The next day, when Yan Yan went to work, his colleagues were once again drawn to his new hairstyle after the couple’s tattoo.
“What a fresh and elegant look! So handsome! Even though we know he has a husband and got a tattoo, we can’t help but look at him again and again!”
Yan Yan’s attitude seemed unchanged, but he had already planned many things. In the afternoon, he went out on duty with Luo Runfeng. On the way, he actively asked about the bar exam and masters studies in law, earnestly seeking advice on how to plan his career.
“Your basic idea is correct. It’s a fact that you are four years behind law students in terms of study. If you really want to make up for these four years as soon as possible, this plan can be adjusted,” Luo Runfeng patiently explained. “Based on your age when you entered university, you fit into the last year before non-law students can take the bar exam due to policy reasons. So, you can actually register for the bar exam as early as September this year, and you can also apply during your masters studies.”
“I understand. So, I should focus entirely on preparing for postgraduate entrance exam now. If everything goes smoothly, after the masters school interview next year, I can fully prepare for the bar exam in September next year.”
Luo Runfeng nodded. Yan Yan was very smart, he understood everything at once.
“After passing the bar exam, you need one year of internship to be able to appear in court independently, and you need to be registered at a law firm for a year. If you want to appear in court right after graduating, I can help. You can assist me during your master’s studies, this way, although you will still be a little behind law students, you will be in the profession in just two years.”
“Lawyer Luo, why are you helping me? Is it because of him?”
“Not entirely, but it’s part of the reason. To be honest, Senlan is one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the country. Leaving aside potential business dealings, just consider pharmaceuticals. Who knows if there will be a need for help due to health reasons in the future? When someone like him extends an olive branch, only a fool would refuse. The more friends you have, the more paths you have.”
Yan Yan didn’t expect him to be so straightforward. He looked surprised. As a senior college student, he couldn’t keep up with the pace of the conversation.
Luo Runfeng saw his expression clearly, smiled, and asked, “What? Did you think it was all about pure friendship? Although we are alumni from the same year, I am several years older than him, and we weren’t very close before. And the other reason is because of you. The further help is because I have high hopes for you; you’re a promising talent. You’re smart, willing to work hard, and with some help, your future will be bright. Besides, you’re well-suited for this profession. You have strong language skills, clear logic, quick reactions, and a good memory.”
Yan Yan was flattered and happiness was written all over his face. When he calmed down, he thought for a moment and decided to talk about the last thing he wanted to say today.
“Lawyer Luo, I want to end my internship early. I think I’ve figured it out. I want to become a lawyer, so I want to go back to school to prepare. I’ve set a goal for myself; I want to take the entrance exam for Xing University’s law program.”
“Very good. But you can set your sights on a better school, like Dr. Zhuang’s alma mater.”
Yan Yan shook his head and said, “I want to stay in Xing City.”
Luo Runfeng understood. Yan Yan had a family and wanted to stay close to his husband, which was normal.
“Xing University’s law department is in the top five nationwide. You can do it!”
“Thank you, Lawyer Luo. I won’t come to the office starting tomorrow.”
“Okay, be sure to let me know if you have good news.”
“I will.”
There were no more formalities. Yan Yan had only been at Guangheng Law Firm for less than a month. After returning that afternoon and saying goodbye to his colleagues, he left the firm.
Leaving seemed like an end, but it was actually a new beginning.
Hu Cong, who had finished the provincial exam immediately started applying for civil service positions in his hometown, casting a wide net to secure a job. Their study group continued, but there was an occasional issue: Professor Zhuang would come to accompany them, so he had to witness them acting affectionate. Once, the three of them were walking together, but suddenly he found himself alone. He glanced back at the playground illuminated by a streetlamp but didn’t dare to confirm whether Professor Zhuang and Yan Yan were kissing there.
In the dark corner of the school playground, Zhuang Yiyun’s fingers tangled in Yan Yan’s hair, his hand gripping Yan Yan’s waist, kissing him. The thrill of potentially being discovered brought greater tension, making their bodies more excited. Yan Yan had cut his hair and dyed it back to its original color, so he looked like a diligent college student.
Zhuang Yiyun’s hand rested on his tattoo, but he never asked what happened on the day he got it. From that day, Yan Yan had changed significantly. If one had to describe it, It was like sheathing a sword, hiding its sharp edge and quietly honing itself. He worked even harder, but everything else seemed unchanged.
“Gege, you’re not focused.” Yan Yan warned, biting his lower lip, his voice soft.
Zhuang Yiyun didn’t continue the kiss, only holding him and asking, “Are you tired today?”
Yan Yan shook his head, then tilted his head and kissed his Adam’s apple.
Zhuang Yiyun’s breath hitched, and his voice changed. “Nonsense,” he said, and slapped Yan Yan’s perky mounds.
Yan Yan buried his face in his embrace, and said in a low voice , “I haven’t kissed enough.”
“If you haven’t kissed enough, why do that here? What if gege rips off your clothes, and someone sees? What will we do then?”
“Then Dr. Zhuang’s reputation would be completely ruined.”
Zhuang Yiyun chuckled softly, his chest vibrating against Yan Yan.
“Dr. Zhuang can’t control you.”
As the words fell, Zhuang Yiyun suddenly thought of something. Initially, he meant to say that Yan Yan’s disheveled appearance shouldn’t be seen by others, but Yan Yan’s response was… Dr. Zhuang’s reputation.
Zhuang Yiyun looked down at Yan Yan in his arms. The dark corner was dimly lit, highlighting his eyes, which shone like stars before dawn. He didn’t know when, but Yan Yan, who used to be direct, now had profound eyes, filled with overflowing love whenever he looked at him.
“Dr. Zhuang doesn’t need reputation, he just needs Yan Yan to be happy,” Zhuang Yiyun suddenly said.
Yan Yan blinked, pressed his cheek against Zhuang Yiyun’s lips, smiling as he replied, “Yan Yan… is very happy.”
Neither of them mentioned it explicitly, but when they returned home that night, Zhuang Yiyun was unusually fierce. He stripped Yan Yan’s clothes off in the living room and immediately put him on the sofa without even switching off the lights. He sucked him off and Yan Yan had to give him a navel orange in the middle, which got Yan Yan’s heart beating so fast.
*In danmei novels, “giving a navel orange” means riding.
The days of focusing on his studies at school passed quickly. Graduation photos were taken, and thesis defenses were held. Soon, Yan Yan was nearing graduation.
One day in mid-June, Zhuang Yiyun went to work as usual. When he arrived at the office, he received a message from Ke Mingcheng, asking him to visit his office.
Zhuang Yiyun didn’t think much about it. He went to Ke Mingcheng’s office and knocked on the door symbolically, then pushed it open. Inside, there was not only Ke Mingcheng sitting there.
Several people were sitting on the sofa. Ke Mingcheng was entertaining guests. When he saw Zhuang Yiyun, the others retreated, leaving only Ke Mingcheng and the guest in the middle. Zhuang Yiyun recognized the guest, Director Zheng from the National Pharmaceutical Center. Usually, it was his deputy who worked directly with them.
“Dr. Zhuang, please have a seat,” Director Zheng took the initiative.
Zhuang Yiyun went over and sat down. He exchanged greetings, then waited for the other party to speak.
Director Zheng didn’t beat around the bush. “I apologize for my presumptuousness today. There’s a national-level key project at the National Pharmaceutical Company, a project with tight timelines and heavy tasks. They are assembling a team of experts nationwide and are specifically seeking your expertise. Professor Xun requested for you, so I’ve come here today on his behalf to extend this invitation to you.”
Xun Yisheng, the Chief Scientist of the National Pharmaceutical Center, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a leading figure in the domestic pharmaceutical field. Zhuang Yiyun had met Professor Xun at an academic forum before, and they had discussed some matters. However, the conversation wasn’t deep. Naming him specifically for this project was somewhat puzzling.
Seeing his puzzled expression, which didn’t show any sign of joy, Director Zheng praised him silently: the young man had a stable temperament.
Then he explained, “Professor Xun has read your papers and, recently, met your teacher at an international academic conference. He appreciates you greatly and trusts your professional ability.”
Zhuang Yiyun understood, and his expression relaxed slightly. He asked, “May I know what the project is?”
“It’s a classified project,” Director Zheng said, his gaze shifting to Ke Mingcheng.
Ke Mingcheng adjusted his suit, neither humble nor pushy. “Dr. Zhuang is someone I invested heavily to be brought back from overseas. He holds our core project and the contract with Senlan is still in effect. Now, the National Pharmaceutical Center wants him with just a few words and no details? Director Zheng, how can I explain this to the group?”
In the end, Ke Mingcheng couldn’t be bypassed. They agreed on the information exchange and Ke Mingcheng signed a confidentiality agreement. After all, a national-level classified project was not something any entrepreneur could casually know about.
“There’s a new type of virus that entered our country from northern Myanmar recently, causing localized group infections. The infections are currently under control, but once this virus enters the human body, the fatality rate is very high. We lack supporting data to accurately assess it, but the estimated mortality rate is over 50%.”
Zhuang Yiyun frowned, “A highly contagious deadly virus?”
“Yes.”
“Have they traced its origins?”
“At the moment, it’s still unclear.”
Zhuang Yiyun fell silent. Once he heard this, he realized that the scale and urgency of this project probably far exceeded his imagination.
“We only have three years. We need a targeted medicine; otherwise, we will be in a very passive position.”
Zhuang Yiyun refused without hesitation. Three years, and he didn’t even know where this project would be conducted in isolation. Let him separate from Yan Yan for three years; whoever loved the project could take it.
Though he thought this way, what he said sounded noble, “My drug is also in a critical stage. The significance of a broad-spectrum anticancer drug is equally significant.”
“Dr. Zhuang, your team has a cooperative relationship with our National Pharmaceutical Center. We are aware of the project’s progress. According to our researchers’ feedback, you’ve overcome the crucial technical challenges. Even if you leave the team now, it won’t significantly affect the research and development progress. Your partner, Dr. Luan Qing, can fully take over your work.”
Zhuang Yiyun shook his head, expressing his disagreement. In the process of scientific research, unforeseen problems and difficulties could arise at any time. Which researcher would dare to make such a statement? However, Luan Qing… was indeed capable of taking over now.
Seeing that he wasn’t convinced, Director Zheng tried another angle, revealing the partial list of experts recruited this time. Not only did it include renowned pharmaceutical experts, but also biologists.
Zhuang Yiyun was intrigued; these were senior experts he rarely had a chance to cooperate with.
Seeing he remained silent, Director Zheng had no choice but to take another dose of medicine and said in a deep voice: “ From the current investigation, we can not rule out the possibility that the new virus MOTC was artificially cultivates and deliberately released.”
The content of the conversation was required to be kept confidential. But because Zhuang Yiyun appeared vague, Director Zheng had to reveal more information about the new virus MOTC.
“At present, it’s under control. But due to its unknown origin, there’s a possibility of further spread at any time. Considering the current speed of information dissemination, it’s impossible to keep it secret forever. Once disclosed to the public, it will inevitably cause panic. If it’s artificial, we’ll be even more passive. So, we’re racing against time to develop vaccines and specific drugs before MOTC reappears.”
“Professor Xun specifically recommended you. He said the National Pharmaceutical Center is full of old experts, and they need young experts with new perspectives. He insisted on bringing you on board.”
????? Biological warfare plot?