Year-round sunlight and moisture have resulted in a thick layer of humus on the surface, which seems to indicate decades of accumulation. In the Biological Garden, the plant hierarchy ranges from high to low, with herbs, shrubs, and trees in abundance. A multitude of roots and aerial roots weave tightly together, creating an appearance akin to that of a primeval forest.
A substantial number of birds and reptiles have made their homes in the tree hollows, while the sound of a river originates from another end of the Biological Garden. Judging by the flow of the water, it appears to be a medium-sized river that is meters wide.
Zhou Ziang had previously conducted a term’s research on rainforest environments and knew that in such conditions, the growth rate of both animals and plants would be several times faster. This rainforest-like Biological Garden, seemingly spanning hundreds of acres, houses countless treasures, each with significant research and medicinal value.
"Here we are," Locke stopped in front of a tree that soared more than twenty meters high, with a trunk diameter of ten meters. The tree’s canopy was lush, making it hard to believe that its center was hollow. This spot was in the very heart of the Biological Garden and the only place that bore a trace of human activity—the treehouse meeting room constructed by Mengshan Company to confuse the garden’s wildlife.
"Welcome to the treehouse, Mr. Zhou Ziang. You are not only the youngest researcher to enter here but also the only Chinese," Zhou Ziang saw two people, both new faces. However, one of them, a strikingly beautiful woman, bore some resemblance to Aisha, allowing him to roughly guess her identity.
No, it should be said that Aisha resembles her. Compared to the woman before him, Aisha seemed like a flawed work. Celeste flicked her wavy blonde hair, revealing a beguiling smile.
After a brief pause, Zhou Ziang turned his head away, no longer looking at Celeste.
The other person sizing him up was a man with a full beard, his unkempt appearance lacking that of a scholar. His arms crossed, he was the one who had spoken earlier.
Compared to Locke, who seemed the most approachable of the three, Locke today appeared different from usual. While walking in the rainforest, Zhou Ziang had noticed something peculiar about the terrain.
Locke had been silent the whole way, and once inside the treehouse, the door shut behind them.
"Please, take a seat. I finally get to see a young face. Staring at these two all day is enough to make me grow wrinkles," Celeste stood up and poured four cups of coffee, placing them on the meeting table that could only sit four.
The exterior of the treehouse looked rudimentary, but the interior decoration was typical of Northern European style—simple yet detailed.
Zhou Ziang sat down, and among the three, he chose a spot not next to Locke or Aisha but in front of the bearded man.
Quinn’s bearded face moved slightly.
"Locke, you invited me here, so I think it’s your duty to introduce the other two Senior Researchers present," Zhou Ziang sipped his coffee leisurely. The rich flavor indicated it was genuine Blue Mountain coffee. If he wasn’t mistaken, these beans were likely cultivated within the Biological Garden itself.
"Let the other two inside the treehouse introduce themselves since they outrank me," Locke had become even more silent since entering the treehouse. Except for a glance at Zhou Ziang upon entering, he spent the rest of the time staring intently at a screen.
Throughout the Biological Garden, countless surveillance devices covered every possible angle, switching views to match the needs of those inside the treehouse. Just then, Locke quietly shifted the view to a river surface.
As Zhou Ziang had previously predicted, the river was about a meter wide, flanked entirely by rainforest trees, with rapid currents that concealed any life within.
"Celeste, my daughter Aisha has been under your care for all these years," with just a short sentence of self-introduction, Celeste had already made a lasting impression, not only establishing her identity but also exerting an elder’s unique pressure on Zhou Ziang.
After the introduction, Celeste extended her hand, slender fingers reaching out to Zhou Ziang.
Zhou Ziang hesitated briefly but out of politeness, gently grasped her hand.
At the end of the handshake, Celeste opportunistically squeezed Zhou Ziang’s hand. Seeing his lack of reaction, she retracted her hand, seemingly bored.
All this was observed by Locke and Quinn. Locke’s expression grew more solemn, while Quinn laughed unrestrainedly, "Haha, kid, my name is Quinn, the Gardener of the Underground Biopark."
Every place has an order it must protect; even a graveyard has its guardian spirits. For such an expansive Underground Biopark to have only one Gardener.
Zhou Ziang quickly concluded that neither the amiable Locke nor the enchanting Celeste was his main adversary today, but rather the seemingly hearty bearded man, Quinn.
"Zhou Ziang, former graduate student at Cornell University, basic researcher at Meng Mountain Company," Zhou Ziang set down his coffee, now cold, signaling it was time to get to the point, "I believe my intentions and thoughts have been made clear. However, I am curious why the company would send three Senior Researchers to meet me upon my resignation?"
"Hehe, don’t rush, young man. Locke has prepared quite a generous welcome gift for you," Celeste walked up to the monitoring screen and pressed a button. The screen slid aside automatically.
The monitoring screen had acted as an invisible wall, behind which lay a secret exhibition room. Several transparent glass display cases, resembling miniature coffins, appeared before Zhou Ziang’s eyes. (To be continued. If you work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)