246: Chapter 246 Rusted Honor
Who exactly was she?
Although Li Ming had some guesses, he still didn't dare to be certain.
Logic had remained silent during this period; according to her personal explanation, it was because 'her primary computing power was busy processing the sharp increase in administrative work analysis for Plata Port,' but she could still provide some immediate assistance.
Based on certain features, the clothes on the hanger could be identified as a Northern Union Naval Marshal's uniform from the Northern Union era, suggesting her identity was far from simple.
Note, this was a Northern Union Naval Marshal, not a Red Navy Marshal...
Lunch consisted of Black Bread, a very traditional food, but Li Ming, who was undoubtedly used to white flour, was not very accustomed to it; it felt as tasteless as chewing wax.
As expected, he wasn't used to a Western diet.
Facing Li Ming's obvious display of being a 'picky eater,' she, sitting across from him at the small dining table, showed no reaction. She simply finished her portion of Black Bread quietly, then slowly stood up and slowly returned to the rocking chair by the window.
Li Ming hesitated for a moment but still chose to eat the Dalieba in his hand.
It started out a bit sour and bitter, but became more and more fragrant.
Not bad. He heard from his old man that when he lived in the North, he would eat steamed buns mixed with soup; unfortunately, there was no soup this time.
After finishing, Li Ming casually wiped his mouth, thought for a brief moment, and then got up to walk gently toward the rocking chair by the window.
"What is it?" She opened her eyes.
"Uh, well, Ma'am, I'm very grateful to you... um, for saving my life and, by the way, taking me in."
"Mm."
"So... may I ask who you are?"
"Me?" She fell silent for a moment. "They call me Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov."
As expected... Li Ming's guess was verified.
"So it's you." He nodded. "I didn't expect to end up here either. I might have to trouble you for a while."
"You don't seem very surprised. No matter, this house is mostly empty." She didn't move, her tone as constant as the wind and snow outside the window. "Just don't tear the house down."
"Alright then... thank you for your generosity." Li Ming bowed slightly; at least the accommodation problem was solved for now.
As for the rest...
He had no ideas for the time being; he might have to go out and observe the situation.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"First, drop that damn honorific," she said without looking back at him. "Second, if you really have nothing to do, you can help me clean this house that hasn't been tidied in a long time."
Li Ming nodded and looked around for a broom and a dustpan.
"...Finally, get me a bottle of Vodka." She thought about it and added, "It's in the upper cabinet in the kitchen."
So Li Ming went to the kitchen first to get the Vodka.
Водка... it should be this one.
He took a bottle down, suddenly thought of something, and hesitated. "Are you allowed to drink?"
"What kind of stupid question are you worried about?" She sighed. "Secondly, drop the honorific."
"Uh... sorry."
Since she said so, Li Ming handed the Vodka over to her and then began to sweep the floor.
Good grief, this living room is quite large, and there's no vacuum cleaner...
Well, given her physical condition, it was probably best not to be too loud anyway.
She casually popped the cap with her thumb and took two large gulps.
Then she drained the bottle in one go, casually opened the window, and let the cold wind dissipate the heat in the room, along with the warmth that had finally begun to rise in her body.
She tossed the bottle out the window and then closed it.
She coughed twice, then wrapped her blanket tight and closed her eyes once more.
The only sound in the living room was the broom sliding across the floor.
It was nice; at least this time when she fell asleep, there was someone in the house...
She closed her eyes, letting the weary darkness shroud her remaining consciousness.
...
She didn't know how much time had passed when she woke up.
She sat up and looked around; the little fellow from the East had fallen asleep leaning on the sofa.
The clock had just turned to IV.
It was four in the afternoon.
She looked out the window, which was still pitch black, and sighed.
The heat from the central heating system baked the living room, at least ensuring the two of them didn't freeze.
She sat up, clutching her blanket, and slowly sat on the other side of the sofa, covering him with the blanket.
Whether he was just thick-skinned or what, he didn't react at all.
The light from the dim yellow desk lamp illuminated his cheeks. The Marshal studied him; this little fellow was indeed very young, but he must have gone through a lot.
She heard that young people in Eastern Radiance matured early? Perhaps this was proof.
She looked away. He couldn't hide here forever, but to leave, he would need someone who knew him—and it couldn't be an old fossil who couldn't even leave the house.
Furthermore, he was still wearing thin clothes, and she didn't have any clothes suitable for him here; he would need someone to give him a hand.
But regardless, it was rare to have another person in this house. It was a... novel and satisfying experience.
Thinking this, she opened the cabinet next to the sofa and took out a phone...
Uh, why wouldn't it turn on?
It must be out of power? She had to find a charger... it was a charger, right?
She slowly searched all over the living room for nearly twenty minutes, only to conclude that the charger was not in the living room.
She had to go upstairs to her room...
She walked up the stairs... then she felt her legs suddenly grow weak, accompanied by shortness of breath. Her heart rate was skyrocketing, but her vision was going dark.
Damn it, not even twenty minutes...
Clang!
Li Ming sat up with a start and looked toward the source of the sound.
"Are you alright?"
He quickly jumped up and reached her in a single bound. It seemed her physical condition was worse than imagined.
"Help me up..."
He immediately did as told and helped her up.
"Take me back to the sofa..." she said softly. "I might need to rest for a bit..."
"Okay..."
Sitting on the sofa, she sighed. "Thanks."
"It's nothing... what were you trying to do?"
"I need to go back to my room to get something," she said. After a moment's hesitation, she continued, "Help me get my phone charger. My phone is dead, but I need to do something."
"Alright... which room is yours?"
"The first one on the right."
"Oh."
She watched his back as he went upstairs, shook her head, and then closed her eyes, falling into silence. She didn't even notice when Li Ming returned and thoughtfully plugged her phone in.
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