Chapter 293: Chapter 100: Successfully Cured, Ke Lian Leaves_2
The tears that had been held back finally fell due to gathering too much; two drops of tears slid swiftly from Mo Ying’s eyes, gliding across her still pale cheeks, leaving behind only two wet traces.
"Xixi, thank you so much!" Mo Ying grasped Du Xixi’s hand, not caring about how embarrassing it was to cry like this. All she knew was that a long-lost passion was rekindling in her heart. She seemed to have returned to the past, seeing herself on the battlefield, standing shoulder to shoulder with comrades as Colonel Mo Ying.
***
After healing Mo Ying, Du Xixi and the others returned to CD-0329 Star. They initially thought it would delay them for a few days, but unexpectedly, by the afternoon of the next day, they were back at the villa where they hadn’t stayed for long.
It seemed as if a light rain had just passed on CD-0329 Star; the atmosphere of spring was strong, and the air was mixed with the scent of earth.
was still teaching culinary arts with Old Hei and Old Bai, and Du Xixi and the others wouldn’t be needing 2569 for a while, so they told it to come home in the evening. Ke Xing took the children upstairs for a nap, while Du Xixi and Ke Lian changed clothes and, filled with affection, went out for a walk together.
CD-0329 Star still appeared largely undeveloped, with everything in a very primitive state. Before long, Du Xixi and Ke Lian found themselves by a small stream and sat down on two reasonably flat dry rocks.
"Xixi, do you have any plans for the future?" Ke Lian, for some reason, suddenly asked Du Xixi. His expression was calm; aside from the ever-present gentleness, Du Xixi didn’t notice anything different.
Du Xixi blinked and responded honestly, "No plans. Just the usual: teaching culinary arts, live streaming, and promoting food."
Currently, these were the only three things she needed to do.
Ke Lian smiled, held Du Xixi’s hand, intertwining their fingers, then said in response to Du Xixi’s somewhat puzzled look, "My holiday is almost over; probably less than two months left before I have to return to the Military Department."
Ke Lian’s initially approved holiday was only six months to accompany Du Xixi, so when their two children were about five or six months old, it would be time for Ke Lian to return to the Military Department to report back.
To be honest, Ke Lian was a very responsible serviceman; otherwise, he wouldn’t be exercising and honing himself daily to avoid slacking off during his holiday. But he was also someone who deeply cherished warmth and wasn’t willing to leave Du Xixi’s side for the Military Department.
Du Xixi still needed to stay on CD-0329 Star for a long time, that was undeniable, yet the Military Department was established on the main star of the Blue Star Empire. Once Ke Lian returned, he wouldn’t be able to see Du Xixi and his family for quite a while.
How could Ke Lian accept that?
Ke Lian thought this and bitterly smiled in his heart. He considered himself an Empire soldier who placed honor and duty above all, yet couldn’t bear to give himself wholly, for the sake of his small family.
Indeed, no one is without flaws, not even himself.
Hearing Ke Lian’s words, Du Xixi felt a rising sense of reluctance in her heart, but she was more open-minded and optimistic than Ke Lian. She patted the back of Ke Lian’s hand and, seeing the reluctance in his eyes as he looked at her, she leaned in and softly said, "People always have to part, and it’s not like I’ll live on CD-0329 Star forever. I will come back!"
Ke Lian couldn’t bear to leave Du Xixi, and naturally, Du Xixi didn’t want him to leave either, but what could they do? There was no way they could stop Ke Lian from returning to report back—this was his unshakeable duty as the Imperial Marshal.
Besides, CD-0329 Star was not Du Xixi’s permanent home; the main star of the Blue Star Empire was her true home. Once the food promotion on CD-0329 Star was over, Du Xixi would naturally bring her family back to the Blue Star Empire.
Temporary separation is only for a better reunion in the future.
"I know." Ke Lian leaned over, embracing Du Xixi, who was a head shorter than him. He affectionately nuzzled her hair, "I’ll be waiting at home for you all to return."
Du Xixi felt a pang in her nose, but she hid it well, simply returning Ke Lian’s embrace, then resting her head on his shoulder, softly saying, "That’s more like it!"
Because Ke Lian was about to leave, during the remaining month and more, Du Xixi was particularly "indulgent" towards Ke Lian’s various clingy behaviors.
And it wasn’t just Du Xixi; even the two children, who weren’t very close to Ke Lian, seemed to sense their father’s imminent departure, sticking to him, much to his delight.