Over the next few days, Xavier was barely at home, for he had been spending time with his physicist friend.As for Winnie, she naturally didnât stay idle. Instead, she got in touch with her friend from the Livingsfill Physics Research Center to get a better picture of the situation.Unfortunately, her friend was bogged down by recent problems of her own. Therefore, Winnie could barely get in contact with her, and even when she did, they didnât get to talk in-depth.Just like that, Xavier finally received some good news on the fifth dayâa member of the Livingsfill Physics Research Center was in the process of resigning. She wasnât a citizen of Yartran and had handed in her resignation letter, which was awaiting approval.With her departure, a vacancy was not only created, but the project she was working on also needed an immediate replacement. The situation consequently created the perfect opportunity for Andrewâs girlfriend.Nonetheless, replacing the leaving staff was easier said than done. Xavierâs classmate had mentioned that Andrewâs girlfriend still needed to take a written test, go for an interview, and sit through a final evaluation before she could be accepted by the research center.To obtain such an opportunity was so difficult that even Wilhelm had failed to do so previously.Thus, when Xavier and Winnie went to see him to discuss the matter, Wilhelm was naturally surprised by the development.He hadnât expected Xavier to move so quickly and to be so lucky as to have one of the researchers at the research center resign.Still, the matter wasnât as easy as Xavier imagined it would be.Firstly, they had to inform Andrewâs girlfriend to make the necessary preparations. Secondly, they had to make an appointment with the research center, which was where the problem lay.The physicist who had been liaising with Xavierâs classmate passed away all of a sudden.As a result, everything they had discussed previously was delayed, on top of the fact that they had lost the opportunity to even present their proposal.Due to that, Xavier fell into a long silence.Not only were all his earlier efforts wasted, but he only had half the amount of time previously available.At the sight of the gloomy Xavier, Winnie comforted him, âThis always happens when we collaborate with others. Relationships are fraught with uncertainty, and no one can predict when an accident will occur. Therefore, depending on ourselves is still the most reliable choice.ââI know, but I donât want to admit defeat just like that.â Xavierâs soul was still brimming with defiance. âIâm sure thereâs another way.âWith that, he picked up his jacket and prepared to head out.However, Winnie held him back. âYou should get some rest. Have you forgotten about my friend? Iâll get in touch with her.âBefore Xavier had a chance to protest, Winnie had already given her friend a call.When the call finally connected after ringing a long time, Winnie got straight to the point.âLisanne, thereâs something important I have to talk to you in person about. Are you free? I would like to meet you⦠Yes, the earlier the better⦠All right, Iâll see you soon.âUpon ending the call, Winnie waved her phone at Xavierâs face. âDone. Iâve already made an appointment with my friend.
Since you must be exhausted after the past few days, you should rest at home and wait for my updates.âXavier frowned in response. âWhy donât you let me come with you? To be honest, this wasnât your business to begin with.â âWhat are you talking about? Youâre just being foolish. If it wasnât for me, you wouldnât even need to do this. Besides, my friend doesnât like strangers, so itâs better that I go alone this time. Iâll introduce you at the next opportunity.Giving Xavier no room to argue, Winnie grabbed her bag and left.Meanwhile, in a café opposite Livingsfill Physics Research Center, Lisanne had already ordered coffee by the time Winnie arrived.She was Lucasâ fraternal twin and shared a close relationship with Winnie.After greeting each other, Winnie sat down opposite her.âLisanne, why did you come so early?â Winnie glanced at her watch. âI came ten minutes earlier on purpose, and from the looks of it, you have probably been here longer than that.ââI just came out to get some air.â Beset by problems recently, Lisanne looked visibly haggard. âItâs just too suffocating inside the research center.
Also, the sudden passing of one of the professors has brought a sense of gloom to the office. By the way, Iâve taken the liberty to order you coffee.ââThank you.â While stirring her coffee, Winnie explained, âActually, Iâm aware of the matter, and technically speaking, Iâm here somewhat because of it.ââWhat?â
Lisanne was taken aback. âAre you saying Professor Houlterâs death has something to do with you?
Youâre scaring me.ââNo!â Winnie felt nonplussed. âYouâre overthinking it. Actuallyâ¦âWinnie related everything about Xavierâs challenge and all the latterâs efforts to Lisanne.Upon hearing the story, Lisanneâs eyes widened in disbelief. âOh my God! Do you know the researcher who has tendered her resignation is actually me?ââYou?â It was Winnieâs turn to be shocked.âThatâs right.â Lisanne let out a sigh. âWhen we were on the phone a few days ago, didnât I tell you that I was just swamped with work?
My resignation was the real reason I was so busy then.âWinnie was puzzled by what she heard. âDidnât you say that you enjoy the working environment at the research center? Why did you suddenly quit?
What happened?ââI do.â Lisanne nodded before elaborating with a frown. âPreviously, when my research reached a crucial stage, I applied for access rights to the main database. However, it wasnât approved because Iâm not a citizen of Yartran. They subsequently requested that either I change my nationality or my research would be suspended.âThis was where I felt they had gone overboard, as thereâs no way I would give up my Chanaean citizenship. After all, when I first chose to come to Yartran for further studies, my objective back then was to go back and serve my country one day. Sadly, they are now forcing me to change my citizenship.âIn a fit of rage, I handed in my resignation, figuring that it was time I return to my country. Unfortunately, they refused to release me, causing me to quarrel with them. Thatâs the reason why Iâm not eating or sleeping properly, as just thinking about the matter alone riles me up. If the woman youâre talking about can take my place, it would be perfect because I would be able to return to Chanaea.ââSo thatâs what happened.â Winnie couldnât help but frown. âTruth be told, such methods of talent retention are pretty common. However, now that Professor Houlterâwho was supposedly responsible for the matterâhas died suddenly, it seems the issue of the replacement has been simply neglected.âLisanne heaved another sigh. âThatâs right. He truly is gone.âOut of the blue, a thought struck her.âWinnie, thereâs actually someone in the research center who canât wait for me to leave. Therefore, I can probably work with him this timeâ¦â