Song Hana stepped away from her desk and approached Lu Luo and his friends.
"I have already learned about the incident at the exhibition hall through other channels. You all performed very well. I also regret that such an accident occurred during an academic activity. On behalf of the company, I apologize. We will also offer each of you a condolence payment of 1,000 Alliance Currency."
As she spoke, Song Hana actually bowed to Lu Luo and his friends. Gu Fangyi and the others had just begun to show delight when Zhou Kai interrupted,
"Hey, don't! Miss Song, this is really awkward for us. We accept your apology, but let's forget about the money. So many students died. If just we take this money, it'll feel wrong, like blood money… Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Upon hearing Zhou Kai's words, even Lu Luo looked at him with some displeasure. One thousand Alliance Currency! For them, this was undoubtedly a huge sum.
Even after Lu Luo had extorted money from Ludie, he only got 875. To casually turn down a thousand like that—wasn't Zhou Kai just messing things up for everyone?
Zhou Kai also realized he might have misspoken. Thinking it over, a thousand Alliance Currency did seem like a lot. He looked at Song Hana, embarrassed.
"How about this, you can give the money to them. I don't need it."
Seeing the embarrassed Zhou Kai, Song Hana laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, Student Zhou Kai, you're quite humorous. It's alright, no one will miss out on their thousand. We will also provide some consolation money to the families of the other students. So, Zhou Kai, you don't need to worry too much about the others. Please, feel free to use this money."
"Is that so? Well, thank you!" Zhou Kai scratched his head, a simple, honest smile on his face.
She's trying to win people over, Lu Luo guessed. This woman is about to try and recruit us. A classic tactic.
Just as Lu Luo had thought, Song Hana took out a contract and said to them,
"As I understand it, during this incident, each of you awakened your own Sequences. It was precisely because of these Sequences that you survived. Blue Sky Biotech Company, whether in terms of resources, foundation, or future development, is undoubtedly top-tier in the Alliance. You are all outstanding talents, so, on behalf of Blue Sky Biotech, I formally invite you to join the company.
"Upon joining, you will immediately be promoted to official members. You can choose to end your academic pursuits and start working on the front lines. Alternatively, you can continue your unfinished studies, or even pursue graduate and doctoral degrees, with our full financial support. The future of the Alliance needs young people like you to create it, and Blue Sky Biotech is a company that can create the future. Are you willing to witness the future with me?"
To be honest, this speech isn't very original. Most leaders are pretty much the same: they want employees to work themselves to death but only offer empty promises in return.
Lu Luo listened to Song Hana's passionate speech, finding it somewhat laughable internally. This contract was clearly one of lifelong servitude; signing it meant dedicating one's life to Blue Sky Biotech. Coupled with the Exotic Species incident and the contract's exorbitant breach penalty of 3 million—an almost impossible sum to repay—he had already put a large X next to Blue Sky in his mind.
There was a high probability that Blue Sky Biotech was behind the Exotic Species event. It was likely a live field experiment they conducted, using their lives as test subjects.
Would anyone really think such a company was one big, loving family? Did they really believe a company capable of activating Exotic Species was just playing around?
If they truly accepted the grand future painted by the company, the likely outcome would be death outside the walls or in a laboratory.
A peaceful end? What were the chances of someone who knew Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals' secrets meeting a peaceful end? Joining meant handing over his future to Song Hana, something Lu Luo could absolutely not accept.
However, if he were to stick his neck out now, would this woman in front of him hold a grudge?
Lu Luo definitely couldn't sign a new contract at this moment, but he also had to consider the risks of refusal. As he was pondering, he heard Gu Fangyi's calm voice.
"I'm sorry, Miss Song. I feel my abilities are still lacking, and now isn't the right time to join your esteemed company. It won't be too late to join after I complete my studies."
Goodness, this guy's a real greenhorn! Lu Luo thought.
Attaboy, young man! Joining them? Impossible. I'd never join a company like theirs in this lifetime. Even though I, Lu Xiaoluo, am not particularly skilled—usually just scraping by killing Exotic Species and absorbing energy—I'll definitely back Little Gu on this. Go, Little Gu, go!
Song Hana hadn't expected someone to refuse her so bluntly. Moreover, Gu Fangyi's direct refusal caused a few others who had initially seemed willing to waver.
Take Lu Luo, for instance. Naturally, he would seize the opportunity presented by Gu Fangyi's stance to speak up.
"I also believe that studies are more important right now. It's too early to discuss contracts."
Song Hana's expression turned a little sour, but she didn't go as far as to flip out.
"No problem. We still have the student aid contract, after all. There's no harm in taking some time to consolidate yourselves. The doors of Blue Sky Biotech will always be open to you."
After Lu Luo refused, Chu Qi and Wang Zheng, one after the other, signed the new contract and joined Blue Sky Biotech Company.
What surprised Lu Luo more was that Zhou Kai also refused. He had previously said he wanted to join Blue Sky Biotech; it was baffling how he had changed his mind.
Lu Luo looked at Zhou Kai. Brother Kane gave Lu Luo a somber nod.
"We've shed blood together."
Damn! I'm speechless! Brother Kane is a true bro!
Lu Luo chuckled, then nodded back at Zhou Kai.
"Yeah, we've shed blood together."
「...」
At night, Lu Luo was in the Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals rest area, acclimating to his enhanced physical abilities. The room was spacious and well-equipped with all necessary living essentials, in addition to smart devices.
Dinner time had passed, but Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals had sent someone with leftover work meals for Lu Luo and the others as a late-night snack. It looked quite decent: nutrition bars made from compressed grains, some vegetables, meat, and a bottle of water. Such a meal set would definitely be considered luxurious in the Wasteland.
Lu Luo was very satisfied. Just as he was about to start eating, there was a sudden knock on the door.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
"Who is it?" Lu Luo glanced at the time; it was already past 11 PM. Who could it be?
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! No one answered. The knocking came a second time.
Lu Luo was puzzled. He slowly rose and went to the door but didn't open it immediately; he was still quite cautious.
"Who is it? If you don't say, I'm not opening the door."
"Lu Luo, it's me!"
The person outside spoke in a hushed voice, but Lu Luo could clearly recognize it as Zhou Kai's.
He opened the door and saw Zhou Kai tiptoeing, which made him even more confused.
"Brother Kane, aren't you resting? What brings you here?"
"What kind of thing is that to say? Have you forgotten? We've shed blood together."
Lu Luo was covered in metaphorical black lines, feeling for the first time like he'd been trapped by his own words. Seeing Zhou Kai holding a food tray, he let him in.
"You haven't eaten either? Come in, let's eat together."
"Sure!"
After they sat down, Lu Luo started eating right away. He was genuinely hungry; he hadn't eaten earlier because he'd been moving around in the room, getting used to his new physique. He wasn't going to be reserved now. However, Zhou Kai beside him still seemed a bit sheepish. His behavior made Lu Luo even more suspicious.
"What is it? Can you just say it directly?"
"It's about my Sequence. I awakened two Sequences this time, and I wanted to talk to you about it."
"You have two Sequences?" Lu Luo was a bit surprised. The grade of a Sequence was important, but so was the quantity. Could Zhou Kai really be some kind of hidden boss, a chosen one?
"Yes. My first Sequence is called Evil-Repelling Cheap Aura!"
Sequence C-75: Evil-Repelling Cheap Aura. The accumulated 'cheap aura' can repel evil. It's considered a very useful and powerful dispelling-type Sequence among C-class Sequences.
Lu Luo was a bit shocked. Evil-Repelling Cheap Aura. So, Sequences can even be like this?
So that's why Zhou Kai became so despicably cheeky after Awakening the C75 Evil-Repelling Cheap Aura? Repelling evil forces... sounds pretty impressive.
What about his second one? Is it even more bizarre? Lu Luo looked at Zhou Kai with anticipation.
"So, what's your second Sequence called?"
"Um, what I wanted to talk to you about today is the first Sequence."
"Don't change the subject. Hurry up and tell me what the second Sequence is called."
Zhou Kai was silent for a long time before finally, reluctantly, muttering in a low voice,
"The Unlucky's Ambition."
——————————
PS: These two Sequences were adapted from comments by readers. Readers have wild imaginations, but sometimes balance is needed. Still, isn't crowdfunding a book a basic move for authors on Qidian? Help me catch any bugs!