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They made their way to the control room, where they also met Zhou Mingyu.
“What happened?” Zhou Mingyu asked with a frown. “Explain.”
“We received a distress call from the boat, saying that they encountered nomadic merfolk who stole the food on board,” the ship’s safety officer reported. “We’re re-attempting communication.”
There had always been merfolk in these waters, but they typically kept to themselves. Zhou Mingzhu’s group were just unlucky enough to meet a group of solitary merfolk, who tended to be more aggressive than clan merfolk.
“Scrrrch… Scrrrch…”*
“Imperial 05, requesting… scrrrch… support…”
They got through, but the signal on Zhou Mingzhu’s side was very weak.
“Merfolk… scrrrch… in the fight, they destroyed… radio.”
“We’re fine… they left…”
It was Mou Kadi.
Zhou Mingyu let out a sigh of relief. “As long as the people are fine.”
The radio was intermittent, but they could still understand the situation over there. The people with Zhou Mingzhu had suffered an attack by merfolk, and although they weren’t injured, the boat’s engine was destroyed so they couldn’t return under their own power.
Therefore, someone from the ship had to go pick them up.
After Zhou Mingyu understood the details of the situation, he said, “Let Lu Bei or Secretary Luo go with the captain. If something happens, there are more people to help.”
“I’ll go,” Luo Ran said. “I’m worried there are more merfolk around here, it would be better to stick closer to the riverbank, and I’m familiar with it from military exercises in the area.”
“Okay,” Zhou Mingyu nodded.
This incident wasn’t a big deal. Even with the few guards on board the small boat, it was impossible for them to be unable to guarantee the safety of the two royals, Lucas wasn’t worried at all.
Fifteen minutes later, Luo Ran’s rescue boat reached Mou Kadi and Zhou Mingzhu.
Their situation indeed wasn’t very good. The small boat was dented all over, and was slowly taking on water.
“Your Highnesses,” Luo Ran smiled. “Come up, we can tow your boat back.”
“Mn…” Zhou Mingzhu nodded, still subconsciously gripping Mou Kadi’s arm.
Now that Luo Ran arrived with several boats stuffed full of the Empire’s soldiers, Zhou Mingzhu relaxed, and only then did she realise something and break free of Mou Kadi with a pout.
Mou Kadi was surprised for a moment, then smiled.
No matter how cold and arrogant she acted, Zhou Mingzhu was still a pampered little omega princess who grew up in the lap of luxury. When something like this happened, she could endure it because of royal pride, but she was still scared, and gripped Mou Kadi the entire time.
Mou Kadi couldn’t help but internally thank the merfolk.
“Is Your Highness not holding any more?” he asked with a smile. “What if more merfolk come?”
“Shut up…!” Zhou Mingzhu scolded, her round almond eyes glaring into him. “Could this have happened if you hadn’t dragged me out here?”
Once the two boarded the rescue ship, Luo Ran handed Zhou Mingzhu a towel.
“You’ve worked hard, Your Highness.”
Zhou Mingzhu took it, then strode below deck into the rest area.
Mou Kadi hurriedly followed her.
Luo Ran was a little dumbfounded at how much closer they were now.
After a moment, he turned to go after them as well, planning to tell them about the new route so Princess Mingzhu wouldn’t be nervous.
“Go away…! Stop pestering me!”
“Mingzhu!”
Hearing the two starting to argue, Luo Ran’s steps slowed.
“Mingzhu, I’ve only been here a few days and even I know the admiral doesn’t like you. Don’t keep waiting for him.”
“Why do you care!”
Luo Ran had no intention of eavesdropping on their drama, but just as he was about to leave, the next sentence stunned him in place.
“I’m warning you, I’ll never let you go if you mention what happened at the banquet!” Zhou Mingzhu shouted.
“I wouldn’t…” Mou Kadi said in a helpless tone. “Never. I’d never use this thing to threaten you or destroy your reputation, I swear it. But I’ve already given you a temporary mark… I need to take responsibility.
“And I really do like you.”
Luo Ran slowly frowned.
According to what they said, Mou Kadi and Zhou Mingzhu had an affair together that night.
What happened at the banquet… was it related to the three women?
Andika had said that the three women sneaked in, obviously not with any good intentions.
And Zhou Mingzhu’s movements were unknown after meeting with those three women, perhaps she met Mou Kadi…?
Mou Kadi’s room was on the same floor as Lucas’ room.
The clues were very chaotic.
But they seemed to point in the same direction.
He tapped the folder in his hands, thinking that he would have to look over it again when he went back.
They were still arguing, but now it was more of a childish squabble. Zhou Mingzhu was throwing a tantrum, and Mou Kadi was coaxing her.
Luo Ran thought a bit, then went back a fair distance before approaching again, this time ensuring his footsteps were audible, and even made sure to shake the door. Only then did the two royals notice his presence and stop fighting.
The boat soon safely reunited with the cruise ship.
After playing for another day, the ship docked, and thus ended their short vacation.
They also more or less achieved Zhou Mingkai and Mou Kadi’s goals. Although Zhou Mingzhu was still cold towards Mou Kadi, she also tacitly allowed many of his actions.
And when they got back, Luo Ran was stunned by the pile of documents on his desk.
“Secretary Luo, I’ll help you tidy it up?” Rong Duo, sitting next to him, offered.
“Thank you.” Luo Ran had something of a headache.
He’d finally dealt with all the work piled up from before, including the post-expedition cleanup, and came back feeling much lighter than before.
Then he was struck a harsh blow by the documents that were stacked all the way to the ceiling.
Rong Duo had even kindly brought him a stepladder.
Luo Ran: “…”
Was this okay?
He resigned himself to organising it all.
In fact, most of it only needed a stamp or be referred to Lucas, but he still needed to read them, so it wasn’t relaxing by any means.
“I’ll help.”
As soon as Lucas opened the door, he saw Luo Ran on the stepladder holding a large stack of heavy documents, so he rolled up his sleeves and went up.
Rong Duo’s eyes widened.
The admiral would actually…?
What a wonderful love!
“N-No need…” Luo Ran said hastily, “I can do it myself.”
Lucas was tall enough not to need a ladder and directly stretched out a hand. “Just hand me the documents you find.” He would willingly act as Luo Ran’s human stand.
“…” Luo Ran’s ears were ever so slightly red. “No need.”
“What are you dawdling for! Hurry up!”
“…”
Luo Ran could only hand over the papers in his hand to Lucas.
As Luo Ran picked through the pile, he asked, “Do you not need to go to the military headquarters?”
“They can wait a while.”
Nearby, Rong Duo cried while covering her mouth.
At this time, Luo Ran was standing atop a stepladder, looking up as he searched through the stacks, and every time he found one he needed he would drop it lightly into Lucas’ hands.
The tall man in military uniform stood next to the stepladder, and although the space between it and the desk was a little cramped, he still quietly held the papers.
Like a cute, obedient lion.
“…It’s done.” Luo Ran looked down. “Thank you, Admiral.”
“That’s all?” Lucas frowned.
“That’s all for now, I’ll take a look at these first.”
“Mn.”
Lucas placed the documents on the desk, then turned and strode away.
Luo Ran was still a little surprised.
His thoughts couldn’t help but run wild.
Rong Duo chuckled foolishly. “The admiral is so good to you.”
“I-I suppose so.” He sat down, took a deep breath, and was about to start on his work when Xia Zhi sent him a message.
Xia Zhi: I’ve contacted that date for you, I’ll send his details
[Image]
Xia Zhi: Of course, I suggest you don’t seek death, otherwise your big lion will bite someone! That brute.
Luo Ran thanked him helplessly.
Elsewhere, Lucas sat in a hovercar, and the more he thought, the more he felt that something wasn’t right.
Luo Ran had been very distant towards him lately, very professional.
It seemed to have started since… the compatibility scanner?
Yes, it was the compatibility scanner. Ever since then, it was as if Luo Ran changed into a different person. He could still hug him before, but now he even protested when he tried to help holding a few documents.
It also seemed to be that point when Luo Ran would occasionally blush around him.
He looked very cute.
Just as Lucas was reminiscing on a Luo Ran with flushed ears, he received a message from the investigation team’s captain.
–Admiral, Secretary Luo is going on another date
Lucas: ??!!
—— XXXX ——
Luo Ran’s prospective new date was called Gu Nancheng, and was also an excellent alpha.
In fact, almost all alpha could be called excellent, because they had unique talents and strengths that allowed them to achieve twice the results with half the effort. This wasn’t even mentioning the special education alpha in the capital received.
It was only after some research that Luo Ran found that this alpha wasn’t simply ‘excellent’.
Gu Nancheng was from an exceedingly wealthy nouveau riche family which apparently owned several real estate companies. He himself was said to be a promising young man who had taken over many corporate responsibilities.
In summary, this was a real life domineering president, from his name to his status to his personality.
And when Gu Nancheng discovered that he would be meeting Luo Ran, he booked an entire private room at an upscale restaurant.
“Like what you see?”
Upon Luo Ran’s arrival, Gu Nancheng grandly showed off the floor to ceiling window behind him.
Luo Ran: “…”
Gu Nancheng smiled and stretched out his hand. “Secretary Luo, I’ve admired you for a long time, you look much better than in the photos.”
Luo Ran shook his hand and nodded. “Hello.”
After ordering, Gu Nancheng showed a charming smile and said confidently, “Secretary Luo, I’ll speak plainly.”
“Mn,” Luo Ran smiled back.
“My family is putting a lot of pressure on me, so I hung a profile on the dating site, planning to find whoever I could to stave them off for a while. But I never thought that I’d be able to meet you, so I don’t want to be perfunctory anymore,” he said. “You are extraordinary — of course, I am as well — so you won’t need to work hard when you’re with me, I know it isn’t easy to be a secretary.”
Gu Nancheng redoubled his charm. “I have enough money to let you spend however you want for two entire lifetimes.”
Luo Ran: “…”
Gu Nancheng raised an eyebrow. “How about it?”
“Apologies, I still prefer to have feelings for each other first,” Luo Ran replied helplessly.
“As expected of Secretary Luo, you don’t covet wealth or luxury, completely different from those people outside.” Gu Nancheng was very satisfied.
Luo Ran: “…”
“It doesn’t matter, I’m willing to make as much time for you as you want, you’re worth it.” Gu Nancheng lightly placed his hand on his chest. “Might we eat together again tomorrow?”
“Another time, I’m too busy with work.”
Luo Ran was brainwashed with a lot of strange things during this meal, but he didn’t immediately leave once it was over. Instead, he stood in a corner and observed Gu Nancheng.
Then he saw Gu Nancheng walk towards his luxurious hovercar only to be intercepted by a man.
Luo Ran recognised him as someone from the investigation team.
…As he thought.
Gu Nancheng and the man spoke for a while, then they returned to the restaurant and went upstairs to a private room.
When Luo Ran followed quietly, he was stopped outside their room by a pair of people.
“…Secretary Luo?”
They were from Lucas’ guards.
Luo Ran smiled widely. “Boo.”
Guards: “…”
Luo Ran stood next to the door to eavesdrop.
Inside the room:
Although Lucas only sat with his hands on the table and his legs crossed, with how stern his face was, just his aura alone could crush Gu Nancheng to death.
Gu Nancheng was evidently surprised to see Lucas, and asked doubtfully, “Why is Admiral here…? Were you the one who wanted to discuss business with me? Why did you make the trip yourself?”
“You were here with my secretary on a date?”
“…” Now Gu Nancheng understood. He smiled dryly. “Yes.”
“You like him? You want to keep going out with him?”
“Yes,” Gu Nancheng said again, puffing out his chest proudly. “I can let him live in the lap of luxury.”
“Oh? I’ll be assessing you a bit, anyone who wants to take away my secretary has to pass this test!” Lucas said.
He was the very image of an overbearing mother-in-law.
Luo Ran, outside: “…”
Gu Nancheng was full of self-confidence. “Alright, come on!”
“First, I’ll ask you a few questions.” Lucas’ expression turned serious. “What’s Luo Ran’s favourite colour?”
“Dark green.” Gu Nancheng did his research.
“What’s Luo Ran’s favourite food?”
“…Uh, noodles?”
“Wrong!”
“What’s Luo Ran’s favourite type of flavour? Sweet or spicy?”
“Mild…?”
“Wrong!”
“What’s Luo Ran’s most common habit?”
“…”
“Can’t answer? Next question, what’s Luo Ran like when he’s angry?”
“…”
“No, I’ve only just met Secretary Luo, I can learn all these things in the future,” Gu Nancheng retorted.
“Okay, then let’s keep going.”
Lucas rose to his feet, and the guards in the room immediately handed each of them a wooden sword.
“Draw your blade!”
“…???!!”
Luo Ran: “…”
To be honest, Luo Ran actually felt quite happy when he saw Gu Nancheng’s cold yet wickedly charming expression crack.
However…
When he then looked at Lucas, who held a wooden sword and looked ready to fight at any time, he laughed angrily.
“Admiral!”
Luo Ran walked in with a smile. “Why are you here?”
“…?!” This time, Lucas was the one to turn into stone. “W-Why are you…”
Gu Nancheng took this opportunity to slip away, his domineering president setting had long disappeared.
Lucas was about to chase after him in a rage. “Where are you going?!”
“Admiral…!” Luo Ran blocked Lucas and smiled wider. “Admiral, you have a lot of free time.”
“…”Ah. Luo Ran is angry, Lucas thought.
“Luo Ran, I…” He suddenly felt a little guilty.
Luo Ran was still smiling. “What’s my favourite colour?”
Lucas: ?
When he reacted, he sneered. “Of course I know the answers to my own questions! Dark green!”
“What’s my favourite food?”
“Sweet food. Especially the kind that’s small but expensive.”
“What’s my favourite type of flavour? Sweet or spicy?”
“You like matcha flavour the most, you like eating desserts that aren’t too heavy, you like light and fragrant flavours, and you’re a damn picky eater too.”
He didn’t forget to add in his complaints.
“…What’s my most common habit?”
“You always go into a daze, you tap things when you’re thinking, you squint your eyes when you eat something you like.”
“…”
“What am I like when I’m angry?”
“You’ll smile very gently, the more gentle you are the angrier you are, and you’ll become very polite but also very sarcastic.”
“…”
“I don’t…!” Luo Ran’s entire face flushed red.
“Hah! You think I don’t know?! I’m telling you, I know everything!” Lucas shouted. “You become incoherent when you get nervous! Your eyes drift around everywhere!”
“I’m not!”
Luo Ran pivoted on his feet and ran away, blushing up to his ears.
Lucas chased him, still shouting. “Your ears go red when you’re embarrassed, and you’ll run away! Like now!
“You act spoiled when you’re happy! Your voice will go soft!
“Your favourite animals are lions!
“You secretly like to watch those cliché idol love dramas! Your favourite movie is Titanic* from Ancient Earth, and you cry every time you watch it!”
As Luo Ran ran out to escape, Lucas followed right behind him.
“You’re also saving money to go play at B7-ICE-199! Because there are penguins, seals, and polar bears there!”
Luo Ran was unable to bear it any longer. He turned back with a face so red it was about to drip blood and shouted, “…Stop talking!”
Ahhhh is he still human!!!
Translator:
Given the futuristic setting, I’d think they would be paper free by then… although the mental image of paperwork stacked to the ceiling is pretty funny.
Footnotes:
1. Scrrrch: trying to imitate the sort of noise a radio makes when there’s bad signal, you decide how well I did. I spent way too long agonising over this, please comment any suggestions
2. Titanic [泰凹尼克号]: strictly speaking it should be pronounced more like Tiounic, but it’s pretty obviously supposed to be Titanic. Authors often self-censor copyrighted material and country names like this.
