Chapter 5 – “This person is too ostentatious.”

The next day.  

Ying Xize woke up and saw that it was almost noon already.

Last night, he wasn’t feeling very well overall, but thankfully, the flat he rented for an easy commute wasn’t far from the Research Department. After he made it through the ‘devouring’ phase, Xiang Jiayan took him home.

The moment he got back to his room, he collapsed from tiredness and fell asleep.

He slept for a full ten hours.  

After a quick wash, Ying Xize opened the door and stepped outside. He looked up and saw Xiang Jiayan waiting by the stairwell.

From the moment he clocked in to when he clocked out, he almost always saw this man’s shadow nearby. After so many years, he had gotten used to having him around all the time.

As long as no ‘incident’ happened, they could keep this agreement of not getting in each other’s way for a long time.

Pretending not to notice Xiang Jiayan, Ying Xize walked right past him without looking, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead as he headed downstairs.

Xiang Jiayan had been watching Ying Xize intently from the very start.

After only one night, the youngest researcher in the Research Department had fully shaken off the chaos of the previous night; aside from the lingering weariness etched in his brows and eyes, he radiated a subtle coolness.

Xiang Jiayan was about to speak, but Ying Xize’s warning from last night flashed through his mind. His expression stiffened, and he quietly followed instead.

Due to the Research Department’s unique nature, as long as personnel submit their experimental data on time, their working hours remain quite flexible.

The incident at Qiufeng Community had caused some psychological trauma for everyone, yet Ying Xize arrived at noon—hardly late compared to the other colleagues who had clocked in earlier that day.

The cafeteria was bustling with people.  

Shortly after Ying Xize sat down, a few colleagues from Team E, including Yu Qingyi, came over with their trays. All of them had been at the scene yesterday, and they started discussing related topics over their meal.

“To be honest, those people are quite efficient. The incident at Qiufeng Community happened just last night, and it’s already in the news.”

“It was pretty fast, but the excuse they used honestly feels a bit worn out. Another large-scale gas explosion? If I’m not wrong, this is already the fourth one this year, right? I mean, sure, Qiufeng is an old community, but using this kind of tactic to shift public attention kind of feels like they’re simply trying to pass the blame.”

“Exactly. With all the backlash on the internet, those departments that are unfairly taking the blame must be really furious.”

In fact, earlier today, the entry for the #Qiufeng Community Large-Scale Gas Explosion Accident# had already made it to Weibo’s trending topics, quickly drawing attention from all over the internet.

If possible, the relevant departments definitely didn’t want this incident to get bigger, but since it involved so many residents of the community, it was hard to keep it completely under wraps.

Keeping the truth quiet without causing panic was definitely a big challenge. 

On one side, they dressed the ‘incident’ in the most acceptable fabric for the masses, while on the other side, the Guides of the independent groups in the Logistics Department were undoubtedly scrambling to use spiritual power to implant suggestions and rewrite memories for others within the victims’ networks to ensure everything went smoothly.

Compared to that, the researchers in the departments involved in the incident had to run tests on the active samples they collected, which made their work a lot easier.

In recent years, there have been way too many of these ‘incidents,’ and with all the ongoing news, people have slowly started to get used to them.

They have gone from feeling uneasy at first to now treating these incidents as just commonplace.

Having talked this far, Yu Qingyi also shared some information she had learned with her colleagues. “I happened to pass by Team Leader Chen’s office earlier today and overheard him on the phone. Sounds like the higher ups are pushing us again to speed up the experiments. They never used to be this anxious, which makes me feel like something’s off in Ning City lately. Especially with those lookout posts near Chen Mountain Cave, no clue what’s going on there. Not long ago, they already sent a bunch of people over, and then yesterday, they suddenly requested a special order. Even the Seventh Squad got pulled into it this time.”

The shocking scene at yesterday’s event immediately put Su Fengzhou on the list of idols for the intern Wan Ren.

Upon hearing this, Wen Ren instantly looked over and asked, “Seventh Squad? Is that the same Seventh Squad that was on-site yesterday?”

Yu Qingyi nodded. “Otherwise, can you find a second Seventh Squad?”  

Wen Ren shrank his neck.  

“This doesn’t seem right. Aren’t the Investigation Department people only responsible for the city’s safety? I thought the Defense Force was in charge of the underground caves.” Wang Zheng swallowed nervously. “That Captain Su from the Seventh Squad caused quite a stir when he left the Defense Force back then. Things were already completely fractured. How can the Defense Force even ask for help now? It wouldn’t be… that they’ll end up making things worse instead, would it?”

“Your perspective is too narrow; if it weren’t, how could Captain Su rise and fall so easily? He really agreed, and half an hour ago, he already brought people from the Seventh Squad to the lookout post.” At this point, Yu Qingyi seemed a bit wistful. “What a real man! If I didn’t already have Brother He, I wouldn’t be able to resist feeling touched seeing such a man.”

The others joined in with the teasing.  

Yu Qingyi’s beautiful eyes shimmered, completely unfazed.

Her gaze swept over Ying Xize, who was quietly eating beside her, and she suddenly pulled up a meaningful smile. “By the way, Researcher Ying, you seem to be the only one here who has ever talked to Captain Su.”

The conversation abruptly shifted to him, and Ying Xize looked up with a questioning glance.

Yu Qingyi blinked playfully, suddenly curious. “Didn’t you feel anything back then?”

Others, including Xiang Jiayan, also looked over.

Only Ying Xize seemed unaware of the implication behind the question; with a slight frown, memories of the man’s sharp gaze when he looked at him slowly resurfaced in his mind.

It was sharp, like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey.  

After a pause, he replied flatly, “This person is too ostentatious.”

That’s it?  

This was clearly not the response Yu Qingyi had anticipated.

After a brief moment of surprise, she seemed to understand something from his reply and shook her head in exasperation. “It seems enlightenment is indeed difficult.”

Since Ying Xize joined Team E, people had occasionally come to fawn over him, but his colleagues had stepped in to fend off those unwanted admirers.

Sometimes, people couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person would catch the eye of this genius young researcher; now, having finally encountered someone like Su Fengzhou, they expected a different kind of reaction.

Not only was it difficult to enlighten—it was practically hopeless!

Yu Qingyi often played the matchmaker for the diligent singles in the group; at this moment, she probably felt drained, quietly rubbing her temples.

Whether her words were meant to comfort Ying Xize or herself, she said, “Actually, it’s probably better to feel less. Whether it’s the Defence Force or the Investigation Department, those people face ‘incidents’ on the front lines every day; if one day they aren’t careful, they could disappear. If you truly care about someone, you’d only feel anxious, torturing yourself.”

Someone couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Beauty Yu, isn’t your He Jitong from the Defence Force?”

Yu Qingyi gave him a playful, half-scolding glare. “That’s why I’m the most qualified to speak on this!”

The others burst into laughter.  

The pleasant lunch quickly came to an end.  

As they were about to leave, Yu Qingyi quietly pulled Xiang Jiayan aside and teasingly blinked. “So, Assistant Xiang, does Researcher Ying’s reaction count as a good thing for you? Sometimes people overlook what’s right in front of them, but with your charm, if you put in a little more effort, there might still be hope. Don’t be discouraged!”

Xiang Jiayan had joined the Research Department alongside Ying Xize at that time.

His refined face was framed by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Though not quite as striking as Ying Xize, his handsome appearance was definitely enough to charm many young women.

Back then, no one understood why Ying Xize, at his age, had a personal assistant-level position. But over the next few months, he proved everyone wrong with his clearly impressive research results.

As for Xiang Jiayan, while all the other assistants from that time had been promoted one after another, he had stayed by Ying Xize’s side up until now.

Most people might not have noticed, but those little details didn’t escape Yu Qingyi’s sharp eyes. As an experienced matchmaker, she saw everything. Especially the way Xiang Jiayan kept looking longingly at Ying Xize—only one video clip of that, with some simple editing, and those would easily make a heartbreaking, unrequited love story.

One time, after a group dinner where he got drunk and Ying Xize wasn’t around, Xiang Jiayan almost confessed his feelings because of the alcohol.

However, at this moment, Xiang Jiayan appeared to be sober.  

With a clear mind, he calmly adjusted his glasses and hid the slight emotions flickering in his eyes. “Thanks for your concern, but between Researcher Ying and me, it’s really just a boss-and-subordinate relationship.”

Yu Qingyi couldn’t believe she had missed something so obvious. She looked at Xiang Jiayan, confused, searching his face for any sign of a crack. “Really?” 

Looking into her eyes, Xiang Jiayan gave a soft smile and repeated, “Big Beauty Yu, I really don’t have any romantic feelings for Researcher Ying, and there’s no chance that I ever will.”

–  

After lunch, Ying Xize had returned to his own laboratory.  

The chemical reactions happening in the container over the past few days had produced results. He took out a notebook to carefully write everything down and then calmly sat at the desk.

He stared at the unique substance that had crystallized in the vessel, but his mind kept drifting back to the night before.

All the emotions he had felt during the ‘devouring’ period flooded back into his mind, playing like a video on repeat.

The uneasy memories caused Ying Xize to frown faintly as he lightly tapped his pen on the paper.

Then, as usual, he meticulously recorded all the details he could capture throughout the process without any omissions.  

The notes filled three or four pages, densely packed with detailed information.

Just as he finished the last line, the ringtone of his phone broke the silence of the room.  

Ying Xize glanced at the familiar number that wasn’t stored in his contacts. “Hello?”  

“Hello, Mr. Ying Xize.” The female voice on the other end of the line was pleasant and respectful. “The day of the ‘appointment’ is only a few days away. As per usual, we are reminding you in advance. Please arrange your work schedule accordingly for the coming days. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Ying Xize replied, “Got it.”  

–  

“Researcher Ying is taking leave again on the 26th?” Everyone has been extremely busy these days dealing with the active samples. It wasn’t until Wang Zheng walked past Ying Xize’s lab and saw the door closed that he realized, “He really takes leave around this time every month!”

He glanced at Xiang Jiayan, who was also in the break room, and asked, “Is it another medical check-up? It’s so frequent—are you sure there’s nothing serious?”

Xiang Jiayan stirred his freshly brewed coffee and smiled at Wang Zheng. “It’s really nothing, just a routine check-up.”

“What kind of routine check-up takes that many days?” Wang Zheng still felt something was off. But seeing Xiang Jiayan so calm seemed to reassure him, so he finally scratched his head and said, “Anyway, if you ever have any troubles, don’t hesitate to speak up, alright?”

Xiang Jiayan chuckled. “You’re thinking too much.”  

Wang Zheng: “Of course, thinking too much is best.”  

After seeing Wang Zheng off, Xiang Jiayan paused mid-stir, his hand hovering over the coffee for a moment.

The warm smile on his face disappeared instantly as he glanced at the tightly closed door of Ying Xize’s laboratory. Lowering his gaze, he then walked into his assistant’s office.

From the 26th to the 29th, Ying Xize took a total of three days off.

Everyone in the Research Department was busy running their respective projects, and time passed silently by.  

By the time Ying Xize reappeared, it was already the night of the 29th.  

When he received Xiang Jiayan’s call, he was crossing the intersection opposite the Research Department. “Yeah, I’m back. I had a sudden idea and planned to check the lab… No, you don’t need to come find me; I’ll head back once I’m done. This short time won’t affect your task schedule.”

On the other end, Xiang Jiayan’s voice hesitated. “But you only got back; are you sure it’s okay to go to the lab in your condition…?”

Ying Xize cut him off coldly. “Of course. If you really can’t rest easy, Assistant Xiang, I won’t stop you from coming over.”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

A moment later, Xiang Jiayan spoke again, “If you feel unwell, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.”

“Got it.”  

Ying Xize hung up the phone, glanced at the iron railing of the Research Department, and swiped his employee ID at the entrance control.

With a beep, the door opened.  

At that moment, the familiar security guard peeked out from the duty room, his face lighting up as if seeing a family member. “Researcher Ying, working overtime? Just in time, someone from the Investigation Department stopped by, saying there’s an urgent issue that needs Team E’s attention. They’re insisting on waiting here for someone. I tried to contact Team Leader Chen, but I was unable to reach him. Could you help out?”

Ying Xize asked, “Where is the person?”  

The security guard pointed toward the lab. “Over there, still standing out in the cold wind!”

Ying Xize looked in that direction and then paused slightly.  

The Captain of the Seventh Squad, who was supposed to have gone to the Chen Mountain Caves a week ago, was now leaning against the main entrance of the experimental building.

—Dressed in black, he stood tall and slender.

The chill of the deep night clung to him, merging ominously with the surrounding darkness.

The sparks in his hand were still burning faintly.

A pile of cigarette butts littered the ground at his feet, revealing he had been waiting for quite some time.

The Sentinel’s keen senses clearly made Su Fengzhou aware of the activity at the door.

As he looked up, their gazes met.  

Then, Ying Xize noticed the slowly emerging, intriguing smile in Su Fengzhou’s eyes.

The next moment, Su Fengzhou strode swiftly in his direction.