Chapter 63

Chapter 64: Instructor Mo Yin Qiu’s Reputation Takes a Hit

Li Hong Sheng hurried to the gate of the research institute, looked Qian Qi up and down, then asked: “You go out dressed like this too?”

He had thought she only dressed like this at school. He didn’t expect her to dress this… well, carefree, outside too.

“No choice, I’m broke,” said Qian Qi as she eyed the white lab coat on him and rubbed her hands, “Dean, if it bothers you, why not give me a set? I think the one you’re wearing looks pretty good.”

Li Hong Sheng froze: [???]. Then he thought: [Pfft, dream on.]

Not long ago she had squeezed six million out of him, and now she dared to cry poor?

Choosing not to hear that, he led Qian Qi inside: “I’m in an important meeting. I can’t give you a tour yet. If you’re interested, you can sit in and listen.”

Though her temperament gave him headaches, he believed in her talent. He was getting old and didn’t know how many years he had left. If her skills could lead the Magiplant Research Institute to shine, he was willing to train her early as his successor. It wasn’t only her talent he valued. He also admired her shameless ability to make money. It was very much his style. [Heh.]

Qian Qi dug at her ear and said: “I pass. I’ll tour by myself.”

Li Hong Sheng, who had just been picturing a bright future, blurted: “Huh? Why?”

“Why not listen?” he asked, shocked. Did she not even have the basic Human curiosity? Didn’t she want to know what was said in an important institute meeting? This was a real im por tant meet ing.

Qian Qi pointed at her chest and said: “My heart is small. It can’t hold big matters.”

She meant: don’t bring big matters to her. She didn’t want to know. She just wanted a calm life as a rich lady.

Li Hong Sheng fell silent.

He chose to drag her into the meeting room anyway.

When the door clicked and locked from the inside, Qian Qi clicked her tongue and said: “He’s only bullying me because I don’t hit old people.”

[System: ……]

[To be honest, it didn’t believe she had such a normal principle.]

When she walked in, a dozen researchers in white coats turned to stare. Clearly, they were all curious about the person the dean had gone to fetch in person.

“Is she another rich fool the dean found to fund us?” someone whispered.

“Dressed like that? No way,” someone else said. “What rich person dresses so shabby?”

“She looks pretty young. Maybe a student from Awakener University? I remember the institute had two students visit before,” another murmured.

Their low comments and very obvious stares did not escape Qian Qi. She looked around, carefully taking in every face, and found a few familiar ones. There was one of her Magiplant class teachers. There was also her instructor, Mo Yin Qiu.

“Instructor Mo!” cried Qian Qi when she saw her. She ran over like a villager spotting a fellow villager, eyes teary, grabbed both of Mo Yin Qiu’s hands, and said in a playful whine: “This place is scary. You have to protect me!”

Mo Yin Qiu, almost stunned by her loud voice, thought: [Please don’t. I’m the one who should be scared here.]

A male researcher seated at the front of the table frowned slightly and looked Qian Qi over with sharp, picky eyes as he asked: “Researcher Mo, this is…?”

“This is-” began Mo Yin Qiu, but Qian Qi cut in, leaning on Mo’s shoulder. She smoothed her bird’s nest hair and said shyly: “Hi, I’m the eye candy Instructor Mo keeps.”

Mo Yin Qiu: [???]. The male researcher: [???].

On the side, the Magiplant teacher covered their face and silently decided to pretend they didn’t know Qian Qi.

Li Hong Sheng sat across from Mo Yin Qiu. He had seen what happened, but said nothing. After all, he had dragged Qian Qi here. He nodded to the male researcher and said: “Wei Zhen, continue.”

Wei Zhen frowned at Qian Qi, displeased: “Dean, this is our important meeting. Letting a pretty face, a stranger, sit in isn’t good. Everyone, am I right?”

The others nodded. This meeting was to prepare for the five year “Results Inspection Day.” Inspectors from above would review the institute’s work. If the Magiplant Research Institute still couldn’t present anything eye catching, the next five years of funding would be cut again. The institute had barely made it this far and was already shaky. If funding dropped further, they might not even make payroll. Layoffs would be unavoidable. Their futures were on the line, and now a stranger sat in on such a key meeting. Of course they felt unhappy.

Seeing the pushback, Li Hong Sheng said nothing at first. He looked to Qian Qi to see how she would handle it.

Qian Qi pressed her face into Mo Yin Qiu’s back, her body trembling a little like a weak, clueless fawn. But when her rough little face peeked out from behind Mo, she looked more like a husky voiced brawler saying: [What are you staring at? I’m the most innocent one here.]

The corner of Li Hong Sheng’s mouth twitched. He had thought she would debate them on the spot, but he hadn’t expected her to endure it and act like an innocent, shy flower.

He waved and said: “Alright. This classmate is my invited guest. Wei Zhen, continue where you left off.”

With the dean shielding Qian Qi, Wei Zhen had to let it go for now. He gave her one more disdainful look, then stood and said: “I still think we should cut the Human Benefit Division. Magiplants are already defined in their role. They’re only good for feeding Magibeasts. For Humans, they’re harmful and not helpful.”

The Human Benefit Division was short for “the department researching how Magiplants could benefit Humans.” The institute had two main directions: the effect of Magiplants on Magibeasts, and their effect on Humans. They had already published reports showing some Magiplants could raise the strength of Contract Beasts, like the Fire Qilin Fruit. But as for benefits to Humans, there had not been a single success.

Wei Zhen believed that keeping that division was a waste of money and time. Since Magiplants didn’t help Humans, they should cut it and use the funds to study Magiplants that helped Magibeasts.

Cutting that division would mean the institute would focus fully on Magibeast effects. The status of Beast Tamers would rise a lot. In team fights, Beast Tamers might even become the main leaders. But before this, mental type Commanders had been the core of a team. Changing that core might help or hurt team combat. No one could say for sure.

Li Hong Sheng lowered his eyes and thought. After a moment, he looked at the daydreaming Qian Qi and asked: “Qian Qi, what do you think?”