After locking the car door, Xia Lianrong stepped on the accelerator, and the car sped away again.
Ming Li, who was bewildered the entire time: ...
Another ten-plus minutes later.
The car stopped, and Ming Li was dragged out by Xia Lianrong, heading towards the awards ceremony.
The venue for the awards ceremony was packed with people. As soon as Xia Lianrong pushed Ming Li to her designated seat, Ming Li heard the host on stage call her name into the microphone.
After the host announced her name, the camera zoomed in for a close-up of Ming Li.
In an instant, a pale-skinned, stunningly beautiful woman with flowing hair, wearing a yellow cartoon pajama set, appeared on the big screen.
The entire venue fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere as quiet as if ghosts were drifting by.
The dignitary also looked over, his gaze exceptionally strange.
Could this be the legendary genius doctor? Arriving dressed like this, perhaps the world of geniuses was simply beyond their understanding?
Ming Li's lips twitched slightly. She looked down at her cartoon pajamas, thinking, what the hell was this?
On the side.
Seeing Ming Li not move, Xia Lianrong frowned and nudged her, saying softly, "Lili, what are you spacing out for? It's your turn to go on stage."
Ming Li closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her entire demeanor had changed. She stood up and walked unhurriedly to the podium. The beige cartoon pajamas were worn with such regal presence that her commanding aura was perfectly captured.
The system, watching this scene from within the space, had its eyes twinkling with excitement. It felt like offering Ming Li the imperial seal with both hands. Host, you're so cool!!! Ahhh!
The host, seeing Ming Li walk onto the stage with such calm composure, almost knelt down.
Could she be an escaped emperor from some dynasty? That kingly aura made everyone want to submit to her immediately.
The audience below was also awestruck by Ming Li's regal presence, nearly following the host’s impulse to kneel.
Everyone stared intently at Ming Li, as if missing a single moment would mean losing an immense fortune.
Xia Lianrong, witnessing Ming Li's sudden shift in temperament, was also stunned, completely at a loss for words for a moment.
On stage.
Ming Li reached out and took the microphone from the host's trembling hand. With a clear and cool tone, she delivered a brief opening. "Hello everyone, my name is An Mingli. Actually, the development of this pharmaceutical agent was not solely my accomplishment. All the researchers at Anli Base participated in it..."
After Ming Li spoke briefly, it was time for the dignitary to give his speech.
The dignitary droned on with a lengthy speech full of praise, which almost lulled Ming Li to sleep. Only then did the dignitary finally stop speaking, press his dry lips together, and begin to present the award to Ming Li.
Ming Li accepted the award and gave the dignitary a faint nod.
Seeing this, the dignitary cautiously asked, "Dr. An, may I have a photo with you?"
Ming Li, unobserved, stifled a yawn. She looked at the expectant dignitary and nodded, "Yes, you may."
And so, the camera was aimed at the dignitary and Ming Li.
Seeing Ming Li's expressionless face, the photographer said, "Dr. An, I'm about to take the picture. Could you please smile!"
Ming Li responded with a simple "Oh." Then, under everyone's gaze, the corners of her mouth curved into a perfect arc, revealing a neat row of eight pearly white teeth, smiling in a way that was both vacant and strangely eerie.
The photographer and the onlookers instantly adopted extremely peculiar expressions.
The system in the space covered its face upon seeing this, thinking, why did Host smile like that... it’s so hard to describe.