Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Envy

Ares had just finished his meeting and was about to leave the conference room when a voice called out from behind, “Ares, wait up. Let’s head back together.”

Ares watched Admiral Kula Peng approach and gave a nod, showing no intention of speaking.

He was always like that, only saying and doing what was necessary. So, Admiral Kula Peng took the initiative. “Your partner has been up to something incredible recently. I heard all about it from Admiral Hans.”

The expression on Ares’s face didn’t change in the slightest at the admiral’s words.

His unruffled demeanor made Kula Peng feel like he’d just punched a pillow.

“…Aren’t you going to say something?”

“What would you like me to say? My partner is the best, of course. That goes without saying. I’m well aware of it.”

“…” ’That’s not what I was getting at!’ Kula Peng was left speechless. He pressed on, “The Seventh Military District has such unique advantages, and so many of our men… Don’t you think we should organize some kind of joint medical check-up with the Fifth Research Institute?”

Ares’s expression remained placid, as if he genuinely had no idea what the admiral was implying. “If you make that decision, I thank you on behalf of the soldiers under my command.”

“Ares, are you really not getting it, or are you just playing dumb? I don’t believe for a second you don’t know what I mean. Ares, today you’d better listen…” Kula Peng’s words came to an abrupt halt. He saw people in Ares’s office passing out afternoon tea. When Kevin noticed him, he smoothly thrust a cup of fruit tea and a small cake into his hands. “Admiral, please, have some.”

Kula Peng, caught completely off guard with a fruit tea in one hand and a small cake in the other, finally came to his senses. “You all certainly know how to live, having afternoon tea.”

Ares also glanced at Kevin, expecting a reasonable explanation.

However, before Kevin could speak, Lu Xiao, having heard Ares’s voice outside, pushed open the door to the break room and stepped out.

In an instant, all eyes snapped toward her.

Lu Xiao smiled and waved at Ares. “You’re back. The afternoon tea is on me.”

Ares never expected to see Lu Xiao here.

He’d never even imagined that Lu Xiao would come looking for him here.

So, the moment he saw Lu Xiao emerge from the break room, he thought he must be dreaming.

Not until she smiled and walked toward him, reaching out to affectionately link her arm with his, did it feel real. “Ares, I came to take you home from work.”

The cold, expressionless mask Ares always wore at work instantly softened.

It was like an iceberg melting, revealing its softest core.

The onlookers who heard Lu Xiao’s words felt like they were about to keel over. ’Oh my god, we’re not dreaming, are we?!’

’So Major General Ares is really this happy!’

His partner not only cooked for him, but she could also perform Spiritual Soothing. She invited his friends to their home, respected him, and was fine with him continuing his career after their union. And now, she had come to pick him up from work personally and had even treated all of his colleagues to afternoon tea.

Any one of these things would have been jaw-dropping on its own, yet they were all happening with a single person.

And they were witnessing it with their own eyes. ’Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!’

If they could scream, they would all turn into those screaming rubber chickens.

Even Admiral Kula Peng, standing off to the side, hadn’t expected to meet Lu Xiao here.

Lu Xiao had appeared so simply before them all, standing there with poise and grace, declaring that she was taking Major General Ares home.

’My relationship with my own partner is decent enough,’ he thought, ’but… but I’ve never gotten this kind of treatment.’

He had to admit, in that moment, Kula Peng was fiercely envious.

’So this is how good Ares has it in his private life!’

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” After his initial surprise, Ares seemed to finally find his voice.

“I wanted to surprise you, so I told Kevin not to say anything. Are you happy I came to get you?”

Lu Xiao’s question was direct, and Ares’s reply was just as straightforward: “Very.”

The people nearby were filled with envy. ’This is too much! We’re going to die from all this affection!’

“Ahem!” Kula Peng found the couple a bit too dazzling to watch and couldn’t help but clear his throat to get their attention.

As expected, Lu Xiao turned to look at him with curiosity in her eyes.

Before Ares could make an introduction, Kula Peng hurried forward. He went to extend his hand but realized he was still holding the fruit tea and cake, which made him look like some kind of glutton.

Kula Peng’s face darkened. He hastily set the items down and wiped his hands. “Hello, Miss Lu Xiao. I am Admiral Kula Peng, commander of the Seventh Military District. I’ve heard a great deal about you from Admiral Hans. I never expected to meet you here. It is truly an honor for the Seventh Military District. I was wondering if I might have a word with you?”

Lu Xiao instantly understood that this was Ares’s superior officer.

“Hello, Admiral Kula Peng. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Of course.”

Although she didn’t know what he wanted to discuss, it would have been rude to refuse when he’d asked so directly.

Ares knew Kula Peng wouldn’t pass up this rare opportunity. “Let’s talk in my office.”

So Ares led the two of them into his office. Kevin quickly prepared some tea and brought it in.

Once they were settled, Kula Peng got straight to the point. “I know that you, Miss Lu Xiao, are very skilled at performing Spiritual Soothing on S-Class males. I was wondering if you would be willing to work part-time as a consultant therapist for the Seventh Military District? It wouldn’t interfere with your primary duties at the Fifth Research Institute, of course. You’d only need to come to the Seventh Military District for consultations in your spare time. As for compensation, we certainly wouldn’t be stingy. We can offer you double your current salary at the Fifth Research Institute. What do you say?”

’Double?’

Damn it, Lu Xiao was actually tempted.

Ares, however, frowned slightly. He already felt her current job was exhausting enough—even if she never thought so herself. If she were to add another… Ares looked over at Lu Xiao.

He saw her clear, dark eyes sparkling. She clearly wasn’t opposed to Admiral Kula Peng’s proposal; in fact, she seemed vaguely tempted by it.

After spending so much time with her, he could easily pick up on her subtle emotions.

“It sounds very tempting, but I don’t have much free time as it is, and I’d like to use what little I have to spend with Ares. So I’m afraid I can’t accept your offer.”

Kula Peng had anticipated many possible reasons for refusal, but he had never imagined it would be this one.

After his initial shock, Kula Peng glanced to the side at the now visibly delighted Ares. ’How can this kid be so infuriating!’ he thought.

’Aren’t you supposed to be the coldest, most aloof, most unreadable person around? Then who is this guy practically bubbling over with happiness?!’

’I can’t watch this. I can’t. I really can’t bear to look!’

As for who was currently drowning in envy, jealousy, and hate… he’d rather not say. He just wanted to cry.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep