Azur Lane Under the Stars

Page 588

Richelieu, holding Ren Shuo's arm, asked.

Ren Shuo said, "Haha, you figured it out. After all, it's not hard to tell from the Dream Weavers' words that she's a very gentle and considerate mother to me. Although I've never met her, to be honest, everything I have now is thanks to her."

Richelieu wholeheartedly agreed: "Indeed, the greatest favor the Creator has bestowed upon us is sending the Commander to our side."

"Besides, it's quite rare for me to feel this kind of love from my elders."

Ren Shuo's tone was somewhat complicated.

"Commander, you don't need to feel bad. You still have us."

Richelieu took the initiative to hold Ren Shuo's hand and comforted him.

But Yi Xian laughed rather unkindly: "The Commander means he lacks maternal love. What you're saying... can you give the Commander maternal love?"

But seeing the somewhat awkward and shifty looks in Richelieu and Ren Shuo's eyes, Yi Xian also fell silent.

No, you two are playing pretty weird games.

"...Anyway, as long as it makes the Commander happy, let's welcome her back." Yi Xian forcibly changed the subject.

Ren Shuo understood Yi Xian's meaning and used his free hand to hold Yi Xian's small hand, one on the left and one on the right, very symmetrical.

"Are you busy this afternoon?" Ren Shuo asked, a thought suddenly occurring to him.

"Nothing's wrong... What's wrong?" Yi Xian asked.

After Yixian was relieved of her duties as secretary ship, she felt much more relaxed. As for Richelieu, since she was not a secretary ship, she spent her days either praying, tending to flowers, or accompanying Ren Shuo.

"Should we go find Amagi and admire the cherry blossoms under the cherry trees on this side of the Sakura Empire?"

Ren Shuo suggested.

Yi Xian covered her mouth and chuckled: "Commander, aren't you going to spend some time with your new darling wives Z23 and Helena?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Shuo looked embarrassed.

After that night, Helena, who was so shy, didn't even dare to face herself. Even if she took the initiative to find Helena, she would avoid her. So Ren Shuo simply let Helena calm down on her own.

As for the Z23...

Ren Shuo said, "Nimi-chan happens to have an expedition mission these two days, so she's not in the port area."

"Won't she ask for leave or be transferred to another position? I'm sure no one would say anything about that," Richelieu said, quite surprised.

Ren Shuo smiled wryly, "That's what I said too. Even Tirpitz wanted to help Z23 get a different job, but the girl said it wasn't necessary. Now that she's a married ship, she should set an example and not make exceptions..."

"This silly girl is really... adorably silly," Yi Xian and Richelieu said, both finding it both funny and exasperating.

“Who says otherwise?” Ren Shuo shrugged.

"So, what's your answer? Are you going?" Ren Shuo asked.

“Of course I agree. It’s a rare invitation from the Commander.” Richelieu tossed her hair.

"Therefore, I have my wish, and I dare not ask you for anything." Yi Xian also agreed.

The three of them arrived at Tiancheng's small courtyard.

In order to enjoy cherry blossoms without leaving home, and because Kaga had the refined pleasure of having a few drinks alone under the cherry blossom tree in the evening, Amagi asked Nagato to help him plant a lush cherry blossom tree in his small courtyard.

When the three entered the courtyard, Chicheng, who was drinking tea under the outer corridor, saw Ren Shuo and was overjoyed.

However, when he saw Yi Xian and Richelieu behind Ren Shuo, his smile faded a bit.

"Hey! Chicheng, I've come to visit you." Ren Shuo waved.

When Ren Shuo sat down next to her, Chi Cheng naturally put her arm around Ren Shuo's waist and pressed her whole body against him.

Looking at the two women in front of him, he said with some dissatisfaction, "Commander, you can come if you want, but why did you have to bring outsiders with you?"

Richelieu and Yatsen were used to Akagi's attitude and were not annoyed. They simply sat quietly to one side, enjoying the breeze carrying the scent of Sakura-sou.

"Akagi, you can't say that."

Hearing the commotion, Amagi came out from the inner room and, upon hearing Akagi's somewhat impolite words, reprimanded him.

After speaking, he gently tapped Akagi's head with his palm, which transformed into a blade.

"Sister Amagi!" Akagi pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction.

"My lord, is there anything that you need me to do?" I asked.

Ren Shuo shook his head: "No, it's just that Nagato had something to discuss with me. After I finished, I thought I'd come over for some tea and to enjoy the cherry blossoms."

"It can be considered as stealing half a day of leisure from a busy life," Ren Shuo said.

Amagi nodded: "Don't worry, my lord, there's plenty of tea and snacks... Akagi, go and get my tea set. Kaga, bring out the snacks and such as well."

Kaga didn't say anything and silently went to get it. As for Akagi, although she was somewhat reluctant at first, she still went to get the tea set under the intimidating gaze of her older sister.

After everyone was seated, Ren Shuo, while toying with the small teacup in his hand, looked around and asked, "Where is Xiao Tiancheng?"

As Amagi brewed tea, he replied, "Little Amagi went out to play with Saratoga and the others. Little Akagi is also there. These kids have been missing for the past few days. There's never a moment of peace."

When talking about these girls, he sounded quite troubled, which showed that Tiancheng was very concerned about their education.

"Kids are always full of energy and yearn for the outside world. I was the same when I was a child. It's good to be energetic, rather than being lifeless all day long."

Ren Shuo said, "If you're not energetic, can you even call yourself a child?"

"Your Majesty always protects them, no wonder Lexington complained to me before that Saratoga was becoming increasingly lawless," Amagi joked.

"Haha, Lexington is an exception."

Ren Shuo laughed. How many kids in the port area are as unruly as Saratoga?

"Yixian, Richelieu, your tea... try it. My skills, though not as good as Yixian's, are still passable."

Tiancheng smiled noncommittally and said to Yixian.

"You're too kind. My skills are only mediocre and hardly worthy of serious consideration..." Yi Xian said politely.

Richelieu laughed: "You two are really something, why are you being so polite? Anyone who didn't know better would think you weren't family."

Ren Shuo agreed: "Ricelius is right, we're all family, no need to be so polite."

Akagi snorted, "Yeah, Amagi-nee, you don't need to be so self-deprecating... You're clearly the best, Cricket Yixian..."

Before she could even finish a sentence, Akagi slipped up again, starting to talk nonsense. As expected, Amagi once again punished Akagi by tugging at her cheek.

"You should speak a little more politely. No wonder you don't have many friends."

Amagi was almost ready to give up on her younger sister. Pointing at Kaga, she lectured Akagi:

"Can't you learn from Kaga? If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all."

Kaga held a small wine cup, unsure whether to drink it or not.

It's not my business if you, as the older sister, are disciplining your younger sister.

Akagi was somewhat unconvinced, but she knew very well that if she continued to speak, she would probably be spanked by her older sister in front of everyone. So, for the sake of her image, she decided to keep quiet.

Holding a cup of fragrant tea, feeling the gentle breeze, and gazing at the cherry blossom tree in front of me, I felt as if time itself had slowed down, as if unwilling to spoil this beautiful scene.

"Lord Amagi, Lord Nagato sent me to inform you... Ah, Your Highness, Miss Yixian and Miss Richelieu are also here."

The sound broke the silence as Fusang walked in from outside. As soon as she opened her mouth, she saw Ren Shuo and Yi Xian.

"Is it that matter? We can talk to Tiancheng about it. You can go and do your thing. Are there other people we need to notify?"

Ren Shuo said.

Fusang looked at Ren Shuo gratefully: "Then I'll have to trouble Your Highness, Lord Amagi, Lord Akagi, Lord Kaga, and Miss Yixian, Miss Richelieu. I'll excuse myself now."

Fusang bowed gracefully and then withdrew.

"The etiquette of Japan is still impeccable, as if it's ingrained in their very bones," Richelieu exclaimed.

"After all, she serves the divine child and the lord's priestess... So, Commander, may I ask what it is? Is it about the lord's mother's imminent return?" Amagi asked.

"You're really something, knowing all this," Ren Shuo said. "Since you already know, I won't go into details. I just want you to have a meeting in the conference room of the office building tonight to discuss the specifics."

"Understood, my lord." Amagi nodded slightly. "You and Richelieu will be going too, right? Then let's have dinner here and go together later."

Richelieu and Yatsen did not object.

"Commander, why don't you stay too?" Akagi asked excitedly.

After dinner, my sister and those annoying guys will all be gone. Then wouldn't that mean... a sweet time for me and the Commander?

Well, as for Kaga, let's reluctantly let her have some soup.

See, I'm such a good older sister.

"Sorry, I have plans for tonight," Ren Shuo said apologetically. "I had arranged to have dinner with Brest and the others before, maybe next time, Akagi."

Damn it, it's those little bitches again!

Although I was internally going crazy, I still had to maintain my "ladylike" image.

Akagi, being very sensible, said, "Commander, you're busy. It's okay to be full."

After chatting for a while, it gradually got dark, and the lights in the surrounding courtyards and rooms were turned on.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ren Shuo decided to take his leave: "Then I'll be going now, you guys keep on with your work."

"Take care, my lord." Tiancheng waved goodbye to Ren Shuo.

…………

As a commander, the most basic lesson is time management.

As a master of time management, Ren Shuo has perfectly inherited the abilities of his predecessors in time management.

Ren Shuo even played with the little ones on his way to Brest's dormitory, and then helped Leipzig tidy up the documents scattered on the ground.

They flirted with the serious-looking monarch along the way.

Finally, they arrived at Brest's dormitory just in time.

As soon as I entered, I smelled the aroma of food. It seems that Brest's cooking skills have improved a lot during his time in the port area.

However, this was Ren Shuo's first time entering Brest's room.

Ren Shuo looked around. The room was simply yet cozy, with two short sofas and a long sofa in the living room, and a low coffee table in front of it.

The dining table was on the other side, and near the window next to it were some potted plants that looked familiar; they must have been brought from Cleveland.

The research ships from that world had gotten used to living together, and since there were many empty rooms on the Free Iris side, they decided to live together here.

Of course, Binjiang and Chekalov also have their own rooms on their respective sides.

"The hero has arrived! Perfect timing! Come, have a seat!" Brest greeted him warmly.

As Ren Shuo walked, he said, "I could smell the fragrance as soon as I got to the door."

"Hehe, I hope it suits your taste, hero," Brest said.

"Commander, how about a couple of drinks?"

Binjiang took out two wine glasses, and then... he took out two bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

Ren Shuo flatly refused: "No, no, I don't drink."

Drinking a few glasses of low-alcohol beverages is a refined pastime, but drinking with this drunkard...

Forget it, otherwise I'll be carried back home.

Binjiang curled his lip: "Boring... Chkalov, let's drink!"

“You’ve got the guts to switch to vodka!” Chkalov said. “Or you have the guts to drink the water of life with me!”

Just as Binjiang was about to speak, Brest, looking exasperated, interrupted: "You two, that's enough! Prince Rupprecht! Go and take away these two's wine."

The young girl acted immediately, giving the two no chance to argue.

"Honestly, it's rare for a hero to come here for a meal, and you've all had too much to drink and are about to cause trouble again?" Brest scolded.

It's clear that Brest holds a high position among them, as neither of them dared to retort.

Plymouth chuckled: "Brest, you really are realistic, aren't you? Afraid that we'll embarrass you in front of the Commander?"

“Good to know. You know you’ll lose face, right? What… what did you just call the commander?” Brest paused, speechless.

“Commander, what else would we call him?” Plymouth said casually, resting his chin on his hand.

"When did you join the port? Didn't you say..." Brest seemed to have thought of something embarrassing and didn't continue.