Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Partner

Once those two apology letters were released, Lu Xiao’s and Ares’s names began to spread throughout the elite circles of high society.

Some among them might not have known of Lu Xiao’s reputation at the Fifth Research Institute or the S-Class Shelter, but now, they all knew she was a female not to be trifled with.

Many families had already begun warning their young females not to provoke a woman named Lu Xiao when they went out—and that her partner, Major General Ares, was off-limits as well!

Some of the young females who had no idea what had happened listened to their parents’ warnings in a daze, then rushed to find out who this Lu Xiao was. Why had she suddenly earned so much of their parents’ concern?

They discovered that Lu Xiao was a therapist at the Fifth Research Institute—a female who treated S-Class males.

And yet, a woman like her had managed to get the better of Duke Green. Everyone knew the Duke’s status in their circles was quite high, and his daughters, the sisters Beixian and Beina, always carried themselves with an air of superiority when out in public.

Not only were they known for hooking up with males everywhere they went, but they also bullied any females they considered beneath them.

But now, that whole family had been put in their place by this woman named Lu Xiao. Everyone was dying to know exactly how she did it and what punishment she’d dealt, but Duke Green’s family refused to say a word to anyone. Clearly, the matter was too humiliating to speak of.

And just like that, the name “Lu Xiao” spread throughout the circles of the rich and powerful.

However, this affair had no impact on Lu Xiao’s daily life. She was unaware of her newfound fame, and even if she had known, she wouldn’t have cared. As long as it didn’t affect her, she let people think whatever they wanted.

She would simply keep doing her own thing.

The medical check-up program with the Seventh Military District was progressing smoothly.

Meanwhile, over the past few days, the commanders of other military districts were practically beating down the door to Admiral Kula Peng’s office.

Kula Peng was both miserable and delighted.

He was miserable because far too many people were seeking him out, but he was delighted because they all envied him for having such a capable subordinate as Major General Ares.

It wasn’t about Ares’s own merits; the simple fact that he had such an exceptional female partner was enough to make countless people weep with envy.

These people were seeking out Kula Peng, hoping he could provide an introduction so they could also launch a medical check-up program with the Fifth Research Institute in their own military districts.

How could they not be drooling with envy, watching others get such a great opportunity while they had nothing?

But whose fault was it that none of their own subordinates could pull their weight?

Not one of them could leverage a useful connection!

Their only option was to swallow their pride and come begging to Admiral Kula Peng.

The First Military Region was, of course, an exception. After all, wasn’t its commander, Admiral Clan, Lu Xiao’s own father?

If he wanted Lu Xiao to conduct check-ups for the First Military Region, would he really need to go through an intermediary?

It would only take a single word from him; his connection was far more effective than Admiral Kula Peng’s.

So why were these people begging Admiral Kula Peng instead of Admiral Clan? Simple. The Seventh Military District was already seeing results. As for the First Military Region… who knew what kind of relationship Admiral Clan actually had with Lu Xiao?

After all, familial ties among the Empire’s Beastmen were notoriously complex.

With so many people seeking him out, Admiral Kula Peng had no choice but to hide. He simply didn’t have the energy for it. Besides, he didn’t have that much clout; he couldn’t just order the Fifth Research Institute around.

Still, he did mention the matter to Ares in private. Ares, with his usual deadpan expression, told him, “They can contact the head of the Fifth Research Institute and apply on their own. I can’t make that decision for Lu Xiao.”

Kula Peng wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear that. He’d been rejected the same way at first. Knowing everyone was getting the same treatment, he felt a little better about it.

However, he had promised people he would at least ask. Since the route through Ares was a dead end, Kula Peng’s only option was to wait by the entrance and ambush Teacher Ai Li as she was leaving work.

The moment Teacher Ai Li saw him, she knew he was up to no good. She had, after all, heard about the commotion in Admiral Kula Peng’s office lately.

So, upon seeing Kula Peng standing there, she knew this wasn’t a social call. Before he could even open his mouth, she cut in, “Zip it. Don’t even start. I’m telling you right now, anyone who wants to partner with the Fifth Research Institute for medical check-ups has to apply through the official channels. If they’re approved, we’ll go. Don’t you dare come and bother me about it!”

Her single sentence completely shut down the speech Admiral Kula Peng had spent all day preparing.

“Can’t you just bend the rules a little?”

Teacher Ai Li sneered. “You tell them to get a family member on staff at our Fifth Research Institute. Then we’ll bend the rules for them.”

That, it could be said, was the killing blow.

Aside from Lu Xiao, the other four teachers at the Fifth Research Institute were all getting on in years. Their main husbands, side husbands, and husbands had, for the most part, retired from military service. What connections did they have left?

And Lu Xiao, the youngest of them all, was devoted exclusively to Major General Ares!

So much for other connections!

Excluding the First Military Region, of course.

Admiral Kula Peng could only offer his old friends a moment of silent prayer. At the same time, he couldn’t help but think, ’Their only hope is if one of them can somehow undermine Ares’s position and convince Lu Xiao to take on a few more side husbands or husbands to expand her network.’

’But that’s next to impossible.’ Perhaps Kula Peng had his doubts before, thinking Ares was simply too young.

’What female in this world wasn’t fickle-hearted?’ But after he personally witnessed Lu Xiao defending Ares, that conviction began to waver.

He had never seen a female trust her partner so implicitly, defending their interests so completely.

But Lu Xiao had done it.

As Admiral Kula Peng thought this, his internal conflict ceased. ’It’s not that I don’t want to help my brothers out,’ he sighed to himself, ’it’s that I’m willing, but powerless!’

As Lu Xiao and Ares were leaving, they naturally noticed Teacher Ai Li with Admiral Kula Peng. After they got in the car, Lu Xiao asked, “Has Admiral Kula Peng been getting a lot of visitors lately?”

Ares nodded. “A lot. They’re all here about the Fifth Research Institute’s medical check-ups.”

Lu Xiao wasn’t surprised by that.

She tilted her head to look at Ares. “So, did Admiral Kula Peng not approach you?”

A hint of resignation flickered in Ares’s eyes. ’His little female really knows everything.’ “He did,” he admitted, “but I didn’t agree.”

’That’s so like Ares,’ she thought.

Lu Xiao smiled. “Why refuse? If you had come to me, I would have said yes.”

Ares knew Lu Xiao was teasing him, but he answered in earnest, “Because I don’t want you to be so tired.”

Other females were always enjoying the benefits brought to them by others, but Lu Xiao was stubbornly independent.

It often made him feel like he wasn’t strong enough, and he’d blame himself for not being someone Lu Xiao could truly rely on.

As if she could read his mind, Lu Xiao suddenly reached out and cupped Ares’s face. “But I think things are perfect right now, Ares. We build each other up, growing stronger together. I really enjoy this kind of life. If Admiral Kula Peng approaches you again, you can say yes. Because in the future, if someone asks me for your help, I’ll agree. I don’t see asking you for things as a burden, so I hope you can rely on me a little too, Ares. It makes me feel that I’m important to you, that we’re truly intimate partners.”

And just like that, the lingering gloom in Ares’s heart was swept away by his little female’s gentle words.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep