Chapter 322: Greetings, Admiral’s Wife

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Greetings, Admiral’s Wife

After the starship departed, He Hanshi led her medical team into his personal hovercar, with several escort hovercars following behind.

The hovercar’s heater was on, and as soon as she stepped inside, the chill left Shi Lan’s cheeks and warmth quickly returned.

He Hanshi rubbed his hands together until they were warm, then gently touched her face. It was still a little cool. His gaze filled with concern. "Lanlan, where’s your Red Crystal? Why aren’t you using it?"

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

After all, such magical things had never existed in the era she came from. She hadn’t needed it for the climate on the Capital Star, either. Now that she was finally in a place where it was truly useful, Shi Lan had completely forgotten about it.

She immediately took one out and gave another to each of the other young women on her team. Her Space Chain was full of Red Crystals; she hadn’t even started excavating the vein Yan Huoshui had given her.

In short, she was a wealthy woman now, with the capital to spend money like water.

The other females had rarely seen Red Crystals of such high quality. It wasn’t that they didn’t exist, but no one was like Shi Lan, who could casually pull out five of them as if they were worthless.

They accepted the gifts, both flattered and a little embarrassed. "Lanlan, this is too precious."

Shi Lan waved her hand dismissively. "It’s no big deal. I have more, so just take them."

They often looked out for her at the hospital, so she didn’t think a single Red Crystal was a big deal.

"Thank you, Lanlan."

In the end, they accepted them happily. The moment they placed the crystals in their pockets, a wave of warmth enveloped their cold bodies, and they couldn’t help but sigh in comfort.

As expected of perfect-quality Red Crystals—they took effect instantly.

The four women were very considerate, however. Seeing Shi Lan and He Hanshi sitting together, they all quietly took seats in the back, giving the couple plenty of personal space.

He Hanshi saw her give a Red Crystal to everyone but him. He couldn’t help but whisper, a playfully wounded tone in his voice, "Lanlan, why didn’t you give me one?"

Shi Lan reached out and took his hand. Her own hand was warm from the Red Crystal, but He Hanshi’s large palm was scorching. ’How could he possibly be cold?’

Still, it was rare for him to ask her for anything, so she immediately pulled out several more and stuffed them into his lap. "Is this enough for you?"

"You got the most."

At this, a warm smile instantly brightened He Hanshi’s features. "Alright, that’s enough. Lanlan, you’re the best."

His Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze deepening as he stared at her. If they weren’t in a hovercar full of people, he would have been unable to resist leaning down and kissing the lips he’d been dreaming of day and night.

But for now, he restrained himself and shifted his gaze to her stomach. "Have you had a check-up? How’s the baby?"

Shi Lan nodded. "I’ve had one check-up. The baby is doing well, but I didn’t ask for the sex. Whether it’s a female or a male, it’s my baby, and I’ll love them all the same."

"Mm, that’s right. Either is good. As long as you’re the one who gave birth, I’ll love them by extension."

’Even if the child belonged to Yan Huoshui or the others, he would still love it, just knowing it carried half of Lanlan’s blood.’

"Mmmhmm."

Shi Lan nodded, relieved. She knew He Hanshi and her other partners weren’t like that, but given how much this world valued females, she couldn’t help but worry they might favor a female child over a male one. She had grown up in a family that prized sons over daughters, and she didn’t want her own child to ever endure that kind of discrimination.

’Thankfully, his attitude was just right.’

Shi Lan leaned comfortably against He Hanshi’s shoulder, her gaze drifting out the window of the hovercar.

The hovercar was on autopilot, moving at a leisurely pace, so she could still make out the scenery outside.

It wasn’t snowing on the Border Defense Star at the moment, but a heavy snow must have fallen recently. A thick blanket of white still covered the ground, though a path down the middle, clearly well-traveled, had been swept clean.

Shi Lan could tell by the thickness of the snow piled on the bare trees in the distance.

But the Border Defense Star truly looked desolate. As far as the eye could see, there wasn’t a speck of green. The temperature must be frigid; only a few bare-limbed trees stood against the landscape. In the distance, however, a blue light seemed to shimmer.

Shi Lan blinked in confusion. "What is that blue light over there?"

From a distance, it looked like a blue sea, adding a splash of vibrant life to the stark, white world.

He Hanshi followed her pointing finger, chuckled, and explained, "Those are Xia Donghua flowers. The same kind I gave you before, Lanlan."

"Huh? There are so many of them?"

Shi Lan found it incredible. She’d heard the climate on the Border Defense Star was extreme; could such flowers really grow in such a vast field in this severe cold?

He Hanshi nodded. "Remember what I said when I confessed my feelings to you? The Xia Donghua is a flower that blooms on the Border Defense Star all year round. It never withers or fades, symbolizing eternal love."

His eyes were locked on hers. As Shi Lan met his gaze, his low voice sent her thoughts drifting back to his confession on Yaoxing. That had also been in a hovercar... and then they had shared their first kiss...

Even though they had become much more intimate since then, remembering the thrill of his confession still made Shi Lan’s cheeks flush. She gave her head a little shake. "Alright, I remember. Don’t say any more."

’My colleagues are still here,’ she thought. ’How embarrassing would it be if they heard all this?’

"Alright."

He Hanshi was always indulgent with his partner. He took her hand, which had been fiddling with the fur trim on his greatcoat, and naturally brought her knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss.

"Whatever Lanlan says."

The heat in Shi Lan’s face intensified. At this point, she figured she wouldn’t feel the cold outside even without the hovercar’s heater or the Red Crystal.

In reality, however, the cold outside was far beyond her imagination.

Upon arriving at the military base, she found the temperature difference between the hovercar and the outdoors was still stark. Even with the Red Crystal’s warmth, Shi Lan shivered as she stepped out, goosebumps prickling her arms.

But thanks to the Red Crystal, the feeling quickly subsided, replaced by a gentle warmth that spread through her body. It was as comfortable as being wrapped in the fuzzy sleeve of a heating pad.

He Hanshi took Shi Lan’s hand, and the two of them led the way.

Perhaps because they knew a female medical team was arriving, a large group of males stood at the entrance. They were all bundled in thick, insulated Combat Suits, their eyes shining as they stared at the newcomers.

The moment He Hanshi appeared, they all saluted. "Admiral!"

Their voices thundered in perfect unison, but they couldn’t stop their curious gazes from sizing up Shi Lan.

He Hanshi nodded, his large hand wrapping around Shi Lan’s waist in an even more possessive gesture as he introduced her to the crowd. "This is my wife, Shi Lan."

’Shi Lan?’

Many of the males who heard the name gasped. "My God, isn’t that the only 3S Female? She’s the Admiral’s wife?"

"The Admiral is so lucky!"

The crowd buzzed for a moment before quieting under He Hanshi’s commanding gaze. Then, they addressed Shi Lan in unison, "Greetings, Madam Admiral!"

They voiced their greeting, but the envy in their eyes was impossible to hide.

’AAAHHH! The Admiral actually married the one and only 3S Female!!!’

’He’s so lucky!’

’He’s won at life!!!’