I am a hero of the former civilization.

If I had no relationship with Wilvi, he wouldn't lose anything; on the contrary, I would owe him a favor.

Ryan rubbed his throbbing head. If he were less intelligent, he really wouldn't have been able to figure it out. He had to admit that these high-ranking officials were all shrewd, but they just hadn't put their intelligence to good use.

“That man must be the big shot behind you, right? I think I saw him at a budget committee meeting once.” Möbius quietly came to his side and gestured with his lip. “What did he say to you?”

“Some boring factional interests, these things are more brain-draining than research.” Ryan turned his head away, not explaining the pureblood faction, since Möbius didn’t care anyway.

"Ugh, this is really boring. Let me count them." Mebius stretched out his long fingers and slowly began to count: "The younger generation, the more mature, the pure-blooded, the evolutionists, and there's this faith faction. It's amazing how so few of them have come up with so many different things. Do they think this is kindergarten play?"

These sarcastic remarks made Ryan laugh as well, reminding him of a joke from before he transmigrated:

The most futuristic aspect of The Wandering Earth isn't moving the Earth, but rather uniting humanity.

"Perhaps they find endless joy in fighting with others. Anyway, I can understand it, but I can't agree with it. Let's not talk about them anymore. Take me to see what your lair looks like."

That's vulgar. What does "old nest" even mean?

Mebius rolled his eyes at Ryan, and soon saw a yellow pickup truck drive up. The diesel engine was whirring and puffing as if it were about to fall apart, and the back was loaded with things that looked like household goods.

Ryan was stunned, then pointed at Klein, who had stuck his head out, and said, "Is this your company car? When did the Firemoth become so stingy?"

“Last time I was short of funds, I sold that car. Anyway, I rarely go out. Besides, this pickup truck is great. It can carry people and transport things.”

What defines a model of dedication? Ignoring all enjoyment and focusing solely on research. Ryan really wanted to give her a thumbs up... but he was wrong.

"If I remember correctly, the Fifth Research Institute is located in the Gobi Desert more than 200 kilometers away. Why not take a helicopter?"

“Because the cost of fuel will be deducted from my budget,” Mebius replied matter-of-factly, pulling open the car door with a creak. “Of course, if you’re willing to pay, I don’t mind.”

Ryan was actually tempted to offer money, but seeing the smile on Mebius's face, he decided he couldn't let her succeed.

"Sit down then, do you think my constitution is afraid of you?"

Ryan walked over, then regretted it, because the beat-up pickup truck only had two seats. He wanted to drive it himself, but Klein gripped the steering wheel tightly, shaking his head and refusing to switch seats no matter what.

"Get in the car, what are you waiting for?" Mebius urged from the side.

"But how can we sit here?"

"Of course I'll sit on you. Do you think you can sit on me without any gentlemanly manners?"

When you say that, it has nothing to do with being a gentleman or a lady.

Ryan wasn't stupid; he just stared at Mebius silently, as if trying to get her to confess her conspiracy. But the woman suddenly seemed to understand, and then curled up her lips into her signature mocking smile.

"Hehe, you're not shy, are you? Don't worry, I've seen more than you have. Don't show any pointless shame."

What kind of old lady are you, acting like that?

Ryan was speechless for a moment. Since Mebius had said so, he didn't care. Just as he sat down on the somewhat worn seat, Mebius squeezed in and sat directly on Ryan's lap.

Suddenly, he felt a soft and elastic touch, like a plump peach pressing on his leg.

The narrow pencil skirt perfectly showcased her beautiful curves, and strands of green hair brushed against her cheeks, causing a slight tickle. Mebius relaxed and leaned her entire body against Ryan's chest, instantly reminding the latter of an old saying.

A delicate fragrance fills the air.

The scent of shampoo and her natural body fragrance wafted into Ryan's nose; it was a sweet, intoxicating aroma that filled him with a unique blend of scents and aromas.

At this moment, Mebius adjusted her posture a few times, and a caressing sensation came over her. Ryan couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to keep the woman away from his core area.

"Why are you moving around like that? Oh, are you having a physiological reaction?"

You were absolutely right, but how could I possibly admit defeat?

Ryan grinned and retorted sarcastically, "I just think you have body odor, and getting too close makes me feel uncomfortable."

"You! How could I possibly have body odor?"

"If you don't believe me, smell it for yourself."

Möbius did indeed raise his hand, and just as he was about to sniff his armpit, he realized that this bastard was deliberately messing with him.

Heh, trying to play tricks on me.

So she completely relaxed, lay her whole body on Ryan, and raised an eyebrow at Klein, who was watching the show: "What are you laughing at? Aren't you going to drive?"

"Yes, doctor."

The construction vehicle finally hit the road, and Ryan regained his composure, realizing that Mebius was just trying to mess with him and collect dirt on him in an attempt to get back at him.

How could I let you have your way? Will you just shift your attention away soon?

Ryan tried to ignore the sensation in his arms, turned his gaze to the desolate neighborhood outside the window, and began to think about Wilvie. Then, he found that he could not concentrate at all.

This Möbius not only wriggled around like someone with ADHD, but also kept asking for opinions on the research. Ignoring his bizarre sitting posture, it looked like a thesis defense.

"Mebius, have I offended you in some way?"

"Hehe, why are you suddenly saying that?"

Ryan looked at Mebius, who was sitting sideways, elbowing his throat, legs crossed, looking languid, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Otherwise, why would you subject me to such torture?"

"Torture? Isn't this kind of ambiguity your favorite? It's more like a way to win someone over or seduce them."

"The moment the word 'ambiguity' comes out of your mouth, it has already vanished."

“Oh, the psychological factors of emotions, interesting.” Möbius suddenly realized, then yawned. “I don’t know much about this stuff, but biological instincts are also one of my research areas. By the way, are you secretly a little pleased?”

Secretly pleased? Do you really think I'm a pushover?

He simply pushed upwards.

"Ouch!" Mebius jumped up immediately, hitting his head on the roof of the car. His mischievous grin froze for a moment, the sensation just now...

It's a Rising Dragon Strike!

"what are you doing?"

“You retaliated instinctively, you asked for it.” Ryan sneered, then quickly shrank back. A hand slammed heavily on the cushion. Luckily, he reacted quickly, or he would have been fatally hit.

"Are you serious?"

“You started this harassment; no one has ever dared to treat me like this before.” Mebius bit his lip, his originally fair face turning red.

I'm being a pervert? Who was it that started acting like a seasoned pro first?

Ryan laughed in anger, grabbed Mebius's slender waist, and roared fiercely:

"Believe it or not, I'll throw you out of the car!"

"You think you can take on a Herrscher one-on-one? Come on, tear me to shreds."

"Dr. Lane, Dr. Möbius, please stop fighting!"

Amidst the sharp honking of passing trucks, a pickup truck was driving south in an 'S' shape across the Gobi Desert.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Möbius's Serpent's Nest

Ryan didn't throw Mebius out of the car in the end, not out of pity, but because the woman was just too clingy, like a snake, and he couldn't pull her off without really taking action.

So the two remained locked in a 'fighting' stance for several hours. The pickup truck passed through several checkpoints and finally stopped in front of a semi-buried building. Only then did the two release each other, their chests heaving violently.

'This Möbius has definitely undergone extensive modifications; his strength and stamina are considerable.'

Ryan stretched his ankles; his feet had been numb from shuffling for hours, all to prevent Mebius from delivering a fatal blow.

“Ryan, you could be a little more gentlemanly sometimes.”

Mebius's breathing became more labored. Even though the man wasn't really going at it, she had used all her strength. Her hands were sore and weak, and looking down, she could see that the stockings at the top of her thighs were coming undone.

This battle-damaged version could indeed arouse the appetite of some gentlemen.

"Then please act more ladylike first."

"Hmph, don't look at me with such worldly eyes."

"Then what gives you the right to demand that I be a gentleman?!"

Ryan straightened his back and ignored the strange woman, because all the guards of the Fire Moth around him had ambiguous expressions that said "they really know how to have fun," and they all thought that the two of them had done something in the car.

It was indeed car sex, but the specific content of the sex was a little different. The most exhausted person was actually the driver, Klein, who was slumped over the steering wheel and couldn't get up.

莱恩舔了舔嘴唇，他又不可能真把梅比乌斯给揍一顿，有些口干舌燥，便将这仇记在心里，恢复了正常模样。

He looked at the dark building in front of him, most of which was buried in the bare mountainside. It looked like an abandoned villa. If it weren't for the surrounding watchtowers and barbed wire, it would be impossible to tell from a distance.

A post-apocalyptic refuge?

"Yes, it's a converted League of Nations shelter. It's over a hundred meters underground, with five nuclear-grade protective doors and special ventilation systems." Mebius immediately perked up, forgetting his earlier slight annoyance.

She has a special talent: she can remember many things instantly, and she can also forget some things instantly.

The defenses were very tight; it was as if all the machine gun barrels were pointed at the gate, as if they were guarding against someone's failed experiment.

Ryan saw through it but didn't say anything, only casually remarking, "Your snake nest is quite sturdy."

“It’s the Fifth Research Institute, the temple of science. You could never afford the equipment inside in your entire life.” Möbius rolled his eyes, puffed out his chest, and strode forward with an air of arrogance.

When the guards at the door saw that it was Möbius returning, they quickly pressed a button, and with a 'clatter' sound, the heavy iron gate slowly opened.

The interior was indeed a hidden world. The villa was more like a gate, and the entire mountain had been hollowed out. Dozens of researchers and various sophisticated instruments could be seen inside. The people looked very busy, each carrying documents and running around.

"This is the outer research lab, which usually assists me, so even if I go out, the research progress won't stop," Möbius explained casually, his tone somewhat like a child showing off a favorite toy.

They're good at being assistants, aren't they? Those bald guys have all been on the cover of biology journals, and this equipment is many times better than that of Chiba Academy.

"It is indeed a star-studded lineup."

“Every research institute of the Fire Moth is like this, divided by field, and each researcher has insights in their own field, which is why I can tolerate them.”

Ryan nodded again. This was precisely the value of the Fire Moths. No one else could bring together these brilliant minds and provide astronomical sums of money, which was the very reason Ryan tolerated them.

May, Vervier, and Möbius were all leaders of their time, but research needs more 'unsung' assistants. Science is not a stage for personal heroism and fame; it requires countless 'cannon fodder'.

"So the Fifth Research Institute focuses on genetic engineering, and you're the most skilled in that field?"

“The first half of the sentence is correct, but the second half—” Möbius picked up a white coat and gently lifted his chin, “I am omnipotent, follow me.”

That's... really arrogant.

Ryan snorted irritably and silently followed behind Mebius. He watched as she straightened her back and, with the clatter of her high heels, looked like a queen inspecting her kingdom.

The research team leaders immediately surrounded them, quickly following along while presenting their reports on tablets.