Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Confession

Lu Xiao hadn’t expected to hear two pieces of gossip from Teacher Sherry today, let alone that both would be related to her. For a moment, she felt a little conflicted.

But then again, it wasn’t something she could have foreseen.

As for regrets, she had none.

In her view, there was nothing wrong with males choosing to divorce. After all, if marriage was for happiness, then so was divorce.

When you can’t go on living a certain way, it’s only human nature to find another way to live a better life.

Life is short, after all. Drowning in misery for a lifetime would be the real tragedy.

Therefore, Lu Xiao didn’t think there was anything wrong with her books influencing certain groups to change. Males had been oppressed for years; it was perfectly normal for them to start resisting.

As closing time approached, Lu Xiao received a message from Vice Admiral Fred: “Miss Lu Xiao, are you free this evening? I’d like to speak with you about my mother.”

The sudden message took Lu Xiao by surprise. She had thought the matter was over, but she hadn’t expected Vice Admiral Fred to contact her personally. “That matter is in the past, Vice Admiral Fred. You needn’t worry about it.”

She thought that would be enough for him to understand, but to her surprise, Vice Admiral Fred—who had always seemed so reasonable—replied, “There are some things I wish to say to you in person. I will come to pick you up after work. Please do not inform Major General Ares. Could you give me thirty minutes of your time alone?”

Even if Lu Xiao was a bit slow, she could sense something was off. “Is there something you can’t say here?”

“I want to tell you in person. Don’t worry, I won’t take up too much of your time.”

Since Vice Admiral Fred had put it that way, Lu Xiao couldn’t refuse. He was coming to see her in person, after all. Where could she hide? She couldn’t just run off early because he was coming, could she?

’That’s too much, really. If word got out, what would happen to my reputation?’

Besides, it would be a humiliation for Vice Admiral Fred. She couldn’t do that. He had saved her during a crisis; she owed him more than that, both emotionally and logically.

Though she felt uneasy about Vice Admiral Fred seeking her out, the first thing she did was send a message to Ares: “I’m going to be home a little late today. Vice Admiral Fred is coming to see me about something. Just wanted to let you know so you don’t worry.”

Ares received the message and replied with a single, obedient word: “Okay.”

Looking at his reply, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but think, ’My Ares is still the most trouble-free. He never causes problems for me.’

Teacher Ai Li noticed Lu Xiao’s listless expression. “What’s wrong? It’s almost time to go home, why so down?”

Lu Xiao sighed. “Vice Admiral Fred said he’s coming to see me later. I don’t know what it’s about, but he sounds very serious.”

Hearing this, Teacher Ai Li froze for a moment. “You two have been in contact recently?”

Lu Xiao’s mind was a mess, and she needed someone to talk to. Teacher Ai Li was undoubtedly a good choice, so she told her about the incident with Duke Leslie at the Duke Gallodro Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Teacher Ai Li asked Lu Xiao, “What do you think of Vice Admiral Fred?”

Lu Xiao didn’t know why Teacher Ai Li was suddenly asking this, but she answered frankly, “He’s a good man, of course. Why do you ask?”

“But not so good that you’d make him your main husband, right?”

“Huh?” Lu Xiao was stunned for a second before she seemed to grasp what Teacher Ai Li meant. “I’ve never thought about anyone but Ares being my main husband. No, what I mean is, I’ve never considered being with any male other than Ares. It doesn’t matter who they are or how wonderful they might be—it has nothing to do with me. Vice Admiral Fred may be a good man, but that has nothing to do with me either!”

“I’m afraid that’s just what *you* think,” Teacher Ai Li said, clearly seeing the situation more objectively as an outsider.

Lu Xiao was silent for a long moment before replying, “I thought I’d made myself obvious and had been clear enough. Apparently not.”

Lu Xiao was sharp, after all; she was quick on the uptake. Teacher Ai Li smiled at her. “I’m afraid you’ll be facing this kind of trouble quite often from now on.”

After all, Lu Xiao was so wonderful. What man, unless he was a complete idiot, wouldn’t fall for her?

For an outstanding male of the Empire like Vice Admiral Fred to have held back for so long was truly remarkable.

Despite Lu Xiao’s apprehension, closing time arrived. When she finished packing up and walked out of the office building, she immediately saw Vice Admiral Fred waiting for her.

Ares was usually the one standing in that spot. Now that it was someone else, her mood shifted entirely.

Teacher Ai Li patted Lu Xiao on the shoulder as if to cheer her on.

Lu Xiao glanced back, nodded at Teacher Ai Li, and then walked toward Vice Admiral Fred.

Fred’s eyes followed the slight female as she walked toward him.

He had seen with his own eyes how Lu Xiao would run to Ares, her face always lit up with a happy smile—a completely different expression from the one she wore as she approached him now.

He didn’t want to admit it, but deep down, he was envious and jealous.

’If I had been the one to meet her first, would things have turned out differently?’

“Good afternoon, Miss Lu Xiao.”

“Good afternoon, Vice Admiral Fred. What did you wish to see me about?” Lu Xiao tried her best to act natural.

“What my mother said last time at the Duke Gallodro Mansion—I didn’t ask her to do that.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded. “I know. I never doubted that. You really didn’t need to make a special trip for this, Vice Admiral Fred. Having known you for this long, I have a good idea of the kind of person you are.”

It was the truth. The Vice Admiral Fred she knew would never have his mother do something like that.

But the fact that he had come to find her in person today made her uncertain of his true intentions.

“Thank you for understanding. Getting to know you recently, Miss Lu Xiao, has made me realize how special you are. You’re different from any other female I’ve known. I see no prejudice against males in you, nor any of the arrogance that might come with your status. You always give people such a feeling of warmth. I know you made your thoughts clear when we first met, but I still went against our agreement on my own accord. That was wrong of me, but I don’t regret developing feelings for you. Miss Lu Xiao, I…”

“Vice Admiral Fred!” Lu Xiao suddenly cut him off. “If you stop now, perhaps we can still be friends.”

A gentle smile touched Fred’s lips, his eyes full of warmth. That was her kindness—knowing what he was about to say, yet still giving him one last chance to back down. But he truly didn’t want to suppress his feelings any longer, nor did he want to let this go.

“I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Miss Lu Xiao. I have feelings for you, and I want you to give me a chance. Even if I can’t be your main husband, I would be content as just a husband, as long as I can stay by your side.”

“Vice Admiral Fred, do you know what you’re saying? You’re demeaning your own status. I’m not as wonderful as you think. You…”

“I won’t give up, Miss Lu Xiao!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep