They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 361 Zhang Chulan: I'm coming clean~
next day
The street scene outside the car window rushed past, but Zhang Chulan's gaze remained unfocused.

He was slumped in the passenger seat, his hands in his pockets, his fingertips icy cold.

He felt like a gambler who had put all his money on the table, and his only bet was sitting in the back row, intently tapping on his phone screen, playing a game called "Sheep's a Sheep" by Feng Baobao.

As Xu San drove, the head of the North China region acted like a dedicated driver, his gaze in the rearview mirror filled with worry and unease.

He tried to say something several times, but seeing Zhang Chulan's tense profile, he ultimately let out a silent sigh.

This is crazy.

But Zhang Chulan is right, this is indeed very likely a test.

He had also confirmed this with Chairman Zhao; the task was indeed personally issued by Zhuge Qing…

That's why they came here.

The vehicle slowly drove into a heavily guarded area, passed through several checkpoints, and finally stopped in front of a magnificent building full of futuristic style.

This is the headquarters of the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs.

"I'll stop here."

"Chu Lan, remember, no matter what happens, protecting yourself and the baby is the top priority."

Xu San's voice was somewhat hoarse as he said that he had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Zhang Chulan nodded without saying anything.

He pushed open the car door, and the cold air sent a shiver down his spine.

Feng Baobao also put away her phone and got out of the car.

She curiously examined the enormous structure, her clear eyes showing no sign of nervousness, as if she were simply visiting a newly opened science museum.

As the two stepped through the heavy alloy door, half of the psychological defenses Zhang Chulan had built up on the way collapsed instantly.

The hall was so spacious it was almost unbelievable; it was more like a huge military research and development laboratory than an office space.

Above the dome are complex pipes and a matrix lighting system that casts a cool, even white light.

On one side of the hall was a wall of transparent glass. Behind the glass, several people dressed in white lab coats and military uniforms were adjusting several metal suits of different shapes.

That's the armor codenamed "God of War," and there are currently three models.

Their combat prowess has already been demonstrated at the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony...

On the other side of the hall, some people dressed in special costumes were undergoing physical fitness and superpower tests.

Some people lifted alloy blocks weighing several tons with one hand, some were surrounded by electric lightning, and others created ice walls and flames out of thin air...

On the other side were various types of aircraft, tanks, and missiles...

Zhang Chulan's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and he felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

Only after witnessing it with my own eyes did I realize what kind of power this is...

"Come with me."

A cold voice interrupted his thoughts. A staff member in a black uniform, expressionless, appeared in front of them and gestured for them to proceed.

Walking down the silent corridor, Zhang Chulan's steps felt unsteady. Each step felt like walking on cotton, or on the tip of a knife.

The corridor is lined with tightly closed metal doors, each marked with a number, making it impossible to see what's inside.

Feng Baobao walked briskly. She was very interested in the circuit diagrams on the corridor wall that had a blue glow, and even reached out to poke them, but was stopped by a look from the staff member.

Finally, the staff stopped in front of an office door that had no markings.

"The leaders are waiting for you inside."

He said something in a low voice, then bowed slightly, turned around and retreated along the way he came, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible.

The door was unlocked.

Zhang Chulan's hand hovered above the doorknob for a full three seconds.

He could feel his palms sweating.

Behind this door lies the ultimate judgment that will determine his fate and that of Bao'er.

He took a deep breath, the breath seemingly carrying the smell of rust, and then abruptly pushed open the door.

The scene inside the office was completely different from what he had imagined.

There were no strict guards, no cold instruments; instead, it resembled an elegant study.

A young man in a casual white shirt was sitting behind a desk, holding a cup of tea, and looking at them with a smile.

It was Zhuge Qing.

"Who are you looking for today?"

Zhuge Qing put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

He stroked his chin and asked with great interest.

coming.

Zhang Chulan's heart clenched, and he took a deep breath.

He suddenly turned his head and said in a breathy voice to Feng Baobao beside him:
"Sister Bao'er, let's go!"

"Oh!"

Feng Baobao responded crisply, as if she had been waiting for this instruction.

She suddenly lowered her body, took a sliding step, and her movements were fluid and graceful. It was the Wudang School's lightness skill - the Cloud Ladder Leap. However, she abruptly changed direction in mid-air and plunged straight down to the ground.

There was a muffled sound of "dong".

Feng Baobao knelt firmly on the clean floor with a perfect "Wild Goose Descending on the Sand" posture.

Then, she raised her head, staring intently at the dumbfounded Zhuge Qing with her clear, pure eyes, and in a tone devoid of emotion, as if reciting an instruction manual, she shouted:

"Great Immortal Zhuge! Please have pity on this poor, weak woman!"

Zhang Chulan stood to the side, his eyes twitching violently.

These lines... are even more awkward than during rehearsals...

An eerie silence fell over the office.

Zhuge Qing's expression froze. His hand, holding the teacup, stopped in mid-air, and his eyes showed obvious astonishment. A few seconds later, he finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, which quickly turned into a suppressed chuckle, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Okay, so you're putting on an act for me now?"

He put down his teacup, rubbed his eyes, which were a little sore from laughing, and his tone was full of a wry smile.

"This is somewhat beyond my expectations. Get up first."

However, Feng Baobao firmly shook her head and remained kneeling upright.

"I won't get up,"

She said in a very serious tone, "I am not worthy to stand and talk to Master Zhuge!"

Zhuge Qing's smile froze again. He turned to look at Zhang Chulan, his eyes filled with a desire to criticize.
"I mean, even if you're going to teach, you should at least practice your acting skills properly, right? The lines and the tone are just too distracting."

He shook his head, seemingly utterly defeated, waved his hand, and said helplessly:

"Alright, stop kneeling. I won't lay a hand on you."

This sentence is like heavenly music.

Zhang Chulan's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He forced a smile at Zhuge Qing that looked more like a grimace.

"Did Zhao Fangxu teach you this?"

Zhuge Qing leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed in front of him.

Zhang Chulan's heart jumped again.

He recalled his phone call with Chairman Zhao last night.

After Feng Baobao reminded him that she knew the former chairman of the company, he dialed the number as a last resort.

Zhao Fangxu remained silent for a long time on the other end of the phone before finally confirming his guess—the task of arresting Xia Liuqing was indeed personally signed and issued by Zhuge Qing.

Furthermore, Chairman Zhao gave him two insightful suggestions.

Lying in front of someone like Zhuge Qing is tantamount to courting death.

"You are wise to see the truth!"

Zhang Chulan immediately adopted a fawning yet somewhat embarrassed expression.

"Chairman Zhao did give me two tips. Mainly, Sister Bao'er said she knew Chairman Zhao, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask a senior for advice."

However, my loyalty to the organization is as clear as the sun and moon, and as heaven and earth bear witness!

As he spoke, he subtly winked at Feng Baobao, signaling her to get up quickly.

Feng Baobao slowly got up from the ground, dusted off her knees, and stood behind Zhang Chulan again, resuming her dazed expression.

"Okay, stop being poor."

"Tell me about this thing."

Zhuge Qing went straight to the point and asked.

The "this thing" he was referring to was naturally Feng Baobao.

This title made Zhang Chulan's brow twitch slightly, but he dared not show any displeasure.

"It all started in the summer of 1944..."

Zhang Chulan's voice rang out, steady, clear, and without the slightest tremor.

He began to speak.

A girl dressed in tattered clothes wakes up on a stone bed in an unknown cave, having lost all her memories.

Then she met the cowherd who was still a child, and he took her home and named her "Awu".

Zhuge Qing listened quietly, without interrupting or showing any expression.

Zhang Chulan's narration was very restrained; he didn't embellish or deliberately sentimentalize.

He was simply stating a fact, a fact about how a girl who had lost her past and could not see her future clumsily survived in this world.

He recounted how she lived like a wild woman in the mountains for decades, her appearance unchanged, but her mind not matured.

When she spoke of her reunion with the children from back then, Mr. Xu Xiang, now in his eighties, reconnected with them.

She talked about how, in order to find out her origins, she entered the Na Du Tong (a travel agency) and got the name "Feng Baobao".

Zhang Chulan's mouth was dry from talking, but he dared not stop.

He could sense that as he spoke, the invisible pressure in the office was subtly changing.

This made Zhang Chulan even more uneasy.

He would rather face Zhuge Qing's anger or greed than this pure, emotionless gaze.

Because that means that in the other party's eyes, Bao'er might really just be a "sample".

"That's about it..."

Finally, he finished telling everything he knew.

Silence returned to the office. Zhang Chulan lowered his head, awaiting the final verdict.

He has revealed all his cards; now, his life or death is entirely in the hands of his opponent.

Time passed second by second.

Every second felt like a slow, agonizing torture of Zhang Chulan's nerves.

After a long silence, a soft laugh broke the stillness.

"Ha~"

Zhuge Qing stood up, walked around the desk, and slowly walked to them.

His shadow stretched out long, completely enveloping Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao.

He didn't look at Zhang Chulan, but instead focused his gaze on Feng Baobao, who had seemed like an outsider from beginning to end.

He leaned down slightly, bringing his gaze to Feng Baobao's level, and asked softly:
"What do you think I should do with you, Feng Baobao?"

(End of this chapter)