In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

If so many things were really put on her at the same time—the second phase of research and development, the pretense with Lin Wenhua, plus a special weapon… not to mention whether she herself would be willing, Xu Shi would not agree either.

"As we all know, working this hard will cause hair loss. If you lose too much hair, you'll become bald, or even completely bald."

Xu Shi bluntly pointed out the pros and cons, "And I really don't like bald heads, so Jiang Chengcheng, you should think it through."

Upon hearing this, both Jiang Chengcheng and Su Lin couldn't help but burst out laughing.

At first glance it sounds like a joke, but it's actually out of concern. In fact, Xu Shi has told Jiang Chengcheng more than once that she doesn't need to work so hard. The engineering department isn't just about her, and she doesn't need to do everything herself.

"...Can I wear a wig?"

Jiang Chengcheng responded with a joke, but she felt warm inside.

She was completely devoted to Xu Shi, and his concern for her was naturally the icing on the cake.

Forget it.

Xu Shi wasn't buying it. He earnestly instructed, "For the project involving specialized enhanced machinery, you should select a few completely trustworthy members to work on it. You must not let a word of it get out."

He can abandon things like the second-phase chip at any time, or even use them as bait or bargaining chips.

But exclusive weapons are absolutely out of the question. This level of technology must be firmly controlled by ourselves, no matter what.

Jiang Chengcheng deeply agreed, knowing the importance of this matter, and also became serious.

From another perspective, Xu Shi's arrangement was also to allow her to focus wholeheartedly on this aspect, making the best use of her talents.

"I see."

She took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. "Then... let me make a record of your data first? So that I can conduct more targeted research."

Unlike general-purpose enhancement items, this kind of item needs to be tailored to the specific needs. You must first select a target, then build a model based on that target, analyze the enhancement method, and then create the most suitable physical item.

As for Jiang Chengcheng, she also hoped that Xu Shi would be the first person to enjoy this project, as she had mentioned before.

"walk slowly."

Xu Shi did not object to this. Being the first test subject did not mean any risk. Even if there was, it was not now. It was just a simple data recording, not like going to the operating table to dissect people.

This process didn't take long, less than half an hour, and Jiang Chengcheng obtained the necessary data—height and weight, personal mental strength limits, stress resistance limits, including detailed records of her special abilities, methods to control complications, and so on.

To be fair, although there is no danger, this kind of thing should indeed be entrusted to someone you trust. If it is used by someone with ulterior motives, it will definitely be a death sentence.

This is why Xu Shi would never let Xie Qingyan know that he couldn't trust his fiancée, and at least he wouldn't expose his weaknesses to her.

Whether that woman has similar considerations and plans is her business.

"...That's fine."

After organizing Xu Shi's information, Jiang Chengcheng looked at Su Lin and said, "Let's make a record for you too, Lin. With more data samples, it will be easier for me to develop the software."

"Thanks a lot."

Su Lin wouldn't refuse either. She recognized her best friend's professional skills, and besides, the young master was already leading from the front, so what did she have to worry about?

And to be honest, she herself was also very interested in the concept of a special weapon; even just hearing the description was tempting... Who wouldn't want their special ability to reach a higher level?

Especially for someone like her, an A-level "promoter," being stuck here and unable to break through to S-level is actually quite a frustrating thing.

"By the way, Chengcheng, you haven't awakened your special abilities yet, have you?"

Xu Shi watched with great interest as Jiang Chengcheng took her measurements, but then suddenly remembered something and asked casually.

This is a well-worn topic.

It can be said that he has been considering this matter ever since he subdued Jiang Chengcheng. As the saying goes, if she is already this awesome without awakening her superpowers, she will surely take off once she awakens them.

But this matter has been dragged on for a long time and has not been completed. Originally, it was because of her unstable mental state, but now that concern is no longer a factor... The fact is, I didn't urge her, and she didn't bring it up herself.

"...I can handle this without my special abilities."

Jiang Chengcheng was finishing up for Su Lin when she heard this and froze for a moment before replying, "Does Chairman Xu want me to awaken my special ability? If so, I'll go and awaken it."

"...Anyway, it's already dragged on for so long, so there's no rush."

Xu Shi raised an eyebrow and waved his hand dismissively, "Just focus on getting the 'Overlimit Project' sorted out first."

"Okay, then I'll head back now?"

Jiang Chengcheng smiled as she finished organizing the documents, then got up and left.

Looking at her retreating figure, Xu Shi seemed lost in thought.

"Young Master, please don't blame Chengcheng. She... is probably scared."

Su Lin hadn't intended to say anything, but seeing the uncertain expression on Xu Shi's face, she couldn't help but speak up for her best friend, "Awakening her superpowers might not necessarily be a good thing for her."

"Who do you think I am?"

Xu Shi rolled her eyes at her, annoyed. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me? You can forget about getting your salary this month."

He certainly wouldn't blame Jiang Chengcheng for this; on the contrary, he quite understood her thoughts.

After all, the instability of "Ascension" cannot be ignored - this thing is not like starting the path of immortality, where awakening will prolong life and keep you young forever.

On the contrary, with complications looming ahead, it's impossible not to be afraid. To reiterate, awakening a useless superpower isn't the problem; the problem is that after awakening a useless superpower, you'll be tormented by complications to the point of unbearable pain.

If he hadn't been fully aware of his own abilities, he would have felt just as uneasy.

Especially considering what Jiang Chengcheng went through before, although she has emerged from the shadows, it has only been a few months. Of course, she would not want complications to arise due to these complications.

She was truly afraid, afraid that she would lose this hard-won beauty.

Thinking about it this way, the reason she worked so hard was actually to prove to herself that she could do well even without superpowers.

Ugh.

Xu Shi shook his head with great heartache.

That's why he's so concerned about Shen Qin's possible "dual superpowers".

If it were truly implanted... perhaps this problem wouldn't exist.

"Alright, let's do it one by one."

He slumped back in his chair and sighed. "Give the order first: move this month's regular meeting time forward."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 132 I'm counting on you, Uncle Lin!

Jiang Chengcheng was worried and afraid, but some people were no less worried than she was.

Shen Qin was also full of worries at this moment, of course because of the secret she had.

She has now successfully taken up her post and has settled down in the "Snake Ring".

But the problem was that during the job interview, I only had a brief interaction with Xu Shiguang.

She wasn't in good shape at the time, but when the other person took the opportunity to help her up, a strange thought flashed through her mind and she realized that this guy was definitely trying to influence her with his abilities.

However, she was somewhat prepared for this. Her brother's experience had given her a lot of useful information, such as that Xu Shi's ability should also be a form of mental influence.

Psychological intervention is not ineffective until it is fully completed; at least if she takes precautions in advance, it can be rendered ineffective with some effort.

However, she did not act rashly. Instead, she kept a watchful eye on things and allowed the other party's ability to develop within her body for the time being. This would make Xu Shi lower his guard, and when the time was right, it would be a fatal blow.

That wasn't her concern.

What she was really worried about was whether Xu Shi had realized that she possessed two superpowers. The situation was urgent at the time, and her response was relatively hasty. Given his intelligence, he might not have been completely unaware of it.

Actually, a better way would be to implant some means to prevent self-healing in advance, so that the past can be perfectly avoided... But in this way, "Blood Burning Release" will also be affected, and she is not yet able to clearly distinguish between the two superpowers.

If she really did that, she might not even pass the interview... Moreover, for a clan leader to display such a low level of competence would only raise more suspicion.

However, she had taken the medicine, so she should be able to explain it away. She just needed to find an opportunity to confirm it... Shen Qin comforted herself in her heart.

However, these difficult days were really unbearable, and she still felt quite heavy-hearted.

"Deputy Team Leader Nan, don't get distracted."

Just then, Xia Wuyou's reminder rang in his ears.

"...Sorry, Team Leader Xia, I didn't get enough rest last night."

Shen Qin snapped out of her daze and quickly put on an apologetic smile.

"That's not an excuse for your mind to wander."

Xia Wuyou didn't give her any face, her tone carrying a hint of reprimand, "Although it's just security work for the board of directors, you still need to be on your guard."

"Yes."

Shen Qin humbly accepted the instruction and quickly straightened her posture.

But she was quite unhappy inside.

To be honest, after passing the interview smoothly, the appointment as "Deputy Leader of the Third Field Operations Group" was neither good nor bad for her.

On the one hand, the job isn't too busy; when there are no missions, the field team just needs to be on standby... Plus, they have a bit of power, so getting in touch with the core areas isn't as difficult as you might imagine.

Unfortunately, the leader of Group Three was Xia Wuyou, and she had absolutely no liking for this woman. Working under her was truly frustrating.

She didn't know if Xu Shi's arrangement was intentional, but upon closer reflection, it probably wasn't. The position of deputy group leader of the third group had always been vacant; it wasn't a trap specifically set for her.

Moreover, Shen Qin was certain that her identity had not been exposed. No matter how she thought about it, Xu Shi could not possibly know that she was actually Shen He's sister, right? Even if he did become suspicious or pay special attention, it could only be because of her identity as the leader of the "Forgotten Ones".

Endure, endure.

Their job today was very simple: to be responsible for security at the board meeting. To put it bluntly, they just had to stand at the door.

Meanwhile, the meeting behind the door was already in full swing.

As a director of the group, Xu Shi is enthusiastically planning the company's next steps, such as the acceptance and resettlement of the "Forgotten Ones," the revenue from the "Overlimit Plan," and future developments in this area.

"So, while we're working on the second phase of our collaboration with 'Prism,' I also want to develop some derivative products on our own, 'Snake Ring.'"

He said very seriously, "Manager Jiang has already done some work in this regard, and I will also arrange a special project team to take charge of it."

No one else had any objection to this.

Everyone knows that Chairman Xu is completely different from what he was a few months ago. Now he has absolute authority in the company, and this is not a foolish move. Just applaud and agree.

The truth is that most shareholders don't care about actual affairs at all; they're happy as long as they get dividends. As for anything else... they just need to choose sides based on the prevailing winds.