The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 12

“What on earth happened?”

Cen Li asked again, suppressing his impatience. If the female did not speak, how was he supposed to know?

Asher’s expression was bleak. To him, the male’s words sounded like nothing more than feigning ignorance.

“Do you really not know? I have been suspended from the military.”

Asher spoke with an air of self-abandonment. He could not vent the pent-up frustration and anger in his chest, and his words inevitably carried a bit of a sharp edge. Meeting his despondent eyes, Cen Li felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

“I truly did not know.”

No wonder everything felt off with Asher after he returned today. Did he think Cen Li had pulled some strings behind the scenes?

Asher’s expression clearly showed he did not believe it. However, he could not lash out; kneeling on the spot, he looked incredibly stifled and aggrieved. Cen Li suppressed his confusion and curled his lip. “Does the Major General suspect that I did this?”

Asher stared into the male’s eyes, wanting to say, “Is it not obvious?” But he could not.

“I would not dare,” Asher replied.

Cen Li felt the female was still quite defiant. He arched an eyebrow. “Major General, this does not look like the face of someone who would not dare.”

It seemed his military career carried significant weight in Asher’s heart, as he could not even properly hide his leaking emotions. This was a novelty to Cen Li.

“Host, the bug who suspended Asher’s duties is your female father, Admiral Derek,” 007 reminded him at the opportune moment.

Suspending a Major General was not a difficult task for Admiral Derek. Cen Li could guess the reasons behind it as well. It was likely a way to knock Asher down a peg while making it more convenient for Cen Li to carry out his punishments.

Having figured out the cause and effect, Cen Li felt helpless. He turned his attention back to Asher. The female remained silent, like a dull puppet. Yet, his elongated shadow under the lamplight appeared inexplicably stubborn.

Cen Li pursed his lips, feeling increasingly annoyed the more he thought about it. Why should he take the blame for something he did not do? Cen Li reached out decisively, tilting Asher’s chin up to force him to look directly at him.

“I said, I did not do it. Understand?”

Asher was forced to meet the male’s blue eyes. The pressure on his jaw was impossible to ignore, yet he still maintained a shred of skepticism.

Cen Li grumbled internally. Asher does not seem to believe me at all! The original owner’s image really was bottom of the barrel. He irritably shoved Asher’s hand away, not forgetting to maintain his persona. “I would not stoop so low as to lie to you about this.”

Cen Li tapped quickly on his terminal and dialed a communication link directly. Since he had been unfairly blamed, how could he possibly take it lying down? It was only logical to want to throw the evidence in the bug’s face, right?

Admiral Derek’s familiar voice came through the terminal. Asher looked up. Receiving a call from Cen Li, Admiral Derek was both surprised and delighted, asking what the matter was.

Cen Li cut straight to the point. “Female Father, I heard that Asher has been suspended?”

Hearing his name mentioned, Asher’s fingers at his sides twitched. If the Master was asking this, did he truly not know about the matter beforehand? Was it really not his doing? Asher listened quietly. He realized the male had no reason to put on an act. Had he truly misunderstood?

Admiral Derek’s voice followed immediately. “Yes, I ordered it. Were you not planning to punish Asher? This makes it more convenient and will help grind down his temperament.”

[Humiliation Value +2] [Humiliation Value +2]

Cen Li frowned for a split second as the notification tones kept ringing in his ears. He glanced at the kneeling female. It seemed that after going in circles, the blame had landed right back on him anyway.

007 did not understand the complexities of the situation; it only knew that humiliation values were being banked. It spun around happily, offering generous praise. “Host, you are the most amazing host I have ever seen! You are harvesting humiliation values even without a plot mission. You are so dedicated and hardworking!”

Cen Li thought, Me? Dedicated?

Having been inexplicably labeled the “most dedicated host,” Cen Li realized this was entirely a stroke of accidental luck. His gains from today alone were more than all the missions 007 had assigned previously combined. Cen Li silently swallowed his explanation and accepted the system’s flattery.

Asher’s mood shifted from initial surprise back to a deathly stillness. Even if the suspension was not the male’s direct doing, it was still inextricably linked to Cen Li. Cen Li could not deny that.

The conversation continued. It consisted mostly of Admiral Derek’s one-sided pleasantries, with Cen Li offering occasional responses. Even so, Admiral Derek was satisfied.

Finally, Cen Li spoke up. “Female Father, Asher is going to work at the military tomorrow.”

Asher’s head snapped up the moment he heard this.

Admiral Derek was puzzled. “Why? If he stays at home, he can take better care of you.”

Cen Li paused. “I do not need a bug to take care of me.”

After three seconds of silence, Admiral Derek realized he had misspoken. Fearing he had touched upon Cen Li’s scars, he carefully chose his words. “Regardless, there is no harm in Asher staying at home.”

Cen Li replied, “It is annoying having him hovering in front of my eyes constantly.”

Admiral Derek was silent for a moment. “Then tell him to stay further away, or you can lock him in the basement.”

Cen Li was speechless. Since his suggestions had been repeatedly countered, Admiral Derek had no choice but to follow Cen Li’s wishes. “Very well, then I shall revoke Asher’s suspension.”

As the bug in question, Asher was momentarily stunned. Then, a look of joyful surprise crossed his face. His tightly clenched hands also relaxed instinctively. Cen Li noticed several pinch marks in Asher’s palms. After so much time, they had turned into a startling, dark red color.

Once the communication ended, Asher spoke up obediently. “I have misunderstood the Master. Thank you for being willing to let me resume my duties in the military.”

Cen Li said, “Do not overthink it. I am only in a good mood today. I will not be this kind-hearted every time.”

Asher responded with a soft “Yes.”

This was a result he had not dared to hope for. Asher felt as if he were floating on a cloud, with an unrealistic sense that he might fall at any moment. He only hoped that the Master would not change his mind in the near future.

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