Chapter Fifteen: The Day Shen Zhuoran Became a Dog

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For certain well-known reasons, the interstellar society had far more females than males, with females holding higher status and males considered inferior. Females did not need to toil in arduous jobs; they could directly share in the glory earned by the males they married. Some females, unable to tolerate their husbands being too busy with work and lacking time to accompany and pamper them, would even demand that their husbands quit their jobs to stay at home.

Zhao Ping had witnessed many capable males who could have contributed significantly to scientific progress leave their positions after marrying females. He harbored a vague, inexplicable hostility toward females, but he knew this was something beyond his control. In the interstellar world, males could not do without females. This was an ironclad rule he had to endure.

But today, Yu Lan, a female, abandoned her role as a development assistant and absurdly proposed to compete for the position of senior researcher. The director even agreed. He summoned four senior researchers for an interview—an utter joke. Could these delicate females even comprehend the questions in the test bank?

Zhao Ping’s cold gaze fixed on the door of room 308. Soon, the door opened from the outside. Yu Lan’s strikingly beautiful face appeared before them, and behind her stood the tall, aloof Shen Zhuoran.

“Hello, everyone,” Yu Lan greeted politely ahead of others.

Zhao Ping snorted coldly; his displeasure softened slightly by her courtesy. He had expected another arrogant, spoilt female with no respect for boundaries.

“Alright, since everyone is here, let’s begin the test,” Shen Zhuoran said from the central seat, his expression cold, resuming the detached elite demeanor of the institute director.

“Let me clarify in advance: if you fail to pass the senior researcher competition, you must surrender your identity badge and leave the research institute. Of course, appropriate compensation will be provided by the finance department.”

Even though Yu Lan had only been employed for one day, as the party breaching the contract, the institute was obliged to offer suitable compensation.

Yu Lan nodded in recognition, placing the identity badge tightly clenched in her palm onto the table. Her pretty face grew serious and tense, amber eyes blazing fiercely. She faced Shen Zhuoran’s cold expression head-on, lips curling stubbornly as she declared, “Of course. I will definitely pass. Director Shen, just wait to apologize.”

Clenching her fist and knocking on the table, she was the first to speak.

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“Start the test.”

Her resolute attitude subtly shifted the balance of power, as if Yu Lan were the one leading.

The senior researchers, who had presumed this would be a male-dominated charade, exchanged glances. What was going on? This did not look like the director had lost his mind and was using the procedure to grant a pretty female the senior researcher title.

One reason for their earlier anger had been the assumption that Shen Zhuoran wanted them to help fabricate results, which had happened before. But now, Shen Zhuoran showed no sign of leniency; instead, he appeared exceptionally cold and ruthless.

Ah! If that was the case, had they all misunderstood something? Then, director, do you realize that with such an attitude, you might never win over any females?

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through the researchers’ minds. Only Zhao Ping snorted coldly, stood up from his seat, and strode over to Yu Lan. He wanted to see just how much ability she truly possessed.

Usually, no one watched a senior researcher candidate during the test—it would cause unnecessary pressure and disrupt their focus. Yet Zhao Ping’s behavior was not out of line, so the others did not object.

Yu Lan noticed Zhao Ping’s presence but, confident in her abilities, did not lift her head, focusing intently on answering the questions—without so much as a glance.

Her entire spirit was dedicated to passing this competition; she was determined to make the arrogant male Shen Zhuoran admit he was wrong. The fire of defiance burned fiercely within her.

Seeing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Zhao Ping’s eyes. Calm and composed, she already possessed the qualities of a senior researcher. But how was her actual ability? Was she just all show?

Focusing intently, Zhao Ping looked at Yu Lan’s answers on the computer screen and his pupils suddenly contracted sharply. His face was filled with unmistakable surprise.

The other researchers, waiting idly for Yu Lan to finish, noticed his expression and felt puzzled. What was going on? Why was Zhao Ping so shocked? Could it be that her answers were terrible?

Terrible? Ten questions in one minute. If that was terrible, the entire institute would struggle to find a second intelligent person.

Zhao Ping shook his head, pursing his lips without revealing anything. If they wanted to know, they could find out for themselves.

Receiving no answer from Zhao Ping, the researchers exchanged glances, unable to resist anymore. They cleared their throats softly, stood up, and slowly moved to stand behind Yu Lan. They were simply too curious.

Each researcher who returned from beside Yu Lan wore the same dazed, astonished expression.

Only Shen Zhuoran remained unmoved at his seat, immersed in his work.

To him, Yu Lan’s attempt to compete for senior researcher was merely a ploy to delay her exit from the institute.

But he had already made a decision—no changes would be allowed.

Shen Zhuoran sent a message to Zhao Song through the institute’s internal network:

Shen Zhuoran: [Yu Lan is unsuitable to remain at the research institute. I am retrieving her identity badge now. Remove all her system permissions, immediately clear her from all group chats, and transfer the compensations to her personal account.]

Zhao Song: ??!!!

Seeing the message, Zhao Song was stunned. What was going on? Director, aren’t you too cold and ruthless? Lan Lan is so cute and obedient—how could she be unfit for the institute?

It was so hard for the research institute to recruit a female; was it so easy for the director to just throw her out with a single sentence?

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Song replied to Shen Zhuoran:

Zhao Song: [Understood, received.]

He was waiting for the day when the director would be meek before a pretty female—he refused to believe the director could remain so cold and ruthless forever.

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