On the Ark.

"The one that was used in Lungmen?" Lin Ye asked.

“Hmm.” Nearl finally stepped out of the elevator. “Kal’tsit should have told you that the potion can turn Liz back into the real Liz.”

Lin Ye followed: "Yes, but I don't quite understand."

“Because Kal'tsit didn’t explain clearly, that potion was actually a different kind of sedative, just without the hypnotic effect. It can make Liz’s confused thoughts clear in a short time.” Nearl looked at Lin Ye, “Simply put, Liz now has an adult body, but a child’s mind. Her brain can only hold a very, very small amount of information.”

"I still don't quite understand."

Lin Guang rubbed his forehead and said, "Then just think of it as growing up."

"growing up?"

“Yes.” Lin Guang stood in front of Lin Ye’s office door, turned to look at him, “Dr. Lin Ye, we know you like Liz the way she is now, and so do we. We also hope she can forget all the terrible things she experienced in the past. But the one thing we can’t stop is… her growth.”

Lin Ye stared blankly at Lin Guang.

Lin Guang said softly, "She can't be that child who only remembers desserts forever; that wouldn't be fair to her."

Lin Ye fell silent.

At this moment, Rinko's hand was already on the office doorknob. She was about to push the door open when she suddenly frowned as if she had noticed something.

“I’ve said everything I needed to say.” Lin Guang withdrew his hand again. “I believe you’ll get the same answer from Shining if you go to her. Please make a decision as soon as possible, Dr. Lin Ye. I believe Liz also hopes you will do the same. She should grow up now. So, I’ll head back now.”

After saying that, Lin Guang walked past Lin Ye, and a minute later, Lin Ye was the only one left in the corridor.

Lin Ye felt his mind was in complete chaos, and it seemed as if countless bees were buzzing around his ears.

He didn't know how he pulled out his access card, how he got into the office, or how he ended up on the sofa. The world seemed to be frozen in time, like a media player that had been paused.

Lin Ye felt a bit uncomfortable, his chest felt tight and suffocating, so he got up and opened all the windows, which made him feel a little better.

However, when I turned around, I found that there was still someone in the office.

Skadi stood quietly by the door, arms crossed, her black greatsword resting against the wall.

“You…” Lin Ye was stunned.

Skadi looked up at him, her red pupils reflecting the sunlight, the window, and Lin Ye's helpless face.

"You seem to be feeling unwell," Skadi said softly. "Do you need a shoulder to lean on?"

Author's BB:

I'll probably only update once today, as I need to think about how to write the later plot. Some readers commented that the story after returning to Rhodes Island felt somewhat bland and boring, with the various stories being too fragmented. Thinking about it carefully, it seems that's true; purely focusing on daily life is indeed too monotonous, and Nightingale's dream storyline didn't quite capture the feeling I wanted. Therefore, after Nightingale's storyline ends, I need to have the protagonist leave Rhodes Island again.

(③42967465)

P.S.: I watched a documentary about orcas all day today, and I have to say that orcas are truly powerful and beautiful creatures, and they're also a little bit cheeky.

Chapter 125 Oh, Skadi!

Lin Ye stared blankly at Skadi: "How did you get here?"

Skadi crossed her arms and said calmly, "Didn't you tell me to come to work?"

"Ah... I forgot, does that mean you agree?"

“I have no reason to refuse,” Skadi said. “Provided you can convince others, like Kal'tsit. Kal'tsit doesn’t want me involved in any work outside of Rhodes Island combat. She would also think it’s absurd for someone like me to be in a department like yours.”

"It's alright." Lin Ye said, turning to leave. "I'll go to the HR department now. If Kal'tsit disagrees, I'll talk to her."

Skadi raised her hand to stop Lin Ye.

"Have you always been such an impulsive person?" Skadi sighed. "It's already daytime, isn't it better to think things through more clearly?"

Lin Ye asked, puzzled, "What is it?"

Skadi was no longer wearing Lin Ye's coat; she had put on her own clothes, a dashing denim shawl, and a blue upturned hat that covered most of her beautiful face. However, when speaking to Lin Ye, she nodded slightly, then took off her hat, revealing her long, smooth, greyish-white hair cascading down to her ankles.

“I’ve heard that humans are prone to doing impulsive things at night, things they regret during the day,” Skadi said softly. “For example, approaching something very dangerous.”

Are you talking about yourself?

Skadi didn't answer, but said, "I advise you to ask Kal'tsit for my file before making a decision."

“I would have asked Kal'tsit for your file even without your reminder.” Lin Ye looked at Skadi and said, word by word, “You’re right, my decision last night may have been a bit impulsive, but I don’t regret it. I’m inviting you to join my counseling room. If you think last night’s decision doesn’t count, I can invite you again.”

Lin Ye's words elicited a soft sigh from Skadi.

“You’re so stubborn,” Skadi said. “Even if I join your department, I’m not the kind of person who’ll work diligently. I don’t spend much time on Rhodes Island to begin with, and joining your department would just be taking up a spot. I’d like to have a quiet environment when I’m off work. Even so, do you still want me to join?”

After receiving Lin Ye's repeated affirmation, Skadi said, "If you insist on standing against the entire Rhodes Island, then so be it."

After saying that, Skadi withdrew her hand from blocking Lin Ye.

Just as Lin Ye was about to leave, Skadi spoke again: "I originally thought this place would be a very relaxing place, but it seems not."

Lin Ye turned to look at Skadi.

“Just consider this my own opinion,” Skadi said softly. “It’s child’s play compared to my job, but it might still be interesting. Are you a swordsman too? I see the sword on you.”

Lin Ye lowered his head, looking at the black steel sword hanging at his waist, and said, "I'm just an intern."

“Is that so?” Skadi nodded, then suddenly picked up her sword and swung it at Lin Ye.

Her movements were too fast. Although Lin Ye had reacted in time, he had only just placed his hand on the hilt of the black steel sword and had not yet had time to pull it out when Skadi's greatsword had already landed on Lin Ye's shoulder.

Just like last night, except last night Lin Ye had his back to Skadi, while today he was facing her. The only thing that remained the same was that he couldn't react at all.

“It’s hard to call you a qualified swordsman,” Skadi said softly. “Although your race determines your potential, you are still quite far from it.”

Lin Ye remained motionless, no longer as nervous as he had been the night before: "I told you, I'm still just an apprentice."

"So who is your teacher?"

"Night Blade".

“Yato? That sounds familiar.” Skadi slung her sword behind her back and said calmly, “How about this, if you can really convince Kal'tsit to help me solve this little problem, as a reward, I’ll teach you swordsmanship when I get back.”

Lin Ye was stunned for a moment: "You're leaving?"

“I’ve told you before, I only spend a very short time on Rhodes Island.” Skadi pushed open the door before Lin Ye could say anything. “Each time I come back, I only rest for a day or two. That’s why I’ve always said that you’re getting a great deal by having me as your assistant.”

Lin Ye wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he thought he saw a faint smile appear on Skadi's lips, though it was fleeting.

"Really?" Lin Ye's mood suddenly lightened considerably, and then he shrugged. "But I still think it's quite a good deal."

Skadi shook her head and then turned and left.

Just as Lin Ye was hesitating whether to say goodbye to Skadi, Skadi's voice rang out again.

"I hope you'll have a different expression next time we meet." Skadi turned to look at Lin Ye as she walked. "You look rather pitiful, making me want to... never mind."

After saying that, Skadi walked into the emergency exit, leaving Lin Ye alone in the corridor, lost in thought.

He thought to himself, "What a strange person."

……

Ten minutes later, he arrived at the personnel department. Zilan was sitting in the back of the office, leisurely drinking red tea and looking at the scenery outside the window, looking very relaxed.

"Oh, Dr. Lin Ye." Zi Lan glanced at Lin Ye out of the corner of her eye and turned around leisurely. "Is the renovation on the fourth floor finished? I see the drone has returned. How is it? Are you satisfied with the efficiency of the drone?"

"Well, I'm quite satisfied," Lin Ye said, scratching his head. "But I'd like to borrow the drone again."

"You've experienced the benefits of drones, haven't you?" Zilan smiled, taking a sip of black tea. "But wasn't the renovation of the fourth floor already completed? Why do we need to do this again?"

"Because the toilet exploded."

"puff."

Zilan spat out the black tea in her mouth, but luckily Lin Ye was standing far away and was not affected by the tea.

"Cough cough cough cough." The lady became flustered. Zilan wiped her mouth and said angrily, "Say that again?"

"The toilet exploded... well, not exactly exploded, the wall was damaged." Lin Ye was a little embarrassed. "There was a bit of an accident. My new assistant and I had a little conflict, but it's been resolved well."

"What kind of conflict did you have that caused the toilet to explode?!"

Zilan spoke angrily, then realized something was wrong; she should be a lady, so she patted her chest and forced herself to calm down.

"Never mind, I'll go see for myself later." Zilan rolled her eyes at Lin Ye. "Wait, your new assistant? Who is it?"

"Skadi".

“Oh, Skadi.” Zilan nodded and took another sip of tea.

Lin Ye silently took a step back.

Two seconds later.

"puff!"

Chapter 126 We've Reached the Ground

Lin Ye found it quite amusing. Whenever he casually mentioned Skadi's name, he always witnessed some interesting reactions. Especially since most of the other person was either calm and collected, or pretending to be, the contrast was quite intriguing. For example, Ansel jumping three feet high, or Zilan spraying tea.

"Cough cough." Zilan wiped her mouth while glaring at Lin Ye. "You mean that Skadi? I didn't hear wrong, did I? The Skadi on the fourth floor?"

"Yes," Lin Ye nodded, then feigned confusion, "Is there a problem?"

Zilan said bluntly, "Are you crazy?"

"I'm a psychiatrist, how could I be crazy?"

“I think it’s hard to say.” Zilan’s expression was complicated. “Ansel should have told you about Skadi.”

"Yes, she did say that," Lin Ye nodded. "But I don't think Skadi is as exaggerated as you guys say. She's actually a very nice person."

"The toilet exploded and you think that's a good thing?"

"Uh, that was an accident." Lin Ye was a little embarrassed, not expecting to have shot himself in the foot. "But it was fine after we talked it out."

"And talk... wait?" Zilan frowned slightly. "Skadi is willing to talk to you?"

"Well, what happened?"

“That doesn’t make sense.” Zilan tapped her fingers lightly on the table, muttering, “I’ve almost never seen Skadi speak to anyone other than Kal’tsit, not even Amiya. Why would she be willing to talk to you? Could it be that your strange talent is working again?”

Zilan looked at Lin Ye with suspicion.

Lin Ye shrugged: "I don't know either, but I do think Skadi is quite easy to talk to."