Chapter Thirteen: Bai Muqing

A stunning beauty stood before Zhang Mingyang: lustrous black hair cascading down her back, tall and slender figure, fair skin, large eyes framed by willow brows, and seductive lips—all the hallmarks of a rare and exquisite woman.

“You are…?” he asked, his gaze fixed so intently he nearly drooled.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Zhang. My name is Bai Muqing. I’m the Head of Reception at the General Affairs Department, and I’ll be in charge of your tour today. You can just call me Bai,” she said, stepping forward to shake his hand.

“So smooth!” he blurted.

“What was that?” Bai Muqing looked puzzled.

“Nothing, nothing!” Zhang Mingyang snapped out of his rogue expression.

“Please, Mr. Zhang,” Bai Muqing said, leading the way as they descended from the helipad.

“Mr. Zhang, we only received notice from Academician Wang yesterday that you would be visiting, so our preparations today aren’t as thorough as I’d like. I hope you’ll forgive us!”

Zhang Mingyang waved his hand quickly. “It’s fine, really! I feel wonderful!” In truth, he thought to himself, with such a beautiful woman accompanying him, what more could he want?

“It’s almost lunchtime, Mr. Zhang. I’ll take you to eat first; we can visit the laboratory this afternoon,” Bai Muqing said.

Zhang Mingyang nodded in agreement.

Guided by Bai Muqing, they entered the dining hall, drawing jealous glances from the crowd as they walked into a private room.

They sat down, Bai Muqing giving instructions to the staff to bring the food. Zhang Mingyang, driven by a surge of masculine hormones, couldn’t take his eyes off Bai Muqing’s figure.

Despite sensing his lustful gaze, Bai Muqing remained composed and courteous, asking if the dishes suited his tastes.

“Perfect, perfect!” Zhang Mingyang realized he’d been a bit inappropriate, awkwardly waving his hand.

Privately, Zhang Mingyang struggled to control himself. He didn’t know why, but today his body seemed bewitched—he couldn’t help reacting whenever he looked at Bai Muqing.

“Mr. Zhang, let me outline the afternoon’s schedule,” she said.

“Go ahead.”

“After lunch and a short rest, we’ll first visit the Power Laboratory, then the Engine Assembly Workshop, followed by…”

Zhang Mingyang barely listened, busy restraining his urges.

“Is everything alright, Mr. Zhang?” Bai Muqing asked.

“No issues, none at all!” he replied.

Soon the food arrived: four dishes and a soup, with meat and fish.

Throughout the meal, Zhang Mingyang kept his eyes on the food, doing his best not to look or think about Bai Muqing.

Whether from hunger or something else, after eating, the fire inside him subsided, and he no longer wore his earlier expression.

He rested for a while after lunch, chatting idly with Bai Muqing about all sorts of topics.

“Mr. Zhang, it’s time. Shall we go?” Bai Muqing prompted.

Zhang Mingyang stood and followed her out.

Along the way, Bai Muqing explained the various buildings in the campus, continuing until they reached the entrance of a circular laboratory.

Seeing the domed roof, Zhang Mingyang guessed it was the hydrogen energy lab.

Bai Muqing swiped a special card and opened the door. They entered together.

Inside, it was pitch black. Nothing could be seen.

“Aren’t the lights on?” Bai Muqing fumbled for the switch.

Just then, the door closed automatically. The last bit of light vanished.

“Miss Bai?” Zhang Mingyang called out, uneasy in the darkness, feeling his way around.

Suddenly, he touched something soft. He squeezed it twice.

“Smack!” In the darkness, a slap landed heavily on Zhang Mingyang’s left cheek, just as the lights came on.

Stunned by the slap and the sudden brightness, Zhang Mingyang took a moment to realize what he’d just grabbed.

In front of him stood a breathtaking beauty, her cheeks flushed and her expression fierce.

“Have you not had enough?” she snapped.

“Smack!” Another slap struck his right cheek.

Only now did Zhang Mingyang realize what his hands were doing.

“Miss Bai, let me explain!” he cried, raising both hands and backing away.

“Explain?” Bai Muqing raised her left hand again. Seeing this, Zhang Mingyang retreated further, the two of them chasing and dodging around the hall.

Suddenly, Bai Muqing stepped on something and fell forward.

Zhang Mingyang reacted instantly, darting over and catching her before she could hit the ground.

The door creaked open, and a young researcher entered. Seeing them locked in an embrace, he was so stunned he dropped his lunchbox.

“Director Bai…!” he stammered. “Carry on…”

Before either could respond, the young man slipped out, closing the door behind him.

“Hey! Don’t go!” Bai Muqing shouted, kicking Zhang Mingyang aside and storming out. As she left, she threw him an angry glare.

After Bai Muqing departed, Zhang Mingyang leaned against the wall, wiping the footprint from his chest, cursing inwardly.

What had he done to deserve this?

It was just an accidental touch! And he’d already been slapped more than twenty times!

In his clueless, love-struck mind, Zhang Mingyang rationalized: “I touched her once, she slapped me twenty times—so we’re even. But then I saved her, and she kicked me. That’s her fault, she owes me now. That last look she gave me proves it—she owes me!”

“Heh heh…” He chuckled to himself.

Hearing the door open again, Zhang Mingyang quickly brushed off the footprint and straightened his clothes.

A man entered.

“Mr. Zhang, Director Bai has left due to an urgent matter. She asked me to continue your tour—please call me Li.”

Seeing it wasn’t Bai Muqing, Zhang Mingyang felt a pang of disappointment.

“Alright,” he replied.

So, without Bai Muqing’s company, Li led Zhang Mingyang through the Power Laboratory, the Equipment Workshop, and the Materials Processing Area.

By the time they exited the last workshop, Zhang Mingyang’s legs were so weak he could barely stand.

Li checked the time—it was nearly six—and suggested he escort Zhang Mingyang back for some rest.

“Alright, alright…” Zhang Mingyang nodded eagerly.

On the helicopter, strapped in safely, Zhang Mingyang gazed at the shrinking buildings below, feeling a sudden reluctance to leave.

But as the engines roared and the helicopter lifted off, the factories grew smaller and smaller, until they vanished from his view.