Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 52

Luo Le, still recovering from his illness, suddenly exerted such force that his breathing became unsteady. Get lost. I don’t need you.

With a curl of his lips, he looked up at Huo Lanjing and sneered, Why won’t you agree? Have you fallen in love with me?

Huo Lanjing straightened the cuff of his military uniform, glancing at Luo Le with detached indifference before shifting his gaze to his wrist. Your provocations have no effect on me. I have matters to attend to at the Military District.

He turned to leave, but before he could take two steps, Luo Le called out to him.

Turning back, Huo Lanjing saw Luo Le staring at him with unwavering resolve. He paused. Is there something else?

Luo Le loosened his grip on the bedsheets. In that case, I’ll see you in court. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Huo Lanjing’s expression froze. Hearing these words directly felt different from hearing them secondhand, and an inexplicable surge of anger flared within him.

Though Luo Le had always been willful and prone to deliberately contradicting him, he had never looked at him with such cold finality.

Now, Luo Le’s resolute demeanor left no room for doubt—this wasn’t an act.

Luo Le genuinely wanted a divorce…

Reflecting on his recent actions, Huo Lanjing’s pupils constricted sharply. What was he doing? Trying to make him stay?

Him? Trying to make Luo Le stay?

The thought darkened Huo Lanjing’s expression. He advanced toward Luo Le, closing the distance between them step by step.

Luo Le, noticing Huo Lanjing’s grim demeanor, tensed and clutched the pillow to his chest. Wh-what do you want?

Huo Lanjing’s eyes darkened. You want a divorce? Fine. But you handle the Huo and Luo families yourself. I’ll wait. With that, he turned and strode out of the room.

This time, Luo Le didn’t call after him. He sighed, thinking about Huo Lanjing’s words.

He wasn’t worried about the Huo Family since he’d entered their household, no one had ever given him the time of day.

But the Luo Family… that was a problem. As Huo Lanjing had pointed out, after a divorce, the Huo Family would no longer extend favors to the Luo Family. How could Luo Lu possibly agree?

Luo Le rubbed his temples. Well, I’ll figure it out when the time comes.

After two more weeks in the hospital, Luo Le was finally discharged.

During his stay, perhaps because of their argument, he hadn’t seen Huo Lanjing or Captain Lin once.

Only those eager to curry favor with him, given his status, had worn a path to his door.

Even on the day of his discharge, Huo Lanjing didn’t appear, nor did he send anyone in his stead.

Luo Le didn’t mind. He picked out a presentable outfit, grabbed nothing else, and left.

Someone would take care of the gifts and supplements anyway.

The thought that Huo Lanjing had agreed to the divorce filled him with relief.

Hey, Senior Brother, you’re being discharged?

Luo Le had just closed the door when he turned at the sound of the voice and saw Qin Runzhi standing before him, his mentor beside him holding a bouquet of flowers.

You… why are you here?

Qin Runzhi glanced down at the flowers in his hand and shook them slightly. Looks like I bought these for nothing.

Luo Le followed his gaze to the red roses at his chest and twitched his lips. Who gives red roses to a patient?

The mentor shot Qin Runzhi a sidelong glance before stepping forward and patting Luo Le’s shoulder. Good to see you’re well. Now that your military service is complete, how about coming back to help this old man?

Luo Le smiled and nodded. I’m going back. Since you’re both here, let’s grab a meal together. My treat.

Before the mentor could reply, Qin Runzhi winked at Luo Le. Since Senior Brother insists, I’d be a fool to refuse.

Oh, right, here, Senior Brother, take this. Qin Runzhi said, shoving the flowers into Luo Le’s arms.

Luo Le looked at the flowers in his arms, knowing Qin Runzhi was stubborn. He didn’t refuse or say anything.

The group walked out, chatting and laughing.

Luo Le’s hovercar had been brought over by someone earlier and was now in the garage.

The Mentor drove his own hovercar, but Qin Runzhi didn’t.

Three people in one hovercar would be too cramped, so Luo Le had already made arrangements with the Mentor.

He opened the car door and casually tossed the flowers into the small compartment behind the seats, about to close the door.

Suddenly, a hand gripped the door, and Qin Runzhi squeezed half his body inside. Senior Brother, move over.

Though puzzled, Luo Le shifted to the right.

Qin Runzhi climbed in, closed the door, and flashed Luo Le a smile. Senior Brother, where should we eat?

Luo Le paused. Do you have any preferences?

Qin Runzhi shook his head.

Luo Le thought for a moment. Only one place came to mind, and he blurted out, Qixiangyuan.

Qixiangyuan was one of the Empire’s most prestigious restaurants, operating on a membership basis.

Qin Runzhi nodded in agreement. Sounds good.

When they arrived at Qixiangyuan, it was just past lunchtime, so the restaurant was relatively empty. Their dishes were served quickly.

Your order is complete. Please enjoy your meal. The server is just outside the door ring the bell if you need anything.

Luo Le waved the server away, who closed the private room door on their way out.

The Mentor watched Luo Le pick up his chopsticks, suddenly remembering something. He took a sip of tea and said, Oh, by the way, I have news about that matter you asked about earlier.

Luo Le looked up, and the Mentor’s expression reminded him of what he had asked.

Everyone in the galaxy knew that obtaining residency in the Empire was difficult, but actually leaving the Empire was equally challenging.

To leave, one had to prepare a mountain of documents, submit an application, and obtain permits from the relevant authorities.

Even that wasn’t enough. The approval process could take anywhere from a couple of weeks to half a year, and there was a fifty percent chance of rejection.

Previously, as Madam Huo, Luo Le had enjoyed the privilege of unrestricted travel. A simple notification was all it took to leave the Empire.

But after the divorce, this privilege vanished.

Knowing that a divorce was likely and wanting to take his mother with him, Luo Le had been paying particularly close attention to the exit permit process.

Last year, Luo Le had heard rumors that the Empire might issue a hundred Exit Permits, though the truth and timing remained unclear.

Before he could speak, his mentor continued, Hmm… they should be released within the next few days.

Luo Le’s eyes lit up. Really? Are there any requirements?

The mentor paused, then shook his head. The specific requirements haven’t been announced yet. Once they are, I’ll help you apply directly.

With his mentor’s assistance, Luo Le’s chances of success would be significantly higher.

Luo Le smiled politely. Okay, thank you, Mentor.

Senior Brother, what do you need an Exit Permit for? Qin Runzhi asked belatedly, as if he’d just stumbled into the conversation.

Luo Le chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. To catch the Mecha Exhibition and the Ready-to-Wear Show, of course.

Qin Runzhi nodded once and fell silent.

The mentor waved his hand dismissively. You’re welcome. Hurry and eat up we need to get back to work afterward.

Luo Le nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and lifted a piece of meat. As he leaned in to smell it, he frowned at the greasy aroma.

Did Qixiangyuan change chefs?

He popped the meat into his mouth, chewed twice, and immediately sensed something was wrong. He grabbed a napkin, spat out the meat, and rushed to the small restroom in the private room.

Luo Le gripped the edges of the sink and vomited violently. Having subsisted on nutrient supplements for days, his stomach was empty, and he dry-heaved for a long while, managing to expel only a clear, slightly viscous fluid.

Qin Runzhi followed him in and gently rubbed his back, understanding his discomfort and refraining from asking any questions.

In the quiet bathroom, only the sound of Luo Le’s retching echoed, as if he were trying to vomit his stomach out. His eyes reddened from the strain, tears welling up.

After about five minutes, the nausea finally subsided. Luo Le turned on the faucet and splashed water on his face.

When the water stopped running, Qin Runzhi tore off a paper towel and held it out to Luo Le. Luo Le turned to look at him and took it, saying, Thank you.

Qin Runzhi waved it off, his face etched with concern as he leaned closer. Senior Brother, what’s wrong?

Luo Le thought for a moment. The piece of meat he had just eaten had been quite fatty. I think it’s because I’ve been living on nutrient supplements lately. My stomach probably can’t handle something so greasy all of a sudden.

Qin Runzhi, only half-understanding, helped him up. Then you should stick to vegetables for now, Senior Brother.

Luo Le nodded.

The meal passed quickly. After bidding farewell to the others, Luo Le went straight home.

After parking the car in the garage and getting out, Luo Le was about to close the door when he suddenly remembered the bouquet of flowers. He turned back to retrieve them.

He had only taken a few steps when a familiar hovercar pulled up to his left.

Huo Lanjing emerged from the vehicle and stood beside him.

The moment Huo Lanjing stepped out, his gaze fell on the striking red of the flowers. He glanced indifferently at Luo Le, then strode past him without a word.

Luo Le withdrew his hand, which had been raised in greeting, and stared after the inexplicable figure. After a moment, he followed.

Huo Lanjing doesn’t want to talk to me? Well, I don’t want to talk to him either!

Back home, Luo Le showered and collapsed into bed, falling asleep almost instantly. It was as if he couldn’t get enough rest.

At three in the morning, he woke up ravenously hungry.

This hunger couldn’t be satisfied by nutrient paste.

The burning sensation of stomach acid gnawing at his stomach drove Luo Le downstairs, where he instructed the robot to prepare a bowl of noodles.

Halfway through his meal, drowsiness overwhelmed him. Luo Le’s eating pace slowed, and he jerked awake repeatedly.

Suddenly, a deep voice broke the silence.

Are you eating noodles or sleeping?

Luo Le startled awake, his gaze colliding with Huo Lanjing’s dark gray eyes.

After a long pause, he lowered his head, picked at the noodles before him, and answered truthfully, Eating noodles.

Huo Lanjing walked to the refrigerator, took out a carton of milk, poured it into a glass, and placed it in front of Luo Le.

Luo Le stared at him, puzzled by his unusual behavior.

Wake yourself up, Huo Lanjing said, his tone as irritating as his words.

Luo Le slammed down his chopsticks, grabbed the glass, and drained it in one gulp. I’m full, he declared, turning and stomping upstairs.

Only after Luo Le’s figure disappeared around the corner did Huo Lanjing return the milk to the refrigerator, retrieve a tea cake from the top shelf, and head to his study.

Over the next few days, Luo Le found Huo Lanjing at home every evening, a stark contrast to their previous routine.

They were already in a cold war, so despite seeing each other more often, they barely spoke. When they did, it was only to snipe at each other.

At the dining table, they ate in silence. At night, they slept in separate beds. During the day, Luo Le sprawled on the living room sofa while Huo Lanjing stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Perhaps because he noticed Huo Lanjing’s lack of appetite and nausea, Luo Le barely ate anything himself during those days.