The Mysterious Reward

The General Manager had already informed the researchers about the reward for completing the paint within the specified deadline.

“Comrades, I have some good news. Our laboratory has successfully reformulated the paint within the deadline and achieved excellent results.”

“Therefore... Director Zhang said that once this disaster passes, everyone will receive a reward.”

At the mention of a reward, the researchers could no longer keep their composure, all eager to know what it would be!

“Group Leader, what is the reward exactly? Can you tell us?”

“Group Leader, just give us a hint, do you know what it is?”

“Group Leader, is the reward merit points or food?”

“Group Leader, tell us so we can focus on our work! Otherwise... with this on our minds, how can we get anything done!”

“Exactly! Group Leader, tell us!”

In truth, the Group Leader had no idea what the reward was. Facing their questions, he explained with a helpless look,

“I really don't know what the reward is. During the work report, Director Zhang merely mentioned it in passing, without specifying what it would be!”

The researchers looked at him with skepticism, believing their Group Leader was trying to trick them.

After all, in the past, whenever a reward was mentioned, the Group Leader would always clearly state what it was.

Otherwise... just like this time, promising a reward without any details felt like he was just drawing a pie in the sky to feed their illusions.

Thus, they began questioning the Group Leader with suspicious tones.

“Group Leader... tell us the truth, is there actually a reward? If not, just say so, we won't hold it against you.”

“Group Leader, if there's no reward, there's no reward. It's not like we're going to do anything to you.”

“Group Leader, just give us a straight answer: is there a reward or not!”

“...”

Faced with their suspicion, the Group Leader didn't know how to explain.

After all, he was the one who had brought up the reward in the first place.

His original intention was to use the reward to boost everyone's work enthusiasm.

As a result... he had cornered himself.

This was completely unexpected.

The main issue now was to make these researchers understand that he truly did not know the specific reward.

However, the reward was promised by Director Zhang himself, and he wouldn't dare use Director Zhang's name to lie!

He didn't have that kind of courage!

Thus, the Group Leader anxiously explained,

“There really is a reward! I heard Director Zhang say so with my own ears!”

“I'm not lying to you. Would I dare use Director Zhang's name to deceive you?”

“Who would dare use Director Zhang's name to lie? Tell me, would any of you dare?”

The researchers quickly shook their heads, terrified that the Group Leader would single them out if they didn't deny it immediately.

Seeing them shake their heads, the Group Leader immediately followed up,

“Then do you still think I'm lying to you?”

The researchers shook their heads in denial and replied,

“No, no, the Group Leader wouldn't lie to us!”

“How could our beloved Group Leader deceive us!”

“Hey! Who said our Group Leader was lying!”

“The Group Leader doesn't have the guts to lie to us anyway!”

“I knew it! The Group Leader is terrified of Director Zhang, so he would never dare use Director Zhang's name to trick us!”

This comment instantly shifted the topic, and everyone turned to find the speaker, eager to learn more.

Oh, wait!

What they really wanted was to dig up some gossip about their Group Leader.

“Quick, tell me! Why is our Group Leader so afraid of Director Zhang?”

“Where did you hear such juicy gossip? Why didn't you share it with us earlier!”

“You brat, keeping such good stuff to yourself without sharing!”

“Oh, stop shouting and let him speak! I want to hear exactly how our Group Leader is afraid of Director Zhang, then I'll get back to work!”

Thus, to hear this unexpected gossip, the researchers who had been crowding around the Group Leader quickly turned and surrounded the gossiping researcher instead.

The suddenly surrounded researcher looked a bit panicked at first, but once he realized they wanted him to share gossip, his panic vanished.

He spoke rapidly, quickly recounting what he had witnessed.

“Let me tell you, last time during the moth powder incident, I went to deliver some documents. While doing so, I accidentally saw our Group Leader. He looked like he was being scolded, standing completely straight with a humble, submissive expression on his face.”

“Seeing him like that gave me quite a shock. I thought, no way!”

“Then, after staring for a bit, I confirmed that the obedient-looking guy was indeed our Group Leader.”

“Out of curiosity, I wanted to see who was scolding him. And guess what...”

The researchers were listening intently, and this sudden pause left them frustrated.

Just when it was getting good!

Don't play around!

The impatient researchers began urging him on.

“Cut the suspense! Tell us!”

“Hurry up and tell us! I want to hear what happened next!”

“Spit it out!”

Seeing their impatience, and fearing their wrath, the researcher didn't dare delay and continued,

“Alright, alright, I'll say it!”

“It turned out to be Director Zhang talking to our Group Leader. But Director Zhang saw me too.”

“Director Zhang's glare scared me so much that I didn't dare look back.”

Hearing this, the researchers all let out an understanding “Ah~”.

Then, one by one, they cast teasing glances at their Group Leader.

Under so many staring eyes, the Group Leader found it hard to maintain his composure.

After all, it was the truth; he really was a bit afraid of Director Zhang.

Therefore, before his serious expression completely crumbled, the Group Leader barked out in mock anger,

“What are you all still standing around for? Upload the data to the website, and get ready to coat the entire N City!”

“Get back to work, now!”

Seeing that the Group Leader was about to blow his top, everyone quickly scurried back to their posts.

No one dared to say another word, fearing they would be the next target of his wrath.

The Group Leader stood there for a moment before returning to his desk, using his computer to remotely operate the machinery and begin manufacturing the new paint.

Only now did he calm down, feeling a wave of relief.

Fortunately, he had pretended to be angry in time.

Otherwise... his team members would have kept teasing him.

And he would have had an even harder time wrapping things up.

While the Materials Group was busily manufacturing the paint, things were not going very smoothly for Cao Shudong.

She had been waiting for a long time, but she still hadn't received any reply.

Thus, staying in her basement, Cao Shudong could only keep a constant eye on official announcements and online news.

For now, this was all she could do.

She didn't even dare to enter her spatial dimension lately.

After all, warnings had been sent out in the group chat, asking everyone to prepare for the imminent arrival of the second wave of mutated Fire Mosquitoes.

The official notice regarding the animal stampedes was also released right after the warning about the mutated Fire Mosquitoes.

These two threats combined sparked a massive wave of discussion among the residents.

Cao Shudong now enjoyed reading the netizens' colorful comments, finding them quite amusing.

Even though she felt deeply anxious about the uncertain future, she believed that since she was currently within N City, the local government would not abandon its citizens.

Therefore, despite her lingering worries, she managed to maintain an optimistic attitude.

She believed that the disaster would eventually pass.

Though the road ahead was difficult, she was not walking it alone.

While Cao Shudong was lost in thought, Zhang Aiguo was not idle either.

First, he notified the military forces stationed in N City to coordinate with the institute's Materials Group to determine when to apply the paint.

Additionally, he had to grant authorization to the researchers of the Materials Group.

Of course, this authorization was time-limited; it was impossible to grant them access for the entire day.