Chapter 366: Chapter 124: Dressed Up to Attend, Playing Dumb to Outsmart the Tiger_3
Ke Lian, who is usually like a cold-blooded killer at the Military Department, showed a side of warmth that no one ever knew to Du Xixi. Du Xixi also walked beside Ke Lian closely, with the couple both appearing calm and composed, and equally warm and affectionate.
The Minister of the Military was also there to greet them at the entrance of the Military Department, but it was evident that he wasn’t there for his old subordinate, Ke Lian. He was clearly there for Du Xixi.
He had a stern, chiseled face full of seriousness, with his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed. At the moment he saw Du Xixi, his expression seemed to twist as if he didn’t like her very much.
However, both the audience watching the live broadcast and Du Xixi could guess that the Minister was trying to smile at Du Xixi but wasn’t very good at showing a gentle expression, so his facial muscles went out of control.
Since the Minister couldn’t manage a smile, naturally Du Xixi smiled instead. Her attractive face showed a rather bright smile, with her charming eyes curving beautifully, and her tone was gently warm, just like people always said, making others want to get closer: "Good morning, Minister, it’s been a while since we’ve met, hasn’t it?"
"Indeed." The Minister of the Military clearly realized his facial distortion too. To avoid scaring the seemingly easily frightened Empire Princess, Du Xixi, he had to revert to his usual expression, which at least looked more normal. "Was your journey safe, Your Highness? Although there were mecha soldiers dispatched by Your Majesty for protection, I’m always a bit worried."
If any other man had said such intimate words, before the live audience could start speculating wildly, Ke Lian, standing beside Du Xixi, was ready to explode.
But the Minister of the Military was straightforward and seemed almost the same age as Du Xixi’s father, so no one thought too much of it. Everyone even spontaneously regarded the Minister’s concern for Du Xixi as the kindness of an elder towards a younger.
In reality, both Du Xixi and Ke Lian, standing close to the Minister, could clearly see the subtle feelings he was hiding, which the live audience couldn’t perceive.
The Minister truly was concerned for Du Xixi, but it wasn’t like an elder caring for a younger. Rather, it was an Empire official worrying about the safety of the Princess.
Ke Lian’s and Du Xixi’s hands tightened slightly as they held each other, and they exchanged a knowing smile. They both understood what the Minister was worried about—the Four Great Empires were clearly targeting the Blue Star Empire, and with Du Xixi being the first target, the Minister was concerned that someone from the Four Great Empires might attempt an ambush along her way.
"The mecha soldiers my brother chose for me are all highly skilled; I’m very safe," Du Xixi said with a smile, pointing to the mecha soldiers standing in protection before and behind her, not a hint of insincerity in her expression. "But thank you for your concern, Minister. I also wish the Military Department great success with the Alliance Military Competition!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" The Minister of the Military accepted Du Xixi’s well wishes. Seeing the simulated sunshine was quite harsh and knowing that the Princess had delicate skin, he quickly urged Ke Lian and Du Xixi to move inside the Military Department.
However, once he personally escorted Du Xixi and Ke Lian to the high platform to take their seats, the Minister still excused himself. He had come to greet Du Xixi, and in a while, out of protocol, he would need to greet the representatives of other empires’ Military Departments.
The live broadcast followed the Minister, focusing on the entrance of the Military Department, so the audience lost sight of Du Xixi and Ke Lian on the high platform.
Du Xixi didn’t really mind the heat, but as the scorching sunlight beat down, beads of sweat began to trickle from her temples. Ke Lian, attentive and gentle as ever, took out a handkerchief to wipe Du Xixi’s sweat.
"Good thing I didn’t wear makeup, otherwise with this sweat, no matter how waterproof the products, they’d smudge," Du Xixi said, slightly tilting her head up, comfortably enjoying Ke Lian tending to her.
After wiping off her sweat, Ke Lian couldn’t resist pinching Du Xixi’s cheek, feeling that though her baby fat had receded, the texture hadn’t worsened: "Do you want me to get a cooler for you?"
Within the Military Department, everyone was used to rough conditions—even the female soldiers were accustomed to hardships, so this harsh sun wasn’t much to them. But Du Xixi had always been sheltered at home; even during previous training, it was always in air-conditioned rooms.
Ke Lian was worried Du Xixi couldn’t handle the heat, hence the suggestion.
Du Xixi laughed, playfully rolling her eyes at Ke Lian: "No need, I’m not an ice cube. A little sun at most just makes me sweat; I won’t melt away."
Du Xixi reached out and lightly tapped Ke Lian’s forehead, continuing, "If you really get someone to fetch a cooler, everyone will think I’m delicate!"
"Wouldn’t that be perfect? Play the weakling and catch them off guard, lower your opponents’ vigilance first." Ke Lian cooperatively leaned his forehead closer, making it easier for Du Xixi to tap, "Isn’t it great to wait for the competition to start comfortably?"
"Not great at all!" This time, Du Xixi was determined to shake off the label of being ’frail and delicate,’ so naturally, she wouldn’t agree with Ke Lian’s suggestion, "Don’t worry, if I truly get overwhelmed by the heat, I will definitely tell you."