Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Kevin

That night, Lu Xiao lay in bed with her eyes closed, trying to coax herself to sleep. Maybe it was because she’d napped during the day, but right now, she wasn’t just not sleepy—she wasn’t even the least bit drowsy.

After tossing and turning for a bit, she felt the bed was huge and cold. It felt completely empty, lacking any human warmth.

Inevitably, her thoughts drifted to Ares.

It just goes to show you how terrifying habits can be.

After just one night apart from Ares, she felt hollow—and couldn’t even sleep—all because the other side of the bed was empty.

Lu Xiao lay flat on her back, thinking, ’Am I punishing Ares, or am I punishing myself?’

’Isn’t this the exact kind of rotten move I hate most—one that hurts me almost as much as it hurts him?!’

The more Lu Xiao thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. She shot up, threw off the covers, grabbed her pillow, and stormed out of the bedroom.

’Why should *I* be the one suffering through this?!’

At that very moment, Ares, who was also wide awake, suddenly heard footsteps. Fearing it was a figment of his imagination, he held his breath.

The sound grew closer until the door was pushed open. The young woman appeared in the doorway, holding a pillow, then climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Lu Xiao went through the motions with a startling fluidity, as if she’d done it a thousand times before.

Finally, she snuggled into a comfortable position in Ares’s arms. ’Ah, much better!’ Lu Xiao thought.

“Xiao Xiao, you…”

“Shut up. Don’t talk. I’m still mad at you!” Even as she declared her anger, Lu Xiao didn’t loosen her grip on Ares’s waist.

Far from being annoyed by the scolding, a smile touched Ares’s lips in the darkness.

’She was adorable, even when she was angry.’

Ever since his Spirit Level had dropped, Lu Xiao had recently reduced the frequency of her Spiritual Soothing from once a day to once every two days.

As a result, Ares was able to sleep on his own again. He could sleep through the night without needing any medication.

Although he hadn’t been officially tested, he could feel it. His assessment value had definitely dropped again.

The only reason he was still awake tonight was because Lu Xiao had suddenly decided to sleep separately. Ares felt a pang of guilt, remembering how his words had upset her.

’But even if time could be turned back,’ he thought, ’I would say those things again. There are so many males more outstanding than me. I’m not the most suitable candidate to be Lu Xiao’s main husband.’

’I don’t want to get in the way of her choosing the best person for her.’

But Lu Xiao had been so resolute… He was reluctant to admit the joy that had filled his heart when he heard her response.

The feeling of being someone’s one and only love—no male could resist that.

He had to admit it: he desperately wanted to possess Lu Xiao for himself.

He wanted to be the only one she ever looked at. But she was just too good, and that terrified him.

Back at Ares’s side, Lu Xiao slept soundly all night.

When she got up and went downstairs, she found Ares had already prepared breakfast. Lu Xiao let out a small “hmpf,” just to show she was still upset.

Ares, however, just smiled, pretending not to notice. “Good morning, Lu Xiao.”

He had already pulled out a chair for her at the dining table. Lu Xiao sat down. “I mentioned before that you could invite your friends over for a meal. Have you invited anyone yet?”

Ares was surprised that Lu Xiao still remembered.

“…Not yet.”

“I knew it.” Lu Xiao shot him a look, her meaning perfectly clear.

Ares quickly replied, “If you don’t mind, may I invite a friend over today?”

“Of course you can. Your friends are all comrades from the military, right?”

“Yes, but I don’t have many friends. Here, it’s really just my adjutant.”

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow at that. “Ares, you’re not just picking someone at random to placate me, are you?”

“Of course not! Why would you think that?” Ares knew exactly what Lu Xiao was doing. She wanted him to feel a greater sense of belonging in this home, to truly feel that he was a part of the family and could take initiative. She was looking out for his insecurities.

How could he not understand her kind intentions?

“That’s good. But won’t it be too short notice? Will he have time?”

“He’s on leave right now, but I’ll ask him.”

“If you need any help, just let me know.”

“Yes, I will.”

Lu Xiao nodded. After breakfast, she cleared the table herself and then went upstairs to get back to writing.

She’d been so busy lately that her updates had been sporadic. Now that she finally had a day off, she had to catch up. Otherwise, the comments section would be full of readers crying out for more, and her conscience wouldn’t be able to take it.

Meanwhile, Ares sent a message to his adjutant: “Are you free this afternoon? I’d like to invite you over to my house. ^_^”

The adjutant, who was at home relaxing and playing video games, saw the message and the smiley face at the end of it. He had to double-check the sender’s name.

After confirming for the third time that it was indeed from Major General Ares, he sent a skeptical reply: “Is this really you?”

’Major General Ares is inviting me to his house? HAHAHA! I must be seeing things. There’s no other way I’d be reading a message like this.’

’Major General Ares just isn’t that kind of person!’

He’d followed Major General Ares for years; he knew the man’s personality. When the Major General was on leave, unless it was absolutely necessary, he completely dropped off the grid. Might as well have been dead.

’And he’s married now, too! Shouldn’t he be spending his leave bonding with his female master instead of inviting me over?’

’This is something that just doesn’t happen with married males!’

’Besides, Ares isn’t even the main husband. How could a mere side husband dare to invite someone over?’

However, before the adjutant had much time to ponder this, another message arrived from Ares: “It’s me. Here’s the address. Be here before 4 p.m. That’s an order. And remember, you’re my good friend!”

The adjutant was even more bewildered now. If he hadn’t understood the first message, this second one was completely baffling.

But an order was an order, so he had to accept. As for this business about being “good friends” with Major General Ares…

’What on earth has happened to the Major General?’

Though thoroughly confused, the adjutant got up and headed out. An order was an order. ’And a normal person should bring a gift when visiting a friend’s house for the first time, right?’ he thought.

He couldn’t very well show up empty-handed.

He just wondered if he’d be able to get his “good friend,” Major General Ares, to reimburse him for it later.

Around four in the afternoon, the adjutant arrived punctually at the address Major General Ares had sent, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Ares heard the doorbell and opened the door himself.

At the same time, Lu Xiao came out of her bedroom. “Ares, has your friend arrived?”

Just then, the adjutant walked in, holding a bouquet. He was a very young military officer and clearly hadn’t expected her to be home.

The moment he saw her, his expression froze. His eyes widened involuntarily, and he snapped to attention, his body rigid with tension. After a moment’s hesitation, he gave her a formal salute. “Ma’am! I’m Major General Ares’s adjutant. My name is Kevin. Please forgive the intrusion.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Lu Xiao.

It was clear he was so nervous he was at a complete loss.

After all, Major General Ares never said his female master would be home, too!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep