Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 26.2

Is this the authorization Master granted previously? Does the Black Court need to modify it now?

No need.

Luo Le didn’t want Huo Lanjing to know about the messy affairs at home.

If the Black Court submitted a modification request, Huo Lanjing would inevitably need to approve it, and he would certainly ask for the reason.

It seemed he had no choice but to face them today.

Sure enough, as soon as Luo Le entered the first-floor living room, he saw those three loathsome figures lounging on the sofa, being waited on by the robots like feudal lords.

Luo Le clenched his fists.

Ah, Xiao Le, you’re back! Come sit down. Your father has something to say.

Luo Le sneered. Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting.

Wang Yiyi’s face darkened, and she fell silent.

Seeing his mother humiliated, Luo Zhining glared at Luo Le and snapped, Luo Le, how dare you speak to my mother like that? What’s gotten into you?

Ever since childhood, Luo Le had abused his status as the Luo Family’s legitimate heir, constantly targeting Luo Zhining and his mother with mockery and disdain.

Zhining, how dare you speak to your brother like that?

Luo Zhining shot Luo Lu a resentful look, his face twisted with grievance. Father!

Wang Yiyi quickly pulled Luo Zhining back, gesturing for him to be quiet.

Luo Le strode over and settled into the single sofa, crossing his right leg over his left and propping his head up with one hand.

Luo Lu greeted him with a forced smile. Lele, did you see the message I sent you?

Luo Le yawned and replied dismissively, No.

Well, it’s just… the company has developed a new product, but we haven’t received the operating permit yet, so we can’t mass-produce it…

Luo Le scoffed coldly. This family only thinks of me when they need something.

Luo Lu, what do you take me for? A turtle in a wishing well? If you can’t get the permit, go run around and get it yourself! Use your thick skin to butter up those officials! Why come to me? I’m just a student I can’t help you.

Luo Lu’s face turned livid. Dropping the pretense, he snapped, Luo Le, have I been too lenient with you? I’m your father! How dare you speak to me like that? What do you mean you can’t help? Just mention it to General Huo and have him put in a good word—problem solved!

Luo Le laughed in exasperation. Luo Lu never failed to sink to new lows.

Over the years since my marriage, how many times have you used my connection to Huo Lanjing to get him to smooth things over for you, Luo Lu? I married Huo Lanjing, not sold myself to him, right? Don’t forget, you didn’t give me a single thing when I got married. It was the things my mother left me that kept me from looking too pathetic. The Huo Family’s generosity is their own virtue. Why do you keep showing up to assert your presence? Is there something wrong with your head?

Luo Lu sputtered for a long moment, unable to muster a single rebuttal. Finally, he snapped, Don’t give me that! Just tell me if you’re going or not.

Luo Le straightened his posture, his voice firm. I’m not going.

Luo Lu stared at Luo Le’s cold, stern face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to his late wife, and sneered.

Have you forgotten about your mother’s situation, Luo Le? I didn’t want to make this ugly, but if you insist…

Mother’s situation…

Luo Le’s expression froze, his grip tightening on the sofa armrest.

How could he ever forget?

Think about it. And there’s a banquet on Saturday at 7 PM. You’d better be there. Hmph, let’s go.

Only after the three figures had completely disappeared through the doorway did Luo Le slowly rise, feeling as if a thousand-pound weight pressed down on him.

He exhaled deeply. Close the door.

Yes, sir.

A small spherical drone flew over and locked the door.

Once the door was sealed, Luo Le finally turned his gaze upward and began climbing the stairs.

It’s almost time. The moment is drawing near.

After washing up, Luo Le stared at his wrist, looking at it for a long moment before lowering it, repeating the action several times.

Finally, he initiated a video call.

It rang for an agonizingly long time without an answer. Just as he was about to redial, the call connected.

On the screen, Huo Lanjing appeared, dressed in black, with a cluttered background.

Luo Le You… where are you?

Huo Lanjing didn’t answer, his gaze fixed intently on Luo Le, his expression unreadable.

Luo Le felt a pang of déjà vu. This scene mirrored the time when Huo Lanjing had left the Empire.

Back then, Luo Le had only dared to call after mealtimes, during Huo Lanjing’s rare moments of downtime.

But Huo Lanjing rarely answered. Even when he did, he showed little interest in speaking.

After just a few words, Huo Lanjing would either shoot him a cold glance or stare blankly before abruptly ending the call.

Have you been to the hospital?

Luo Le’s eyes widened at the question. This didn’t sound like something Huo Lan would say to him.

Was he actually showing concern? Maybe he wasn’t completely heartless after all.

Huo Lanjing watched Luo Le grinning foolishly, wondering what he was so amused by. He unconsciously raised his voice, Luo Le.

Snapping out of his daze, Luo Le cleared his throat. Yes, I went. The doctor said it’s nothing serious.

After receiving the reply, Huo Lanjing hummed in acknowledgment. The next moment, the screen suddenly went dark.

Staring at the blank screen, Luo Le suddenly remembered he hadn’t mentioned the real reason for his call. He quickly dialed back.

This time, the call was answered almost immediately. What else?

Only Huo Lanjing’s upper body was visible on the screen, cropped at the neck.

Realizing he had interrupted him, Luo Le hesitated before briefly explaining the matter.

Huo Lanjing remained silent for a moment before speaking again, his tone now devoid of the earlier hint of familiarity. I understand. Go find Huo Fei.

Okay…

Luo Le could sense Huo Lanjing’s anger. He wanted to explain but couldn’t. Clenching his fists, he murmured, Thank you.

Having waited so long only to hear those words, Huo Lanjing’s expression darkened. Without waiting for Luo Le to respond, he abruptly ended the call.

The abrupt disconnection sent a pang through Luo Le’s heart. He lay back on the pillow, staring up at the ceiling, his hands spread out beside him.

His thoughts drifted back to the day he married Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing was nowhere to be seen throughout the entire wedding ceremony, leaving Luo Le to accompany the Huo Family in toasting the guests alone.

Though the guests maintained a facade of cordiality, they whispered about him in the restrooms, mocking the Luo Family for paying their way in. They sneered that the Huo Family clearly disdained him, that Luo Le’s pampered nature would never suit Huo Lanjing, and that he’d be kicked out of the Huo Family within six months.

Those people probably never imagined their marriage would last this long.

Luo Le chuckled at the thought.

Though Huo Lanjing was often away from home and the Huo Family indeed treated him with disdain, the years he’d spent married to Huo Lanjing had been the most comfortable of his life.

Still, Luo Le knew that Huo Lanjing would divorce him eventually—it was only a matter of time.

He shook his head, rolled over, closed his eyes, and wondered why he was dwelling on such unpleasant thoughts.

The next morning, in the First Legion’s Mecha Bay, Luo Le locked himself in a small workshop. The C-Class Mecha’s outer shell was corroded, but with some patching, a new chip, and a replacement power unit, it should still be decent.

Moreover, this was the first time Luo Le had encountered a mecha he could enter the cockpit without needing to modify it first.

He needed to study this thoroughly.

Just as he was pondering this, he heard his instructor calling him.

Luo Le put down the chip and stood up to leave the room.

As he reached the doorway, he saw a man standing behind his instructor, towering over him by more than half a head.

Is this the instructor’s new student? But didn’t he say he wouldn’t take any more disciples?

Luo Le had barely stopped when his instructor clapped him on the shoulder, turning him to face the man. Come, let me introduce you. This is my last disciple, Luo Le. And this is this year’s intern, his name is…

Senior, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Qin Runzhi, a freshman this year. I’ve heard so much about you, Instructor Shang’s last disciple—truly a man of exceptional talent and appearance. Seeing you in person confirms it all.

Qin Runzhi interrupted the instructor, stepping forward to grasp Luo Le’s hand and shake it vigorously.

Luo Le frowned, his gaze piercing through Qin Runzhi’s harmless smile as he yanked his hand free.

His eyes bypassed Qin Runzhi entirely as he handed the file to his instructor. This is the recalculated index after removing certain variables.

Hearing this, the instructor pushed up his glasses and took the file, examining it closely. Qin Runzhi leaned in beside him to peer at the document as well.

As they reviewed the calculations, Qin Runzhi showered Luo Le with compliments. But Luo Le remained unmoved, refusing to engage in conversation.

Hmm, it looks quite good. I’ll take a closer look when I get back. You, senior brother, take good care of your junior brother. I’ll head back now.

Luo Le nodded in acknowledgment. As soon as the instructor left, he turned and walked away.

Qin Runzhi hurried after him. Senior brother, is there anything I can help with?

Luo Le pointed to the equipment on the platform. Organize these.

Sure, senior brother! What are you working on? Can I watch?

Luo Le glanced down at the hand resting on his shoulder, then brushed it off with a look of disdain. He turned to Qin Runzhi. You’re Qin Runzhi, right?

Qin Runzhi nodded. Yes, senior brother. You can call me Runzhi.

Luo Le exhaled deeply. We’ll likely be seeing a lot of each other over the next three months. To avoid conflicts and put the instructor in an awkward position, I need to make a few things clear. First, I don’t like people touching me, so keep your hands to yourself. Second, don’t come to me unless it’s about Mecha research. That’s all I have to say. Now, tell me if there’s anything you need me to keep in mind.

Qin Runzhi blinked several times, then nodded solemnly. Understood. I have nothing to add.

Luo Le tucked his hands into the pockets of his white lab coat and stepped into the room. He hadn’t taken more than a few steps when his instructor’s voice rang out from the doorway.

Xiao Le, come here for a moment.

Luo Le hummed in acknowledgment and followed his instructor into the office.

What is it?

The instructor pointed to a folder on the desk and slid it toward Luo Le, gesturing for him to open it.

Luo Le picked it up and flipped through the pages until he reached a grade report, finally understanding what it was.

This…

Xiao Le, congratulations! You’ve always wanted to join the First Legion, haven’t you? You passed the assessment with flying colors—your performance was outstanding in every area.

Luo Le looked up from the folder. I…

The instructor studied Luo Le’s expression, sensing something was amiss. What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind. I’ve already submitted your recommendation, and it’s likely been approved by now.

Luo Le shook his head hastily. I’m still going. I just… would it be possible for me to go without being recognized as your direct disciple?

The instructor lowered his head in thought for a moment before replying, It’s possible, but why?

Luo Le offered a flimsy excuse, which the instructor didn’t press further.

His deployment date was set for two weeks later. This time, he would be going as a Legion Mecha Pilot.

This was a qualification he had earned through a year of hard work, and he refused to give it up.