Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Merit

She even found herself thinking, ’It would be great if the earldom and first-class merit could be exchanged for money, too.’

’Money in your pocket is what’s truly dependable.’

Lu Xiao’s words softened Ares’s heart. If a female like Lu Xiao was considered a spendthrift, then what did that make the other females in the Empire?

He had never met a female more sensible than Lu Xiao. It sometimes made him feel that Lu Xiao didn’t need him at all, and that he couldn’t bring her anything of real value.

Because even without him, Lu Xiao could live a very, very good life on her own.

“Xiao Xiao, is there anything else you want to buy besides the hover car? We can take a look at everything then. I don’t think you’re a spendthrift. As long as you’re happy, they’re all necessities.”

His promotion to Major General and his years of meritorious service had converted into assets worth nearly a hundred million. If Lu Xiao wanted to buy something, she could buy whatever she pleased. He didn’t want to see his little female constrained by money.

Hearing Ares say everything but, ’I don’t think you’re spending enough,’ Lu Xiao burst out laughing. “Alright, but just a hover car is fine. We can go look at them together then.”

“Okay.” Ares didn’t refuse, nor did he want to. As long as it was Lu Xiao who suggested it, he was willing to satisfy her every request. It was enough for his little female to always be this happy.

Lu Xiao didn’t have to wait long for the reward from Her Majesty the Queen.

The next morning, while Lu Xiao was treating a patient, the rewards from Her Majesty the Queen were issued.

The Fifth Research Institute and the shelter were awarded a collective first-class merit, with a prize of 1,000,000 for each of the main participants.

Lu Xiao’s reward, however, was announced separately: she was granted the title of Earl, a personal first-class merit honor, and a cash prize of 10,000,000.

Knowing that Lu Xiao had received an earldom, all four teachers were happy for her.

After the official who announced the awards left, Teacher Ai Li threw her arms around Lu Xiao. “Darling, from now on, we’ll have to call you Earl Lu Xiao!”

Lu Xiao knew Teacher Ai Li was teasing her and chuckled. “Does that mean I have to bestow rewards upon you all, then?”

The four of them joked around for a while before Teacher Sherry reminded her, “Don’t forget to go pick out your Earl Mansion later.”

That’s right. With the title of Earl came an Earl Mansion.

It was just like with Lu Ge Wei and Earl Li Hua’an; that was how they had gotten their Earl Mansions as well.

Lu Xiao, however, had no intention of living there.

After all, it was just her and Ares. Wouldn’t it feel desolate living in such a huge Earl Mansion? It was so large you might not even notice if someone broke in at night.

Their current home was much cozier.

As if seeing what she was pondering, Teacher Ai Li smiled. “You can just pick one out and leave it be. Whether you live in it or not is up to you.”

The implication was that living there was secondary; the important thing was to have one.

Lu Xiao thought about it and agreed. Since it was being given to her, she might as well take it.

She would go pick it out with Ares later, and they’d choose a hover car, too.

Just as Lu Xiao was making these plans, the terminal on her wrist rang. It was an unknown number.

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. After letting the four teachers, who were discussing where to go celebrate after work, know she was taking a call, she stepped aside to answer.

Before she could speak, a somewhat childish yet urgent voice came from the other end. “This is Lu Yu! You need to hurry up and bring money to get me! I’m being held here, and they won’t let me leave!”

Lu Xiao was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding what Lu Yu was saying. “What do you mean? Where are you? Where are you being held?”

“I’m at the black market! Just bring money to the black market! I’ll send you the address. Don’t tell Mother, and hurry up!” Lu Yu’s tone was so self-righteous, as if it had never occurred to her that Lu Xiao might refuse.

After all, she knew Lu Xiao had handled things for Lu Huan before, and had even attended parent-teacher conferences for her.

’Since we’re both her younger sisters, if she helped Lu Huan, she’ll definitely help me too.’

But the very next second, Lu Xiao said, “You should just send the address to Mother. You’re not my responsibility.”

With that, Lu Xiao ended the call even faster than Lu Yu had, not even waiting to hear what else she had to say.

’What does she take me for? Does everyone just come running to me with their problems? Am I that much of a pushover?’

Lu Xiao had to laugh at the sheer audacity of that little brat, Lu Yu.

’If she’s brave enough to go to a place like the black market, what can’t she solve on her own?’

Although Lu Xiao herself had never been to the black market, just from hearing the name, she knew it couldn’t be a good place.

Despite her thoughts, Lu Yu was still just a kid. Lu Xiao edited a message and sent it to Lu Ge Wei.

This was as much as she was willing to do.

’Lu Yu isn’t an orphan, after all.’

Teacher Ai Li and the others had just decided on a place—a newly opened bar they had never been to before. They were especially eager to unwind today.

When they saw Lu Xiao walk over, they told her the location, assuming she would refuse. To their surprise, she agreed, but then immediately added, “You don’t mind if I bring Ares, do you?”

Hearing this, the four teachers were both surprised and not surprised.

It was very much in line with Lu Xiao’s style.

Lu Xiao had only been to a bar here once before, back when she was looking for Lu Huan.

But she hadn’t been in the mood to have fun at the time.

Today was a rare chance to relax, and of course, for something like this, she had to bring Ares. Having Ares around would prevent a lot of trouble.

She sent a message to Ares, and he replied directly with a single word: “Okay.”

Simple and clear.

However, just before the end of the workday, a voice call came in from Earl Lu Ge Wei. After Lu Xiao answered, she heard the voice on the other end say, “Go deal with Lu Yu. Get her out of that black market.”

“Mother, I have no obligation to handle this. It’s not my job, and I don’t have the time. Raising her properly is your responsibility. If you can’t handle it, you can ask Father to solve it. I’m sure he’d do a fine job. Or is it that you don’t want Father to know you haven’t raised Lu Yu well?”

Lu Xiao knew exactly how to get under Lu Ge Wei’s skin.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Lu Ge Wei shouted Lu Xiao’s name from the other end of the line. “Your wings have grown strong, haven’t they? Do you think I can’t control you anymore, Lu Xiao?”

“Mother, it’s not a problem if you think that way. You might not know this, but I just accepted an award from Her Majesty the Queen. I received the title of Earl and a personal first-class merit honor. You should know what the title of Earl and a first-class merit mean, right?”

Lu Xiao suddenly realized that while these things might seem useless, they were exceptionally useful for dealing with certain people.

Lu Ge Wei clearly hadn’t expected that at such a young age, Lu Xiao would receive an award from Her Majesty the Queen, becoming an Earl without relying on inheritance and putting her on equal footing with her.

No, her standing was much higher than her mother’s. Lu Xiao also had the honor of a personal first-class merit. In other words, Lu Xiao was a Merit Earl.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep