Shipgirls and Salted Fish Commander, Port Survival Guide

As Jing Su walked, she found herself in what seemed to be a grassland. All around her was greenery, and as far as the eye could see, there were undulating hills, but the vast grassland stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Is this... a golf course?"

Looking at the surrounding greenery, Jing Su fell into deep thought. Such a large expanse of grassland couldn't possibly be just for ornamental purposes. If it were, then the owner of the grassland must have some rather unusual tastes, not admiring the flowers or the trees, just keeping a large patch of grass.

Recalling the entire Royal Navy faction, Jing Su didn't expect that the ship girl had a particular fondness for grass.

"Oh my, isn't this the Commander? What an honor to see you here!"

Just as Jing Su was wondering, a gentle voice, carried by a breeze, entered her ears. The soft tone was like a smooth, delicate hand caressing her ear, or like a gentle breeze under the blazing sun, refreshing her mind and spirit.

"Hood, you're here. Hey, what's this?"

There are quite a few ship girls with gentle voices in the port area, but only Hood can make people feel both gentle and comfortable, as well as elegant and noble.

When Jing Su first heard the voice, she realized it was Hu De. She turned around, about to greet him, but then froze.

"Heh, Commander, your expression is quite amusing~ Heh!"

With a powerful effort, Hood's long legs, hidden beneath his white jeans, flipped over, and he dismounted from the pure white horse.

Yes, what stunned Jing Su was not the sudden appearance of Hu De, but that Hu De was riding a white steed. This stunned Jing Su, as it was the first time in his life he had ever seen a living horse.

"Commander, greetings. Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy, comes to your side with victory." Hood bowed slightly to Jing Su. Although she was not wearing her usual formal dress, her innate elegance and nobility were still on full display.

This is Hood, the glory of the Royal Navy, a synonym for elegance. If there is only one lady in the entire Royal Navy, it can only be Hood.

"What is it?" Jing Su didn't respond, but stared at the white horse with a gleam in her eyes.

"This child?" Seeing that her limelight had been stolen by a horse, Hood felt a little helpless, but not angry. She was a true lady, and her good upbringing meant that she wouldn't easily get angry when dealing with naughty children, let alone a horse. Well, she was a little jealous, after all, this guy had stolen the spotlight that was originally hers.

"This child doesn't have a name yet~ Commander, would you like to give it one?" Hood smiled as she gently stroked the white horse. Although she had been a little reluctant earlier, she felt relieved when she saw the white horse becoming uneasy. It is said that horses are spiritual beings. This white horse was raised by her, so in a sense it was her child. As a dignified adult, a royal honor, and a true lady, why should she get upset with a child?

"Oh, it doesn't have a name? Then what do you usually call it, Hood?"

"Hehe, although there is no specific name, Little Swan always calls this child Little White."

"Are the little swans here too?"

"Yes, Little Swan said she's always wanted to ride a horse, but she's never dared to. Recently, she suddenly said she wanted to ride again. Today is a nice day, and it's been a while since I've taken her out for a ride, so we went out for a ride. I never expected to run into the Commander like this~"

Chapter 159 The So-Called First Love

"Little Swan, does she like riding horses?" Jing Su took a short breath and said with a smile, the image of a cute white-haired loli flashing through her mind.

“Yes, that’s right.” Hood nodded. “That child has always wanted to ride a horse but is a little afraid of heights. Every time we let her try, as soon as she gets on, she’s so scared that she lies down on the horse’s back and doesn’t dare to do anything.”

"Is that so? That certainly has her style."

Jing Su laughed heartily.

To some extent, Little Swan is a classic example of a clueless person—cute, clumsy, and even a little arrogant. It's hard to imagine that so many labels could be attached to one person at the same time.

In addition, as the character who unlocks the contract system in the game, Little Swan is a standard white-rarity war god. Not only is she very powerful in the game, but she is also a formidable force in the entire destroyer world. Not to mention the destroyer world, even in the entire port area, the size of Little Swan's bridge is among the largest, larger than many light cruisers and even aircraft carriers.

Moreover, Little Swan was one of the first ship girls in Azur Lane to have two outfits. Compared to other C-class destroyers, Little Swan was definitely the favored daughter. Not only were there many outfits, but the quality was also top-notch. In addition, she had a lively and active personality, and Jing Su really liked this little guy.

"Hehe, although I don't know what you're laughing at, Commander, laughing at others behind their backs is not the behavior of a gentleman~" Seeing that Jing Su had been talking about other ship girls since they met, Hu De was a little displeased, so he seized the opportunity to pretend to be lecturing.

"Ahem, sorry, sorry, it's my fault." Seeing that Hu De was indeed angry, Jing Su quickly raised her hands in surrender. You're the boss here. "Speaking of which, Hu De looks really handsome today. I've never seen Hu De like this before. Or rather, as expected of Hu De, he can show an elegant temperament no matter what he wears."

Girls always need to be coaxed, but Jing Su wasn't entirely coaxing them. After all, Hu De did live up to Jing Su's earlier comments. If she hadn't been unaware of Hu De's views on knights, Jing Su would have initially thought Hu De was very handsome.

After all, riding a tall horse and wearing a black and white outfit, Hood was indeed handsome.

Although the outfit Hood wore, according to the name of the costume change, was "White Horse and Royal Knight," Hood always referred to herself as a royal lady, and the greatest praise from the outside world was for her elegance. Among them, the most famous comment was probably Warspite's statement—"Elegance is not suitable for the battlefield," which was a criticism of Hood's defeat in the Denmark Strait.

"Really? Commander, I see hypocrisy in your eyes." Hood was clearly pleased by Jing Su's praise. Although she denied it verbally, her slightly narrowed eyes and upturned lips betrayed her feelings. Seemingly realizing her posture was a bit off, Hood quickly added, "Commander should know very well what happens to disrespectful women… Are you mentally prepared?"

After saying that, Hu De dismounted with a graceful movement and walked quickly to Jing Su. Jing Su was startled and quickly retreated. Before long, Hu De had forced her into a big tree.

"Ah, this~" Jing Su's brain was working at lightning speed when he was cornered, so fast that he didn't even know what he was saying. "Um, Hu De, what I said is definitely true, absolutely true, more true than real gold and silver. If you don't believe me, you can take my heart out and ask him yourself if what I said is the truth."

"No!" Before Jing Su could say anything more, Hu De interrupted her urgently, "I don't want to talk about heartbreak. Cough, I mean, Commander, of course I'm willing to believe you, but your behavior just now was really too much. Don't you have anything to say in return?"

Hu De took a small step back, her face flushed with shyness, her figure swaying awkwardly, as if waiting for something.

Following Hu De's gaze, Jing Su noticed that her bare hands, clad in pure white gloves, had been exposed to the sunlight at some point. Combined with Hu De's actions, the posture seemed to say, "Commander, don't you think something's missing from these hands?"

"..."

Jing Su said, "I understand your hint, but at this moment, where am I supposed to find you what you want?"

'No, there really is.'

He reached into his pocket and found a small box that had appeared out of nowhere. Feeling the residual warmth of the box, and recalling Hu De's little trick when he pinned him against the wall, Jing Su realized what was going on.

"Well, things have come to this point, if I don't say anything, I'd be a real jerk."

Touching the small box in her pocket, Jing Su decided to go all out.

Before Hu De could say anything, Jing Su suddenly and forcefully pinned him against the wall, slamming his lips against the wall with lightning speed.

Then, under Hu De's wide-eyed and astonished gaze, Jing Su took a half step back, knelt down on one knee, and took out a small box from her pocket. Yes, it was the one containing the Oath Ring in the game. She quickly opened it, and there lay a pair of sparkling rings quietly inside the small box.

"Um, this lady, cough cough, my dear lady, are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me, to walk down the aisle together, to support each other and depend on each other, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, until the end of time?"

To be honest, this is Jing Su's first marriage since arriving in this time. Unlike the ring she gave to Curaçao before, the one Jing Su gives to Hu De, or rather, the one Hu De hands to Jing Su and then Jing Su hands to Hu De, is called the Oath Ring.

This thing, its function in the game, those who know, know.

In other words, Jing Su, this isn't a proposal, it's a wedding!

The ring she gave to Curaçao before was called an engagement ring, but there was still a layer between them, so the feeling wasn't as deep. Now, Jing Su, realizing what she was doing, had her mind go blank.

After all, it's my first time getting married, so it would be a lie to say I'm not nervous. If it's according to the game's settings, it's normal for me to get along well with Glorious, Warspite, and Vanguard, since we've already made vows in the game and are already husband and wife. There are two exceptions so far—Curaçao, who just gave me the ring, and Formidable, who stole the position.

Jing Su found it quite pleasant to spend time with Curaçao and Formidable. There seemed to be a natural sense of intimacy and familiarity, as if they had indeed spent a long time together. She could immediately recognize many of Formidable's little actions and know what she was going to do next, including Curaçao.

These two are still somewhat inferior to Hu De in front of her. When Jing Su is with Hu De, she feels more natural and relaxed, as if they had really been intimate and had a deeply unforgettable love.

"Hehe, look how nervous you are. It's impossible to convey your feelings smoothly when you're so nervous in front of a lady, Commander—but your feelings have indeed reached my heart... Hood, I'm more than happy to."

Seeing the fool in front of him, Hu De finally understood his own feelings and felt an unprecedented sense of ease and joy. He raised his head slightly, smiled slightly, and spoke in a very cheerful voice. He walked up to Jing Su, squatted down, cupped Jing Su's face in his hands, and said earnestly.

"this!"

Upon sensing Hu De's action, Jing Su's eyes widened in surprise, and she was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Idiot, I thought you'd finally figured things out, but you're still a slow-witted blockhead." Hu De said irritably, sensing Jing Su's stunned expression.

"?"

"You big idiot, do I have to say this? Do you want to go back on your word? I'm telling you, there's no chance now. From now on, I'll rely on you for the rest of my life!" Hu De cupped Jing Su's head and launched a fierce attack on Jing Su's lips with his own.

"Cough cough~"

At this moment, Jing Su finally realized that the last step of the wedding was exchanging rings. Hu De, who always considered herself a lady, had already disregarded her so-called modesty and ran to her. As a result, she was just standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

If it were another ship girl with a bad temper, well, if she had a bad temper, I'd probably have to start looking for clothes to wear.

"How could that be? Hood, you're right. I'm such a slow learner sometimes. I definitely need your help." Jing Su stood up and said softly, "So, Hood, my dear wife, my lady, my wife, please guide me in the future~"

After saying that, Jing Su slipped a sparkling ring onto Hu De's ring finger.

Feeling the glistening on his fingers, a scene he had dreamed of countless times, was now finally happening before his eyes. Even at this moment, Hu De still felt as if he were in a dream. But the incredibly clear touch, the refreshing breeze, and the person he had been thinking of day and night, the person he loved deeply, all told him that it was all real.

“I wanted to compare you to a charming summer day, but you are even more lovely and tender… As long as I have a breath left, you and this poem will forever reside in my heart… Such beautiful verses, could you read them to me, Commander?”

After glancing at the ring on his hand, Hood thought for a long time before saying this.

"?"

Jing Su was a little confused. This situation felt off; it didn't seem to be what she had expected. What was Hu De saying just now? Was it English poetry? It sounded like Shakespeare's.

"Ahem, don't worry about the details." Suddenly realizing that she was also a little nervous, Hu De quickly moved closer to Jing Su's face. She finally realized that she could never dislike Jing Su's face no matter how she looked at it. Originally, she was curious why so many people would buy posters of various celebrities and put them in places where they could easily see them. Now, she understood. It was simply because she had met someone she truly liked, and she felt that feeling of not wanting to be apart from them for even a moment. Hu De finally understood this now.

"Yes, it's a bit too close~ Hood." Jing Su was still a little nervous about being pressed against a beautiful woman's face.

"Hmm? Too close? Although a lady should always maintain elegance, a lady will also bravely launch an offensive when she is in love, you know?" Hearing Jing Su's words, Hu De chuckled. You think it's too close? Well then, how about this?

And so, their lips met.

At this moment, a gentle breeze is blowing.

At this moment, the figures are in pairs.

"Commander, how does this distance feel?"

"How should I put it? I've never had such a wonderful feeling before."

After Hu De's antics, Jing Su finally calmed down. His strength has always been his ability to clear his head and think things through in important situations.

To be honest, today was his first real relationship.

This feeling is really different from when he was with Guanghui and the others. Strictly speaking, he and Guanghui are already married. Although he doesn't have any clear feelings about it, it is an indisputable fact.

Therefore, Jing Su felt very comfortable and at ease when she was with Guanghui Binjiang and others, without feeling too restrained. But today, she truly experienced what it meant to be in love.

In some ways, Hood was a very pure lady. She was the pride of the royal family and a true noblewoman. Her natural air of nobility would make anyone who was around her fall in love with her. On the other hand, Hood was also a literary girl. Being with her, you could really feel her strong literary fragrance between the lines.

Thinking of this, Jing Su vaguely recalled seeing a post on a certain online forum while browsing extensively. The post asked, "How do I use game lines to woo a girl?"

The following is a post that quotes a poem that Hu De used to express his love.

Jing Su knew that these were lines from Shakespeare's poems, and Hu De was the kind of person who could recite lines of poetry appropriate to any occasion, anytime, anywhere.

In short, being with Hood not only gives you the feeling of being in love, but also a sense of purification from body to soul—it's very comfortable and pleasant.

"Commander, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Jing Su was standing there without saying a word, Hu De asked her with some concern.

"It's nothing." Jing Su shook her head, put her arm around Hu De's waist, and said softly, "I was just thinking that it feels so good to have you by my side, Hu De."

"Hehe, if a smooth road only allows one person to walk it, then I will gladly embark on the thorny path that I can walk hand in hand with you." Hu De trembled slightly as she was in close contact with Jing Su. She hadn't expected that she, who had taken the initiative, would be so quickly turned the tables on Jing Su, who had regained his senses. But, to be honest, this feeling wasn't bad. The feeling of nestled in her lover's arms was really nice.

"You always speak in such a literary way. Being with you makes me feel like I'm illiterate," Jing Su teased, flicking Hu De's nose.

"Then the commander should read more books; books are the ladder to progress."

"So, where should I go to find the stairs?"

"Hmm, let me think... perfect, I know a place where there are lots of them."

. . . . . .

"Hey, Sister Hood, isn't she here? Where did she go? We finally mustered up the courage to ride a horse."

Chapter 160 Have we forgotten something?

Ultimately, Hood truly lived up to her reputation as a lady, doing everything with elegance.

Whether fighting or working, she always exudes an air of nobility.

"So, how do you eat this?" Jing Su asked, staring at the strangely colored drink in front of her.

"Add matcha, pour in hot water, and then stir with a whisk—the way of tea tasting in Chongying is truly profound..." Hu De explained to Jing Su while looking at the instruction manual.

"So, is this your first time drinking this stuff too? Are you sure there won't be any problems?" Looking at Hu De, whose eyes were slightly narrowed, Jing Su broke out in a cold sweat.

"Hehe, please rest assured, Commander. I may need to learn more about other things, but when it comes to making tea, I think I'm second to none," Hood said seriously.

"But, but, that paper packet you're holding, if I'm not mistaken, it should be preservatives, right?" Seeing that Hu De was about to tear open the small white paper packet in his hand and pour it into the teapot, Jing Su quickly stopped him.

"Oops! I misread it, isn't this a candy packet? Hmm, preservatives, Commander, not for consumption, ship girls can consume as they please, Akashi stays. Ah, oh no, oh no, I almost messed things up." Squinting as she read every word on the entire packet, Hood's eyes suddenly widened, and she turned her head to look at Jing Su with an incredulous expression. "Ah, Commander, so this thing... can't be eaten?"

"You, you don't tell me that you used to throw this thing into the water when you were making tea?" Looking at Hu De's stiff body, Jing Su suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Ahem, it does look a lot like a candy bun~" Hood's expression turned aggrieved. Although she didn't say it directly, it seemed that she had said everything.

"Ah..." Jing Su was stunned. "Hu De, didn't you read the instructions when you were making the tea?"

"Commander, my eyesight isn't very good. The words on the package are too small to read. I'll just go with my gut feeling. Besides, this stuff actually tastes pretty good. Commander, would you like to try it?"

"Um, let's forget about it. If I eat this, I'll probably end up in the hospital." Jing Su also followed Hu De's example, politely and gracefully refusing.

Just kidding, this is a preservative! If I, a mere mortal, swallowed it, I'd probably be lying in a hospital bed for ten days or half a month.

This was lucky; if I had been unlucky, I probably would have been seriously injured, since I already have some stomach problems.

However, after realizing that he had mistakenly thrown the preservative packet into the teapot instead of the seasoning packet, Hu De realized that he might have been using the wrong method to brew tea all along, and is now trying to reread the instruction manual to see if there is anything else he has missed.

At this moment, Hu De squinted, held the instruction manual very close, and looked at it with a furrowed brow and a determined expression, which had a unique charm.