Mingzhao calmly accepted the kraft paper appointment letter stamped with the bright red seal of the research institute, as if it were just an ordinary piece of paper.

She didn't even open it to take a look before stuffing it directly into her canvas tool bag that was printed with "Serve the People".

The movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation or excitement.

Having completed his task, Xiao Wang politely nodded to Huo Hua, glanced at Ming Zhao, and hurriedly pushed his bicycle away.

Huo Hua, with a complicated expression, was left in the courtyard, while He Yuchun, who was being dragged along by Li Xiaocao but kept turning back to stare intently at Ming Zhao's canvas bag, was not far from the courtyard gate.

He Yuchun's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape. The words "appointment letter" and "confidentiality agreement" felt like two resounding slaps across her face! They stung!

That official document, stamped with a red seal, instantly shattered all her previous sarcastic remarks and sense of superiority as an "independent woman"!

She felt like a clown! A surge of intense shame and unbelievable jealousy rushed to her head, making her almost lose her balance!

"See...see that? Sister Xiaocao! I told you she was faking it! Commander Huo must have pulled some strings to get it for her! What appointment letter! It's definitely fake! Just trying to fool people!"

He Yuchun's voice was shrill, trembling with exasperation, as she tried to salvage the last shred of her dignity.

Then, after glancing at Li Xiaocao, He Yuchun's momentary dissatisfaction dissipated considerably.

Hmph, Mingzhao is far too short-sighted. Xiaocao is so promising in the future, yet he's already secretly found a job behind her back. Xiaocao will definitely not help Mingzhao in the future.

That's true. After all, how many people in the world are reborn like myself? Maybe none at all!

I am the darling of heaven, a chosen one, destined to live a good life.

If you follow Sister Xiaocao, what won't you have in the future?

She had heard that after Sister Xiaocao became famous, those who initially worked for her all became managers. Those were earning tens of thousands a month!

He Yuchun imagined his wonderful future and began to feel smug again.

Looking at Mingzhao's calm, almost indifferent face, and then at He Yuchun's distorted expression, Li Xiaocao felt a mix of emotions.

She pulled He Yuchun aside and whispered, "Alright, stop talking! Let's go!"

She knew in her heart that the red stamp couldn't be faked, and Howard wasn't the kind of person to show favoritism.

Mingzhao... really has a job! And it's a job that needs to be kept "secret"!

This portion is far beyond what a temporary cafeteria worker could ever provide.

She suddenly realized that her earlier embarrassment and worry seemed so ridiculous in front of Mingzhao.

Mingzhao pushed Huo Hua, seemingly unaware of the commotion outside the gate, and went straight back to their own courtyard.

Closing the courtyard gate shut out the prying eyes and murmurs from outside.

Howard watched as Mingzhao casually placed his canvas bag on the table, then walked to the water tank to scoop water to wash his hands.

That job offer, which could change the fate of many people, seemed less important to her than a basin of water.

Suppressing the complex emotions surging within him, Howard spoke gently, "Mingzhao, don't take He Yuchun's words to heart. She might just be a gossip, unable to bear seeing others do well."

He tried to comfort her, even though he knew Mingzhao probably didn't need it at all.

Mingzhao shook the water droplets off her hands, turned around, and looked at Huo Hua with a clear gaze, a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Why did you take it to heart?"

She genuinely doesn't seem to understand the meaning behind those verbal attacks.

Howard was speechless for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Yes, trying to explain jealousy and verbal arguments to a girl who only sees data and logic? He's overthinking it.

He changed the subject, his tone sincere: "Congratulations, Mingzhao. You've received your offer from the research institute. This is something you earned through your own abilities; no one can take it away from you."

He was genuinely happy for her, but also secretly worried about the risks behind this "secret" job.

Mingzhao nodded, accepting the congratulations, but her face remained expressionless.

She walked to the table, took the employment letter out of her canvas bag, and placed it on the table without even looking at it.

Then, she took out a neatly folded piece of paper, a list of materials she had written for Jiang Feng's mechanical leg.

She pushed the list in front of Howard, calmly outlining the tasks as if assigning experimental steps:

"Howard. This is for Liu Wenjun."

Tell her. The materials. She needs these.

"I'm at home assembling it."

Assemble it at home? Howard was taken aback.

Aren't all the research institute projects, once the application materials are submitted, completed within the research institute itself?

How do I do this at home? The yard isn't small, but it's filled with all sorts of precision parts and equipment. Is it safe? How can confidentiality be guaranteed?

"At home?" Howard couldn't help but confirm again. "The research institute... allows the materials to be taken out?"

"I don't know," Mingzhao answered readily, her eyes open and honest. "At home. Efficiency is high."

For her, a familiar environment, undisturbed space, and readily available tools are the most efficient forms of productivity.

Looking into Mingzhao's eyes, which were filled with self-righteousness, Howard knew that explaining the institute's rules and regulations to her and the difference in their understanding of "confidentiality" would be like talking to a brick wall.

He sighed and took the list: "Okay, I'll have Liu Wenjun come over, and you can talk to her yourself."

Let Liu Wenjun, the middleman, handle this matter.

...

Research Institute, Director's Office.

Liu Wenjun stood in front of Zhang Mingyuan's large desk, holding Mingzhao's densely written and extremely precise list of materials.

With a pleading look on her face, she said, "Dean Zhang, Comrade Mingzhao means that she hopes that after the application is approved, the assembly of the core components can be carried out at her home. She said... she is more familiar with the environment at home and it will be more efficient."

"What?!" Zhang Mingyuan was drinking tea when he heard this and almost spat out his water!

He put down his teacup, his face instantly darkening, his voice stern and unyielding, "Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"

He stood up, pointed to the research institute's massive complex of buildings and rows of laboratories marked with "Confidential Area" signs outside the window, and said excitedly, "Liu Gong! You're a veteran! Don't you know the institute's rules and regulations?"

All materials, equipment, and drawings related to the project must be used in a location designated by the institute that complies with security and confidentiality regulations!

This is an ironclad rule! Take it home? Assemble it at home? How could she even think of that?! What does she think this is? A child's game of building blocks?!

"But Dean!" Liu Wenjun exclaimed anxiously, quickly explaining, "Comrade Mingzhao's situation is special! She needs time to adapt to an unfamiliar environment! And she promised..."

"Guarantee? What guarantees does she have?!" Zhang Mingyuan interrupted her rudely, his face flushed with anger. "She's just a new, temporary staff member at the institute, and... and she's not very worldly-wise! Does she even know what confidentiality is? Does she know what technical security is? What if materials are lost or blueprints are leaked? Who will take responsibility?! Can you, Liu Wenjun, bear that responsibility?!"

"If it's leaked, it will be a huge loss for the entire country!!!"