Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Going Home

The return journey was smooth, and they encountered no further dangers.

When their spaceship slowly landed at the First Army Base, Cecilia and Selena had already been waiting for a long time.

They weren’t the only ones. Admiral Kula Peng of the Seventh Military District, Admiral Hans of the S-Class Shelter, and Teacher Ai Li and Teacher Sherry from the Fifth Research Institute had also been notified ahead of time and were waiting for them.

They wanted to be there to see Lu Xiao the moment she returned.

As the spaceship descended, Lu Xiao could already see the group of people standing below through the window.

She was touched, not having expected everyone to come and welcome her back.

Stepping off the spaceship hand in hand with Ares, the first thing she saw was Cecilia pulling Selena along as she rushed forward. “My dear, Grandma’s precious granddaughter is finally home!”

Worried her grandmother might fall, Lu Xiao hurried forward and embraced Cecilia. “Grandma, I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“As long as you’re home, that’s all that matters. As long as you’re home.” Cecilia’s eyes were red-rimmed as she reached out to stroke Lu Xiao’s face. “You’ve lost weight. Xiao Xiao, you’re thinner. It must have been so hard for you.”

“In that case, Grandma will have to fatten me up when we get back.”

“Of course, of course.” After speaking, Cecilia turned to Ares, who was standing with Lu Xiao, and grabbed his arm. “You’ve worked hard too, child.”

Ares looked at Cecilia with a gentle gaze. “It was no hardship, Grandma. It was my duty.”

Cecilia nodded, not letting go of Ares’s arm. “Let’s go home. Everyone, come home with Grandma!”

Teacher Sherry’s eyes were also red as she looked at Lu Xiao, as if she had a million things to say.

Lu Xiao knew what she wanted to say. She walked over and gave her a hug. “Teacher Sherry, I’m just relieved to see you’re okay.”

“You’re relieved? You nearly scared me to death! It’s all my fault. I wasn’t vigilant at all, and it made you go through so much. Xiao Xiao, I’m so sorry.”

“Teacher Sherry, it’s not your fault. You can’t spend your whole life on guard against others. Don’t blame yourself for what someone else did. We did nothing wrong; the villains are the ones at fault, and they will be punished.” After comforting Teacher Sherry, Lu Xiao turned to Teacher Ai Li. “I’m sorry to have worried you all. Let’s get together when we have some time.”

“You just got back, so you should rest first. There’s no rush. We’ll have plenty of time later.” Teacher Ai Li stepped forward to hug Lu Xiao. Seeing the young female return safely from her ordeal, Teacher Ai Li could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After that, Lu Xiao exchanged a few words with Admiral Kula Peng and Admiral Hans.

Since they had just returned and needed to rest, a brief meeting and a few words to confirm they were alright was enough to set everyone’s mind at ease.

After they parted ways, Lu Xiao and Ares went straight back to the Duke Garieldo Mansion.

Admiral Clan had other matters to attend to, so he did not accompany them.

Upon returning home, Cecilia called out to the old butler, “Quickly, serve the meal!”

She had made all the arrangements before they had even left, preparing a grand welcome-home feast for their return.

Hearing this, Lu Xiao said, “Ares and I will go wash up first. We’ll be right back.”

“Go on, go on. Take your time and freshen up properly.” Cecilia watched them with eyes full of affection, feeling as though the whole mansion had brightened now that Lu Xiao was back.

Lu Xiao led Ares to her room in the Duke Mansion. When she pushed the door open, the room wasn’t unfamiliar to Ares, as Lu Xiao had already given him a tour via video call before.

Once inside, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but smile. “It’s so good to be home. Ares, when you have some free time, let’s go see your father. If we’re going to have a wedding, I hope he can attend.”

A smile lit up Ares’s eyes at her words, and he replied softly, “Alright. I’ll arrange it with him in advance. We’ll go see him whenever you’re free, Xiao Xiao.”

“Does he know about me?” Lu Xiao tilted her head, looking at him.

Ares nodded. “He does.”

Lu Xiao huffed playfully. “Good. I’d be angry if he didn’t know I existed.”

Ares wrapped his arm around Lu Xiao. He knew she was just teasing him, but he still explained with a smile, “I told him about us a long time ago.”

“What did you say?” Lu Xiao had only meant to tease him, but his earnest explanation made her curious.

“I told him I’d found a very good Female Master, and that he didn’t need to worry.”

“Really? Am I that good?” Lu Xiao reached out and pinched Ares’s lean cheeks, her smile radiant.

Ares took her hand and leaned in to kiss her. “My Xiao Xiao is the best Female Master in the world.”

Lu Xiao’s cheeks flushed from the kiss, and she gently pushed him away. “Ares, we have to eat dinner soon. Have you forgotten we’re at my grandmother’s house?”

Ares nuzzled his head into the crook of Lu Xiao’s neck. “Xiao Xiao, don’t tempt me.”

The corners of Lu Xiao’s lips curled up. “How am I tempting you? You’re the one who kissed me first, you know.”

Despite her words, Lu Xiao didn’t have the heart to torment Ares any further.

After they both showered and changed into clean clothes, they went downstairs for dinner.

To welcome them home, Cecilia had specially prepared a table laden with a sumptuous feast, all of which were Lu Xiao’s favorite dishes.

Lu Xiao pulled Ares to the table and looked at the spread of food. “Grandma, you spoil me the most! You always know what I want to eat!”

Cecilia absolutely loved this kind of sweet talk from Lu Xiao and immediately beamed, her eyes crinkling. “Of course! If you like it, Xiao Xiao, then eat more. If it’s not enough, Grandma will have the kitchen make more.”

“Mother, that’s enough from you. It’d be a miracle if Xiao Xiao could finish this whole table,” Selena said, unable to stand Cecilia’s smugness. She then turned to Lu Xiao. “Xiao Xiao, save some room. Your aunt will take you out for something good later, okay?”

Cecilia immediately protested. “Go out for what? Xiao Xiao just got back. Don’t you go bothering her. What she needs right now is rest.”

“I know, I know. Some other day, then.”

Listening to Cecilia and Selena bicker, Lu Xiao finally felt like she was truly home.

The dinner was as delicious as it was lavish, and for Lu Xiao, who hadn’t eaten a proper meal in so long, it was pure bliss.

Sipping tea after the meal, she felt as if all her past hardships were finally over.

Seeing Lu Xiao quietly holding her teacup, a faint smile on her lips, Cecilia’s heart ached. Her little female should have been living a quiet, happy life like this all along, not suffering through so many hardships.

She couldn’t help but reach out and stroke Lu Xiao’s head. “Don’t be so impulsive from now on. Think of yourself first before you do anything.”

Lu Xiao knew her ordeal had terrified Cecilia, and a wave of guilt washed over her. She nodded. “I know, Grandma. I won’t make you worry like that again.”

“I know. Xiao Xiao is always so good.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep