Chapter 325: It’s a Small World

Chapter 325: Chapter 325: It’s a Small World

It was time for a meal, and Shi Lan was just about to go eat with Vina and the others when He Hanshi approached with another male.

The moment He Hanshi saw her, his eyes lit up with a smile, and he immediately clasped his wife’s hand firmly in his own.

The other male, who had been walking behind him, stepped forward and took another female’s hand.

Shi Lan looked over and saw it was the leader of their small squad, Doctor Zhang.

The male was tall and imposing, and he looked very familiar.

Shi Lan froze. ’Isn’t that the other A-Team captain, the one who rescued me from Garbage Star?’

’He’s Doctor Zhang’s Beast Husband?’

Zhang Duo noticed everyone looking and smiled sheepishly. "Oh, I forgot to introduce you all. This is my Beast Husband, Zheng Ming."

"Ooooh~"

Everyone exchanged knowing smiles.

In fact, all of the females assigned to the Border Defense Star this time were married. However, unlike Shi Lan, who had five Beast Husbands, most of them only had one. Zhang Duo had two, and Zheng Ming was one of them.

Zheng Ming grinned good-naturedly. Seeing Shi Lan with his own wife, he looked a little surprised. "I never would’ve thought my wife and the Admiral’s Wife knew each other. It really is a small world."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Zhang Duo asked, her curiosity piqued.

Shi Lan explained, "I was in some danger a while back, and the Admiral sent a team to rescue me. Doctor Zhang, your Beast Husband was one of the rescuers."

"That’s right. Back then, I was still just an A-Team squad leader, but I’ve been promoted since."

The interstellar military’s rank structure wasn’t very complex. From top to bottom, it went Admiral, Major General, Commander, and Squad Leader. Zheng Ming’s new rank was Commander. The military was divided into many different types of units, meaning there were numerous squad leaders, Liu Si being one of them.

Zhang Duo nodded in understanding after hearing the story. The others couldn’t help but marvel at the coincidence.

He Hanshi, however, squeezed her palm, his heart aching at the memory. He was so grateful that he had realized his feelings back then and had sent a rescue team immediately, preventing her from getting hurt.

In the end, He Hanshi took Shi Lan off to eat. Zhang Duo left with Zheng Ming, and Vina led the other three members of their squad.

He didn’t get them food from the general cafeteria. Instead, he had prepared a special meal, having gone to the kitchen himself to make Shi Lan’s favorite dish: Braised Gugu Meat.

The two of them found a relatively secluded corner to sit in, but Shi Lan could still feel furtive glances coming from all directions.

However, the gazes were mostly curious and held no malice, so she paid them no mind.

Shi Lan inhaled the aroma of the Braised Gugu Meat, wiggling her nose in delight. "I haven’t had your cooking in so long. I’m so lucky today, getting to sample a master chef’s cuisine."

He Hanshi let out a low chuckle. "If Lanlan likes it, I’ll make it for you every day."

Shi Lan shook her head. "Just once in a while is fine. You already have so much on your plate; there’s no need for you to go to all this trouble just for a meal. Besides, the food from the chefs here is delicious too."

She didn’t want He Hanshi to go through so much trouble. ’He’s my Beast Husband, after all,’ she thought, ’I can’t help but feel for him.’

"Alright, whatever Lanlan says."

The smile on He Hanshi’s lips deepened. Beneath his short, silver hair, his deep blue eyes grew even softer.

Shi Lan was starving, so she immediately picked up a piece of the Gugu Meat and took a bite. The moment the flavor hit her tongue, her eyes curved into crescents. "This is delicious."

’It’s the same wonderful flavor I remember.’

"I’m glad you like it, Lanlan. Eat slowly."

"Mmm-hmm."

Shi Lan nodded, her mouth full. Seeing her so happy, He Hanshi seized the opportunity to make a small request.

"Lanlan, could I ask you for a favor?"

"Hm?"

Shi Lan swallowed the food in her mouth, her thick, dark eyelashes fluttering with innocent confusion. "What is it? If I can help, of course I will."

He smiled. "Don’t worry, it’s nothing difficult."

Shi Lan grew curious. ’Something He Hanshi needs my help with?’

’It probably isn’t about his treatment,’ she mused. ’As his wife, that’s my duty, not a favor.’

He Hanshi gazed into her bright, clear almond eyes. His voice grew quiet, and his expression turned dejected. "Wife, we’re already married... could you change what you call me? Could you... not use my full name?"

"This is the favor you were talking about?"

Shi Lan stared, her mouth agape. He Hanshi nodded with a sigh. "It is. I can only blame my dear wife for not even thinking about changing what she calls me. I have no choice but to beg her to take pity on poor me."

Shi Lan’s face flushed. ’Did he have to make me sound so unreasonable?’

The truth was, she had just gotten used to it. After all, she called Ye Ming and the others by their full names. Only Jiang Xia had pestered her early on for a more intimate form of address.

She snapped out of her reverie and considered it. "How about... I call you Han Shi?"

"Okay."

The sorrow in He Hanshi’s eyes vanished in an instant. Even though he had been hoping for other, more intimate forms of address, he was more than satisfied.

’Han Shi... Han Shi...’

Shi Lan repeated the name silently to herself a few times, trying to get used to it.

’Actually, the first thing that popped into my head was "Admiral,"’ she thought, ’but everyone calls him that. We’re married. It might be fun to use in private, but calling him that all the time would feel too distant.’

After that, the two continued their meal in peace. Halfway through, Bai Feng and Levito came over with their trays and plopped down right next to He Hanshi. "Whoa, we almost missed chow time."

Shi Lan was sitting across from He Hanshi. He was so tall that, even while seated, his frame almost completely hid her from view.

Bai Feng hadn’t even seen her when he approached from behind; it was only after he sat down that he noticed her. At that exact moment, he was met with a death glare from He Hanshi.

He froze in his seat. Levito, however, simply glanced at Shi Lan.

Shi Lan gave him a nod of greeting, and he smiled back, his eyes full of acceptance.

Shi Lan was a 3S Female. ’She’s so exceptional,’ he thought. ’I really wasn’t worthy of her. Only a man like the Admiral is a fitting match.’

Bai Feng laughed awkwardly. "What a coincidence, Admiral and Miss Shi Lan."

He Hanshi’s tone was flat, his voice betraying no hint of pleasure or anger. "It’s not a coincidence. Anyone with eyes could have seen us."

Bai Feng had heard Shi Lan was coming over, but he didn’t know it would be today, nor that He Hanshi had already brought her to the base.

He had been busy on patrol all morning, cleaning up a few stray members of the Insect Clan that hadn’t known any better. It was only now, seeing her in person, that he remembered.

He scratched his head sheepishly. ’I’m already sitting,’ he thought. ’If I get up and leave now, won’t the soldiers behind me laugh me out of the room?’

In the end, Bai Feng stayed put, his posture rigid. After a moment’s hesitation, Levito sat down beside him.

Shi Lan said nothing, and He Hanshi wasn’t so petty as to actually kick them out.

Although, he was still annoyed that these two were interrupting their time alone.

When Bai Feng saw that he wasn’t about to be kicked out, he immediately relaxed.

As he ate, a rich, meaty aroma kept wafting into his nose. He tilted his head, his gaze falling on the Braised Gugu Meat in front of Shi Lan. He gulped. "Huh? Did the chefs come up with a new dish? Why does it smell so amazing?"