Happy lunar new year! Another early chapter to celebrate our New Year 2.0, and this one’s a doozy. It’s so long I’ve had to split it! Once again, your regularly scheduled update will go back to normal on Wednesday… which is tomorrow.
-moondancer
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In the bathroom:
Once he was in the bathroom stall, Luo Ran locked the door and dug out the inhibitor from his pocket.
He took its cap off with trembling hands. Just as he was about to inject it, he heard a thunderous shout from outside.
“Luo Ran?! Where are you?”
Lucas could detect the smell of white tea.
Luo Ran was so frightened that his hands shook and almost collapsed.
He opened his mouth but didn’t dare to speak, instead hurriedly thrusting the needle into his wrist.
Fortunately, he’d already sprayed scent blockers, so Lucas shouldn’t be able to smell his heat pheromones.
“Luo Ran?”
Lucas banged on the door.
“I-I’m fine…” Luo Ran tried to steady his voice, but couldn’t stop his shivering.
The inhibitor needed some time to work. Luo Ran kept his eyes on it with a death stare.
Lucas felt anxious when he heard Luo Ran so weak.
“Luo Ran, open up!”
“Admiral, I… Please don’t come in!”
Lucas pushed at the door, wanting to break in.
“Admiral…!”
Luo Ran stared at the pitiful door, which was constantly being hit, with ever-widening eyes.
It was at this time that the inhibitor finished injecting its contents.
One second later, the door crumpled and was officially turned into scrap.
At almost the same moment as when the door was shoved open, Luo Ran successfully threw the inhibitor and its bag into the trash can.
The pop of the trash can’s automatic lid closing was perfectly masked by the much louder sound of the door breaking.
Luo Ran lost his strength and slid to the floor.
“Luo Ran!” Frowning, Lucas strode forwards and caught Luo Ran in his arms. “How do you feel? Still sick from the claustrophobia?”
Luo Ran, still faintly trembling, didn’t speak.
It was almost revealed.
He couldn’t believe that he forgot he was still in heat.
But it was also Lucas’ fault for blocking his door so early in the morning, then the two set off for the amusement park, so Luo Ran forgot to inject his inhibitors.
“Luo Ran?”
Seeing that Luo Ran didn’t respond, Lucas said, “I’ll call Shen Xiluo.”
Shen Xiluo was Lucas’ GP.*
Then, as if he thought of something, Lucas added, “I can also help you call Xia Zhi.”
“No need.” Once Luo Ran recovered, he supported himself against the wall and stood.
Lucas frowned and offered Luo Ran his body as a crutch.
Luo Ran stumbled to his feet, only to hear an exclamation not far away.
Maybe it was because Lucas was too loud when he kicked the door open that all the nearby tourists and staff ran over to see what was going on.
So when they came in, what they saw was–
The door to the cubicle was, for some reason, off its hinges and fallen to one side. Inside, an imposing man held a delicate silver-haired man. The two men leaned on each other. The silver-haired man was flushed red and seemed to be unsteady on his feet.
* * *
Fuck.
The scariest thing was when everything turned silent.
“Ah… uh…” One of the staff members spoke up. “The door needs to be repaired! Everyone, don’t stand here and hinder the work!”
Then everyone finally reacted and slowly dispersed.
Luo Ran: “…”
Once everyone left the scene, Luo Ran expressionlessly turned and walked away.
Lucas: “…”
A-Angry?
Lucas chased him. “Luo Ran?”
Not saying a word, Luo Ran walked onwards with his arms crossed.
“Luo Ran? You’re angry?”
“Not at all,” Luo Ran said with a smile.
Lucas: “…”
“Why are you angry?” Lucas asked.
Luo Ran fell silent again.
“…” Lucas followed Luo Ran in a daze. He didn’t have any goal either, just wandering around while carrying his juice.
“Luo Ran.”
“Luo Ran?”
“How about you give me a beating.”
“Luo Ran.”
“How about I buy you something?”
Luo Ran stopped in front of a carousel.
“If the admiral takes a ride on this, I won’t be angry anymore.” Luo Ran kept smiling.
Of course, it was a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Lucas glanced at the colourful, disgustingly cute carousel with cheerful music, and fell silent.
Pei!
He was a dignified admiral, whose name brought awe to everyone who heard it. Even if Luo Ran was angered to death, angered to the point that he jumped off a cliff, Lucas wouldn’t take one step onto this damn thing.
* * *
Lucas: “I’ll go buy a ticket.”
Luo Ran was taken aback.
…He’s really going?
In a dull voice, he slowly replied, “No need to buy tickets… you can go straight up.”
Then he heard Lucas take a deep breath and stomp up the stairs.
Luo Ran: “…”
A man with a heroic bearing and a fierce expression stood under the rainbow pavilion, choosing his pony with the focus one might give to murder. No matter how someone described it, it made a weird picture.
In the end, Lucas chose a relatively less fancy one. He threw his leg over it with jerky movements, stiffly placed his hands on its handles, and sat up straight with his expression as serious as ever.
Luo Ran immediately, pitilessly, took out his terminal – to take a commemorative photo for Lucas.
Lucas’ gaze faintly rested on him.
He couldn’t suppress his laughter anymore.
When Lucas looked down, he saw that Luo Ran laughed so hard his eyes curved and his hair swayed, which was very beautiful.
Then Lucas also began chuckling.
He jumped down and walked to Luo Ran. “Not angry now?”
“I wasn’t… angry before.” Luo Ran smiled and tilted his head.
“Today I’ve seen a different side of the admiral.”
They circled back to the beginning.
It felt both comfortable and refreshing.
“Tsk,” Lucas snorted, then said, “I’ll take you to a place, it’s much more interesting than here.”
Lucas brought Luo Ran onto the hovercar. The navigation distance was quite long, bringing them straight to the city outskirts.
When Luo Ran looked out the window, he saw lush forests and vast grassland.
“Admiral, where are we going?”
“Going to a fun place.”
“Ah…” Luo Ran curiously asked, “Has Admiral been there before?”
He knew everything about Lucas’ movements. Logically speaking, if Lucas came here before, he should know about it.
“Twice, both times for meetings hosted by the Aldor family.”
Luo Ran understood as soon as Lucas spoke. Lucas attended the annual Aldor family reunion every year without Luo Ran accompanying him, and neither would Luo Ran inquire about it, since it was arranged by the marshal’s people.
But the entire Aldor family, from the main family to its branches, were involved with the military. A meeting place for this kind of people…
Luo Ran looked at the primitive landscape below them and fell into thought. If Lucas brought him to train or climb a mountain during his break, he’d… actually, he couldn’t do much.
After the hovercar landed, Luo Ran got off, prepared for anything to happen.
…?
But when he saw what was in front of him, he was still a little surprised.
“This is…”
Lucas smiled and said, “A ranch.”
Before them was a wide grass plain and fluffy white clouds against a clear blue sky, lit by warm sunlight.
The grass plain was full of horses of all sizes and colours. Some were resting, while others ran with the wind.
It was the first time Luo Ran saw such a scene.
“This is also a kind of entertainment left by the people of ancient Earth. But now, not many people know of it, and even fewer know how to ride a horse,” Lucas explained. “They’re all from ancient Earth, but it’s much better than your amusement park or whatever. If you want to ride then ride this kind of horse, what’s the point of riding a little wooden horse?”
This was much better than what Luo Ran expected. He happily walked forwards, wanting to take a closer look.
“Wait.” Lucas grabbed Luo Ran’s wrist. “Some horses who aren’t broken in will be violent and might kick people. You follow me, don’t run around.”
Lucas took Luo Ran to a farmhouse and asked the boss there for a saddle and bridle.
With a raised eyebrow, Lucas said, “I’ll take you on a lap, then I’ll teach you how to ride a horse.”
“Yes.” Luo Ran looked expectantly at the equipment in Lucas’ hands.
It was the first time the elderly boss saw Lucas bring someone there, and it was even such a beautiful person. All smiles, he said, “Have fun, young master, I won’t tell Madam Marshal.”
“You’ve misunderstood, this is my secretary.”
Lucas brought Luo Ran away to pick a horse.
Luo Ran asked curiously, “He calls you young master?”
“Yeah, the Aldor family bought the ranch, so now it’s private land.”
Luo Ran nodded.
People from Lucas’ family who were retired or didn’t want to join the military mainly went into business, and their family company could be considered a big one. His family had a handle on both the military and economy in the Empire.
As Lucas spoke, he patiently picked through the horses in the stable. If it were just himself, he would prefer to ride a spirited horse, or choose to tame a young colt, but today he wanted a docile and beautiful one.
The horse he stood in front of had a coat of pure white, soft hair, and a pair of eyes that shone like water in the sun.
At Lucas’ signal, Luo Ran stretched out his hand and stroked it. The horse lowered its head and rubbed his hand.
Luo Ran glanced at the nearby wooden sign with the horse’s breed and name, and smiled. “Hello, Lisa.”
Luo Ran had a foundation in fighting and good physical strength. Lucas wasn’t particularly worried.
Lucas taught Luo Ran how to mount the horse, and after he got on, Lucas jumped on too.
Luo Ran stiffened as soon as he detected warmth and pheromones coming from the person behind him.
He tentatively asked, “Do we have to ride together…?”
Lucas threaded his hand past Luo Ran’s waist, held the reins with him, and sat behind Luo Ran while holding him in his arms.
Lucas smirked. “You want to ride alone the first time you’re on a horse?* You’re quite arrogant.”
“…”
Lucas controlled the reins and stirrups, causing the white horse to amble out with the two on its back. They circled the pasture once, then slowly began to trot.
They didn’t move fast. Luo Ran could feel the oncoming wind on his face, which was extremely comfortable.
Sitting on this tall horse, he instantly felt the world open up. He could even see a lake in the distance.
“Having fun?” Lucas smiled. “Isn’t it much better than the amusement park?”
“Just as fun!” Luo Ran’s eyes were full of joy.
It was Luo Ran’s first time doing this, so everything was fresh.
Lucas hooked his lips, held Luo Ran’s waist tightly with one hand, and held the reins with the other. He kicked the horse’s flanks and sent it galloping with a sharp command.
“…!” Thrown by the force, Luo Ran’s body slammed against Lucas.
The shaking intensified, but after getting used to it, it was more comfortable once he found his balance and kept up with the rhythm.
Lucas made the horse run even faster, letting go of all scruples.
Luo Ran felt as if he’d plunged headfirst into the jetstream. At this speed, the boundary between heaven and earth blurred into nothingness.
Just as the books described, this was the feeling of freedom.
Lucas saw Luo Ran grip the reins so hard that his hands were rubbed red. “Let go.”
“…?”
Lucas’ lips curled up. “Trust me.”
Before he knew it, Luo Ran already obeyed and released his hand.
Lucas hugged Luo Ran’s waist tightly. Under his strong power, Luo Ran’s position didn’t deviate an inch.
“Comfortable…! So comfortable.” Luo Ran couldn’t resist raising his hands to feel the wind passing through his fingers.
Luo Ran’s long hair, blown by the wind, brushed against Lucas’ ears and lips.
The horse galloped on the prairie. At this speed where they could barely see the way ahead, Lucas gently kissed his hair.
——— XXXXX ———
Lucas took Luo Ran to ride a horse and taught him basic riding skills. By the time they finished, it was getting into the evening.
The two found a nearby restaurant to have dinner and led the horse there. The restaurant also had stables, which could be said to be very convenient.
Lucas eyed the small wooden house hidden in the forest which was covered in lanterns and little lightbulbs, and said with some surprise, “I haven’t been here before.”
This place was near the ranch but not within its borders, so it wasn’t one of the Aldor properties.
Usually, when the Aldor family came, everyone would return to the main house to gather around a long table and have a formal meal.
Luo Ran commented, “Very romantic, very beautiful.”
The restaurant deck was decorated with tulle fabric, tassels, and candles.
“Hello, guests… It’s the admiral and his secretary!” The boss, a young woman, became a little excited when she saw them.
“Who?!” The young woman’s husband was cleaning the back porch. When he heard her words, he also came to the door to greet them.
“Oh!!! It’s the admiral and his secretary!”
Luo Ran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Hello.”
“Please sit! Please sit!”
The lady boss then brought the two of them to the second-floor balcony, where they could watch the most beautiful scenery and feel the night breeze as they ate.
She also handed them the menu.
Lucas sat there with his arms crossed and couldn’t be bothered to read it. Anyways, Luo Ran knew what he liked.
As Luo Ran looked over the menu, the lady boss enthusiastically introduced, “We’re famous for being a good spot for photography here! A lot of friends and couples have taken photos here, would you like to try?”
The lady boss indicated one of the walls on the lower level, which was covered in small photos, writing, and drawings.
It was messy, but also lovely.
“It’s very simple. We have a lot of good places, you just need to take a photo!” She continued, asking, “If you do take one, can we upload it online for publicity?”
Luo Ran: “…”
Luo Ran felt helpless, but he didn’t mind that much. The news that he and Lucas came here had already spread, one photo wouldn’t be able to change much.
“So… would you guys like a camera to take photos?” The lady boss looked to Lucas with a smile, asking for his opinion.
Lucas, not having much interest in it, pointed to Luo Ran. “Ask him.”
Faced with the ardent eyes of the proprietress, Luo Ran said, “Okay, if it’s not too much trouble.”
When the two returned to the first floor, they saw a corner area sectioned off and set up as a photography spot with a hanging chair, a swing, beautiful wallpaper and shelving, and fresh flowers and lighting. It was indeed very beautiful.
According to the photo wall, most people first took a solo picture by themselves before taking a group photo.
Lucas directed Luo Ran to stand beside a bunch of flowers, then held the camera up and ordered, “Stand up straight.”
“Yes, keep your back straight.”
“Put your hand on your leg, make a fist!”
“Hold your head up higher, keep your shoulders back! Haven’t you eaten?”
The boss and lady boss, watching this happen: “…”
The two were dumbfounded as Luo Ran was guided to stand at attention.*
Luo Ran was also helpless.
Click!
Luo Ran’s solo photo was complete.
Although he stood as if he were participating in a military parade, the photo still turned out well because of his high face value and beautiful background.
After Lucas took his own photo, the two men stood stiffly in front of the gorgeous wallpaper and asked the lady boss to take their photo.
And so, their first photo together was created.
The lady boss printed out the photo then looked up with a smile. “Do you want to write something? For example, your relationship…?”
All the photos on the wall had a description, like ‘my love’, ‘a friend of fourteen years’, or ‘celebrating our eleventh anniversary of marriage’.
Luo Ran and Lucas answered at the same time.
Luo Ran: “Employee and employer.”
Lucas: “Brothers.”
The lady boss: “…”
The lady boss: “Okay.”
After the two went upstairs for their meal, she thought about it for a moment then wrote a line of words on the photograph.
—The special you
As they ate, Luo Ran received a report from their guards.
He read through it with a deep frown. “Admiral, we’ve got results from the investigation into Luobing’s Prince Andika. The investigators found scent blockers and… contraceptive pills… in the bathroom, which are suspected to have been used by Prince Andika.”
“Contraceptives?” Lucas’ brows knitted together.
“There is currently no way to confirm he was the one to use them, but the investigators think they were bought by the same maid he asked to buy fever-reducing medicine.”
“It’s really him?” Lucas raged.
“Not necessarily… I don’t think he is.” But Luo Ran also felt puzzled.
The perpetrator was clearly himself! How could it be someone else?
Then why did Andika need to buy these drugs? His movements also completely matched that person’s on the night.
Luo Ran quietly tapped the table as he thought.
Could it be…
“Eat if you’re going to eat, don’t think about work.” Lucas scowled and knocked on Luo Ran’s terminal.
Luo Ran looked up at Lucas in surprise.
Lucas, his boss, the Empire’s admiral, would actually be so caring?
But then again, the fact that he and Lucas were here for a meal together was already unusual.
Lucas bit at a piece of meat. “What?”
“I’m just thinking… I’ve worked with you for so many years, but it’s the first time we ate and played together,” Luo Ran chuckled softly.
He even felt it somewhat magical when he said it out loud.
“Happy?”
Luo Ran paused, then said, “Happy. It’s not only the first time having fun with the admiral, but also the first time I came out myself.”
Lucas was a bit surprised. “The first time?”
“Yeah.”
Lucas thought, His first outing was with me.
The lion’s possessiveness was satisfied once again, so Lucas broke into a grin. He tsk’d and said, “Secretary Luo’s life is very boring.”
“Think about who’s the reason.” Luo Ran also smiled. “It’s so busy at the company that Admiral can’t go out the door. I have even less time.”
“You.” Lucas waved a fork at Luo Ran warningly. “Anyway, you have to be my secretary for a lifetime.”
The atmosphere was pretty good.
Boom——
Immediately afterwards, the two were attracted by the fireworks that suddenly exploded in the sky.
Someone had bought fireworks and set them off at a nearby lookout.
Fiery rockets trailing shining tails soared upwards, then bloomed among the heavens.
Flowers soon decorated the barren night sky, as if a painter gave colour to the world.
“Beautiful.” Luo Ran subconsciously put down his knife and fork to watch.
As Lucas gazed upon the person in front of him whose face was cast into shadow and light by the fireworks, he raised his terminal… and took a photo.
In it, the silver-haired man’s eyes reflected a beautiful play of lights as he smiled up at the sky, against a backdrop of fireworks and the night sky.
Translator:
Rushed this to get it out for the lunar new year, my fingers are going to fall off
Thanks to diabolomenth for the Ko-fi!
Footnotes:
- GP [私人医生]: lit. private doctor; general practitioner, aka family doctor; usually the first medical port of call for the normal person, especially in Western countries (maybe Eastern too? I know China has a more centralized medical system that focuses on hospitals rather than clinics); in my experience, not affiliated with hospitals
- Note: Riding double is dangerous for both horse and rider. The weight is bad for the horse (especially two grown males!), falls are more likely, it’s harder to control the horse, and most saddles just aren’t made for it so it’s uncomfortable to boot. When you’re learning to ride for the first time, there’ll be a rope lead held by a more experienced person riding another horse or walking in front. This is fine because horses follow other horses. The beginner doesn’t even have to touch the reins at all, they can just hold onto the mane or saddle for dear life.
- Standing at attention [军姿]: a military posture often used in parades or for inspections etc. Usually involves standing upright with an assertive posture; general guidelines include: chin up, chest out, shoulders back, stomach in, eyes front, heels together
