Once Zane made up his mind, he actually calmed down completely.
He began thinking through his next steps.
Since he had decided to keep going to Zuanka Technology as a test subject, he would have to learn how to hide his movements.
To do that, he needed to keep Derek Su occupied. But the real obstacle was Lingwind.
He had come back pale and drained this time, which clearly frightened her. From now on, she would definitely carry out Derek Su's instructions and keep a close eye on him.
So the most important thing was to persuade Lingwind and get her on his side.
Fortunately, Zuanka Technology did not require test subjects to report to the lab every day.
Especially not someone like him, an experienced subject.
To avoid losing valuable data, they took protective measures for subjects who had gone through multiple experiments.
For example, they reduced the frequency of experiments and extended anesthesia time. After all, his data was extremely important.
If he only went once a week, there was no way anyone would notice, right?
Even so, he still needed to prepare a few things.
Click!
The door opened as Absolute Shadow walked in with the medical team, with Lingwind following behind, looking a little timid.
Zane quickly closed his eyes and let several healing Mecha Girls examine him.
"There's nothing serious. Just weakness and some overexertion."
One of the healing Mecha Girls checked his condition as she spoke. "There are signs of biological experimentation, but it's not life-threatening. Personally, I'd advise you to stop participating. If you must continue, once a month is a frequency that won't harm your body."
Hearing this, Zane quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
This healer was great. That statement practically covered for him.
Absolute Shadow and Lingwind also relaxed, worried he might suffer lasting damage from the experiments.
The healing Mecha Girl injected him with an activator, set up a glucose drip, and after telling him to rest well, left the room.
Absolute Shadow was not particularly close to Zane. After a brief acknowledgment, she also left.
Only Zane and Lingwind remained.
"Master, please don't go to those experiments anymore." Lingwind sat beside him, resting her chin in her hands and pouting. "If something happens to you, I'll have to find another pilot. These days, it's really hard to find someone reliable."
Zane fell silent. It felt like he had taken a hit to the chest.
With the support of the activator, he felt much better.
He took a breath and said, "Lingwind, who is the master here, you or me?"
"You are, of course."
"Then shouldn't you listen to me?"
Lingwind wrinkled her nose. "In theory, yes."
Zane turned to her and spoke earnestly. "You know why I rushed into competition with Broken Moon back then. It was to become a Techmaster and rescue my master. Even now, I'm still working toward that goal. I've just added one more, helping Derek Su become a Techmaster as well."
He paused briefly.
"Derek Su is more talented and capable than I am. He will definitely become a Techmaster."
"Then we should trust him," Lingwind said, confused. "Why take this risk?"
"It's not really a risk. It's just keeping a backup plan," Zane said with a small smile, rubbing his hands. "I already told Derek Su I could help him become a Techmaster. These days have been tough, but I've actually learned a lot at Zuanka Technology. I'm even more confident now… You wouldn't want me to embarrass myself in front of him, right? And Lingwind, you know what it means for the club to have a Techmaster."
Lingwind fell silent for a moment.
"But you still shouldn't ignore your health like this…"
"Lingwind, does that mean as long as I stay healthy, I can keep going?" Zane seized the opening in her words and pressed on. "What if I only go once or twice a month, at most three or four times? As long as I eat well and take care of myself, it won't have much impact. And if I keep going to Zuanka Technology, I might uncover secrets about increasing the success rate of becoming a Techmaster. That's a win-win for the Stella Club."
"Hmm…" Lingwind scratched her head, staring blankly.
What he said made sense, but something still felt off.
Wasn't she supposed to be here under Derek Su's orders to keep an eye on him?
How did she end up getting convinced instead?
"So, Lingwind, for the sake of the Stella Club, for everyone, and to rescue my master, you have to keep this secret for me." Zane took her hand and spoke seriously. "Help me keep this from Derek Su. And I promise, I won't overstrain myself again. You can monitor me. If anything like today happens again, you can report it immediately."
Lingwind twisted her fingers together and stared at him for a long time before finally nodding.
Her thinking was simple.
Derek Su did not want Zane to go because he was worried about his health.
So as long as Zane stayed healthy, it should be fine.
And under that condition, they could still research the secrets of becoming a Techmaster.
From a rational standpoint, it was a workable plan.
If she were in his position, she might make the same choice.
Thinking this through, Lingwind bit her lip and nodded.
"Alright. I'll keep this secret for you, Master. But if anything seems wrong, I'll report it to Derek Su immediately."
"No problem." Zane let out a quiet laugh. Lingwind was still as straightforward as ever.
If he had said all this to Derek Su, not a single word would have been believed.
He gently patted Lingwind's head, a hint of determination and warmth hidden in his eyes that she could not see.
"But before that, I need you to help me buy something."
He asked her to bring paper and a pen, then wrote several lines on it.
"Keep it confidential," he reminded her again and again.
Lingwind clenched the note tightly, her expression serious as she nodded.
This was their shared secret.
It was tied to the rise of the Stella Club and the rescue of Mr. Liang.
It was also a responsibility she now carried, heavy and absolute.
Zane watched as Lingwind ran out of the room.
Then he withdrew his gaze and looked back at the ceiling.
Once those items were ready,
everything would be in place. Only the final push would remain.
...
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