Lillian had lost the imposing manner she had when they first met, appearing very reserved and submissive in front of Zhou Ziqi.
But Zhou Ziqi's fingertips tapped the tabletop as he chuckled softly.
"Lillian, you're a researcher now, you shouldn't be working with me. There's a spot for you upstairs, go ahead."
"No, no, no—"
Lillian quickly replied, "I still have many shortcomings and need to learn from you, Professor Zhou. Becoming a researcher was just a stroke of luck for me. Please allow me to continue learning from you."
"Oh, I see..."
Zhou Ziqi dragged out the sound with an ambiguous meaning. He leaned back in his chair and poked at Ruan Qing'an's scabbard with a hint of boredom.
As a result, Ruan Qing'an sheathed his knife, slung it at his waist, and silently pulled it back, while also striking the man's hand with a slight crack. Zhou Ziqi immediately said, "Little Ruan, you hit me!"
"I don't, boss."
"If you don't admit your mistake, your salary will be deducted!"
"...Boss, I was wrong."
Listening to the childish conversation, Lillian lowered her head, her tension so intense that she dared not even breathe, making her seem like a joke. She could only manage a weak smile as she clenched her fists.
Zhou Ziqi's limited leniency was not enough to be shared with a second person.
Lillian sneered inwardly, but her face became even more respectful and submissive.
...
Back at the base, Zhou Ziqi began his busy work, as he himself said – “I usually don’t rest.”
As for Ruan Qing'an, his personal bodyguard, although he didn't know that the security level was frighteningly high, he even specially placed the research room underground to prevent any accidents. So... Zhou Ziqi still needs a bodyguard?
037 is quite familiar with these two, and can only say: whether Zhou Ziqi needs a bodyguard or not, it doesn't know, but it certainly needs this ancestor.
Apart from needing to get some fresh air and relax, Zhou Ziqi spent nearly a month working in the research lab, with Ruan Qing'an following him closely. Lillian, on the other hand, demoted herself from researcher to research assistant and followed behind Zhou Ziqi.
A tall, slender man stood in front of the lab table, a dark green substance churning in a glass test tube, much like the mutated plants of S City.
Zhou Ziqi looked back and saw the girl holding the knife standing behind him.
"Xiao Ruan, bring the dead zombie from containment chamber number 15 over."
"Understood, boss."
Ruan Qing'an nodded slightly and turned to leave, but Lillian squeezed through first: "Miss Ruan, let me go. You don't understand Professor Zhou's research, so I'll do it."
As she spoke, Lillian went to push the cart containing the zombies.
"Xiao Ruan, give me the solution proportions."
Ruan Qing'an was about to go: "Yes, boss."
But Lillian, who had just pushed the cart, squeezed in again: "Miss Ruan, the research lab requires specialized knowledge. You don't know how to do these things, so let me do it. Just leave it to the professionals."
Ruan Qing'an, whose job was stolen: "..."
This happened every day. For the past month, it was as if Lillian and Ruan Qing'an were locked in a battle. Whenever Zhou Ziqi ignored Lillian and asked Ruan Qing'an for help, Lillian would always try to steal his work.
Zhou Ziqi knew this, but he didn't care. He didn't care about Lillian, but he used this as an excuse to push a lot of work onto her.
It's a clear example of capitalist exploitation of workers.
037: [Isn't this woman tired?]
Feeling bored out of his mind, Ruan Qing'an clicked his tongue.
Zhou Ziqi stopped what he was doing and stretched his stiff hands, looking a little tired. He noticed that his bodyguard was sullen, his bright red lips were pursed together, and he seemed to be in a bad mood.
He chuckled and poked her chubby cheek with his long, slender fingertips.
"Alright, I know you're bored. My work here is finally finished, and now I just need to wait for the solution to react."
Zhou Ziqi glanced at his wristwatch, stood up and said, "I'll go to the lounge to change first. I've prepared a small gift for you; it's in the box over there. Xiao Ruan can go take a look first. After I change, I'll take Xiao Ruan out to play."
Zhou Ziqi casually pinched the bodyguard's soft cheek before turning around and walking into the lounge, satisfied.
Ruan Qingan: ...Is he keeping a pet?
Lillian, who had her back to the door, carefully turned her head and glanced at the lounge with her blue eyes, seemingly observing something, until she felt Ruan Qing'an's gaze.
Lillian quickly smiled apologetically, "Miss Ruan, didn't Teacher Zhou prepare a gift? You should go take a look first, I'm still busy."
"oh……"
Ruan Qingan then looked away.
As Ruan Qing'an got up and went to the wooden box in the corner, he could still feel a gaze secretly watching him. It was less like surveillance and more like vigilance. It was as if Lillian was observing their movements at all times.
Ruan Qing'an scoffed. If Zhou Ziqi doesn't care, why should she?
She opened the wooden box that Zhou Ziqi had pushed out sometime earlier.
037: [What is it? What is it? Let me see! Let me see!]
"this……"
Ruan Qing'an was slightly taken aback. Inside the wooden box was a well-crafted scabbard with a smooth curve. Its slightly heavy weight gave a sense of security when placed in his hand. There was also a slightly hard layer on it, which should be a protective layer, and it gleamed with a cold, sharp light.
The details of the scabbard are like inlaid with dark blue gems. The gems are not bright, but only slightly revealed in the darkness, hiding their sharpness and giving off a sense of murderous intent.
The entire scabbard is both simple and ornate, like a medieval antique.
Just then, a scream came from behind Ruan Qing'an. She turned around instinctively and saw that Lillian had tripped and fallen because she was stunned.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing... Teacher Zhou is really rich."
Lillian smiled awkwardly.
Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow slightly, then took a closer look, and suddenly paused—good heavens, instead of using the crystal core to forge jewelry, it was used to make a scabbard, which was really outrageous.
The crystal cores used alone are enough for her to earn two months' salary.
Zhou is wealthy and extravagant, while Zi is willful and wasteful.
However—Ruan Qingan still happily picked up the scabbard and inserted his Tang sword into it, fitting it perfectly.
After Lillian got up from the ground, she glanced cautiously at Ruan Qing'an with a hint of jealousy in her eyes. As she turned her back, she silently rolled a small piece of information into her sleeve.
It will be soon, as long as she can take Zhou Ziqi's place...
The one who occupies an important position in the base is Lillian!
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