Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 33

The man glanced at Luo Le before looking him in the eye. Luo Le, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Yu Bing. We’ll be working together from now on. Please guide me.

Luo Le shook his hand.

After the brief exchange, Yu Bing said, Follow me, and turned to walk left.

Luo Le nodded and followed.

Inside the Mecha Building, white floors, white walls, and white ceilings stretched endlessly. Display cases lined both sides, each showcasing a different mecha. The sterile environment felt somewhat desolate.

A few minutes later, Luo Le stood before a laboratory door, which stood open. Three figures scurried about inside.

Yu Bing crossed his arms and barked, What’s going on here? Are you trying to tear this place apart?

A man with black-rimmed glasses approached, panting heavily. Teacher Yu, the Admiral is arriving soon. The commander gave us ten minutes to move the new mechas out, but there are so many—ten minutes isn’t nearly enough!

Yu Bing frowned. Don’t panic. Luo Le, come help too. Follow me.

Luo Le nodded and followed Yu Bing into a room filled with instruments.

Push the mechas out in the order listed on the table. The team on the other side will handle the next steps.

Luo Le nodded. Alright.

Yu Bing glanced at him skeptically. You know how to do this, right?

Luo Le answered truthfully, Yes.

The console was identical to the one he’d used at a mecha exhibition his instructor had taken him to before.

Good. If you have any problems, come find me.

Yu Bing patted Luo Le’s wrist and hurried away.

Luo Le turned back to the console, watching the busy figures on the surveillance screens. He pulled up the table and began working.

What’s Huo Lanjing doing here? he wondered. From what they said earlier, it sounds like he’s inspecting the mechas. Could the Lone Wolf be damaged?

Luo Le pondered this as he worked through the table.

Eight minutes later, Yu Bing returned.

He picked up the table from Luo Le’s right. Want to come with me?

Luo Le shook his head. No, I’ll wait for you here.

He couldn’t face Huo Lanjing just yet.

Yu Bing didn’t press the matter. He glanced at the time and strode away.

Luo Le sat back down, but he couldn’t stay still for long. He soon rose again and hurried after Yu Bing, his steps swift and purposeful.

As he approached the main hall, he heard Yu Bing’s voice.

…It can achieve 99% compatibility with your mental energy. While it doesn’t match the Lone Wolf in every aspect, it excels in all areas. If you dislike the color, we can customize it later.

Luo Le cautiously peeked around the corner. Huo Lanjing was studying the mecha’s specifications on the holographic display, his expression grave as if comparing options.

If you’re not interested in this model, we have another… Yu Bing shifted position and began introducing the next mecha.

Is the Beacon Wolf truly beyond repair?

Huo Lanjing appeared cold on the surface, but he was deeply sentimental. He had kept a small robot from childhood, repairing it countless times over the years. Even when it finally broke beyond repair, he kept it in a small room at home.

No matter how well-maintained the Beacon Wolf was, its parts would inevitably wear out with such frequent use. Replacing all its components would essentially make it a different machine entirely.

Even knowing this, Huo Lanjing would continue using it.

But why was Huo Lanjing here to inspect the mecha now? Could it be that Beacon Wolf was truly beyond repair?

If that were the case, Huo Lanjing must have fought an incredibly difficult battle on the Ninth Planet. Was he injured?

Luo Le stared intently at Huo Lanjing, barely restraining himself from running out.

Suddenly, Huo Lanjing turned and glanced in his direction. Luo Le quickly retreated to the left, trying to hide.

Huo Lanjing’s gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, lingered on Luo Le’s hiding spot. After a moment’s thought, he turned and walked over.

Luo Le pressed his back against the wall, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst. Could Huo Lanjing see him? What if he was discovered? Should he just leave now?

As Luo Le wrestled with his thoughts, a warm, gentle voice suddenly broke the silence Admiral, what are you looking at?

Luo Le froze, as if plunged into an icy cavern, his ears ringing with a deafening roar.

Huo Lanjing wasn’t here to inspect the mecha himself he was accompanying Chen Wuxing.

Luo Le had once begged Huo Lanjing to come with him to see the mecha, but Huo Lanjing had dismissed it as a waste of time.

What are they doing now?

Or is it just that spending time with him is a waste?

Luo Le heard Huo Lanjing ask, What do you think?

It wasn’t his usual cold indifference, nor was it impatience.

Suddenly, Luo Le’s heart felt pierced. Something surged up, making his eyes burn.

That gentle voice spoke again, tinged with amusement, No, I heard they’ll be releasing another batch the day after tomorrow. Let’s come back then.

Huo Lanjing hummed in agreement.

Then let’s go. Oh, take your coat.

Coat? What coat?

Luo Le’s mind went blank as he drifted back to his original spot.

Chen Wuxing held up a dark blue coat, smiling as he draped it over Huo Lanjing’s shoulders.

Neither of them seemed to find anything odd about this, as if such gestures were commonplace, something that had happened countless times before.

After all this time they’d been married, he had never once draped a coat over Huo Lanjing’s shoulders. Compared to him, Chen Wuxing seemed more like Huo Lanjing’s wife.

Luo Le’s hand, pressed against the wall, gradually tightened as he watched the two figures receding into the distance.

He turned and leaned against the wall, gazing up at the pristine white ceiling with empty eyes.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Luo Le’s mouth. So that’s why Huo Lanjing hasn’t been coming home.

When did this start? Right after the wedding? Or even earlier?

Did Huo Lanjing only marry him because of his elders’ wishes? Is that why he deliberately neglects him, hoping Luo Le will file for divorce so he can spend the rest of his life with Chen Wuxing?

Their love truly is as steadfast as gold.

Luo Le clutched at the fabric over his left chest, feeling a sharp, piercing pain like a needle stabbing him.

Then… what am I? What was the point of all this?

He roughly rubbed his cheeks, took a deep breath, and turned to walk back.

Yu Bing would be showing him around the office later.

That night, after Huo Lanjing finished washing up and returned to his study, a sudden, urgent ringtone pierced the silence.

Without even glancing at the screen, Huo Lanjing knew it was Luo Le—this was Luo Le’s custom ringtone.

He had considered changing it, but he knew Luo Le would throw a fit, so he left it as is.

When the second ring came, Huo Lanjing lazily answered.

The background behind Luo Le on the screen was dimly lit.

What is it?

Hearing Huo Lanjing’s impatient tone, Luo Le unconsciously bit his lip, recalling Huo Lanjing’s words from earlier that morning.

When Huo Lanjing received no response after a long pause, he shifted his gaze and began reviewing documents, completely ignoring Luo Le’s presence.

He didn’t hang up because he knew Luo Le would call again.

Luo Le stared blankly at the door visible on the screen, lost in thought.

Huo Lanjing.

No response.

Huo Lanjing!

Hmm.

Where did you go this morning?

Busy.

Luo Le was looking for me this morning?

Luo Le sneered coldly. Busy with what?

Huo Lanjing glanced at the non-confidential documents he had brought home to review. What else could I be busy with?

He remained silent.

Luo Le’s pent-up emotions finally erupted. Huo Lanjing, I’m talking to you! Can you at least show me some respect? I am your wife, after all.

Why do you always act like this when talking to me, but you’re so gentle with Chen Wuxing?

I’m the one who’s rightfully your wife.

Hearing this, Huo Lanjing inexplicably turned back, only to see Luo Le’s eyes rimmed with red, tears sliding down his cheeks, one drop after another.

Huo Lanjing paused. He’s crying just because I ignored him? How delicate.

He stopped what he was doing.

Luo Le asked directly, When did you meet Chen Wuxing?

Huo Lanjing glanced at him indifferently. What are you planning?

On the deserted roadside, the streetlights stretched Luo Le’s shadow long behind him.

Luo Le suddenly laughed, tears falling with each sob. What am I planning, Huo Lanjing? What do you think I can do? What will you let me do?

Huo Lanjing frowned, staring at Luo Le’s dark silhouette on the screen. Instinct told him Luo Le had been drinking. Have you been drinking? he asked.

Luo Le’s voice grew sharper. Answer me. When did you meet him?

Studying Luo Le’s expression, Huo Lanjing inexplicably replied, Seven years ago. Is that what you wanted to know?

Seven years ago… before their marriage.

Luo Le felt all the strength drain from his body. Didn’t I already suspect this? Why bother asking?

Given his personality, Luo Le should have hysterically demanded answers, asking Huo Lanjing why he was treating him this way. But for some reason, he didn’t.

He merely curled his lips into a faint smile and replied softly, Right. Thank you for telling me.

With that, Luo Le hung up immediately and shut down his Smart Brain.

What should I do now? He didn’t know. He needed time to think.

On the other end, Huo Lanjing heard the dial tone and felt a dull ache in his chest, remembering Luo Le’s expression.

He tried calling again, but the call didn’t go through.

Slightly irritated, he dialed another number.

What is it?

Huo Fei, help me find Luo Le.

Huo Fei feigned annoyance. Do I owe you something? You and your husband have a fight, and I have to go looking for him?

He’s drunk and outside.

Huo Fei’s expression shifted slightly. Fine, I’ll go look for him.

Beside the hoverchair lay over a dozen empty beer cans, with two more cases stacked on the seat.

Luo Le was sprawled across the armrest, right hand holding a can. He hooked his index finger around the tab, tilted his head back, took a swig, and shook the can.

Why does this alcohol make me feel more sober the more I drink?

Frustrated, Luo Le tossed the can of alcohol into the trash. He glanced up at the sky, then rose to tidy up the mess.

After straightening his clothes, rinsing his mouth, and turning to head back to the dormitory, he found Yang Liqing, who had already finished showering, waiting anxiously. It was past curfew, and Luo Le still hadn’t returned. The Smart Brain couldn’t reach him either. Could something have happened?

Give me a hand, a deliberately muffled voice called from the window.

Yang Liqing rushed over to find Luo Le clinging to the windowsill, his feet balanced on a narrow ledge.

He grabbed Luo Le frantically and pulled him inside. Are you crazy? How high up is this?

As Luo Le stepped inside, a faint scent of alcohol mingled with his cologne.

Yang Liqing frowned. You’ve been drinking?

Just a little. I’m not drunk. I’ll soak in the bath for a while to get rid of the smell. You go to sleep.

Yang Liqing sighed. Is that really the problem? You’re really… He suddenly noticed Luo Le’s reddened eyes. You… never mind. Just go take a shower.

Okay.

Luo Le took off his shoes and placed them in the shoe cabinet. After retrieving his pajamas, he headed to the bathroom.

Watching Luo Le’s retreating figure, Yang Liqing couldn’t shake the feeling that he seemed lonely.

The next morning, Huo Lanjing, who had barely slept, woke to find messages from Huo Fei

I’ve been searching all night, but I can’t find him. I asked the school, and they said he’s withdrawn from his studies.

Not to be rude, but what did you do to upset him? You need to be more considerate. After all, he’s still your man.

Huo Lanjing’s face darkened with each message he read, his expression growing increasingly sour.