Shut Up, Lu Cheng

"Do you have any intelligence you want to gather? If there's an opportunity, I'd like to exchange information for the Qi Family's help in an investigation."

Exchanging intelligence for intelligence was one of the reasons why Yin Qingran suggested starting the Superpower Affairs Office.

Yin Qingran greatly admired the Qi Family's intelligence network, but unfortunately she didn't have any bargaining chips to exchange.

"...No."

Qi Yuan was almost choked: "Is there anything else?"

Yin Qingran felt a little regretful, but not disappointed.

For things that even the Qi Family's intelligence network couldn't investigate, even if she knew about them, she might not be able to find out.

At first, Gao Changze shook his head like Ji Jia, then he seemed to remember something and added.

"Oh, we didn't use your name to advertise or deceive, you can rest assured on that."

Qi Yuan didn't really mind, since it was all under his name anyway.

Whether or not they used his name, it was only a matter of how many people knew about it.

If they didn't perform well, he could just kick them off the team without issue.

If they were so incompetent, they might as well give up.

He raised the teacup in his hand, about to take a sip.

Seeing his reflection in the cup, Qi Yuan felt a bit dazed.

He had the feeling... that he had just acted like an exploitative leader.

Fire everyone who didn't do well.

Was it just an illusion...?

He didn't even pay them wages...

And what kind of leader would wish for the company's downfall every day...

...

In a certain research institute in Jidu,

A researcher put down the testing equipment in his hands, chatting and laughing with his companions as they walked towards the break room.

"This fusion realm is truly incredible, producing so many superpower items."

"Indeed, it's very rare. But even rarer is that the person who first explored the realm didn't take anything."

One of his companions agreed.

Although on the surface, everything from within the realm had to be handed over to the state for distribution, who could really distinguish personal belongings from items produced within the realm?

"Well, take a look at who it was that first explored it," the speaker said smugly. "Qi Yuan comes from a prominent family. Would he care about these small items? If he doesn't take them, who dares to?"

"Lv Cheng, are you so proud to be associated with the Qi Family?" A large hand landed on the back of his head. Lv Cheng turned to see it was his senior apprentice brother.

The old master had said he was too reckless and always getting into trouble, so after this training, he had to stay at his senior's research institute for a few days.

In a few days, the old master would also come from Shen City.

"Of course, even when Qi Yuan was hiding his identity, I recognized his talent at first sight," Lv Cheng said, rubbing the back of his head with a grimace, yet his expression was somehow still exaggeratedly dramatic. His weird posture made him look rather mischievous.

This clownish behavior made his senior want to punch him again.

"You're the one with the problem, Master. How could he have any problems?" Lv Cheng's senior sneered, "Isn't that what a scammer would say?"

The apt imitation of his tone immediately reminded Lv Cheng of the time he tried to scam someone but ended up being scammed instead.

Mentioning that embarrassing incident, Lv Cheng's expression soured. "Were you on the other end of the phone too?"

"Yes."

Seeing an opportunity, Lv Cheng's senior decided not to dwell on that embarrassing history any further - bringing it up too much would only make Lv Cheng immune to the shame.

After the playful banter between the master and apprentice ended, others gathered around them.

"You know Qi Yuan?"

"Wow, you've been keeping a low profile."

"Tell us about it."

"Yeah, we sisters want to hear too."

Although Lv Cheng had only been there for a few days, the people at the research institute had quickly become close with him.

This group wasn't just horsing around and slapping Lv Cheng's head.

In the blink of an eye, Lv Cheng was surrounded by a bunch of big guys.

"Hey, hey, don't touch your dad's head," Lv Cheng complained, but was immediately hit on the back of the head again in the commotion.

"Who are you calling dad?" The conversation went off on a tangent as Lv Cheng joked and laughed with everyone.

Being able to joke around like this was the reason why he could get along with people so easily anywhere he went.

After the playful banter ended, Lv Cheng's senior finally spoke in an unhurried tone.

"Qi Yuan is coming here today."

Lv Cheng, who had almost been scalped, glared at him angrily.

He should have said that earlier, then Lv Cheng wouldn't have changed the subject.

This guy definitely did it on purpose.

However, this was his senior's territory, so Lv Cheng had to hold back for now.

"What time...?"

There was a commotion outside, and Lv Cheng had to stop and look towards the source of the noise.

Some things are hard to avoid - speak of the devil, and the devil arrives.

Qi Yuan took off his mask and was allowed entry after confirming his identity.

His face had such a strong presence that many people looked over at him, discussing it openly or in hushed tones.

"It's really him."

"He looks even more handsome than in the videos."

"Why did he come to our research institute?"

Qi Yuan had long built up an immunity to such reactions.

Like some big bosses hearing their employees complaining behind their backs, he pretended not to hear what he was supposed to pretend not to hear.

"Qi Yuan, over here!" Qi Yuan saw the long unseen Lv Cheng, who had turned a shade darker.

To be honest, if not for his familiar social butterfly behavior that bordered on being socially inept, Qi Yuan might not have recognized him.

Lv Cheng had practically turned into a salted duck egg, so being able to recognize him was a miracle in itself.

"Why did you get so dark?"

Did his teacher make him go mine coal? Or carry bricks?

Qi Yuan thought that since they were both from Shen City University, he would have had some interactions with Lv Cheng before graduating.

But from the start of his studies until graduation, he never saw Lv Cheng once.

Lv Cheng had wanted to give him a bear hug to express his joy at their reunion, but in the end he just swatted at the empty air like a fly.

It had only been a few months since they last saw each other, but Qi Yuan's aura had grown much stronger, making Lv Cheng feel a bit unsettled.

Previously, Lv Cheng had even complained to Xue Shiyun that no matter how much Qi Yuan tried to act like a weakling, no one would believe it, so why bother?

Now he realized he had been wrong to blame Qi Yuan.

He really had been acting.

It's just that his level was too high - no matter how much he downplayed it, he was still stronger than their group of novices.

"That old geezer said I was too terrible, so he kicked me into training," Lv Cheng explained. By the time he returned, Qi Yuan had already graduated.

His status as Lv Cheng's senior had only lasted a few months.

Seeing his senior apprentice brother making gestures at him, Lv Cheng suggested to Qi Yuan, "Let's talk on the way."

"You guys go ahead with your work, I'll take them."

Since the people at the research institute all had a lot of work to do, the initial commotion died down after they had seen their fill. Hearing Lv Cheng's senior's suggestion, they left tactfully.

Meeting an acquaintance was unexpected, but Qi Yuan's purpose in coming to the research institute was to figure out what he was lacking in his exploration, so he could improve next time.

Information equaled strength.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Lv Cheng began introducing Qi Yuan to the discoveries from this fusion realm.

"These are the superpower items we found on the moon, many of which are suitable for assembly as components."

Qi Yuan's heart sank as he looked through the glass.

He had seen quite a few of these items before, but he completely failed to recognize them.

With his level of appraising treasures, what business did he have dreaming of finding valuable items?

Unaware of this, Lv Cheng continued rubbing salt in the wound.

"I heard you were the first to explore this fusion realm. With so many powerful items, it's no wonder you didn't take any interest in them!"

He spoke enthusiastically, introducing the various items' functions to Qi Yuan one by one.

He even mentioned that if these superpower items were taken to the Superpower Item Research Institute for assembly, they could create even more powerful items.

"They have an assembly department there, and the director's superpower is combination. With these superpower items in his hands, he can bring out even greater effects."

Qi Yuan stared at him with a blank, dead-fish expression.

"..."

If he could, he wanted to make Lv Cheng shut up.