269: Chapter 269 New Year's Eve

Although there was a small accident, we still had to go out today.

Along with Kuznetsov, of course, today we also have the addition of a cute Snalet Leoli.

In just half an hour, it... she had already received a new nickname.

"Snai!" Ushakov called out.

"Huwu?"

"Don't climb out, be careful not to get blown away by the wind!" Ushakov shouted, while pulling her down from the hatch and stuffing her into the driver's seat.

As for where Li Ming was? Li Ming had already merged his consciousness into the vehicle, leaving a seat open. Anyway, since he had already been seen through, it didn't matter whether he kept his privacy or not...

"Whoa..."

She curiously examined everything inside the vehicle, from the observation window to the control stick, from the throttle to the monitor.

"Hmm..."

She floated up from the driver's seat, drifted over to Ushakov and Kuznetsov, and examined the things over there.

She saw a few glowing square grids (buttons) and curiously poked one.

Thump!

The vehicle's smoke grenades were fired, forming a wall of smoke in front...

Li Ming hurriedly slammed on the brakes.

"Li↑ Xiao↓ Le→!" Li Ming's voice echoed inside the vehicle.

This was the most embarrassing moment for the great BMPT; Li Ming would never forget this painful day.

"Wuyi..." Snai shrank her neck and nestled into Kuznetsov's arms.

Kuznetsov sighed helplessly, "Let it be, Li Ming."

"Of course..." Li Ming was also somewhat helpless, "Let's wait for the smoke to clear."

After the smoke cleared, Li Ming stepped on the gas again and continued driving toward the square in the city center, preparing to participate in today's New Year's Eve event in Murmansk.

Although driving a BMPT was indeed a bit too conspicuous, Li Ming had successfully brought them to the destination before the event started.

"Whoa—" Snai poked her head out of the vehicle, curiously examining everything here.

The square was decorated with lights and various trinkets; one could tell at a glance that most of them were bought from Shiwu City, after all, Rus's light industry...

The light frigates were scattered around the square, while the other large ships were busy working properly, setting up today's dinner and the venue.

At the end of the square was the Command Headquarters, which had been arranged as the place for the dinner party today.

Seeing a vehicle that clearly came from the Army drive in, everyone looked over curiously, and it wasn't until Pamir, who was shoveling snow, came running over, gesturing wildly and demanding that Li Ming park the vehicle outside, that they dispersed.

But the little ones didn't buy it; they ran much faster than Pamir, swarming up and surrounding the BMPT completely.

"Huhu?" Snai floated out, drawing curious gasps from the crowd of little ones.

"She can fly!"

"She looks so much like the Marshal..."

"Hmm..." She circled around them and then smiled.

Ushakov helped Kuznetsov off the vehicle and then looked at the group of little ones, "Yo, little ones, did you miss me?"

"Ushakov!... And the Marshal?"

"Greetings, Marshal!"

"Greetings, Comrade Marshal!"

The group of little ones, reacting late, stood at attention and saluted in unison. Watching them, Snai chose to follow suit, floating in mid-air and raising her hand to give a very incorrect salute to Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov was stunned for a moment, then patted the head of the little one in the front.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Command Headquarters, Peter the Great stood with her mouth open, staring blankly at this unidentified humanoid creature mingling with the children.

This... is this right?

The similarity in facial features, this hair...

When did the Marshal...

This isn't right! It shouldn't be like this!

"Ahem..." She shook her head, quickly trying to sober herself up.

Even if things were strange, she had to maintain her composure.

But...

Peter stared intently at this little one floating around exploring the world; this was definitely not... nor could it be the Marshal's own child. After all, firstly, Ship Girls couldn't give birth yet, and secondly, it was impossible for her to have such a big child!

So the question arose, what on earth was she?

Peter's gaze turned to the forgotten BMPT. At this moment, Ushakov and Kuznetsov were walking towards her—the Marshal couldn't move in this environment for long, so it was important to return to a safe environment as soon as possible.

It's him, right? This little one he brought.

Thump!

A wall of smoke rose again, engulfing the entire vehicle in smoke.

When the smoke cleared, the BMPT had vanished into thin air, and he was standing in a corner of the square wearing a thick trench coat.

He saw Peter and also noticed her vigilant... somewhat oppressive gaze.

He bowed slightly to her as a greeting, and then began to talk to Pamir, who had trotted over.

"Commander Li Ming! Who is that?"

"We call her Snalet... or Snalet, Snalet Leoli." Li Ming replied, "It's usually fine to just call her Snai."

"I mean..." Pamir paused, "Why does she look so much like the Marshal?"

"...If I said she was originally just a New Year's gift I prepared for the Marshal, would you believe me?" Li Ming paused and said.

Pamir drew her hammer and sickle from behind her back, "Commander Li Ming... I didn't expect you to actually do this..."

"Wait, no? What did I do?" Li Ming stepped back, "She was just a special cute creature when she first came here; who the hell knew she would suddenly turn into a humanoid!"

"Really?"

"For real!" Li Ming held up three fingers, "I swear!"

"..." Pamir sighed and put away her weapons, "Then what should we do?"

"We'll take it one step at a time." Li Ming spread his hands, "Coming out today was partly to let her wander around, and partly to let the Marshal get some fresh air."

"...But, the Marshal..." Pamir looked worriedly at Kuznetsov and Ushakov, who were advancing through the cold wind, "Can she really do this?"

"She is stronger and more resilient than you think." Li Ming said, "I believe nothing will happen, don't you?"

"...I believe it too!"

"That's it then. Oh right, Pamir..."

"What is it? Commander Li Ming?"

As if performing magic, Li Ming turned around and brought out a small box, "This is a New Year's gift I prepared for you. Ushakov said you like sweets; these are candies and dairy products I collected at other times, I hope you like them."

"Eh? My... mine?"

"Yes."

"Then... thank you! Commander Li Ming! May God and Ilyich bless you!"

"Happy New Year... May you have a wonderful next year."