Hearing what Zeng Haoyang said, Lu Zixun, who had anger on his face, suddenly gave a sheepish smile, "This... I just forgot, that’s all."
It really wasn’t a matter of Lu Zixun standing somebody up on purpose.
First thing in the morning, he wasn’t very good with memories as it was, let alone getting distracted by trying to increase his feeling value.
What Gongsun Li, Guardian Beast—all of that Lu Zixun had completely forgotten.
The pitch of the voice rose threefold, and Zeng Haoyang snorted coldly, "You certainly forgot about the appointment. The young lady, however, didn’t forget to give you the Array Formation Plate."
Zeng Haoyang walked to the bookshelf, and with spiritual energy surging from within him,
the bookshelf split in the middle and moved towards both walls, revealing a secret chamber behind it.
Zeng Haoyang clapped his hands and lights illuminated the pitch-black chamber.
On the glass walls of the chamber hung some fancy weapons and equipment that Lu Zixun had never seen before.
Standing in front of a wall, Lu Zixun saw his nano armor and nano longsword, as well as the Gongsun Family’s Array Formation Plate.
After inputting the password, the glass opened with a sound.
Zeng Haoyang took the items out and threw them to Lu Zixun, then grabbed him by the neck and hoisted him up, "Remember you ditched them, but don’t use the fact that you’re a Guardian Beast to bully them."
"I’m not, I didn’t..."
Crying without tears, he shouted a triple denial.
Looking miserable, Lu Zixun was dangled in the air by Zeng Haoyang, looking utterly pitiful.
Then Zixun was set down on the desk.
Watching Lu Zixun installing the chip into his nano armor, Zeng Haoyang spoke up, "I had someone specially improve the chip for you. Now it can work with your metal control."
Lu Zixun, pausing for a moment, finally realized Zeng Haoyang was referring to Magnetic Field Control and nodded, "Okay, got it."
Xiong Kang, who had gone to make two cups of coffee, now came over with a tray.
Handing a cup of coffee to Zeng Haoyang, "Elder Zeng, the little bastard discovered some things."
Taking a sip of coffee, Zeng Haoyang looked puzzled at Lu Zixun, "What have you found now? It’s not another family asking you to become their Guardian Beast, is it?"
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Lu Zixun spilled everything he had seen and heard at the villa, including his speculations with Xiong Kang in the elevator, and shared all of it with Zeng Haoyang.
Looking at Zeng Haoyang, who was frowning deeply, Lu Zixun, who had been talking for a long time and was rather thirsty, casually went over to the water cooler to pour himself a cup of water.
"Ding—Detected a headache value from Zeng Haoyang +8000."
"You disappear for just a few days, and when you show up, you drop such a heavy bomb."
Raising a hand to rub his aching brow, Zeng Haoyang let out a weary sigh, "We’ve already been feeling something was off recently, just didn’t investigate in this direction, thinking that these long-established families would have some integrity."
Looking at Zeng Haoyang, whose expression was somewhat despondent, Lu Zixun and Xiong Kang exchanged glances.
Finally, Xiong Kang gestured with his mouth to Lu Zixun, signaling him to go and comfort Zeng Haoyang.
Draining the cup of water, Lu Zixun walked over to Zeng Haoyang.
Raising a paw, he patted his arm, "Hey, old man, don’t be sad. People have their ideals, right? Cats have their dreams, too."
"There’s always someone who has to be a salted fish in this world, so why can’t that person be me..."
Lu Zixun babbled a bunch in my ear.
The slightly disheartened Zeng Haoyang couldn’t help but break into a wry smile as he looked at Lu Zixun, "Is this supposed to be comforting?"
Recalling the nonsensical things he had just said, Lu Zixun gave an awkward smile.
Looking somewhat uncertain, he said, "It should...count...right?"
Lifting his hand to ruffle Lu Zixun’s hair, Zeng Haoyang narrowed his glasses, his demeanor changing instantly, "There are hundreds of families, big and small, in Lingchuan City. In the name of STO, we will audit these families in three batches."
He paused for a moment, then looked seriously at Lu Zixun, "During the audit period, it’s best if you can keep an eye on the Gongsun Family, because they’re the ones who are most likely to act and leave us with no countermeasures."
Frowning slightly, Lu Zixun pursed his lips, "What about Si Yin?"
"As long as Wang Duli is there, it’s absolutely safe."
Dispelling Lu Zixun’s doubts, Zeng Haoyang continued, "Besides, I’m not asking you to stay at the Gongsun Family all day, just remember to keep an eye on the messages."
"As long as Tan Ye doesn’t recklessly expose his location in a surprise attack, with the large Array surrounding the Gongsun Family, they should be able to withstand attacks from Abnormal Creatures for some time."
He raised his hand to his chin, pondering.
After a while, Zeng Haoyang finally called out, "Xiong Kang."
Saluting Zeng Haoyang, Xiong Kang stared at him intently, waiting for instructions.
"During this time, follow the Orange Cat whenever you can. I remember tomorrow is an event at Qingniao University. Try to find some clues and eliminate those Abnormal Creatures."
Speaking up to there, Zeng Haoyang seemed to remember something and added, "Also remember, don’t reveal your location. In facing an assassination king insect, the Orange Cat might survive, but humans definitely won’t."
Listening on the side, Lu Zixun’s whiskers twitched. Was Zeng Haoyang complimenting his strength, or was he saying that he was thick-skinned?
Next, Zeng Haoyang and Xiong Kang were preparing their strategy for the conflict targeting the nest of Abnormal Creatures.
Lu Zixun, uninterested in their preparations, excused himself to both and headed towards Gongsun Li’s office.
Having stood her up, naturally, he needed to make an apology in person.
He pushed open the door to the office.
Dressed in an OL outfit, Gongsun Li wore a high ponytail, her eyebrows slightly furrowed as if she’d encountered some thorny problem.
Taking small steps into the office, Lu Zixun raised his paw in greeting to Gongsun Li.
"Ding—Feeling value from Gongsun Li +4000."
Gongsun Li, surprised by the sound of Lu Zixun’s voice, looked up.
Not finding the flash of orange she expected, she sighed softly and lowered her head again.
At that moment, Lu Zixun, whose form was concealed by the office desk, sprang up onto the desktop.
He reached out a paw and gently tapped Gongsun Li’s head, speaking apologetically, "Sorry for making you wait so long."
Seeing it was indeed Lu Zixun, Gongsun Li’s eyes brightened and her face lit up with a smile as she pursed her lips.
She extended her hand carefully and ruffled Lu Zixun’s head, "No worries, Lord Cat."
Such a lady—finding her as a girlfriend would surely be striking gold.
Laying flat on the desktop, Lu Zixun wore a look of contentment, enjoying the massage from Gongsun Li.