Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Purchase

When Lu Xiao and the others stepped out of the hovercar, Admiral Hans was already waiting for them at the main gate, just as he always did.

Seeing them approach, Admiral Hans stepped forward with a smile. “This is your first time visiting since we’ve renovated. Once you’re done with work, you should go see our orchard and vegetable garden. They’re looking particularly good right now!”

“We were planning on it even if you hadn’t mentioned it,” Teacher Ai Li said, not one to stand on ceremony with him. “Is there any fruit? Can you pack some for us to take home?”

That was exactly what Admiral Hans had in mind. “Of course! The strawberries we planted are huge and ripe for picking. We’ll go as soon as you’re done!”

“No rush. Let’s take care of work first. You’ve notified everyone, right?” Teacher Ai Li clearly had her priorities straight; after all, they weren’t here to play.

“I notified them a long time ago. Everyone’s been eagerly waiting for you.”

As they spoke, they followed Admiral Hans to the clinic. Before entering, Lu Xiao said to the admiral, “When there’s time later, I’d like to see Regal.”

“Of course. I’ll take you when you’re ready.” Admiral Hans wasn’t surprised by the request and had, in fact, already made the necessary arrangements.

Lu Xiao said nothing more, simply nodding before entering the clinic.

Soon, her first patient of the day, who was about to be discharged, arrived. It was an old acquaintance. The moment she saw him, Lu Xiao smiled. “Good morning, Dean. I’m very happy to see you here.”

Dean, now fully recovered, sat nervously before Lu Xiao. Without the restraints he once wore, he looked much more like a normal person.

And because he had been helping tend the shelter’s vegetable garden, his skin was tanned to a healthy bronze, making him look both fit and full of life.

“Good day, Your Excellency Lu Xiao. I’m very happy to see you here, too. I… I never thought I’d see this day.” As he spoke, Dean couldn’t help but choke up, but he felt embarrassed and tried his best to hold back his tears in front of Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao understood what he was feeling and saw nothing wrong with a grown man crying. “Dean, you don’t need to hold it in. Have you forgotten what I told you? You have the right to express your emotions. Cry if you want to cry, laugh if you want to laugh. Do whatever you want, as long as it’s not illegal or immoral.”

Hearing her words, Dean raised a hand to cover his eyes, tears streaming down his face as he nodded.

Lu Xiao handed him some tissues and waited patiently for him to let it all out.

At that moment, Dean was like a terminal patient who had already been given a death sentence, only to be pulled back from the brink by an angel and ultimately discharged, completely cured.

It was only natural for his emotions to be running high.

After a while, Dean gradually calmed down. He noticed a glass of warm water that Lu Xiao had thoughtfully placed on the table for him and said, a little embarrassed, “Thank you, Your Excellency Lu Xiao. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I’m not laughing at you. On the contrary, I think this is good,” Lu Xiao said with a smile. “I’ve reviewed your physical data reports from the last few months. You’ve been very stable and have met the criteria for discharge. Have you thought about what you’ll do once you leave?”

“I’ve actually already submitted an application to Admiral Hans. He approved my request to stay here as a manager in charge of crop cultivation, but he told me to go home and see my family first before coming back.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded. “That’s a wonderful idea. Then we’ll have more chances to see each other in the future.”

“Yes, that’s right.” At the mention of this, Dean smiled happily.

Lu Xiao stood up. “Alright, let’s begin the final treatment now. Relax, Dean.”

Dean was already so familiar with Lu Xiao’s treatments that he knew how to relax without her having to say another word.

After Dean fell asleep, Lu Xiao didn’t waste any time, immediately calling in the next patient.

When the morning was over, Lu Xiao, Teacher Ai Li, and the others finished their work and headed to the dining hall. They found Robin already waiting there, greeting them with a happy smile.

Lu Xiao walked over and greeted him casually. “Robin, you’re looking well. Have you put on some weight?”

Robin was pleasantly surprised that Lu Xiao remembered his former build and nodded eagerly. “You’re right, Your Excellency Lu Xiao! Life has been going so well that I’ve put on a few pounds without even noticing, hahaha. I’ve prepared some more pickled vegetables for you. Please take them with you when you leave.”

“Great, I was just about to ask you for some. My grandmother tried them last time and couldn’t stop praising how well you make them.”

“That’s truly an honor.”

After chatting with Robin for a bit, Lu Xiao went to join Teacher Ai Li and the others.

“Oh, what am I going to do? I’m starting to think the S-Class Shelter is a much better place than the Fifth Research Institute. The food here is just to die for,” Teacher Sherry said, eating her Fish with Pickled Greens, a bead of sweat forming on the tip of her nose. “No wonder you like it, Xiao Xiao. This dish is incredible! I’ve never had anything like it.”

“This Fish with Pickled Greens is Chef Robin’s specialty. You can’t get it anywhere else.”

Hearing Lu Xiao’s explanation, Teacher Sherry understood. “Well, that explains it.”

They ate with great satisfaction, which made Robin happy as well. When they had finished, Robin shyly brought out some meal kits. “These are some instant kits for the Fish with Pickled Greens I put together myself. If you just follow the instructions on the package when you get home, you can make a dish that tastes exactly the same as the one here. I hope you therapists don’t mind the simple gift.”

Teacher Sherry’s eyes lit up. “This is wonderful! I was just thinking about how much I’d miss this when I couldn’t have it back home.”

Lu Xiao took one and examined it, and an idea came to her. “How many of these instant kits do you have? I’d like to buy some.”

Robin was taken aback by her words, then quickly waved his hands in refusal. “I have a lot! If you want them, I’ll give them to you!”

’How could I possibly take money from Lu Xiao?’

But Lu Xiao insisted, “We can be friends, but business is business. You should charge me what they’re worth. Besides, this won’t be a one-time purchase.”

Admiral Hans chimed in, “Robin, don’t overthink it. Just follow Her Excellency Lu Xiao’s arrangements.”

Robin was still reluctant, but after hearing what Admiral Hans said, he had no choice but to nod and state the cost price.

The price was too low for Lu Xiao’s liking. “How about this: I’ll add an extra 20 to your price for each one. I want to buy your entire current stock. I’ll give you an address later, and you can just ship them for me.”

Robin quickly agreed. “I’ll go take inventory right away and get you the total count.”

“Great. Thank you for the trouble, Robin.”

“Not at all, you’re too kind.” Robin waved his hands, blushing and looking a bit flustered.

’Lu Xiao planned to send a batch to Ares on the front lines, so his soldiers wouldn’t have to eat poorly while fighting so hard.’

’The rest she would send to Admiral Clan’s First Military Region, and she also had to send some to Admiral Kula Peng over at the Seventh Military District. He was Ares’s direct superior, after all; she couldn’t show favoritism.’

Only after settling these arrangements did Lu Xiao ask Admiral Hans to take her to see Regal.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep