wanted to add anything.

Lu Xiao smiled. “I won’t order anything. I trust my teachers’ taste.”

They handed the menu back to the waiter, who gave a respectful bow. “Please wait a moment.”

After the waiter left, Ares poured everyone a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Teacher Ai Li chuckled. “We’re putting Major General Ares to work serving us.”

“It’s my pleasure.” As the only male present, Ares didn’t think anything of it. He knew that if it weren’t for Lu Xiao, he wouldn’t have been able—or even had the right—to be here in the first place.

He was also well aware that the teachers’ politeness toward him was entirely due to Lu Xiao’s own attitude toward him.

Therefore, he wouldn’t put on airs because of his rank.

When he sat back down, Lu Xiao smiled at him. “Thank you!”

Everything felt so natural.

The food arrived quickly; they didn’t have to wait long.

Before long, the waiter returned, pushing a cart laden with their food.

After a busy afternoon, everyone was hungry. They didn’t talk much, simply eating while listening to the music and chatting occasionally. The atmosphere was remarkably pleasant.

Ares, wearing gloves, would occasionally peel a shrimp for Lu Xiao.

Seeing that he was so focused on taking care of her that he had barely eaten anything himself, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but say, “Stop fussing over me. I’m almost full. You should eat.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep