"..."
Chen Xiaolin was completely thrown by Zhang Yingying's utterly unconventional remarks. Burdened with worries as she was now, she truly wasn't suited to dealing with someone as quick-witted and unpredictable as Zhang Yingying.
Fortunately, the elevator on the other side arrived just then, and the Mutual Aid Society's higher-ups entered first. Chen Xiaolin grabbed Xue Lei and tugged, yet somehow failed to move him at all. The two of them froze for a moment.
Holding Zhang Yingying's hand, Ronan stepped forward. As he passed, he bumped Xue Lei lightly, finally breaking the stiff atmosphere. Everyone entered the elevator, though the mood inside was easy enough to imagine.
The only one unaffected was Zhang Yingying. Tugging Ronan along, she went to the very back of the spacious elevator car and pressed close to him with an intimate air. Her tall figure blocked the others' view.
"Come on, come on, lower your head."
How could Ronan possibly let her have her way? Just as he frowned, Zhang Yingying moved faster, reaching up to pinch his ear rim and stuffing something into his ear. Fine static promptly began to sound.
"What is this? An in-ear headset?"
"Examinee, exam question."
"..."
"All right, this thing is actually called 'Six Ears.' What it's called isn't important, and what it does isn't important either. What matters is that it's your membership assessment question. It can be very simple, or very difficult."
Zhang Yingying lowered her hand, then raised it again. Ronan understood that the answer to this question would determine his standing in the professional association.
"Oh, you're going to the twenty-seventh floor... and there's a gathering too? Not focusing, are you, kid? Then the exam deadline will be the moment we arrive. Good luck."
What the hell are you doing, throwing this at me