"Feign memory loss? You've said it yourself!"
"Alright, alright, I've thought it through now, applying to the military academy is more important."
Song Lili chortled, the only person she had really told about wanting to apply to the military academy was Lu Xiaoer.
"You won't change your mind again tomorrow, will you?"
"Not this time."
On the computer screen, a pair of calm and firm eyes were faintly reflected.
Lu Xiaoer smiled knowingly.
Song Lili looked at Lu Xiaoer, puzzled. "What are you laughing at?"
"Just feeling... quite happy for you, you silly, sweet simpleton."
"..."
Silly, sweet simpleton?
Song Lili stared at Lu Xiaoer with a blank face, only to see Lu Xiaoer laughing even more joyously. After a while, she said,
"The you who sticks to your ideals is much more charming."
"..."
Hearing a compliment from the infamously sharp-tongued Lu Xiaoer made Song Lili feel quite accomplished.
She couldn't fully trust anyone in this world anymore, except for Lu Xiaoer.
This hot-tempered, eccentric Lu Xiaoer, whose words often made people's teeth itch with irritation, was probably the only friend from the past thirty-three years that she would never regret befriending.
She remembered that after the final court judgment, even her father in the audience shook his head, giving up on her, yet it was only Lu Xiaoer who rushed to the front of the court, pointing at the judge's nose and angrily contesting!
At that time, Xiaoer had been eight months pregnant, with a large belly, standing alone against the court officers who were there to take her away.
She didn't only have Xiaoer as a friend, but when she was accused of treason, it was truly only Xiaoer who stood up for her.
Fought desperately for her.
Song Lili didn't blame those who didn't stand up for her; after all, with such a grave accusation as treason, it would have been detrimental to them if they had helped her and ended up getting into trouble themselves.
Besides, she, Song Lili, wasn't some rare treasure worth people risking everything, at any cost, to protect.
Perhaps that's why Xiaoer's affection felt all the more precious to Song Lili, far more valuable than the love she had once recklessly pursued.
"Then... about the ID card, can you take care of it for me?"
"When do you need it?"
"The sooner the better."
"Okay, I'll get it sorted for you."
"If someone finds out, will you get in trouble?"
Song Lili really couldn't find anyone else she trusted; otherwise, she wouldn't want to drag Xiaoer into this...
Maybe the hesitation in Song Lili's eyes was too apparent, because without a word, Lu Xiaoer rapped her on the head,
"As long as you don't betray me, I won't get in trouble."
"How could I betray you? I'd rather die than do that!"
Song Lili said earnestly, amusing Lu Xiaoer.
"I can get the ID for you, but this person named Tang Xiaohua, you must make contact with her yourself."
Song Lili nodded like pounding garlic.
"Also, remember, you can only apply to Xilin Military Academy."
"...Why?"
"What do you think? Tang Xiaohua is from Xilin Tanjin County, so naturally, if you're applying to a military academy, you'd go to Xilin, plus, it's far from the reach of the emperor!"
"...Makes sense."
"You remember my cousin, right? Lu Ziqing, he's in Xilin; having someone there who knows the ropes can look out for you a bit."
"Won't that expose my identity?"
"Are you dumb? Having someone in the military officiating for you is how you'll be able to keep it hidden. You really think you can handle everything on your own?"
Lu Xiaoer said, exasperated.
Song Lili thought about it, and it seemed to make sense, but...
"Lu Ziqing... can we rely on him? Why do I remember him being pretty unreliable..."