Elder brother's garrison

“But…” Xiaobai naturally didn’t mind someone resting their head on her lap. She shook her head, looked at Ella’s face, and was about to say yes, but the words suddenly got stuck in her throat and she stopped.

"...Don't you like it? I'm sorry, I'll get up right away..."

"No, let's do it like this for now." Xiaobai quickly grabbed Ella's hand and then kept Ella resting her head on his lap.

"Huh?" Ella's face flushed slightly, and she let Xiaobai hold her hand, looking somewhat bewildered, and dared not move.

Xiao Bai slowly released Ella's hand, then tremblingly placed both hands on Ella's chin, gently tracing her chin, lips, nose, and cheeks with her fingertips.

"Uh... Xiaobai? I... I'm a little shy..." Ella became a little embarrassed.

Then, with a soft "plop," a drop of water landed on Ella's cheek.

Ella was startled, only then realizing that the water falling on her face was Xiaobai's tears.

"Little White?" Ella looked at Little White in surprise, somewhat puzzled as to why Little White was crying.

“…Sister Lily of the Valley.” Xiaobai gently stroked Ella’s cheek, tears streaming down her face, one drop at a time.

Xiao Bai murmured softly, and for some reason, it made Ella's heart clench.

Xiao Bai laughed while crying.

— Xiaobai just realized that Ella and Lily of the Valley look really alike.

Their eyebrows, eyes, lips, and expressions even bear a resemblance of three parts.

"So that's how it is..." Xiaobai looked at Ella, who was resting her head on his lap, and quickly wiped away her tears.

"Um... Xiaobai, what's wrong with you...?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Xiaobai shook her head, but suddenly burst out laughing, "Haha."

"..." Ella suddenly realized that she was better off not resting her head on his white lap.

"...Ella".

"Well, I'm here."

“We will definitely be very, very good friends,” Xiaobai said to Ella with a smile. “Even if a thousand years pass, we still will.”

"Hmm!" Although Ella didn't know why, she could clearly feel that Xiaobai's affection for her had increased rapidly.

Although I didn't know what had happened, I just nodded and that was it.

Xiaobai raised her head and stood up abruptly. She quickly turned around and looked at Missouri standing behind her.

Missouri!

“Missouri is here.” Missouri nodded. “Does the Admiral have any orders?”

“Let’s go buy wedding rings,” Xiaobai said to Missouri.

Missouri looked at Little White, her pupils slowly contracting and then dilating. She was stunned for several seconds before her eyes finally welled up with tears.

“…Hmm.” Missouri smiled and nodded.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Luo Lian squatted at the shop entrance, carefully examining the ornaments in the display window.

"Hmm, this one is nice." Luo Lian thought for a while, "I'll buy one for Xiao Bai after the event ends."

"Admiral, are we really not going to go to war today?" Warspite asked Luo Lian with a long face.

"The beach has been destroyed, and it will probably take a day to repair. Let's have a free day today. I won't miss a day. Besides, the main battlefront ship girls cleared out the flanks too thoroughly yesterday, so there probably won't be many Abyssal ships left today." Luo Lian shook her head and continued to carefully look at the items in front of her. "Hmm, Warspite, do you think it would be better for me to give you a ring or a necklace as a friend?"

"The fact that you were able to give me these two accessories means our relationship is more than just friendship, Admiral."

“That’s true.” Luo Lian sighed, then helplessly raised her head.

The next second, Luo Lian shuddered, her eyes snapping to the dense crowd on the street.

—The radar is working! Little White is right here!

Chapter 516 Working Overtime.

"Warspite, come quick!" Luo Lian grabbed Warspite, who was crying beside her, and the two of them instantly turned into two shadows, one white and one red, and flew into the alley next to them.

"Admiral! What's wrong! Is there enemy activity?" Warspite also immediately became alert, seeing her admiral lying on the wall with a look of great alarm, sneakily peering into the crowd, she couldn't help but feel a bit curious and confused.

As an admiral, I am usually all-powerful, like a super overpowered protagonist with a system. I have never seen Luo Lian so flustered before.

"Shh! Don't talk." Luo Lian quickly raised her index finger at Warspite, then pushed Warspite in front of her as if to cover for her, and finally crawled under Warspite's heavy skirt.

Warspite seemed to have long been accustomed to her admiral's behavior. Faced with this rather unseemly act of crawling under a lady's skirt, Warspite could only sigh helplessly and then stand quietly in the corner of the alley, looking at the crowd.

Then, the next second, a beautiful white-haired girl who seemed to be glowing walked out from the other side of the street.

"Huh? So you're the Admiral's friend." Warspite looked at Shiro in surprise, finally understanding her Admiral's reaction.

Is the main battlefield also taking a break today? This admiral seems quite idle.

Warspite glanced at Shiro and the ship girls beside her.

Unlike when she signed up before, Xiaobai was much more low-key today, accompanied only by a young lady with an innocent smile and another blonde human woman.

In short, I'll just stand here for a while. Anyway, she doesn't know me. I'll just wait for her to pass by.

Seeing this, Warspite withdrew her gaze from Little White, straightened her posture, and stood up straight, a gentle smile typical of a lady on her face.

As Xiao Bai approached, Warspite drew near. Warspite stood quietly at the alley entrance, like a lady passing by.

"Xiaobai, we're here. This shop should be pretty good."

The conversation between Xiaobai and the person next to him also reached Warspite's ears.

—Hmm, looks like she's out shopping. I understand, she's a girl. If it weren't for the fact that her admiral is short of money lately, she'd also like to have some pocket money to go shopping every day.

Warspite raised its eyes and looked at Little White.

Xiaobai briefly exchanged a glance with Warspite before turning to Ella and nodding, "Yes, that would be best."

“This shop should be the best in the artificial city; it should be just the right size for a wedding ring.” Ella’s gentle and melodious voice reached Warspite’s ears.

Wedding ring?

Warspite paused for a moment, then looked at the ship girl behind Shiro with some interest.

The ship girl behind Xiaobai was Missouri, who was smiling. She followed quietly behind Xiaobai, watching Xiaobai and Ella talk, her eyes filled with a faint happiness.

—Buying a wedding ring, huh? I guess he's getting married to a ship girl. Ah, I understand, Warspite. After all, he's an admiral. He's built friendships and shared a deep bond with the ship girls over the years, so giving them a wedding ring shows how strong their bond is! Aaaaaahh ...

Before Warspite could finish speaking in her mind, she felt a pair of hands suddenly grab her thighs under her skirt, and two fingers pinched her thighs directly. Before she knew it, a series of soft moans flew out of Warspite's lips.

The pinch didn't hurt, but it came very suddenly.

I'm a lady, and I've never experienced this kind of stimulation before. Now that I've been pinched, I instinctively blushed and cried out.

The war-weary cries immediately drew the attention of Xiaobai and the other two.

"Um. Big sister, do you need help?" Little White happened to be right in front of Warspite at that moment. Hearing Warspite's shy call, she looked at Warspite with some embarrassment and asked her.

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing, oh no, it's something!" Just as Warspite was about to say it was nothing, Luo Lian's little hands, which were hiding under her skirt, started to move again. Warspite could only shake her head at Xiao Bai with tears in her eyes, and then nod.

Good grief, Warspite felt that her ladylike image was gone for good.

"Ah...Is something the matter?" Xiaobai didn't expect that Warspite would actually have something to ask her, so she stopped in front of Warspite and walked towards her.

"Ah, don't come any closer!" Because Luo Lian was hiding under her skirt, Yan Zhan saw Xiao Bai approaching and was at risk of being exposed, so she quickly pushed her hand away, stopping Xiao Bai in her tracks. Afterwards, Yan Zhan broke out in a cold sweat and looked at Xiao Bai somewhat awkwardly, "Well, what I meant was, little sister, you shouldn't get too close to strangers."

"Ah... um, I got it, thank you big sister." Little White nodded, then stood still and asked Warspite, "So, big sister, what did you want to talk to me about earlier?"

"Hmm..." Warspite glanced at Missouri, the ship girl behind Shiro, and thought for a while.

Luo Lian pinched herself, risking exposure to stop Xiao Bai; she clearly understood why she was war-weary.

"Little sister, are you planning to buy a wedding ring for your ship girl?" Warspite asked.

"Ah, yes, big sister, you noticed that too," Xiaobai replied with a smile.

"...Well, little sister, although this might sound a bit harsh, and it's not really my place to say it, I still have to say it. Giving a ship girl a wedding ring is a very, very important act. It has profound significance for both the ship girl and the admiral. If you just give a wedding ring because you think the ship girl is powerful or pretty, that's irresponsible." Warspite said shamelessly to Shiro.

"Big sister is right," Xiaobai nodded.

"That's good." Warspite gave Missouri behind Little White an apologetic look.

Actually, Warspite really felt sorry for Missouri. She was supposed to be happily receiving her engagement ring from the Admiral, but he ruined it all. He was so clueless.

But what can you do? It's your own admiral doing this to you under your skirt, and in front of others no less.

Anyway, Warspite felt he had done his best.

Missouri looked at Warspite's slightly apologetic expression, but she felt no anger at all. Instead, she gave Warspite an expression that said, "I agree with you."

"Thank you for the reminder, big sister. Goodbye, big sister." Little White waved to Warspite and prepared to continue walking towards the jewelry store.

"Huh?" Warspite was taken aback. "Little sister, didn't you hear what I just said? Ship girls aren't just about looks and strength, or simply about being easy to get along with. Just because you like a ship doesn't mean you can give her a wedding ring. That's something that proves the bond between you..."

“Yes. I know.” Little White smiled at Warspite. “That’s why I gave Missouri a ring.”

Warspite was taken aback, looking at Xiaobai's matter-of-fact expression.

Then Xiaobai said goodbye to Warspite and went into the jewelry store that Luo Lian had visited before with Missouri and Ella.

A few minutes later, the three of them walked out nonchalantly, chatting and laughing as they greeted the enthusiastic ship girl, Warspite, who was still standing at the alley entrance, before leaving.

The only difference was that the ship girl following Xiaobai had a sparkling ring on her ring finger.

—That's a really beautiful ring. Missouri seems to cherish it. Although she doesn't show any reaction on the surface, the fingertips of her other hand always subtly brush over the ring, gently touching it, as if what she's wearing on her finger isn't a ring, but a rare treasure.

Come on, they're a perfect match, how can I, a gossip, have the right to interfere?

Seeing how well Little White and Missouri got along, and recalling what she had said earlier, Warspite suddenly felt a little ashamed.

Xiaobai, the ship girl, and the blonde human woman seemed to be in a hurry, and they quickly retraced their steps back.

Three figures blended into the dense crowd, like three fish leaping into the sea, disappearing in an instant.

He sighed helplessly.

"Admiral, come out," Warspite said to the ground beneath him.

no response.

"Admiral, you heard what I just said, didn't you? They're prepared for this," Warspite said.

no response.

"Admiral, Warspite has done his best."

Still no response.

Warspite slowly lifted her skirt and then slowly retreated.

As if by magic, Luo Lian, who was sitting on the ground with her legs curled up, emerged from under Yan Zhan's skirt. She pursed her lips, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Well... how should I put it..." Warspite squatted down next to Luo Lian, thought for a while about what to say, and finally hugged the little girl tightly in her arms. "...Good luck, Admiral."

“…We can’t wait any longer.” Luo Lian murmured, pursing her lips, nestled in Warspite’s embrace.

"what?"

"We can't wait any longer!" Luo Lian's eyes suddenly lit up with fierce fighting spirit. She stood up abruptly and gritted her teeth as she spoke to Warspite.

"Um... Admiral, although I know that's not what you meant, I still want to mention that kidnapping is illegal..."

"What are you talking about?" Luo Lian clenched her fist and stomped her foot hard. "I was too naive. Yes, that's right. My Xiaobai is so cute, so gentle, so good. The people who have their eyes on Xiaobai must have lined up from Lianhua Port to Shengchuan. If we keep waiting like this, we'll miss this opportunity!"

Warspite stared blankly at Luo Lian: "Uh, what exactly do you mean, Admiral?"

—This admiral is more energetic than I expected. Hmm, that must be a good thing.

"Working overtime today!" Luo Lian grabbed Yan Zhan and rode off into the distance. "We can't delay any longer, at least, at least we have to get ahead of that blondie!"

Chapter 517 He knelt down with a thud

"Achoo!" On the high seas, Saratoga, who was piloting a carrier-based aircraft... cough cough, suddenly sneezed for some reason.

"Hmm? Saratoga, did you catch a cold last night?" Lexington, who was directing her sisters in battle, carefully observed Saratoga's physical condition even on the hot battlefield. When she saw Saratoga sneeze, she quickly took a moment to ask her.

"It's alright, thank you, sister." Saratoga shook her head, then pinched her nose with her finger to indicate that she was fine.

"Logically speaking, ship girls shouldn't catch colds... Jiajia, no matter what, you need to break the habit of kicking off the covers at night." Lexington earnestly advised.

"Hmm." Saratoga nodded like a hamster.

Lexington turned away with a helpless expression, continuing to focus his attention on the battlefield.