Chapter 482

But his face showed only the calm of someone who had long known this would happen.

He didn't care at all about Meiwei Si's life or death.

Luo Jinyou keenly noticed this, and unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Fang Zhiyan, regarding Ying Duo's involvement in "Meiwei Si's death," merely spread his hands helplessly, his tone light.

"Meiwei Si is very useful; why not keep her a bit longer?"

It's not about blaming Meiwei Si's death, but regretting not making full use of her.

Ying Duo tilted his head, his golden eyes fixed on him, appearing especially eerie.

Luo Jinyou would inevitably feel uncomfortable under Ying Duo's gaze, even to this day, but Fang Zhiyan could remain expressionless.

"You don't want me to kill her?"

Obviously, if Fang Zhiyan wanted to stop him, he could do so anytime.

After all, their Party Status hasn't been lifted yet, so Fang Zhiyan can check his position anytime.

"Just not that early," he said, pulling his hand from his pocket and ruffling Ying Duo's head, as if soothing a disobedient cat.

"I originally planned to take it slow," Fang Zhiyan seemed to finally get serious, "but this is your choice."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Ying Duo's face for a moment.

"People always overlook greater gains for petty immediate profit; with a more thorough plan, you could have swept the board as the winner."

"But never mind; after all, it was your own extra work, done without guidance, and it's not bad."

That's actually true; if he hadn't overlooked the internal power struggles within the Dome, Ying Duo's move could have been called a huge profit.

"How about you rest properly? Other departments are watching this incident; if I don't go myself, their bodies might not come back."

Ying Duo nodded in agreement.

Originally, just obtaining Meiwei Si's Aberrant Species core would have sufficed; now he even gets a bulbul as a bonus—why not?

But what did Fang Zhiyan's remarks just now mean? Was he saying he lost big for small gain, picking up sesame while dropping watermelon?

Although Yang Yixie was a bit displeased with Fang Zhiyan's cryptic manner, he still immediately reviewed the operation.

Honestly, because Min Tianyou burst onto the scene midway, the operation proved more urgent than he imagined, and many mishaps occurred.

But Min Tianyou's plan was thorough enough; the key factor was still the trump card named Min Xingyao.

Saying Ying Duo followed Min Tianyou's setup and reaped experience while lying down is not an exaggeration.

The biggest surprise...... might have been that final livestream?

Min Tianyou had previously given Ying Duo a heads-up, saying he would draw enough attention at the battle's end to lure all factions of the Dome, but Ying Duo never imagined it would happen this way, letting everyone see.

All this should not have deviated from Min Tianyou's plan.

How Min Tianyou would escape the Dome is beyond their dealings, and although Bai Mu Yun was taken away by Field Operations Department members at the time, his status merely amounted to a formality.

Where did he miscalculate?

————————————————

The elevator moved upward and finally stopped at the top floor of Dome Headquarters; the lab coat's hem swayed lightly behind him, and his leather shoes made no sound on the floor.

From here, looking out the window, one could directly overlook the endless sea of clouds; Fang Zhiyan didn't glance at the view, but headed straight for the dark wooden door at the end of the corridor.

"I'm not late, am I?"

The room is large; a round conference table occupies most of the central space, its surface dark solid wood, with five people already seated around it.

Fang Zhiyan's gaze swept over their faces, then slowly settled on an empty seat where he sat down.

Han Huan, sitting beside him, smiled, "Of course not."

His voice was neither loud nor soft, like casual chat over afternoon tea.

"There's still a minute before the meeting starts—just right." Han Huan crossed his hands, leaned back, and looked at Fang Zhiyan.

The two locked eyes for a second; it was Fang Zhiyan who first looked away, turning his gaze to the person directly opposite.

Xie Jingnian sat there, back straight; he is a veteran of the Dome, and though his rank equals theirs, as a junior he and Han Huan would defer to him somewhat.

But his age in no way dulled his eagle‑sharp gaze; Fang Zhiyan looked at the tabletop, where several documents had already been placed in advance.

"Shall we get straight to the point?" Fang Zhiyan spoke: "Our Mutation Department lost two people this time; leaving other matters aside, at least the bodies should be returned to the Mutation Department."

He lifted his gaze from the tabletop, staring intently at Xie Jingnian.

Han Huan gave a light cough, cutting off Fang Zhiyan's words.

"Before that, perhaps Department Head Fang should first explain why someone from your team is absent?"

"According to the rules, for every 'formal meeting,' each department's head and deputy head should attend."

In the past, only the Weapons R&D Department and the Mutation Department were exceptions, since both are research‑focused and naturally don't need an extra deputy head.

Originally, the rule requiring everyone to attend was proposed by Fang Zhiyan, whose purpose was naturally to occasionally give a hard time to a student who had just been promoted to department head.

But now it has become his trouble, for according to the rule Ying Duo should also be present at this time, yet he didn't bring him.

"It's rare to have everyone here; Department Head Fang, won't you introduce your prized student to everyone?"

Sure enough, it was aimed at him.

"There's nothing to be done; after all, my student is indeed young and clueless. Even though Department Head Han once personally helped me discipline him, he still doesn't learn, so I must find a way to manage him myself, lest someone remember the meal but not the beating."

Seemingly criticizing Ying Duo's cluelessness, he was actually blaming Han Huan for overstepping departmental bounds.

...... Although Ying Duo truly deserved that scolding.

"If that's the case, let's get straight to the main topic."

Unexpectedly, Xie Jingnian spoke up just then, brushing over the matter of Ying Duo's absence.

"But before discussing those two deceased Mutation Department members, I want to confirm one thing."

Xie Jingnian simply drew out the documents in his hand, gesturing for others to do the same.

"I'd like to ask Department Head Fang: back in Tianmian City, shouldn't the infiltrators have been under Bai Mu Yun's unified command?"

When my subordinates were conducting the verification, they found that the personnel list differed somewhat from what we previously provided. Could I ask Minister Fang to explain it for me?

Why did the files of my subordinates bypass the Intelligence Department's approval and go directly to you?