Chloe really loved stirring up trouble.
For her, it was impossible to stay quietly in one place.
Even if the sky fell or the earth split open, Chloe had to go out and do something big.
Like right now.
At 5:30, Chloe decided it was already evening and immediately begged Xavier to take her out.
Their destination, of course, was the Central Research Institute of the Werewolf Race.
They set out as a large group, six people in total.
The two guards at the entrance of the institute almost didn't let them in.
According to the blue-haired researcher guiding them, it had been a long time since anyone had come to visit the Central Research Institute.
Ever since the Wolf King designated this place as a national center for science and military technology, the entrance had become desolate. The location had been moved again and again, finally ending up in the most remote and secluded place with an air of prestige.
The westernmost corner of the Werewolf Race's territory.
As he said this, Blue Hair wore an expression of pride and honor on his face.
Chloe didn't understand what there was to be proud of, so she said, "Is that impressive? But you don't usually live at the research institute, right?"
Blue Hair: "Indeed, we don't. We all have families."
"Then when do you start work?"
"Six o'clock, why?"
"Nothing." Chloe thought carefully for a moment, then said, "It's a pity. The westernmost corner is so far from all residential areas. Even from the nearest residential area, it would take an hour and a half to get here. Doesn't that mean you have to wake up around five?"
Blue Hair: "...?"
"That's right..." Blue Hair hesitated, "But at least we're dedicating ourselves to science. We're all willing to do it."
I see.
Chloe's lips curled into a slight smile: "Oh, then do you often work overtime? Do you have holidays?"
"How can researchers have holidays? The future of the Werewolf Race rests on our shoulders. Our research can't be delayed even for a day."
Hearing this, Chloe turned her head and exchanged glances with her companions, each seeing a hint of schadenfreude in the other's eyes.
"Ahem." Chloe coughed twice, then asked, "So, is your salary high?"
"It's okay," Blue Hair said. "A bit higher than the average wage, but research is quite expensive, and sometimes the salary isn't enough..."
He suddenly stopped.
Something didn't seem quite right.
Sure enough, Chloe's sigh immediately followed:
"Tsk, for the Central Research Institute, a stronghold of the Werewolf Race, to be so stingy?"
Blue Hair frowned: "What do you mean?"
"Let me put it this way," Chloe said, folding her arms and looking at him sideways. "We Vampires also have a research institute, but the treatment is much better than yours."
"First of all, our research institute is built in the center of the royal city, covering a vast area. There are staff dormitories and family quarters. If you find it troublesome to come to the institute, you can bring your family and relatives to live in the institute."
"Work starts at eight and ends at five. If there's research that requires overtime, there's extra pay for that."
"Oh, and we have two days off every week. If you don't want to take time off and prefer to work, the institute pays extra for that too."
"The salary is paid according to the highest wage standard of the entire race. After all, we're all important pillars of the nation and can't be neglected."
Chloe listed item by item, then looked at the now dumbfounded Blue Hair: "How about that? Isn't it much better than your treatment?"
Blue Hair: "..."
The outside world, the researchers outside, could their treatment really be so good?
His face was full of shock, his hands almost unable to control their trembling.
"Is... is this true? You Vampires... No, wait! Are you trying to sow discord?"
As he spoke, Blue Hair's expression returned to one of vigilance.
Chloe smiled without speaking.
Then, Xavier moved the glared-at Chloe behind him and said politely:
"I apologize, children can be quite mischievous."
Hearing this, Blue Hair breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew it, how could researchers have such high treatment...
"But everything she said is true."
Blue Hair: "?"
Xavier's lips, with their hard lines, curved into an arc as he held Chloe's hand and continued walking forward.
Behind them were Qin Huaibei, Daniel, Katherine, and Anderson.
These youngsters had changed from their previous arrogant demeanor and were now looking at him with pitying gazes.
As if they were looking at an unfortunate soul endlessly exploited by his superiors yet content with his lot.
Blue Hair: "..."
Damn!
Was the treatment of Werewolf Race researchers really that bad?
For a long time after that, Blue Hair was lost in deep self-doubt.
Even his explanations became somewhat absent-minded.
Now Blue Hair's mind was full of thoughts—
Do Vampire researchers really have such good treatment?
It can't be true, right?
But I've never been outside the Werewolf Race, so I have no way of knowing whether the treatment of researchers in other races is high or low.
Could it be that the treatment of Werewolf Race researchers is really that poor?
Is the Wolf King really exploiting the researchers?
Lost in these thoughts, he didn't even respond when Xavier called him several times.
By the time he finally realized Xavier was calling him, the other had clearly run out of patience.
That handsome face wore an expression that wasn't particularly pleasant, with frost between his brows, clearly dissatisfied with his performance.
Only then did Blue Hair realize he had neglected the distinguished guests, and hurriedly apologized:
"I'm sorry, I was lost in thought just now and didn't notice. I promise it won't happen again..."
"No need," Xavier said coldly. "Since you can't guide us properly, let's have someone else do it."
Blue Hair's expression instantly froze.
He struggled to move his lips: "Sir, please give me one more chance. I promise this time I'll definitely..."
"I don't have so many chances to give you," Xavier said decisively. "I'm not sure if you'll make mistakes again, but in my view, your behavior just now shows that you don't take us seriously."
Chloe immediately started to fan the flames:
"That's right, that's right. We're the royal family of the Vampires. Don't you think a mere researcher like you should take us seriously and serve us properly?"
"..."
Blue Hair was powerless to refute and finally had to leave.
He said dejectedly: "I'm sorry, I'll go find another colleague to take over for me now. Please follow me."
By this time, they had already walked a long way, and there was basically no one in the corridor.
Qin Huaibei frowned: "We've already walked for a long time, and now we have to walk back again. Is this how you treat your guests?"
Blue Hair hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, it's just that we need to change guides..."
"Of course we know you're changing guides, but can't you go alone?" Daniel said. "Why make the distinguished guests walk all the way back?"
Blue Hair looked at them, then at himself, and finally compromised: "...Alright, you wait here. Someone will come to take over very soon."
With that, he ran quickly back the way they had come.
Once he had completely disappeared, Chloe and the others dropped their smiles and high-fived each other:
"Plan successful."
