The sunlight in Silicon Valley was just right—another coastal city brimming with summer vibes.
But Zhong Ziyan, who had just left an island a few days ago, wasn’t particularly impressed. Upon arriving at the research facility, her mind was already preoccupied with the future of her "money tree."
Though Wei Hanyun had referred to it as a "research institute," when they arrived, Zhong Ziyan realized it was more accurate to call it a "research company." After all, it occupied an entire three-story building with a sleek, high-end design.
Several key personnel from the institute greeted them at the entrance. Despite their white lab coats, they exuded an air of elite professionalism.
Zhong Ziyan scanned them from left to right and immediately knew she hadn’t met any of them before.
But when she glanced back at Sheng Jiayan, the young man was already gripping the straps of his backpack, his eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.
After a moment’s thought, Zhong Ziyan turned to Wei Hanyun. "Shall we go in for a tour first?"
Wei Hanyun looked at one of the staff members.
"Of course," the bespectacled female lead researcher said with a smile. "I’ll show you around. There are also some new developments and ideas I’d like to share with Mr. Wei."
"The rest of you can go back to work—one guide is enough," Zhong Ziyan said, gesturing to Sheng Jiayan. "This is Sheng Jiayan. He’s working on a project related to californium, so I brought him along to take a look."
Sheng Jiayan greeted them silently in sign language, then shook hands with the lead researcher, his movements slightly stiff.
An accompanying interpreter quietly translated for the researcher.
The lead researcher’s attitude was warm, without a trace of condescension. "Young people often have wildly creative ideas. As I’ve gotten older, I feel like I’ve lost some of that bold ingenuity."
She scratched her tousled short hair and motioned for them to follow. "The institute expanded last year, but it’s still only three floors—the smallest in the area. We should be able to finish the tour quickly."
For Zhong Ziyan, the tour held little meaning. She trailed behind the lead researcher, listening to the detailed explanations as if they were fairy tales.
It reminded her of the dreaded days when the team’s scientists would drag her into progress meetings.
Why did a brawn-over-brain fighter need to understand such high-level technical knowledge?
See? She’d forgotten most of what she’d heard back then anyway!
Zhong Ziyan sighed inwardly, glancing at Wei Hanyun, who was nodding along with a polite smile, then at Sheng Jiayan, who was scribbling furiously in his old notebook, and finally at the lead researcher, who spoke as if delivering a keynote at a scientific conference. She felt like an imposter among geniuses.
She stifled a yawn before it could escape.
"...Beyond that, we take employee welfare very seriously," the lead researcher continued. "For example, the giant slide from the third floor to the first was approved by a company-wide vote. And our cafeteria won first place in this year’s Silicon Valley taste rankings."
Zhong Ziyan, who actually understood this part: "..." Why does a high-tech research hub have such votes? And why do you sound so proud of winning?
"The star-rated recommendation," the lead researcher announced proudly, "goes to the fruit smoothie shop outside our employee gym! Not just our staff—people from Go○gle, Ap○le, Nvi○ia, and Int○l sneak in just to get a taste. To prevent freeloaders, we implemented a new security measure: no cash, no cards—only employee badges work here!"
Zhong Ziyan perked up. "I’ll try one—Wei Hanyun?"
She expected him to decline the sugary treat, but to her surprise, he nodded. "I’ll have the same as you."
"Sheng Jiayan?" Zhong Ziyan turned to her second money tree.
Sheng Jiayan also opted for the same.
Originally planning to try an exotic flavor, Zhong Ziyan now bore the weight of their expectations and ordered the bestseller instead.
Since the shop only accepted employee badges, the lead researcher ended up footing the bill, unable to resist getting one herself.
The four of them stood holding identical smoothies.
Zhong Ziyan took a sip and was instantly won over by the creamy, refreshing texture with tiny ice shards. No wonder rival companies tried to sneak in—if smoothies had Michelin stars, this one would be three-star worthy.
With smoothies in hand, the tour became far more enjoyable. Zhong Ziyan even managed to absorb a few snippets of the lead researcher’s explanations.
When they reached the third floor, the lead researcher pointed to a few empty labs. "These were just relocated from the old site. The brand-new equipment arrived today."
She rattled off a list of manufacturers and model numbers.
Zhong Ziyan nodded solemnly, homing in on the key point as always: "Sounds expensive."
The lead researcher scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Very much so. We owe a great deal to Mr. Wei’s generous funding—just one fission device here cost over fifty million dollars."
Zhong Ziyan mentally tallied up all the equipment across the three floors: "..." Scientific research was the real money furnace. Everything else paled in comparison.
If Wei Hanyun ever asked her to fulfill her daily spending quota again, she now had a new strategy.
...Of course, she’d have to double-check online first—just like the californium incident, where she thought she was splurging, only to find out it was Wei Hanyun’s asset all along.
"Would you like to take a look inside?" the lead researcher offered proudly. "This equipment is among the most advanced in the world."
Before Zhong Ziyan could respond, Sheng Jiayan took an almost entranced step forward, like a pilgrim reaching his holy land.
Zhong Ziyan: "...Go ahead. Explain it to him in detail."
The lead researcher guided Sheng Jiayan inside like a mentor with a student, patiently explaining everything without a hint of pretension.
Zhong Ziyan watched from outside, arms crossed, unsure whether the researcher genuinely saw potential in Sheng Jiayan or was just being polite to the investor.
Wei Hanyun stayed outside too. After Zhong Ziyan finished her smoothie, he handed her his untouched one. "I knew one wouldn’t be enough for you."
Zhong Ziyan eyed the pristine straw in Wei Hanyun’s cup, her hand moving almost on its own to take it. "...Thanks." No wonder he’d ordered the same flavor.
"Let’s go sign the documents," Wei Hanyun said, taking her empty cup. "The kid can stay here and learn from the experts for a while."
Eager to escape the scientific jargon, Zhong Ziyan quickly followed Wei Hanyun.
Through the lab’s glass, Sheng Jiayan gave her a reassuring sign before diving back into his admiration of the cutting-edge equipment.
The "document signing" was mostly a formality—Wei Hanyun’s lawyers had already prepared everything. All they had to do was sit at a table and scribble their names on a stack of papers.
Zhong Ziyan had a good habit when making deals with Wei Hanyun: she never bothered with the details. She simply followed the lawyer’s instructions, lowered her head, and signed her name with swift, sweeping strokes wherever there was a blank space.
What exactly was written in those lengthy documents?
She had no idea.
Naturally, Zhong Ziyan didn’t even glance at the shares Wei Hanyun transferred to her before becoming one of the owners of this research institute.
……
Sheng Jiayan had only ever seen most of these instruments and equipment in textbooks. He might have understood their principles, but he had never laid eyes on the real things before.
As the director led him through the lab, introducing each device one by one, Sheng Jiayan could practically hear his own internal commentary.
He reached out cautiously to touch the shell of a machine, his heart swelling with excitement. With equipment like this, research progress would undoubtedly advance much faster than before.
The thought spurred him to immediately ask the director—using sign language—if he could stay for a while and apply for access to these devices.
The director happened to be one of the scientists Sheng Jiayan idolized, the kind whose name appeared in recent textbooks, so he posed his request with extra care.
The director tilted her head in thought, then replied amiably, “As long as it doesn’t interfere with our ongoing projects, and you get permission from your two ‘guardians,’ of course you can.”
Sheng Jiayan’s eyes lit up, and he resolved to make his request to Zhong Ziyan as soon as possible.
His angel investor was almost too accommodating.
Just for this visit alone, she had arranged for a helicopter to whisk him straight from his university campus.
Sheng Jiayan was pretty sure the spectacle of him being escorted onto the chopper by two black-suited bodyguards—utterly bewildered—was still trending on the school forum.
Who knew whether the gossip speculated he’d been kidnapped or that he was some long-lost heir of a wealthy family?
…Though, judging by what happened afterward, the real star of the show had been the matte black-and-gold sports car. He’d just been a side passenger.
Still, being the sole occupant of a Boeing 747 was an experience so grand it left him slightly intimidated.
All the cramped rows of seats had been removed, transforming the economy cabin into an open-concept lounge complete with a tropical fish tank.
From a full bar to a home theater setup where one could lounge and watch movies, it had everything. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and dressing rooms were situated where first class used to be.
It was practically a flying mansion.
Even someone as indifferent to luxury as him couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the cabin interior with his outdated phone.
“Are you close with Mr. and Mrs. Wei?” the director asked hesitantly. “If you’re their relative…”
Sheng Jiayan snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head vigorously. He quickly signed a response before pulling out his new laptop to show her some data.
With the latest high-performance computer, he had already organized part of his research.
Nothing confidential, of course—just enough to share.
The two science enthusiasts dove into the documents, soon lost in a fervent exchange that left the sign language interpreter struggling.
—How am I supposed to translate technical jargon I don’t even understand?!
The discussion was abruptly interrupted—or rather, shattered—by a voice dripping with arrogance and disdain.
“—Anna, you’re bringing some clueless brat into our top-tier lab? If he damages the equipment, are you planning to pay for it out of your own pocket?”
Anna, the director, frowned and straightened, shielding Sheng Jiayan behind her. “Richard, your access card was revoked. Who let you in?”
“I’m one of the founders of this institute. I don’t need a card to enter—this is my place,” sneered the tall, balding man as he strode into the lab. His eyes raked over Sheng Jiayan with open contempt. “Who’s this? Your little fling? Keep your bedroom affairs out of the workplace.”
“This is a guest of Mr. Wei and his wife, and also a researcher—” Anna cut herself off mid-sentence, rubbing her temples. “I don’t owe you an explanation. You’re no longer part of this institute, and we’re divorced. Get out.”
Richard let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “You think it’s that easy to kick me out of a place that represents both reputation and fortune? Or have you forgotten this institute still bears half my name?”
“But the investors aren’t you—or me,” Anna said coldly. “Past you, present me—we’re just employees. And for an employee who sells confidential data to rival labs, termination is the kindest solution.”
Sheng Jiayan, listening from the sidelines, shot Richard a frigid glare.
Selling secrets was universally despised, but in the scientific community, it was an especially egregious sin.
Richard caught the look and bristled like a provoked animal. “And what the hell are you staring at? This institute has no place for some snot-nosed kid! Security—get him out of this lab now!”
Anna scoffed. “You really think anyone here would still take orders from—”
Her words died in her throat.
Because several broad-shouldered men in black suits had indeed rushed in at Richard’s shout.
“Who are these people?” Anna demanded, backing away with Sheng Jiayan in tow. “Richard, you brought outsiders in?”
Richard smirked. “Not just that. Today, I’m taking what’s rightfully mine from this institute.”
The lab was spacious, but not enough for a game of hide-and-seek. Anna and Sheng Jiayan were quickly cornered. She hit the emergency alert on her wristband, but there was no guarantee help would arrive in time.
After all, security had already let Richard and his entourage through…
While Anna’s mind raced, Sheng Jiayan remained eerily calm.
At the last second, he stepped in front of her—and she noticed the vintage Nokia phone in his hand, its screen displaying an ongoing call.
Just as the black-suited men closed in, one reaching to grab Sheng Jiayan by the collar, and Anna prepared to fight tooth and nail—a clear, icy voice cut through the tension.
“—What a lively scene.”
Before Richard could even turn around, a kick from behind sent him sprawling face-first onto the floor. The impact was so swift he didn’t even have time to brace himself, leaving him with a bloody nose and a head full of ringing static.
Dazed and disoriented, he couldn’t even muster a scream.
"You own half of the research institute?" Zhong Ziyan, who had just arrived, pressed her foot against Richard's back as she looked down at him with cool indifference. "Then why don't I remember transferring any money to you?"
