Let's Both Suck Up

"I do not understand!"

After the matter was settled, Zuo Denggao entered the gate of the B13 Research Institute.

Of course, it's fine if he doesn't join the B13 Research Institute; the Zuo Household also has related research institutes in North Rehe.

Sitting in the rattan chair in the living room, Zuo Denggao felt his head was a complete mess, unable to understand the cryptic exchange between Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Teng.

"You don't need to understand, you just need to know that things are not simple, and confrontation is the most foolish thing to do," Zuo Teng said.

"Are you going back to lick the stinky feet of your father who's changed so drastically?" Zuo Denggao asked unhappily.

"If that were your father, would you really turn your back on your family after he beat you up a few times and stripped you of your authority to control the Lineage business?" Zuo Teng asked.

"You think you can justify anything you say now!"

Seeing that Zuo Teng had been persuaded by Zhang Xuezhou, Zuo Denggao could only complain repeatedly.

He couldn't accept this outcome. He had serious doubts about the true cause of his father Zuo Jin's death and wanted to uncover the truth behind it.

But after all that back and forth, Zuo Denggao found himself with nothing to show for it.

This frustrated him greatly.

Zuo Denggao not only doesn't understand many things, but he is also becoming increasingly confused and unclear about the meaning of what he is doing.

Zuo Teng's sudden change in attitude towards Zuo Quan was difficult for Zuo Denggao to accept.

"It's not that we're in the right, it's that we can't afford the repercussions," Zuo Teng said in a low voice. "For your sake, we're cousins, so I'll remind you one more time: if you die because of this, don't blame me for not warning you!"

What does that mean?

"Before the situation is resolved, that's all I can say!"

When facing Zuo Denggao, Zuo Teng only felt that he understood Zhang Xuezhou's statement.

Perhaps in Zhang Xuezhou's eyes, the other party viewed him no differently than Zuo Teng viewed Zuo Denggao at this moment.

He even needed to warn Zuo Denggao not to mess around, lest he ruin his future loving relationship with Zuo Quan.

"Your father is only in the Third Sequence; our strength is already very close to his," Zuo Denggao said unwillingly. "If we join forces, we'll definitely defeat him!"

"He has a trump card," Zuo Teng gritted his teeth and whispered, "It could very well be a trump card that allows us to die in a justifiable way!"

Don't scare me!

"You might die like your father, and even after you die, you'll be smeared with a lot of dirty water!"

Zuo Teng offered a few words of advice, which silenced Zuo Denggao.

Now that Zuo Teng has explained things, Zuo Denggao finally understands why Zuo Teng wanted to return to the Lineage and why he had to fawn over Zuo Quan to seek a harmonious relationship.

Perhaps he knew something, or perhaps it involved higher-ups, Zuo Teng found it difficult to confront them, forcing him to Zuo Teng his head.

"What do I need if I don't want to bow down?"

"The Seventh Sequence is not acceptable; even the sequence level below it is not allowed!"

Zuo Denggao asked a question and received an answer he did not want to hear.

Since the founding of the Scarlet Alliance State, only two Alliance States have reached the Seventh Sequence. Even if Zuo Denggao is arrogant and believes that the era of gene technology is unstoppable, he has no confidence in stepping into the Seventh Sequence.

Leaving aside the Seventh Sequence, even the Third Sequence that is currently being pursued is giving Zuo Denggao a headache.

Zuo Teng has the gene for blood transfusion, and so does Zuo Denggao.

If relying solely on the Zuo Household's weak gene technology, Zuo Denggao would need to gamble on luck in the Fourth Sequence, the Fifth Sequence, the Sixth Sequence, and then the Seventh Sequence. He simply doesn't have that much luck to gamble on.

If the success rate of the Zuo Household's weak gene technology is 80% the first time it is used, it will be 8% the second time, 0.8% the third time, and the fourth time can be completely ignored.

Unless there are 10,000 Zuo Denggao used for testing, Zuo Denggao do not show any hope for high-order sequences.

This is also a situation that Zuo Teng needs to face.

"Speaking of which, I need to suck up to my father's boots, so you should also flatter Zhang Xuezhou," Zuo Teng whispered a reminder. "He's connected to Qimeng Haige and might even have obtained Qimeng Haige's weak-gene technology. You know, that guy has a weak-gene body that has reached the Seventh Sequence. As long as we..."

Zuo Teng gestured, indicating that he had received a bribe before entering the Third Sequence.

This news sent shockwaves through Zuo Denggao's mind.

Zuo Denggao previously believed that Zuo Teng had used the Zuo Household's weak gene technology by any means necessary to win the Lineage inheritance rights. If they hadn't ended up in the same boat, Zuo Teng would never have told him such a thing and would have eliminated him directly after the ten-year period.

"I can still flatter, what else do I have to offer besides words?" Zuo Denggao asked.

"He's currently developing the R32 catalyst, and it's very likely he's using the Zhou Household's lab to push this forward. You have a need for it, and you're practically tied to Zhang Xuezhou. You could be in charge of either regulation or technology," Zuo Teng suggested. "You could also inject a lot of capital, and even expand our lab in North Rehe, to prevent his subsequent weak-gene catalysts from having formulation problems as well."

"If what you said is true, he's worth the price," Zuo Denggao agreed.

"Take action now while you still have some legal inheritance rights, lest you end up empty-handed, or even dead!"

Zuo Teng was limited by Zuo Quan, but Zuo Denggao's father had died, so everything he owned was protected by inheritance rights.

It's not impossible for Zuo Denggao to sell off and transfer Zuo Jin's funds and assets. The important question is whether Zuo Denggao thinks it's worth it to gamble everything on North Rehe.

"This matter..."

"You know I'll definitely need those catalysts in the future, so our bond remains strong!"

Only after Zuo Teng reminded him again did Zuo Denggao finally agree, looking preoccupied.

It's easy to say nice things, but Zuo Denggao was indeed somewhat unwilling to bet his entire fortune on North Rehe. This almost meant that Zuo Denggao was out of the game in Western Capital City, but this was exactly what Zuo Denggao needed.

If it weren't for Zuo Teng's reminder, Zuo Denggao's potential in this life would have been limited, and he would have even been extremely grateful to Zuo Teng for revealing the information and allowing him to participate.

"This... this..."

"So you're thinking about how to curry favor with me, huh? As long as you stop with your dirty tricks, I won't have much of a problem with you. Basically, we just need to work hard and cooperate to improve together!"

When Zuo Denggao bowed his head and nodded obsequiously to Zhang Xuezhou, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but smile and reply.

No matter how quietly the two cousins whispered to each other, there was no way they couldn't hear him clearly.

Perhaps it was Zuo Teng's inherent nature, or perhaps it was because Zuo Teng spent more time with Zhang Xuezhou, but Zhang Xuezhou discovered that Zuo Teng was also capable of using others' strengths and schemes.

Originally, it was supposed to be a collaboration between Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Teng, but Zuo Teng directly brought in a sucker who provided the money, manpower, technology, and equipment. Zuo Denggao should thank Zuo Teng.

Zuo Denggao's elimination in Western Capital City will likely create a good opportunity for Zuo Teng and Zuo Quan to make contact, avoiding trouble caused by Zuo Denggao's lack of awareness of the situation. This is a win-win situation.

When Zhang Xuezhou's gaze inadvertently swept over Zuo Teng, he noticed a complex mix of emotions on Zuo Teng's face: a hint of distress, a touch of joy, and a hint of deep contemplation.

For Zuo Teng Zuo Teng, giving Zuo Denggao a push along the way was an easy thing, but facing his unpredictable and disliked father was equally stressful for him.

Whether Zhang Xuezhou's words were intentional or not, Zuo Teng was indeed thinking about how to flatter Zuo Quan and try to win him over by overcoming his dislike.