Chapter 3 Chapter 3 (Revised)
"I'm not going." Lin Han blurted out without hesitation.
"Why?!" Although he knew that Lin Han would most likely refuse, Shen Xiu Nan still couldn't help but get excited.
"I don't want to go. It's boring." He has never liked this kind of occasion. A group of people being respectful and hypocritical, it has no meaning other than being noisy and wasting time.
Lin Han raised his head slightly and stretched out his hand to pinch the back of his neck which was a little sore: "Or someone of you can go for me."
After all, the driver's seat is not a suitable place to sleep, and after spending a night there it was still a little uncomfortable.
Lin Han rubbed his eyes, and a few of his long, thick black eyelashes rubbed against his fingers. He unconsciously kept his gaze on them for a few seconds, and he felt a little dazed as if he had hypoglycemia and almost fell down.
Chen Xiu Nan was still gritting his teeth: "Only you can go! Only you can go! Although your name is not written on it, it specifically invites the most core designer in the institute. Who else can it be but you?"
Hearing the other party say this, Lin Han inexplicably recalled the cold and arrogant voice from last night.
He walked to the cabin door and took the invitation, and it was indeed written like this.
"We sincerely invite the most outstanding designers from the Mecha Research Institute..." Lin Han read out every word.
"Yes, yes, that's you."
But this invitation did not affect his refusal: "No."
Shen Xiu Nan almost knelt down to him: "Do you know how many people want to see the general? He is very low-key every time he returns victorious. He finally has a celebration banquet and didn't invite too many people. This opportunity is rare... Hey, don't be silent! At least open it and take a look!"
Lin Han followed instructions and opened the exquisite envelope sealed with wax, and took out the letter paper that smelled faintly of ink.
"I hope you will come and celebrate our triumph together."
The words were printed, and Lin Han looked down and saw a short handwritten signature: He.
The black handwriting was vigorous and powerful, and the last stroke was slightly blurred, becoming a small dot out of focus in Lin Han's vision, which was not yet fully awake.
Lin Han raised his eyes to look at Shen Xiu Nan and put the letter away again.
His originally firm thoughts wavered a little, and he asked, "Did the general invite you personally?"
Chen Xiu Nan was still immersed in the sadness of not being able to go even though he wanted to, and the only person who could go kept rejecting him. He kept muttering, "You can't explain if you don't go. His Majesty the Emperor is here too... Wait, yes! The general invited me personally!"
Lin Han gently rubbed the paper corners of the square envelope with the tip of his index finger. The fine and dense itch came through the gloves. His movements were leisurely and relaxed.
Chen Xiu Nan said: "I promise! When I came to work, the admiral's adjutant personally handed it to me. His attitude was very good. He said that their general sincerely invited you..."
"Oh." Lin Han curled the corners of his mouth, nodded, and responded briefly.
He placed the envelope on the driver's seat where he had rested all night, walked out of the cabin, got on the elevator with Shen Xiu Nan, and maneuvered it back to the ground.
Chen Xiu Nan was a little confused by him: "Lin Han, where are you going... No, you really have to go! Otherwise, I can't explain it!"
Lin Han got off the elevator: "Wash up and get some nutrients. I don't have any energy."
"…You take nutritional supplements as meals? Didn't you take one a day before? Why do you feel like you take them three times a day now?"
Lin Han looked back and winked at Shen Xiu Nan: "If the nutritional supplement can fill me up, it seems that there is nothing wrong."
Just as the other party was about to say something else, Lin Han paused for a second, waved his hand, and finally answered Shen Xiunan’s question: “Go.”
-
After Lin Han had dressed, he opened a nutrient supplement to replenish his energy, asked a colleague who had just come to work for other data on M2742, and then returned to the repair room.
The envelope was still lying quietly on the driver's seat. Lin Han's eyes stayed on it for a moment, and finally he put it away and continued working.
It wasn't like he agreed on a whim.
The cockpit had been cleaned again, the smell of oil and blood had faded, and the data box had been put back.
But the mecha's right arm was still missing, a lonely piece telling Lin Han what had happened.
He has never been interested in anything other than mechas, and the reason he agreed was also related to mechas - he was a little curious, a person like that, who didn't say a word about any danger, as if he just accidentally broke a small piece of armor.
What kind of person is he? What is the exact extent of his injury?
-
Empire Area A, Selna Manor.
This is the manor that His Majesty the Emperor specially gave to the youngest admiral in the empire. It has specially approved servants and the only exclusive mecha parking space in the entire empire.
The manor covers a large area and is well maintained in every aspect. However, the most attractive thing is the endless, warm and vast purple tulip fields that stretch from the gate of the manor.
It is not the flowering season yet, but the tulips in the flower fields are still sprouting tender green leaves. Although not grand, they are thriving.
When you walk into the manor, you will see a young soldier in civilian clothes pacing back and forth in the corridor, with a helpless expression on his face.
The man looked at the time, finally sighed, quickened his pace, and came to the innermost room on the first floor.
He stopped for a moment and knocked on the door: "General——"
No one responded from inside.
He did not give up and knocked twice more: "General, it's time to go out——"
After a while, a voice came from the room: "Come in."
The young man groaned, opened the door, and saw the man inside, still in casual clothes, with a painful expression: "It's almost time, why don't you change your clothes? This is your celebration party after all."
Although he spoke with honorifics, it was obvious that he was not very afraid of the man in front of him, and could even be said to be familiar with him.
"Lu Anhe." The man standing by the window called the young man's name without turning around, "Have you sent out the invitation?"
Lu Anhe glanced at him and said, "Yes, I gave it to you. I personally delivered it to the research institute today."
"Yes." The man seemed very satisfied, and his tone softened a little, "Remember to explain your purpose inside."
"..." Lu Anhe twitched his lips, "No, I just wrote a polite sentence and asked him to come over."
He Yunting was silent for a moment: "Why don't you write it as I said."
Lu Anhe whispered to He Yunting's back: "If I really write the invitation letter as you said, the other party will not come..."
Lu Anhe did not forget his leader's original words, "Please be sure to repair the M2742 mecha carefully. There cannot be any mistakes. The reason I invited you here is to explain to you the special features of this mecha."
He couldn't help but complain in his heart, this is like an order, who would be willing to come?
But he had followed He Yunting for too long and knew that it was useless to say it. In the end, Lu Anhe asked He Yunting to sign and he re-drafted a normal invitation letter.
He Yunting's tall figure paused for a moment, but he still stood in front of the window, and it was unknown whether he heard clearly or not.
His eyes fell on the tulip fields outside the window which had not yet bloomed. Lu Anhe was used to it. The general seemed to always like staring at the flower fields.
"M2742 is a two-person mecha, and we must hire the best mecha technician to repair it." He Yunting said.
There was silence between the two for a while, and he continued to ask: "What is the name of that mecha master?"
Lu Anhe was stunned for a moment, and answered truthfully: "Lin Han."
"Qualifications?"
"Core Mecha Master."
"age?"
"26."
"..." He Yunting pursed his lips when he heard the number, "So young?"
Lu Anhe knew that this person must be doubting whether the other party could repair his mecha, so he quickly said: "But he is guaranteed to be the best mecha master. General, don't worry, no one else can be as good as him, really."
"Oh." The other party responded coldly with one syllable.
Lu Anhe didn’t have time to tell him this now, and he was even too lazy to explain why the core mecha master was not an old man. He was too lazy to use honorifics: “I really don’t have time, Boss! The aircraft is parked outside, waiting for you to change your clothes. I know you don’t like this kind of occasion, but according to the Emperor’s intention, you have to go anyway…”
The other party frowned, then nodded: "Okay."
-
Because it was organized by the emperor himself, the celebration banquet was held in the imperial palace.
Lin Han was still busy all day. When he put down his work, it was already late. He had no time to go back and change clothes, so he simply went to the scene wearing the uniform of the research institute.
Many people have arrived in the main hall, most of them are famous figures, from royal family to cabinet officials, and some celebrities who only appear on AI TV.
The celebration banquet had not yet begun and the emperor had not arrived, but people were greeting each other warmly and toasting each other.
Lin Han regretted coming to this place for the fifth time.
He didn't like meaningless socializing, not to mention that he didn't know anyone, including the admiral.
The atmosphere was very good, with many people covering their faces with their hands and discussing something in a low voice, probably something about the general's triumphant return.
He still wore the white gloves and looked at the delicious food in front of him, and began to regret for the sixth time.
Just as he was about to regret it again, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the crowd - exclamations and admirations one after another.
"The Admiral has arrived!"
Someone excitedly shouted in the gradually quiet atmosphere.
Lin Han finally raised his head and looked at the place where all the people's gazes met.
The man was tall, wearing a set of smooth, well-tailored dark blue military uniform, with tasseled epaulettes hanging on both sides, a ribbon wrapped around his right shoulder covered with medals, and a gold edge could be seen at the collar of his shirt. The military boots wrapped around the slender legs, and the wide, floor-length cape highlighted the owner's majesty and dignity, making him look majestic and graceful without even being angry.
The man had a stern face, sharp eyebrows, deep features, and the lines on his face were as handsome as a sculpture. The brim of his hat covered his blue eyes, casting a shadow.
He was followed by a young man, also in military uniform, who seemed to be his most capable adjutant, Lu Anhe.
Everyone was still exclaiming in amazement when they saw the man slightly turn his head and say something to the adjutant beside him.
Lin Han only saw the thin and hard lines of the man's lips move. Lu Anhe nodded to He Yunting and walked towards the people.
Lin Han looked at the admiral standing not far away and thought to himself, it seems that the injury is not too serious.
Before he had any other thoughts, the adjutant who had just stood beside the admiral stood in front of him, squinting his eyes and smiling at him kindly.
"Lin Han, right?" Lu Anhe said cheerfully, "The general is looking for you."
Lin Han was stunned for a moment: "Me?"
"plz follow me."
Perhaps Lu Anhe gave Lin Han a good first impression. He stood up amid the envious eyes of the people around him and walked towards the Imperial Blade.
-
The crystal chandelier in the main hall was shining brightly. Lin Han followed Lu Anhe and walked step by step to He Yunting.
Lu Anhe made a "please" gesture to him. Lin Han raised his head and looked at him closely for the first time.
He Yunting has unusually short silver hair covered by a military cap. His brow bones are high and angular, which makes his eye sockets look even deeper. Although his expression is very cold, he always gives people the illusion of being affectionate.
"Hello, Admiral." He had a gentle smile on his face, as usual, without much excitement. "You were looking for me?"
He Yunting stood there, and there was a moment of silence between the two.
Lu Anhe looked at Lin Han, then looked at his silent boss, wanting to say something to ease the awkward atmosphere: "Yes, the general is looking for you because..."
Before he could say anything, he saw He Yunting's cloak move and he extended his hand towards the young man in white uniform.
Lin Han smiled and prepared to shake hands with the admiral politely.
"That..." Lu Anhe suddenly spoke, looking at Lin Han's white gloves.
"Sorry." Lin Han paused, "It's just a personal habit."
After all, he is a general of the empire. He can't shake hands with others while wearing gloves.
But he had no intention of reading the Admiral's mind.
Lu Anhe was still looking at him.
Lin Han froze for a moment, and his peripheral vision noticed that the celebrities around him who were admiring him were all looking at him intentionally or unintentionally.
That's all. Just a handshake.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally took off his gloves and stretched out his hand again.
He Yunting remained silent.
The other person's handsome face was like that of a god, and his eyes were calm as he looked at him.
Lin Han looked at his blue pupils and suddenly thought of the starry sky of the empire that he had looked up at the night before.
Maybe the starry sky is not static.
Lin Han thought so for no reason.
Lin Han's fingers were long and beautiful. They were placed on He Yunting's hand politely and restrainedly, and their fingers brushed across the other's palm when they left.
"Hello."
He took the initiative to speak.
Lin Han’s physical condition has always been poor, and his fingertips are cold.
The other person's palm was very warm. The moment he touched the other person's palm, Lin Han's fingertips felt a soft warmth that did not match the other person's cold and hard appearance.
He Yunting still didn't speak, his thin lips pressed into a line, cold and arrogant, which was not much different from what he thought a day ago.
Although Lin Han had a polite smile on his face, his eyelashes drooped slightly inadvertently. He knew that he was about to hear those heartbeats that he had unintentionally heard.
The admiral's voice was somewhat different from what Lin Han had heard in the data box before, but it was still chilling. Without the interference of the electrical noise, it was even more pure in its coldness.
So this cold voice appeared in his ears the moment the two held hands together -
[It smells so good.] 】
[It’s hard.] 】
【Want to mark. 】
Lin Han: “?”
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