And besides… he was just an outsider.
Maybe Lucas wasn’t doing it for him?
Still, the forum was probably going wild again. Luo Ran laughed helplessly and handed the terminal back to Rong Duo.
Rong Duo secretly glanced at Luo Ran and noticed that, from then on, whether he was eating or reviewing documents, he wore a smile. It wasn’t his usual polite smile, either. He was genuinely happy, with stars practically shining in his eyes.
What a beautiful love story!
Rong Duo covered her mouth and cried.
……
The next day, it was time for Lucas’s military inspection again, and Luo Ran accompanied him.
However, this inspection was somewhat special. The Empire’s three princes would be bringing along the two princes of Luobing and several ambassadors to observe, supposedly to improve mutual understanding and strengthen relations.
This was a customary procedure, and the Empire was always happy to display some of its military strength on such occasions.
“This is the training ground.”
“This is the cafeteria.”
“That road leads to the warehouses and barracks. Outsiders aren’t allowed inside, so we won’t be visiting those areas.”
Lucas’s adjutant, Lu Cheng, was introducing the facilities to the others.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Luo Ran walked to one side, with several princes accompanying the group.
Luo Ran noticed that Princess Lilia kept looking at him, her gaze rather resentful.
While Lu Cheng was speaking, Andika’s eyes never left him. He listened attentively, trying his best to absorb everything. By comparison, Lilia, who was standing beside him, wasn’t listening at all. She spent the entire time staring at Luo Ran and Lucas, not missing a single interaction between them.
Luo Ran: “……”
Right. He had lied to Lilia, telling her that he and Lucas were already together.
So today… did he have to put on an act?
Luo Ran glanced at Lucas, whose expression was cold and indifferent.
Once dressed in his formal military uniform, Lucas looked even taller and more imposing, with an intimidating air that made him difficult to approach.
Luo Ran felt rather troubled.
He had to make it look as though he and Lucas were a couple, even if Lucas refused to cooperate and he ended up performing a one-man show.
And he couldn’t overdo it, either. If Lucas resisted or showed his displeasure, perhaps even giving him that look reserved for people he thought were insane, the whole act would fall apart.
Everyone walked along with their own thoughts. Lu Cheng continued chattering away, while Lucas, bored out of his mind, stood with his arms crossed, lost in thought. With nothing better to do, he turned his head to look at Luo Ran.
Luo Ran was also dressed quite formally today, wearing a non-regulation military-style uniform. His white jacket was neatly buttoned all the way up.
His hair was tied up high, and the blue at the ends matched the color of the buttons on his uniform.
Lucas was bored, so he examined Luo Ran closely and noticed that his tie was crooked.
Without giving it much thought, Lucas reached out and straightened it for him.
Luo Ran watched as the tall man lowered his eyes and used his somewhat clumsy mechanical fingers to adjust his tie. His movements were natural and careful.
Lilia: “……”
Like Lucas, Luo Ran didn’t think much of it. After all, the two of them had plenty of other physical contact, so he simply smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Then he turned and saw Lilia’s expression, and began to feel a little awkward.
After Lu Cheng finished his introduction, everyone wandered around for a while. The ambassadors followed the First and Second Princes, chatting about politics.
Prince Andika of Luobing went to use the restroom. Lilia, wearing a stern expression, brought her maids and bodyguards along and stubbornly followed Lucas and Luo Ran.
Seeing how awkward things had become, Zhou Mingkai suppressed his laughter and followed along to keep Luo Ran company. He even suggested that they all go to the cafeteria for something to eat.
Along the way, Luo Ran began trying hard to imagine what couples would do together in a cafeteria.
He quickly opened his terminal, looking for some examples.
“Ten Things Couples Do When Eating Together. How Many Do You Do?”
-
One person orders food for both of them!
-
They know each other’s tastes and dietary restrictions by heart and keep an eye out for them!
-
They’ll eat the food their partner dislikes for them, and let their partner try whatever they find delicious!
-
When other people are around, they’ll secretly exchange flirtatious glances across the table!
-
…
Before Luo Ran could finish reading, they had already arrived at the cafeteria.
“What would you all like to eat? I’ll order everything at once.” Zhou Mingkai asked with a cheerful smile, holding the menu.
Lucas stood with his arms crossed, showing no reaction.
Luo Ran instinctively replied, “The General wants a bowl of plain white rice. Don’t make it too watery. Then one serving of Set C, but the meat only needs to be blanched until cooked. Don’t add any sauce. Also, replace the vegetable dish and soup with those from Set B.”
“Got it.” After writing everything down, Zhou Mingkai asked, “Secretary Luo, shall we share this large Set A?”
Luo Ran paused, about to say something, when Lucas spoke up.
“No.”
Zhou Mingkai: “Huh?”
Lucas said, “Luo Ran can’t eat spicy food, tomatoes, or coconut.”
Zhou Mingkai glanced at the main dish and dessert listed on the menu, then blankly replied, “Oh.”
Luo Ran nodded as well. He had a stomach condition, a lingering aftereffect from his childhood. Eating any of those things would make him uncomfortable.
Luo Ran smiled at Lucas, who raised an eyebrow in response.
After the food was ordered, it arrived shortly afterward.
During the meal, Zhou Mingkai and Luo Ran continued chatting from time to time, making the atmosphere a little less awkward.
Luo Ran had ordered a bowl of noodles, topped with two halves of a boiled egg. It looked quite appetizing.
After taking a bite, Luo Ran picked up the untouched half of his egg and placed it in Lucas’s bowl.
“General, try this. The egg is sweet. It’s delicious.”
Lucas picked it up and ate it in one bite. He gave a casual “Mm” but showed no particular reaction. He had never been particularly interested in food.
Luo Ran knew that Lucas didn’t really care about these things, but he still did it anyway. As long as Lucas ate it, that was good enough.
Luo Ran then ate a few more mouthfuls of noodles, thinking that he should start looking for an opportunity to act a little more like a boyfriend.
And then…
Luo Ran: “……”
Luo Ran began to feel that something wasn’t quite right.
What was wrong?
There really did seem to be something wrong??