Chapter 772: Becoming Stronger Together With You

The day after Qin Ge finished his date with Bumblebee, Qin Ge took Hai Lun Na to the streets of White Eagle.

For today's date, yesterday Saint Louis specially took Hai Lun Na out to pick a few outfits for her, and this morning also helped her dress up nicely.

So when Qin Ge first saw Hai Lun Na, he felt a striking impression.

Unfortunately, though dressing up makes a person look more beautiful, their personality remains unchanged.

Walking with Qin Ge on the streets of White Eagle, Hai Lun Na always walked a step behind him, as if they weren't on a date but Qin Ge was running an errand and Hai Lun Na was just following.

This left Qin Ge somewhat helpless, so he walked along the street toward the river, found a secluded spot, and pulled Hai Lun Na to sit down together.

"Hai Lun Na, is there anything about today's date that's making you unhappy?" Qin Ge asked.

Hai Lun Na hastily waved her hands, saying, "No, I'm very happy. Why would you say that, Commander?"

"Because I always see you walking behind me, not beside me, even when we're holding hands. Why is that?" Qin Ge asked.

Hai Lun Na felt a little shy, "I feel that I still lack the confidence to stand by your side, Commander. For a long time, those who have stood by your side have been powerful sisters, and I am not yet strong, so I want to become more outstanding until one day I can confidently stand beside you."

Qin Ge involuntarily scratched his head, then tapped Hai Lun Na's head, saying, "Is there really no connection between standing by my side and being strong? Why does your little head keep thinking about these things all day? In the Gangqu, there's already Yin Ka Luo Si, so you don't need to constantly think about using a cruiser's body to go up against those aircraft carriers and battleships. Your strength isn't in your firepower, but in the intelligence you can gather."

"But even with SG, my reconnaissance ability still falls short of some sisters." Hai Lun Na said gloomily.

Qin Ge smiled and said, "Then in previous battles, who kept reporting the enemy's precise location to the rear battleships? You wouldn't think this intelligence is unimportant, would you?"

"This is what lets us destroy the enemy's main force fleet much faster—by several folds. You've already become very impressive; sometimes I even feel a little unworthy of standing beside you, so I can only strive harder to improve myself so I can be worthy of being your commander."

"Commander, don't say that." Hai Lun Na blushed.

"Why can't I say that? You keep saying that to me, so why can't I say it to you?" Qin Ge smiled, "Do you still remember when I first summoned you? Your lost eyes left a deep impression on me."

"All this time, I've continually tried to help you regain your confidence, which has actually been progress for me as well. It's not just me giving you courage; more often, it's you giving me courage."

"If it weren't for you all, I'd probably have shrunk away to some unknown corner by now—how could I possibly fight alongside these Siren fleets?"

"Our relationship is a process of mutual improvement and progress, with no notion of one being better than the other, so standing by my side is just like standing shoulder to shoulder." Qin Ge smiled.

"Commander, you always comfort and encourage me like this." Hai Lun Na's eyes glistened with tears; although it was a cold winter in New York Port, she felt a spring-like warmth.

"Ha, you're my ship girl; who else should I be good to if not you?" Qin Ge smiled, "So from now on, you're not allowed to say those foolish things anymore. You need to know you're excellent, don't let past troubles haunt you, and let's think about future progress together and win, just like every time before."

"Mm." Hai Lun Na nodded heavily.

"How are you now?" Qin Ge smiled.

"I feel so happy; I never dared hope a day could be this happy, but now I truly am happy." Hai Lun Na laughed.

"Your smile is lovely, but next time you smile, don't have tears in the corners of your eyes. If others saw it, they'd think I was bullying you." Qin Ge joked.

"Mm, I won't cry casually anymore." Hai Lun Na said.

"Exactly, this Hai Lun Na is even cuter." Qin Ge laughed, "When you have free time, learn more from your Saint Louis sister—see how happily she spends her day."

"Hehe, Commander and Louis Sister are quite alike; she sometimes says that too." Hai Lun Na said.

"Because everyone's worried about you, everyone wants you to be happier." Qin Ge smiled, "So from now on, standing by my side, let's happily finish this date, okay?"

"Mm, I will."

Hai Lun Na nodded heavily in promise, and the result was that during the following date, the two were filled with laughter and joy, leaving each other with even better memories.

As the sun set, when Qin Ge took Hai Lun Na out of the restaurant, at Hai Lun Na's suggestion they went again to the riverside and sat once more on that bench.

"Commander, thank you, today was really happy." Hai Lun Na said to Qin Ge.

"Being happy is enough; from now on, every day should be this happy." Qin Ge smiled.

"Mm, Commander, I'll do my best." Hai Lun Na nodded, then looked at the evening sun in the sky, "It feels like time is flying by; before we know it, we have to go back."

Qin Ge laughed and said, "Yeah, time always passes like this, fleeting, so people invented things that can capture images to hold onto these disappearing moments."

"By the way, we took plenty of photos today. When we get back, could you trouble Hai Lun Na to find Ge Li De Li and ask her to print a few extra copies when developing the photos, and leave one for me as well."

"Mm." Hai Lun Na nodded.

"Well, the next moment is the most important." Qin Ge smiled, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the specially prepared Oath Ring.

Although we had anticipated this moment, when Qin Ge pulled out the ring, Hai Lun Na's heartbeat still skipped a beat.

"Between us, there's no need for many words—we fight together, grow together, and the past has already borne much. I hope this ring will give you strength; no matter what difficulties you face or where you are, you'll always feel me by your side, supporting and encouraging you." Qin Ge said to Hai Lun Na.

"Mm, is this your promise to me, Commander… so happy!" Hai Lun Na's eyes welled with tears as she smiled sweetly, "I will also always stay by your side, Commander, no matter when!"

"Mm."