“It’s evening. The sun is about to set.”
Luo Ran froze.
His mind had been immersed in an illusion all day, and all he could see were those complicated patterns. He had completely lost track of time and was only now coming out of that state.
Normally, after engaging in a similar activity for such a long time, both Alphas and Omegas would feel exhausted from concentrating for so long. Luo Ran, however, felt even more energetic instead.
“This stone really is incredible.” Xia Zhi was both amused and exasperated. “The radiation and energy levels it emitted during the process were also extremely high. No wonder the Luobing Research Institute was so certain about it.”
Although Luo Ran wasn’t tired at the moment, he was very hungry. He stood up and said, “I’ll go get some nutrient solution…”
As soon as he got to his feet, his body swayed a little.
“Oh, careful…!” Xia Zhi quickly supported him and said helplessly, “We can’t do this tomorrow. Let’s set a schedule. You need to stop at certain times to eat and rest. Even if your mental state is fine, your body can’t keep going like this.”
“Okay.” Luo Ran steadied himself again and left the basement with Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi went to prepare dinner for Luo Ran, while Luo Ran rested against the sofa, holding a nutrient drink in one hand and scrolling through his terminal with the other.
Only then did Luo Ran check his terminal, and the moment he opened it, he was startled.
He had already arranged all his work before going on his business trip, so there weren’t any issues on the company’s side.
It was Lucas.
13:01
Lucas: Where are you?
16:30
Lucas: Where are you?
17:15
Lucas: Luo Ran.
17:35
Lucas: Where the hell are you?!
Luo Ran: ……….
No, seriously. What had Lucas been through?
Hadn’t he taken the day off?
Luo Ran stared blankly at the long string of messages. Even through the screen, he could imagine Lucas’s furious, ferocious face.
Luo Ran shuddered and hurriedly sent Lucas his real-time location first.
Luo Ran: I’m not angry. Why would I be angry?
Luo Ran: General, you’ve misunderstood. I’ve been busy all day and haven’t checked my terminal.
Luo Ran: I’m very sorry.
But there was no reply.
“Xiaxia, I won’t be having dinner here after all.” Luo Ran stood up and said, “The General will probably come over…”
“Ah…?” Xia Zhi stared at Luo Ran, completely bewildered.
“O-Okay?” Xia Zhi immediately went into the kitchen, rummaged around, and brought out some biscuits and snacks. “I’ll pack some food for you to eat in the aircraft. My god, this General is way too much! Is this how badly he exploits and squeezes his employees?!”
Luo Ran said quietly, “I don’t think it’s about work.”
Before long, the loud roar of an engine came from outside. Luo Ran pushed open the door and saw an aircraft descend through the red clouds and orange glow of the setting sun, its powerful thrust sending waves rippling through the grass.
A tall man in military uniform stepped out. He glanced at Luo Ran, and his voice was unusually gentle.
“Luo Ran, I’ve come to pick you up.”
……………………….
Luo Ran stared blankly at Lucas.
Lucas tentatively called his name again. “Luo Ran…?”
“Mm, I’m coming.” A faint smile appeared on Luo Ran’s face.
Luo Ran boarded the aircraft while Xia Zhi watched from the side, somewhat surprised.
This General… was different from the rumors, and completely different from the Asura he had seen on the battlefield many years ago. He was actually rather gentle?
After sitting down, Luo Ran silently observed Lucas.
Lucas was also looking at Luo Ran. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
After a while, Luo Ran was the first to speak.
“I’m sorry. I was too busy today and didn’t have time to check my terminal. And last night, I accidentally hung up… I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Mm.” Lucas glanced at Luo Ran’s wrist and frowned slightly.
Following his gaze, Luo Ran looked down and thought, Oh no.
He had asked Xia Zhi for some ointment today and applied it, so he hadn’t worn his terminal to cover the mark. The medicine had dried by now, but he had forgotten to put his terminal back on. And now Lucas had noticed it.
“Luo Ran.”
“Mm…?”
Lucas paused before saying, “I’m sorry.”
His tone was serious, with a hint of remorse.
“It’s fine. It’s not a big deal.” Luo Ran thought to himself that it really wasn’t a big deal. What was a little red mark compared to anything else? If he wanted to hold Lucas accountable, he might as well bring up all the bruises and wounds Lucas had left on his body that night. They still hadn’t completely healed. Honestly, the man was like a dog.
Lucas took the navigation system and changed the aircraft’s route.
Before returning to the company, the aircraft turned into an alley and stopped in front of a general store.
Luo Ran looked at Lucas in confusion as the man got out, apparently to take care of something.
When Lucas returned, Luo Ran saw that he was carrying two bags.
The smaller bag contained ointment, while the larger one held steaming-hot boxed meals.
Luo Ran was somewhat surprised.
Lucas opened the ointment and reached out, intending to take Luo Ran’s wrist. But when his hand was only a few centimeters away, he abruptly stopped.
Lucas’s hand remained suspended beside Luo Ran’s wrist. As though he had suddenly thought of something, he hesitated.
Perhaps he was afraid he might handle him too roughly again, especially with the wound right there in front of him.
Seeing Lucas like this, Luo Ran gently moved his own hand toward him, touching the cold, hard metal.
“General…”
Luo Ran smiled helplessly. His expression was as gentle as a warm breeze, and even his eyes were filled with amusement.
Lucas instinctively took Luo Ran’s hand. In that instant, he suddenly felt that Luo Ran was very good-looking.
Lucas said nothing. He simply lowered his eyes and applied the ointment to Luo Ran’s wrist.
His movements were unusually gentle and meticulous.
Luo Ran almost wondered whether his hand had been broken.
Only then did Lucas belatedly realize that although he disliked physical contact with other people, Luo Ran was an exception.
Watching Lucas cradle his palm with one hand while applying ointment to the red mark on his wrist with the other, Luo Ran also realized something…
Lucas didn’t actually reject physical contact with him.