Underwater Base

(This book is nearing its ending, so here's an early heads-up to keep everyone from feeling blindsided: Huh? Why did it suddenly end when everything was going so well?)

(My new summer book might have a tiny connection to this one. I'm still deciding, but it's expected to be released sometime between early and mid-July.)

Chen Zhao finally felt hungry. He checked the time—it was already one in the afternoon.

He entered the password and stopped the machine. The rumbling noise quickly died away.

His progress that morning had been slow. He needed to pick up the pace in the afternoon. He couldn't work overtime tonight; he still had to go home and spend time with his wife. His daytime efficiency had to improve.

Chen Zhao took off his headphones, walked to the laboratory door, and shoved it open.

"Ow!" someone cried out in pain as the door hit them.

Chen Zhao froze, then slowly opened the door. Lu Xiaoxiao had just gotten to her feet and was rubbing her head back and forth, grimacing in pain.

"You're still here?" Chen Zhao was surprised. "It's been the whole morning."

Lu Xiaoxiao glared at Chen Zhao resentfully, as if he were some heartless scumbag.

"I have nowhere to go!" Lu Xiaoxiao huffed.

"How do you have nowhere to go? Don't you have an office? A break room?" Chen Zhao was utterly baffled.

"I don't have an office. Commander Wang told me to be your student." Lu Xiaoxiao pouted. "Am I supposed to go back to the break room and sleep in broad daylight?"

"I don't take students. Leave." Chen Zhao still tried to send her away.

Lu Xiaoxiao's eyes instantly turned red.

"If you don't want me, no one will!" Lu Xiaoxiao burst into tears without warning. "I won't cause you