Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Leaving

Admiral Clan moved quickly. The very next day, he issued Ares’s transfer orders to the Seventh Military District.

The moment Admiral Kula Peng received the news, he rushed to find Ares. He didn’t even bother to knock, pushing the door right open and causing Ares to look up from his desk in suspicion.

Admiral Kula Peng strode over and placed the transfer orders in front of him. “You’re preparing to go to the front lines with the First Military Region. Have you discussed this with Lu Xiao?”

Ares looked at the orders, a little surprised by Admiral Clan’s efficiency. “I’ve already discussed it with Lu Xiao,” he said. “She agreed.”

Hearing this, Admiral Kula Peng seemed to relax. “I know your objective. The Seventh Military District is indeed too quiet for you now. It’s not a bad thing to go out and make your mark while you’re young, but stay safe. Don’t make your family worry. You’re not on your own anymore.”

At Admiral Kula Peng’s words, Ares stood and saluted. “I will. Thank you for looking after me all this time.”

“Let’s not quibble over who took care of whom. And hey, get this straight—this is a temporary reassignment. When you get back, you’re still returning to our Seventh Military District. Don’t you go running off to the First Military Region for good, or I swear I’ll come find you!” Admiral Kula Peng glared at Ares, his look clearly saying, ’You’d better be clear on who you belong to, kid.’

A smile touched Ares’s eyes. “I understand.”

“Good, as long as you understand. I’ll be here waiting for your triumphant return. As for who you take with you, it’s your call—as long as they’re willing.” In every respect, Admiral Kula Peng was satisfied with Ares and was naturally unwilling to lose such a capable officer, especially with the connection to Lu Xiao.

That’s why after Admiral Clan sent the transfer orders, he had made this point especially clear to him.

’After all, Admiral Clan is Lu Xiao’s Father. With a connection like that, the least he could do is not try to poach Ares from me, right?’

’Fortunately, Admiral Clan was a man of good character.’

Lu Xiao knew that in three days, Ares would be leaving with Vice Admiral Fred of the First Military Region. Even though she was mentally prepared, she couldn’t help but worry. After all, the place he was headed was anything but safe.

So much so that for the past few days, Teacher Ai Li could clearly tell Lu Xiao was not in a good state of mind. After learning what had happened, Teacher Ai Li couldn’t help but say, “If you don’t want him to go, just make him stay. It’s not as if you lack the authority.”

“I can tell Ares truly wants to go, and I don’t want him to have any regrets.” She had the power to stop him and knew with certainty that if she just said the word, Ares would obey. It was precisely because she understood this that she refused to do so.

Even as his partner, she didn’t want her own feelings to interfere with Ares’s determination to advance his career.

’They should be helping each other succeed. That was the right way.’

Teacher Ai Li sighed. “Then you’ll just have to come to terms with it yourself. But I don’t think you need to worry. Major General Ares earned his rank bit by bit through military achievements. He certainly has experience on the battlefield.”

“I understand. I’ll sort through my feelings on my own.” ’She understood the logic, of course, but when it came to a loved one, it was impossible not to worry.’

With Ares about to head to the front, Lu Xiao took two days off from work to help him pack. Besides his clothes, her biggest concern was his diet.

Once he was at the front, Lu Xiao knew without a doubt that he’d be subsisting on three nutrient fluid packs a day.

The stuff was convenient and effective—perfect for a place like the front.

Getting a decent meal would be next to impossible.

There was nothing Lu Xiao could do to change that, so she could only stuff some meat jerky into Ares’s luggage for a change of pace.

On the day of Ares’s departure, Lu Xiao specially made dumplings.

It was a tradition from her old hometown: dumplings for the journey out, and noodles upon return.

Lu Xiao packed the finished dumplings into a container. “These are for you to eat tonight. There’s a lot in here, so you can share some with the others if you want. But don’t worry about it if you’d rather not. You come first.”

’She’d intentionally packed a large amount. She figured that when Ares was eating, others might see and ask for some. She didn’t want him to be in a position where he’d give his own away and not have enough, or look stingy by refusing to share.’

For the past two days, Lu Xiao had been much more talkative than usual, constantly reminding Ares of one thing or another, as if no matter how much she said, it would never be enough.

About to leave, Ares watched the clearly anxious little female, his heart melting completely. He pulled Lu Xiao, who was restlessly trying to keep herself busy, into his arms. “I won’t be gone for too long, Xiao Xiao. I’ll be extra careful and I won’t get hurt. I’ll report in every day to let you know I’m safe. Don’t worry. I promise I’ll come back in one piece.”

At his words, Lu Xiao finally couldn’t stop her eyes from turning red. “I know… It’s just… you’re suddenly leaving for so long, and to a place like that… I can’t help but worry.”

Lu Xiao buried her face in Ares’s chest, nuzzling the crook of his neck. “Don’t overthink it. I’m just not used to this, I’ll be fine after a little while. I’ll be okay at home, so don’t you worry about me!”

Ares hummed in response, tilting Lu Xiao’s face up to kiss her. “Xiao Xiao, thank you.”

’He knew perfectly well that if Lu Xiao truly didn’t want him to go, she had many ways to make him stay. But she didn’t, because she understood exactly what was in his heart.’

’She had given him her complete respect and trust.’

“Ares, I don’t want your thanks. I want you to come home safe. Remember that I’ll be here waiting for you.”

“Okay!”

When it was time for Ares to leave, Lu Xiao only walked him to the door. She gave him a quick, smiling hug, then let go. “I’ll be waiting for your triumphant return, Major General Ares!”

“I will,” Ares replied, not saying more. He turned, boarded his hover car, and left. They were both afraid that saying too much would only make the parting harder.

Not long after Ares left, a voice communication came through from Admiral Clan. “Xiao Xiao, are you home? I’m outside. Can you open the door?”

Lu Xiao, who had just gotten her emotions under control, was surprised to hear from Admiral Clan at this moment.

She opened the door, and before she could say a word, Admiral Clan held out a lollipop bigger than her face. “Here!”

Lu Xiao took it and looked at Admiral Clan, bewildered as to why he was giving her a lollipop.

“I heard that when a little female is feeling down, something sweet can help lift her spirits.”

Admiral Clan seemed a bit awkward as he said this; it was clearly his first time doing something of the sort.

But Lu Xiao could still feel his good intentions. She smiled and said, “Thank you. I’m already feeling much happier.”

“That’s good. You don’t blame me for sending Ares to the front, do you?” His visit, it seemed, was also meant as a sort of apology.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep