Chapter 298 - 266: Spouse Application
Chapter 298: Chapter 266: Spouse Application
Five minutes later, Cyril returned to the conference room.
Andrew set down the document in his hand and looked up, asking casually, "What did you talk to her about?"
"Some things about Miss Gu Ning’s work." After speaking, Cyril studied Andrew’s expression. "She’s very serious about this job and wanted to discuss its contents with me."
He never handled personal matters during work hours, even if Andrew was a relatively lenient superior.
Besides, it wasn’t wise to classify matters concerning the little female as "personal" in front of Andrew.
Andrew arched an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "Discuss?"
His expression seemed to say, ’It’s amusing to hear that word used for the little female.’
Cyril said, "Yes, discuss."
Andrew mulled the word over in his mind a few times. He gave Cyril a meaningful look, then picked up the document and continued signing. "She certainly trusts you."
Cyril, trying to decipher Andrew’s meaning, replied cautiously, "I am your adjutant. Miss Gu Ning trusts you, which is why she trusts me as well."
Without looking up, Andrew said, "Cyril, when did you learn to talk like that?"
Cyril’s expression didn’t change. "Admiral, it’s the truth. Have you forgotten? You were the one who assigned me to oversee Miss Gu Ning’s work."
Andrew’s pen paused. "You’ve just reminded me."
Cyril looked confused.
Andrew said nothing more. He quickly signed the remaining documents and handed them to him. "You’re dismissed."
After Cyril left the conference room, Andrew opened his terminal. He was just about to call that little rascal who had bypassed him for a "discussion" when a call from Vine came through first.
Seeing Vine’s animated icon, Andrew didn’t really want to answer.
The terminal vibrated for a long time. If he didn’t answer, the alpha wolf on the other end wouldn’t hang up.
In the end, Andrew answered the call.
If he hadn’t, this stubborn wolf would have kept calling until he picked up.
"Admiral, have you seen my mate application?" Vine asked, straight to the point.
Andrew opened the application form Vine had sent and looked at it again. "You should be applying to the Mating Center, not sending this to me."
Vine replied, "I’m in Zone 15 right now. The review period for inter-zone applications is too long. You’re the only one who can help me submit it."
Andrew said, "In such a hurry?"
There was a moment of silence on Vine’s end. "It’s not me who’s in a hurry."
Andrew leaned back. ’Right,’ he thought. ’I forgot the little female is in heat.’
It wasn’t surprising that she would choose Vine.
The few Beastmen around her were either Mixed Breeds, had a history of conflict with her, or were simply too rowdy.
Andrew massaged his throbbing temples. "Even if you’re in a hurry, you have to go through the proper channels. Showing it to me is useless."
Vine was silent for another moment before saying in a reminding tone, "You’ve forgotten. My household registration is under your name."
Andrew: "..." ’I really have been forgetting a lot lately.’
After a Beastman joined the Military Department, for better management, their household registration would be split into their original household and a military household. This way, it wouldn’t be too much trouble for Beastmen stationed far from their home districts to file applications that required it.
Vine was Andrew’s subordinate, so his military household was naturally transferred under Andrew’s name.
His original household was in the 12th District. He was currently on a mission, and with the female waiting, there was no way he could return to the 12th District to submit his application. As for inter-zone applications, the Mating Center couldn’t even get through the applications from its own zone. An inter-zone mate application wouldn’t just be pushed to the back of the line; he’d be lucky if it was processed at all.
Fortunately, his military household was registered to Admiral Andrew. He was confident that no matter how busy Andrew was, he would help him submit the application.
"I know," Andrew said, exhaling. "Wait for my reply. I’m very busy right now, so it won’t be quick."
Vine said, "Her heat is very short. Please be as quick as you can."
Andrew’s brow twitched. A thought occurred to him, and he asked, "Have you shown her your application form?"
Vine paused on the other end. "No."
Andrew’s body relaxed. He said, "Have her tell me she agrees to your application. Otherwise, even if I submit it for you, it’s just a piece of waste paper if she doesn’t consent."
.
After talking with Cyril, Gu Ning confirmed that the Publicity Department’s tasks for the month were complete. Now she could focus on other things with peace of mind.
At the moment, she was sitting cross-legged on her bed, completely absorbed in editing the raw footage she had filmed.
She had to cut what needed cutting and blur what needed blurring, all while making it look like unedited "raw footage." Considering the required length, the post-production for this was more difficult than all her previous videos combined.
She hadn’t even finished half of it by the time Barto called to her from outside the door, reminding her it was time for dinner. She quickly shoveled down a few bites before holing up in her bedroom to work again, planning to finish processing the footage and give it to Idelos by tomorrow.
Not long after she returned to her room, Barto’s voice came from outside the door. "Are you feeling unwell?"
She had eaten dinner so quickly and seemed so distracted. He was a little worried about her.
"I’m fine," Gu Ning replied, her head down as she checked the footage frame by frame.
Barto wanted to push the door open and go in, but when he saw Cook standing guard nearby, chewing on a bone, he decided against it.
’She’s losing so much blood every day during her heat, she must be uncomfortable to some extent,’ he thought. ’I’d better not bother her.’
Seeing Leo pretending to sleep on the sofa, he decided to get the dog away from there, just in case he tried to sneak into her room again or cause a ruckus and disturb her rest.
Gu Ning was deep in her editing when another knock sounded at the door. Thinking it was Barto, she answered without looking up, "I’m fine, I’m going to sleep."
"It’s me."
Hearing Vine’s voice, Gu Ning looked up toward the door.
"May I come in?" Vine asked from just outside the door.
"There’s something you need to see," he added.
Hearing this, Gu Ning carefully saved her editing progress, closed her terminal, and called to the door, "Come in."
Vine pushed the door open and was met with the rich, sweet scent filling the room. His steps faltered for a moment. He closed the door, took a slow breath to steady himself, and then walked toward her.
"It’s my turn to watch over you tonight."
Vine spoke as he sat on the edge of Gu Ning’s bed. His tall, heavy frame made the mattress sink.
His presence was too overwhelming, so Gu Ning scooted back, putting a little distance between them.
"Wolf Team, what is it? Let me see."
Vine watched her in silence for a long moment before, under her puzzled gaze, he took out his handwritten application form and handed it to her.
Gu Ning took it and carefully read over the contents.
Vine’s handwriting, much like the man himself, was neat with an undercurrent of strength. Still, she couldn’t understand it completely. She could only recognize that the format looked like some kind of application form, that it contained the word "application," and that both her name and Vine’s were on it.
’What is this?’
She opened her terminal to translate it and get a clear answer, but then she heard Vine speak. "How are you feeling now?"
Gu Ning subconsciously assumed Vine was asking about her physical condition and looked up. "Much better."
Then she added, "Getting more sleep helps."
Vine didn’t catch the dismissive undertone in her words. His gaze slowly fell to her petal-like lips, and his throat bobbed unconsciously. "Do you need me?"
Gu Ning froze for a second. "What?"
Vine said, "You need to call Admiral Andrew first. Only then can my application be approved."