Interrogation

"What you usually eat is this stuff?"

Section Chief Zhou looked at the black rod-like object in his hand, exchanged glances with the others, then asked Guo Yi in puzzlement.

At that moment, everyone was seated in a circle in front of the Gundam, ready to eat.

Elder Zhou and Elder Zhao had taken a long time to calm down, and only now had they roughly finished assessing some of the theoretical technologies and existing technological products in Guo Yi's possession.

But when it was time to eat, they discovered that this so-called meal was nothing more than the black, suspicious-smelling rod-like object in their hands.

"Yeah, homemade Nutrition Bars." Guo Yi picked up a bar and took a bite. As he ate, he said, "They're similar to compressed rations, except I added a lot of vitamins and minerals.

One bar contains just enough of the nutrients a person needs for a day, just enough for the body to absorb, and a few bites are enough to fill you up."

"Wait a moment, Elders." Seeing the two elders about to eat the Nutrition Bars, Section Chief Zhou hurriedly stopped them and took the bars from their hands. "Old Hei, come with me and bring some proper food down from upstairs.

You stay here and wait."

After saying that, Section Chief Zhou exchanged a glance with He Zhijun and the Dog Head team, then led the Cat Head team away.

"Don't be angry." Elder Zhou watched Section Chief Zhou and the Cat Head team leave in a hurry, then turned to Guo Yi. "It's just an occupational habit of his. He isn't deliberately targeting you."

"Mm." Guo Yi nodded indifferently. "I understand. He's from the Special Operations Department—there's nothing he can do about being suspicious of everything.

Besides, from his perspective, I haven't completely cleared myself yet. There's nothing wrong with being cautious.

After all, for people like them, one mistake doesn't just cost their own lives. It costs the lives of many comrades too."

He Zhijun, Elder Zhou, Elder Zhao, and the Dog Head team all nodded with smiles when they heard Guo Yi's words.

Compared with He Zhijun and the others, Section Chief Zhou was in charge of special operations. The nature of his job meant that whenever he faced any suspicious person or suspicious incident, he had to be cautious.

There was no room for mistakes!

That was why Guo Yi had tolerated all of Section Chief Zhou's aggressive probing.

He understood Section Chief Zhou's reasoning: if Guo Yi really had a problem, then Section Chief Zhou would definitely be the first person Guo Yi targeted.

That way, he would more or less be able to sense Guo Yi's hostility and killing intent.

And if Guo Yi really had no problem, then at worst, Section Chief Zhou would have offended a national-treasure-level scientist.

Afterward, he only needed to smooth things over and explain himself.

Besides, as someone in special operations, he had no authority over the research side.

Likewise, the researchers had no authority over him.

So during this time, Section Chief Zhou had been the bad cop, constantly making himself known in front of Guo Yi.

He Zhijun only occasionally played along; most of the time, he acted like he wasn't even there.

Then Guo Yi narrowed his eyes. "Understanding is one thing. But he's come at me so many times. Once I've cleared my name, when he needs something from me in the future... heh heh~"

"What are you planning?" He Zhijun asked curiously when he saw Guo Yi's ill-intentioned smile.

"What do you think? If I tell the higher-ups that guy put me in such a bad mood that I forgot the research materials for these technologies, and that I need him to cheer me up... would they agree?"

"..."

Everyone shuddered inwardly as they looked at Guo Yi's smile.

Ostrich in particular. He had the loosest mouth and usually loved bickering with Guo Yi.

When he heard Guo Yi's words, a thought suddenly struck him: the days ahead might not be easy...

Seeing everyone stare at him in terror, Guo Yi grew even more excited. "What do you think? Wouldn't it be fun to make him wear women's clothes and dance a girl-group routine in front of me?"

"...Aren't you afraid of going blind?" Ostrich could not help joining in.

"Tch, as if none of you have ever worn women's clothes!" Guo Yi smiled at Ostrich, an inexplicable look in his eyes. "Besides, I can have Doggie record it.

It's not like I have to watch it myself.

As for the recording, if it gets leaked someday, what does that have to do with me?"

After saying that, Guo Yi suddenly turned to He Zhijun. "Old He, you wouldn't snitch on me, would you~?"

"Ahem, ahem. I don't know what you're talking about." He Zhijun coughed, turned toward the Dog Head team, and said as though talking to himself, "We all suddenly lost our memories, right?"

"..." Looking at He Zhijun immediately distancing himself from the matter, everyone was surprised to discover that their respected brigade commander apparently also enjoyed stirring up trouble.

"Little He, I remember Little Zhou enlisted with you. He also seems to be from the same kind of military family as you..." Elder Zhao reminded He Zhijun. "You aren't just childhood friends, you're comrades too. Selling him out this decisively seems a bit much..."

He Zhijun waved a hand and told Elder Zhao firmly, "He and I are not the same kind of people!"

"..."

After everyone had chatted and joked around happily for a while, Section Chief Zhou came back down with the Cobra team.

"Elders, this is your meal." Section Chief Zhou and Old Hei handed the two elders some light dishes, saying with a bitter smile, "Your medical staff specifically instructed us that you two must eat light, nutritious food.

Sorry."

The two elders looked at the dishes handed to them, then at the various meat dishes in everyone else's hands.

They first shook their heads helplessly, then said to Guo Yi, "We support you."

"Send me a copy when the time comes!"

"Alright."

Section Chief Zhou looked at He Zhijun, Elder Zhou and Elder Zhao, and the Lone Wolf Special Assault Team, all wearing inexplicable smiles. For some reason, a chill crept up his spine.

Then he shook his head, feeling that he was overthinking things...

"Elders, since it's been confirmed, rest for the night. Tomorrow, Cobra and I will escort you both back."

During dinner, Section Chief Zhou spoke quietly to the two elders.

"Little Zhao, you've seen this place clearly enough. Tomorrow, you should head back with Little Zhou." Upon hearing Section Chief Zhou's words, Elder Zhou turned to Elder Zhao and said with a chuckle, "I'll stay with Little Guo for a while longer."

"Elder Zhou, I should stay." Elder Zhao narrowed his eyes and replied with a chuckle, "You have several projects waiting for your reports.

"I'm just a materials guy. I don't have that many projects."

"That's not right. You need to bring those E-Carbon Fragments back for further testing. You're the materials expert."

"There are instruments here for testing too. Elder Zhou, I think the higher-ups would rather hear a report from an expert like you..."

"..."

Listening to the two elders talk, Guo Yi felt as though he could see sparks constantly flying between them.

The others silently moved farther away from the two elders before turning to look at Section Chief Zhou.

Section Chief Zhou gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Elders, there's no need to argue.

"The higher-ups said that both of you must return to give your reports. He Zhijun and I also have to go back in person...

"Dog Head and the people from the Special Forces Regiment will remain here."

Upon hearing Section Chief Zhou's words, the two elders shot him a vicious glare. Then, in an oddly meaningful tone, they instructed Guo Yi, "Record a few more."

"..."

That chill ran through Section Chief Zhou again. Especially when he saw the obvious look of amusement on Lone Wolf's and He Zhijun's faces, he had the distinct feeling that something beyond his expectations had happened while he was gone—and that it involved him!

Still, Section Chief Zhou held back from asking. He would wait until they left.

Then he looked at Guo Yi and said calmly, "One last two questions. What was your purpose in doing all this?"