Inside the basement, Zhang Zhaohe was holding a hot water bottle, but she still couldn't help shivering from the cold.
Zhou Heng led Jiang Zhi through the door and walked in. Perhaps out of a researcher's awareness, Zhang Zhaohe sensed at a glance that Jiang Zhi was unusual.
"Director Zhang, this is Miss Jiang Zhi," Zhou Heng introduced.
Zhang Zhaohe was sizing up Jiang Zhi, and Jiang Zhi was also sizing up Zhang Zhaohe.
The girl was wearing a mink hat, a black down jacket, and a thick scarf. She seemed to have some makeup on, and her lips weren't chapped from the cold weather. She looked very energetic.
The old man had a strange grin on his face, looking just like a pimp.
This is Jiang Zhi's assessment of Zhang Zhaohe.
Zhou Heng was slightly alarmed. Director Zhang was usually so serious to everyone, as if they owed him a fortune. How come he changed his attitude when it came to Jiang Zhi?
"You go out first, I want to talk to Jiang Zhi alone."
Zhou Heng saluted and walked out with proper steps.
"Miss Jiang, please have a seat." Zhang Zhaohe took out a hot water bottle from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Zhi. Jiang Zhi showed her sleeve, indicating that she also had a hot water bottle and did not need one.
"No, it's cold. Let's talk standing up."
The two stood facing each other like that.
Zhang Zhaohe possesses both the refined elegance of a researcher and the solemnity of someone in a position of authority.
If this had happened before the apocalypse, Jiang Zhi would have been grateful and even excited to have been received by such an important figure.
But now...
Jiang Zhi only intended to treat Zhang Zhaohe as an old man.
He's not actually that old; he's just middle-aged, and the long hours spent studying at his desk make him appear older than he is.
Zhang Zhaohe is forty-nine years old this year, almost fifty. He was originally an internal researcher at the China Special Administration Bureau, studying under Professor Min Tong, who researched extraterrestrials and superpowers.
It's not that China has never had people with superpowers, it's just that their numbers are too small.
After her mentor passed away, Zhang Zhaohe took over his mentor's responsibilities and began to shoulder the main burden.
When the extreme heat disaster occurred, he was on a business trip at the Jiangcheng Special Experimental Research Base when he was suddenly given the task of being stationed in Jiangcheng to assist in the construction of the Shuofang Base.
Insiders knew long ago that this matter was not simple, especially since he was a researcher in this field, and he himself had also awakened to the truth.
Mutant animals only appeared after the apocalypse, and the higher-ups attach great importance to them, wanting to quickly find out the reasons for their mutations, collect mutated species, and conduct more in-depth research.
During their research, they were surprised to discover that mutated animals also have different levels, and the higher the level, the more powerful and difficult to deal with them.
Those mutated animals seem to be natural enemies of humans, attacking them indiscriminately, while ordinary people are powerless against the powerful mutated animals.
When a person with superpowers encounters a mutated animal stronger than themselves, they are basically just easy prey.
Therefore, the base must give sufficient attention to and protect those with superpowers who can kill high-level mutated animals.
These are the seeds and weapons of humanity's future.
The natural disasters are not going to end anytime soon; this is a consensus within the organization. No one expected that in addition to natural disasters, there would also be a species-related calamity.
"Aren't you going to arrest me, dissect me, and do research on me?" Jiang Zhi suddenly asked.
Zhang Zhaohe laughed heartily: "Have you been watching too many movies? We are researchers of humanism, and we take an absolutely critical and contemptuous attitude towards research that crosses the bottom line of human morality."
Jiang Zhi rolled her eyes inwardly.
If I believed you, that would be a tragedy.
"Then what can you give me? Or rather, why should I be your slave?" Jiang Zhi twirled the hot water bottle in her hand and said casually.
“Young friend Jiang, I assure you that we have absolutely no ill intentions. In the face of this great calamity, we must unite and fight the disaster together. Going it alone will only lead to our own destruction. I believe you understand this principle very well.”
Zhang Zhaohe exhaled slightly and continued, "How about we talk about the Level 3 mutated python? Its crystals are green, right? Did you absorb them?"
"No."
"This is a good thing. If you can unite around us, the base can provide you with three red crystals and two blue crystals every month. As for green crystals, they are too precious. Our base only has the one you have for now."
"As for your housing, Building 16 in the West District is on the edge of the base and is not very safe. The Ability User Center here can provide you with a one-bedroom apartment with heating. This apartment is connected to several large stoves in the base and has a heated kang bed, which will ensure that you sleep warmly and comfortably at night."
"Another advantage is that you will be the first to know about information inside the base."
Jiang Zhi shifted her feet and asked, "Are the conditions you've set for me the same as those of other ability users?"
"Some things are there, some things aren't. For example, certain top-secret internal information can only be known by absolute insiders, provided that you become one of our people, a true insider."
"I'll consider it," Jiang Zhi nodded.
The real interior?
Ha! The abacus is clicking away.
This one rule alone requires sacrificing all freedom and completely obeying arrangements.
She wouldn't do that.
"You've offered me the benefits, so what am I supposed to do? Or what are the conditions for becoming one of your insiders?"
A slight glint appeared in Zhang Zhaohe's eyes.
"The conditions are simple: obey orders immediately, or refuse. Most of the time, it's just a matter of completing tasks as required; it won't be too difficult."
"Fine then. The accommodation and crystals you provide are not necessities for me. As for the internal information, what use is it to a commoner like me?" Jiang Zhi said ruthlessly.
"Huh? Listen to me, young friend Jiang, it's not as serious as you think, it's just... just doing a mission."
"It's just about risking your life, being at the forefront, and carrying the base on your shoulders, right? I don't think I can lift a finger or do anything. I'm really powerless. Director Zhang, you should find someone else. There are plenty of people more capable than me." After saying that, Jiang Zhi turned to leave.
Zhang Zhaohua immediately stopped her and said hurriedly, "Oh, don't go, young friend Jiang. Tell me, what do you want? I'll listen. If I can do it, I'll definitely do it for you, just don't leave."
"Is that so? Do you really have that much sincerity? You only treat me as a knife, not as a human being. You summon me and dismiss me at will." Jiang Zhi turned around, her tone cold.
Zhang Zhaohua: "Young friend Jiang, you've really misunderstood."
“Alright, I’d like to state my conditions as well.” Jiang Zhi stopped.
"Please speak."
"First, I hate being tied down. I won't be bound by you. I don't care what you do; I won't do anything I don't want to do, even if it kills me. Second, don't try to control me, monitor me, or scheme against me. You'd be better off thinking about how to survive. Third, I will build my own team of superhumans, and whether I take on missions depends on my mood. Since you value me so much, it's not unreasonable for me to make some requests that are important to me, is it?"
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