Floating life reflects two lotuses

Chu Wanlian stood in front of the laboratory's glass window, her fingers lightly tapping the cold glass panel, her eyes darting around.

Outside, it was pitch black, with only the occasional flash of a laboratory searchlight casting a cold spot of light.

The image still echoed in her mind—the rune array began to emit a dazzling light amidst the energy fluctuations, and her soul seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, briefly leaving her body.

She could clearly see that the ancient Xiao Jinlian was surrounded by the power of the curse, her eyes filled with despair yet determination.

Then everything was suddenly cut off, and she was jolted back into her own body, the sharp alarm of the experimental equipment echoing in her ears.

"If these runic energies continue to spiral out of control, the consequences will be unimaginable," she murmured to herself, raising her hand to pinch her brow.

I heard steady footsteps behind me.

“Xiao Jinlian,” Li Chenyao’s voice came from not far away, carrying his unique calmness and oppressive aura.

Chu Wanlian turned around and looked at his deep and unfathomable face, and her heart suddenly tightened.

This man, both in his gaze and his tone, always made her feel uneasy.

Yet, at certain moments, I feel a surprising sense of peace.

"Mr. Li, is there anything I can help you with?" She tried to keep her voice calm, but her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Li Chenyao approached, stood before her, and gazed down at her intently. His voice was deep: "What did you discover in the experimental data?"

Chu Wanlian paused, her mind racing. Had he already noticed her recent unusual behavior?

“The experimental data is fine,” she smiled, her voice slightly dismissive, “but the fluctuations in the rune energy are indeed a bit strange, and I’m investigating the possible reasons.”

Li Chenyao raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Is that so? I thought your recent 'research' was more than just data analysis."

His gaze seemed to pierce through her disguise and reach straight to her heart.

Chu Wanlian suppressed her nervousness and forced a smile, saying, "President Li, are you doubting me?"

“I don’t doubt you,” Li Chenyao’s voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable force. “I just want to remind you that every move in the lab is closely watched by the higher-ups. And your recent unusual behavior has already attracted their attention.”

"The higher-ups' attention?" Chu Wanlian frowned slightly, her heart skipping a beat.

“Yes,” Li Chenyao said calmly, yet with a hint of sharpness, “including your several unexcused absences from your posts, your presence in the core area, and your handling of things you shouldn’t have. What do you think the higher-ups will think?”

Chu Wanlian was speechless for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a solution.

“However—” Li Chenyao suddenly changed the subject, his tone subtly shifting, “I’m not here to question you. I just want to tell you that I don’t fully support the lab’s plans.”

Chu Wanlian suddenly looked up, staring at him in shock: "What did you say?"

Li Chenyao smiled slightly, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her face: "The higher-ups want to open a soul channel through runic energy, attempting to control the rules of soul exchange. This is the laboratory's ultimate goal. But do you think they can truly control this power?"

"And what about you?" Chu Wanlian couldn't help but ask, her eyes filled with doubt. "Whose side are you on?"

Li Chenyao did not answer immediately, but remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes revealing a complex emotion: "Xiao Jinlian, I am not the high-level agent you imagine, nor am I entirely a 'supporter' of the laboratory. But I need time to find a reasonable way to counter their plan."

Chu Wanlian was stunned for a moment, unable to hide her shock. She had never imagined that Li Chenyao would say such a thing.

"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked in a low voice, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Li Chenyao sighed softly, his voice low: "Because you're different from them. Your reaction during the experiment shows that you understand better than they do how dangerous the power of runes is. I believe you don't want to see the lab get out of control, right?"

Chu Wanlian was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "You're right, this kind of power is indeed too dangerous. But—" She paused, looking directly at him, "Can you really counter them?"

A faint smile appeared on Li Chenyao's lips: "With your help, perhaps it's possible."

Chu Wanlian's heart skipped a beat, and a complex emotion appeared in her eyes.

Although Li Chenyao's words made her waver in her attitude towards him, she still remained somewhat wary of him deep down.

Back in her apartment, Chu Wanlian collapsed onto the sofa. Xu Nianni, who was scrolling through her phone, couldn't help but tease her when she saw her return: "Lianlian, you look a little tired today. Did President Li make you work overtime again?"

Chu Wanlian gave a wry smile: "Don't mention it, he did 'add' some things to my life."

“By the way, did you know?” Xu Nianni suddenly looked up excitedly, “There’s a post online analyzing our lab’s rune research, saying it’s related to some kind of spacetime energy. These people are really talking nonsense.”

Chu Wanlian's expression changed slightly, and she tried her best to keep her tone calm: "Space-time energy? How did they know about it?"

"It's probably just a guess," Xu Nianni waved her hand dismissively. "Don't overthink it. With so many security measures in our lab, who could possibly know the truth?"

Chu Wanlian lowered her head, a vague unease creeping into her heart. She knew that the laboratory's secret was being watched by more and more people, and that her time with Li Chenyao might be running out.

"I must stop the lab's plan no matter what," she silently resolved.