CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 446 TANG TANG

On the way to the research base, Tang Tang felt a bit complicated about her imminent responsibilities and was somewhat unsure about her new role.

As a former civil servant of the provincial disciplinary committee, such administrative work was originally completely unrelated to her.

However, for some unknown reason, the top leadership chose her among many candidates to be the administrative director of the research base and also assigned her the task of receiving research personnel transferred from various places.

This sudden change made Tang Tang, who usually performed inspection duties and was almost feared by everyone, feel almost unprepared.

Fortunately, in the current environment, everyone emphasized efficiency and practical work more, without the past formalities of coming and going, sparing Tang Tang a lot of effort in dealing with interpersonal issues.

Moreover, since those who came were researchers more focused on practicality, along with the deterrent effect of the disciplinary committee’s reputable name, Tang Tang managed her reception tasks well.

Yet, as she was about to lead these researchers to the research base, a sense of worry started creeping in.

The reason for her worry was simple: the chief head of the research base was Chen Xin, her junior from years ago, and they had met once before.

Of course, Tang Tang understood that it was precisely because of this connection that the top leadership dispatched her to manage the administrative work of the research base, but precisely due to this connection, she was concerned about her ability to perform the job well.

Tang Tang was a serious worker and did not like to mix personal feelings with work, especially in cases where personal relationships were being used to handle work issues, something she had despised in the past.

Indeed, her relationship with Chen Xin could facilitate her work and ease communication and cooperation with him.

Yet, this could also potentially interfere with her judgment and decisions or inversely affect Chen Xin’s decisions.

If it resulted in positive changes, it wouldn’t matter, but what if it tended towards the negative?

If something that originally wouldn’t have gone wrong ended up problematic because of her acquaintance with Chen Xin affecting his judgment, who would bear the responsibility for such an issue?

These questions were deeply troubling for Tang Tang.

However, despite these issues, Tang Tang was not someone who would be deterred by difficulties.

If she were, she wouldn’t have chosen this career in the disciplinary committee.

In her past work, there were too many instances of people selling favors and pulling strings to plead with her to go easy on them, and Tang Tang had long since learned how to handle such matters and work relationships.

Had it not been for Chen Xin’s special identity as an old classmate, Tang Tang wouldn’t have been troubled at all.

"If it comes down to it, I’ll just handle everything by the book," Tang Tang composed herself as their vehicle approached the research base, setting the tone for her subsequent work while contemplating how to conduct her future tasks.

But before Tang Tang could finalize her plans for her upcoming work, the convoy was intercepted by specialized troops responsible for the research base’s security.

As Tang Tang stepped out of the car and saw the scene, she was taken aback.

The defense of this base was unbelievably extravagant!

Was this truly a research base and not a military base?

Looking at the armed special forces in front of her and the Heavy Mecha holding pitch-black cannons next to them, Tang Tang suddenly developed a substantial distrust of the job she was about to take on.

Previously, the information she received stated that this was a newly established national research base with a team of researchers being transferred, requiring someone for administrative management.

The documents also provided detailed information about Chen Xin and his background, listing Tang Tang’s connection with Chen Xin as classmates.

However, not a single word in those documents mentioned the heavy military presence and strict armament here.

"Are you stationed here for security purposes?" Handing over the relevant credentials to the soldier in charge of inspections, Tang Tang inquired of a person with the rank of lieutenant.

The lieutenant glanced at Tang Tang, who had just introduced herself, and felt this information was not forbidden to share, so he explained to Tang Tang: "Our main task is to protect Academician Chen, and since he is based at this research site, the research base is also incorporated into our protection realm."

"Are you saying that Xiao Chen... no, Academician Chen now requires a dedicated troop for protection?" Tang Tang was astonished, as it was the first time she had heard of anyone in Flame Country being afforded such protection, a treatment not even the highest leaders received!

Nonetheless, the lieutenant seriously nodded: "Yes, our mission is to provide special protection for Academician Chen."

Upon completion of the inspection, the lieutenant told Tang Tang, "Please go ahead. Once you meet Academician Chen and get familiar with this place, you’ll understand why he deserves this level of treatment."

With this brief reassurance, Tang Tang took back her credentials, returned to the car, and entered the research base with a slightly shaken expression.

After Chen Xin’s upgrades, many aspects of the research base had changed and more details were added, but the overall layout remained unchanged.

Thus, after Tang Tang’s convoy passed through the barracks, they arrived at the entrance of the Ecological Dome.

Upon getting out of the car, facing the towering Ecological Dome, the research personnel collectively displayed expressions of admiration.

"To think it’s a dome of such magnitude, far superior to the Federation’s Biosphere 2!" said Old Li, gazing at the Ecological Dome as if viewing a treasure.

For research scientists like him, an ecological experiment zone of this size was incredibly exciting and invigorating.

If it weren’t for his advanced age, Old Li felt he might have already rushed in with excitement.

However, for the sake of both temperature maintenance and safety, the entrance process to the Ecological Dome was quite complex, requiring everyone to undergo cleaning and disinfection before entering.

Old Li and other research personnel could readily understand measures of this nature. In the past, entering laboratories with cleanliness requirements also entailed cleaning and disinfection, with some labs even requiring Protective Suits for dust removal before entering, making these procedures seem routine.

Once inside the Ecological Dome, Chen Xin, who had long awaited them, welcomed everyone cordially.