Chapter 72: The Unpredictability of Life

Chapter 72: The Unpredictability of Life

In the deep night, the small meeting room of the Psychic Research Institute was illuminated by a pale light.

Several scholars in white coats were gathered around the conference table, seemingly discussing some topic.

"Ren Yuefei from Jing Nan Base, Guan Yuanfeng, and that Qin Mu returned to the hotel together. Are they still acting as usual?"

"How did they get involved together?"

"Not sure. Tonight, Guan Yuanfeng picked up Qin Mu, and our people didn't dare to act. Now, suddenly, there's Ren Yuefei, the commander of Jing Nan Base."

"Never heard of him. What's his background?"

"Commanders of major official bases are not easy to deal with."

"Ren Yuefei was a combat pilot before the apocalypse, luckily married a good wife, retired, and went to Jing Nan for a position. He awakened his psychic ability during the apocalypse and used aggressive tactics to stabilize Jing Nan. His wife was a wood psychic ability user who died during a rescue mission. He took revenge and killed many people, even psychics—a real killer."

"This man has a strong in-law family background, and it's said that Ren Yuefei and his daughter were recently assassinated, narrowly escaping death. He came to Central Base alone, and his daughter's whereabouts are unknown. Some speculate she is already gone. Now, he's biding his time, contacting Guan Yuanfeng, likely planning revenge. It's said that a large number of people have been captured in Jing Nan Base. We better not provoke him to avoid getting involved in military disputes."

"Then I'll notify them to cancel the operation. Guan Yuanfeng is not easy to deal with either; he alone can match an army."

"What a shame, such a rare shadow psychic ability."

"There's plenty of time. Since he's selling medicine, we can find a time to claim the medicine caused problems, arrest him, and then make plans. Doesn't Guan Yuanfeng always claim equality before the law?"

"Let him go to Beiming, and he's out of our control—hard to act."

"Isn't Gong Yanqing in need of us? He won't dare not hand him over when the time comes."

"Gong Yanqing is still hesitating. He has many experts around him, and his condition seems to be under control now, taking Green Bird's anti-cancer medication. The main ingredient should be extract from mutated cacti."

"Our progress in mutated herb research is severely lagging. Now, even the efficacy of mutated herbs made by folk in remote small towns can't match."

"How's the contact with Old Yao going? Invite him over for project collaboration."

"He won't come—very stubborn, still holding a grudge over past academic disputes, very narrow-minded. But one of his students has softened their attitude, saying they would persuade him."

"Can't we just have that student participate in the project collaboration?"

"It's difficult. Traditional medicine follows a strict hierarchy. As long as Old Yao is alive, if his disciples dare to act independently, the entire traditional medicine community will shun them, making it hard for them to establish themselves."

"Theoretically, extracting these drugs isn't hard. Why can't you deduce the formula?"

"Traditional medicine formulas have a monarch-minister ratio and pulse diagnosis. The energy circulation channels of psychic abilities are somewhat similar to the eight extraordinary meridians. Without specialized study, simply using extracts to match can't be done."

"If the teacher won't work for us, what if the teacher dies? The disciple who inherits his mantle and will can participate in the research of mutated herb medicine—should be no problem then."

The room abruptly fell into silence.

A curly-haired researcher who hadn't spoken coughed: "His disciple said Yao Huan is experimenting with a project to awaken psychic abilities in ordinary people, already making progress, with results on animals. Better to wait a bit longer."

The elder at the head of the table had a piercing gaze: "Didn't you say the vaccine to awaken psychic abilities was successful? Why still count on this Yao Huan? Even if his experiment succeeds, obviously he won't cooperate with us."

Silence once again enveloped the meeting room.

A female researcher explained: "Currently, we haven't been able to replicate it again; the success rate is quite low."

The presiding elder sneered: "What? You couldn't replicate it, yet you let the journalists publicize it?"

The female researcher remained silent, and another researcher explained, "...The city lord conference is convened to expand influence, and it's also Professor Zhao's research group. We didn’t anticipate that the second phase of clinical trials would fail to replicate. However, various bases have already transferred funds to pre-order the vaccine, and the demand exceeds supply."

"Currently, many base administrators are contacting us, willing to invest in continuing to advance this project and research. This is indeed a rare opportunity to expand influence."

The presiding elder said darkly, "Do you think these politicians are fools? Without successful cases, how could they really support it? Even if it's just passing animal tests! These dignitaries value their lives dearly and will surely have their trusted subordinates participate in the experiments before they do."

"The last time the psychic immunity bill didn’t pass, wasn’t it because we didn’t have any substantial evidence to show? The big shots also have to consider if it’s worth it to offend Guan Yuanfeng for our sake. Now, the psychics in Central Base are led by him, which is very unfavorable for our situation."

The curly-haired researcher piped up again, "Traditional medicine has unique theories about human meridians. Now, ancient martial arts have indeed confirmed a correlation with psychic ability activation and enhancement. Yao Huan is a master in this field. He made a name for himself with a single needle, and now he likely has unique theories on psychic ability activation. I believe we should focus on him."

The presiding elder said, "Agreed, focus on contacting his disciple and try to win him over for cooperation."

"Alright, I’ll continue to follow up."

The elder scanned the room and concluded, "We must achieve something in the psychic ability activation research, otherwise all the support from politicians and dignitaries is fake. They can turn to support others at any time. The Psychic Research Institute needs to gain the support of all base leaders, and we must make a breakthrough in ordinary people’s psychic ability activation in the short term."

===

The next morning was the city lord conference. Zhou Yun, Dong Kexin, and Tang Anchen took Duoduo and Comet to a nearby flea market, browsing through some old items. Duoduo bought many beautiful beads, and Zhou Yun was also satisfied with some crop seeds, succulents, and flower seeds he hadn’t collected before. They also stocked up on some daily necessities for Guan Yuanfeng’s house.

At lunch, Ren Duoduo felt quite down: "Doctor Zhou, you and Comet will return to Beiming, right? Will I ever see Comet again?"

Zhou Yun said, "There will be opportunities."

Ren Duoduo actually knew this was a kind lie from adults and felt a bit melancholy: "I have to stay in Central Base for school. Dad said he wants me to attend that psychic class."

Zhou Yun said, "You’re still in elementary school; it’s good to make some friends. But if you’re studying long-term, you should focus on knowledge and skills, not just psychic abilities. Your psychic level is already higher than many; others can’t teach you. You still need to study ordinary subjects more seriously."

Ren Duoduo thought for a while: "My grandma and mom used to say I’m smart and could skip grades, not waste too much time in elementary school, and I can’t really connect with my classmates. Then the apocalypse came..."

Zhou Yun said, "If conditions allow, skipping grades is fine. It’s indeed boring if you can’t communicate with classmates."

Ren Duoduo said, "But Dad says it’s the apocalypse now, and having more psychic classmates will make it easier to get by in the future."

Zhou Yun: "..."

He pretended to cough a few times, covering his mouth. Ren Duoduo noticed keenly: "Uncle Zhou, are you laughing at my dad?"

Zhou Yun said seriously, "No, your dad is right. A good man needs three helpers."

Ren Duoduo said, "But what if the paths are different?"

Zhou Yun said, "People with similar temperaments can still become good friends. Friends aren’t made for utilitarian purposes."

Ren Duoduo fell into deep thought and came to a sharp conclusion: "Like my dad and Uncle Guan, who are both in the military, but Uncle Guan and you, who studied medicine, are good friends, right?"

Dong Kexin couldn’t help but laugh beside them. Zhou Yun smiled and said, "You’re very right. What do you plan to study in the future? You can plan ahead."

Ren Duoduo said, "I want to study medicine! Like you! I want to grow many mutated herbs myself."

Zhou Yun said, "Hmm, very good, very ambitious."

After lunch, Dong Kexin and Tang Anchen indeed received a call and took Ren Duoduo away.

Guan Yuanfeng was busy with work all day and didn’t come over, but he found time to send Zhou Yun a text message, updating him on the meeting.

In the evening, Qin Mu and Qin Sheng came over. Qin Mu told Zhou Yun about visiting General Ren’s father-in-law’s family: "Duoduo’s maternal grandfather’s surname is Mi, and they live near Central Base University. With General Ren’s guarantee and Duoduo’s help in persuasion, Professor Mi was very enthusiastic. He suggested the best time would be in the next few days, so he immediately found experts for appraisal and asked me to book a conference room for the new drug launch and arrange for reporters."

Zhou Yun nodded, though he didn’t seem too bothered. Whether the drug worked or not, those who knew would recognize its value. It was good medicine, and in the apocalypse, the importance of experts was diminished...

Qin Mu said, "However, Professor Mi told us that Yao Huan, a master of traditional medicine, is in Central Base. His research on mutated drugs is outstanding..." He paused, seeing Zhou Yun suddenly look up at him: "Professor Yao Huan is in Central Base? Isn’t he from Zhezhou? And he’s over eighty years old..." His mind was in chaos; wasn’t it said that he passed away after the apocalypse?

Qin Mu looked bewildered: "You know him? Oh right, you're in this field."

Zhou Yun asked, "Where does he live?"

Qin Mu took out a business card: "Here, it's said that his health isn't great. He lives with his students in the dormitory arranged by Central Base for senior experts and scholars who came from the capital. The conditions of his lab are quite good, but it's said that he rarely makes public appearances. Professor Mi mentioned that if we could somehow get him to sign the appraisal report, that would be ideal."

Zhou Yun took the business card, glanced at the location, and put it away: "I'll handle this. You go ahead and arrange the hotel and other matters. I have a batch of crystal cores here; take them and make sure the venue is perfect. I also have some mutated herbs and parts of mutated creatures. Take one of the pearls we dissected last time and auction it off, claiming it can enhance water psychic powers. Trade it for more crystal cores or cash."

He went upstairs and returned after a while with a storage box. Inside, each compartment was clearly labeled with items like turtle shells, carapaces, firefly wings, along with their collection locations, times, and effects. He handed it to Qin Mu: "Put these up for auction."

Qin Mu was stunned: "So, you might have a chance to get Mr. Yao to help?"

Zhou Yun still looked somewhat dazed but remained composed as always: "Hard to say, we'll see. Go ahead and handle your tasks, and thanks for your effort."

After Qin Mu left, Zhou Yun immediately went upstairs and came down with a portable suitcase. He ran into Tang Anchen, who was parking the car: "Doctor Zhou, where are you going? The captain said there's a meeting tonight, and he'll call you later." He sighed, "The captain is really pushing to get all the meetings and tasks done in these few days to secure his vacation."

Zhou Yun replied, "Got it, lend me the car."

Tang Anchen nodded and handed him the keys: "The navigation has offline maps downloaded, but are you familiar with Central Base? Why don't I drive you wherever you need to go?"

Zhou Yun said, "No need, I know the way. I'm going to meet someone I used to know."

Tang Anchen watched as Zhou Yun got into the car and drove off smoothly, clearly knowing exactly where he was going. It was only then that he realized he forgot to ask when Doctor Zhou would be back, and... why didn't he take Comet with him?

Should he inform the captain?

Zhou Yun skillfully drove to Central Base University. His car's license plate seemed to have some special pass, as the guard let him through without question.

The Xia Garden at the back of Central Base University—he had been here too many times in his past life. He immediately recognized the address on the business card. In his past life, after publishing several new drugs and theories on psychic power enhancement, the Psychic Research Institute had summoned him to Central Base.

And the house at Xia Garden No. 36 had always been the residence and lab of his senior brother and "friend," Dou Zhijun.

He parked the car in front of the two-story old building with dark red brick walls. The first floor and basement were laboratories, and the surrounding gardens were filled with mutated herbs, not much different from what he remembered from his past life.

He had no idea that this place had originally been his mentor Yao Huan's residence!

When he first arrived in Central Base, he was warmly welcomed by Senior Brother Dou, who helped him settle in at the Psychic Research Institute and focus on his research. What had Senior Brother Dou said back then? That their mentor was old, and the apocalypse had been too harsh, so he had passed away!

He never imagined that at this point in time, his mentor was still alive! And living in Central Base! Why had Senior Brother Dou never mentioned it?

What exactly had caused his mentor's death? And why had Dou Zhijun been so secretive, never speaking of it?

He parked the car, stepped out, shut the door, and stood at the entrance of Xia Garden, ringing the doorbell.

Soon, someone came to open the door—it was his long-lost "friend," Dou Zhijun. The twisted, purple face of Dou Zhijun, strangled by dark green, thorny stems, seemed to flash before his eyes.

He smiled: "Senior Brother Dou."

Dou Zhijun, who usually carried an air of arrogance, changed his expression slightly upon seeing him, then forced a smile: "Zhou Yun? Is that you? You're in Central Base? How did you get in? It's usually very hard to enter here."

Zhou Yun said, "I heard the teacher lives here. I came to see him."

Dou Zhijun's smile stiffened, and he lowered his voice: "The teacher hasn't been well these days due to the cold weather. Your sudden visit might be too overwhelming for him. Especially since the Psychic Research Institute has been harassing him lately, and he's been very upset. Maybe..." He glanced at the suitcase in Zhou Yun's hand, "Maybe I should inform the teacher first, and once he agrees, I'll let you know when to come?"

He added softly, "You know, back when you resigned and returned home, the teacher was very angry..."

Zhou Yun replied, "It's the apocalypse; you never know what's going to happen. If we can meet, we should seize the chance. Who knows when we might just drop dead?"

Dou Zhijun: "..."

He coughed lightly, "It's been years since we last met, and you seem more short-tempered than before. But the teacher is really resting."

Zhou Yun strode past him and headed inside, "It's fine, I'll just wait in the living room until the teacher wakes up."

Dou Zhijun: "..." He quickly followed, "You're in such a hurry—is there something urgent you need to discuss with the teacher?"

Zhou Yun smiled faintly, "Yes, I've developed some new drugs using mutated herbs and want to show them to the teacher for guidance and approval."

Dou Zhijun raised an eyebrow slightly, "What kind of drugs? Can I take a look? I'm also researching some mutated herbs here."

Zhou Yun didn't hide it, "It's Zombie Attractant, Zombie Repellent, and some new drugs made from mutated herbs."

Dou Zhijun was surprised, "So the medicine produced by Green Bird on the market is your creation? I heard the special forces are using it, and others are asking about it everywhere."

"Even the Psychic Research Institute came to ask the teacher, thinking it was his work. Turns out it's your new drug, truly impressive."

"No wonder the teacher always says you're his strongest disciple."

Zhou Yun observed Dou Zhijun's expression silently. In his past life, Dou Zhijun often said this, and though it made him uncomfortable, he thought it was just his senior's straightforward nature.

Now, he could clearly see the jealousy and resentment on Dou Zhijun's face.

Dou Zhijun smiled and asked, "The Psychic Research Institute analyzed a few components, only roughly identifying extracts like Houttuynia cordata, which have strong odors. They speculated it might be something like a foreign man-eating flower, with a strong corpse-like smell. But if that's the case, it shouldn't be possible to mass-produce, let alone sell at such a low price."

Zhou Yun replied, "It requires wood psychic abilities to catalyze. The ingredients are deliberately mixed with misleading herbs to prevent others from analyzing and copying them."

Hearing this, Dou Zhijun didn't press further about the ingredients, instead sizing up Zhou Yun, "So, junior, have you awakened a psychic ability? You look much more handsome than before."

Zhou Yun said indifferently, "It's nothing special, just a run-of-the-mill water psychic power."

He noticed the sour look on Dou Zhijun's face again and said, "You're really lucky, junior. I haven't awakened any abilities, though it's better than turning into a zombie."

Zhou Yun asked, "What about the teacher? Has he awakened any abilities?"

Dou Zhijun felt uneasy. This junior, who used to be gentle and would comfort him when he complained, now seemed indifferent, his gaze fixed on the upstairs.

He had no choice but to say, "He hasn't awakened any abilities either. I'll go upstairs to see if the teacher has woken up."

Zhou Yun nodded. As Dou Zhijun turned to head upstairs, Zhou Yun suddenly reached out, "Wait." He touched Dou Zhijun's collar, "There, a burr seed. Probably picked it up in the garden."

Dou Zhijun was puzzled. Were there burr seeds in the garden? He didn't recall going there today. But he didn't think too much about it and continued upstairs.

Yao Huan was fully absorbed in observing the changes in a test tube on the experimental table, jotting down notes with a pen. He didn't notice Dou Zhijun entering, still writing quickly.

Dou Zhijun waited for a moment before coughing lightly, "Teacher, the Psychic Research Institute has sent someone again, inviting you to evaluate their new drug. I refused as you instructed, but they won't leave, insisting their new drug is highly effective. They're waiting downstairs, saying you're afraid to go, as if you're past your prime..."

Yao Huan snapped, his voice thundering, "Tell them to get lost!"

Dou Zhijun was pleased, certain that Zhou Yun downstairs would hear this. He said, "Alright, I'll go down..." Before he could finish, a cheerful voice came from behind, "Teacher, who are you telling to get lost? Why so angry?"

Dou Zhijun turned in shock to see Zhou Yun standing behind him, smiling at Yao Huan, though his eyes were red.

Yao Huan looked up and saw Zhou Yun. His face first showed joy, then anger, "You're still alive? Where have you been! Did you go work for the Psychic Research Institute as their pawn?!"

Zhou Yun said, "Wrong, actually, I developed a new drug and wanted to bring it to market, but the Psychic Research Institute is pressuring me to let them invest. I refused, and now they're trying to get the drug regulatory authorities to ban my drug. I'm at my wit's end, so I came to ask for your help."

Dou Zhijun: "..."

Yao Huan stood up, and Zhou Yun quickly went to support him. Yao Huan held his hand, "Useless! Why are you crying? The Psychic Research Institute is nothing! Are you really stumped by such a small matter?"

"What, just because you weren’t banned, you forgot about your teacher? It’s been three years since you came back, and not a single phone call! Now that you’re in trouble, you remember your teacher! Hmph!"

Zhou Yun said, "It’s because the teacher is still angry with me and wouldn’t answer my calls. I even sent local specialties from the mountains and sea through someone, all dried by my own hands—your favorite dried fish and tea. My classmates said they handed them to Senior Brother Dou, so you can’t deny that."

Yao Huan glanced at Dou Zhijun, "Your senior brother has been a bit confused these past few years, no wonder he can’t find a wife."

Zhou Yun chuckled, "Teacher, you’re roasting both of us disciples in one go."

Dou Zhijun felt relieved and hurried to defuse the awkwardness, "I must’ve misheard; my memory’s not the best. Teacher, don’t tease me, ah. Now in these end times, without psychic abilities, it’s even harder to find a wife. Unlike Zhou Yun, who got lucky, awakened water psychic powers, and evolved into a new human. Handsome too—so why aren’t you married yet?"

Zhou Yun helped Yao Huan downstairs, sat him on the sofa, poured him tea, and then sat back in the guest seat.

Yao Huan took the tea poured by Zhou Yun, sipped it with some satisfaction, and said, "Now it’s all chaos; none of those old rules matter anymore. Zhou Yun, if you have a male partner, bring him to see me. Your teacher might just kick the bucket one day without even meeting your partner."

Zhou Yun said, "Teacher, you’ll live to be a hundred." His eyes were still red.

Yao Huan snorted coldly, "Haven’t seen you in years, and your tongue’s gotten sweeter—not like the wooden block you used to be. So, you all need to go out and get roughed up by the world to remember how good your teacher was to you."

"The medicine? Show it to me."

Zhou Yun picked up the suitcase, opened it, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Yao Huan.