MCL CH108

Chapter 108: “Professor Shen, long time no see….”

This time, the coastal defense deployment was basically completed entirely by Su Qiuyin. Lin Xi’s role in it seemed so minimal that he was almost just a public face for the Third Administration. However, this didn’t affect his enthusiasm for reporting to headquarters in the slightest.

After a few hours, the private plane landed smoothly at the airport. He got into the private car that had been waiting in the parking lot. On the way to headquarters, Lin Xi had already dialed the United Administration’s main office, wasting no time in a report that lasted over two hours. On the other end of the line, besides Gu Beiqiu, the Chief Executor, were several directors in charge of rear support. It was only after Lin Xi finally finished that someone spoke up. It was Liang Yubin, the director of the Tenth Administration, responsible for the safety of ordinary residents. “Director Lin, so what you mean is that the defensive line in N City is basically stable, but now you want us to arrange for the evacuation of residents around S City in the rear?”

“Yes! That’s exactly what I mean.” As he spoke, the car was still speeding along. A cool breeze blew in through the half-open window. Lin Xi’s gaze fell on the figures of people coming and going around them.

Having just returned from N City, compared to that city which was completely shrouded in contamination radiation, the bustling and lively J City still seemed somewhat unreal. The future of the coastal areas was uncertain, and the specific situation had not yet been announced to the public. Under the strict coordination of the officials, these people who were still enjoying their normal lives did not yet know what was gradually approaching.

He didn’t know how long this facade of peace could be maintained.

Lin Xi squinted his eyes silently, his tone still slow and unhurried. “Of course, this is just my personal opinion. The specific arrangements are still up to headquarters. If headquarters believes that this kind of advance evacuation operation shows a lack of trust in the forward combat departments and will dampen the enthusiasm of the frontline defense, I also agree. Just as long as you don’t throw the blame on our front-line command post if an unexpected accident happens and a complete, safe evacuation isn’t possible.”

“You—!” An official, also participating in the conference call at headquarters, was clearly dissatisfied with Lin Xi’s overly teasing tone. But choked with anger, he was unable to retort and could only turn to Gu Beiqiu beside him. “Executor, according to the feedback so far, the defensive work on the N City coast is proceeding very well under Su Qiuyin’s arrangement. The residents evacuated from N City have also successfully settled in the No. 1 station of the Ark. In such a stable situation, any unnecessary actions will only shake people’s morale.”

Yan Xingzhou casually handed over a cup of water. “You’ve been talking for so long, have a sip of water?”

“Thanks.” Lin Xi reached out and took it, leaning back comfortably in his seat, his lazy expression making it seem as if the argument on the other end of the phone had nothing to do with him.

After a few minutes of discussion among the various parties, Gu Beiqiu finally spoke. “Regarding this point, I have already made arrangements. The specific details will be sent to your mailboxes later in the form of an official document. Please be sure to check for it.”

After saying that, he put the phone to his ear. “Director Lin.”

Lin Xi: “Hm?”

“As for the specific arrangements for the next stage, we’ll discuss them face-to-face after you arrive at headquarters.” Gu Beiqiu paused for a moment and asked, “Is President Yan next to you?”

Lin Xi guessed that Gu Beiqiu had heard Yan Xingzhou offering him water. He glanced at the person beside him and replied, “Do you need me to hand him the phone so you two can catch up, Executor Gu?”

“…No need.” Gu Beiqiu cleared his throat softly. “It’s just that Professor Shen is also here. He heard you were on your way to headquarters and asked me to ask President Yan if he wants to wait and go back to the Central Research Institute with him.”

Lin Xi glanced at Yan Xingzhou. Without waiting for a reply, he smiled and agreed, “Of course. President Yan says he won’t leave until you meet.”

Pausing for a moment, he added another question, “So for this matter of going to the Central Research Institute for discussion and study, do you mind if he brings a family member?”

“……….”

The other end of the phone fell into a subtle silence for a full ten seconds. It seemed some communication had taken place before Gu Beiqiu replied, “Professor Shen says, he doesn’t mind…”

The long call finally ended to Lin Xi’s satisfaction.

“‘Won’t leave until we meet’?” Yan Xingzhou looked at Lin Xi with a half-smile. “I don’t think I could ever say those four words to Shen Nanyang in my life. And as for whether I mind going to the Central Research Institute, instead of asking him, I think you should probably ask me.”

“I know you mind, so I just skipped the step of asking for your opinion.” Lin Xi, however, answered with a confidence that defied his lack of justification. He reached out and smoothed Yan Xingzhou’s already furrowed brow. “Don’t look at me like that. Otherwise, I can give you another choice: either I go with you, or I’ll find a chance to go by myself.”

Dappled sunlight filtered in through the window,灑 on the two of them.

After a brief standoff, Yan Xingzhou finally relented. “If anything seems wrong, you must leave with me immediately.”

Lin Xi, having gotten his way again, replied with a smile, “Of course, President Yan.”

It was already five in the afternoon when they arrived at the United Administration headquarters.

Because the driver was present, there were many things the two couldn’t say directly, but they were well aware of each other’s thoughts.

Lin Xi had once been a frequent visitor to the Central Research Institute, so he naturally understood the sensitivity of the equipment there. In an environment where even the slightest fluctuation in ability could be precisely captured, every step he took inside could lead him into an abyss due to exposure. Yan Xingzhou had drawn a clear line with the Central Research Institute for years. His sudden choice to personally open a channel of communication with them by handing over the crystal core fragment was clearly a move to put himself on the front line to prevent Lin Xi from having too much contact with Shen Nanyang. However, there were some things that had to be confirmed by him personally.

Getting out of the car, Lin Xi looked up and saw the tall figure in a white lab coat.

A lot of time had passed since their last meeting at the United Administration headquarters. In comparison, this Professor Shen hadn’t changed much, though his features seemed a bit gaunter.

What surprised Lin Xi was that Shen Nanyang didn’t focus on Yan Xingzhou. The moment the car door opened, he also looked in his direction. Their gazes met.

He blinked slowly and, unfazed, walked up with a smile. “Professor Shen, long time no see.”

“Long time no see.” Shen Nanyang seemed to have been waiting downstairs for quite some time. His white lab coat was tinged with a bit of a chill. After a simple handshake with Lin Xi, his gaze remained on his face, a smile on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “You rejected my invitation back then. I thought Mr. Lin wasn’t interested in the Central Research Institute, but it seems that’s not entirely the case. Actually, if you want to visit the Central Research Institute, you can just ask me anytime. You don’t need to go through other relations.”

“Excuse me, to him, I am not ‘other relations.’ And, he’s only coming along to see how I’m doing out of concern. He has absolutely no interest in the Central Research Institute.” A figure silently intercepted them, moving between the two. Yan Xingzhou’s tone had no particular inflection, but the content was a very well-intentioned reminder. “Waiting at the door must mean you’re in a hurry to get back to the institute. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting here, Professor Shen. If there’s nothing else, I think we can leave now.”

Shen Nanyang finally shifted his gaze to Yan Xingzhou, his words polite and modest. “If President Yan truly feels sorry, I hope there will be no more delays in check-ups in the future. Although we have a contract, all of our laboratories have strict schedules. A unilateral breach of appointment forces a change in schedule, and just the inefficient operation of the equipment incurs a lot of costs.”

Yan Xingzhou replied, “Our Wanyuan Group can take full responsibility for all losses.”

Shen Nanyang smiled faintly. “President Yan is very generous.”

Yan Xingzhou: “You’re too kind.”

The atmospheric pressure around them dropped to an extreme low with just these few words.

The faces of the others present changed slightly. Unsure of what was happening, they looked at Yan Xingzhou, then at Shen Nanyang, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

An abrupt ringtone broke the deathly silence.

A researcher in a white lab coat felt the gazes from all around converge on him and frantically pressed the answer key. After just two “hellos,” his face changed drastically at what was being said on the other end.

Looking up, he looked nervously at Shen Nanyang. “…Pro-Professor, at the lab… something’s happened.”

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