It wasn’t just a way to protect himself anymore. Now, concealing his identity served another purpose as well. After all, besides Lucas, the people behind the scenes were also searching for him.
That meant they were in the dark, while he was out in the open.
Luo Ran narrowed his eyes slightly.
He was determined to find out what those people were after.
“Knock, knock…”
The sound of someone knocking interrupted Luo Ran’s thoughts.
“Come in.”
The bedroom door was gently pushed open, and Wang Zitong entered carrying a bowl of soup.
“Ranran, come on. Have a bowl of soup before bed.”
“Thank you…” Luo Ran froze, genuinely surprised.
He hadn’t expected Wang Zitong to actually make soup after returning home. It was already so late.
“You don’t need to… thank me.” Seeing Luo Ran thank her so formally, Wang Zitong felt somewhat overwhelmed and a little sad. She couldn’t help adding, “It’s only what we should do. There’s no need to thank us. Your mother and father really, really care about you.”
“Mm.” Luo Ran obediently nodded, took the porcelain bowl, and began drinking.
Wang Zitong sat down beside his bed. “Ranran has grown up.”
Luo Ran smiled brightly. “But Mom is still as young as ever.”
“You little rascal…”
Wang Zitong couldn’t help laughing at first. Then she turned her head away, her voice growing a little hoarse.
“Ranran, thank goodness you’re a Beta and not an Omega.”
Luo Ran paused in the middle of drinking his soup.
“Otherwise, life would have been far too hard for you. I’m sorry, Ranran.” Wang Zitong shook her head. “Your father and I have always wanted to tell you this. We’re truly sorry.”
“It’s all right…” Luo Ran stared at her blankly.
Why was she suddenly bringing this up…?
Was it because he had thanked her so formally?
“It really is all right.” Luo Ran smiled. “That was a long time ago. I barely even remember it anymore.”
Back then, Luo Cheng’s younger brother had gotten himself into trouble. He had accumulated an astronomical gambling debt at an underground casino run by space pirates, where human lives were worth next to nothing. When the debt collectors came after him, they had even beaten Luo Cheng badly.
Luo Cheng had suffered severe physical injuries, and the incident weighed heavily on his mind. Combined with his already fragile health, it left him bedridden and unable to recover.
At the time, Luo Ran’s younger brother and sister were still very young, while his eldest brother was about to graduate.
His eldest brother was so close to graduation. If they made him give up his studies, their family’s future would truly be ruined.
So Luo Ran and Wang Zitong had no choice but to work themselves to the bone. They had to earn enough not only to put food on the table, but also to pay the medical bills, their eldest son’s tuition, and, of course, the largest expense of all—the gambling debt.
Although the Empire’s citizens enjoyed a high standard of living and the government provided substantial assistance, it would not extend a helping hand to families burdened by gambling debts, especially those involved with space pirates. In the government’s eyes, such people had brought their troubles upon themselves.
It was during that period that Luo Ran presented.
Wang Zitong had anxiously waited for an entire day. Then she saw Luo Ran emerge from the Pheromone Administration Bureau, holding his report and smiling brightly.
“The results are out. I’m a Grade B Beta.”
Luo Ran had reassured her, saying, “Since I’m not an Omega, Mom doesn’t need to worry anymore. I can apply for a secretary position on the front lines tomorrow. I’ve heard that although those positions only accept Alphas and Betas, they pay very well. I was already doing odd jobs as a secretary in military logistics, so I have a good chance.”
“I also heard that the Empire’s newly appointed general is recruiting a personal secretary, and he only accepts Betas. Maybe I can try my luck… if I can make it through all the rounds of interviews.”
Luo Ran had only just reached adulthood then, and he still had traces of childishness on his face.
But Wang Zitong had no choice but to let him go ahead with it.
…
“Mom, don’t dwell on it anymore. Aren’t we all doing fine now? It’s nothing serious.” Luo Ran smiled as he handed the empty bowl back to Wang Zitong.
“Mm, mm.” Wang Zitong smiled. “That’s why I hope your future partner will be thoughtful and considerate, someone who knows how to care for you and pay attention to how you’re feeling. Someone who will take good care of you.”
“…All right?” Luo Ran had no real idea what to make of that. His life revolved entirely around work, and he hardly had the opportunity to think about having a partner at all.
After that, Wang Zitong left him to rest.
Before going to bed, Luo Ran instructed the secretary’s office to send a gift box to Princess Lilia as a gesture of appeasement. Only then did he finally turn in early for a change.
The following morning, Luo Ran returned to his own home.
On the final day of his vacation, he planned to follow his original itinerary and spend some time enjoying himself at the amusement park, museum, and other places.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since he had gone out simply to relax.
“Luo Ran.”
But the moment Luo Ran arrived home, he froze.
Lucas was standing outside his front door like a pillar, draped in a cloak and looking entirely as though he had every right to be there.
Luo Ran: “…”
So much for a peaceful vacation.
…………………..
Lucas stood to one side. The moment he saw Luo Ran, he scolded him.
“Why did you take so long to get back?!”
Luo Ran: “…”
This man was standing right outside his house, yet he was acting as though he had every right to complain.
Luo Ran asked helplessly, “Does the general need something?”
It felt like being on a weekend break, blissfully enjoying the freedom of having absolutely nothing to do, only to suddenly receive a call from the boss ordering him to come in and work overtime.
Lucas didn’t answer his question. Instead, he pointed toward the front door.
“I’ve been standing here for ages.”
“…”
Luo Ran went to open the door.
Once inside, Lucas dropped himself onto the sofa. Then he took three neckties out of the bag he had been carrying.
Luo Ran: “?”
Lucas frowned. “Pick one for me to wear to work today.”
Luo Ran: “???”
Then Lucas added, “And make me a cup of coffee.”
Luo Ran: “…”
Luo Ran paused to make sure he had heard correctly.
“General, you came all the way here… just to drink coffee and choose a tie?”
“Yes.”
“…………”
Lucas crossed his legs, folded his arms, and looked impatient.
“I didn’t get any yesterday. If I don’t have some today, I won’t be able to work.”
As for the tie, if it wasn’t chosen by Luo Ran, every one he tried on somehow looked ugly and felt uncomfortable. He would spend the entire day feeling out of sorts.
Luo Ran was at a loss for words.
The way Lucas talked, you’d think nobody else in the entire company knew how to make coffee.
Left with no choice, Luo Ran obediently turned and went into the kitchen to make some.
Sitting in the living room, Lucas looked around at his surroundings.