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墨書 Inktalez
“Ding~”
The sound of the phone ringing broke the morning silence. Yan Qing rubbed his eyes and glanced at the screen; it was seven o'clock.
With his short, jet-black hair slightly tousled, Yan Qing's high nose bridge complemented his lips, which were pressed together in a slight pout. Dressed in loose pajamas, he still carried a hint of sleepiness as he got out of bed.
He stifled a yawn and stepped out of his bedroom.
“You're awake! Would you like some soy milk?” The drowsiness evaporated instantly as Yan Qing's eyes widened at the sight of Jiang Ming in the living room, wearing an apron and holding fried dough sticks.
Jiang Ming was tall and lean, with neatly cropped black hair. His sharp eyebrows framed bright, deep-set eyes that sparkled with life. Beneath his high nose bridge, his thin lips curved into a subtle smile. The sight of him in an apron was somewhat odd yet oddly fitting, evoking an indescribable feeling.
“Did you… make this?” Yan Qing asked incredulously, glancing at the table laden with soy milk and fried dough sticks. Was it really possible for someone to wake up early enough to prepare breakfast?
Jiang Ming chuckled softly. “Yeah, I couldn't sleep. I have to go to work this morning, so I got up early to make breakfast. Want to try some?”
“Yes.”
A smile flickered in Yan Qing's eyes as he nodded at Jiang Ming.
After brushing his teeth, washing his face, and changing clothes, Yan Qing finished getting ready in just ten minutes.
He wore a simple white shirt paired with black trousers, which accentuated his tall figure.
As he sat down at the dining table, Yan Qing felt a bit dazed. Just a week ago, he had been the only one sitting here; now there was another person sharing the space with him.
No, it should have been a long time since he was alone.
"Try this, it's soy milk I made, with a bit of sugar added. It should suit your taste," Jiang Ming said softly as he pushed the soy milk and fried dough sticks towards Yan Qing.
"I added eggs to the fried dough sticks, something I learned from a food blogger. They should taste pretty good." The golden fried dough sticks glistened enticingly, making Yan Qing unable to resist grabbing one and taking a bite.
Perhaps it was too hot and he was too eager to eat; Yan Qing stuck out his pink tongue, his cheeks slightly flushed. "It's a bit hot, but it's really delicious."
Glancing at Jiang Ming, who smiled without showing his teeth, Yan Qing teased, "You're definitely the best cook among my friends. Whoever marries you won't have to worry about food."
"Is that so? Then I must find someone who loves eating my cooking in the future."
The two exchanged smiles. Yan Qing lowered his head and sipped the sweet soy milk, recalling what Jiang Ming had just said.
"You mentioned you have to go to work this morning. Which area is it in?"
"Jincheng District. It's pretty close; I can get there in ten minutes."
Yan Qing nodded. "That's great! I'm also in Jincheng District. You might be working near me. Feel free to reach out if you need anything."
"Sure, sounds good."
After finishing their meal, Yan Qing took the initiative to handle the dishwashing duties. When he glanced at the time and saw it was almost eight o'clock, he turned to Jiang Ming.
"I'm heading out now. Contact me if you need anything."
When he arrived at the Experimental Base, only a little over ten minutes had passed. Yan Qing had come early today. The day before, Lin Ran had given him a day off, but it wasn't really a vacation; he had just spent the day at home organizing the furniture he and Jiang Ming had bought.
After a long day of work, even after a full night's sleep, he still felt exhausted.
Yan Qing furrowed his brow slightly, reaching up to rub his sore shoulders and head. He took long strides into his laboratory, opened the freezer, and found that the reagents he had prepared were ready.
Looking at the transformation reagent in his hand, Yan Qing excitedly tightened his grip on the pink vial. After drawing the liquid into a syringe, he sealed it for storage and returned it to the freezer, locking it with a password once more.
"Yan Qing, we have a new team member today. We're short on personnel lately, and the higher-ups have requested that you participate in this A Level Exam with him," Lin Ran said as he waddled into the lab, patting his plump belly.
"Hey, where are you?"
Yan Qing stood up from where he had been crouching on the floor and glanced at Lin Ran. "What's going on? Isn't it usually A-level team members who train newcomers? And now this new guy is expected to take the A Level Exam with me right off the bat? What do you think those who failed before will think?"
Lin Ran chuckled and patted Yan Qing on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Don't be like that. You know that in a few months it's going to be New Year’s. The higher-ups are pushing for this. This person was specifically requested by them; it seems they’re confident he’ll pass."
He paused for a moment. "Besides, for the A Rank group exam, don’t you need three teammates? Who else in our area can join you besides that Drui Feng kid? Just do me a favor and take this newcomer along."
As Lin Ran leaned closer with his shiny face, Yan Qing's cold gaze flickered over to the small chubby hand resting on his shoulder.
"Uh... how about I give you a raise instead?" Realizing Yan Qing's displeasure, Lin Ran quickly withdrew his hand. "Think about it; Jiang Ming is rated S Level or above as an Ability User. He definitely won't hold you back."
"What did you say?" Hearing those familiar words made Yan Qing's pupils dilate slightly as he questioned loudly.
Feeling intimidated by Yan Qing's stare, Lin Ran remembered that he was supposed to be his superior. He straightened his collar and stood up straight, pointing toward the lab door. "Come in, Comrade Jiang Ming."
A tall and slender figure clad in black approached Lin Ran and Yan Qing, exuding an extraordinary charm. Jiang Ming smiled as he extended a hand, saying, "Hello, I am Jiang Ming, an Ability User."
Yan Qing stared at the prominent knuckles of the hand before him, momentarily taken aback. Then, with a hint of skepticism in his voice, he asked, "You are an Ability User?"
"Yes, I apologize for not mentioning it earlier; it was because..."
Yan Qing did not shake his hand. Jiang Ming awkwardly attempted to retract his hand, but Lin Ran, sensing the tension between them, quickly intervened.
He grasped Jiang Ming's outstretched hand with enthusiasm. "Hello, welcome to our team! Oh, so you and Yan are already acquainted? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would have arranged for you two to meet sooner!"
Yan Qing cast a cold glance at Jiang Ming, his demeanor starkly different from just two hours ago.
Jiang Ming discreetly shook off Lin Ran's grip. "Thank you for your kindness, but please let go."
Standing beside them, Yan Qing scrutinized Jiang Ming from head to toe. When Jiang Ming began to feel uncomfortable under the intense gaze, Yan Qing finally spoke up. "In that case, I'll take him. You can go back to your tasks."
With that matter settled, Lin Ran beamed with delight. "Great! You two chat for now. The A Level Exam is coming up next week; I’ll arrange a helicopter to take you there. Make sure to bring glory to Zone Z!"
As Lin Ran stepped out the door, he suddenly realized—wait a minute? Isn’t he the superior? Why is he so deferential to Yan Qing?
Never mind; it’s fine as long as Yan Qing can handle things. Shaking his head with a chuckle, Lin Ran hurried away with a smile on his face.
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