The "accidental" run-ins with Liu Xuan on the way to work had stopped, but Lin Qi wasn't particularly bothered.
He stepped into the elevator, which immediately detected his identity.
"L-level Researcher Lin Qi, today is your day off. Please state the reason for your presence at the company."
The intelligent system of the Red Fruit Weapon Research Institute had recognized Lin Qi's identity and was questioning him.
"I'm conceptualizing a new design and need to use the company network to look up some materials." Lin Qi told the truth; there was no need to hide anything.
"Verifying. This action is flagged as a risk."
"L-level Researcher Lin Qi, no overtime history. Probability of working overtime is less than 1%. Requesting manual arbitration."
Lin Qi's facial muscles twitched upon receiving the intelligent system's response.
'Less than a one percent chance of working overtime? Since when did the company's AI get so sensitive?'
The system's analysis wasn't wrong; given Lin Qi's consistent habit of clocking in and out right on the dot, he truly never worked overtime. Still, in the past, the company would never have stopped someone with clearance from entering the Weapon Research Institute.
'Does this mean security within Red Fruit City has been upgraded?'
Inside the elevator, a holographic projection appeared.
It was Wei Wei, the 13th-floor supervisor and Lin Qi's direct superior.
"Lin Qi? Why are you at the company? According to the intelligent system's assessment, your behavior carries a significant risk level."
Wei Wei wasn't a researcher; he was a professional manager who relied strictly on the intelligent system's judgments for all his decisions.
"I need to look up some information and require the company network." Lin Qi repeated his reason.
Lin Qi's reason was sufficient and reasonable. Under normal circumstances, there was no cause for it to be denied.
But Wei Wei shook his head. "Company security has been raised to S-level. Your reason is insufficient to pass the system's check. Furthermore, due to your abnormal behavior, you will be subject to a review by the company's security team."
Lin Qi frowned. This was a situation he had wanted to avoid.
Although his Exoskeleton design was ingenious and the risk of exposure was low, the security team's review would involve certain lie-detection methods.
"I request a manual review by an employee with High Level clearance. Target of request: Liu Xuan."
Wei Wei shook his head again. "Lin Qi, just accept the review. Given your development priority, the company won't be too hard on you. At the current security level, your request will definitely be rejected. It would be better to..."
Before Wei Wei could finish his sentence, his holographic projection vanished.
In its place came the intelligent system's reply: "Request approved. Level 4 clearance personnel, Liu Xuan, is coming online."
Level 4 clearance. That was very high.
The company's clearance was divided into 15 Levels. Lin Qi only had Level 12 clearance, which was already one Level higher than a standard L-level Researcher—a privilege for personnel being groomed for important roles.
As a departmental supervisor, Wei Wei's clearance was Level 8, far below the clearance Level Liu Xuan held as a member of the Liu Clan.
Almost the instant the request was approved, Liu Xuan's holographic projection appeared inside the elevator.
Through the projection, Lin Qi could see that Liu Xuan was at home, not at the company.
"Lin Qi? Why did you go to the company today?" Liu Xuan was just as puzzled.
As someone who was constantly stalking... or rather, keeping a close eye on Lin Qi, Liu Xuan would never come to the Weapon Research Institute on his day off.
"I'm conceptualizing a new design and need to use the company network to look up some materials." Lin Qi stated his reason once again.
Liu Xuan was quick to act. "Alright, I've approved it for you. The company's security risk has been elevated recently. If a similar situation comes up again, you can contact me in advance."
Liu Xuan's voice was quite cold, but she was remarkably efficient.
"Alright, thanks." Lin Qi faced the projection and smiled.
The Liu Xuan in the projection blushed slightly and cut the communication almost instantly.
Inside the elevator, the intelligent system's voice announced, "Level 4 clearance has been granted. Proceeding to the 13th floor."
Lin Qi stroked his chin. After all this time, he still found Liu Xuan's behavior strange.
He always felt like Liu Xuan wanted to see him but was also a little afraid of seeing him.
'Am I some kind of terrifying person?'
Lin Qi couldn't figure out what was going on in Liu Xuan's mind. When the elevator reached the 13th floor and the doors opened, he ambled toward his lab.
...
Red Fruit City, in the residential area for high-ranking members of Liu's Heavy Industries.
Liu Xuan gently touched her cheek, which felt burning hot.
Data flashed across her left Prosthetic Eye: "Mental Abnormality Level increasing. Please switch to a higher-grade Suppressor."
Liu Xuan's left eye was a Prosthetic Body part, but more importantly, it was a Suppressor for mental abnormalities.
Her peculiar feelings for Lin Qi were a mix of genuine emotion and the effects of a mental abnormality.
In other words, ever since the lab accident all those years ago, Liu Xuan had been afflicted with a mild case of cyber psychosis.
As Liu Xuan caressed her cheek, a voice came from behind her. "Sister, the family has ordered us to head to the Greenfield City branch. Greenfield City has already activated the Iron Curtain. Its security level is higher than Red Fruit City's, so all Liu Clan members in Red Fruit City need to temporarily evacuate."
"The family has already negotiated with the Si Clan. The security forces of both families will be concentrated in Greenfield City."
Liu Li walked around the sofa and stood in front of Liu Xuan.
Only then did she notice that Liu Xuan's face was a bit too flushed. "Sister, why is your face so red?"
Liu Xuan replied, "My Suppressor is having some issues. I need to go to the Weapon Research Institute to get it replaced."
Liu Li was taken aback. "Don't we have some at home? Several models of Prosthetic Eye Suppressors..."
Liu Xuan cut her off quickly. "The purple Prosthetic Eye I like is at the Weapon Research Institute."
Liu Li: "Huh?"
Liu Li didn't quite understand her sister's reasoning, but could only offer a reminder: "Remember to take the security team with you."
Liu Xuan nodded and hurried out the door.
...
「By afternoon」, Lin Qi had quickly finished his data search.
M-Class Mecha design wasn't a particularly high-end research project. The reason Lin Qi had spent so much time on it was to create a plausible justification for his search.
Lin Qi left traces in the company network such as "Large-Scale Prosthetic Body Design," "Connectors for Expandable Prosthetics and Mecha," and "Design Philosophy of Phil Group's Jason's Heavy Hammer (Mecha-interfaced Prosthetic Body)."
It was all to make his data search look reasonable.
After all, Lin Qi had never researched Mecha since joining the company. A sudden search would be flagged as abnormal behavior by the company's intelligent system.
If he got flagged like that, even Liu Xuan's clearance might not be enough to help him.
After downloading a Mecha design onto a blank chip, Lin Qi walked out of the lab, satisfied.
It wasn't a workday, so there was no need to clock out right on time.
Taking the elevator, Lin Qi arrived at the vehicle hangar on the top floor of the Weapon Research Institute.
Just as his elevator doors opened, the doors of the elevator opposite him also opened.
Inside the other elevator was Liu Xuan.
"What a coincidence." Liu Xuan stepped out of the elevator, didn't say anything more to Lin Qi, and walked straight toward her flying vehicle.
Lin Qi's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
A coincidence.
Too much of a coincidence!
The first "coincidence" of the afternoon.
The 745th "coincidence" on the Weapon Research Institute's rooftop.