Chapter 374: Chapter 374

However, An Yan did not care.

Matsumoto Saori was already dead, her body reduced to ashes. If they didn’t want Prince Rensong to hold them accountable, they had to acknowledge her as Matsumoto Saori. They even had to help her deflect any suspicious glances!

"Father, please tell Uncle that I’m going to work at the research institute tomorrow!"

Matsumoto Mina was recognized as a genius in the research institute, holding great power. If she wanted to hide someone, she would probably hide them in the research institute, right?

Even if Mina didn’t hide the person there, An Yan planned to seize her power first. This would prevent Mina from wielding absolute authority in the research institute!

A person like Matsumoto Mina, once she realized her power had been reduced, would most likely choose to leave in a huff. She would swear to achieve something significant, to make others look at her with new respect. And her achievement would be to develop an elixir that could truly grant immortality using Li Tianyao’s blood!

Provoke her, then follow her! That’s my plan!

"But..." Matsumoto Yuri’s head throbbed; he was caught in a dilemma.

His older brother, Matsumoto Yuki’s word was law in the Matsumoto Family. The research institute was even more of an empire for him and his daughter, Matsumoto Mina. Ordinarily, they couldn’t even question matters concerning it, let alone arrange for someone to get in.

"Father, you don’t need to feel troubled. Matsumoto Mina’s Revival Dan has been discredited, and now the entire country is demanding she be brought to justice. If she faces no punishment at a time , I’m afraid no one will stand for it."

"And if Uncle wants to quell the public anger, he must make his stance clear. At the very least, on the surface, he can no longer allow Matsumoto Mina to return to work at the research institute."

"In this situation, me going to the research institute would be the perfect smokescreen! So, just go and tell him. Uncle will definitely agree."

Matsumoto Yuri was speechless.

Mrs. Yuri looked at her husband with a touch of wariness. She had felt something was off about Saori from the moment she first saw her. Now, that feeling was even more pronounced.

So this isn’t Saori, right?

Mrs. Yuri turned her head to look at her husband.

Matsumoto Yuri gave her a reassuring look.

This probably isn’t Saori either, he thought, but even if not, we still have to acknowledge her as such. Saori is Prince Rensong’s daughter, after all. And we were the ones who sent her to Z Country.

Thinking this, Matsumoto Yuri tried to maintain his usual demeanor and laughed, "Saori, you... must have had a great time in Z Country, huh? Seems like your personality has brightened up, haha..."

An Yan replied, "Didn’t you send me to Z Country precisely because you hoped I would change? Now that I have, aren’t you pleased?"

"No, no!" Mrs. Yuri quickly waved her hand. "I just mean, Saori, you know your uncle. He wouldn’t allow you to enter..."

"He won’t allow *your* daughter to enter, but I’m different. I have the Royal Family’s blood in my veins! Even if he’s unwilling, he wouldn’t dare object. Don’t you agree?"

The couple exchanged another look, and Matsumoto Yuri then carefully probed, "Saori, have you received a message from Prince Rensong?"

An Yan stated expressionlessly, "That is none of your concern!"

"Alright, Saori. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll go talk to Big Brother."

An Yan did not care how Matsumoto Yuri would negotiate with Matsumoto Yuki. In any case, two days later, she received the appointment notice. She was given the position of team leader for Project 135.

As for what Project 135 entailed, An Yan felt it didn’t matter. Her priority was to get in first and see.

Matsumoto Biological Research Institute was located on an unnamed island a hundred kilometers away from the main island of R Country. Every day, a dedicated boat transported staff to and fro.

An Yan stepped out of the car and boarded the boat under the watchful eyes of Matsumoto Yuri and his wife.

There were already quite a few staff members on the boat, all neatly dressed. From time to time, one could hear polite but meaningless courtesies like "Sorry," "Excuse me," and "Thank you."

Two hours later, the boat docked.

An Yan followed the crowd off the boat.

The island wasn’t large. The portion visible above sea level was about the size of a football field. Starting from the dock, a brick-red plastic road was paved, flanked on both sides by neatly trimmed green lawns. The entire island was enveloped in various green plants. The scent of grass mingled with the sea breeze, creating a sticky, uncomfortable sensation in the air.

The research institute’s buildings were located amidst the woods. Except for the one bearing a sign, which was slightly imposing, the other buildings were hard to notice if one didn’t look carefully.

There was a signpost at a fork in the road. An Yan glanced at the marker before choosing a direction and continuing forward.

Only after entering the building did she realize that the space inside was actually just an elevator lobby.

After An Yan swiped her card, the few people sharing the elevator with her were visibly taken aback. Then, An Yan noticed them discreetly moving away from her. Their gazes carried a clear sense of disdain.

An Yan picked up her ID card and checked it again. It displayed the Arabic numeral 135, followed by the words "Project Leader."

It seems this Project 135 isn’t very well-regarded.

The elevator slowly descended, and An Yan saw a huge pit, about thirty meters in diameter. High-tech buildings spiraled downwards, layer by layer. The elevators, resembling mobile beetles, transported staff up and down.

Soon, An Yan reached the floor belonging to Project Team 135. Stepping out, she found herself in a huge office area.

An Yan hadn’t yet found her office when she heard a voice call out, "Newcomer, make me a cup of coffee and bring it to 205. No milk, no sugar! Hurry up."

Newcomer? They knew I was new from my badge. It seems Project Team 135 must change leaders frequently. The source of thɪs content is ⓝovelFire.net

An Yan observed the person who had spoken. He wore a name tag on his chest that read "Section Chief" but had no Arabic numeral, only a name: Kato Takeshi. An Yan glanced at the others and noticed that their badges all had names on them!

Someone like me, without a name on their badge, is probably just considered an intern here! No wonder this Kato Takeshi dared to boss me around!

A corner of An Yan’s mouth twitched. She obediently picked up a coffee cup, filled it with ninety-eight-degree Celsius hot water, and then flung it at him.

Kato Takeshi screamed in pain, "What are you doing? Trying to kill someone?!"

The area instantly erupted into chaos. Colleagues rushed to help, some fetching ice packs, others helping to remove his clothes, while someone else nervously hurried to find medicine.

"You, you, you..." Kato Takeshi pointed at An Yan with his chubby finger. "What’s your name? I’m going to fire you!"

An Yan looked down at him coldly and said, "Matsumoto Saori! Remember that?"

Kato Takeshi subconsciously nodded, only then realizing something was wrong.

I’m the victim here, why am I nodding?!

"Matsumoto Saori, alright, alright, you’re dead meat." Kato Takeshi took out his phone.

But An Yan turned her head to a man standing to the side, a slight look of excitement on his face, and asked, "Can you check where my office is?"