What made matters even more troublesome was that the research institute had brought in Alphas ranging from S-rank to E-rank to attempt the extraction, but none had succeeded. Those of lower ranks lacked the ability to extract it, while those of higher ranks had mental power that was far too strong and directly destroyed the samples.
It was a real hot potato.
The material was too fragile to withstand the mental power of a high-ranking Alpha, yet it was also extremely complex. The person performing the extraction needed to navigate around countless layers and intricate patterns before reaching the core, something low-ranking Alphas simply couldn’t do.
As for Omegas, only those with SS- or SSS-rank mental power could extract the ore. The remaining Omegas, even those with S-rank mental power, were incapable of doing so. After all, Omegas were relatively frail no matter what.
However, in the empire, let alone SS- and SSS-rank Omegas, even Omegas with S-rank pheromones were exceedingly rare. The research institute couldn’t find a suitable person in such a short time, so the research had stalled here. They couldn’t obtain the crucial core, nor could they determine whether Omegas were capable of extracting it.
Luo Ran frowned slightly, tapping the screen of his terminal lightly with his fingers as he pondered.
UNK was the key to the treaty between the two countries. More importantly, it was a mineral that could bring countless possibilities to the empire.
At a time like this, it would be unreasonable for him to continue concealing his SSS-rank mental power. But… he didn’t want to expose his identity either.
Luo Ran lowered his eyes slightly.
Lucas had not only physical cleanliness issues but also mental ones. He hated being deceived more than anything.
When Lucas had originally recruited his personal secretary, he had explicitly stated that he only wanted a Beta. He didn’t want an Alpha or an Omega who might go into heat at any moment working by his side. At the time, Luo Ran had been truly desperate. He needed money too badly, so he had no choice but to disguise himself as a Beta.
He had maintained that disguise for several years. Once the arrow had been released from the bow, there was no turning back. He could only keep up the act.
After thinking for a while, Luo Ran finally came up with a solution that would satisfy both sides.
Luo Ran: I know a friend with SSS-rank mental power, but he’s a recluse who doesn’t want to meet people. Could you give me the sample? I’ll take it to him and ask him to help?
Normally, this would never have worked. The sample was incredibly important. How could the research institute casually hand it over to some unknown person outside its walls?
But this was Luo Ran, the chief secretary to the empire’s general. With him vouching for the person, he could have taken even the institute’s confidential research materials without any problem.
After receiving the research institute’s approval, Luo Ran stood up and changed the aircraft’s navigation route.
At that moment, his thoughts were completely immersed in work. It never even occurred to him that his own boss was currently fretting himself into knots.
“Zhou Mingkai.” As soon as Lucas returned to his office, he called Zhou Mingkai.
“Yes! I’m here!” On the other end of the terminal, Zhou Mingkai replied in a firm, resounding voice. “What orders do you have for me, Big Brother?! I’ll carry them out immediately!”
Lucas spoke in an extremely unpleasant tone. “I have a friend who had an argument with someone. How can he apologize without making it obvious?”
“…”
“Just apologize! Lower your pride and admit you were wrong, won’t you? Secretary Luo isn’t an unreasonable person either. As long as you talk things through properly, it’ll be over.”
“…Who told you it was me and Luo Ran? Are you trying to die?”
“Uh, no, no! I mean, your friend should properly apologize for losing his temper for no reason, and then everything will be fine!” Zhou Mingkai didn’t even need to hear the details to know that Lucas was definitely the one at fault.
Lucas opened his mouth, but in the end, he simply ended the call.
What use was Zhou Mingkai? He might as well rely on himself.
For once, Lucas went online to browse the internet. The moment he did, he directly searched for “How to coax an angry person into making up.”
The search results appeared, and Lucas found someone on a forum who had asked the same question.
—I made my Omega angry. What should I do to make him calm down?
Lucas thought to himself that although Luo Ran wasn’t an Omega, it was basically the same thing anyway.
Lucas looked at the most-liked answer.
—There’s nothing a fight can’t solve. If one fight isn’t enough, have two. OP, good luck♂♀!
Lucas thought to himself, That makes sense.
So Lucas called Luo Ran, speaking in a sincere and forceful tone.
“Luo Ran, come out and fight me one-on-one!”
On the other end, Luo Ran was just about to go to sleep.
“………………”
???
……………………..
Luo Ran was already lying in bed. He stared blankly at the time.
Lucas still hadn’t gone to sleep at this hour?
And he was thinking about fighting him one-on-one?
Luo Ran was so astonished that, while trying to adjust himself into a more comfortable position, his fingers became momentarily uncoordinated. As a result, he accidentally… hung up on Lucas.
Luo Ran: “…”
Luo Ran waited for a while, but Lucas didn’t call back.
All right… He must be even angrier now.
Luo Ran thought to himself that after their argument that afternoon, he had originally planned to give Lucas the cold shoulder until he calmed down. Who would have thought that even in the middle of the night, Lucas not only hadn’t calmed down but was so furious that he wanted to fight? And now Luo Ran had even hung up on him.
Luo Ran had originally intended to call him back, but after thinking it over, he decided it would be better not to walk straight into the line of fire. He would wait until the next day, after Lucas had slept for a full day and cooled off, before apologizing.
…Come to think of it.
He didn’t really need to apologize, did he?
But Luo Ran had been busy all day and had spent the entire evening reviewing official documents. He was exhausted and couldn’t think anymore. With his terminal still in his hand, he gradually drifted off to sleep.
…
Meanwhile, Lucas still couldn’t sleep and was talking to Zhou Mingkai.
“He’s angry.” Lucas frowned. “Was I really too much earlier today?”
“…I don’t know how far you went, but I don’t think Secretary Luo is the kind of person who would get angry over something like that. Maybe you’ve misunderstood something?” Zhou Mingkai thought to himself that he truly was a loyal brother of the empire. He had given up the company of beautiful people to sit here and listen to his brother talk about his ridiculous, five-cent romance-novel plot.
This was true love.
“He left me all alone in the aircraft and even hung up on me! How is that not being angry?”
“…Then what are you going to do?”
Lucas let out a cold laugh. “What else can I do? As a dignified general, I’m not going to hold it against him. I’ll choose to forgive him and properly apologize and admit my mistake tomorrow.”
“…”
In other words, he was going to swallow his pride and apologize.
Wouldn’t it have been better to do that from the beginning? He had to go around in circles like the heroine of some romance novel. Normally, he was a decisive general who killed without hesitation. Seriously…