MCL CH60

Chapter 60: Fake Things, After All, Are Just Fake…

Lin Xi appropriately showed a surprised expression and extended his hand with a smile. “So you are Professor Shen. I’ve long heard of your great name.”

The hand, suspended in mid-air, received no response even after lingering for a few seconds. He only heard Shen Nanyang’s apologetic reply: “I’m sorry, I’m a bit of a germaphobe.”

Lin Xi glanced at that face and smiled. “Understood.”

He rubbed the hand he had withdrawn. Regarding this man he was meeting again, he gave a brief assessment—including the white coat that seemed welded to his body, this perpetually nitpicking germaphobe hadn’t changed one bit.

There wasn’t much of a discernible smile on Shen Nanyang’s face, but his every move was filled with the calm elegance of someone who had walked out of the halls of science. Under Lin Xi’s blatant scrutiny, he was also examining him. After a brief pause, he let out a soft sigh. “No wonder…”

Lin Xi: “No wonder what?”

“Nothing, just some personal thoughts.” Shen Nanyang made a “please” gesture, and they sat down face to face on the sofas on either side of the coffee table. He asked, “From what you just said, you know me?”

Lin Xi took a sip from his water cup, his reply polite and proper. “Of course. Director Su Qiuyin already introduced you to me on the way here. What’s more, the contributions the Central Research Institute has made to the world in recent years are plain for all to see. I have long admired you. I really didn’t expect to have the honor of meeting you in person. I’m truly overwhelmed by this favor.”

“Overwhelmed by this favor?” Shen Nanyang glanced at Lin Xi. “Given your relationship with Yan Xingzhou, he probably wouldn’t be willing to hear you say such words.”

“How did it get back to President Yan again?” Lin Xi frowned slightly, placing his cup back on the table with a displeased look. The smile that was on his face just a second ago vanished without a trace. “After I met Executive Gu before, someone reminded me that President Yan and the Alliance don’t get along, and told me not to get involved with this side. And now that I’ve finally made it to J City, I’m being told that the Central Research Institute also has a grudge with the Wanyuan Group. I thought my luck had finally turned and I had latched onto a powerful branch, but who knew… Tsk, I’ve really shot myself in the foot.”

He leaned back on the sofa and cast a sincere look at Shen Nanyang. “So, Professor Shen, your choice to see me today probably isn’t just to specifically inform me that my job application has failed, is it? Actually, regarding the threat President Yan made, I think there might still be room for negotiation. For example, if I break up with him on the spot and completely sever ties, I wonder if it’s still not too late?”

Shen Nanyang did not answer directly. “You want to join the Alliance that much, even at the cost of offending the Wanyuan Group?”

“Of course. After all, the end of the universe is a civil service job,” Lin Xi replied. “And even if I break up with President Yan, it probably won’t escalate to the level of offending the Wanyuan Group.”

His expression as he answered this was very certain. “Professor Shen should already know something about my relationship with President Yan. In that case, you should be aware that President Yan is indeed very infatuated with me. I think that even if I willfully do something to displease him, he probably wouldn’t have the heart to do anything to me. What do you think?”

Shen Nanyang: “…”

Lin Xi, however, did not intend to get an answer from Shen Nanyang. He sat up a little straighter, his hands resting on his crossed, long legs. “So, Professor Shen, I’ve come all this way, and I really don’t want to be turned away. I’ve already heard from Director Su about President Yan’s刁难you. How about this? If I send him a text message to break up in front of you, would you consider giving me a chance to stay? Of course, if you think a text message isn’t decisive enough, a phone call breakup is also fine.”

Shen Nanyang: “…………”

After an even longer silence, he finally spoke again. “That won’t be necessary.”

He didn’t know if Yan Xingzhou was the type of man to cling desperately after a breakup, but if he really did this, at least one thing was certain—the contract that Gu Beiqiu had worked so hard to get would probably be terminated on the spot.

Unsure of what he was thinking, Shen Nanyang retracted the gaze that had been fixed on Lin Xi since he entered the room. “However, regarding the matter of joining the Alliance, it’s not completely without room for maneuver.”

He stood up from the sofa and slowly buttoned the collar of his coat. “I came here today to confirm some things, and now I can be considered to have gotten the answer I wanted.”

Lin Xi asked, “Professor Shen, so what you mean is?”

“I will go talk to that side again,” Shen Nanyang replied. “By then, there should be a result that will satisfy everyone.”

In that instant, Lin Xi seemed to catch a fleeting, imperceptible smile on the man’s handsome face. He also stood up. “Then I’ll be waiting for the good news.”

“The lab is still waiting for me, so I’ll be heading back first.”

Shen Nanyang had already reached the door. “I look forward to our next meeting, Mr. Lin Ni.”

Seeing Shen Nanyang come out, the assistant who had been waiting outside the lounge immediately went up to him.

During this, he couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Lin Xi, his expression filled with irrepressible curiosity.

In the Central Research Institute, aside from matters related to research projects, the professor was very peaceful and tolerant towards everyone. On the contrary, because of his overly perfect existence, he always made people feel too unreal.

But just now, although the professor still looked calm and composed, he didn’t know if it was his imagination, but he always felt that when facing this Mr. Lin, there seemed to be more human-like emotions in his words and actions that he had never seen before.

“What are you staring at me for?”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing.” The sudden question made the assistant snap back to his senses. “Professor, you said earlier that you were here to confirm something. Have you confirmed it now?”

“Confirmed.” Shen Nanyang nodded. “I can only say, no wonder that person would…”

Assistant: “No wonder what?”

No wonder he would be so infatuated with this Lin Ni.

But to become so obsessed to this extent just because of a slight resemblance to that person’s profile… Yan Xingzhou, I suppose beggars can’t be choosers.

Shen Nanyang didn’t answer. After a brief silence, he spoke, “Have the lab prepare. After organizing the ZX Project proposal, send it to my email.”

“The ZX Project?” The assistant’s steps came to an abrupt halt, his voice trembling slightly. “But this clearance level is…”

Shen Nanyang’s steps did not stop. “It’s fine. Just do as I say. Right now, there really is no better bargaining chip than this.”

“But…” The assistant was clearly still very confused. “Professor, didn’t you say that the Wanyuan Group only requested that we not accept this Mr. Lin? Is it really necessary to pay such a huge price to keep him?”

“Whether it’s necessary or not, you’ll know in the future.”

Shen Nanyang could feel the assistant’s increasingly puzzled gaze. He suddenly changed the subject in a calm tone. “Do you remember those few intelligence reports from N City recently?”

“Are you talking about the Special S-grade contamination fluctuation that was detected before?” the assistant asked. “Wasn’t it said to be an equipment detection error?”

Shen Nanyang: “Just today, the same detection error appeared again in the Special A-grade rift incident that just occurred.”

The assistant’s eyes widened slightly. “It appeared again? How could that be!”

Shen Nanyang’s peripheral vision fell on the closed lounge door behind him.

And very coincidentally, on both occasions when this detection error occurred, one person was at the scene.

With a quick glance, Shen Nanyang strode towards the elevator.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, all the scenes in the corridor were completely blocked out. Under the light casting down from the ceiling, he slowly closed his eyes.

The figure from the lounge appeared in his mind, and a curve of indiscernible emotion silently appeared on his lips.

No matter what, fake things, after all, are just fake.

On one hand, he disdained Yan Xingzhou for being a beggar who couldn’t be a chooser, but on the other hand, what was he himself expecting?

As the elevator slowly descended, Shen Nanyang’s voice sounded: “After we get back, organize all the rift data from N City that has appeared recently and give it to me.”

The assistant stood behind him, unable to see Shen Nanyang’s expression. Although he didn’t understand why, he still nodded and replied, “Yes, Professor.”

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