Chapter 365: The Research Institute’s Welcome

The monster had a long segmented body like bamboo.

It had no legs or feet but its head resembled that of a horse.

Its body was as thick as a water bucket slithering silently across the lawn. The air around it distorted slightly from time to time like some strange aquatic creature moving slowly through clear water creating ripples.

It seemed to be patrolling.

Lu Xin had dealt with quite a few pollution incidents already.

But he rarely saw a mental monster this clear this real and this stable.

Based on his experience he could even guess the approximate psychic magnitude of this mental monster.

…At least ten thousand!

A mental monster with a psychic magnitude reaching or exceeding ten thousand would cause immense chaos wherever it went.

But outside the Second Main City it was actually a guard?

…

The vehicle drove straight into the Second Main City and continued onward. Along the roadside elegant coffee shops and clean supermarkets could be seen. Nearly every intersection featured beautiful fountains and white statues some clothed some not.

Clean neat and orderly. This was Lu Xin’s most direct impression of the Second City.

These novel sights captivated Lu Xin so much he couldn’t look away.

The vehicle didn’t stop until it reached an iron-barred main gate. Only then did they get out.

This place didn’t look particularly different from anywhere else featuring clean walls and attractive buildings.

A straight bluestone path extended inward flanked by a freshly green lawn.

Soldiers guarding the main gate approached. Xia Chong presented a white transparent crystal card. After inspecting it the soldier opened the gate.

Seeing that they had truly arrived at the entrance of the legendary Research Institute Chen Jing’s expression became somewhat unnatural.

“We just got in like that?”

Her tone held a measure of surprise.

Xia Chong glanced at her and said “Entering the Research Institute has never been difficult even for those with ill intentions. However those people need to consider how to leave the Institute after getting in or where they’ll be buried.”

Chen Jing paused slightly and looked at Lu Xin.

Seeing Lu Xin’s equally calm face she took a deep breath. Her expression quickly became composed again self-assured and confident.

The inside of the Research Institute was spacious and had a unique atmosphere.

People walked around carrying books some sat beneath the large building tinkering with flasks while others ate egg-filled crepes nearby. A few chubby figures ran happily on the lawn occasionally shouting “Nice shot!”

“How can that be a nice shot when it’s off by ninety degrees?”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but mutter.

Just then someone took a powerful shot sending the ball flying more than ninety degrees off course toward Lu Xin and the others.

Without much thought Lu Xin kicked out.

The ball traced a beautiful arc under his foot grazing the top right corner of the goal as it went in.

“Can I kick this well just by borrowing a little of Sister’s ability?”

Lu Xin himself was a bit surprised his mood instantly improving.

Xia Chong reminded him expressionlessly “These soccer players are all elites from the Research Institute. Maybe one day they’ll be assigned to your city’s Special Cleaning Department becoming your superior or exclusive doctor. If you offend any one of them you’d better watch out if you get injured someday and suddenly find him holding a scalpel staring vengefully at your wound. And you just…”

She paused before adding “Offended seven or eight of them with one kick!”

Lu Xin froze for a moment. Looking back he saw seven or eight gloomy faces on the lawn staring at him.

“Mr. Lone Soldier…”

Chen Jing stepped forward placing a hand on Lu Xin’s shoulder.

Lu Xin said “Could you please not call me that name?”

Chen Jing caught on raising her voice slightly “Let’s go Gecko.”

Lu Xin immediately relaxed and walked forward quickly.

Behind him several unhappy-looking researchers nodded silently committing the name ‘Gecko’ to memory.

…

They crossed the lawn and arrived in front of the large building they had seen from the helicopter earlier.

Then Xia Chong registered them and led them inside swiping a card.

By now Chen Jing had become very calm seemingly unconcerned about what Lu Xin was here to discuss. She paused briefly under the building appearing to admire it before asking “Was it from this building that the genius researcher jumped back then?”

Xia Chong nodded and said “I heard that the door to the rooftop has been locked ever since.”

They entered the elevator and went straight to the thirty-first floor. Then Xia Chong led them into a spacious meeting room.

“I’ll go ask first. Please wait here for a moment.”

Xia Chong said to Chen Jing and Lu Xin before pulling open the door and leaving.

“Does the wound hurt a lot?”

Seeing Chen Jing press lightly on her lower abdomen and frown slightly as she sat down Lu Xin asked with concern.

Chen Jing glanced at him “It’s fine. I can make myself not feel the pain.”

“Not feeling the pain doesn’t mean the wound isn’t there…”

Lu Xin was still concerned. Looking around he got up went to the water dispenser and poured her a cup of water.

…

Chen Jing looked at Lu Xin with some surprise.

She had heard Professor Bai say something similar once before.

However Professor Bai and Lu Xin were naturally different. He had said it based on the actual situation also as a reminder to her. But Lu Xin said it naturally out of concern… More importantly Chen Jing vaguely sensed something previously unnoticed about Lu Xin as he spoke those words. Something seemed different.

After taking the cup of water she remained silent for a moment then looked at Lu Xin and asked “Was your family visit very successful?”

Lu Xin nodded revealing neat teeth “Yes.”

Chen Jing looked thoughtful suddenly realizing what had been added to Lu Xin.

Confidence.

The previous Lu Xin although a person with a good personality always seemed to have some bewilderment in his eyes and possessed a gloomy aura.

Now that aura was still present but it gave off a feeling of clarity.

This piqued a certain curiosity in her.

Not out of duty but from her own heart she asked “What did you experience during this family visit?”

“I remembered some things.”

Lu Xin smiled at her “Not much but enough to know what I need to do.”

Chen Jing immediately tensed slightly “Do what?”

Lu Xin paused then smiled “Of course find my other relatives and help them as much as I can…”

Chen Jing let out a slight sigh of relief: Thank goodness it wasn’t destroying the world.

Wait.

She suddenly realized that although Lu Xin called it a family visit this time too the disturbance he caused wasn’t small at all…

Just as she was thinking this Xia Chong suddenly pushed the door open.

She was already holding a stack of files. She addressed Chen Jing “When we joined forces before I said I would share information with you. Unexpectedly the Research Institute strongly supported my decision and the Special Cleaning Department also approved it quickly. So now I will explain some classified information about this incident to you. It not only concerns the Black Table’s experiment this time but might also involve other matters.”

She paused then said “Some things that might require subsequent cooperation.”

Chen Jing looked at her expression realizing this could be an important information sharing session.

She glanced at Lu Xin and nodded.

“Someone else will be responsible for his matter.”

Xia Chong said looking at Lu Xin “She is in Office 3106. You can go over now.”

Lu Xin nodded and stood up.

Chen Jing grew nervous and stood up as well unsure what she was worried about at this moment. Her face looked very pale. In front of Xia Chong she couldn’t say it explicitly just remained silent for a moment then told Lu Xin “Be careful. You can tell us if anything happens.”

Lu Xin smiled nodded and said “Okay.”

…

Lu Xin wasn’t entirely sure why the Research Institute agreed to see him so quickly or even why they wanted to see him separately from Chen Jing. He could also see what Chen Jing was worried about but he felt calm his steps light.

After all he only wanted to meet the people from the Research Institute to ask some questions and clear up his doubts.

For instance the Old Director of the orphanage was actually from the Research Institute. So were there people in this Institute now who knew him? Or perhaps were the events that happened at the orphanage back then related to the Institute?

Regarding the matters he cared most about could someone in this Research Institute give him some answers?

As for why the Research Institute wanted to see him well he could just ask them face-to-face.

He hadn’t broken any laws or committed any crimes. Even if they were the Research Institute they couldn’t just bully people…

Everyone should be reasonable!

…

Mulling over these questions his steps remained quick.

He arrived in front of Office 3106 gazing at the closed alloy door. No one knew what was behind it.

Lu Xin stopped his steps pondered for a moment and knocked politely on the door.

“Come in…”

A cold female voice sounded from inside.

Lu Xin took a deep breath pushed the door open and scanned the office with a lowered gaze then froze.

He didn’t see any dark muzzles or a row of people with ill intentions. He only saw this very stylishly decorated office with drawn curtains and soft lighting. Opposite him was a desk and to the left of the desk near the curtains was an open wardrobe. Right then a woman was standing beside the wardrobe her fair beautiful back facing him.

Her hands were reaching behind her back. She turned her head to glance at Lu Xin. She wore heavy makeup with a strong visual impact. Her features were delicate her figure graceful. Just one look made you feel as if her eyes held hooks…

“Close the door…”

She spoke softly her voice slightly husky yet possessing a distinct feminine charm.

“You came just in time…”

She smiled assessing Lu Xin for a moment then said “Come here help me with the zipper.”