Lillian never gave Ruan Qing'an a second glance, after all, he was just a bodyguard who lived off Zhou Ziqi's insignificant indulgence.
Everything she did relied on her professional knowledge. A bodyguard who knew nothing was completely outside her scope of concern. When she felt Ruan Qing'an's gaze—
Lillian raised her chin: "Is there something you need, Miss Ruan?"
Just as Ruan Qing'an was about to ask, Zhou Ziqi came out of the lounge: "Little Ruan, I've changed my clothes, let's go."
"Hmm...it seems you quite like the scabbard I designed. Have you already put it on? Not bad, not bad, it looks really cool."
Zhou Ziqi's voice, full of laughter, drew closer.
He changed out of his usual white research coat and into a new Chinese-style Tang suit. He was tall and slender, which made his Chinese-style, slightly feminine, handsome and elegant features even more gentle and warm, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon.
He seems less suited to holding glass test tubes and more suited to carrying a jade-shaped folding fan, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a gentlemanly air about him as he smiles.
Ruan Qing'an was slightly taken aback, and Zhou Ziqi took the opportunity to pull her along.
"Alright, Xiao Ruan, stop blocking Lillian. She's helping me record the solution reaction. Lillian, you can leave when you're done."
"Yes, Teacher Zhou, don't worry."
Seeing that Zhou Ziqi didn't care about her actions at all, Lillian said respectfully and obediently, "This man is arrogant and indifferent, how could he care about her little tricks?"
But soon, she will make him pay the price!
Zhou Ziqi raised his hand and pressed down on Ruan Qing'an's shoulder, pushing his little bodyguard out: "Is the scabbard properly made?"
"It's quite suitable. Boss, have you ever compared it to my knife? But I never let my knife out of my sight..."
"No need to compare, one look is enough."
Zhou Ziqi paused, his upturned phoenix eyes scanning the petite girl up and down: "I also prepared clothes for you, um... I mean, just take a look, they should fit quite well."
"..."
"Hiss—Little Ruan is being naughty. Why did you use the scabbard I gave you to slap the back of my hand? You're getting more and more outrageous. I'll dock your pay."
As Zhou Ziqi spoke, he and Ruan Qing'an took the elevator and left.
After leaving the research institute, Zhou Ziqi took Ruan Qingan to the central area of the base. Although it was the end of the world, human productivity was not to be underestimated. There were still stalls inside the base selling various pre-apocalyptic ornaments and other decorations, but the prices were surprisingly low.
The real hard currency is still the crystal core in the zombie's brain.
Because Zhou Ziqi's travels are always accompanied and protected by multiple layers of superhuman teams, even within the base, Ruan Qing'an, his personal bodyguard, is just following behind him. If something happens to Zhou Ziqi even in this situation... it just shows how incompetent the Third Human Base is.
"Xiao Ruan, this person was a famous designer before the apocalypse! Come on, this outfit suits you, try it on."
"Oh... I'm here, boss."
Ruan Qingan sighed and resignedly took half a step forward.
Zhou Ziqi seemed to have found a new source of fun, dressing her up like a doll—a real-life miracle as Ruan Ruan tours the base.
As Zhou Ziqi argued with the down-on-his-luck designer about whether to buy one item or buy everything, Ruan Qing'an fell silent, helplessly squatting down by the door with his knife in his arms.
This perspective allows for a good observation of the research institute's situation.
While Ruan Qing'an was lost in thought, she suddenly saw a woman greet several other researchers and then leave the research institute. Because of the great distance, even she could only see a blurry figure.
Ruan Qing'an narrowed her eyes slightly, catching a glimpse of a golden strand of hair. She was slightly taken aback: "Lilian?"
...
Half an hour ago, in the underground research room of the institute.
Lillian stood in front of the lab table, watching as Ruan Qing'an and Zhou Ziqi, one tall and one short, disappeared into the depths of the corridor, followed by the sound of the elevator doors opening again.
She subconsciously tightened the things in her sleeves a little.
Go and fool around with women, Zhou Ziqi, you'll regret it...
Lillian took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent thoughts, and continued working on the lab bench until her phone rang.
"Hello, Sister Jia Lan?"
On the other end of the phone, Jia Lan said, "Lillian, I've already contacted Chief Lu for you. Just go to the conference room; he'll meet you there. Remember—this is your chance."
"I understand, thank you, Sister Jia Lan!"
“It’s alright, Lillian. Remember to keep the call on. I need to know what happened between you and Chief Lu.”
Lillian nodded vigorously: "Okay, Sister Jialan."
"Trust me, okay, Lillian?" Jalan comforted her.
"Sister Jia Lan, you helped me become a researcher and fulfill my dream. How could I not believe you?"
Only after hanging up the phone did Lillian take a deep breath, begin tidying up the things on the lab table, prepare all the data, and hurriedly leave the research room.
She greeted the passing researchers cautiously and carefully.
Only after leaving the research institute area did Lillian conceal herself and sneak toward the central conference room.
Inside the meeting room.
Lillian gripped the documents in her hand with a nervous urge, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, and could only trust Jia Lan.
Lillian's nervousness became even more pronounced when the conference room door opened and Lu Ting walked in. However, she still secretly called Jia Lan, but there was no sound on the other end.
But seeing the words "Calling: Sister Jia Lan" on the screen reassured Lillian a lot; Sister Jia Lan wouldn't harm her.
Lu Ting sat down in the chair and casually said, "Old Xu might have something else to do, so I'll talk to you. What important findings do you have to report to me? As a researcher, shouldn't you tell Mr. Zhou first?"
"Chief Lu, if my research results—"
Lillian took a deep breath: "Could I take over Teacher Zhou's role, break his monopoly, and make him less important?"
"Ha, do you know what you're saying?"
Lu Ting was taken aback, then laughed mockingly: "If Jia Lan hadn't told me that I absolutely had to see you, Lillian, why do you think I would have made time to see you?"
"I'm busy, don't try to talk to me with jokes like that."
As Lu Ting spoke, he prepared to stand up.
Seeing this, Lillian became anxious and slammed the documents in her hand onto the table: "Chief Lu, I am Professor Zhou's research assistant and have handled all his research. What makes you think that I am not qualified?"
"Because you are not Zhou Ziqi."
"..."
Lillian's expression twisted slightly as she said, enunciating each word clearly, "What if I told you that I could replicate everything he's providing to the base, and even the research he's hiding from the base?"
“Teacher Zhou, no… Zhou Ziqi, he is not only researching the mutation of superhumans, but also the zombie virus itself. He has even made some progress and directions, but he has not reported it to the base.”
“But I’m different, Chief Lu.”
Lillian paused for a moment: "I am Zhou Ziqi's student. After a month, I have been able to figure out some of his research. As long as you give me all of his materials, I will definitely be able to make it for the base!"
"Zhou Ziqi is out of control, but I will listen to you all!"
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