Jin Sichen looked at Song Ren's chest. There was a red badge on the left side of his uniform.
The appearance is not much different from the one in Jin Sichen's hand, except that there are only two four-pointed star patterns raised high in the planet, without sapphire decoration, and the star ring is just two simple protrusions. It has a full three-dimensional sense but is not inlaid, and there is no small tail in the upper right corner.
Looking at Li Chunhua again, it was also a red badge with a pattern similar to Song Ren's, also with two three-dimensional four-pointed stars, but only one star ring.
Jin Sichen thought of John Woo's gray badge from last night. It didn't seem to have a four-pointed star or a ring, just a small planet with a tail. She guessed that the pattern on the badge was used to distinguish between higher and lower ranks within the institute, with different colors representing different departments.
Seeing him looking at the badge thoughtfully, Song Ren took the initiative to explain, "In our institute, we use the color and pattern on the badge to distinguish positions. The gold on your hand represents a VIP; the gray one Wu Yusen wore yesterday represents a temporary visitor; the red one represents combat personnel, that is, our mecha reserve team; the blue one represents scientific research personnel; and the purple one represents administrative personnel. The darker the color, the higher the rank."
"The little tail in the upper right corner is used to distinguish between insiders and outsiders. Staff members don't have tails, only visitors coming into Room 800 from outside have them. The planetary pattern inside uses a protruding four-pointed star and a star ring to distinguish between high and low positions, equivalent to military rank."
"Your research institute is still using the military's system?" Jin Sichen asked curiously.
"Our institute is originally affiliated with the military, and many of our employees are still serving. However, our organizational structure and development direction are very different from those of the military. Therefore, we use badges instead of epaulettes to distinguish between superiors and subordinates."
The research institute is affiliated with the military? Jin Sichen was surprised, but he didn't show it on his face. He continued to ask, "Then what level is my position equivalent to? This is too eye-catching!"
Song Ren's eyebrows jumped when he saw the golden badge inlaid with many tiny sapphires. He couldn't help but say with a smile, "Your pattern has four stars and two rings, which corresponds to the rank of colonel. The VIP badges I know are all golden, and I've never seen a light gold like yours."
"Gemstone inlays are a privilege reserved for senior personnel. For those at the deputy director level and above in the institute, the four-pointed stars on their work ID cards are replaced by gemstones, though they're just a few small ones, not particularly conspicuous. This is the first time I've seen a star ring inlaid with broken gemstones. Besides... VIP ID cards don't usually have star rings..."
Visitor badges feature a comet with a tail, signifying a passing star, while staff badges feature a star with rings. Jin Sichen's badge, which features both a tail and rings, is a bit illogical.
But the institute doesn't really have any examples of outsiders staying for extended periods of time. The Security Department spent a lot of time thinking yesterday before deciding on this pattern, which combines the tail of a visitor with the ring of stars representing a long-term presence.
To highlight the badge's unique status, the star ring is inlaid with precious stones. Both craftsmanship and aesthetics are meticulously crafted to showcase the institute's highest standards. These two rings of precious stones elevate the badge's value and brilliance to an unprecedented level.
"This... probably reflects our institute's respect for Dr. Jin." Song Ren had no idea what was going on, so he could only come up with a plausible excuse and quickly change the subject. "The chip inside has all of Dr. Jin's information and access key stored. From now on, Dr. Jin can use this VIP card to freely roam the living building, medical building, cafeteria, office building, and other public areas. However, research sites are currently limited to Group 623."
Jin Sichen nodded in understanding and pinned the badge on his shirt pocket, finding it perfectly positioned. He turned and asked Lin Fan, "Does it look good?"
It must be beautiful! Lin Fan nodded.
The color matching and craftsmanship are flawless. It’s a bit of an exaggeration to call it a work of art, but I always feel that the window of a jewelry store is where it belongs.
"Come and take a look at yours too!" Jin Sichen made way and let Lin Fan take the remaining box on the table.
Lin Fan walked over slowly, picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a red badge.
"Huh? Why does she have a red badge?" Jin Sichen asked, "Didn't you just say red meant combat personnel? Even if Lin Fan isn't a VIP, she can't be a combat personnel, right? She doesn't even have a little tail!"
Lin Fan's badge was very similar to Li Chunhua's, except for the two extra stars. Only after removing it from the box did one see the badge's material was different, with a faint trace of gold flowing through the red, though it wouldn't be noticeable without close inspection.
"Originally, I should have made a VIP badge like you. But the finished badge you made is too eye-catching. Lin Fan needs to keep a low profile now and cannot wear such a badge at all. Plus, the two of us have been following her, so it is inevitable that we will attract attention over time. It would be better to make it into a combat personnel's work permit and disguise it as a member of the mecha reserve team, which will make it less likely to be discovered." Song Ren explained.
He'd learned yesterday at the Security Department that Deputy Director Xie had assigned Song Ren the combatant badge. He suspected Deputy Director Xie also wanted to keep Lin Fan. Once Lin Fan officially joined the institute, he wouldn't even need to change his badge, a permanent solution. But he couldn't tell Jin Sichen this, so he could only explain the superficial reason.
Jin Sichen looked at the shining badge on his chest, wondering if this group of people did it on purpose.
They were clearly both from the Special Affairs Office, one issuing visitor badges, the other issuing work badges. He couldn't believe his badge had to be so conspicuous. Did they really think he didn't know what they were up to?
But even though it is clear, we cannot say it directly. Socializing as an adult is just so troublesome.
"So what level is Lin Fan?" Jin Sichen noticed that Lin Fan's pattern was different from everyone else's. Li Chunhua was still a little angry and asked Song Ren, "What level are you all?"
"Lin Fan's badge is equivalent to that of a captain, I am a lieutenant general, and Li Chunhua is a lieutenant." Song Ren kicked Li Chunhua lightly while speaking.
In other words, if ranked by level, Jin Sichen is the highest, followed by Song Ren, then Lin Fan, and finally Li Chunhua.
Li Chunhua felt uncomfortable again when he saw the pattern on Lin Fan's badge. He had fought for so many years to get the rank of lieutenant, but because military merit was hard to come by in peacetime, he had never had the opportunity to be promoted.
On the second day after joining the institute, Lin Fan was promoted to captain without having to do anything. He knew it was a cover and had no practical significance, but he couldn't help but feel jealous, and his emotions showed without him noticing.
Lin Fan glanced at Li Chunhua, seeing his suppressed indignation, and retracted her gaze, not wasting energy on unnecessary people. She took the badge, but seeing there was no suitable place on the chest of her T-shirt, she clipped it to her sleeve.
Seeing this, Song Ren took out the clothes he had brought for Lin Fan and placed them on the table in front of her. He said, "This is a replacement set of clothes. It's similar to what you're wearing. There's a place for your ID card on the chest. Take a look at the size. If it doesn't fit, we can change it."
Lin Fan obediently opened the package, shook out the clothes and tried to fit them on.
The T-shirt was dark blue, made of cotton, and aside from a button loop at the chest, it wasn't anything special. Seeing that Lin Fan's clothes were loose, Song Ren deliberately ordered a larger size, ensuring it wouldn't be too tight.
The pants were black shorts. Because they were large in size, they reached Lin Fan's knees. There was a drawstring at the waist, so there was no need to worry about them falling down.
"This is the regular uniform of our reserve team, as well as the work uniform of logistics and other departments, but the styles are not much different and none of them look good. If you don't like these, you can also buy them online yourself." Song Ren suggested because he felt that although Lin Fan was fat, wearing shabby black clothes all day might affect her mood.
"You can even shop online here?" Jin Sichen was surprised. With all these layers of security, where could the courier deliver to?
"Of course you can!" Song Ren said with a smile, "But the address can't be written here. I'll give you an address later. Use that address when you shop online. Remember to mark the name of Group 623. The institute has a special transport truck that delivers things here twice a day, and will bring the express delivery along. It's no different from shopping online at home, except that everything that comes in has to go through security checks."
"That's great!" Jin Sichen was a little happy. He had thought he'd be completely isolated after entering the institute, so he brought two large suitcases. If he had known earlier, he would have brought less. "Lin Fan, remember to buy anything you want later. Your small luggage... Sigh! It's all that unreliable John Woo's fault!"
Lin Fan nodded. She didn't really want anything, but agreeing was easier than explaining, and agreeing was the best way to end the conversation.
"By the way, your living allowance will also be deposited into the chip, and you can use it directly at any consumption place in the institute." Song Ren added.
"There is also a living allowance?" Jin Sichen knew that the director had secured a salary for him, but he didn't expect that there would be another allowance.
"That's for sure." Song Ren smiled. "I know that Dr. Jin will receive a separate salary from our institute while he works here, and of course, all the benefits will be provided. The living allowance will mainly be used for food, water, and some daily necessities."
"Lin Fan isn't currently receiving a salary at our institute, but considering how hard she works with the research and her poor health, we can't let her be penniless and have to ask for money whenever she wants to buy something. So, we've specially applied for a living allowance for her."
Song Ren thought of giving Lin Fan a living allowance last night. He didn't know how good the salary and benefits of the Special Office were, but Lin Fan now acted like he was penniless, even his clothes were tattered.
Isn't Cui trying to snatch people away? Only by starting with the details of life can we better influence people subtly.
He wrote an application overnight and sent it to Cui's email address, which was quickly approved.
"How many?" Jin Sichen was curious.
"Since there are no extra expenses for accommodation and transportation, the subsidy only covers food and living expenses. Dr. Jin is a world-renowned expert with a high level, so his monthly subsidy is 12,000 yuan."
"Lin Fan's is lower, 6,000 a month. It's not much, but it's definitely enough for food and daily necessities."
Six thousand? Not much, really. It's far less than what their special office can offer, Jin Sichen thought. In terms of money, their special office still prevailed.
Song Ren added, "It's just that at this stage, Lin Fan's condition is unclear, and he's not fit to go out in public. So you'll have to be patient for the time being, and can only move around in the villa area and the 623 research site. We'll bring you food and daily necessities, so just treat it as takeout, it's very convenient."
Jin Sichen knew there was nothing he could do about it, but he was still a little worried that it might provoke Lin Fan's rebelliousness. After all, no one likes a life with restricted freedom. But seeing Lin Fan's nonchalant expression, he knew he was overthinking it.
I heard I recommended a new book on Qidian today. I've been searching for it for ages and can't find it. If you haven't saved it yet, please do. If you have any recommendation votes, feel free to send them over. I'll have another update this afternoon.
