Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Motivation

At that moment, at the frontline garrison base, Ares had just stepped out of his quarters. He was on his way to the training grounds when he suddenly received a voice call from Kevin.

Ares answered, and Kevin’s excited voice immediately burst through. “Boss, Lu Xiao’s supplies are here!”

Ares stopped in his tracks. “They’re already at the supply depot? I’m on my way.”

“Great, great! I’ve already got the guys helping to unload. Everyone wants me to ask you, what did Lu Xiao send?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Ares said, though inwardly he was filled with joy. ’Whatever Lu Xiao sent, it was a source of warmth for him.’

Eager to see the supplies, Ares broke into a run.

When he arrived, boxes upon boxes of neatly packed goods were being unloaded. The moment Kevin saw him, he called out, “Sir, you do the honors!”

Ares didn’t hesitate. He took one of the crates and opened the sealed lid. His eyes widened in surprise at its contents.

Lu Xiao hadn’t told him what she was sending, only that she was shipping some supplies to his garrison and that he should remember to sign for the delivery.

Now, looking at the contents, he realized that while others might not recognize them, there was no way he wouldn’t.

“Go get some men and procure a lot of fish. Also, find a large cauldron. We’re eating well tonight! And while you’re at it, inform Vice Admiral Fred.”

Kevin’s eyes lit up at Ares’s words. “You mean this is stuff to make real food?”

“Yep. Now hurry up. You dawdle, you don’t eat!” Ares threatened with a good-natured smile.

Kevin sprang into action. God knows they’d been living on nutrient solution day in and day out, with no chance or opportunity for a change. They were all sick to death of the stuff, but there was nothing they could do, nor could they complain. After all, in times like these, they were soldiers. They had to obey orders and maintain discipline.

But who would have thought that Lu Xiao hadn’t forgotten them? She’d even donated so much real food. It was just too good to be true!

Ares was surprised by what Lu Xiao sent, but not shocked. On the contrary, he had a feeling… ’This is exactly the kind of thing Lu Xiao would do.’

After all, when he’d left home, Lu Xiao’s biggest worry had been that he wouldn’t eat well on the front lines. She feared he’d be stuck living off nutrient solution.

Back then, there wasn’t a good solution. He had no idea where she had managed to find all this.

’She must have put a lot of thought into this.’

After giving his orders, Ares returned to his quarters and sent a message to Lu Xiao: “I got the supplies. Everyone is thrilled. Thank you. This must have taken a lot of effort, didn’t it?”

There was no immediate reply from Lu Xiao; she was probably busy. Ares didn’t send a voice call to bother her. For him, even the wait for her reply was a form of happiness.

News like this, of course, couldn’t be kept from Fred. He wasn’t surprised to learn the supplies were a donation from Lu Xiao, as Ares had already given him a heads-up.

He just hadn’t expected them to arrive so soon. “What did she send?” he asked his adjutant.

“It seems to be seasoning packets for making meals, sir. Major General Ares has already sent men to purchase ingredients. He said he wants to treat the soldiers tonight. Is that… appropriate, Sir?” The adjutant was slightly worried. “Won’t this disrupt morale?”

“We’ve been fighting for a long time, and the soldiers are exhausted. The timing is perfect, isn’t it? Don’t you want a change in rations?”

Faced with Vice Admiral Fred’s teasing, the adjutant blushed and cleared his throat. “Of course I do, sir!”

“Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go see if they need any help.” Fred picked up his military cap from his desk, put it on, and left the office with his adjutant.

On the way, the adjutant couldn’t help but comment, “Major General Ares’s mate is really something special. I can’t believe she thought to donate supplies to our garrison.”

For a female to do something like this was truly incredible.

But Fred knew that for Lu Xiao, it was actually quite normal. All seemingly impossible things somehow became perfectly reasonable the moment she was involved.

Other females might not have done so, but he knew with certainty that Lu Xiao would never act as if Ares didn’t exist just because he was on the front lines.

’These supplies were ostensibly a donation to the garrison, but weren’t they really a way to make sure Ares ate well?’

’Still, his adjutant was right. Lu Xiao was a truly excellent mate.’

’It just had nothing to do with him.’

Sensing Fred’s sudden silence, the adjutant subconsciously glanced over at him. Having been by Fred’s side for many years, he naturally knew a lot about his superior.

Including the Vice Admiral’s feelings for Lu Xiao. Realizing his previous words had hit a sore spot, the adjutant wanted to slap himself. ’Why do I always run my mouth when I get excited?’

“When the ingredients get back, I wonder who will do the cooking. Should I go ask?”

The adjutant was trying to change the subject and smooth things over, but Fred just said, “No need. Major General Ares is an excellent cook. With him here, no one else you find would compare.”

The adjutant was stunned. He hadn’t expected Fred to know even that. “I never would have guessed.”

Generally, while male soldiers like them might dabble in cooking in their private time, most didn’t have the time or inclination to focus on it. You could even say that in their military district, the higher an officer’s rank, the worse their cooking was.

Take their own Vice Admiral Fred, for example. He could burn scrambled eggs.

He never thought Major General Ares would be an expert at it.

“Lu Xiao is a great cook,” Fred said. “Since Major General Ares is with her, it’s only natural he’d be skilled as well.” ’It’s nothing to be surprised about. If I had the chance, I could be too.’

The adjutant’s heart skipped a beat. ’How did we end up back on this topic!’

’I’d better just shut up!’

By the time they reached the supply depot, the goods had all been moved into the warehouse.

But when the person in charge saw Fred arrive, he immediately hurried over. “Vice Admiral, sir! We’ve received a shipment of supplies, donated by Major General Ares’s mate. I hear it’s all food. Major General Ares just…”

“I’ve already been informed,” Fred said. “Excellent. Just do as he says.” As he spoke, he walked over and picked up a packet of pickled fish seasoning from an open crate, glancing at it.

’He’d never eaten it before, but Ares would definitely know what it was!’

He tossed the packet back into the crate with feigned indifference.

Soon, Kevin returned with the procurement team. The training grounds were soon bustling with activity as everyone set up pots and stoves. Ares himself was going to cook.

Watching their Major General take off his jacket, tie on an apron, and skillfully begin prepping the ingredients, many of the officers standing nearby couldn’t help but think, ’No wonder Major General Ares is the one with a mate!’

’He’s a master on the battlefield and in the kitchen.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep