It turned out that Morian's words were not empty.
Relying on Morian's identity card, Lu Mingming ascended to the fourth-floor VIP room she had never been to before. The path was filled with the fragrant aroma of stir-fried dishes.
Lu Mingming couldn't help but lean in to look through the transparent glass window—
The dishes were rich and diverse, with novel and creative ideas.
In her opinion, a chef who could stir-fry strawberries and potatoes together possessed incredible imagination, a fresh approach Lu Mingming had never anticipated.
The new product section also had pineapple stewed with tomatoes, deep-fried scallions…
Lu Mingming swallowed, not out of hunger, but to lament her own lack of creativity, which explained why she hadn't received a high evaluation from the old woman.
If one could create such perfect dishes, they could surely become a professional streamer!
With that thought, Lu Mingming tried to pick up a dish from the new product section and put it into a takeaway bowl, preparing to bring it back for Hong Yu.
She chose the unpretentious, lowest-priced vegetable meatballs.
It was said to be the newest, strangest dish, and no one dared to try it.
Lu Mingming glanced at the meat paste, dotted with tiny bits of green vegetables amidst the pinkish-red balls, finding them quite pleasing and worth considering.
She carried her food tray to a suitable spot. The researchers she passed greeted Morian respectfully.
When their gazes shifted to Lu Mingming, they gasped and looked away.
"Isn't that the one who came a few days ago…!"
"Yes, yes, I think they were sent by some team? I'm not very clear, but it's rare to see someone dining with Director Morian."
"Haven't Bai Yi and the others been going around like crazy lately, promoting that Director Morian has a girlfriend?"
"What are you thinking! Morian belongs to everyone, how can he be tied down by a mere intern!"
The hushed whispers of those around reached Lu Mingming's ears. She gritted her teeth internally: Bai Yi that guy, what nonsense had he spread again? She would definitely deal with him later!
Morian ignored them, found an empty seat, and gestured for Lu Mingming to sit down, then slowly began to eat.
As the saying goes, one doesn't speak while eating or sleeping. Moreover, in a sense, Morian was Lu Mingming's boss. If the boss didn't speak, how could an employee have a chance to?
Lu Mingming naturally remained silent, enjoying the quiet lunch.
After they finished eating, Morian elegantly wiped an imaginary smudge of oil from his lips with a napkin, "I have a meeting to attend later, you can come along."
She didn't find anything amiss and agreed.
As the two of them left, rumors continued to spread like wildfire throughout the research institute, almost everyone becoming aware of the matter concerning Lu Mingming and Morian.
After sitting quietly in the lounge area for a moment of peace, Lu Mingming automatically headed towards the conference room when the appointed time arrived, holding a stack of blank documents to create an impression.
An old man with graying temples sat imposingly at the head of the conference table, unceremoniously ordering the surrounding researchers to fetch him tea and water.
Bai Yi, being outspoken and unable to hide anything, couldn't conceal his disdain.
If he hadn't been restrained by the person next to him, he might have rushed forward to slap the old man.
Who could have angered this naturally foolish fellow to such an extent?
Lu Mingming shifted her gaze to the old man.
Who was this person?
Before Lu Mingming could figure it out, Morian, walking ahead, smiled and said, "Count Gudeffen, welcome to our research institute. What business do you wish to discuss today?"
Lu Mingming's heart skipped a beat as she stood in a corner of the conference room, subtly scrutinizing Gudeffen.
So this was the Count who was competing for the position of Alliance Leader with the heir to the Alliance!
This trip was completely worthwhile! Perhaps she could uncover some fresh information.
Lu Mingming recalled rumors from a few days ago that someone had mentioned Lu Yan and Gudeffen would both try to win over Morian, and seeing it now, it was indeed true.
Concealed among the researchers in her lab coat, she carefully moved closer to Morian, pretending to be his close confidant.
"What's your opinion? We've entered the white-hot stage. A certain brat controlled by a genetic disease has lost momentum. It's clearly more correct to join our side!"
Gudeffen stated his purpose directly.
He had come this time to win over the research institute!
The institute's high technology and the numerous factions choosing to observe could play a decisive role.
"Well…"
Morian skirted around the issue, refusing to respond directly.
"Both of you are excellent teams, it's difficult for me to choose. I've been researching a new technology lately, almost investing all my energy…"
Morian changed the subject without any hesitation. Just when Gudeffen became impatient, he would return to the main topic.
As if holding an invisible thread, one end connected to Gudeffen's thoughts, causing the latter to receive useless information over the course of time.
Gudeffen waited, enduring his suppressed anger and frustration, his fingers continuously tapping out crisp sounds on the metal tabletop, echoing incessantly in the room, truly unsettling.
Morian finally stopped speaking, glanced at the time on his wrist-worn optical device, and stroked his intricately framed glasses, apologizing profusely:
"I'm sorry, I got carried away when talking about research. Do you have anything else? It's time for me to conduct my next experiment, and we only have five minutes left of our scheduled 30-minute meeting."
So impressive.
Lu Mingming inwardly exclaimed.
Once she possessed this skill of speaking falsehoods with a straight face and playing push-and-pull, she would have no problem gaining a high position in the main planet.
Seeing the time about to run out, Gudeffen could no longer sit still. He slammed his aged hands on the table, the heavy sound making Lu Mingming feel as if her palms were aching in sympathy.
"I want you to immediately join my team and serve me, to overthrow the rule of low-level races like the Orlanals!"
Gudeffen's voice was deafening. The researchers outside peered through the glass to investigate the situation.
Morian's expression remained unchanged, "What benefit would this bring me? You are still in a phase of mutual restraint. My easy addition would only bring some technological resources."
"Oranal's strength has not been fully revealed. If he discovers the research institute has joined my side, he will undoubtedly be thrown into a panic, leading to mistakes, which would greatly benefit me!"
Gudeffen was anxious.
Originally, in his mind, this should have been a perfectly won victory.
"Please allow me to consider it carefully."
Morian's face was full of sincerity.
"Don't worry, I haven't given Lu Yan a definitive answer either."
Ultimately, it was still a result of mutual checks and balances, a wasted trip!
Gudeffen snorted and left.
"Then, I'll leave?"
Lu Mingming asked tentatively.
Although she didn't hear any conclusion from the conversation, she could go back and report to her boss, which would demonstrate her diligence as a spy and facilitate her escape!
That's right, she was planning her escape.
Ever since Hong Yu's unexpected appearance the day before yesterday, Lu Mingming had begun to slowly choose and plan the path she would take in the future. Leaving Xingluo Qibu's control and the research institute's jurisdiction was only a matter of time.
Currently, Lu Mingming had discovered no less than three secret passages in hidden areas. Unfortunately, she hadn't obtained the corresponding unlock codes yet. She would ask Morian about them later when they became more familiar.
"Go back, I need to do an experiment."
Once permitted, Lu Mingming immediately returned to her residence and arranged the meals she had brought back for Hong Yu on the small round table.
While the little cub was eating, she excitedly opened her optical device and clicked on "Lu Yan's" name to broadcast.
About a minute later, a connection sound came from the other side.
Lu Yan was standing with his back against a white wall, dressed in formal attire as usual, seemingly busy with something.
Lu Mingming: "Did I disturb you?"
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, I have a meeting to attend."
"Oh, oh."
Lu Mingming responded and shared her major discovery of the day.
"Count Gudeffen came to the research institute for a meeting with Director Morian! Besides that, I've tried to gather information about Oranal in the research institute these past few days, but they all seem unaware."
"It's fine."
Lu Yan ended the conversation with two brief words.
"Anything else?"
"No."
Lu Mingming replied dryly.
This useless information was neither nutritious nor worth discarding; it was purely to prove her hard work.
"Then I won't disturb you any longer, bye."
The moment the optical device went black, Lu Yan raised his hand and loosened the tie around his neck.
On the conference table directly in front of him, Morian propped his chin up, his eyes narrowed into a smile, "Quite diligent. The meeting just ended five minutes ago."
Yi Fu leaned casually back in the massage chair, speechless, "Oranal and Knightwin will be back together in a few days. Let's see how you two act then."