Main Planet Central Hospital, Human Resources Department.
Felwin gripped the onboarding form in her hand, crumpling the edges of the paper.
She had specifically chosen a pearl-white haute couture dress today, originally preparing to turn heads in the hospital corridors.
Instead, the HR manager behind the desk directly tossed over a shapeless white uniform.
"Fill out the form and change into the uniform," the HR manager said without even looking up, her fingers clacking away on the optical computer's keyboard.
Felwin looked at the rigid white coat and frowned in disgust. She was used to being treated like royalty wherever she went; how could this outfit possibly flatter her figure?
"My position is a bit special." She softened her voice, putting on the same act she usually used to handle males. "I'm only helping out in the Purification Department occasionally. Is there really a need to wear a uniform?"
The HR manager finally stopped typing and glanced up at her. The manager herself was an S-class female and had watched the replay of the Purification Department's livestream yesterday.
Felwin's impassioned speech about how "all S-class females should provide their services for free" had essentially thrown every S-class female in the galaxy under the bus. Cutting off someone's livelihood was akin to murdering their parents; it was no wonder the HR manager wasn't giving her a good look.
"Hospital regulations state that all medical staff and external experts must wear the standard uniform upon entering the work area," the manager replied with a stiff, strictly business tone.
Felwin bit her lower lip. "Then why doesn't Director Chiron wear it? When I saw him yesterday, he was in casual clothes."
"Ha." The HR manager rolled her eyes, too lazy to even pretend to be polite. "If you can reach Director Chiron's position and have the entire Central Hospital under your name, nobody would care even if you strutted down the halls wearing a potato sack. Now, change your clothes."
These sharp words made Felwin's chest tighten with frustration. Ever since she was promoted to S-class, she had been surrounded by admirers wherever she went. When had she ever suffered such indignity! She ground her teeth secretly, forcefully suppressing her anger. To salvage her ruined reputation from yesterday's livestream disaster, she had to make this hospital visit work.
"Alright, I'll change." She squeezed out a gentle smile and took the clothes to the locker room.
When she came out dressed in the uniform, the HR manager handed her an electronic receipt.
"Let's go. Routine pre-employment physical examination."
A physical examination? Felwin wasn't opposed to this. The Female Protection Center arranged comprehensive medical checkups for high-ranking females every month, so she was long used to it. She took the receipt and scanned it casually, but her gaze froze on the last line of text.
[Deep Spiritual Energy Bandwidth Scan].
These words pierced her eyes like needles. Past physical exams were nothing more than checking various physiological indicators, or at most measuring the surface value of her spiritual energy level. A deep bandwidth scan?
She had indeed taken that potion before leaving the house today, which superficially maintained the stable illusion of an S-class. But the effects were unstable, and her spiritual energy was actually bouncing back and forth between A-class and S-class. Once this deep scan was initiated, her secret drug use would definitely be exposed.
"Did previous pre-employment exams have this item?" Felwin pointed at the line of text, trying her best to keep her tone steady.
The HR manager walked ahead, ignoring her question. "The work in the Purification Department involves direct contact with males in their berserk phase. If your spiritual energy is unstable, it can easily trigger a backlash. For your own safety, we must check it thoroughly."
Check it thoroughly? These words made a layer of cold sweat seep from Felwin's back. No, she absolutely could not take this test.
Seeing that they were almost at the door of the Spiritual Energy Testing Room, her mind raced. Suddenly, her legs went weak, and she leaned against the wall.
"Ah..." She raised a hand to press against her temple, her brows furrowed tightly, her breathing becoming rapid. "I feel so dizzy..."
The HR manager stopped and looked at her suspiciously.
"It might be because I performed too many purifications consecutively yesterday, and my spiritual energy is overdrawn." Felwin leaned against the wall, faking a look of extreme weakness.
The HR manager frowned. Although she despised Felwin, the woman was still a registered S-class female. If something really happened to her at the Central Hospital, no one could bear the responsibility.
"In that case, let's go to the Emergency Department for a brain scan first." The HR manager made a prompt decision and reached out to support her. "We'll check if you really are overdrawn."
Go to the Emergency Department? That still meant getting checked!
Felwin panicked and quickly waved her hands, standing up a bit straighter. "No, no, I just need to rest for a while. Let's not waste medical resources."
The HR manager watched her contradictory behavior coldly, pretty much figuring out what was going on. However, she didn't expose her, just quietly watching her perform.
Felwin's scalp tingled under the stare. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep walking forward to finish the routine items first.
Seeing the Spiritual Energy Testing Room getting closer and closer, her palms were sweaty as she considered faking a real fainting spell.
"Buzz—"
The optical computer on her wrist suddenly vibrated.
Relieved, she quickly answered it. A holographic screen popped open, showing the anxious face of her A-class beast husband.
"Wife, come back quickly! Dan's berserk value has suddenly spiked, and I can hardly suppress it!"
This call was the backup plan she had arranged after learning she had to undergo a spiritual energy test. She had specifically instructed her three beast husbands to time their distress call perfectly.
Felwin switched to a frantic expression, her eyes turning red. "Hold on! I'll be right back!"
Hanging up the call, she turned to the HR manager with an apologetic face. "I'm so sorry, but this is a matter of life and death. I have to go back immediately to purify my mate. The physical exam will have to wait until next time."
A spike in a male's berserk value was indeed an urgent matter. No matter how dissatisfied the HR manager was, she didn't dare stop her right now. She could only watch helplessly as Felwin took off the white coat and rushed out the hospital doors.
Watching the retreating figure disappear, the HR manager scoffed coldly and turned to head toward the Director's office.
Meanwhile, in the Valoran Galaxy, at a seaside resort hotel.
When Chiron's star message arrived, Jiang Lijin was sitting on a beach chair, enjoying the sea breeze.
[Felwin used her beast husband's berserk state as an excuse and avoided the deep spiritual energy scan.]
Looking at the brief text on the screen, Jiang Lijin wasn't surprised. That woman, Felwin, was incredibly shrewd. Having escaped this time, a surprise inspection like this probably wouldn't work again. The other party would definitely be fully prepared next time, perhaps even increasing the dosage of her potion to mask the fluctuations.
However, this was merely a move to startle the snake in the grass anyway. She put away her optical computer and turned her attention back to the scene in front of her.
The luxury of this seaside hotel that Tinia had brought her to was simply staggering. What was supposed to be a "simple welcome ceremony" had been forcefully turned into an open-air beach carnival party by him.
Sun, waves, and golden sand. Deafening electronic music echoed through the air as scantily clad men and women swayed on the dance floor. The long buffet tables were piled high with expensive delicacies from various galaxies, mostly consisting of a colorful variety of fruits, which were considered an absolute luxury in the interstellar era.
The partygoers were a mixed bag. There were Tinia's friends from the business world, local Valoran dignitaries, and quite a few tourists staying at the hotel.
Tinia had changed into a flashy beach outfit today, his short blond hair slightly tousled by the sea breeze. That inherently deceptive face of his, coupled with his cynical playboy demeanor, made him a walking pheromone dispenser.
The nearby females stared at him with such fiery gazes that they looked ready to glue themselves to his body. Even with Jiang Lijin sitting right next to him, it wasn't enough to block those restless, eager looks.
Tinia, however, turned a blind eye to them all. Like a giant puppy, he practically wanted to attach himself to Jiang Lijin.
Sister, the sun is too harsh here. Should I have someone set up a parasol for you?
Sister, are you hungry? I remember you like fruit, shall I bring a plate over for you?
Sister, do you want to go for a swim in the sea? I have a submarine, lets go see the underwater coral!
He chattered non-stop, holding a palm-leaf fan he had gotten from who-knows-where, fawning over Jiang Lijin as he eagerly fanned her.
Jiang Lijin's ears ached from all his noise. She reached out and pressed down on the wildly waving fan.
I am not hot, and I am not hungry. Can you just be quiet for five minutes?
Tinia pouted in grievance. I was just worried you would be bored. It is rare for us to come out on vacation, you cannot just sit here zoning out the whole time.
His eyes darted around, and he pointed to a stall on the other side of the beach. Over there, they have Valoran specialty glowing drinks. If you drink it, you can glow in the dark. Sister, do you want to try some? I will go get it for you!
Glow in the dark? Glow where? Jiang Lijin looked over in the direction he was pointing.
