242: Chapter 242 Departure

"You're back!"

Catching the pouncing Kate, Li Ming hesitated for a moment but still chose to let her hug him.

"Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine..." Kate shook her head. "What about you? You're not hurt, are you?"

"Don't worry, what could possibly happen to me?"

Actually, there was a little something; he had been hit several times during the firefight just now, but fortunately, the Explosive Reactive Armor and the Upper Glacis plate had blocked them.

The impact on his body was just a few scrapes; he would recover in a moment.

"As long as you're okay..."

She looked at Li Ming, and this time he actually saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes. He couldn't help but reach out and wipe the corners of her eyes. "It's been hard on you, having to busy yourself right after recovering."

"It's okay!" She shook her head. "As long as you're fine..."

"I was going to say the same... As long as you're all fine," Li Ming replied. "Alright, little kitten, go back and get some rest."

"Let's go back together."

"...Alright." Li Ming looked at the spectating Lei and Dian. "Let's all go back together."

"Commander... is farming affection again." Lei nodded. "All that's missing is the ring."

"I want to do that too..." Dian leaned in. "Lei and Dian... are the MVPs."

"Commander's Ultimate Demon King Guard!" Lei expressed her approval.

They followed the two of them back into the garage.

"Does the Commander like this type?"

Lei looked with some confusion at Kate, who was clinging to Li Ming; her gaze was practically smoldering.

"Commander is philanthropic," Dian replied.

"Makes sense."

Listening to the two of them go back and forth, Li Ming felt a headache coming on. Once Maria and Elsa returned, the fun would likely be even greater...

——————

Although they had accepted the fact of Lei and Dian's existence, some things weren't so easily ignored.

For example, at this moment, Elsa's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, but she found it hard to lash out.

"Yes, they are my Ship Girls." Li Ming confirmed their identity. "If it weren't for them this time, I'm afraid I would have been in grave danger."

"The Commander should command, just like playing red alert, instead of trying to be a Hero Unit..." Lei complained. "I see, the Commander has the heart of a front-line soldier..."

Li Ming rubbed her head vigorously as if he were fiddling with walnuts, then patted Dian's head as well.

Maria leaned against the doorframe, watching their interaction with a mix of amusement and helplessness, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

Kate swung her legs. "So, do you really come from another world?"

Li Ming thought for a moment. "In a way. We came from a parallel dimension. I'm here for a reason, as for them..."

"We were snatched away..." Lei replied. "After you disappeared that day, we tried to find you through... those means, and then one day... we suddenly arrived here."

"Uh... sorry for making everyone worry..." Li Ming rubbed his nose. "I think I have an idea why."

"I see. The Commander has a plan."

"Yeah."

"Then... earlier you said you were Li Ming's wives..."

"Not yet," Li Ming answered immediately.

"But we can be at any time..." Lei added, then looked at Li Ming. "Commander, let's get married."

"Huh?... Dian, keep your sister in check..."

"...I will never abandon the Commander." Dian finally squeezed out this sentence, completely silencing Li Ming.

Next was preparation time for lunch... though it was almost dinner time, so it could count as dinner.

Li Ming went into the warehouse to find stock for today's dinner for six. Elsa suddenly followed him in.

"Li Ming, about that..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"...Nothing."

He really did overlook it. Elsa closed her eyes, preparing to leave the warehouse.

"You're planning to marry me?"

Li Ming finally reacted.

"Eh? What... No! It's dating! Dating!"

"There doesn't seem to be much of a difference."

"There's a huge... Fine..." Elsa stammered for a long time. "Anyway... I'm just... that..."

"Listen, Elsa." Li Ming became serious. "There's no future in following me. After the business in America is over, you need to go home; your mother is still waiting for you. I'm not sure about Kate, but Maria's family is still there too, so... although I like you all very much, I hope you'll consider it carefully."

"Ugh..."

She closed her eyes, her hand gripping the hem of his shirt tightly. After a long while, she opened her eyes. "Date me, even if it's only for a few hours."

"...Huh?"

Li Ming was dumbfounded. "Has it even been half a month since we met?"

"You've already proven you're an outstanding person, and..." She paused. "Yes, I like you. Is that enough?"

She turned her head away, but her eyes kept watching his expression from the corner of her eye.

"...Alright." Li Ming shook his head. "Elsa, I can't make any promises, but no matter what, I hope you can be happy."

——————

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Ready anytime."

Lei and Dian stood with him in the night.

It was three in the morning. He had woken them up, deciding to leave quietly.

Snowflakes began to drift in the sky, as if adding a unique touch to this ending.

Li Ming reached out, trying to catch a snowflake, but it melted in his hand the next moment.

"Let's go."

Leading them away from the garage, Li Ming turned back to look. This half month had been... truly eventful.

He sighed, his warm breath turning into white mist in the cold wind.

Turning back, he saw a figure of gold and blue shivering in the cold wind.

"Kate?! Why are you out here wearing so little! What if you catch a cold?"

Li Ming jogged over, only to see her shivering, yet still looking into his eyes.

"You're... leaving?"

Li Ming was silent for a moment, then nodded.

She hugged him, stood on tiptoe to press her face against his, and used her tongue to pry open his teeth.

After an unknown amount of time, she released him and pushed him away. "Go. Even though I'm ten years older than you, you should be on your way. Remember to miss me!"

"I will."

Kate walked toward the garage.

Li Ming looked at Lei and Dian, who were looking at him expectantly.

"Let's go, it's time to go home!"

"I see. The Commander is reluctant to leave them and is afraid he won't want to go." Lei realized.

"No... I have more people I care about, like you two."

Li Ming suddenly felt his teeth set on edge; he seemed to be getting more and more used to sweet talk. This was not a good sign...

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