Arknights, I'm going to beat Kal'tsit, really?

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I even... have some expectations.

Because Kane is now Cellina's husband in name only.

This made her very excited.

Lappland no longer hesitated. She straightened up, grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it up in front of Kane—then casually tossed the shirt onto the sofa beside her.

"Look, the scars left by the Originium are already—oh!"

Before Lapland could finish speaking, Kane had already pulled her over and pinned her down.

The young gray wolf will grow up tonight.

Chapter 72 The Fun of Lappland

The morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room, which had been meticulously cleaned by the waiter the night before, but was now a mess—scattered clothes, tangled blankets, and a strong, ambiguous scent of hormones filled the air.

Kane slowly awoke from his deep sleep, and as he stretched, his bones cracked softly. An indescribable sense of well-being swept over him from head to toe; this ultimate relaxation, brought about by the synergistic effect of multiple hormones in his body, was far beyond what ordinary rest could provide.

His gaze gradually focused, landing on her side—long, silvery-white hair spread out like silk, her fair skin almost blending into the pure white sheets. Lappland, still asleep, lay with her eyes closed, radiating a post-coital languor and weariness.

This was Kane's first close encounter with Lappland, so naturally he paid more attention to her. After last night, he had gained a deeper understanding of this silver wolf who hid madness and wildness beneath her elegant exterior.

If there's one strongest impression… it's "whiteness." Lappland's skin was undoubtedly the whitest Kane had ever seen; that almost pallor couldn't be explained simply by a lack of sunlight. Kane guessed that, like himself, she was genetically different from most people. Perhaps it was a gene lacking melanin production?

Ok?

Kane was gazing intently at Lappland's sleeping face, comparing whether her skin was whiter or the sheets were whiter—when he suddenly noticed a small, dark mark on her fair skin. Could it be a relapse of Oripathy? Impossible. Kane had absolute confidence in his control; he had already completely removed the Oripathy lesions from Lappland's body.

He leaned closer, his fingertips lightly touching the dark mark on the side of her neck—only when he lifted the blanket did he realize that it wasn't an illness, but a tattoo: a black wolf's head, clearly imprinted on the back of her neck.

He was too distracted by the night's events, and with his hair obscuring the tattoo, he hadn't noticed the detail at all. Had Lappland ever had this tattoo before? It seemed she never had.

"This tattoo is a mark you left... Don't you remember? That was our first contact."

Kane's touch jolted the usually wary Lappland awake. Seeing Kane staring curiously at her tattoo, she explained softly.

No, actually our first encounter should have been a fist bump. But Kane certainly wouldn't say that. Only after she mentioned it did Kane remember the origin of that delicate spot—it was the mark he left on her neck when he impulsively bit her, following his wild instincts. And now, she had tattooed a permanent mark based on that bite mark.

Kane yanked the messy blankets off the bed. Clearly, Lappland's "little trick" was extremely pleasing to him during this special period.

Two beasts driven by desire are entangled once again.

What if...we have a child?

Last night's incident was purely accidental and completely unprepared. Kane wasn't sure if his underlying genes were fully compatible with the Lupo race, but given the highly similar racial characteristics, there should be no reproductive isolation.

“Then let it be born.” Lappland’s tone even carried a hint of expectation.

"At that time, I believe it will give the head of the Saluzzo family a huge surprise."

Just imagining the scene amused her. The current head of the Saluzzo family was her father. The seemingly contradictory relationship between father and daughter actually concealed a twisted kind of "love"—only that love had been distorted beyond recognition by the rules of Syracuse.

Lappland's father repeatedly used, betrayed, and tormented her, but if she could withstand these trials, she would thrive in Syracuse. This was the Saluzzo family's way of educating—a patriarch nurtured with hatred and blood would not be easily harmed by the schemes and blades of other families.

"Forget it." Kane shook his head.

“Hatred should not be passed on to the next generation. You deal with your own problems—I can help you, but don’t involve the children.”

Although these words may lack persuasiveness coming from him, Kane does indeed like children—they represent the future and hope, and are beings that must be protected.

“Haha, I remember, my master~” Lappland chuckled, then added.

"However, considering the dates... we might not have that opportunity anymore."

After saying that, she got up and walked towards the bathroom.

"Would you like me to help you with your bath?"

"There's no need... to let me calm down by myself."

"Okay~"

A moment later, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Lappland hummed an unknown tune, the melody carrying a distinct Syracusan style.

Kane, meanwhile, began to think about his future.

Lappland did not try to change their relationship because of this close contact—she remained Kane's subordinate and vassal.

But if she actually speaks up, how should Kane respond?

Legally, my wife is Celinina. But there's clearly no possibility between us… As for the others, the most likely is Muirsay. Of course, Kristen… is also an option.

Thinking about it this way, Kane realized that he seemed to have attracted too many women—their relationships had long since gone beyond the simple category of "friends".

If they were merely common, materialistic women who craved wealth, they would be easy to deal with; Colombian gold certificates would suffice. But Kane was surrounded by exceptionally talented women—money was the cheapest thing to them. Winning over and satisfying them would be no easy task.

Kane is doing something insatiable.

so what?

He easily crossed his own moral line—although Colombian law stipulated monogamy, how many wealthy and powerful people kept mistresses in private? And in other countries, let alone polygamy, there were even remnants of slavery. Ultimately, on Terra, power determined everything—the strong possessed, the weak were unworthy.

Kane succumbed to his desires last night. He knew he wouldn't be satisfied with just Lappland, and that he would inevitably have deeper entanglements with other women in the future. Rather than being constantly tormented by his moral conscience, he chose to simply let go of that constraint.

After figuring all this out, he felt as if the world had become much broader.

Just then, Lappland finished showering and changed into a new outfit. This time, she didn't choose a high-necked style, but instead openly revealed the tattoo on her neck—the black wolf head stood out against her fair skin, as if making a silent declaration.

"Pay attention to your health afterwards. If that happens... take a long vacation."

"Thank you for your kindness."

Although she had sensed it long ago, Lappland couldn't help but sigh: her master was ruthless to his enemies, but exceptionally kind to those close to him—a kindness he himself was unaware of.

She was even more convinced that, based on her understanding of Cellina, her marriage to Kane was not merely a pure transaction, but must have involved some... mutual attraction.

Cellina Texas, I really hope our next meeting comes soon... I can't wait to see your expression.

With a feeling of joy in her heart and the lingering sensation in her body, Lappland turned and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Chapter 73 The Construction of Rhine Life

A research lab in the experimental building of Trimont Polytechnic University.

A large table was piled high with various documents and files. Looking around, the room seemed more like a data room than a laboratory.

At that moment, Kane, Kristen, Seria, and Muirsay were sitting around the table, writing furiously.

Yes, these were the four founders of Rhine Lab—and with Kane's introduction, Muirsay finally joined the group. The scene of their first meeting felt like it was happening just yesterday.

At the time, Kristen and Seria teamed up as "interviewers," putting Muirsey through the same kind of ordeal they had used to test each other. Muirsey, having been warned by Kane beforehand, understood that this was a crucial battle that would determine her future.

So, on that day, the three interviewers met Muirsey, dressed formally and looking composed. Her first action was to wink playfully at Kane—a gesture that made Kristen raise an eyebrow. The ensuing exchange was a heated debate, while Saria quietly observed from the sidelines.

But as Kane himself said, he has never lacked excellent women around him.

The intense debate between the two high-achieving students quickly brought them closer. Christen even had some doubts: Was Kane an intellectual? Everyone he recruited seemed extraordinary. Thanks to Muirsey's own exceptional talent and skillful social abilities, she successfully passed Rhine Lab's assessment and officially joined this nascent team.

Now, Christensen is in a good mood every day—she has gained two reliable friends and no longer needs to hide at school, where she can openly discuss and participate in activities with the three of them.

Of course, those who harbor ill will towards the Wright family will not remain indifferent.

Rumors and malicious slander inadvertently reached Kane and his companions. Their responses differed:

Kane had long intended to use this opportunity to solidify his current social standing—so every challenger who jumped in front of him received a special bottle of red wine. It was the Texas family's "Hidden Dagger Wine," unlike other wines on the market, it wasn't meant to be drunk—a dagger was placed inside the bottle from the very beginning of its packaging. Presenting this wine was one of the Texas family's renowned ways of "greeting."

The weaker families were terrified when they saw this item, and the next day they hurriedly sent a gift to Kane as a token of friendship through their children or stewards.

And what about those powerful families? Despite the Texas family's reputation, they still don't carry enough weight in the eyes of Colombia's true giants. However, it is precisely these people who know better than to provoke Kane—his previous purge of Colombia with Lappland was enough to instill fear. Such arrogant behavior, in theory, cannot be completely subdued.

However, according to some confidential sources, the military actually intervened in the matter, saving the Texas family from further trouble.

Perhaps in terms of industry and wealth, Kane's Texas cannot compete with them; but his fists can—no one wants their family business to be turned into a bloodbath overnight.

As for Saria, although she lacks a distinguished background, no one dares to provoke her. Her meticulous attitude, powerful aura, and impeccable professionalism are enough to leave any challenger speechless and embarrassed. Arguing is futile, and physical violence is simply asking for trouble. Debating unfounded rumors with Saria is pure self-humiliation.

The most remarkable one is Muirsay—thanks to her exceptional social skills, she quickly rose to the top of the campus social circle. Many may not know her personally, but the presidents of various clubs and outstanding research groups certainly recognize this president of the "Fashion Design Club" or the representative student from the Ecology Department.

Thus, under Muirsey's skillful guidance, more and more people began to believe that Christensen was innocent—she was simply born into the Wright family, how could the family's mistakes be entirely attributed to her? Coupled with Christensen's outstanding performance since entering the school, more and more people chose to believe this statement.

"Honestly, Muirsay, perhaps politics is where you belong, rather than as a researcher. How about it? Rhine Life will sponsor your campaign, as long as you give us some special treatment after you become the mayor of Tremont."

"If I really became the mayor of Tremont, the first thing I would do is crack down on organized crime and punish the arrogance of certain gangs. Don't you agree, Mr. Freshman Texas?"

Kane and Muirsey started joking with each other.

After admiring Muirsey's brilliant performance in turning public opinion around and manipulating people's hearts in just half a month, the other three unanimously agreed that she was fully capable of serving as a human resources or public relations manager in the future.

Unfortunately, Muirsay's unwavering goal is to become the head of the Ecology Department. This is consistent with the original timeline. What's truly surprising are the choices of the other three:

In the original timeline, due to Christen's perilous situation, Saria chose to create and serve as the head of the defense department in order to protect her and her own dreams.

However, Kristen's situation is far less dire now, so Saria has no intention of establishing a defense department—her goal is the Life Structure Department. Since her aim is to conquer Oripathy, there's no better department for her.

Christensen's academic background is a perfect fit for the Energy Science discipline, but she also holds a doctorate in Business Administration. Therefore, her goal is to take charge of the core of Rhine Life—the General Components Department.

"Kane, you also got your PhD in high-energy physics, didn't you? You're the perfect candidate for head of the energy department."

“No, no, no, Christensen—your papers and research projects are far superior to mine; you are the one who is best suited to lead the Energy Department.”

"But Kane, you're not good at management, are you?"

"How could that be? I was able to turn the dying Texas family into a thriving business. Isn't that enough to prove my ability?"

Lappland: Yes, yes.

Unexpectedly, Kane and Kristen's first conflict would occur here. The two actually argued about who should be the company president. As the saying goes, "There can't be two suns in the sky, or two rulers in a country"—it's difficult for a team to accommodate two strong voices. In an ordinary team, such a disagreement would have already led to a parting of ways.

Fortunately, their motivation was not to fight for power, but to make life better for Rhine.

Kane needs higher authority to drive the company's involvement in various events and reap profits in the future; while Christensen, with her solid knowledge, firmly believes that she is better suited to the company's management and operation.

At this point, neither side can convince the other.

"Saria, who do you think will become the future commander-in-chief?"

With nothing better to do, Muirsay made a bet with Seria.

“Kristen.” Seria made her judgment based on rational analysis.

“She is more responsible than Kane. I acknowledge Kane’s abilities, but he doesn’t arrange everything in detail.”

In her view, Kane never interfered too much in team affairs; he was more like an insurance policy—he would only step in to smooth things over when an unmanageable situation arose. This role actually suited the responsibilities of the defense department better.

“Is that so?” Muirsey offered a different perspective based on her understanding of Kane.

"But I believe... Kane will be the ultimate winner."

He certainly doesn't like doing everything himself, but he craves to have everything under his control.

Chapter 74 Overlords and Major Shareholders

“Look at you, Kane. When it comes to management, you are far inferior to me. For the future of Rhine Life, I believe that the position of Director General must be taken by me.”

Christensen and Kane engaged in a simulated competition, testing their capabilities in business management and operations. They used a state-of-the-art market simulation system developed by the Columbia Business Authority in collaboration with several leading companies and data analytics firms. This system's data is updated daily in sync with the real market, making it highly valuable for reference.

While achieving excellent results in this model doesn't guarantee success in real-world entrepreneurship, failing even the simulation test would inevitably lead to a shockingly short-lived entrepreneurial journey in reality. Christensen had already mastered this system countless times, effortlessly establishing her simulated company and even multiplying its size several times over in just one year.

If her operational records were slightly repackaged and sold to small business owners at the bottom of the market as "success courses," they could make a fortune. Of course, this doesn't mean that completely replicating her approach will lead to success—because in order for this model to be transparent, all business competition within it is restricted to a legal framework.

Unethical tactics such as corporate espionage, fraud, and assassination threats cannot be used in the model.

However, in real Colombia, underhanded tactics are never in short supply. Similarly, due to data limitations, the simulation company cannot trigger extreme events like "acquiring the technological legacy of an ancient civilization"—and these are precisely Kane's greatest advantages. Unable to employ these "off-the-books" tactics in theoretical discussions, he is naturally no match for Christensen.

For both emotional and rational reasons, Kane seems unable to oppose Kristen's appointment as governor at this moment.

However, I have one last trick up my sleeve.

Kane knew where Rhine Lab's biggest pain point was right now, and that pain point had been on their discussion table several times.

"Kristen, if you become the general manager, how do you plan to solve the initial funding problem? Our company's plans are extremely ambitious, and it's impossible to raise money while operating the business."

"Regarding this... my plan is to first achieve some initial results, and then seize the opportunity of the next corporate launch event—that's the best fundraising stage in Colombia."

Kristen's considerations were quite conventional. Countless dreamers in Colombia have followed this path, and many have succeeded.

"Tsk, this path may not be wrong. But have you considered the future? We need to discuss important matters with several shareholders whose backgrounds are unknown—if they are all smart, that's fine, but what if they are incredibly stupid?"

Financing is like this: although it can rapidly expand a company, it requires distributing some of the company's rights and ownership. If some "strange thing" is introduced, there will be endless troubles in the future.

“If necessary, I can purge them out through internal struggles.”

Although school courses wouldn't teach it so explicitly, Christensen had already witnessed real-world cases and had contingency plans. Without this ability, she knew she wouldn't be able to control Rhine Life in the future.