Chapter 1899: Chapter 1892: The Addiction to Power

Luo’er could never forget what happened in Masya; he always harbored deep guilt towards Yaning.

Ten years ago, Yaning was just a little girl, and now ten years later, she has grown into a graceful young woman.

Though he didn’t contribute much to her upbringing, watching that little girl grow into who she is today always filled Luo’er with a sense of accomplishment.

Perhaps because of the guilt, Luo’er didn’t mind Yaning calling him Dad, even if she did so in public. Perhaps subconsciously, he had already regarded Yaning as his daughter ten years ago.

“Dad…”

Yaning called out again, tilting her head and swaying slightly, looking puzzled at Luo’er with a somewhat pure and innocent gaze.

Yaning’s mental dullness stemmed from the shelling by Masya’s army. Though she’s undergone years of treatment, she still hasn’t fully returned to normal, only barely approaching a normal level.

It’s probably because of this that she faced a lot of discrimination at school. Yet she was unaware, always putting on a carefree smile, accepting the world’s malice, and seeing it made people sympathetic.

“Ah…” Luo’er gently stroked her little head and sighed contentedly, “My little girl has finally grown into a young woman.”

“Yaning, don’t forget about your Uncle!” Hu Daoke chimed in, hands on his hips.

“Hmm?”

Yaning tilted her head, looking puzzled at him.

“Is anyone bullying you at school?”

Luo’er asked as he looked around. Wherever his gaze landed, many lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with him.

“No!”

Yaning beamed with a flower-like smile, her eyes squinting happily.

“Really.”

Luo’er nodded, a trace of guilt appearing on his face.

Before long, two small figures emerged from the crowd, curiously approaching Luo’er.

When they reached him, the youngest directly grabbed the hem of Yaning’s dress; it seemed they knew each other.

“Oh, oh, it’s you, Luo’er!” The little fox-eared girl excitedly pointed at Luo’er.

“Little Tangguo, how are you doing here?” Luo’er bent down to ask.

“It’s great here, with many peculiar people, and people as beautiful as you.” Tang Guo blinked her big eyes.

“Is that so? As long as you’re used to it, that’s good.”

Luo’er nodded.

“Luo’er, do you know the silly sister?” Tang Guo continued to ask.

“Silly sister?”

“Yes, her,” Tang Guo pointed at Yaning, “She looks a bit dazed, everyone calls her Silly Sister.”

“I see…”

Luo’er nodded, his expression suddenly turning cold as he looked at the crowd again.

Where his gaze landed, the crowd grew uneasy, lowering their heads guiltily. Many left the crowd to avoid being associated, no longer watching.

“She’s my daughter,” Luo’er said calmly.

“Eh, she doesn’t look like it?” Tang Guo said in surprise.

“Kid, don’t you also call Tangmo ‘Mom’?” Luo’er replied.

“Oh, oh, I see.”

Tang Guo nodded in understanding.

“It’s good to see the three of you together. In a way, you are like family, so take care of each other,” Luo’er said contentedly.

“Are we family?” Tang Guo asked excitedly.

“Well, sort of.”

“Yay, now I have a sister and a brother.”

Tang Guo said, reaching out to hug Yichuan Yu, who was sniffing.

While they were chatting, the school’s side finally took notice; the Principal and a group of teachers and staff emerged from the crowd, quickly approaching Luo’er, caught off guard by his sudden appearance.

The Principal and some of the seasoned teachers were from the school’s first term, just from different schools. The Principal graduated from Haiya Academy, sharing an alma mater with Luo’er. Other teachers mostly came from Shenghua Academy.

“I wasn’t aware of the Commander’s personal visit; I couldn’t welcome you from afar. Please forgive me,” the Principal said apologetically.

“You know me?” Luo’er asked.

“Of course,” the Principal responded excitedly, “I graduated from Haiya Academy as well, and I also competed for the Vanguard qualification back then. The achievements of the First Vanguard Team are known by everyone.”

“Then you must have heard about our Vanguard Team’s incident in Masya?” Luo’er asked.

“Of course,” the Principal hesitated for a moment, nodding in reply.

“Alright then,” Luo’er nodded in satisfaction and then pointed at Yaning, saying, “This is Yaning, my daughter. I don’t want you to treat her differently because of my status. But more importantly, I don’t want her to be bullied at Haiya Academy…”

“Fairness and equality should always be upheld principles. This school has students from various countries, races, and classes. They live together in this family, and should be treated equally rather than discriminating against each other or being hostile. If it were so, it would violate the founding purposes of the academy, and defy the execution principles of the Mingming Plan. I expect you as the Principal to keep this in mind.”

“Yes, thank you, Commander, for the reminder.” The Principal shivered coldly and instinctively stood at attention, respectfully replying.

“I will arrange regular inspections, with occasional personal visits. I hope this won’t happen next time. These children are the future of Lipei; I don’t want them tainted by feudal class ideas from the start. This, I hope you remember.”

“Yes, understood, I will immediately start improving!” the Principal responded loudly once more.

Seeing the Principal’s predicament, Luo’er suddenly felt much better. He also sensed the pleasure power brings clearly.

Before, he was just the Captain of the Vanguard Team. Although he had several special identities, like being the grandson of Luo Qishan, or the academy’s gem.

But these identities were of no use to him. Lipei’s construction and operations, headquarters’ arrangements and appointments didn’t need him to take charge, and no one would care about his opinions.

All Luo’er needed to do was lead the Vanguard Team and accomplish the tasks assigned by headquarters, nothing more.

No matter how prominent he was, no matter how unusual his identity was, he was always just a small Vanguard Team Captain, nothing more.

But now, everything has changed.

Now, Luo’er is the highest military-political leader of Lipei, the supreme leader of all Lipei people. Every word he says can be immediately implemented as orders, this is the power that ability grants him. This is also the first time he has felt the satisfaction brought by power.

He just stands here and no one dares to approach him. He just says a few casual words which are immediately translated into orders.

Power truly is addictive!

Thinking of this, Luo’er shook his head gently, smiling self-deprecatingly.

He didn’t know if he could maintain his true self under the erosion of power. But at least now, he still harbors the most beautiful visions, and that’s enough.

“Let’s go, take me around the academy,” Luo’er said to the Principal.

“Yes, this way please,” the Principal nodded repeatedly, flatteringly inviting.

After a round in the academy, it was already afternoon. Luo’er declined the Principal’s invitation, returning by car to the Commander’s Office.

When he returned to the office, before he could sit properly, the officer brought in an invitation. This was for a ball hosted by Lipei’s prominent figures; they sent Luo’er an invitation, presumably to cozy up to Lipei’s newly appointed leader.

Although Lipei belongs to a special administrative zone, the noble system has been effectively abolished. Thus, capital has become the main credential for these people’s identity determination. Especially with business groups led by the Blaiqi people, they have become the de facto elite class of Lipei.

Initially, Luo’er wanted to refuse such an invitation, but his eyes noticed the signature at the bottom, which surprisingly included Murong’s signature. Meaning Murong also wants Luo’er to greet these elites.

“Should I go?” Fulajie’er, who had returned to Luo’er’s side, asked.

“What do you think I should do there?” Luo’er smiled, asking back.

“Knowing your personality, of course you’d go and give them a little surprise.” Fulajie’er replied naturally.

“Haha, you do understand me, go prepare then.”

Luo’er showed a satisfied smile.