The Domineering CEO's Vain Trophy Husband 26

The matter of the compound was important, so after Ming Yao recharged his batteries for a while with Lin Zhi, he left with the samples.

Lin Zhi watched the taillights of the car disappear into the distance, propping up his chin with his elbow on the railing, his eyes holding a distant, expansive gaze.

He had a premonition that this mission was approaching its conclusion, not because Ming Yao could stand up and walk a few steps with difficulty, but because of his attitude.

Though Lin Zhi didn't know what the future would hold, he knew that as long as his own attitude didn't change, Ming Yao's life would improve because of his intervention.

Just as the system said, Ming Yao would have a love for life.

Lin Zhi wasn't reluctant, either. In fact, he couldn't truly analyze his emotions at the moment.

Lin Zhi selected a bottle of wine from the cabinet and sat in the small lounge on the third floor, sipping it at his leisure.

Meanwhile, Ming Yao had already called ahead before arriving at the laboratory to discuss the matter, of course informing only the core team members.

For the core team members, this news was undoubtedly a bucket of cold water. After all, they had conducted repeated experiments during the research and development process, and only achieved success today after many failures. If there really was a problem, no matter how small the probability, if even one person were harmed because of them, they would bear responsibility.

The main person in charge was a bespectacled fellow who wasn't very old—in fact, he was quite young among the technical backbone of the group. However, his talent and dedication were the most outstanding in the team. More importantly, this core technology was something he had first proposed and implemented. Upon receiving this news, he immediately scrambled to investigate.

The laboratory kept quite a few aquatic plants and animals, all of which were fed with water processed by their technology. For better comparison, the laboratory also kept white mice and rabbits, which were healthy and lively with no visible skin problems.

Once Ming Yao arrived, there was a series of sampling and testing procedures. Since the Ming Family had similar institutions, they could obtain the data fastest.

To test the effects on humans, the bespectacled person in charge even scheduled a check-up for himself, because during the years of research, he had practically treated the laboratory as his home. Since the laboratory's living water had been switched to water processed with their core technology, he had always used this water for washing and cooking.

"President, didn't the person who discovered this issue come with you?"

The person in charge looked behind his boss and only saw Special Assistant Gao. Earlier, the boss had said on the phone that 'someone' had discovered it, so it definitely wasn't something the boss had suddenly noticed himself.

"My wife is the discoverer of this matter. However, he is not someone in this industry—he just happens to be interested in my work."

Ming Yao spoke casually, his expression not changing much, but that pride tinged with a hint of showing off was utterly unguarded.

Special Assistant Gao tried hard to control his facial expression and maintain a cool demeanor, telling himself that he really needed this job, so his expression absolutely couldn't crack. Subconsciously, he found himself going along with the boss's performance.

“Yes, yes, yes, that's right, your wife really loves you.”

The person in charge thought how nice it would be to have someone help catch any oversights after getting married. As he nodded along with 'oh, oh,' there was a hint of envy in his expression.

Ming Yao sensed his envy and felt quite satisfied.

Even with expedited testing, examinations took time. Ming Yao returned home in the early morning hours, only to find his bedroom empty.

Ming Yao didn't feel the usual sense of loss. The embrace from the evening had made him feel an intimate message beyond their agreement. He went directly to the elevator to the fourth floor.

Lin Zhi's door wasn't locked. When Ming Yao opened it, the lights inside were off, the curtains drawn halfway, and through the dim light, he could see a figure lying on the bed.

Ming Yao had no intention of disturbing Lin Zhi's sleep and was about to leave quietly when he heard a drowsy inquiry from the direction of the bed: "Ming Yao?"

"It's me," Ming Yao responded as he drew closer, and upon reaching Lin Zhi's bedside, he said somewhat apologetically: "Did I disturb your rest?"

The youth, awakened from sleep, still seemed somewhat unclear, his eyes blinking repeatedly.

Lin Zhi's hand lay outside the covers. Ming Yao took hold of his soft palm, his fingers unconsciously pressing gently—a subconscious soothing gesture.

The room was filled with a wonderfully soft atmosphere, quiet and intimate.

Lin Zhi's mind gradually cleared. He had drunk some wine before bed, remembered some things from the past, and had fallen asleep with the help of alcohol's sedative effect. The sensation just now was his subconscious reaction to detecting someone in the room.

After all, he had been in this world for about half a year now and had long lost the disoriented feeling he had when he first transmigrated. The person who could enter his room was almost certainly Ming Yao.

Lin Zhi responded softly: "I'm fine."

"How is the matter progressing?"

This matter wouldn't be resolved so quickly, and of course Lin Zhi knew this, so he wouldn't have asked.

"Several laboratories are already working on investigating this issue as part of the submission process."

Ming Yao's voice was steady, giving people an oddly reassuring sense that whatever difficulties arose could be overcome by him.

In reality, this wasn't entirely true, or else he wouldn't be Lin Zhi's target for redemption.

Some things don't show on the surface, like icebergs beneath the sea, shadows in the darkness.

"That's good then. You should get some rest early."

Lin Zhi half-closed his eyes, growing drowsy.

Ming Yao nodded and placed Lin Zhi's hand under the covers, preparing to leave.

Just as he was about to release Lin Zhi's hand, he felt a pull.

Lin Zhi's drowsy voice full of softness and gentleness spoke in a low tone: "Aren't you going to give me a goodnight kiss?"

Lin Zhi always seemed to do this, adopting the most innocent and gentle posture, stirring people's hearts.

Ming Yao could hardly bear to leave this room and wished he could sleep beside Lin Zhi.

What should have been a brief, touch-and-go goodnight kiss became extraordinarily tender and lingering in the quiet of the night.

'Mm...'

The beautiful youth with sleepy eyes had tears glistening in them, his breathing becoming slightly labored as his breath was stolen away.

The pale moonlight lay silent, the sounds of breathing growing increasingly clear.

In the end, Lin Zhi still didn't hold Ming Yao back, merely waving him away.

Beneath the title of legal wife, he was more like a sweet yet wicked lover.

Someone who filled others with boundless affection and desire, then departed with a beaming smile.

Lin Zhi's single remark gave Ming Yao, who had been about to leave, a different mood entirely.

Ming Yao left reluctantly, returning to the master bedroom and seriously considering one matter.

Could he have his own bedroom demolished, or perhaps Lin Zhi's bedroom demolished instead?

But these were rather absurd thoughts, and Ming Yao felt quite troubled. How exactly could he get his legal wife to sleep in the same bed as him?

A few days later, various reports came in one after another.

After testing, it was found that prolonged contact with water containing this compound could indeed trigger a certain type of skin disease. The best evidence was that the person in charge, who had been using this water source for a long time, had already developed some small red spots on his skin. Since they were on his back and not very noticeable, he hadn't paid much attention to them himself.

The laboratory staff all commented that the person in charge was unlucky, as the data showed the probability was very small, yet he had still gotten hit with it.

The person in charge himself actually thought it was fine and would help with further research.

Although some factories had already begun operating, the water they were handling wasn't in direct contact with human skin. For the living water treatment plant, Ming Yao decided to temporarily stop using the new technology and instead continue with the original processing method until they found a solution to the compound issue.

"It's fortunate that you discovered this matter. Otherwise, if this continued for a long time, I fear I would have caused misfortune to many people."

Ming Yao thanked Lin Zhi once more, and this wasn't mere courtesy—it was Lin Zhi who deserved the credit, so mentioning it was appropriate.

Ming Yao didn't just say it verbally, either. He also gave Lin Zhi an auxiliary black card as thanks.

In truth, Ming Yao had been wanting to give out this card for a while. He had long felt that a monthly allowance of two hundred thousand was too little, but he was afraid that if he gave it this way, Lin Zhi would refuse by invoking their contract. Now that he had such a perfectly legitimate reason, he finally gave it out.

"It's not your fault. You were already very conscientious; you simply didn't foresee this type of outcome."

Humans are not omniscient beings. If one could predict the consequences of every action in advance, then one would not be an ordinary human.

Ming Yao hadn't dismissed the possible consequences when he heard of them, which already satisfied Lin Zhi greatly.

How many people in Ming Yao's position wouldn't have been indifferent to such a small probability? Lin Zhi didn't need to elaborate on this.

Lin Zhi knew very well what most capitalists were like.

Ming Yao fell silent for a moment, then replied: "Whether intentional or unintentional, if it is caused because of me, then I bear full responsibility."

Lin Zhi looked at him, knowing he was talking about this matter, yet also sensing it was about something more.

His mother's death was something Ming Yao had been unable to come to terms with for a long time, especially when his father had blamed him as the cause.

"But I simply don't believe it's your fault."

Lin Zhi's voice was light and cheerful. He gazed at Ming Yao and curved his lips into a smile.

Love can absolve many transgressions.