Floating life reflects two lotuses

Li Chenyao sent Chu Wanlian a message early in the morning, inviting her to the core area of ​​the laboratory to discuss rune research. The message was brief, but it stirred a flood of thoughts in Chu Wanlian: the core area of ​​the laboratory? Could it hold the key to unlocking the bracelet's secret?

As Chu Wanlian entered the laboratory, she saw Li Chenyao standing in front of the control panel, his fingertips nimbly gliding across the holographic screen. The projected runes swirled like a nebula, emitting a faint glow that cast a mysterious light over the entire room. Hearing the noise, he looked up, a smile playing on his lips: "Good morning, Xiao Jinlian."

Chu Wanlian's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly adjusted her expression and nodded slightly, "Good morning." Her gaze swept over the symbols on the screen, and she asked casually, "These symbols seem more complex than the ones we saw last time. Have you made any new progress?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chenyao's lips curled into a playful smile, his tone tinged with a hint of probing: "Good eye. These are symbol records from the core of the laboratory, involving a deeper level of energy resonance theory. You're quite sensitive to these symbols."

Chu Wanlian smiled slightly and continued casually, "They look like variants of some ancient language, but they are somewhat different from actual writing. Especially these intersecting symbols, which seem to contain some kind of pattern."

Li Chenyao nodded, a hint of approval in his expression: "That's right. These symbols are not simply language, but rather something between language and mathematical formulas. Their arrangement is consistent with the fluctuation frequency of certain energy fields, and can trigger energy reactions in a specific way."

Chu Wanlian listened thoughtfully, her gaze returning to the screen. She pointed to one of the symbols: "What about this one? It looks like some kind of mark."

Li Chenyao took a few steps closer to her, his tone serious: "These are the symbols we call 'anchor symbols.' They seem to be the core hubs of these symbols; whenever a symbol reaches this node, the energy fluctuations reach their peak." He paused slightly, his gaze fixed on her. "You know just as much about these things as my team."

Chu Wanlian's heart tightened, but she forced a calm smile and said, "It's probably just a coincidence. I had some interest in ancient writing and semiotics in college, so these look somewhat familiar."

Li Chenyao gazed at her thoughtfully, his smile deepening: "Is that so? If it's a coincidence, then it's quite a rare coincidence."

Chu Wanlian felt a sudden sense of unease, but she quickly changed the subject, pointing to the other side of the screen: "Are these symbols arranged in a circular structure to simulate some kind of ritual?"

Li Chenyao raised his hand to operate the screen, and the symbols on the screen immediately decomposed into several sets of data streams: "It's not entirely a ritual, but it's somewhat similar to the logic of a ritual. The structure formed by these symbols can capture a certain energy field and transform it into physical phenomena that we can observe."

"It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie," Chu Wanlian chuckled softly, a hint of teasing in her voice. "With such in-depth research in the lab, are you trying to open some kind of teleportation portal?"

Li Chenyao chuckled and raised an eyebrow at her: "A teleportation portal? You're thinking quite far ahead. But..." He leaned closer, his tone suddenly lowering, "If we could really open some kind of 'door,' perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing."

Chu Wanlian took a small step back, concealing her inner unease: "But what lies on the other side of the door is not necessarily something we can control."

A meaningful glint flashed in Li Chenyao's eyes: "Perhaps we can't control it, but we can always understand it. That's the significance of the laboratory's existence."

Chu Wanlian seized the opportunity and asked casually, "Then, is the access to these symbols limited to only the core members of the laboratory?"

Li Chenyao smiled faintly, his tone firm: "Yes. And currently, only one person possesses the actual decoding authority."

"Who?" Chu Wanlian asked tentatively, already having a vague answer in her mind.

“Of course it’s me.” Li Chenyao moved slightly closer, looked down into her eyes, and a slightly teasing smile appeared on his lips.

Chu Wanlian felt the intensity of his gaze and a surge of panic rose within her, but she tried her best to keep her voice calm: "Then wouldn't Director Li have the secrets of the entire laboratory?"

"What do you think?" Li Chenyao asked in return, his tone light but with a hint of deeper meaning.

Chu Wanlian suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, raised the corners of her mouth, and retorted with a half-smile: "Such important access, aren't you afraid that someone will covet it?"

Li Chenyao smiled faintly: "The authority is in the right hands, there won't be any problems. I'm more interested in—what about you? What are you eyeing?"

At lunchtime, Li Chenyao suggested having lunch together. Chu Wanlian initially wanted to refuse, but then she thought it was a good opportunity to test him, so she nodded in agreement.

The restaurant chosen was a secluded spot near the lab, with an elegant ambiance. The waiter quietly served the two of them. Chu Wanlian glanced at the dishes on the table casually, but secretly she was planning how to start a conversation.

Li Chenyao spoke first: "I found your symbolic research today very interesting. Your intuition is sharper than anyone else's."

Chu Wanlian smiled gently, picked up her cup and took a sip of tea: "It was just good luck. After all, I've studied these symbols before."

"You've studied it?" Li Chenyao moved closer with interest. "Where was it? Was it related to archaeology?"

Chu Wanlian's heart tightened, but she maintained her composure on the surface: "Well, I took some ancient script courses in college, which may overlap with your research direction."

Li Chenyao stared at her, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly asked, "Chu Wanlian, do you... have a special feeling for these symbols?"

She paused for a moment, hesitating about how to answer, when Li Chenyao added, "For example, I feel that there seems to be some inexplicable connection between you and these symbols."

These words startled Chu Wanlian, but she quickly regained her composure: "Director Li, are you overthinking this?"

“No, my intuition is always very accurate.” Li Chenyao leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep, and suddenly a smile appeared on his face. “So, are you planning to continue denying it?”

Chu Wanlian looked up at him directly, a teasing smile on her lips: "So, Director Li, are you going to tell me that you're actually pursuing me?"

This question was both a test and a sign of genuine concern.

Li Chenyao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, are you willing?"

Chu Wanlian was surprised by his straightforward answer and didn't know how to respond for a moment. She could only lower her head to hide her inner turmoil.

On the way back to the lab, Li Chenyao suddenly turned to look at her: "Xiao Jinlian, how about trying a deeper collaboration?"

"Cooperation?" Chu Wanlian raised an eyebrow, feigning composure.

"Well, not just work-related." His tone was slightly ambiguous. "For example... in life, we can get to know each other better."

Chu Wanlian's heart raced slightly, but Xiao Jinlian's voice suddenly echoed in her mind: "Chu Wanlian, you can't just agree to his request for the lab's secret code!"

Chu Wanlian replied impatiently in her heart: "Then aren't you and Brother Liheng all lovey-dovey too?"

Xiao Jinlian said coldly, "This is different. Li Chenyao's identity is too complicated. He obviously knows more than we imagine. If you get close to him, you might be used against you."

“Li Chenyao is handsome and capable, more than a match for your face,” Chu Wanlian thought dismissively, but a faint smile appeared on her face: “Director Li, your suggestion is very interesting, but the cooperation will depend on your performance.”

Li Chenyao raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Then we'll wait and see."

Chu Wanlian spoke casually, "After all, collaborations outside of work rely on mutual trust. Would Director Li be willing to share some clues about symbol research first? Perhaps that would help us get closer."

Li Chenyao stopped and turned to look at her, his gaze revealing an unfathomable emotion: "I really underestimated you. So, is this a test, or are you giving me a chance?"

Chu Wanlian's heart tightened, but she pretended to be calm and said softly, "What if I said both?"

Li Chenyao chuckled softly, his tone gentle yet firm: "Then I will tell you that these symbols are not only about the past, but also point to the future. Their meaning transcends our current understanding of time and space, and you... may be the key to unlocking them."

Chu Wanlian frowned slightly, her heart churning, but she remained calm on the surface: "It sounds like I've been given some kind of special mission."

Li Chenyao narrowed his eyes, seemingly pondering something: "Perhaps. However, I prefer to see it as a deeper connection between us." He took a step closer, his voice low, "If you're willing, I'd be happy to cooperate."

The distance between them instantly shrank, and an air of ambiguity quietly filled the air. Chu Wanlian subconsciously took a step back, forcing herself to remain calm as she said, "The premise of cooperation is honesty. I hope Director Li won't disappoint me."

Li Chenyao stopped, his gaze gentle yet carrying an indescribable persistence: "Of course, I never disappoint anyone, especially not you."

Xiao Jinlian's voice rang in his mind again, tinged with helplessness: "You are really audacious, daring to deal with him like this."

"Do you expect me to back down?" Chu Wanlian asked herself, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Haven't you always taught me to take the initiative in the game?"

Xiao Jinlian was silent for a moment, her tone revealing a hint of compromise: "Don't forget your goal. If you can really get special access to the lab, we'll be closer to the truth."

“I know,” Chu Wanlian said softly, “That’s precisely why I have to make him believe me first.”