Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

It’s as if after eating braised pork, the whole world brightened up, with the fragrant meat taking away all previous troubles.

First, there came news from Xiaoxi’s side, saying she had reached an agreement with Hai Zhao to consider dating after Qian finished her treatment.

Next, the bad guys got what they deserved, and by evening, the fire was under control. Qian felt that the most memorable part of this extraordinary day was still that final piece of fragrant meat she ate.

Yu Minglang fed it to her when no one was looking.

Shared hardships make the fruits of labor all the more delicious.

By the next day, the fire was under control, and reinforcements could be withdrawn, leaving the forest squad to monitor for any flare-ups. After experiencing all this, Qian had even more admiration for Minglang’s old unit.

They arrived silently and hastily, and left the same way, without fanfare about their achievements. This was just another routine mission in their military careers. Each person was always prepared, and many disasters had been controlled by them before they even escalated. In times of peace, they are the silent guardians.

Qian had taken a plane to get there, but rode a car back. There was no hurry to fly back as she returned more leisurely. The truck bed was open, and she personally saw the enthusiastic welcome from the villagers along the way.

The villagers knew the fire was out, and organized themselves to come out. They were the nearest village to the fire site, and if the fire had really gone out of control, their homes would have been destroyed. The most lovely people saved their homes yet accepted nothing in return, so they could only organize a send-off.

The roadsides were filled with villagers, and as the truck passed, the locals applauded warmly. The truck moved slowly, and responded to the villagers with honking.

There was a rule that they couldn’t get off the truck, but facing the villagers’ enthusiasm, everyone stood up on the truck to salute and bid farewell. Qian had never seen anything like this before, feeling the honor seated there.

Qian felt proud.

There were also some younger children, waving their little hands in an unstandardized salute as they saw truck after truck of people. Though they were young and perhaps just mimicking the adults’ actions, this invisible example was set among the children.

As the truck drove further away, out of sight from the enthusiastic people, everyone sat down orderly, and someone remarked.

"I heard a little kid say that when he grows up, he wants to be like us."

Qian laughed. Yu Minglang looked at her, and she whispered, "I think if we have a son in the future, he may be like you."

Genes are important, but the power of example is even more so.

At that moment, Qian did not realize that this casual remark would become an unsolvable mystery that deeply troubled her for the next few days.

The firefighting event was wildly reported by major media outlets, including side stories like a famous singer acting bravely, and a business person catching a criminal on the go. Over those few days, the media was rife with such reports.

The various honors outside had nothing to do with Qian and those who participated in the rescue. Once the fire was put out, they returned to their respective job roles – training if they had to train, researching if they had to research. Life had to go on.

Before coming here, Qian’s job was to research a high-IQ criminal. A meeting with the scientists at the research institute had been delayed, and now after the rescue mission, she went to the institute the next morning to prepare for a meeting.

Through the firefighting event, the atmosphere of the entire psychology group became more harmonious. Qian’s skillful display had shown everyone her professionalism, and moreover, everyone shared the secret of burying the flour mess Qian had made. After sharing a secret, everyone looked at each other more favorably.

The next day, as everyone drove to the research institute, Qian noticed the members of the psychology research group seemed different, full of energy as if they were deliberately competing against someone, finely dressed and looking dashing.

Especially Apiao, who entered a state of alert readiness right after getting off the car, just like when he first met Qian, always ready for confrontation.

His eyes scanned back and forth, as if searching for something.

"What’s going on? Are we here for a meet-and-greet or for a battle?" Qian whispered to Mo Di.

"If someone unpleasant comes over and says something you don’t like, just pretend not to hear it. Leave the fighting to Apiao, he’s used to it." Mo Di whispered back to Qian.

Qian had already become one of their own in the group.

"Seems like there’s an enemy presence here."

Mo Di nodded approvingly, impressed by Chen Xiaoqian’s cleverness.

"Stay sharp, the unpleasant people are coming!" Mo Di said, and the group quickly went into battle mode. Qian widened her eyes; who was coming?

Unpleasant people = jerks; everyone was highly educated intellectuals and couldn’t speak so crudely.

A few people in white lab coats, both men and women, approached from a distance. As soon as Apiao saw them, he cleared his throat, and the group stood straight, like they were readying for battle, even without speaking, the combative stance was evident.

"Ah~ younger brother Apiao!"

"Ah! Old Li!"

Apiao stepped forward, patting shoulders with the man at the front of the opposite team. It seemed friendly, but the strength in their hands was apparent; without courteous words, it would seem these two had a blood feud.

The shared thought in their minds: I’ll smack you to death, you little rascal!

"Those long-haired people from the other side who don’t conform to the core socialist values are researchers from the institute, known simply as ’scientists’. They’re not from our department or system, but that decadent old Li from the other side was our team leader’s senior during his PhD years, and they fight every time they meet, never stopping." One half of the comical duo explained to Qian in a low voice.

Oh, so it’s a case of enemies meeting with fiery eyes, understood. Qian initially thought this was just routine peer rivalry, but suddenly Mo Di added.

"That woman over there is self-styled as the institute’s flower, Liu Miao, forever claiming to be 29. How old do you think she looks?"

"At least 31; even with good maintenance, there are wrinkles at the corners of her eyes." Women are best at judging women, but Qian knew Mo Di wasn’t the type to gossip about women. His sudden mention of this woman meant there was more to it, so Qian looked at Mo Di.

"She hasn’t stopped looking at your man with those wrinkled eyes; of course, your man ignores her."

Oh for goodness’ sake...!

Qian instantly ignited with the same fighting spirit as the other members of the group. As expected, those people on the other side didn’t look like good company at all; they were actually eyeing her man! This wasn’t acceptable!