Chapter 31: The Secretary’s Book

“Go out?” Luo Ran asked softly.

Lucas nodded.

“Hey! The ones inside, get out! Hugging and crying, are you so inseparable?!” There was a gap between the door and the floor, which showed a large shadow when the imperial guard’s flashlight swept across.

The shadow was relatively unclear and seemed to be two people hugging each other and kissing.

Luo Ran: “…”

Lucas kicked the door open and sneered at the group of guards.

After the Imperial Guard made a mess of things in the main hall, Lu Cheng had no choice but to come in as well to help wipe their asses. He set up his forces to encircle the venue, trying to prevent anyone from escaping in the chaos.

Now, he followed this group of imperial guards with a face full of despair.

It was bad enough that the Imperial Guard came, but they hadn’t even sent their special ops team.

With just their capabilities, the interstellar pirates could take care of them with a single punch.

Lucas and Luo Ran matter-of-factly showed themselves and looked at the imperial guard captain.

“Report your name and identity!” the captain shouted sharply.

Lucas raised an eyebrow at him.

If there were any remaining pheromones on his body, it would be especially obvious in such a small space.

Lu Cheng rolled his eyes.

You don’t look like an admiral at all, okay?

He took another sniff.

This scent…

Shit.

Lu Cheng instantly petrified.

Lucas felt that this captain was too silly and couldn’t be bothered to deal with him, so he simply took off his mask and stood next to Luo Ran.

As soon as they stood together, Luo Ran understood.

Since he was technically also an official, it wouldn’t be good for him if it ever got out that he appeared at this sort of place, so he’d reported his plans to the government’s intelligence agency earlier.

Which led to this situation.

Interstellar pirates couldn’t teleport. As humans, they must have walked inside like a normal person.

Then how did they get past the many layers of security?

Naturally, they must have a spy on the inside — and this spy had to be placed very high to have the necessary power to help them.

As today showed, this powerful spy could requisition information from the intelligence agency and mobilize the Imperial Guard to disrupt the situation here in time.

Since that was the case, it was pointless to keep their disguises.

Lucas and Luo Ran turned and left, leaving the captain frozen in place.

“Ad– Ad, Ad…”

No way.

No way, there’s no way, right?

The team of imperial guards were all struck dumb.

Ah.

It’s the admiral.

And the secretary.

“You idiot!” Although the Imperial Guard caused Lu Cheng no end of frustration, he still suppressed his roar. “You dumbasses messed up today’s investigation!”

“I was wrong!” The captain wanted to burst into tears. He’d only followed orders! He only thought it was just a few illegal merchants, not interstellar pirates.

“You dumbasses also messed up the creation of the Empire’s outstanding descendants!”

“…I was wrong!!!!”

All kinds of wails and howls sounded from the storage room.

After Luo Ran went back, he quickly learned about the situation from Lu Cheng and the Imperial Guard.

The Imperial Guard came after receiving orders from above, but also didn’t know who exactly sent them.

The Empire’s interior isn’t safe, Luo Ran reflected, we must be more careful in the future.

That night, it was very lively in certain group chats among the Imperial Guard and army as they discussed a wonderful love.

[The admiral and secretary were inseparable in the bathroom! All tangled up in each other!]

[The admiral and secretary did young master top x bodyguard bottom roleplay!]

It’s just a pity that the mission was classified so the people involved couldn’t talk about it openly, and could only huddle together in the lonely snow.

The next day, Luo Ran received his ‘goods’ in the mail.

Luo Ran had handed the weapons found on the interstellar pirates to Lu Cheng for processing. After the omega arrived in restraints, Luo Ran immediately released him then brought him to the medical department for a check-up with Shen Xiluo, and finally asked him for a report.

“We need to know everything about the drugs in his body, from its ingredients to its purpose,” Luo Ran said as he bowed slightly. “We’ll be troubling you, Doctor Shen.”

“It’s no trouble.” The tall alpha in a white coat pushed up his glasses and said, as expressionlessly as ever, “You just need to say a few good words to Xia Zhi for me.”

Shen Xiluo said this every time, and Luo Ran had long gotten used to it. He nodded with a bright smile.

* * *

“Doctor Shen was more handsome than usual today,” Luo Ran said that afternoon at Xia Zhi’s house.

Xia Zhi: “…”

“Did you go to the medical department today?” he asked helplessly.

Luo Ran nodded, grinning.

“Don’t bother with him.” Xia Zhi rolled his eyes. “You’re here for the UNK again, right?”

“Mn, yeah.”

The investigation into the black market would take a bit of time. After Luo Ran took care of his work, made coffee for Lucas, and arranged his clothes, he came to Xia Zhi’s place.

The two went to the basement. When Luo Ran saw the stone again, he felt a bit of a headache.

“The research institute’s been making arrangements. There are now more than seventy omegas who have S-grade spiritual power or above actively refining UNK, but for SSS-grade omega like you, there are no more than ten.” Xia Zhi shook his head. “They’ve gathered so many capable people, but there’s still been no progress.”

“Take it slowly, there’s no rush,” Luo Ran commented. “For omega to have such strong spiritual power is rare, there’s no need to exhaust it for the sake of speed.”

Luo Ran placed his hand lightly on the stone and closed his eyes.

…Hm?

Feeling something strange, Luo Ran gently picked it up.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Zhi worriedly consulted the measuring instruments. “Is there a problem?”

“I feel… it seems to be clearer,” Luo Ran said. “Yes, those complicated patterns are much clearer than last time.”

“Huh…?”

That’s possible?

“Maybe it’s because you’ve refined it a few times, and practice makes perfect?” Xia Zhi asked.

“Maybe,” Luo Ran said. “The instruments don’t show any abnormalities, so it’s probably fine.”

Xia Zhi thought, Luo Ran’s physique was already a little strange.

When he became an adult and presented, the Pheromone Management Agency only detected that he was a B-grade omega.

There happened to be a worker at the Agency who was a senior from the same school as Luo Ran, whom he asked to edit his records to a beta for the sake of a job. The senior, who knew of Luo Ran’s circumstances and didn’t have enough money himself, could only help in this way.

This was why he could fool everyone.

And if they detected that he was an SSS-grade, this story might have changed altogether.

In the following months, Luo Ran’s spiritual power slowly condensed.

His B-grade became A, then S, and SS, before finally stabilizing at SSS.

When Luo Ran told Xia Zhi, he felt it was incredible.

Maybe Luo Ran’s body was born with the ability to optimize itself.

When Luo Ran just became Lucas’ secretary, the situation was a mess. He couldn’t keep up with Lucas’ requirements at all and was reprimanded every day, not to mention that he was just a weak little omega.

Now, Luo Ran was the perfect secretary. Even in terms of combat, the average alpha couldn’t beat him.

Luo Ran stayed in the basement until late evening. 

He didn’t know why it felt so much smoother today, to the point that he felt he’d almost figured it out.

Xia Zhi was also surprised.

“Your brainwaves were… very active today.” He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It can’t be that your brain can evolve on its own, right? Your IQ is 105 today and will be 500 tomorrow?”

Luo Ran paused, then asked, “There won’t be any problem, right?”

“No, I’ll take a closer look tonight.”

Luo Ran nodded, and was about to get up when his terminal lit up.

It was a message from Lucas.

Lucas: You’re going straight home later?

Luo Ran: Yes.

Lucas: Don’t go home, go to the company, eat together.

Lucas would sometimes do this. Although he ate the company’s usual boxed meals, he would eat it together with Luo Ran.

Before, the two of them rarely went home, so they’d eat something at the company then go to bed.

But now…

Luo Ran hesitantly brushed his hair behind his ear, then pressed the reply button.

Luo Ran: Apologies, I’m tired today, I’ll go home first.

No reply came from Lucas even after a long time.

Luo Ran let out a sigh of relief, bid farewell to Xia Zhi, and went home.

* * *

The next day, Luo Ran brewed the coffee as usual. He asked Rong Duo to pass over the clothes and to send in the documents.

Lucas prepared to go inspect the military camp in the afternoon. As he shrugged on his military uniform, he said, “Luo Ran.”

Luo Ran, who had his head down reading paperwork, immediately responded, “Here.”

Lucas looked at him quizzically. He felt it strange that Luo Ran still hadn’t moved.

Since Lucas going to the military camp wasn’t for work or for an official parade, it wasn’t strictly necessary for Luo Ran to follow him.

But in the past, they would go together, then Luo Ran would find a shady spot to continue doing paperwork by himself as he waited for Lucas to finish.

Now Luo Ran felt that since it wasn’t required, he didn’t need to follow.

“I’m a little busy,” he said as he smiled at him. “I’ll see you off here, Admiral.”

Lucas stared steadily at Luo Ran, without much of an expression on his face.

To the side, Rong Duo tried to curl into a ball.

Wuwuwu.

They must’ve had a fight.

Why was the atmosphere so terrifying when they got back from the parade that day?

Lucas turned away without a word.

Rong Duo let out a deep breath.

Her life was too hard.

After Lucas left, Luo Ran went to the kitchen of the secretary’s office and poured himself a glass of warm water.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared on the table.

Luo Ran was startled at a strong tobacco scent that came from behind. As soon as he turned around, he was pulled harshly and slammed against a cabinet.

“I thought about it, something still isn’t right,” Lucas said coldly. “Weren’t you avoiding me these few days?”

Luo Ran was stunned.

W-Why did he come back?

“Admiral, can you let…”

They were in a public kitchen. If anyone saw, there’d soon be another story floating around.

“I won’t run, please let me go,” Luo Ran placated.

Lucas only sneered. “No way, you’re too crafty.”

With his hands pressed above his head, Luo Ran felt like Lucas was going to lift his whole body.

“Come on, let’s chat, if you’re dissatisfied somewhere just say it.”

“…” Luo Ran could only say helplessly, “I’m not.”

“Huh.”

“Really, I’m not.” Luo Ran smiled. “Could it be that Admiral feels he needs to apologize for something?”

However, when this sentence fell into Lucas’ ears, it became blatant sarcasm.

Fuck, did I really do something wrong?

Frowning, Lucas recalled what he did recently.

Perfect, completely perfect.

He did nothing out of the ordinary.

“Can’t you say it properly?” Lucas asked as his frown deepened. “Talk honestly.”

“…” Luo Ran helplessly said, “Nothing’s wrong, and I wasn’t avoiding you. I’m just… fulfilling my responsibilities as an employee.”

Lucas was silent for a while, and finally scowled. “Speak human.”

“…I’m not dissatisfied with you,” Luo Ran said.

“Then why were you avoiding me?”

“I wasn’t.”

“You’re lying again, if you keep lying…” Lucas thought for a few seconds, then said fiercely, “I’ll deduct your salary.”

“The company controls everyone’s salary, and it also controls your living expenses,” Luo Ran reminded him.

“…”

Seeing that Lucas was still stubborn, Luo Ran thought that this time he couldn’t fool him.

“Admiral, I’ve recently reflected on my actions.” Luo Ran lowered his eyes. “I’ve decided to work harder.”

Lucas looked puzzled.

Luo Ran said euphemistically, “It will make our workplace more efficient. I will complete all the work that should be done, and not touch work that should not be done.”

“How is this related to you avoiding me?”

With great effort, Luo Ran said, “As I said, I have not been avoiding Admiral. It is merely that eating together and going to the military camp together is not within the scope of necessary work.”

Lucas stiffened.

…Huh?

“How is it not within the scope of necessary work?”

“Because you do not need me at the exercise grounds, and I cannot help you with the inspection as your adjutants can, so it is not within my purview.”

Lucas’ face went through a series of changes. A long silence later, he snarled viciously, “Your purview’s always been talking back, right?”

Luo Ran smiled as usual.

Lucas, gazing at Luo Ran, could only let it go.

“Admiral, you’ll be late.” Luo Ran tapped his terminal. “Your inspection starts in half an hour.”

Luo Ran originally had a sense of distance when interacting with people. Today, Lucas felt it more than ever.

“…You just wait.” Lucas pointed at him. “Wait for me to get back.”

Then he turned and strode away.

Luo Ran let out a sigh of relief and rubbed at the red area on his wrist which was pinched by mechanical fingers.

When he went back, he saw Rong Duo hard at work at her desk, like a deaf little shrimp who definitely didn’t hear anything going on.

Rong Duo had been scared to death.

She personally saw Lucas stride into the kitchen in fury, then heard a loud bang from inside.

Oh heavens, they must be arguing, maybe even fighting.

When they came out, Luo Ran’s wrists were red…

Rong Duo’s mind instantly turned in another direction.

Ah, what a wonderful love.

Obviously, what Zhou Mingkai said before was right. There was nothing in the world that a fight couldn’t solve — if there was, then fight again.

Due to requirements for workplace privacy, Rong Duo couldn’t share what happened and could only howl about this dog food* to herself. Before she could finish digesting it, she received a message from the owner of a LuRan online store.

* * *

That afternoon, Lucas went to the military camp by himself, while Lu Ran went to stay at the company’s reception room.

Shen Xiluo was visiting in order to get signatures from several of their department heads, and brought the checkup results of the omega from the black market by the way.

Luo Ran was working through his documents when he received a private message from One Tender Blossom.

One Tender Blossom: Oh, you’re from the company! Why didn’t you say so earlier! Let’s meet IRL in a bit, and I’ll pull you into the company’s CP group chat! Or are you already in?

False Truths: ?

One Tender Blossom: Ah, didn’t you buy stuff online? The shopkeeper of the online store will come over today to drop off the things everyone at the company bought together, you can come to pick yours up after work (*^0^*)/~☆

Luo Ran: “…”

It was only then that he remembered that his mailing address was set at the company. After all, he stayed at the company more often than at home, even on weekends.

* * *

I’m finished.

This…

This this this…

This was the book he ordered, the one with four admirals and one secretary.

That book!!!

Luo Ran desperately wanted to go back to that night and give himself a big slap.

Those who did not obey the core values of the Empire deserved to be punished!

Luo Ran felt he was going to cry.

He really didn’t know that those CP fans would combine their purchases and that the shopkeeper would hand them all to Rong Duo.

Did the company have so many people who bought merchandise?

His terminal rang again.

One Tender Blossom: Dearie, the time is set for 5pm right after work, OK? At the break room opposite the bathroom on the ground floor!

One Tender Blossom: By the way, which department are you? Remember not to let the bosses, I mean the secretary and admiral, see when you come down! This is a classified mission! We can play happily by ourselves, but don’t mess around with the big bosses! (づ￣ ³￣)づ

Luo Ran: “…”

It was now half-past four.

There was half an hour left.

Click.

Just then, Shen Xiluo entered with a folder.

“Arrived late by three minutes and eleven seconds,” Shen Xiluo said in a frigidly emotionless tone as he pushed up his glasses. “I apologize.”

“It’s fine.” Luo Ran smiled as he took the folder. “Thanks for this.”

“Remember to say a few good words,” Shen Xiluo said.

Luo Ran looked at the old-fashioned, dull, stiff man in front of him who insisted on calculating his energy consumption even when speaking. He was the kind of person who would set timers even when spending time with Xia Zhi. Five minutes of kissing, ten minutes of hugging, then came a hardcore “Okay, you can open your legs.”

He was very reliable, wouldn’t talk nonsense, plus Luo Ran had Xia Zhi as a trump card.

“Um… Doctor Shen.”

Shen Xiluo raised his head to look at Luo Ran.

“Can you do me a favour?”

“What.”

“…Help me pick up a book, and pretend that the account is yours.” Following this, Luo Ran cheerfully sold Xia Zhi off: “Afterwards, Xia Zhi will have dinner with you.”

Shen Xiluo’s poker face showed a once-in-a-lifetime crack.

“But I hope you can keep this a secret.”

“No problem.” Shen Xiluo solemnly nodded, treating this task as a top-secret operation.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, Shen Xiluo came back carrying a bag.

Luo Ran: “…Thanks for your help, did they say anything?”

“Nothing, they just asked why it was sent here, plus some other strange questions, I didn’t answer.”

Then Shen Xiluo silently considered Luo Ran for a long time. Seeing that Luo Ran was about to leave, he couldn’t resist saying, “Secretary Luo, read less of this type of book.”

“…”

Shen Xiluo pushed his glasses up again and said in a flat voice, “I saw a few pages on the way here. It completely violates human anatomy and has no logic at all, whether in size or positions.”

“…”

Shen Xiluo continued, “Disharmony in bed between spouses signifies the accumulation of many contradictions. If you have unrealistic expectations of the admiral, you will inevitably be disappointed, which will negatively impact the feelings between spouses and this deterioration will eventually cause trouble for the empire.

“Hence, I recommend you to observe interactions between real people instead.”

Shen Xiluo got closer to Luo Ran and connected their terminals together.

And then… sent him links to a few websites.

“There are a lot of videos here, but they are all more realistic than those novels. According to the current scientific consensus, a typical human penis is between thirteen and twenty-two centimetres, and anything exceeding this is a sign of abnormal growth. I think someone with 38 centimetres is no longer human, so Secretary shouldn’t have such high expectations for your partner.”

“…” Luo Ran was speechless. I don’t, I’m not.

“If necessary, I can arrange to get a few reference videos for you. Only through rational intercourse can a marital relationship be harmonious.”

“…”

Luo Ran thought to himself, if he went off the deep end when he joined the CP group chat, then when he ordered this book…

That person definitely wasn’t him.

It was another Luo Ran.

Don’t ask, he didn’t know anything.