The Master of Manipulation

After Ge Xiu left, several adjutants departed with their own orders, and the captain's cabin door closed automatically behind them. The vast captain's room fell silent, the metal walls casting a cold, reflective light.

The young general who had escorted Ge Xiu on the light battleship stepped forward to report on what he had observed aboard the Leviathan, including Ge Xiu's audacious attempt at blackmail.

Lulai approached the command table, scrutinizing the massive star map projected before him. He corrected the general with a low, calm voice: 

"Leviathan."

The officer, momentarily puzzled, realized the correction pertained to the name of the ship. He sighed and nodded: 

"Yes."

Thus, in subsequent reports, the heavily damaged ship was referred to as the Leviathan.

Once the report concluded, Lulai turned to the officer, the light blue glow of the star map reflecting off his eyes, making them seem even more distant and impassive. 

"Fulfill his requests as much as possible."

The officer looked up, surprised: "But..."

The intensity of Lulai's gaze caused the officer to stiffen and lower his head: "I understand."

Lulai's eyes, cold and inscrutable, drifted to the metal debris floating outside the porthole as he continued, his voice deliberate and measured:

"Hall, what do you think led to his victory?"

Hall hesitated, then answered cautiously: "The Alliance underestimated the enemy's advance and failed to properly detect them, leading to a critical misjudgment."

Lulai shook his head slightly: "That explains the Alliance's failure, but not why he won."

Hall, feeling the pressure, admitted with some frustration: "... His subordinates are lacking."

Lulai's gaze returned to the debris, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully:

"This is a master at manipulating the enemy's emotions."

Hall was taken aback by the high praise. He looked up in surprise.

"From his initial provocation, through his tactical maneuvers, to the final blow, everything was meticulously orchestrated. He wields the enemy's emotions as a weapon, setting traps that lead to inevitable victory."

Hall was unnerved, a cold sweat forming on his brow.

"But," Hall continued, "if the commander had recovered or adhered to established protocols, he might have been defeated."

"Would you, Hall, dare to face the Alliance's elite with such a crew and equipment?"

Hall fell silent.

Lulai spoke calmly: "There is nothing more terrifying than a strategist who is both audacious and meticulous."

He turned his gaze back to Hall: 

"Why do you think he spoke so provocatively in front of you?"

Hall, no longer dismissive, pondered carefully before responding: "He intended for you to hear his words, showing he no longer poses a threat."

Lulai remained impassive but then turned his attention to the star map once more. His jawline was rigid, as if chiseled from stone.

Hall, emboldened, asked: "What will you do next?"

He inadvertently used an honorific for Ge Xiu.

Lulai, with his back to the porthole, stared out at the glimmering galaxy, his presence exuding a long-borne sense of oppression:

"If he can be of use to me, that would be ideal."

His silver-blue eyes were as calm and unpredictable as the sea, his voice cool and detached: "If not, there's no need to keep unnecessary matters."

Hall, taken aback, lowered his head in acquiescence.

Lulai turned: 

"Let's go. I want to see him."

Ge Xiu was escorted to a separate naval cabin. Unlike the austere captain's room, this space was decorated with a softer, more retro style. The table was laden with an array of exquisitely prepared food, filling the room with an enticing aroma.

Although nutrient solutions had become the standard on warships due to their practicality, the fresh dishes here were a luxury, enjoyed only by the higher social classes or nobility.

The food was meticulously portioned to prevent Ge Xiu from eating too quickly, which could harm his health. However, Ge Xiu, after a few bites, pushed the bowl aside and began examining the cabin with interest.

The hatch slid open silently, and a pair of long legs clad in black military pants entered. Lulai's gaze swept over the table before settling on Ge Xiu, his silver-blue eyes revealing nothing:

"Not appetizing?"

Ge Xiu swung his legs on the high chair, shrugging indifferently: 

"No, it's all fine."

Lulai stopped at the table, his pale fingers lifting a stack of delicate pastries and placing them in front of Ge Xiu with a crisp clatter: 

"Try this."

Ge Xiu raised an eyebrow but took the silver spoon, scooped a corner of the pastry covered in thick cream, and tasted it, offering polite praise: 

"It's delicious."

He then set the spoon down, the silver utensil making a soft "ding" against the bone china plate.

Lulai, observing Ge Xiu's reaction, inquired: 

"Do you not like sweets?"

Though it was a question, the tone was more of a statement.

Ge Xiu tilted his head, pondering the query, and after a moment, replied: 

"Not really."

He gazed at the silver spoon, tracing its smooth surface with his finger pads, his voice light and indifferent: 

"Isn't eating just about getting the necessary energy? Why should the quality of food matter?"

Lulai frowned slightly, intrigued by Ge Xiu's response. He studied the boy's expression before withdrawing his gaze.

Ge Xiu, expecting a shift to business matters, was surprised when Lulai reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of high-end candy, wrapped in shiny foil. 

Ge Xiu's eyes brightened. He reached out eagerly, unwrapping the candy and popping it into his mouth. His cheeks puffed out amusingly, and his expression turned delightfully satisfied.

Lulai, momentarily amused, discreetly tucked his hand away and sat down at the table, his demeanor softening:

"I didn't think you had a particular taste for sweets."

Ge Xiu explained, his words slightly muffled by the candy: 

"Sweets are sweets, but sugar is sugar. They're different somehow."

Lulai raised an eyebrow: 

"In what way?"

Ge Xiu paused, thinking, and finally said, his voice vague due to the candy: 

"I can't quite explain it."

He shrugged nonchalantly: 

"It's just different."

Lulai, finding Ge Xiu's reasoning both curious and charming, smiled despite himself:

"If you like it, I'll have Hall send more from the ship's inventory."

Ge Xiu's eyes lit up, and he beamed: 

"Thank you, sir!"

Lulai, feeling a sudden urge to ruffle Ge Xiu's hair, approached and did so gently. Ge Xiu was caught off guard, his expression turning into one of surprised confusion.

"...Ehhhhhh?"

Lulai chuckled softly, the sternness of his demeanor momentarily softened by the gesture.