Even after leaving the meeting room, Jia Lan could only maintain a calm facade, while her heart was in turmoil.
For a moment, her thoughts were in turmoil.
Because of her relationship with Xu Wenshan and Lu Ting, Jia Lan's living conditions at the Third Human Base were quite good. The layout of the entire base was roughly in the shape of concentric circles, expanding outwards layer by layer.
The outermost layer consists of squads of superhumans responsible for shifts of defense, while inside are civilians, fugitives, families of superhumans, and superhumans themselves.
The upper-level residents were located in the very center of the concentric circles. Although Jia Lan was not considered to be in the upper-level area, she still lived in a detached villa in the middle, right next to the residences of the two men, and her living conditions were in accordance with the standards of the leader.
Just as she was about to open the door and go back to rest, a figure wearing a cloak and hood trotted up from around the corner.
"Sister Jia Lan, it's me."
"Lillian?"
Jia Lan was taken aback. She looked around and led Lillian into her small villa, where she drew the curtains in the living room.
Once he was sure no one would see him, Jalan sat down in front of Lillian. Lillian, who was wearing a cloak, took off her hood, and looked somewhat anxious.
Lillian said, "Sister Jialan, I know you don't want me to come to you. When you helped me become a researcher, you were worried that there would be rumors that you used the leader's connections to get in through back channels. But this time, I really have no other choice."
“Lillian, you…”
Seeing that Jia Lan looked somewhat embarrassed, Lillian quickly grabbed her hand and said earnestly, "Sister Jia Lan, I know that I was able to become a researcher not only because of your help, but also because I was Professor Zhou's research assistant, but... but what I did behind the scenes..."
“If Professor Zhou knew that I stole his research results, used them for profit, changed my professional title, or even... even after he disappeared, I climbed the ladder by stepping on him and used his things to become a researcher.”
Lillian paused, then said, "He will definitely kill me!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Lan couldn't help but comfort her, "How could that be, Lillian? You're overthinking it. You're still Teacher Zhou's student."
"Sister Jia Lan, you don't understand Teacher Zhou."
Lillian said fearfully, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, "He's the kind of person who's talking to you one second and would kill you the next. If he really wanted to..."
What she feared most was that Zhou Ziqi would escape from his busy schedule and easily kill her. This threat was like a thorn in her side and a fishbone stuck in her throat!
It's like being watched by a venomous snake; death could come at any moment!
"Lillian, you... sigh... I understand."
Jia Lan lowered her head, pondering. Noticing Lillian's panic and anxiety, she reached out and held Lillian's hand to comfort her.
Since she was asking for a favor, Lillian didn't want to disturb Jia Lan's thoughts. Jia Lan's eyes were dark and unreadable when she lowered her head. After Zhou Ziqi was taken away by Ruan Qing'an, she was worried that Zhou Ziqi would die outside, let alone this man who had been missing for so long.
Unexpectedly, he has not only returned, but he is now even more important to Jia Lan. As a result, Lillian, whom she had specially supported, is no longer important. It would be better to exchange him for Zhou Ziqi's help...
After a long silence, Lillian asked, "Sister Jialan?"
“I’m here, Lillian. I believe you won’t lose to Mr. Zhou. When you were his assistant, didn’t you know about his research?”
Jia Lan said meaningfully, "How about this, Lillian? As long as you can beat Mr. Zhou, will you still be afraid of him attacking you? Both leaders will protect you then!"
"Listen to me, just do it—"
Lillian quickly moved a few steps closer.
...
As a high-ranking member of the base, Zhou Ziqi also has his own residence in the center of the base, in the place with the highest level of defense. However, he usually spends all his time in the research lab and rarely goes back to live there.
Although Ruan Qing'an is not a superhuman, his abilities are truly outstanding. He should have joined the superhuman team, but because he is Zhou Ziqi's personal bodyguard, he doesn't plan to let him go. Who would dare to compete with him for him?
Therefore, Ruan Qingan did not arrange accommodation for the time being, but followed Zhou Ziqi back to the base and went straight to the research room.
"Ahem, boss."
"Boss, where do I stay?"
"……boss?"
The petite girl, carrying a Tang sword, followed behind the tall man, winding her way through the base toward the center.
Zhou Ziqi, with his hands in his pockets, smiled as always, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon. He glanced at the girl behind him, half helpless and half indulgent. His Xiao Ruan's delicate and pretty face was all wrinkled up, looking somewhat sullen.
Finally, Zhou Ziqi paused, raised his hand and patted her head: "I have a villa at the base, I'll go back to rest when I'm done."
"Of course, you'll be my personal bodyguard, living with me. Ideally, you should be with me 24/7, otherwise I'll have to consider deducting your salary. The boss is also poor, right, Xiao Ruan?"
"That makes sense. So, boss, when are you going back to rest?"
"Oh, I don't usually take breaks."
"..."
His bodyguard had a blank expression and didn't want to say anything.
Zhou Ziqi couldn't help but laugh, his narrow eyes brimming with amusement: "Alright, alright, the research institute also has a rest room."
"graduate School?"
"Okay, we've arrived."
Zhou Ziqi's words, always brimming with a smile, seemed to carry a tilde, echoing in Ruan Qing'an's ears. She subconsciously looked up—this was the center of the entire base, its defense level even higher than that of the high-level conference room, requiring more than ten identity verification checks just to enter.
Moreover, the patrol teams of superhumans were constantly on the move, as if every inch of the land could be measured.
The silver-white, high-tech research institute stood there, and researchers in white lab coats walked back and forth until Zhou Ziqi approached, at which point they all bowed to him.
Seeing this scene, Ruan Qing'an truly realized just how much power Zhou Ziqi wielded in this entire base...
Just as she was in a daze, someone poked her face.
"If Xiao Ruan leaves, my eyes will pop out if I stay still any longer."
"...No, I didn't."
She muttered something under her breath.
After entering the research institute with Zhou Ziqi, Ruan Qing'an thought this was his research place. Unexpectedly, Zhou Ziqi led her through a huge circle in the institute, heading towards a private elevator deep inside.
Zhou Ziqi opened the hidden compartment in the elevator, entered the password for his personal command, and said, "Xiao Ruan should still remember the secret laboratory in S City, right? My research lab is also underground, and some of the experiments can't be done in the light of day. In addition, the level of secrecy is very high."
Once underground, the elevator doors opened, revealing Zhou Ziqi's research lab in its true form.
It was a straight corridor, so straight that you couldn't even see the end. On both sides of the corridor were rectangular glass panels, which must have been specially made and very strong, capable of blocking most attacks.
You can see inside from the corridor; it consists of individual research rooms, referred to as experimental subject containment rooms.
Zhou Ziqi was quite generous, pointing to an uncountable number of rooms, each glass panel representing a containment chamber.
"If Xiao Ruan is curious, she can look around freely."
Ruan Qingan glanced at Zhou Ziqi, who was adjusting the temperature, and carefully stepped forward to the nearest glass. Inside, the floor was almost pitch black, and the snow-white walls were splattered with black marks, giving it a strong sense of foreboding.
Before she could see clearly, the next moment—
"roar!!!"
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