Mingzhao carried her cloth bag and walked out slowly and steadily.

The golden glow of the setting sun bathed her in a warm yellow hue, but her face remained expressionless, her eyes calm.

Howard couldn't tell from her face how her first day at work went.

Her eyes lit up when they fell on Howard, and she quickened her pace unconsciously.

As he reached the door, Howard went to greet her and naturally took the heavy tool bag from her hands.

"How's your first day?"

"The location is alright, it's big. It's just that the materials are delivered slowly."

Mingzhao's expressionless remark made Howard chuckle.

That's precisely what makes Mingzhao so endearing.

He opened the car door: "Come on, let's go home. I made you some bone broth to help you recover."

Mingzhao nodded and nimbly climbed into the car.

Howard went around to the driver's seat and started the car.

Mingzhao leaned back in her chair, turning her head to look at the scenery rushing past outside the window.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the rough surface of the toolbox, his mind racing as he reviewed the material alternatives and miniaturization paths for the energy core that he had initially conceived in the lab that day.

I sighed inwardly. The technology on this planet is really so backward.

The jeep was parked at the entrance of the family compound.

The two got out of the car and walked back to No. 17 Xiangyang Courtyard.

Just as Howard pushed open the gate to the courtyard, the gate to the neighboring courtyard was also opened.

"Mingzhao, you're back!"

Li Xiaocao stood at the door, looking longingly at Mingzhao.

Mingzhao nodded: "Sister Xiaocao."

Li Xiaocao looked somewhat flustered, her face showing a hint of something she wanted to say but hesitated.

"Zhaozhao, come and eat!"

Howard's shouts came from inside the room.

Mingzhao smiled at Li Xiaocao, then turned and went into the house.

Li Xiaocao smiled subconsciously, then smiled again when she saw Mingzhao leave, staring blankly at Mingzhao's back.

When did she and Mingzhao become so estranged...?

Mingzhao had no time to concern herself with Li Xiaocao's inner thoughts.

Dinner was simple: a pot of fragrant, milky-white pork rib soup and a plate of stir-fried cabbage (I love stir-fried cabbage!).

Served with white rice, the combination of meat and vegetables looks very appetizing!

The two ate their meal quietly, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sound of sipping soup.

Howard's eating manners were never unseemly, and his slow, deliberate eating, combined with Mingzhao's pace, actually created a sense of tranquility.

While eating, Howard secretly observed Mingzhao.

Her face appeared calm, without a trace of fatigue, but her eyes held a vacant look, clearly indicating that she was still deeply contemplating something...

Howard cleared his throat: "Ahem!"

Hearing the noise, Mingzhao looked up at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"How was your work today? Did it go smoothly?"

Mingzhao put down his chopsticks: "It's alright. The place needs to be renovated, and the wiring needs to be replaced. There's a bit of a shortage of materials."

Howard nodded: "Okay, Dean Zhang should expedite the process for you. If anything is still missing, just let me know, and I'll contact Lü Wang and do my best to cooperate!"

Mingzhao remained silent, seemingly considering the feasibility of the proposal.

Seeing that she didn't object, Howard felt reassured, but then he remembered something else and became even more cautious in his tone.

"Also... your cousin Minglang asked me about your situation today!"

He paused, then secretly glanced up to see Mingzhao's reaction.

Mingzhao remained calm.

He asked me about you. He's probably worried about you...

"I was thinking of asking for your opinion first. I haven't told him about you getting a job at the research institute yet..."

Mingzhao finally spoke: "You can tell him."

Although Mingzhao was unwilling to associate with these relatives, she wasn't truly stupid; she knew to neither take the initiative nor get too close, nor reject them outright.

They themselves are the ones who have wronged the original owner!

Thinking of this, she also looked at Howard with a strange gaze.

I felt a pang of regret: he was a step too late!

No one but himself knew that Mingzhao, who longed to be saved, had died in the narrow darkness, in pain and hunger.

Mingzhao wouldn't say it, and they... probably wouldn't know either.

A thought suddenly popped into Mingzhao's mind.

If Howard knew that the person Minglang had asked him to save had already died before he arrived, it would be a mistake.

How will Howard react?

Mingzhao didn't really want to know anymore. She still wanted to return to the Alliance.

Howard was unaware of Mingzhao's thoughts.

He thought to himself that Mingzhao's kinship was still too weak, and he was somewhat cold towards his cousin.

Then she thought of herself. She realized that Mingzhao, who was with her day and night, didn't seem to treat her any differently.

He suddenly remembered that Mingzhao had spied on his body several times, and the tips of his ears turned red.

Could it be...?

When Howard's heart skipped a beat as he met Mingzhao's clear gaze.

She hurriedly changed the subject, "Um... you see, if it's convenient for you this weekend, how about we invite Minglang over for a get-together? He's been talking about you a lot these past few days. I'll cook, you can just stay home."

In fact, Minglang did more than just nag. If he didn't have some sense of propriety and worry that his sister wouldn't accept him so quickly, he would have rushed over to see her every day long ago.

This time, Mingzhao did not answer immediately.

She frowned slightly, seemingly considering the suggestion seriously.

A few seconds later, she concluded: "I'm not sure if I'll be free this weekend. Maybe..."

Mingzhao's answer was uncertain.

It was both within Howard's expectations and unexpected.

Howard expressed his understanding, put down his chopsticks, moved his chair closer to Mingzhao, and placed his hand less than ten centimeters away from Mingzhao's hand.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!