191: Chapter 191 Late September

"Morning, Old Zhou."

"Morning, Li Ming... Is this your new Ship Girl?"

"Oh, this is Laffey, my Ship Girl."

"Sometimes I really envy you, Li Ming."

"Nothing to envy, and Jiu Hai is behind you."

"Ah, Jiu Hai, you're here?" Zhou Hong turned around, "How did it go?"

"No problem, Xiao Yang and Nana have both been sent to their new school."

"That's good." Zhou Hong breathed a sigh of relief, "This is Laffey, Commander Li Ming's Ship Girl."

"Hello. And, good morning, Commander Li Ming."

"Good morning, Jiu Hai. Oh, right, Old Zhou, weren't you planning to find a special training teacher for Jiu Hai? I think Laffey would be perfect."

"Her..." Zhou Hong looked at the sleepy girl hanging on Li Ming, "A Destroyer?"

"She's no worse than a Light Cruiser." Li Ming replied, "Laffey, is that okay?"

Laffey gave a thumbs up, then her hand fell back down limp.

"Then I'll be in your care." Jiu Hai bowed slightly; she could feel that this Laffey was completely different from the Alert she had seen before.

She was very strong; though she lacked Anshan's mystery, she was still a powerful existence.

"Are you going to a theory class today?" Zhou Hong asked, seeing Li Ming carrying a bag.

"Yeah, Cutting-edge Theory, a lecture."

"Related to that... Aviation Support?" Zhou Hong recalled.

"Correct."

"Then you'd better hurry."

"Got it."

Li Ming left, carrying Laffey.

Zhou Hong watched them walk away, "Jiu Hai, why are you in such a hurry to grow up?"

"To adapt as quickly as possible, Commander." Jiu Hai answered, "The rules and systems of this world are completely different from my memories. If I don't grow up faster, I'm worried I won't be able to fulfill my duties."

"...Thank you, Jiu Hai."

"I told you, it's my duty, it's not because..."

You see, she gave herself away.

The classroom.

"Li Ming, who is this..."

"Laffey. Laffey, say hel-lo to the tea-cher."

"He-llo, tea-cher~"

"Aw, how cute."

Teacher Stuart's eye twitched, "New Ship Girls should go to the training grounds."

"She's not exactly a new Ship Girl."

"That's still not allowed; you can't disrupt the order of the class."

"Uh... Laffey? Why don't you go home and sleep?"

"Hoom..."

Although she seemed a bit reluctant, Laffey still wobbled away. Li Ming was actually a bit worried about whether she could find her way home.

"Alright, everyone sit back down!" Teacher Stuart clapped her hands, "Class is about to start!"

Despite this, everyone's eyes were still fixed on Li Ming.

Anne narrowed her eyes and observed him for a while before turning back to prepare her notes.

Emil looked deeply at Li Ming for a long time before withdrawing his gaze and slumping into his seat.

He felt like a loser. He couldn't help, no Ship Girl acknowledged him, and he didn't even have any friends.

Cliff stared at Li Ming, "You've got another new Ship Girl?"

"Not new."

"...I feel like I'm understanding you less and less." Cliff facepalmed.

"Just treat me like an ordinary person."

"Yeah, right, like I'd believe you."

Cliff leaned against the back of his chair, "You're definitely some hidden genius from a big family; there are too many of those in web novels."

"Watch less of that stuff." Li Ming shook his head, then suddenly said for no apparent reason, "I'm the child of workers and farmers; I'm just an ordinary person."

Cliff was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, "You really are different."

"I told you I'm nothing... Ouch!"

A piece of chalk.

"Li Ming, to the back!"

"Yes, teacher..."

"And you, Cliff!"

"Yes, teacher!"

After class.

"Good afternoon, Student Li Ming~"

"Good afternoon, Dean. I hope I'm not disturbing your leisure, but I must lodge a protest and report regarding your sister's ongoing incidents involving trespassing and such. I believe this concerns the safety of the academy's students and the reputation of the academy and the Ship Girl Bureau. I hope you can investigate this seriously..."

"Stop, stop, stop, Commander Li Ming, wait a second..." Axiom had a headache; she really didn't expect him to start reporting Aussie like he was reciting a menu right off the bat. Hadn't Aussie said she'd already talked things out with him? Was this how they talked?

Axiom tried her best to maintain a smile, "Well, Commander Li Ming, I will handle my sister's matters and guarantee you an answer. I've come this time to discuss business cooperation with you."

"As for business cooperation..." Li Ming hesitated, "You can go to the Hurricane Chamber of Commerce; I personally am not responsible for the organization's business affairs."

"I understand that, of course, but there are still some things I intend to discuss with you." Axiom replied, "It's about that aircraft; Andelin wishes to buy it for 1.25 million yuan."

"Uh... if Teacher Auglaya has no objections, then neither do I. After all, the ownership of that plane isn't actually mine."

"I see." Axiom bowed slightly; it seemed Li Ming didn't intend to keep these technologies secret.

Li Ming couldn't help but glance at the other person. Both were Oath-class, but why was Aussie's figure so close to that of an ordinary girl, while Axiom was simply quite curvaceous?

Feeling his gaze, Axiom didn't mind much; there were plenty of people who lusted after her body, and Li Ming's gaze was relatively friendly.

However, at this moment, without official business, Axiom suddenly felt playful, "Commander Li Ming has many Ship Girls around him, doesn't he?"

"Ah, yes..." Li Ming was startled, "Is something wrong?"

"Ah, no, I just wanted to say, the Ship Girls following you seem to generally have smaller figures?" Axiom looked thoughtful, "On the contrary, like Miss Gang Yishawa and Miss Dunkerque, they live outside."

"Uh... Dean, what are you trying to say?" Li Ming was completely bewildered.

"What I mean is, in the Federation, forming a Vow with a Ship Girl who is too small will get you arrested by the Military Police, you know?"

"Ah, actually, it's the same where we come from."

"Oh?"

"...But no one can control me."

"...Commander Li Ming's side... is quite open-minded, hahaha..." Axiom laughed awkwardly and turned to sit in a nearby seat, "What does Commander Li Ming think of Kano?"

"She's a good Ship Girl; I'm glad Verres has such a deputy."

"That's quite high praise."

"It's the truth." Li Ming shook his head, "However, she seems to lack some experience in daily life, although she seems fine at home."

"Hmm... do you like her?"

"Like? No one dislikes Ship Girls. Naturally, I think she's great, but I don't have any intention of dating her yet. Rather than wanting to be a couple, it's more like she's suited to be... family?"

Axiom was stunned; this was much more advanced than being a couple.

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