Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Donation

The First and Seventh Military Regions received their supplies much more quickly than Ares did on the front lines.

Admiral Clan’s adjutant knocked and entered abruptly. “Sir,” he said, “the supply depot just reported a donation from the S-Class Shelter. They wanted to know if you were aware of it.”

“They’ve arrived already? That was fast.” Admiral Clan immediately put down his work, stood, and donned the military cap from the coat rack. “Come on. Let’s go take a look. They’re instant food packs donated by Lu Xiao. She said they were to help improve the soldiers’ meals.”

When Lu Xiao had said that, he could sense just how much she disdained their lifestyle of drinking nothing but nutrient solution all day.

In Admiral Clan’s view, no matter how valuable the supplies were, they couldn’t compare to Lu Xiao’s heartfelt gesture.

The adjutant standing beside him widened his eyes. “You’re talking about Lu Xiao?”

“Who else?” Admiral Clan didn’t answer directly, but his rhetorical question said it all.

The adjutant couldn’t suppress a grin. “To be honest, sir, I never would have imagined it. I didn’t believe for a second that our selection for the joint physicals with the Fifth Research Institute wasn’t thanks to you. But this… Lu Xiao truly respects you as her Father.”

He wouldn’t have believed it if someone told him the physical examination event wasn’t arranged out of respect for Admiral Clan.

Clan glanced at his adjutant, who seemed even more excited than he was. “You certainly have a way with words. But Lu Xiao is simply a good person!”

’It’s not because I’ve done a good job as her Father. It’s because Lu Xiao herself is just that good.’

“Yes, yes, you’re right! Lu Xiao is the best,” the adjutant immediately responded, grinning so wide his eyes practically disappeared. “What are these instant food packs you mentioned? Is it actual food?”

“I don’t know either. We’ll find out when we see it.” Honestly, Admiral Clan was quite curious himself. He knew that anything she’d take an interest in would be far from ordinary.

When they arrived at the supply depot, the staff were already unboxing the items. Their faces were filled with shock as they looked at the vacuum-sealed instant food packs inside. It was clearly the first time they had ever received such a donation.

Seeing Admiral Clan arrive, the person in charge immediately came forward to report. Clan nodded. “I’m aware of the situation. After you’ve inspected everything and confirmed there are no issues, draw up a distribution plan. Make sure every single person gets some.”

After speaking, Admiral Clan picked up a pack to examine it. A flash of delight crossed his eyes—it was an instant pickled vegetable fish pack.

’No wonder Lu Xiao thought to donate this.’

’He knew it. The supplies this young woman donated were anything but ordinary.’

“This is good stuff. Get it all ready today and distribute it as soon as possible so everyone can eat. I want to see results by tomorrow. No delays!”

Admiral Clan used a commanding tone, and no one dared to slack off.

Not that anyone wanted to. After all, the packs looked delicious. On the base, they were stuck with nutrient solution. The only chance to improve their meals was to go out during their leave—and leave was a rare commodity.

If they could eat a proper meal on a regular day, the soldiers would train with more vigor.

Now that Admiral Clan had given the order, everyone immediately began to study how to use the instant food packs.

Once they figured it out, they immediately dispatched soldiers from logistics and procurement to buy fresh fish.

At the same time, a similar scene was playing out in the Seventh Military District. But compared to Admiral Clan’s happy acceptance of the donation, Admiral Kula Peng was nothing short of ecstatic.

After Ares had left, he had actually been feeling quite uncertain. Ares was sure to be promoted upon his triumphant return, and it was hard to say whether he would remain in the Seventh Military District afterward.

Even though Major General Ares had offered him some reassurance before leaving, he still wasn’t as close to Ares as Admiral Clan was.

But then, at a time like this, Lu Xiao herself had contacted him, saying she wanted to donate some supplies to the Seventh Military District—and edible ones at that.

She said it was to improve the meals for the soldiers of the Seventh Military District.

How could he possibly refuse? He was even more delighted that Lu Xiao still thought of the Seventh Military District and its soldiers even after Ares had left.

It was safe to say that Admiral Kula Peng was thoroughly moved by this gesture.

When Ares was stationed here, he felt they were benefiting from his connection—that Lu Xiao treated the Seventh Military District differently because of him.

Now that Ares was on the battlefield and no longer in the Seventh Military District, Lu Xiao was still thinking of them, had not forgotten them. This was purely because Lu Xiao was a good person!

It was truly hard not to like and admire such a wonderful young woman.

So, the moment the supply depot contacted him about a shipment of donated supplies from the S-Class Shelter, Admiral Kula Peng knew it was from Lu Xiao.

After he took a look, regardless of whether he knew what the items were, he knew they had to be something good and immediately gave the order to make arrangements.

And so, the First and Seventh Military Regions bought pots, stoves, bowls, and chopsticks, and began making pickled vegetable fish soup right there on the training grounds.

When the soldiers, exhausted from a hard day of training, were summoned once again, they couldn’t help but complain. “What’s going on? It’s already so late. Are they really not going to let us rest?”

“Did something happen? Why are we assembling at this hour?”

“Could it be bad news from the front? Didn’t we just get a victory report a while ago?”

“Who knows what’s up. Let’s just go and see.”

…

“Hey, do you guys smell that? Something smells amazing!”

“It sounds like they’re cooking something over on the training grounds. Let’s hurry and check it out!”

…

And just like that, the soldiers’ emotions went from complaining to confusion, and finally to elation—a true roller coaster of feelings.

When they reached the training grounds and learned that the military had prepared food for them, they were all in disbelief. They started asking around, wondering what was going on. Why the sudden act of kindness?

Neither Admiral Clan nor Admiral Kula Peng had any intention of hiding the truth. When someone asked, they openly explained that it was Lu Xiao who, seeing how hard the soldiers trained, had specially treated everyone to a delicious meal.

Lu Xiao’s name was now incredibly famous throughout the major military districts. Even though most of them had never met her in person, that didn’t mean they hadn’t heard of her.

Now, hearing that the donation was from Lu Xiao, they all grew excited.

As each soldier held a large bowl brimming with fish and broth, they sat on the ground, sipping the hot pickled vegetable fish soup. The fatigue from the day vanished, and smiles couldn’t help but spread across their faces.

Although Admiral Clan and Admiral Kula Peng didn’t participate, they both stood at their windows, watching everything. Suddenly, they were struck by a profound sense of guilt. In all these years, it seemed they had never really done anything for the soldiers under their command.

’It couldn’t compare to the warmth of a single bowl of hot soup from Lu Xiao.’

’This was their negligence as admirals, as the highest-ranking commanders of their military regions.’

Realizing this, both Admiral Clan and Admiral Kula Peng made the same decision: they would establish cafeterias in the First and Seventh Military Regions. They wanted the soldiers under their command to be able to eat hot, delicious meals every day.

To hell with the cold nutrient solution!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep