194: The listless peacock

Tu Nan was introducing the research model she and Lance had designed to James, specifically regarding the hypothesis on reproductive quality.

Several researchers were gathered around her, listening with rapt attention.

"It's nothing sophisticated; please don't laugh at us," Tu Nan said modestly.

Everyone shook their heads in unison.

James spoke up gently on behalf of the group. "You shouldn't say that. On the path of scientific research, discovering a correct direction is the most important thing."

He pointed at the chart.

"Besides, you just need to expand the data and verify it now." The old doctor, who was also the Dean of the Medical Research Institute, looked at Tu Nan kindly.

"This is equivalent to handing the credit over to us."

"Yes, exactly," the others nearby nodded, their eyes clear and sincere.

The people the Emperor kept in his core team seemed to have decent character at least, Tu Nan noted inwardly.

There was a light knock on the door.

The group, immersed in their discussion, looked toward the door to see Kong Jiamu standing there dashingly.

"Hi, Tu Nan~" He flicked an exquisite medallion between his fingers. "I'm here by order of His Majesty to deliver a command to Miss Tu Nan."

Everyone came to a realization; research personally designated by His Majesty was indeed of a very high level.

To think Colonel Kong would be sent to show support on the very first day the research officially began.

Who didn't know the importance of Lord Peacock in the Emperor's heart?

He... was here.

When she saw that familiar and vivid face, her chest felt as if it were being quietly tightened by a thin thread, and her heart was filled with a mix of complex emotions.

Even though they hadn't been apart for long, it felt like they hadn't seen each other in ages.

This morning, as soon as she arrived at the institute, she had received a message from Yuan Zhe, saying that Kong Jiamu had already entered the palace at the Emperor's summons and telling her to be prepared.

Prepared... what an elegant choice of words.

Tu Nan pushed aside the materials and stood up, giving everyone an apologetic smile before greeting Kong Jiamu: "Shall we go to my office?"

Yes, she had quickly been given a private office at the research institute.

***

However, as soon as they entered the office, the door behind her was swiftly shut.

She was pulled into that familiar embrace and lifted up without a word, a scorching breath enveloping her.

"The curtains..." Tu Nan only had time to remind him of that before she could no longer speak.

Kong Jiamu easily carried her over to close the curtains, and the room fell into a hazy dimness. The curtains here didn't block light completely; the faint glow still allowed them to see each other clearly.

The braid of Kong Jiamu's magnificent dark green curly hair had been pulled loose by him on the way; now, under his excited breathing, it trembled like willow branches blown by the wind.

To see His Majesty, he had originally tidied himself up quite neatly.

But since he was seeing Tu Nan... he naturally knew how obsessed she was with his long, seaweed-like hair, not to mention he desperately wanted Tu Nan to stroke his feathers properly.

Tu Nan had already been placed on the desk by him. Kong Jiamu's passion often made her feel overwhelmed.

No matter how much he looked like a playboy, he was still a soldier at heart.

Direct, enterprising, doing what he wanted—always very straightforward.

When Kong Jiamu finally finished kissing her, he finally looked Tu Nan up and down and said with relief, "You haven't lost weight. His Majesty's food has always been quite good."

...The food was more than just good. During those few days she spent as a cat, she had been so stressed she lost her appetite.

Even so, with three main meals and three snacks every day, as long as they were placed before her... the aroma would entice her into eating quite a bit more for some reason.

"Tu Nan," Kong Jiamu called her name with a smile. Seeing her tilt her head, he couldn't resist pecking her lips again.

"Tu Nan," he called again.

Tu Nan's eyes showed her inquiry.

Kong Jiamu suddenly bent over laughing, resting his chin in the crook of her shoulder and laughing non-stop.

"Don't be angry, Pearl... it sounds like a country noble, hopelessly tacky."

Tu Nan's gaze instantly turned cold. She fiercely grabbed the peacock's hair and tugged hard, telling him to be more polite.

Kong Jiamu immediately begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I was wrong! It's a good name, a great name!"

Tu Nan was speechless. Forget it... why bother arguing with him.

The name Pearl... "Tu Nan is my name," she told him seriously.

Kong Jiamu gave a soft smile.

"Alright. Nice to meet you, Miss Tu Nan."

He wanted to laugh again; the person before him was being so formal, it was as if she were introducing herself for the first time. Did she care that much about the name bestowed by His Majesty?

How cute. Kong Jiamu patted the top of Tu Nan's head.

To be honest, although he didn't understand a single word of the ancient text His Majesty had quoted, every word of that sentence had somehow been engraved into his mind.

And then, he would journey to the south... whatever it meant, it sounded very impressive and suited her perfectly!

"Mm... I happen to have something to ask you."

A helper had just presented himself for the problem she had been worrying about yesterday.

"Do you know how to blend fragrances?" Tu Nan asked him.

"I know a bit," Kong Jiamu didn't exaggerate. "But compared to blending, I'm better at evaluating scents and perfumes."

"Why? Did you come up with a new perfume and want my help?" That was the only thing Kong Jiamu could think of.

"Sorry, I was on a mission before. After I got on the ship, I never used the perfume you gave me." He thought Tu Nan was asking about that.

"Of course you can't use it during a mission, what were you thinking?" Tu Nan gave him a small glare.

"Safety first! Do you hear me?" She squinted, grabbing his collar.

Kong Jiamu raised both hands.

"Don't worry, I won't let you become a widow~"

Tu Nan immediately let go of him, refusing to entertain his flirting.

Kong Jiamu was disappointed. He leaned in and asked, "...When are you going to say yes? His Majesty wouldn't let me propose at the Decoration Ceremony either. Sigh, I wanted to hitch a ride on an all-interstellar broadcast."

His Majesty is still reliable, after all, Tu Nan thought expressionlessly.

The Decoration Ceremony was too dangerous; she planned to find an excuse not to attend at all.

No need to trouble two people for one task; she'd leave this excuse to His Majesty to handle as well. To suppress this unrestrained peacock, relying on herself alone wasn't secure enough.

"You'll have to wait. I'm a Third-Class Female Official now, and I don't want to get married yet. His Majesty has high expectations for me, and I need to properly repay the Emperor's kindness. I don't have time to be obsessed with all this romance."

Tu Nan spoke with righteous conviction.

Kong Jiamu's head was full of question marks.

"Repaying the Emperor's kindness... requires being single?" He didn't know how Tu Nan had reached that conclusion.

"His Majesty has urged me to get married many times, okay... and it hasn't hindered my promotions."

"You are a Male Beast," Tu Nan sneered. "Is it the same?"

"You don't have to take care of the family and raise children after marriage. Having a wife only makes it more convenient for you to go out and work, because all those things are dumped onto the Female Beast! Do you understand?"

Tu Nan poked his chest with her finger.

"You wicked Male Beast, I will absolutely not allow you to affect my promotion!"

Kong Jiamu felt extremely wronged.

"I never thought that... Wait, so you Female Beasts have to stay unmarried for life if you want to serve His Majesty?"

"At the very least, you can't be so reckless right after starting the job," Tu Nan said firmly.

Kong Jiamu's eyes went blank. He had never imagined that the obstacle between him and his lovely Pearl... would be His Majesty.

"Ah, this..." He hugged Tu Nan aggrievedly.

"Then what should I do?"

The peacock was completely wilted, like a Little Bird with soaked feathers, clinging to her tightly.

Tu Nan licked her lips and gave a dangerous smile.

"How about a secret office romance?"

She hooked Kong Jiamu's lapel and slowly pulled him closer...