Chapter 12: He Regrets It
But…
Flashes of the strict male-female matching system he had always observed, the genetic craving for pheromones that every male experienced during estrus, and the “socially compatible” family upbringing he had received for so many years flickered through his mind.
They made him shrink back.
For the first time, he felt his emotions in such disarray. It was as if he had encountered a glamorous and beautiful Phoenix Tail flower growing on a precipitous cliff; he knew clearly that plucking it was dangerousâthat the slightest lapse in concentration would send him plummeting into a bottomless abyssâyet he still couldn’t resist the temptation. He wanted to give everything to possess it.
He shouldn’t be like this!
He should be clear-headed, rational, and steady, just as he usually was.
He reached his workplace.
Su Miantang also came to a stop. Looking up at the capital letters “CAOS” emblazoned on the skyscraper that pierced the clouds, she revealed a gratified smile.
—The Central Empire National Academy of Sciences.
She had guessed right; it really was here!
She had run the whole way and was panting, her throat parched. Wanting to find a place to drink some water, she spotted an automated ice cream vending shop nearby and dove inside.
The Academy of Sciences strictly prohibited all outsiders from entering. Once he went inside, he really would never see her again.
Because of this realization, Lu Sili, who had been struggling with his inner demons the entire way, finally surrendered. He turned around in self-abandonment, only to see… the space behind him was empty. There wasn’t a trace of the little female who had been there just a moment ago.
She had left.
It made sense.
Anyone would be disheartened after being chased by a cold-faced male under the scorching sun without receiving a single response. Moreover, she was a femaleâa startlingly beautiful one at that. Usually, countless people would be falling over themselves to flatter her; it was impossible for them to be as dismissive as he had been.
His clenched fists tightened further, until his knuckles turned pale.
She must absolutely loathe him nowâthis cold, snobbish, and heartless male. Even he loathed himself. He loathed the rigid system in his heart that he couldn’t break through, the inescapable craving for pheromones in his genes, and most of all, his own character that constantly hesitated and weighed pros against cons…
He stood on the steps for a long time, so long that the sun began to set. The staff members passing by after work watched him with trepidation. What was wrong with the Dean? Why did he look so lost and haggard?
Su Miantang walked into the shop and bought a hazelnut chocolate ice cream. After just a few bites, she noticed the shop was becoming increasingly crowdedâso much so that the vending machines were being emptied.
Were they all from the Academy of Sciences?
Was it already time to get off work at four-thirty?
She looked over curiously and indeed saw Phoenix Tail badges on their chests, but these were white and smaller in size, differing from the deep crimson one that man had worn.
The moment work ended, Lin Xuan rushed from his post. Passing the automated ice cream shop, he felt a bit confused by the swarming crowd.
Business at this shop was usually quiet; why were there so many people today? Was there some kind of commotion? He leaned in and was caught off guard by the sight of a soul-stirringly beautiful little female. Excited, he immediately imitated the other males, pretentiously buying an ice cream so he could stand there and steal glances at her while he ate.
One glance, two glances, three glances… Just as he was about to peek again, his gaze unexpectedly collided with hers. Ashamed, he was just about to apologize.
To his surprise, the beautiful little female actually smiled at him? Not only did she smile, but she also walked over!
Heavens!
He was so startled he dropped his ice cream scoop, and his face turned incredibly red.
“Hello, may I ask if you are an employee of the Academy of Sciences?”
“Y-Yes, yes!”
He was stuttering uncontrollably. It took several tries before he could straighten his tongue.
“Environmental Management Department, intern, Lin Xuan.”
“My name is Su Miantang. I’m very interested in your Academy. May I go inside for a tour?”
“This…”
If she had any other request, he would have agreed instantly!
But at the Academy, the Dean strictly forbade any unauthorized personnel from entering.
“Is it not allowed?”
Su Miantang arched her brow, her eyes full of expectant light. Lin Xuan couldn’t bear to let her down, so he gritted his teeth and nodded heavily. “It’s allowed! Of course it’s allowed!”
Who could refuse the request of such a beautiful female?
He certainly couldn’t. He would find a way to bring her in even if it killed him!
“But work is already over for today and many offices are closed. How about I take you to see it tomorrow instead?”
“Great!”
“Then tomorrow…”
Lin Xuan was just about to discuss the time and location for their meeting tomorrow when he saw her pull out her optical computer. “Let’s add each other as friends and stay in touch.”
“Friends? O-Okay, okay!”
He was overjoyed.
The surrounding crowd of males all cast looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred. Out of so many people, why was he chosen? Was it just because he was a “pretty boy”?
“Thank you. See you tomorrow.”
Su Miantang smiled and waved at him. Lin Xuan also raised his hand, staring blankly at her as he waved back repeatedly.
After adding her on the optical computer, his whole head felt dizzy. He grinned like he had been drinking moonshine, a state that lasted until nightfall.
He suffered from insomniaâout of pure happiness.
He never expected that as an ordinary Grade B male, he would one day be approached by such a beautiful female. It was practically a miracle.
At the same time, in another corner of the city, inside a pitch-black villa halfway up Pine Ridge, someone else was also suffering from insomnia.
From the moment he turned around and couldn’t see the little female’s figure, Lu Sili began to regret. His head was full of her voice and smile. He tossed and turned late into the night, unable to sleep.
He wanted to apologize to her, only to realize he knew nothing about her: not her address, her optical computer number, her age, or even her name. He took the liberty of calling the group of females who had been in the park during the day, but they didn’t know her either.
She was like a brilliant meteor that had lit up his dull and lonely sky for over twenty years, only to vanish in an instant because of his hesitation, leaving him unable to even catch her tail.
He was filled with regret!
The next day.
National Academy of Sciences, Materials and Manufacturing Department.
“…This project requires researchers to independently carry out the structural design, modification, and degradation principles of biodegradable materials. Dean, what do you think?”
“Dean? Dean?”
A group of researchers was reporting their work, only to find the man in front of them was dazed.
This was already the third time today.
They looked at each other, deeply confused.
The Dean was a top-tier S-grade male. His energy was usually very robust and his temperament stable and gentle, unlike now, with dark circles under his eyes and an irritable aura surrounding him, as if he hadn’t slept all night.
“Dean, are you alright?”
“Dean, do you need to take a break?”
“It’s nothing.”
Lu Sili snapped back to reality and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was just…
“Continue.”
“Alright!”
“Where is this?”
“This is the Materials and Manufacturing Department, responsible for formulating production plans, stockpiling warehouse materials, material reception, and so on.”
Suddenly, a familiar, pleasant voice drifted over. Lu Sili looked up reflexively and saw the figure of the little female he had been missing so dearly appear outside the window. His dark purple pupils widened slightly.
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