Chapter 104: The Other Side of Ulrich

"If there's something that forces us apart... to hell with it then."

These words perfectly illustrate one thing: Ulrich is definitely the type of woman who takes the initiative.

"So, do you still have energy left?"

A wicked smile curled at the corners of Ulrich's mouth. Her usual demeanor had completely changed, now brimming with temptation.

Her dark yellow eyes were locked onto Lin Lan, and for the first time, the powerful Iron Blood battleship revealed her restrained strength.

Facing the spirited Ulrich, Lin Lan responded with a confident smile. 

At a moment like this, admitting defeat would waste the magical silver pattern's power on the back of his right hand.

"Then, Commander Ulrich, lead the way. Let's continue somewhere else."

Stepping into Ulrich's dormitory, Lin Lan found himself in a living room that, aside from its typical furniture, was decorated with black-and-red wallpaper, microphones, and electric guitars—proof of Ulrich's hidden passions. 

Unlike Hipper, who openly embraced her love for music, Ulrich had kept these hobbies well concealed.

"Have a drink while I change," Ulrich called out from her bedroom.

Lin Lan, curiously examining the stereo equipment next to the electric guitar, caught an unopened can of orange juice tossed to him. 

He opened it and continued to explore. On a metal stand nearby, there was an open sheet of music.

"Rock and roll, huh?"

Although Lin Lan didn't know much about music, he had taken music lessons in school and could still hum a basic melody. 

Just as he was flipping through the sheet music, a sultry voice came from behind him.

"It's not much fun just looking at the notes. If you want, I can play you a few pieces."

Lin Lan turned around, and the sight before him almost took his breath away. Ulrich stood barefoot, wearing a tight black-and-red T-shirt and ultra-short denim shorts. 

Her smooth, white skin gleamed like jade, and her slender figure was accentuated by the bold outfit, exuding a blood-rushing allure.

"I'm more interested in the beauty in front of me than the music," Lin Lan quipped, his words drawn straight from the love games he had played in the past.

Seeing the seductive woman approach, Lin Lan felt a surge of desire. 

Ulrich's contrasting character—the cold, aloof exterior and the intense heat within—was overwhelmingly attractive. 

The strongest Iron Blood battleship now stood before him in all her provocative glory, her dark yellow eyes glowing as they locked onto his.

Her tongue lightly grazed her lips, and her face radiated possessiveness.

"Now that you've fallen into my hands, you're not getting away," she whispered. "Come, let's finish the battle we started earlier... and lose ourselves in it completely."

With that, her pale arms draped over his shoulders, pulling him closer. Ulrich tilted her head, her golden eyes gazing deeply into his.

…

"Are you sure you're not staying for dinner?" Ulrich asked at the dormitory door, her slender body leaning lightly against the frame. 

Her usually pale face was still flushed with a lingering glow.

Lin Lan, standing outside, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes and smiled.

"I'll definitely stay for a big meal next time. But tonight, I'd better go. If Elbe can't find me, she'll panic."

"I could have someone send her a message. You could stay the night. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

There was a trace of tenderness in Ulrich's voice, almost pleading—an unusual softness for someone like her. 

If anyone else had heard it, they might not have believed it.

Seeing the typically stoic and confident Ulrich showing such vulnerability made Lin Lan hesitate for a moment. 

But the thought of Elbe's worried face, should she wake up and find him missing, ultimately made him decide to return to the office.

But first...

Lin Lan gently pulled the delicate, still-weak Ulrich into his arms. They held each other quietly, sharing the warmth of their bodies.

"I have to be responsible for each of you. I don't want to hurt Elbe. But I promise you, I'll come back," he said softly.

After a long embrace, Ulrich pulled back.

"In that case, I won't insist. But next time, when it's my turn as secretary ship, I'll be sure to exercise those privileges properly."

Her confident smile, that look of control, returned to her face.

"Then I'll look forward to it," Lin Lan replied with a laugh.

After waving goodbye, he headed back to his office attic, the night already beginning to fall. He couldn't help but feel worried about Elbe. 

After all, he hadn't told her where he was going in the afternoon, and he hadn't expected to be gone for so long. If she thought he'd disappeared again, it wouldn't end well.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw the poor silver-haired girl with rainbow-colored eyes, sitting curled up at the entrance of the attic, her head buried in her knees.

Just as he had expected.

Lin Lan quickly approached her.

"Hey, what are you doing out here? It's time to eat!" he called out.

Hearing his voice, Elbe's head shot up, her expression shifting through several emotions—loss, shock, joy, and finally, tears.

"Commander! Where have you been, you big scoundrel?" she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

"I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I went for a walk around the port," Lin Lan said, gently stroking her silver hair, guilt welling up in his heart.

"I won't do this again. Don't cry, little Elbe, okay?"

With his comforting words, Elbe eventually stopped crying.

"As long as you're back, Commander," she said, her rainbow-colored eyes still glistening with tears but her face lit with a happy smile.

Elbe pouted slightly, looking up at him.

"Commander, tonight you can enjoy the special dinner I made for you... and then..." Her voice turned mischievous.

"Punish me properly!"

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