death of hope

Chapter 1003 "Psionic Storm" (77) A Beauty's Schemes

Several psionic experts were engrossed in their lively conversation, spittle flying everywhere, oblivious to the approaching footsteps. Dr. Joseph entered the lounge, glaring irritably at his students:

"Gathering here to slack off so early in the morning, if you're so bored, go get to work! Go hand over your shift to the night shift!"

Everyone knew the director had a bad temper, so no one dared to say a word. The researchers quickly left the lounge, leaving only the project leader drinking coffee.

The old man squinted, glaring angrily at his prized student, Dr. Ryan.
"You...didn't you hear what I said?"

"Hello~ Good morning, Teacher Qiao~"

"Don't give me that. This is a company, not a university. Even if you're the top student, you can't get special treatment."

"Excuse me, Mr. Joe... no, Director~ hehe~" Ryan Elsson bowed with a grin; "I'll leave after I finish my coffee, it won't interfere with my work~"

“I have something for you to do,” Joseph said irritably. “Go find the captain of the Corporate Warriors and have him send a few experts to secretly protect Lee and the others. Don’t let those cultists disturb Zero’s mindset. The project is at a critical stage, and we can’t afford any mistakes.”

"Yes, Sir! I will definitely do it!" Dr. Ryan stood at attention and gave an exaggerated military salute.

"Hmph...childish...you're a top psionic expert in the Federation, mature a bit! Don't embarrass me!" Joseph said with a look of disgust, then turned and left.

·
"Pah!" Ryan Elsson stuck his tongue out at the old man's retreating back.
"That old codger, he's just a slightly higher-level employee, but he really thinks he's something special, always licking his old face and making everyone work overtime... work your ass!"

That old geezer, when he encounters senior executives on the head office board, he bows and scrapes like a grandson, then uses pressure tactics on his students, and he's really going after us.
"What the hell's wrong with me this early in the morning? It's not even time for the shift change yet, and he won't even let me have a coffee! That stupid old man! I curse him to kick the bucket!"

After venting my frustrations with empty talk, I feel much better.

Dr. Lane grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth, then threw the Starbucks paper cup at the trash can like a basketball. He missed and spilled coffee all over the floor.
"Cleaning! Cleaning! Where the hell have you been?! Come and clean the floor!"

The janitor, wearing a blue uniform, came over with a mop, only to be scolded by Ryan again. Ryan vented all his pent-up anger towards the old man on this unlucky fellow.

After venting his frustrations and completing the tasks assigned by the director, Ryan took off his civilian clothes, put on a white coat, put his hands in his pockets, hummed a little tune, and went to press the elevator button.

"Ding-a-ling~" With a crisp notification sound, the elevator doors slowly opened;

"Dr. おはようございます, ライアン~" (Good morning, Dr. Lane~)

·
Ryan's eyes lit up. The elevator attendant was beautiful and had a sweet voice; any man would be tempted.

Good morning, Ms. Ruriko!

Ryan's eyes lingered on the short skirt and S-cuffs, and he was practically drooling.

"What a coincidence, Dr. Ryan. The early shift is usually very busy, but this elevator is only taking you. Which floor are you going to?"

"Absolutely! It's fate. Go directly to B14, and don't let anyone else bother you~ okay~"

"This is the first time we've spent time alone together~ Hehe~"

Higashiyama Ruriko's laughter was sweet and gentle, as if boneless. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she deliberately swayed her waist when she pressed the floor button.
The soft curves revealed by the tight clothes made Ryan's blood boil, almost causing him to bleed from his nose. He swallowed hard and said.

"Um... Miss Ruriko, would you do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight?"

"I'm free tonight, no problem!"

Ryan paused for a moment, thinking he had misheard.
I've been working at this research institute for several years now, and most of the male researchers, including myself, have been pursuing this stunningly beautiful and aloof elevator attendant. However, none of them have won her favor, and every invitation has been politely declined. I suppose she's already taken.

(Wow... what's going on today? Am I having a sudden surge in romantic luck?)

·
Happiness came so suddenly that Ryan himself felt a little unreal, and pinched his cheek.

"But... there's a condition~"

"Hmm?" Ryan felt a chill in his heart. (Oh no, this is going to happen, she'll definitely bring her best friend.)
"The condition is that it's just the two of us, no one else, and I get to choose the restaurant."

“No problem! Pick whatever you like!” Dr. Ryan grinned like a fool:
"You can choose a Michelin seven-star restaurant! I know the owner there!"

"It's not that complicated~" Higashiyama Ruriko covered her mouth and smiled, becoming even more charming. Her eyebrows were like a crescent moon and her eyes were like stars. She swayed her waist and stirred the heartstrings.
"I come from humble beginnings and prefer roadside eateries with their charming, rustic atmosphere~" "Sincere and unconventional...that's what you call taste!" Ryan was so eager to please the beauty that he didn't even care about his reputation.

"そう言っておきましょう~また夜に~" (That's it, see you in the evening~)

Higashiyama Ruriko mimics the gesture of having a long phone conversation.

·
Researchers at Project Zero noticed that the project leader, Ryan Elsson, was acting strangely. He seemed distracted all day, sometimes staring blankly while holding his coffee, sometimes staring blankly at the computer screen.

After all, he was the old man's top disciple and the second-in-command after the director. No one dared to say anything when the team leader took the lead in slacking off.

After get off work, Ryan rushed to the parking lot, drove his luxury car, and bought an expensive suit.
Immediately afterwards, I went to the most expensive flower shop in Shin-Sapporo and bought a bouquet of 999 roses. After spraying perfume, I sat in the car, tossing and turning anxiously as I waited.
Finally, the phone rang. I almost slammed the gas pedal into the engine; thank goodness we didn't have a car accident.
Ruriko Higashiyama was waiting at the station near the research institute dormitory, waving to the doctor's luxury car;

"こちら~" (over here~)

Ryan had always thought that elevator attendant uniforms were already alluring enough, but the evening gown chosen by Higashiyama Ruriko refreshed his understanding.

The dress seemed not to have been sewn, but rather as if the night had covered and flowed over it, solidified, and then been cleverly cut open.

It outlines undulating mountains and deep valleys, with a breathtakingly cinched waistline that lifts up a smooth curve, flowing downwards to create a full and alluring arc at the hips.

The real magic happens on the back, where smooth velvet slides down the back of the neck, only to stop abruptly at the shoulder blades, forming a deep V.

Which man could tolerate this, especially Lane Ellenson, this small-town exam-taker who had buried himself in books for decades, this long-suppressed engineering student?

While driving, her hands trembled incessantly as she gripped the steering wheel, her eyes kept glancing at the passenger seat, and she inhaled deeply through her nose, the intoxicating fragrance of her body making her expensive perfume seem utterly inadequate.

·
It's not just a visually stunning and sensual experience, but also a profound emotional impact.
Ruriko Higashiyama chose an Irish restaurant tucked away on a city corner, its retro neon sign flashing "Gen no Dabrin" (Dream Dublin).

The interior is simply furnished but very clean, and the food is inexpensive but absolutely authentic and delicious.
As a descendant of Irish immigrants, Lane was able to taste the long-lost flavors of her hometown.
When the Cottage Pie (a classic Irish family dish with mashed potatoes and ground beef stew, served with peas, green beans, and other vegetables; rich and flavorful without being greasy) was brought to the table by the waiter,
Ryan took a bite and froze, as if he had been transported back to his childhood, to the lunchbox his mother stuffed into his schoolbag and told him, "Study hard, my little darling~"

Two streams of tears welled up in his eyes.

In that instant, Dr. Ryan Elsson, the top psionic expert in the Terra Federation, was completely captivated by the woman before him.

It completely conquers the senses of sight, smell, hearing, and mind.

·
Seeing the doctor's reaction, Higashiyama Ruriko was secretly delighted;
(Hehe, got it figured out, got it.)
The restaurant's kitchen staff were also her accomplices. After a few glasses of red wine mixed with strong liquor, Ryan was slightly tipsy.
Meanwhile, Higashiyama Ruriko was only drinking the same color soda. Now fully sober, she saw that the time was right and began to subtly bring up company topics, complaining pitifully.
"Our director has such a bad temper! Last time he was in the elevator, someone got a good scolding for no reason!"

"Hmph! That old bastard! He's putting pressure on us every day!" Ryan seemed to share the same hatred.

"I heard that several senior executives at head office have always disliked that old man."

"Of course! The old man's specialty is offending people. It wouldn't be surprising if he got shot one day!" With that, Ryan picked up his wine glass and chugged it down.

"Working with the old academic director every day must be really tough for Dr. Ryan. He's really good at enduring it."

"I tolerated him because that old man had been kind to me; he was my doctoral advisor and even helped me find a job after I graduated..."

But I'm no longer a student; I'm over forty and considered a top expert in the field. Yet that old geezer… didn't give me any face in front of everyone… he insulted me like I was a student…

In this way, Higashiyama Ruriko gradually guided Ryan to drink alcohol, helping him to vent his long-hidden resentment towards his mentor.

·
The two chatted until very late, until the restaurant closed.

The doctor was so drunk he was rambling on and on. Ruriko Higashiyama naturally took the car keys. The hotel room had been booked long ago. The team behind the scenes had meticulously planned everything, just waiting for this big fish to take the bait.

The medicine was already prepared on the bedside table. The bed frame creaked and rattled, and the commotion continued all night.

After that, the two began dating frequently. Higashiyama Ruriko displayed amazing culinary skills, and the quality of her dishes was comparable to that of Michelin-starred chefs. She won over both the big head and the little head of the family, satisfying both their appetites and their hearts.

Every morning after a hangover, Ryan would wake up with his beloved in his arms, completely captivated, his body and soul utterly won over.

On the fifteenth such morning, the charming elevator attendant suddenly said:
"Honey, a big shot at head office wants to meet you~"