270: Chapter 270 in Progress

There were no superfluous speeches, nor were there any dull segments; the Ship Girls of the Russian Federation seemed very adept at enlivening the atmosphere.

However, ceremonies naturally couldn't stop the children; it wasn't long before they couldn't sit still and ran outside to frolic.

Because of this, the other, older Ship Girls were finally able to drink to their hearts' content.

Li Ming considered himself long past having such energy. Since high school, he had rarely taken the initiative to exercise, so now he chose to pick out what he liked to eat in the hall.

But as everyone knows, there are no "Ship Boys" in this world. So, Li Ming was quite an eyesore, even if he was just eating and eating.

It was just that every now and then, he would pick out a dessert he thought was good and bring it to Kuznetsov's lips, and the Rus Ship Girls, seeing their beloved Marshal actually hesitate or just glare at him before eating it, were too scared to make a move.

Peter the Great watched the little one who looked so much like her own Marshal drift outside as well, and chose to stand up and approach the currently solitary Marshal.

"Kuzya..."

"Peter, if you have something to ask, just ask."

"Who is that?"

"The little one Li Ming brought back."

"Why does she look so much like you?" Peter sat down.

"I'm not sure; it might just be a coincidence." Kuznetsov shook her head.

"You like her very much..." Peter looked into Kuznetsov's eyes.

"Indeed..."

"Then what about Li Ming? What kind of role is he really playing by your side?"

"He..." Kuznetsov fell silent. She looked toward Li Ming, who was currently being fed by Pamir—as long as it wasn't something too outrageous or something he didn't like, he seemed able to eat it all.

He had already eaten 8 cream puffs, 15 cream cakes, 2 cups of ice cream, 8 meat skewers, and 2 plates of cookies, and he was still eating, still eating!

"...Honestly, I don't know."

"Is it that you really don't know, or that you don't want to admit it?"

"What do you think?"

"Judging by your various behaviors, I think it's the latter."

"Then don't ask."

"But, Kuzna, no, Kuznetsov... I don't understand, why?"

"Because of how he's been inseparable from me, taking care of me all this time, is that enough?"

"...Then what will you do next? Since he has to leave, what will you do after he's gone?"

"...I don't know."

"Do you... trust him that much?"

"Trust?" Kuznetsov looked at his back. "Perhaps."

"But, Kuzna," Peter the Great said, "you shouldn't be like this..."

"Shouldn't? Like what?" Kuznetsov chuckled. "Peter, how long have we known each other?"

"Many years, right?"

"Yes, many years." Kuznetsov looked at Peter the Great. "Are you also planning to use words like the honor of Rus, the duty of a soldier, or strategic national assets?"

"Ah..."

Peter the Great was speechless.

"I'm very tired, Peter." Kuznetsov swayed the spoon in her hand, stirring gently in the porcelain cup. "The Russian Federation is helpless regarding the issues with me, but they need me. They need an orphan of the old era to hold up appearances for them, so they can say: 'Oh, we are the legitimate successors of the Northern Union!' Look, how ironic."

"..."

"So, Peter. Help me pass on a message to Vladimir: if his people are watching him, then please don't touch him. Consider it repayment for when I supported him in taking over the leadership throne from Boris, okay?"

"...Okay."

Peter the Great stood up. "Take care of yourself, Kuzna... no matter where you go."

Kuznetsov sighed and looked at Ushakov, who was running wild with the children on the plaza outside, and at Snai...

She was holding a snowball a size larger than a stone pillar, chasing a group of little Ship Girls around.

She couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth, and then she looked toward Li Ming...

He was standing in front of the long table where snacks were placed, with Peter who had just left.

What were they talking about? For some reason, she always felt a little uneasy...

Should she ask him later? Would it be too offensive...

"Kuzna..."

Kuznetsov turned her head. "Snai?"

She had started to learn to speak, drifting quietly beside her, and she hadn't even noticed her.

"Come play~" She drifted over and held Kuznetsov's hand.

"Ah..." Looking at her sincere and expectant gaze, Kuznetsov didn't know what to say for a moment.

Refuse? ...She really wasn't suited for this kind of...

Splat!

A snowball hit Snai on the head, and the expression on her face instantly turned into ＞ ˇ ＜, and then she looked back.

At some point, Li Ming had moved to the entrance of the hall and launched a mocking attack at Snai.

"\(º dishº)/"

Snai picked up the head-sized snowball that had been placed to the side and threw it at Li Ming.

Li Ming was terrified; just as he turned his head to run, the back of his head was hit squarely by the snowball, and he fell backward with a thud.

The next moment, Li Ming climbed up and continued to run outside.

Snai wore a grumpy, cat-like expression and drifted out slowly, preparing to roll the next snowball.

Kuznetsov watched the two of them getting further and further away, remained silent for a good while, and then laughed.

Can I be a good mother in the limited time I have? She asked herself.

There was no answer, but she felt it wasn't very likely.

After all, she couldn't even take good care of herself.

"Marshal..."

"Pamir? What's wrong?"

"You look..." Pamir walked over, "You've eaten so little."

Kuznetsov blinked; the plate in front of her indeed hadn't been touched much, but...

"Li Ming brought me several pieces of cake and snacks, and I really can't eat anymore..." Kuznetsov waved her hand. "Thank you for your concern, Pamir."

"If that's the case... then that's good..." Pamir breathed a sigh of relief. "Marshal, you must take care of your health."

Take care of her health? Kuznetsov looked at her helplessly. "I know..."

"However, what I mean is..." Pamir quickly waved her hands, "Remember to eat regularly, and don't drink too much alcohol..."

"With Li Ming around, are you still worried about this?" Kuznetsov felt it was a bit funny, but come to think of it, ever since she got to know him, she hadn't been drinking...

How strange.

"That's true..." Pamir realized. "Since Commander Li Ming is here, he will definitely be able to take good care of you... Then I'll be going now... Happy New Year, Marshal!"

"Happy New Year, Pamir." Kuznetsov closed her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.