It's time to give out the rings, Admiral!

"Don't worry, I'll have Pinghai and the others close up shop early after lunch. We can just refund the money to customers who made reservations." Yixian shook her head without hesitation at Lexington's seemingly hesitant words.

She was good at running a restaurant, but she had to consider what was more important. If it weren't for the fact that the Admiral hadn't disappeared, she would never have opened this very popular Chinese restaurant. Rather than receiving praise from many people, she would rather cook for the Admiral alone and receive his praise. She believed that the people in Chongqing must think the same way she did.

Moreover, Pinghai and Ninghai will surely be very happy to hear about the celebration. After all, they haven't had much of a meal cooked by the other sisters since the Admiral married Lexington. They will definitely be delighted to have such an opportunity to show the Admiral their culinary skills that they have been practicing for so long.

Thinking that she would close the restaurant once the naval base was ready for residents, Yi Xian tugged at the blue shawl on her arm and continued, "This afternoon, I will have Ping Hai and Ning Hai prepare the food, and then everyone can come over tonight to celebrate with the admiral."

"Well, since there's no problem on your end, then it's decided. Thank you, Yixian."

"Oh ho, a celebration party? Then that evening gown I bought at Contax will finally come in handy." With Lexington's approval, the celebration party was officially decided. Perhaps hearing that there would be a long-awaited party that evening, the beautiful faces of the ship girls around her showed a hint of joy. Remembering her own evening gown that had been kept in her closet and never been used, and which she had bought according to the admiral's quirks that she had secretly noted, Wisconsin rubbed her shoulders and smiled with a peculiar meaning.

"It's not a dance party, just a celebration. Is it really necessary to wear an evening gown?" Everyone was chattering about the celebration that evening, but Missouri, who had originally planned to dress up nicely when she got home, just pursed her lips and pretended not to care when she heard her younger sister's mutterings. She wondered what her mischievous little sister was up to now.

“Oh, my dear sister, you don’t understand. Wearing an evening gown represents my respect for the Admiral. After all, this is a party to celebrate the Admiral’s return. Besides, not to mention me, don’t you have a dozen evening gowns in your wardrobe? You even said that when you continue to be the Admiral’s secretary, you can wear different gowns to accompany him to various social events.”

"How did you know...?! Cough, that's different. It was a gift from my employer when I was shooting an advertisement. Besides, doesn't the Admiral always have Lexington accompany him to social events?"

Regardless of the sisters' impending feud, Washington, always meticulous in her thinking, considered things more thoroughly. A celebration would inevitably involve alcoholic beverages, but she remembered that Yatsen's restaurant didn't serve any. "By the way, Yatsen, does your restaurant have any alcohol? If it's a celebration, then we'll definitely need to prepare some."

...............

Volume 1, Chapter 124: Did you have fun?

As an adult, on such a joyous day, alcoholic beverages were naturally indispensable. Besides, in the past year or so searching for the Admiral, she had hardly touched any alcohol. Hearing from Yi Xian that there would be a celebration at the restaurant that evening, Washington, feeling a bit thirsty, naturally perked up. Recalling that Yi Xian's restaurant didn't seem to offer any alcoholic drinks, she couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Yi Xian, does your restaurant have any alcohol? If it's a celebration, then you must prepare some, right?"

There was definitely no alcohol in the restaurant. Not to mention that Yixian didn't particularly like alcoholic beverages that could occasionally make people lose their minds, there were several "little emperors" in her restaurant who needed to be taken care of. Even the little bit of sake she drank when she missed the admiral and felt sad was always carefully hidden after she finished it, for fear that the ignorant Zhaohe would find out.

However, even so, upon hearing Washington's words, Yatsen suddenly revealed a meaningful smile. She looked at Washington's face, paused, and then said to her, "Of course, don't worry, Washington, you won't be disappointed."

Just because I don't have any wine doesn't mean my sisters don't. When the admiral went missing and everyone was preparing to split up to search for him, they all left a lot of wine with me in the warehouse behind the restaurant. Now it's the perfect time to take it out and make use of it.

..............................

Although he was a little reserved at first, after getting used to it, the boy felt that time flew by when he was with his ship girls.

Having decided to hold a celebration party at Yixian's restaurant that evening to mark her return, Su Yuchen, amidst the curiosity of the ship girl ladies, once again recounted what she had experienced during the year she had been "missing".

However, this time the boy was more careful than before. Thinking back to the guilty look on Yixian's face when he told her about his experiences over the past year last night, and facing the trusting gazes in front of him, he removed all the sad things that had happened this year and only told them the happy and joyful things. And this time he really did not do anything wrong, as could be seen from the expressions on their faces.

Sitting on a bench by the embankment, listening to the boy recount the various amusing events of the past year, the sun was already high in the sky. Saratoga, still clinging to her brother-in-law's waist, nuzzled restlessly against his chest, which made her feel so secure. She comfortably squinted her beautiful blue eyes, thinking of Wasp, who had gone to the American Naval Academy on the other side of the ocean. She frowned and muttered softly.

"Honestly, why does Hornet have to go out on a mission at a time like this? If she were still at the Naval Academy, my sister and I could have seen my brother-in-law many days earlier."

She complained a little about the timing, but knowing that Huang Feng had to go because of the academy's mission, she put those thoughts aside. She looked up at her brother-in-law's chin, which had hardly changed in the past year, and reached out to touch her lips, which still seemed to retain some warmth. Unable to help but chuckle again, Jiajia straightened her soft waist in her brother-in-law's arms.

"Brother-in-law, since Yu Rou cares about you so much, when are you going to pick her up? I want to go with you."

A few strands of golden hair, carrying a faint fragrance, brushed against his cheek, making the boy, who felt a little itchy, almost sneeze. He looked down at his sister-in-law, who was curled up in his arms, her flawless face adorned with a beautiful smile. The boy nodded to her happily, "Okay, I'll buy the boat tickets in a couple of days. If Jiajia comes along, Xiaorou will definitely be very happy."

After all, she was a ship girl loved by everyone, and as his younger sister, his own ship girl would definitely treat Xiao Rou as family. He thought that his sister would be very surprised when she met Jia Jia and Mrs. Lexington. However, the boy suddenly heard Yi Xian say to him and Mrs. Lexington beside her, "It's getting late, Admiral, and Lexington. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to the restaurant first."

"Okay, Yixian." Looking at Yixian, whose hair was styled in a beautiful bun, the boy nodded without hesitation. After all, he had already said everything he wanted to say last night. However, hearing Yixian's words, Lexington seemed surprised that she was about to leave. "Going back now, Yixian? Aren't you coming with us to meet the new girls?"

Lexington's words seemed to tempt Yixian, but after a moment's thought, she calmly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lexington, Chongqing and the others are still at the restaurant. I need to go back and tell them that we've found the Admiral, and I also need to prepare dinner... so I won't be going with you."

After saying that, Yi Xian smiled at the young Shu Xian, greeted the other sisters, and then left the garrison with Marani, who said he was going to cook dinner together.

Watching the two beautiful ship girls leave until their figures disappeared at the other end of the bridge, Su Yuchen touched Saratoga's hair, which was almost touching her face, and turned around to see Lexington sitting next to Phelps, her eyes sparkling like clear autumn water, and then smiling at her.

Sunlight shone on her long hair cascading over her pristine white dress, and her gentle demeanor and stunning beauty made the young man's heart race for a moment. But the next second, he felt the world's deep malice towards him.

"Admiral, did you have a good time with Yixian last night?"

Volume 1, Chapter 125: Queen

"Admiral, did you have a good time with Yixian last night?"

Gazing at the beautiful woman smiling gently at him in the bright sunlight, and hearing Lexington's tender whispers in his ear as she still held his hand, the somewhat stunned young man felt as if he had just experienced a day trip from heaven to hell, and once again experienced the confusion and despair he felt when he first arrived in a new world.

Although she didn't know where the mistake had gone wrong, looking at the radiant smile on the goddess-like face before her, Su Yuchen was certain of one thing: the wife she had once admired and loved most probably already knew what had happened last night...

As for how Mrs. Lek knew, he had no idea. After all, neither Yixian nor he had mentioned anything related to last night. And now that Yixian had left the garrison with Marani, the only person who could help and defend him had left, which meant...

"I...uh..."

The thought of facing Lexington's potential wrath alone made the boy, who was struggling to breathe like a fish out of water, tremble. He didn't even dare to touch the soft, golden-haired dog, Jiajia, in his arms anymore. Anxious to explain something, he subconsciously straightened his back.

Although he knew nothing yesterday, and the only person he met, Yi Xian, said that even if he told Lexington, they would not be able to come over, he swallowed back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue when he thought about how he had agreed to Yi Xian's request without any doubt and had agreed to keep the fact that he had accompanied her alone at the naval base a secret from Lexington.

Yes, no matter what, Yi Xian did nothing wrong. As a ship girl, what's wrong with wanting to spend more time with her admiral who has been missing for so long? Besides, even if Yi Xian lied to him, and Lexington and the others didn't go anywhere else last night as she said, how could he blame her for that?

Yi Xian's actions were not wrong, and he did not tell Lexington that he had met Yi Xian yesterday. Thinking of his wife, who had been with him the longest in the game and was the motivation that kept him playing, he felt guilty because his throat was dry.

Biting his lip hard, the young man, experiencing for the first time the hardships of becoming an admiral, slowly lowered his head. Feeling somewhat ashamed of Mrs. Lexington's trust and affection, he weakly slumped his shoulders and earnestly apologized to the woman before him, "I'm sorry... Lexington."

He didn't tell Lexington about meeting Yi Xian, and even wanted to keep it from her before she found out. Even though he and Yi Xian didn't do anything that night except chat, he still felt it was a betrayal.

Remembering the words he had written on the exam paper, and thinking that he would be just as angry if he were Lexington, the boy sighed in despair. However, before he could even lament his own incompetence, he felt a warm hand gently caress his cheek.

"No need to apologize, Admiral. It's not that I don't want you to do this, but next time you encounter a situation like this, you must tell us, otherwise we will be very worried about you."

A gentle voice, like a spring breeze in April, rang in the boy's ear. Surprised by the warm touch on his cheek, the boy looked up. Before him was still Lexington's stunningly beautiful face, but in those vast, serene eyes, besides a hint of cunning and the same emotions he had seen in those radiant eyes, he found not a trace of blame or anger.

Perhaps because she already knew her admiral's quirks, as soon as the boy showed a hint of confusion, before he could even speak, Lexington gently pinched his cheek. "Hmm? Admiral, you don't think I'm angry with you, do you? Hmm, really, if I were really going to be angry about something like that, wouldn't I have been furious when you bought a bunch of Oath Rings?"

As he spoke, Lexington bent down and gently kissed the cheek of the stinky guy in front of him, whom he always loved and could never bear to be angry with.

At this point, what else could this happy man say? Besides the overwhelming emotion that filled his heart, the desire to bury his face in his wife's enormous heart, and the satisfaction of having such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? He could only sigh that he might be Lady Luck's lover in a past life, and the phrase that best describes the woman before him, "She is the queen of the world!"

Of course, compared to Mrs. Lexington, who has the rights of a legal wife and can legitimately cling to the admiral and shower him with affection, the other ship girls are more concerned about the information revealed in Lexington's words. In the morning, Yixian informed us that she had just found the admiral and then notified us. Now it seems that Yixian has been eating alone all night.

"Tsk, I was careless." Wisconsin, who was the first to understand what had happened, frowned and clicked his tongue. He thought that Yi Xian, who was very traditional and conservative, was the opponent he was least worried about now that was by the Admiral's side. But what he didn't expect was that Yi Xian was the one who acted the fastest this time.

"Huh? Really? Yixian actually... Ah, if only I had been in charge of the garrison yesterday."

“Yixian… No wonder when I asked Chongqing this morning, Chongqing said that Yixian hadn’t returned all night.”

"Oh?! Is that Sister Yixian? That's amazing."

Upon hearing that the Admiral and Yat-sen had spent the night at the naval base, the expressions of the surrounding ship girls became somewhat strange, especially the two Iowa-class sisters and Washington, who was deep in thought with her chin in her hand. However, compared to Juno and Portland, who were also frowning beside her, Atlanta was the one who looked the most relaxed among the girls surrounding the Admiral.

It wasn't that she didn't want to get closer to the Admiral; she had realized long ago that even if the Admiral returned, those precious Oath Rings wouldn't be hers. Rather than competing with the older female capital ships, she might as well just wait until they finished competing. After all, even an ordinary ring is still a ring.

Looking at the sun overhead, she realized that it was almost noon before she knew it. She wagged her tail and reminded Lexington, who had almost completely tamed the admiral, "Sister Lexington, it's almost noon. Didn't you say you were going to meet the new sisters with the admiral?"

Volume 1, Chapter 126: The Faithless Man

"Sister Lexington, it's almost noon! Didn't you say you were going to meet the new sisters with the Admiral?"

Atlanta's words seemed to remind Lexington, who was somewhat lost in the long-lost flirting with her beloved admiral, to look up at the sun, which was almost directly overhead. Smiling, she asked her admiral what he and Yixian had done the previous night. Reluctantly, Lexington released the warm, comforting hand, gently straightened her body, and, still somewhat unwilling, moved away from her admiral. She patted Phelps' head, who was sitting on her other side, and then addressed everyone.

"Ah, is it already noon? Thank you, Atlanta. It's getting late, Admiral. Won't you take us to meet the new ladies?"

The golden sunlight shone on him, making the young man, dressed in a neat admiral's uniform, feel a slight summer heat. However, he hadn't even had time to shake off the emotion he felt while recounting everything that had happened the night before to his wife, when he heard Lexington's words, he was quite embarrassed to find that a problem far more fatal than being "caught in the act" by Mrs. Lexington had once again been placed before him.

Caught between my beloved Lady Lek from the game and Radiant, my real-life lover who has given me her most precious gift, how can I avoid being hacked to pieces? Shocking! A trainee admiral was brutally dismembered by two five-star carrier girls, and the reason was...

Of course, the above thoughts are purely a joke. Even a brainless young man knows that Lexington, with her queenly demeanor and gentle nature (always referred to as "Madam"), and the kind and considerate Radiant Light, whose warmth is like the sun, would never treat her beloved admiral like that. However...

Thinking about his own actions, he was afraid that his reputation as a heartless man was about to be confirmed... Moreover, if he brought two ship girls who were also so close to him together, could they really get along as harmoniously as he imagined?

The thought of Illustrious's possible expression upon seeing Lexington and Saratoga, who already had rings, filled the young man with heartache and guilt. Although Illustrious always appeared mature and gentle in his presence, he knew that she was actually quite delicate and fragile inside. Like when he first met her, just a little extra attention made her anxious and uneasy. If he didn't protect her properly, he might hurt her. And now, having just established their relationship, he had to tell her that her favorite admiral already had a wife, and not just one…

The same thing happened to his beloved Mrs. Lexington. After searching tirelessly day and night for so long, she finally found the long-lost admiral and thought that she, as his wife, could finally reunite with her beloved husband. But she discovered that her husband had found another mistress outside. No, it can't be called a mistress anymore; there must be at least ten. Not only that, but he had even done intimate things with Glorious that he probably hadn't done with his legal wife, Lexington. I believe that even someone as easygoing as Lexington would be devastated by such a thing.

Swallowing hard, her saliva tasting slightly bitter, Su Yuchen felt a pang of discomfort as the sunlight blocked her face by Lexington's beautiful figure. She used to wish the tragic love triangles in online novels would be even more intense, but she never imagined it would be so painful when it happened to her. Successfully ending her single life and having her beloved Mrs. Lexington become her husband should have brought her dreamlike happiness, but why… cough…

He stroked his chin, racking his brains for a way to prevent the two ship girls he adored from getting hurt. When he came to his senses, he found that Lexington was already talking to Missouri and Wisconsin, who had somehow gotten up from the bench opposite him.

“Lexington, if you’re going to meet the new sisters, then Missouri and I won’t be going with you. We’ve already made an appointment this noon to meet with the construction company that built our base before to discuss the reconstruction of our base, so we won’t be joining in the fun.”

Wisconsin, patting her light gray pencil skirt and straightening her shirt collar, stood up with Missouri, looking every bit the capable and elegant office lady in her professional attire. Having already received word that she might be able to find the admiral, she had contacted the construction company specializing in building naval bases long ago.

Although this task should actually be done by the admiral and Lexington, who is the secretary ship, Missouri and I are actually more suitable to do it as the secretary and accountant in charge of the naval base's financial management. Moreover... at this time, it would be good to please Lexington, who is the legal wife, even now that we have already obtained her approval.

Lexington was clearly surprised by Wisconsin's sudden words. She had already planned to discuss the reconstruction of the naval base with the monarch after meeting her new sisters, but unexpectedly, Wisconsin and her companions had beaten her to it. Since they said they were going to negotiate with the builders, it seemed they had already taken care of coordinating with the Institute for her.

No wonder Wisconsin was still wearing her white-collar uniform after hearing that the admiral had been found. After gathering her thoughts, Lexington smiled and nodded to Wisconsin, "I see. Then I'll leave it to you, Wisconsin."

Even if they realized that Wisconsin was trying to curry favor with them, why not take advantage of it? After all, it wouldn't affect their relationship, and it could even make the naval base more united.

The wind on the sea gradually picked up. Lexington gently pressed down her white dress, which was swaying in the wind, and saw that Washington and Atlanta had also stood up.

"In that case, I won't go and join the fun. With so many people going, the new sisters will definitely feel a lot of pressure. I don't know what's going on with Yixian, but I'll go and help her out."

"Hmm, Lexington, maybe we shouldn't go with them. Didn't they say we can move back to the naval base tomorrow after we've settled into our dorms? We want to go back and pack our things now..."

Volume 1, Chapter 127: First Meeting

Although the school had just experienced a battle that affected the entire campus, it seemed to have suffered little damage and remained peaceful as usual. The midday sun shone on the spacious dormitory area, and the roadside plants, washed clean by a rainstorm, appeared even more lush and green. Passing by the flower beds, one could occasionally see a cat, seemingly out of nowhere, lazily basking in the warm sun on the edge of a flower bed.

In this place where one couldn't help but want to find a place to take a nice afternoon nap, after a morning of painful yet joyful torment, carrying a heavy burden in his heart, the boy, along with the Lexington sisters who were already well-known to everyone, and Phelps, who was also known as Little Mrs., came from his naval base to the dormitory area where he now lived with Glorious and the others.

Fortunately, it was midday, and the trainee admirals and their ship girls, who had just finished their morning classes, were busy arranging lunch. Otherwise, if someone were to stroll around the academy with the Lexington-class beauty, who was considered even more goddess-like than a goddess by countless admirals, they would probably see their own headshot on the front page of the Navy Times first thing tomorrow morning.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, are you and the new sisters living here? This place looks so small, not even as big as the single room in our naval base. Isn't the monarch supposed to be very powerful as the head of the academy? Why would she let your brother-in-law live in a place like this?"

"Although the monarch is the head of the academy, she didn't know your brother-in-law was in the academy before. Besides, it's very important for the head of the academy to maintain necessary fairness. How can she give the admiral special privileges just because he knows the monarch? So don't blame the monarch, Jiajia."

"But sister, the monarch became the head of the academy because... Brother-in-law is right here, yet she still acts like this, how pretentious."

"Haha, really? Actually, I think the environment here is quite nice. The decor is also quite comfortable."

Having finally made it to his dormitory building after a long and arduous journey, the boy chatted idly with the gentle and lovely Mrs. Lek beside him and the charming and lively Jiajia, who clung to his arm like a koala. Feeling quite sorry for himself, the boy smiled helplessly.

Before becoming an admiral, I always lived in that small, shabby house at home, and I had to worry about maintaining my and Xiaorou's normal life every day. Now, I don't have the carefree life on Earth anymore. Being able to live in such a room is really nothing to complain about.

However, compared to the scene she might face next, these little episodes seemed insignificant. Forcing herself to stay alert, she responded to Jiajia's words, which seemed a little reluctant but full of concern for her. Like an emotionless machine, Su Yuchen mechanically repeated the movements of her feet and walked forward.

They had reached the correct floor, and just a few steps away was their dormitory, which was usually a warm and sheltered haven, but now felt like a bone-chilling hell. The thought of the beautiful, gentle, and considerate Radiant Lady opening the door after they knocked on that familiar door, her sweet and delighted voice saying, "Ah, Admiral, welcome home! Lunch is ready!" filled the boy with an urge to run away immediately.

If God could give him another chance, he would definitely not choose to go at this time... No, maybe he would... But if he could find a way that would neither harm Glorious nor upset Mrs. Leck, he would gladly exchange it for the dozen or so B-25s he had left in his warehouse.

Although he still couldn't accept it psychologically, the familiar house number in front of him wouldn't deceive his eyes. Even with a burst of inspiration, he couldn't come up with a solution. Hearing Lexington ask him, "Is this the place, Admiral?" the young man, who had arrived at his doorstep, nodded bitterly.

"Unicorn, hurry up and bring out the bowl..." From the crack in the door that wasn't closed too tightly, she faintly heard that familiar and sweet voice. She swallowed one last time, glanced at the few gifts she was carrying in the bag as an apology, and with no way out, Su Yuchen trembled slightly as she knocked on the door. Then, a voice that seemed to be filled with surprise, "Coming!" floated out from behind the door.

With a series of "clattering" sounds of slippers on the floor, the mahogany door opened, and the young man forced a smile at the beautiful face that appeared behind it.

"Ah, Admiral, you're back! Welcome home. Come in quickly, Radiant has prepared lunch. If you're hungry, you can eat now." Compared to Su Yuchen, who seemed to be facing judgment and still didn't know what her Admiral had done during the day he was away, Radiant's naturally beautiful face immediately lit up with a bright smile when she saw her beloved Admiral's face.

Without the Admiral by my side, I felt listless all day yesterday. Although I had my unicorn sister with me, the thought of the Admiral not being home made me feel inexplicably lonely.

In the afternoon, Instructor Junquan came to tell her that she had joined her and the Admiral's garrison. She was slightly surprised and thought the Admiral would return soon. However, just before going to bed that night, Instructor Glorious came to inform her that the Admiral had something to do and would not be back until the next day.

Worried that the admiral might be alright while he was out alone, he didn't sleep well all night. After getting up early in the morning, he waited anxiously all morning. Now, after all that hard work, Glorious has finally seen his beloved admiral again.

Hearing the Admiral's usual reply, "I'm back, Glorious," she was satisfied and reached out her fair hand to take the bulging bag from his hand. But looking up at the boy wearing only a shirt, she was a little confused. Wasn't the Admiral supposed to be wearing his uniform when he left? Could it be that he left it at Instructor Junquan's house?

But before the virtuous and radiant woman could ask any questions, two somewhat familiar and stunningly beautiful women suddenly appeared in front of her from behind the door.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Radiant? Hello..."

Volume 1, Chapter 128: Mrs. and Mrs.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Glorious?"... As the door with the nameplate on it opened gently, a melodious and delighted voice, like the chirping of a lark, came from behind the door frame. Holding Jiajia's hand beside her, Lexington, who had been hidden by the door, took a step forward and then revealed her perfect and beautiful body and face.

As ship girls who are both referred to as "Mrs." in both games, Lexington's beautiful face showed a hint of surprise at first glance. Looking at the woman standing in front of the door, dressed in a comfortable long dress, her long, untied silver hair elegantly draped over her gentle back, radiating a tender maternal glow, and holding her younger sister's soft hand, Lexington wavered for a rare moment.