Before Jiang Chao could speak, Jiang Lai, who was devouring an egg pancake beside him, lifted his head to glance at the old man, then laughed and spoke.
"Hey, old man, why do you talk like this is your home? We have to work for our meals, what about you?"
"Hmph, Iāve invested in this place. Iām the biggest shareholder, so of course, itās my home. As for you, you were brought in because you have some usefulness."
Jiang Lai nodded thoughtfully, glanced at the guards holding guns at the door, and then shouted loudly.
"Since this is your turf, from now on, my brother and I must flatter you well!"
Jiang Laiās shout was heard by everyone, and for a moment, the old manās face turned a bit sour, his expression struggling to maintain the elegant smile he just had. He tugged a napkin, picked up his tray, and left, his steps seeming somewhat hurried and awkward.
"Hey, old man, where are you going? If this base is all yours, the ones who should leave should be us!"
The old man ignored her, picking up the pace.
"Death Value: +10."
Jiang Chao glanced helplessly at Jiang Lai.
"Just arrived and already making enemies, you little girl never give me peace of mind."
Jiang Lai raised her eyebrows helplessly; she was safe now, not like outside where death could happen anytime, so she could only find small opportunities to play with danger.
Currently, her Death Value was over three thousand seven hundred, still far from the target.
"Tsk, this old man wonāt do."
After eating, Yan Zhouxing was so full he could barely walk, if it wasnāt strictly prohibited to take food out of the cafeteria, he would have taken all the leftover bread to keep for a midnight snack.
Just out of the cafeteria, Jiang Lai naturally pulled out a box stuffed full from her pocket, weighing heavily in her hand.
Yan Zhouxing saw it and praised repeatedly.
"Why didnāt I think of this method!"
Jiang Chao saw her secretly bringing out food and asked with concern.
"Didnāt you eat enough earlier?"
"Iām stuffed. This is for Lin Yan, who knows where heās gone off to; heāll complain about being hungry if he skips dinner."
This tone, this demeanor, these words...
Yan Zhouxing silently glanced at Jiang Chao, nudging him with his elbow, his expression conveying everything.
Back in the room, Lin Yan was not there, and Yan Zhouxing slipped next to Jiang Chao, who was exercising, and worriedly mumbled.
"Do you think our little Jiang Lai is a bit too good to Lin Yan?"
There are fitness equipment in the room, Jiang Chao was doing pull-ups, his bare arms flexing with strong muscles, yet his voice remained steady.
"Is she?"
"Donāt deceive yourself, your sister definitely likes him! Day after day, finding food and drink for him, nursing him when injured, watching over him when he has a fever; donāt you know, while we were uncertain of life in the abyss, your sister was busy rescuing that boy.
Now weāve reached the base, and sheās still concerned he hasnāt had dinner. Does she remember when you havenāt eaten?"
Jiang Chaoās expression changed, he let go of the bar and jumped down, wiping sweat with a towel, his tone a bit dissatisfied.
"That girl is indeed acting strange, but what can I do, sheās grown..."
If only mom were here, how could he, as a brother, talk about emotional issues with his sister?
"Master, I feel that Lin Yan isnāt someone worth trusting; too fragile, no ability, and most importantly, indifferent towards Jiang Lai, so proud yet so delicate, always needing Jiang Lai to support and protect him."
Jiang Chao thought he made some good points.
"Anyway, we now have Little Eight; heās not much of a doctor anymore, letās leave him behind during our operations, this base is safe, bringing him here we have done enough."
"Hmm, I understand, Iāll clarify it with him tonight."
But Lin Yan never returned all night.
The food Jiang Lai had for him ended up in Yan Zhouxingās stomach.
The next morning Jiang Chao asked Jiang Lai.
"Where did Lin Yan go last night?"
"Didnāt return? How should I know?"
Jiang Chao heard her say that and was relieved, his imagination had run wild thinking the boy was up to something, sneaking into his sisterās room at night.
Itās good he didnāt come back, as long as heās not in Jiang Laiās room, he can go anywhere.
"He didnāt come back all night?"
Jiang Lai was somewhat worried, fearing he might die outside.
This scene changed in Jiang Chaoās eyes, giving it a different taste.
He frowned, his gaze heavy, hesitated for a moment before about to ask something but then Lin Yan, who hadnāt been back all night, suddenly returned.
Jiang Lai directly ignored her brother and walked up to him.
"Where did you go?"
"Sleeping, just woke up."
"Where did you sleep last night?"
This question was odd, Jiang Chao held his breath, staring at Lin Yan, who did not feel awkward at all and replied earnestly to Jiang Lai.
"I found Andre and got a room switch."
"Andre? Is it the Andre I know?"
Lin Yan nodded.
Jiang Chao couldnāt hold back and asked.
"You knew Andre before?"
"He knows me, I donāt know him."
"..."
Jiang Chao kept staring at him.
"Why does he know you?"
Just a research institute member, why does he act so impressive?
Lin Yan shook his head.
"You should ask him, not me."
Jiang Lai pulled him aside to ask.
"What did you talk about with Andre last night?"
Lin Yan watched her grip his wrist, didnāt say much, letting her hold it.
"Not much to talk about, showed him something he needed."
"Wow, youāre impressive! The big boss of Zero Base needs you, great, now someoneās got your back, theyāll have all the fresh proteins and vitamins you need here, plus itās safe and comfortable, you just follow Andre obediently."
Instantly Jiang Lai felt the burden on her shoulders lighten considerably, her spirits lifted significantly.
Andre in the entire plot can be said to be the highest leader, in the end, the female lead Gu Han Yan was nearly becoming the Master of the Apocalypse, only because she defeated Andre, replacing him to become the chief of Zero Base.
This shows Andreās strength, capable of effortlessly protecting someone like Lin Yan.
Jiang Lai spoke with such ease, completely unaware of Lin Yanās increasingly deep, cold light in his eyes.
He stared at Jiang Lai, voice unchanged but his tone carried a peculiar meaning.
"You want to leave me with Andre?"
"Such harsh words, what do you mean by leave? Itās called entrustment! With him, youāll have a better life, can continue your research, I believe in you, with his help youāll surely develop the cure to save mankind!"
Lin Yan chuckled lightly, the smile not reaching his eyes, cold and icy.
"Save mankind?"