Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 28

At ten o’clock that evening, Luo Le dragged his exhausted body home.

The robot glided over, its voice cold yet tinged with a human-like tone. Madam, would you like me to prepare a meal?

Luo Le rubbed his flat stomach. After consuming Nutrient Solution for so long, he was starting to feel nauseous.

Yes, just like yesterday.

Understood.

The robot turned and entered the kitchen.

Luo Le trudged over and collapsed onto the soft sofa, staring blankly at the chandelier overhead for a long while.

Suddenly, something clicked. He activated his Smart Brain and checked the date.

I knew I was forgetting something.

Tomorrow was Huo Lanjing’s birthday.

It was strange. Since Luo Le had joined the Huo Family, he had never seen them celebrate Huo Lanjing’s birthday.

When he asked about it, the Huo Family told him to mind his own business and not pry into matters that didn’t concern him.

The Huo Family had served in the military and government for generations, their family affairs considered state secrets of the Empire.

Luo Le couldn’t gather any information, but he suspected it might be because a relative of Huo Lanjing had died on this day.

The Huo Family would neither throw Huo Lanjing a birthday party nor give him gifts.

It was as if no one had anticipated his birth.

Luo Le couldn’t understand. Even if a family member had passed away on the day Huo Lanjing was born, surely someone must have been anticipating his arrival?

After learning this, Luo Le made it a tradition to give Huo Lanjing a gift every year on his birthday. If Huo Lanjing wasn’t around, he’d leave it in the collection room, knowing he’d eventually return.

In previous years, Luo Le only had the chance to give Huo Lanjing his gift during the Lunar New Year. But this year… he could deliver it much earlier. After all, he was enlisting in the military in just two weeks.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Luo Le’s lips at the thought.

The next morning, Luo Le packed his things and prepared to leave. Suddenly, he noticed a reply from Colonel Lin.

The message stated that Colonel Lin had uncovered information about the original owner of the mecha. However, due to the classified nature of the data, Luo Le would need to visit the Research Institute within the Imperial Military District to access it. His entry application had already been approved.

Luo Le glanced at the time. The military district was quite a distance away. Even by hovercar, the journey would likely take two hours. Fortunately, he had visited the area several times before with Huo Lanjing, so he was relatively familiar with the route.

Unless one had special authorization within the military district, hovercars were subject to strict regulations. Luo Le was forced to drive at ground level.

The mountain road was rugged and winding, snaking through over a dozen peaks and dense forests before finally reaching the gates of the military district.

Who’s there? Do you have an application?

Luo Le stepped out of the car and retrieved his application from his Smart Brain, showing it to the guard.

The guard glanced at it, his expression turning contemptuous and displeased when he saw Luo Le’s name.

Oh, go ahead.

Everyone in the military district knew that General Huo had a wife—the young master of the Luo Family.

Spoiled, attention-seeking, and always causing trouble.

General Huo despised his wife more than anything.

No one in the military district liked him either.

Although the guard had only been stationed here for a year, he had already heard plenty about the Madam of the General’s exploits.

Luo Le didn’t care. Few people in the military district ever treated him kindly.

He took the token the guard handed him and walked straight inside.

At the far end of the compound, several white single-person hovercars were parked.

Luo Le effortlessly slid into one, tapped his wrist, and the hovercar automatically started, gliding toward its destination.

Within the military district, you could only travel to the locations specified in your approved application.

Soon, the hovercar stopped in front of a transparent, multi-story building.

As Luo Le stepped out, a robot approached and stood before him. Good morning. I am your personal navigation robot. Please swipe your card.

Luo Le complied.

Please follow me, the robot said.

Like the hovercar, it could only take him to the floors and departments listed on his application form.

Oh, who’s this? Isn’t it Madam of the General?

Luo Le frowned. Why him?

The man was Xu Fei, formerly the Chief Medical Officer of the First Legion. After sustaining injuries on the battlefield, he had retired to a behind-the-scenes role.

Luo Le couldn’t stand Xu Fei, and the feeling was mutual. The two had clashed countless times.

What’s with the sarcastic tone?

Xu Fei shoved him. Hey, I’m just being sarcastic. What’s it to you?

Luo Le stumbled, regaining his balance. He glared at Xu Fei. Try pushing me again.

Xu Fei waved the documents in his hand, then shoved him again. So what if I push you?

Luo Le glanced at the papers in Xu Fei’s hand, a dark look crossing his face.

He reached out, his voice menacing. Give them to me.

Xu Fei stepped back. Beg me.

Luo Le gritted his teeth, veins throbbing at his temples.

He lunged forward, grabbing Xu Fei by the collar. Xu Fei, unfazed, tucked the documents behind him. What? Want to hit me? Go ahead. But if you do, you’ll never see these papers.

Luo Le remained silent, casting a cold glance at the nameplate on Xu Fei’s chest before releasing his grip.

In their past brawls, Luo Le had always emerged victorious, but knowing Xu Fei was injured, he never went too hard on him.

At most, he’d leave Xu Fei with a split lip—mostly because Xu Fei’s mouth was too damn annoying.

Without another glance at Xu Fei, Luo Le’s fingers deftly tapped a few numbers on the holographic screen.

Before Xu Fei could retort, a sweet female voice chimed in Hello, this is the 01st Military District Complaint Hotline. How may I assist you?

Xu Fei’s face darkened. Fine, you win.

He tossed the data file over.

Luo Le caught it with one hand, hung up the call with the other, and immediately began flipping through the file.

Xu Fei leaned in curiously. What are you investigating this guy for?

Luo Le dodged to the side, his eyes never leaving the file.

Xu Fei pressed closer, annoyed. I’m talking to you. Deaf or something?

Luo Le turned away again, ignoring him completely.

The file was brief—a short biography of the Mecha’s previous owner. Luo Le quickly finished reading it.

The clues were minimal.

Xu Fei waited for a response, then crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. I actually fought alongside this guy back in the day. I know him like the back of my hand—way more than what’s in these files. You sure you don’t want to butter me up a bit?

Hearing this, Luo Le looked up from the documents, only to see Xu Fei winking at him with a smug, punchable grin.

Luo Le shuddered. You really know?

Of course! What do you think I did before?

Was he treated here?

The files mentioned that the Mecha’s previous owner had suffered severe injuries after being attacked by an Insectoid with offensive mental energy on the battlefield.

For a long time afterward, he couldn’t pilot any Mecha. It wasn’t until Teacher Tang built him a new one that he could return to combat.

How was he able to pilot a Mecha again later?

Xu Fei had intended to tease him further, but something about the earnestness in Luo Le’s eyes made him abandon the idea.

He can only pilot the new Mecha Teacher Tang built. He can’t use any others.

Luo Le paused. What’s different about that Mecha?

After being attacked by the Insectoids, his mental energy fluctuated between C and B+. Mechas can only recognize stable mental energy, so he was no longer accepted by them. When Teacher Tang learned of this, he became very interested and spent a year researching and developing a chip that could recognize fluctuating mental energy. This allowed the soldier to continue serving.

So it was the chip’s fault after all. But that chip had already been destroyed.

Did Teacher Tang record the design principles behind that chip?

Xu Fei shook his head regretfully. No, alas. If only he had kept records, so many soldiers wouldn’t have been forced to retire.

Luo Le Alright, I understand.

Eh? You’re leaving already?

Luo Le glanced back at him. What else would I do? Stay and have dinner with you?

Xu Fei made a face of disgust. Get lost, get lost! Who wants to eat with you? Seriously, Luo Le, can’t you just take a hint and get a divorce? Just let the Admiral go, okay? General Huo used to rarely leave the Empire, but now he only returns once in a blue moon just to avoid you.

Luo Le’s steps faltered.

Xu Fei continued, Look at you now—you’ve gained nothing. Your father dotes on you so much. Go back, throw a tantrum, and get a divorce. Then you can do whatever you want without being constrained by the title of Madam of the General. Wouldn’t that be a win-win?

Luo Le froze completely.

In all his years, he had never received a single word of praise, a smile, or even a word of concern from Luo Lu.

Now someone was claiming Luo Lu doted on him? This was a joke of hellish proportions.

Luo Le glanced at him with half-lowered eyes, his expression indifferent. Are you finished?

Xu Fei Yes. So, what do you say? Consider it.

Luo Le sneered. Consider it? No. Let me tell you this unless I die, I will never divorce him. Do you understand? I just don’t get why you’re always so hostile toward me. What would you gain from my divorce with Huo Lanjing? Or are you trying to climb the social ladder? Even if you are, at least use more sophisticated tactics. Otherwise, I’ll start thinking there’s something wrong with you.

Xu Fei’s face flushed crimson with anger. He frantically scrambled for a retort.

But Luo Le gave him no chance, bolting out of the room.

Luo Le, you fucking stop right there! Who’s trying to climb the ladder…

Luo Le waved his hand dismissively. No need to see me off.

As he boarded the hovercar, Luo Le couldn’t help but grin at the memory of Xu Fei’s crestfallen expression. He hummed a cheerful tune all the way home.

Remembering his task of choosing a gift for Huo Lanjing, Luo Le headed straight to a familiar luxury boutique in the city center.

The sales clerk greeted him with a radiant smile. Luo Le was one of their VIP clients, spending a considerable sum annually.

Mr. Luo, welcome back. The usual?

Luo Le nodded, letting them escort him to a plush sofa.

Moments after settling in, several attendants wheeled over a dessert cart and arranged pastries on the table.

Having skipped breakfast, Luo Le’s stomach had been grumbling for hours. He picked up a pastry, took a delicate bite, and savored the sweet, rich flavor that filled his palate.

It tasted exactly as he remembered.

He ate quickly, finishing three pastries in no time.

Mr. Luo.

Just as he finished a sip of tea, several rows of Alphas appeared before him, standing ramrod straight. The one he usually chose was absent.

Luo Le scanned the group before pointing to a tall, muscular Alpha.

Him.