Chapter 151
Jia Lan hadn’t returned to the city yet and encountered a crazed leopard on the road. His face darkened—how could this guy be so persistent?
He was everywhere!
Xiao Jin saw the two from afar, clothes disheveled, especially Shen Tang, whose exposed skin was covered in marks, with several hickeys on her neck, left in the most conspicuous places for anyone to see at a glance.
You could almost imagine what was beneath the clothes, out of sight—
How provocative!
His handsome face darkened with anger as he clenched his fists. This mermaid was definitely provoking him!
“What? Want to fight?” Jia Lan coldly glanced at Xiao Jin.
Normally, he couldn’t be bothered with this leopard, but at this moment, for some reason, a desire to win surged within him, especially in front of his beloved female. He desperately wanted to show off.
Xiao Jin looked at him disdainfully, scoffing coldly, “You? I’m afraid if I broke your bones, I’d be the one getting scolded in the end p>
This mocking comment provoked Jia Lan.
His blue eyes instantly turned cold and deep, and his previously calm demeanor erupted like a stormy sea, with ice blades forming in his palms, gleaming with piercing cold under the sunlight.
Xiao Jin took a big step forward, surrounded by rampant thunder, exuding an icy, domineering aura!
Seeing the tension between the two escalating, about to break into a fight, Shen Tang quickly intervened, “Both of you, quiet down! Whoever makes the first move can spend the night outside and forget about coming back inside p>
With those words, the two instantly calmed down.
They didn’t want to lose their right to sleep beside her over something trivial.
Soon, Shen Li also arrived.
He glanced indifferently, seemingly unconcerned about the marks on Shen Tang’s body, focusing instead on her soaked clothes and damp hair.
His fox-like eyes darkened suddenly as he walked over briskly, using his power to dry her clothes and hair. “Out playing in water late at night, letting the cold wind blow for so long. Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold p>
Shen Li’s gentle voice carried a hint of cold reprimand.
Doing such things and going so far away; none of them were thoughtful.
Jia Lan suddenly felt anxious, looking uneasily at Shen Tang’s slightly flushed cheeks.
It was his fault for being too hasty, almost forgetting that Shen Tang, being a female and a land beastman, didn’t have as strong a resistance as he did.
Jia Lan didn’t want her to fall ill because of his selfish desires.
Hearing this, Xiao Jin also felt a bit ashamed. He had been too impulsive—what was the point of competing with that fish? He quickly took off his coat and draped it over Shen Tang.
Lu Xiao also brought a coat over, draping it over Shen Tang, covering even her exposed arms and calves thoroughly. “Don’t go out at night next time; it’s too cold p>
Shen Tang hadn’t expected to have four men gathered together discussing such matters before even reaching home.
She felt incredibly awkward, coughing a few times awkwardly. “Let’s head back first p>
Jia Lan quickly carried her back to their residence.
The other three beast husbands followed quickly.
After getting home, Xiao Jin hurried to pour Shen Tang a cup of cold medicine.
Shen Tang did catch a bit of a cold from the night wind, but she felt much better after taking the medicine.
After lunch, once Shen Tang regained her energy, she went back to her room to rest.
Lying in bed, she opened her system backpack and took out the Mermaid’s Tears.
From this ordeal, she had gained five tears.
The process had been long and arduous p>
Shen Tang had never seen blue pearls before, finding their texture incredible and cooler than ordinary pearls. Made into jewelry, they would surely be stunningly beautiful.
But it was just a thought; Mermaid’s Tears were too precious, and she had more important things to do.
Over the past half month, besides tending to the fields, Shen Tang sent Lang Qing to major city auctions and markets to search for inhibitor ingredients.
For materials that were hard to buy, Shen Tang posted high rewards on the Light Computer.
In any case, the materials were gathered.
But having a formula and ingredients wasn’t enough; creating a drug involved many complexities.
Being just an ordinary person, she wasn’t equipped to make it.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
Currently, Shen Tang needed to quickly find a research team.
Unfortunately, the original owner had no knowledge in this area, and the news Shen Tang found on the Light Computer was mixed with truth and falsehood, making it hard to find a trustworthy lab.
Suddenly, Shen Tang had a flash of insight. Lu Xiao, being an aristocratic heir from the Imperial City, had extensive connections and might know the right people.
Resolved, after dinner, Shen Tang shared her thoughts with Lu Xiao, also asking if he could recommend a scientific research lab.
Hearing she had an inhibitor formula, Lu Xiao’s handsome face showed a slight ripple.
His profound gaze fell upon her face, carrying a hint of scrutiny and inquiry.
He didn’t ask further.
Her mysteries were numerous.
Secrets, unless the person involved wished to share, couldn’t be forced out.
He only needed to heed his female master’s instructions.
Lu Xiao nodded, saying, “I’m not well-versed in this area, but I can help you inquire p>
“Thank you, Lu Xiao p>
“No need to thank me; this is my duty p>
Lu Xiao didn’t speak much ordinarily, doing only what needed to be done. Yet whenever he appeared, Shen Tang’s gaze would involuntarily fall on him.
Lu Xiao exuded a reassuring, solid feeling, evoking a sense of reliance and trust.
After entrusting the matter to Lu Xiao, Shen Tang felt relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
She went to bed, checked the calendar, and saw there were thirteen days left until Shen Qingli’s conference.
She had to successfully create the inhibitor before the conference!
Even in her dreams, Shen Tang was thinking about the inhibitor.
Suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside the room.
Shen Tang was a light sleeper, waking up instantly. Annoyed, she scratched her head. Why did that annoying leopard and sly fox always come at night!
She got up angrily to open the door, only to find a tall, imposing man standing there, leaving her dumbfounded.
Quickly changing her tone, she said, “Oh, it’s you, Lu Xiao p>
Lu Xiao was still in his regular clothes, buttoned to the top. The fabric around his arms and chest was taut, and his cuffs were tidy, meticulously groomed, appearing both coldly indifferent and serious, deterring any wandering thoughts.
Lu Xiao looked down at Shen Tang.
Just woken up, her hair was disheveled, hanging behind her, cheeks rosy, and her robe was loosely draped, just revealing her collarbone and a small patch of skin.
He averted his gaze, speaking calmly, “I’ve gathered the information for you. Do you want to look at it now p>
Shen Tang was surprised. So quickly?
The inhibitor couldn’t be delayed, so Shen Tang quickly used the Light Computer to receive the information and began to review it seriously.
Lu Xiao had gathered details from 87 research institutes, all official ones from the Empire.
He had already filtered out the ones that were fraudulent or seeking investment and subsidies, each clearly stating their projects, strengths and weaknesses, funding levels, and core teams, making it easy for Shen Tang to choose.
Shen Tang carefully reviewed them, feeling satisfied with every choice.
Lu Xiao’s selections were among the Empire’s top research institutions. Picking any would suffice.
However, Shen Tang disliked trouble; she wanted a research institute for long-term collaboration and would choose the best.
After a whole night’s careful consideration, Shen Tang chose one—Zero Point Research Institute.
After reviewing their information, she found it quite intriguing, with 231 patents, over a third being high-end, a remarkable achievement.
Logically, this institute could reach the pinnacle of the Imperial Research Institute pyramid, yet it was in a loss, with most beastmen gone, rumors saying it might shut down next month.
Shen Tang was intrigued.
The next morning, she took her beast husbands to the Zero Point Research Institute.