252: Chapter 252 My Identity

"Um... about yesterday... sorry about that..."

Ushakov scratched her head, smiling with an embarrassed look on her face.

"It's fine." Li Ming shook his head. "It's just... well, the Marshal asked me why I came back so late yesterday."

"Guh..." Sweat beaded on Ushakov's forehead. "How... how did you answer?"

"I said I got lost in the city last night..." Li Ming looked away.

"I'm sorry! It was my fault!!" She suddenly slid into a kneeling position, giving Li Ming a start.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, don't give me such a grand gesture, hey—"

After a bit of a fuss, the two of them walked toward the Naval Office.

"Cough... um, thank you for yesterday."

As she spoke, her cheeks suddenly turned a bit red. It was hard to tell if it was because she hadn't completely blacked out yesterday or if it was the cold wind.

"No matter. But what about you? You drank like that yesterday and didn't feel anything?" Li Ming glanced at her. If his memory served him right, people who truly knew how to drink would definitely control their intake.

"Oh, well, I was happy..."

She laughed it off and immediately changed the subject. "I'll get you a phone today, and a forged ID card. Though this ID won't let you into any core facilities, it should be enough to live in the city without any problems."

Li Ming nodded in agreement.

...But it had to be said, this would be absolutely impossible back home.

The Slavic Sector, quite something, isn't it?

He followed her into the Naval Office and received the documents Ushakov had prepared.

Although the staff looked at them with strange expressions, Ushakov didn't explain anything and just led him away.

Looking at the photo and engraved text on the ID... Li Ming felt helpless. This ID was far too crudely made.

"Um, Li Ming?"

Ushakov suddenly spoke up. "What are your plans for the future?"

"Me? I don't have any plans for the moment," Li Ming replied. "But since I've been... well, taken in by the Marshal, I'll take good care of her before I leave."

"Then how are you supposed to leave?" Ushakov looked at him, her milky white eyes sizing him up.

"I have an idea, but I don't plan on leaving just yet."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because... well, because of the Marshal."

"Hmm?" Her eyes darted around. "You don't have any strange ideas about a weak woman who has no power to resist, do you?"

Li Ming stumbled. "Ushakov."

"Yeah?"

"There's a saying in Eastern Radiance that I think I should tell you."

"What is it?"

"If you don't know how to speak, you don't have to!"

"Hmph, come and hit me then!"

Li Ming took a deep breath. He felt he had to change his tactics.

"But you're right."

"...Huh?" Ushakov had already prepared to dodge, but she froze in place upon hearing this.

"So what? Who doesn't like a sickly beautiful girl?"

It was true. Although she acted very maturely, her fragile state made her look like a porcelain doll.

"No? Li Ming, you?"

"What about me?" Li Ming put his hands on his hips. "Didn't you say I like this kind?"

Ushakov leaned back, a look of shock on her face.

Was he even speaking human? Was this right?

"You... are you serious?"

"Hey, don't say that, I really am serious." Li Ming looked proud. "But I also quite like your type."

"...Suka, you guy, you gave me a fright." Ushakov finally realized that this guy was being mischievous.

"I'm serious."

Now Ushakov really didn't know what he was thinking.

But that wasn't the most important thing. The important thing was...

"Where is the market?"

"The market... the Agricultural Store is over there. Why?"

"A patient needs to eat something nutritious."

"Um, Li Ming..." Ushakov took off her hat. "Ship Girls essentially don't need normal nutritional supplements."

Li Ming tilted his head. "Yes, I know."

"Then you still?"

"I want to eat."

"I'm actually speechless..."

"Just kidding. Even for a Ship Girl, there is a demand for taste. A reasonable adjustment of flavors can effectively improve one's mood, and for a patient, a good mood is a very important part of recovery."

"That... makes some sense." Ushakov nodded. "So... do you have money?"

"No."

"..." Ushakov facepalmed. "Come with me, I'll pay for it."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Lady Ushakov." Li Ming pressed his hands together.

"Tch, smart mouth."

Li Ming shrugged and followed Ushakov toward the market.

——————

"Buying so many things..."

Ushakov and Li Ming carried bags large and small, walking toward the Marshal's house.

"It looks like a lot..." Li Ming said. "But in reality, it'll be gone in a few meals."

"Heh, I thought you only planned to make one meal."

"Trust me, if there's a first meal, there will be a second." Li Ming grinned. "And it won't be me who suggests it."

"How is that possible? The Marshal's self-control is very strong."

"Yeah... how long ago was that impression?"

"Ah..."

How long ago was it?

She was a symbol. From the moment she entered service and stood among the people, she had always been that way... resilient, calm, like the eternal ice of the Northlands.

But how much of that was her true self?

To be honest, Ushakov had known her for so long and wasn't sure about that either.

But one thing was certain: she didn't like this place; she hated the cold and dryness here.

Yet she never complained, only silently... endured.

Until she could no longer hold on, she had never complained about anything.

This seemed to be the first time she had used her privileges to do something, for a... guy who seemed completely unrelated to her, performing a serious violation of authority, and even using what was left of her social connections.

But...

Was he worth it?

To be honest, Ushakov didn't know, but if she could be a little happier every day, it didn't seem... incomprehensible.

Ushakov was also happy to see it.

"Li Ming."

"Yeah?"

"What do you do?"

"Me? It might be a bit complicated."

"Uh-huh? Tell me about it."

"Cadet Commander."

"Commander? Of what?"

"Ship Girls."

Ushakov stopped in her tracks.

A Commander who commands Ship Girls...

Li Ming noticed she wasn't moving forward and turned back to look at her.

"Is it strange?"

Ushakov's gaze refocused on him. "What about the Navy's higher departments? Don't they restrict the development of your relationship with Ship Girls?"

"The Navy manages traditional vessels, while Ship Girls and Commanders are a default pair," Li Ming answered.

"..." Ushakov opened her mouth, but for some reason, no sound came out.

...

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