Azur Lane Under the Stars

Page 549

"Obviously not..."

Yorktown and Belfast walked to the window, looking down at the scene with strange expressions.

Hu De, looking rather unwell from being woken up, went to the window and saw Abercrombie and Fushun fleeing, with Anshan chasing after them with a broom in hand.

"Fushun! Abercrombie! How many times have I told you! You can't set off fireworks in the port area! And these fireworks are way too big!"

Anshan was furious.

Hood was also extremely upset. It was you again, Abercrombie. It was one thing to call me "Auntie" and play pranks on me, but now you've done this to prevent me from sleeping.

Do you really think I, Hu, am easy to bully?

Hood expressionlessly put on the gloves he only wore in battle, then left without looking back.

Today, I'm not sleeping. Either Abercrombie or I will be used for shark fishing.

Looking at Hood's furious, even somewhat heroic, retreating figure, Yorktown and Belfast exchanged helpless smiles. Those two...

They really are a bunch of enemies.

"Work, work, let them make a fuss."

Yorktown returned to his seat.

…………

"Commander Ren Shuo, you are really amazing, you even know these things."

In the Iron Blood Studio, Luo Ma and Ren Shuo looked at the paintings in front of them... well, Bismarck bought them with his own salary.

Bismarck is not in his studio

"I only know a little bit. Bismarck and Hood in the port area are interested in these things, so I have also learned a little bit from them."

Ren Shuo was very modest. He said he could show off as much as he wanted in the commander's direction, and the girls in the port could handle it all, but in this aspect... he should keep a little low profile.

After all, they genuinely didn't understand.

"I've been very happy these past two days. It's been a long time since I've been able to relax like this, look at paintings, and discuss things with others."

Rome sighed and remarked.

“Miss Rome is usually very busy,” Ren Shuo continued, following up on Rome’s words.

“That’s right. After all, a drama troupe is either rehearsing, performing, or practicing and improving themselves,” Rome said. “But this is also so that Rome’s glory can shine in every place.”

You are like a radiant light, hoping to shine upon every place...

However, Ren Shuo said, "So, Miss Rome, haven't you thought about taking a short rest?"

"To be honest, I really don't have any yet, but now that I have the opportunity, I can finally rest for a few days," Rome said.

"And it's quite a coincidence, I've been very busy for a while now, and many of my younger ship girls have joined the port area, some have gone to the Maritime Bureau, and others have asked the captain for leave to go on trips... I also had a slight thought about it, and then the guild was given a break."

"Well, I was originally debating whether to go to a nearby city to see if there were any art exhibitions, but now I've found one here with Commander Ren Shuo. It's a small wish that has come true. Thank you, Commander Ren Shuo."

The heterochromatic eyes, like those of a Roman Persian cat, are full of gentleness.

"You're welcome... It was just a coincidence. There happened to be some ship girls in the port who were interested in these, so I bought them."

As Ren Shuo was saying this, he suddenly felt something was strange. Wait a minute, wasn't Bismarck's salary with Tirpitz? Why would he have money to buy paintings?

Seeing Ren Shuo deep in thought, Roma assumed he had some work to attend to, so she thoughtfully said, "Commander Ren Shuo, if you're busy, you don't need to stay with me all the time."

"Hmm? Ah? No, I was just thinking about some trivial things, nothing work-related," Ren Shuo quickly replied.

"So, what are Miss Rome's plans next? Is she going to continue performing with the drama troupe, or is she thinking of going on a trip?" Ren Shuo asked.

Rome thought about it carefully for a moment, and then slowly said, "Speaking of this... actually, I still want to find a stable place to vacation or settle down. After all, I've been traveling around for many years. Although it's a performance, it's still a kind of travel. But no matter where I am, I feel a bit lost."

"Feeling lost? Actually, that's easy to understand." Ren Shuo smiled.

Rome was somewhat curious: "Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

"You know I'm from Donghuang, right?"

Ren Shuo pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

“Yes, that’s true,” Rome nodded. “But what does that have to do with this matter?”

"Actually, it's quite simple. People from Donghuang have a strong sense of returning to their roots, or rather, they place great importance on family."

Ren Shuo said.

Rome seemed to understand something, as if he had come to a realization.

Ren Shuo continued, "So, for the people of Donghuang, no matter how long you've been wandering outside, as long as you have a home, all the hardships and fatigue will disappear when you return home."

“You should know something about the situation in our port area. When I was still in a ‘coma,’ the port area was in disarray. Why? Because we lost our homes. Now that I’m awake, I can put our homes back together.”

"So, Rome, you still need a home to better strive for your goals."

Ren Shuo paused, then added, "At least you won't be confused."

"I've learned something; perhaps you're right," Rome said sincerely.

"I wouldn't call it teaching, but I'll give you some good advice," Ren Shuo smiled.

"Well, to be honest, now that you mention it, even though it doesn't feel real yet, I do have a feeling of wanting to buy my own house somewhere and have a sense of belonging."

Honestly, while the director's approach over the past few years has allowed the drama and dance troupes to continue operating for a long time and maintain high quality, it hasn't created a sense of home.

It's more like an organization or a company.

He can keep you alive, but he can't provide you with a daily life.

Whether it's because Ren Shuo's empathetic teachings were so powerful or because Rome himself had this idea all along, Rome is now even thinking of going to look at houses this afternoon...

"Then tell me, which place would you recommend?" Roma asked, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she looked at Ren Shuo.

Ren Shuo was quite frank: "To be honest, if you want advice from me as the commander, my suggestion is to come to my house. My house is quite big, and I have many sisters. You can sleep there when you're tired of playing."

"You're quite honest. To be honest, all you commanders are thinking about is salvaging these ships."

Rome didn't dislike these straightforward commanders; what she hated most were those who wanted to salvage ships, subtly implying how great their port was, only to respond with "No, no" or "You're overthinking it" when questioned.

This kind of feigned indifference might actually make her feel uncomfortable, although it's possible that some ship girls might like this approach.

Ren Shuo and Luo Ma walked and talked slowly.

"There's nothing we can do about it. You see, Commander, because of our port, we basically have no friends in human society. Even if we do, they gradually become people from two different worlds."

"I'm dealing with those businessmen who are contracted to the port area. Even my colleagues who are also commanders, I don't usually see them. We only see them during joint operations or exercises."

"Therefore, in terms of social interactions, the commander deals with ship girls the most, and gradually, ship hunting has become the commander's daily routine."

"Actually, some commanders don't go to salvage ships for the sake of success. Sometimes they feel that if they succeed, everyone is happy, and if they don't succeed, they can just consider it as making a friend."

Ren Shuo shared his views on the profession of commander.

"Hmm, but don't these commanders realize that their 'it's fine if it succeeds, but it doesn't matter if it fails' attitude will be very disliked by some ship girls? They might even put a big X on your name?"

Rome had some questions.

"So, everyone says that ship retrieval is like a blind date. If I think you're a good match and you think I'm a good match, then we'll join the port. If we can't accept this, then we're not a good match."

"If I really put in a lot of effort to rescue you, and even used a lot of resources in the port, only to end up with nothing, what would the other ship girls in the port think?"

Ren Shuo patiently explained, "Therefore, naval academies nowadays tell new recruits that salvaging ships requires knowing one's own capabilities."

"I think I understand... It's like some ship girls might need genuine affection, while others might need your port's substantial resources or what kind of improvement you can bring them, right?" Rome drew inferences from this example.

Ren Shuo revealed a look that suggested he was a promising student: "Indeed."

"I also checked out your port a few days ago. Why is it that you can get any kind of ship girl in your port?"

Rome was very curious and had some questions.

Ren Shuo chuckled: "Perhaps it's because there are more people in my port area? Or maybe I'm just exceptionally talented?"

You can't exactly tell someone that St. Louis and the intelligence team in the port area want to salvage a ship, and then the next day all the ship girl's information is on their desk.

Then a bunch of think tanks behind him started analyzing and devising strategies, finally giving him the most efficient way to salvage the ship.

If you want genuine affection, then I'll have the commander and some ship girls you have some connection with accompany you, and slowly build up your favorability.

If you're looking to level up, how about checking out the port's leveling support team? How about the legendary equipment? Or perhaps a program where researchers will custom-build and modify equipment just for you?

Anyway, with such a large and powerful family, what can't you have?

"Let's not talk about that. Rome, would you like to stay here? Leonardo da Vinci and Giuseppe have been staying here these past few days, saying it would allow for better communication and save on travel expenses."

Ren Shuo tried to invite him.

The two were already like close friends, which is why Ren Shuo dared to ask.

Roma glanced at Ren Shuo with amusement: "Commander Ren Shuo, you're not hiding your thoughts at all."

Ren Shuo scratched his head: "Didn't I already say that I'm interested? So if I keep hiding it, you'll just look down on me."

Rome felt that although he had the idea of ​​wanting a home, it was not a reason for him to immediately join the port area, buy a house to settle down, or join the maritime bureau.

So she planned to use the same excuse she had used to politely decline other commanders to politely decline.

Chapter 596 Child Labor Exploitation!

Rome thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I can stay here, but let's skip the ship salvage. I have high standards."

Ren Shuo expressed his understanding, after all, Rome was the flagship of the Sardinian Empire, and Rome itself was also an excellent drama actress, even the leader of the drama troupe among the ship girls.

What's wrong with having higher expectations?

Ren Shuo asked, "Tell me about it?"

Roma pondered for a moment, then said, "Actually, first of all, I need a large dance studio, because as a stage actor, I also need to relax when I have free time."

"Furthermore, I want to become stronger. If a port cannot make me stronger, then so be it. After all, I also want to rebuild the glory of Rome."

"Also, the commander should ideally be very young, and the port area must not be small... And also, he should be able to talk to me and be my friend."

"By the way, it would be great if we could have ship girls from our Sardinian Empire, and it would be best if my sister ship could have one too."

"Hmm, for the rest, I want to be the flagship! And I want a full set of golden equipment!"

These requirements are actually quite demanding.

Look, if your port is a newcomer, just starting out, you simply don't have the energy or resources to set up a dance studio just for a ship girl, unless you're a rich kid or a second-generation rich kid.

Another requirement is that the size of the company cannot be small, and the employees must be young. This basically eliminates 99% of the commanders.

Not to mention the requirements of making it a flagship and having a sister ship.

Just look at Veneto, Littorio, and Empire—aren't they all ship girls who could be flagships in the port? And they're all incredibly rare and powerful.

Your request is indeed a bit... but it's a reason for politely declining, so even if Veneto's request is excessive, it's not entirely incomprehensible.

Moreover, those commanders knew in their hearts that this was a polite way of declining, which was much more tactful than some straightforward ship girls saying, "We're not a good match, I don't want to be your ship girl."

However, Ren Shuo's gaze turned strange. It seemed that this girl still didn't understand her port area well enough.

Ren Shuo put on a troubled expression.

Rome chuckled inwardly. Even a young and promising commander like you would be in a difficult position. But it's alright, this standard was set out without expecting anyone to meet it.

If all of these could be achieved... to be honest, even Rome would be tempted.

"It's okay, it's alright if you can't do it, we'll still be friends." Rome was very considerate.

Then, our heartthrob, Mr. Ren, slowly spoke.

"It's not a problem of inability... I'm wondering if you can just announce that you've joined my port."

"Huh?" Rome was stunned.

“Look, my port area has dance studios, and Xiafei and Haiqi use them frequently now.”

"As for becoming stronger... you already know about Veneto and Littorio's teaching, and they're your sister ships. If you're still not satisfied, there are also ship girls like New Jersey, Frederick the Great, Vanguard, and Hutten to teach you."

"Hmm, gold equipment is standard equipment for ship girls in our port."

"Oh right, you said before that we're friends, so I can meet your requirements. Also, I'm still quite young, and the port area is pretty big."

"As for the flagship... to be honest," Ren Shuo decisively sold out the Sardinian Empire in the port area, "the Duke of Abruzzi, as the secretary ship, feels somewhat ashamed to have the naturally ditzy Veneto as the flagship, and then there's Littorio's personality and Marco Polo's dangerousness, which makes the Duke of Abruzzi very worried..."