Chapter 1234: Meeting a Researcher

Wei Lingnan simply looked at her. “You know, I can’t possibly let you go.”

The genes of the Skatana species had already been activated inside her, and they were now at war with the human genes for control. The outside world was too dangerous for her now, and any slip up could cost her her life. Wei Lingnan couldn’t take such a risk.

Xia Yingluo looked down and attempted to conceal her disappointment.

He did all he could to brainwash her, getting her to believe everything about the Skatana planet, and yet he wouldn’t even give her a chance to verify it. Yes, this underground base was very high-tech, more so than any sophisticated technology she’d witnessed before. But technology was technology at best, it was something achievable by the human race. She was still inclined to believe that he was a genius—it was only a fine line between a genius and a lunatic, and maybe he’d suffered a blow before, causing him to hallucinate these non-existent beings.

The breeze swept by the lake.

She was slouched in the soft chair, looking towards the lake. “The Skatana species are strange creatures, are you able to transform? Into that sort of physical appearance?”

He asked, “Do you wish to see?”

Xia Yingluo turned away, but her eyes had clearly said: “show me”.

Wei Lingnan smiled. “Don’t go too far, Ah Luo. Earth isn’t our hometown, every day we spend here is an expense of our energy, we can’t replenish it here. It’s too much of a waste to turn into our form, and it’ll pose danger to both of us.”

Well, that probably means he can’t transform, Xia Yingluo thought.

Loopholes began emerging the moment it concerned realistic issues.

But she did not expose him. “I’m tired, I want to be alone for a while. Wei Lingnan, whatever you’ve told me is simply incredible and unbelievable, I need some time to process it, alright?” She did not want to put herself against him. If she still wanted a chance to escape this cell, she’d need him to let his guard down. As such, it was a better idea to be nicer to him.

Wei Lingnan smiled tenderly. “Alright.”

He brought her hand to his lips for a kiss before taking his leave.

As he walked off into the distance, Xia Yingluo finally heaved a huge sigh of relief. She had to plot this very very carefully if she wanted to get out as soon as possible.

She still had a dream that night.

The mysterious purple planet appeared intermittently, as with the vast, dry battleground and the bleeding creatures. She was suspended midair, like a spectator witnessing a spectacular show. In the silence, the tragedy and violence appeared all too fictional, and she appeared all too detached from the scene.

Wei Lingnan still asked her about her dreams very often.

Each time, she’d tell him that they were just repet.i.tive scenes and this disappointed him.

Xia Yingluo did not care that he was disappointed. She enjoyed applying exquisite makeup and wearing beautiful long dresses as she strolled by the lake.

It didn’t take long for someone to notice her.

“Hi.” Someone called out to her as she was taking her walk.

She turned around and saw a man in a researcher’s uniform standing under a tree, smiling at her. “h.e.l.lo,” she responded with a smile. Her etiquette training at home and in school was put to good use now, as her smile appeared elegant and harmless.

Seeing her friendly response, his smile was all the more pleasant now. “h.e.l.lo, I am Ouyang Ziyu, a researcher of Zone J208. How about you? I’ve never seen you around before.”

“I’m a family member of a new employee here, you can call me Xia Yingluo.”

“Family member of an employee?” Ouyang Ziyu repeated after her. Very naturally, he walked alongside her and they began strolling together by the lake. “Does your father work here? It makes sense. I mean, you’re too beautiful to be an employee here yourself.”

Xia Yingluo said, “No, it’s my husband.”

This was her background that Wei Lingnan had established. As much as she hated it, she had to accept this arrangement. This was the very least she could do to gain his trust.

Ouyang Ziyu was evidently disappointed by what she’d just said.

Xia Yingluo smiled indifferently. “Why, you don’t seem too happy?”

“Seeing such a beautiful lady and finding out that she already has someone else… how could I be happy?” Ouyang Ziyu felt that it was such a pity. “The Heavens aren’t fair at all. They sent me to work at this base, and I haven’t even found a girlfriend yet. In the future, I guess I can only have a relations.h.i.+p with a female researcher here.”

Xia Yingluo said, “You don’t seem to like female researchers?”

“Female researchers are all about the same, they’re so boring, I can’t take it.” Ouyang Ziyu placed his hands in his pockets and said nonchalantly. He looked at Xia Yingluo. “Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful? Yingluo—can I call you Yingluo? You seem so young, people might even think you’re still a minor. Why are you married so early?”

You’re right, I am a minor.

Xia Yingluo sighed in her heart. Only a pervert like Wei Lingnan would force a 16-year-old to claim she’s married. But she had to maintain the story he’d established. “I seem younger than I am.”

“Well, like all beauties.” Ouyang Ziyu smiled.

The two of them had a good talk and, as they finished walking one round around the lake, they set another date to meet for a stroll.

Xia Yingluo was satisfied with what she’d got that day. From the conversation, she managed to gather quite a bit of information, like how Ouyang Ziyu was an experienced employee here who knew the base very well, and how family members of the employees here had a window period every year to travel out of the place. Also, she found out that he was pretty fond of her, maybe this was something she could make good use of.

Hence, she walked by the lake every day from then on.

Gradually, this became a set activity for her and Ouyang Ziyu.

“I’ve never seen your husband,” Ouyang Ziyu said to her. “What’s he in charge of, is he very busy?”

“I’m not sure,” Xia Yingluo said a little shyly. “I don’t know anything about his job, and never found out. He often eats and sleeps in the laboratory, and hardly comes back.” In fact, Wei Lingnan went back every night, but it was always through a secret pa.s.sage that led straight to their little bungalow. He had mentioned that he was the Big Boss around here, and his ident.i.ty was too unique. It might cause a commotion if he showed his face, and that would be detrimental to her.

Ouyang Ziyu seemed to be full of respect. “Then he must be in a rather high post. I heard that they’re way busier than the ordinary employees like us and that their scope of work has to be kept confidential.”

Xia Yingluo smiled and played along.

She felt the need for confidentiality as well. After all, she wanted to live in peace, or relative peace, at least.