This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 192 - 111: Strike First, Ruthless Attack, The Truth

Chapter 192: Chapter 111: Strike First, Ruthless Attack, The Truth

Qinglong Mall wasn’t exactly bustling, and Li Ming had no idea why Yang Yu had chosen this spot.

"Hey..."

At the intersection, Li Ming bumped into Yang Yu, who seemed startled, shrank back, and eyed him suspiciously before hesitating, "Li Ming?"

The mimicry faded from Li Ming’s face, revealing his true self. Yang Yu’s face lit up with joy, then she suppressed it and pursed her lips, "It must be nice to be a big star, always having to wear a Mimic Mask."

"It’s mainly to avoid being assassinated," Li Ming said casually.

Yang Yu tensed up. Li Ming changed the subject and chatted for a while longer before Yang Yu excitedly led him into a shop in the corner of the mall.

"Don’t mind the looks of this place, but the taste is really good. Ji Ya brought me here last time, and I discovered it." Yang Yu introduced enthusiastically, calling out to the owner, "Two bowls of Kui meat noodles, please."

"Right away," the owner responded from the kitchen.

The food came quickly—two steaming bowls of Kui meat noodles, served by a middle-aged uncle with a friendly smile.

Li Ming took a bite. The taste was indeed good, spicy and tingling. He chatted with Yang Yu as they ate.

Mostly, it was Yang Yu talking and Li Ming listening, just like always.

"...Chen Yan, did you say Chen Yan?" Li Ming suddenly looked up, having heard a familiar name from Yang Yu’s mouth.

"I’ve been talking for so long and you barely reacted, but when it comes to Sister Chen Yan, you get all excited," Yang Yu said with a sharp look in her eyes.

"Chen Yan is interning in my mentor’s lab," Li Ming explained.

"Did the senior pass the assessment?" Yang Yu seemed excited, but then became alert, "So do you see her often? Sister Chen Yan is beautiful, isn’t she?"

"Not as much as you, not as much as you," Li Ming gave a perfunctory reply and asked, "How do you two know each other?"

Yang Yu thought for a moment, "I don’t quite remember how we met, seems like it was during some class discussion."

"Sister Chen Yan is friendly and cute, and one thing led to another, we got to know each other well and often meet for meals."

Li Ming appeared thoughtful and then asked, "Has she ever asked you about me?"

Yang Yu was startled and hesitated, "You... weren’t so narcissistic before."

"Seriously," Li Ming stressed.

"Oh..." Yang Yu’s expression turned serious as she recalled, "I don’t think so, no, no..."

If Chen Yan had asked about Li Ming, Yang Yu would have remembered very clearly.

Li Ming frowned, but then heard Yang Yu add, "However, while talking, I tend to bring you up, so she might have heard about you."

"Got it."

Yang Yu looked at him, her expression nostalgic, "I really envy Sister Chen Yan, the assessments in Professor Wu’s lab are famously tough."

"But once you pass them, that experience adds significant value in many places."

"Are you planning on joining it?" Li Ming asked casually.

"Can I get in?" Yang Yu was astonished.

"A little greeting should do the trick."

Yang Yu first became excited, then hesitant, and finally disheartened, "Forget it, I’m not skilled enough. It’s like what? Going through your back door."

Li Ming glanced at her. Not taking advantage of the support available? Ridiculous.

After a casual stroll following their meal, Yang Yu, seeing Li Ming’s enthusiastic interest, suggested they head back.

By the time they returned to the lab, dusk was nearing.

As they wandered around the corridor, they bumped into Chen Yan.

She was cradling some materials in her arms and walked close to the edge of the wall with her head down.

Having been there only five or six days, she had already won the affection of many lab members; even Luo Chuan had commended her, saying this intern did quite well.

"Chen Yan, come with me," Li Ming stepped forward to stop her.

Chen Yan, like an unsuspecting rabbit, was suddenly startled and her face showed a panicky expression. Upon recognizing it was Li Ming, she finally calmed down and involuntarily took a step back.

"Li Ming?" Chen Yan looked somewhat flustered, "Did you need something from me?"

"Just come with me," Li Ming didn’t explain and turned away straight; Chen Yan looked around hesitantly but still followed him.

Seeing Li Ming enter his room, Chen Yan stopped again, seemingly unsure of what Li Ming was up to.

"Come in," Li Ming called out, looking back with a casual expression.

Chen Yan glanced up at the surveillance camera in the corridor, hesitated slightly, and then walked in with a troubled face.

Once she was inside, Li Ming closed the door and then clicked it locked.

Chen Yan immediately clutched the materials in her arms, her face showing a terrified expression: "Li... Li Ming, why did you lock the door?"

"Stop pretending," Li Ming said flatly.

"What, what do you mean?" Chen Yan still looked confused, her face blank.

"You have been in the lab for ten days, and in these ten days, I’ve run into you twenty-one times," Li Ming said, his expression indifferent:

"Everyone in the lab knows I just go back and forth directly, maybe stopping by the cafeteria once, but the number of times I’ve seen you, it’s just too many."

"Did you intentionally appear in front of me?"

"Uh..." Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, "Why would you think that? I’m just new here, still not familiar with many things, I might have been moving around a bit more."

"You’re thinking too much."

"But I only ran into Li Ruoning twice, and old Xu even just once; and at least seven times, you were wandering around in your pajamas," Li Ming then said, "Also, you’ve had contact with Yang Yu, that’s a bit too coincidental."

Chen Yan was dumbfounded, fidgeting like an ant on a hot pan, "That, we just met in a seminar."

"Still not telling?" Li Ming frowned slightly.

"I, I..." Chen Yan seemed unsure of how to explain, looking distressed.

"You think I’m joking?" Li Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly, and in a flash, he appeared behind Chen Yan.

Chen Yan’s pupils contracted, and suddenly her right arm was severed from the elbow joint, spraying blood.