It's a pity that it ended like this, but Du Lingling and Song Luobai are very happy, at least they don't have to face Chen Meng anymore.

Whether this group stays together or breaks up in the future is no longer their concern.

After packing their things in the afternoon, they left the research lab, where Lin Chuchu was already waiting for them.

"How about it?"

Du Lingling casually waved her hand behind her, "I'm leaving. You don't need to come here again."

After so many years in the research institute, this was the first time she found a group unbearable. Leaving felt like a happy occasion, without any reluctance.

Song Luobai nodded, "Yes, it feels like a trapped bird has finally been freed."

Lin Chuchu smiled, her face full of helplessness, "You two were fined five months' salary, and you're still so happy?"

"I'm happy, even if it's a year's salary penalty, I'd still be happy."

Du Lingling was overjoyed.

From now on, she will never bother to form a research group again, even if it's a thankless task.

"Sister Chuchu, I want some snacks. Can you treat us to snacks tonight? You're the one who earns the most money right now."

Song Luobai said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll treat you to snacks tonight."

Song Luobai went to play in Zhou Lichen's group.

Lin Chuchu then took Du Lingling to visit Researcher Tian's research group.

While everyone else was busy, the two of them sat to one side chatting quietly, occasionally glancing at the others doing experiments.

So, when they went out after get off work, they didn't see Chen Meng and the others.

They didn't go into the cafeteria until they had almost finished eating.

Many people already knew what had happened to Du Lingling's group. When they entered the cafeteria, many people stared at them.

"I heard from them that the people in this group kicked out their group leader and deputy group leader."

"That's really something. Those people usually seemed alright, how come they're all so clueless?"

"Comrade Du even invited me to join their group back then. Luckily, I didn't go. Sigh, having too many women is such a hassle."

Women and men have different personalities; women are meticulous in some ways, but they also have their flaws, which are unavoidable.

Even if men argue, they make up quickly and don't try to trip each other up like women do.

Under various gazes, they didn't linger in the cafeteria, especially Chen Meng, who was the first to rush out after getting her food.

"Why are you making such a fuss? It's like someone bullied her."

Du Lingling pursed her lips, thinking, "I really hate people like that the most."

Tonight, many people have to write self-criticisms. Except for Chen Meng, who wrote 30,000 words, everyone else wrote 10,000 words.

The next morning, the base commander gathered all the researchers and guards, made them stand on the platform, and had Chen Meng read her self-criticism in front of everyone.

The little girl was probably embarrassed in front of so many people for the first time; her face turned bright red, and she spoke very softly.

The commander shouted, "Speak louder! Didn't you eat breakfast? You may be a researcher, but first and foremost you are a soldier. Soldiers should be courageous and responsible. If you continue like this, get back to your old ways. I don't need soldiers like you under my command."

His voice was extremely stern, and the men all straightened their backs, afraid that he would cause them trouble.

Chen Meng cried even harder, but she tried her best to keep her voice steady and not let it tremble.

The 30,000-word self-criticism took a long time to read. Then it was the others' turn. Du Lingling was the second, and Song Luobai was the third. When the two of them went up, Xiong Jiujiu was so arrogant that he didn't seem like he was giving a self-criticism.

Originally, it had little to do with them; the mistake was simply due to oversight.

Then came the others, a group of people who wished they could disappear into the ground.

They have stood on the stage to receive awards and titles, but they have never made such a public self-criticism before. It is really shameful.

The people below initially listened with great interest, but later they realized that the content of the self-criticisms of several people was almost the same, and some had even just changed the wording.

They gradually became impatient and began to whisper among themselves.

The leader was also filled with impatience, but he had to make all these people realize their mistakes.

Two and a half hours later, the self-criticism meeting finally ended, and the leader made all of them go on stage to apologize to everyone.

Apologize for wasting materials and resources.

At this point, everyone showed much more sincerity.

After all, that's the truth.

A simple self-criticism wasn't enough; Chen Meng also imposed other punishments, barring her from participating in subsequent research projects, transferring her to the logistics team, and stripping Du Lingling and Song Luobai of their positions as team leader and deputy team leader, respectively, and prohibiting them from leading teams independently for a year.

Such a punishment was indeed severe enough, but the two of them didn't care at all, since they didn't want to lead a team independently anymore anyway.

As everyone walked out of the auditorium, they suddenly saw a car parked in the open space in front of the auditorium. A middle-aged man was leaning against the car door, and Chen Meng was standing next to him wiping away tears.

What does that mean? The elders have come knocking on our door to back up our child?

The base commander frowned, but still walked towards the other party.

"Councilor Chen, I'm sorry for not greeting you sooner. I wonder what brings you here? People aren't allowed to come in here without a reason."

The voice held no room for argument, and Councilor Chen's smile froze. He had indeed been stopped at the door, but he used his authority to force his car in.

It's just a research base, how could it possibly stop him?

“I’m fine, but my daughter called me yesterday crying, apparently because she had been wronged.”

"My daughter is young, I hope you can take good care of her and prevent others from bullying her."

He glanced casually at the group of people behind him.

"I wonder if Comrade Du, Comrade Song, and Comrade Lin are here? My daughter has some misunderstandings with them, and as her father, I want to apologize to them in person."

Du Lingling, Song Luobai, and Lin Chuchu, who were named by him, felt a chill run down their spines. He really was here to cause trouble.

Lin Chuchu blinked. What did this have to do with her?

Chen Meng looked at the three of them with a smug expression.

Councilor Chen is also waiting for an apology from the other party.

Just then, a group of heavily armed soldiers suddenly appeared not far away.

They all raised their pistols, cocked them, and pointed them at Councilor Chen.

Chen Meng was so frightened that she immediately hid behind Councilor Chen.

Councilor Chen looked at the base commander, "Commander... what... what are you going to do? Murder is a crime..."

He was so scared that his legs were trembling, and he almost peed himself on the spot.

The base commander scoffed, "Breaking the law? You trespassed on a military base. Even if I kill you right now, no one will say a word. Maybe, the higher-ups will even give my soldiers a first-class merit."

"Trespassing on a military base? Who gave you the audacity? I suspect you're an enemy agent. Men, arrest him! Anyone who disobeys will be shot on sight."