Chapter 154: A Little Satisfaction in Life

Chapter 154: A Little Satisfaction in Life

That night, Zhou Yun and Guan Yuanfeng enjoyed each other's company intimately once more. Zhou Yun meticulously savored every inch of Guan Yuanfeng's features—his sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, lips, teeth, Adam's apple, broad and solid chest, and long, agile limbs. What he couldn't taste, he entwined gently with vines.

Early the next morning, Ye Yuqing called, likely aware that Zhou Yun had contacted Qin Sheng. He chuckled, "It was my oversight to have concerned the city lord. But why didn't you just call me directly instead of asking Xiao Qin?"

Zhou Yun, looking refreshed and radiant after a good night's sleep, was about to put on a white linen shirt from his wardrobe for the day's research meeting when the call came. He answered, laughing, "I didn't want to disrupt General Ye's plans."

As he spoke, Guan Yuanfeng, hearing the phone, walked in. Seeing Zhou Yun's shirt hanging loosely and him struggling with the buttons, he stepped over to help.

Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Aren't you supposed to be at work?" It was already quite late.

Ye Yuqing, thinking Zhou Yun was asking him, replied with a laugh, "I'm on medical leave, not working. I'm not like General Guan, who insists on doing everything himself and wears himself out."

Guan Yuanfeng finished buttoning Zhou Yun's shirt, covering the marks from the night before, and smoothed out the wrinkles on the shoulders. He said into the phone, "General Ye delegates his power, so he can still stumble in his own territory." And it was a big stumble.

Ye Yuqing: "..."

Zhou Yun laughed and tactfully changed the subject, "General Ye, you must have complete control of the situation now, right?"

Ye Yuqing coughed lightly, unashamed, "Yes, the military officers only recognize me, so it wasn't difficult. I didn't call Dr. Zhou earlier because I wanted to finalize some details before informing you."

Zhou Yun said, "I heard General Ye still spared his enemies due to family ties, giving them a chance."

Ye Yuqing laughed, "Xiao Qin must have been scared, I heard he vomited."

Zhou Yun: "..." He hadn't mentioned that; hopefully, the poor kid didn't develop a psychological trauma.

Ye Yuqing continued, "It wasn't about giving them a way out. I intentionally let them choose where to go to see who else they had outside. Sure enough, they chose Zhongzhou. I sent people to take them to a house there. I'll wait a few days for them to contact their connections before acting... The Psychic Research Institute is indeed theirs, heh." He planned to let them stew for a few days before reeling them in. After all, they were now old, sick, and disabled, with only Ye Lihui able to move, and no longer a threat.

Zhou Yun had already guessed as much and wasn't particularly surprised, "So that's how it is?"

Ye Yuqing said, "Yes, my grandfather's crystal core transplant has severe side effects, and we're planning to remove it. But Ye Shiqing is now critically ill and can't undergo surgery. He can only seek help from the Psychic Research Institute."

"There's also something quite interesting."

"They found experts there to treat Ye Shiqing, but they discovered that the crystal core inside him seems to have issues. Combined with the severe exhaustion from previous battles, he can no longer use his psychic abilities."

Zhou Yun said, "I see. The Psychic Research Institute is full of elites; they should take good care of him."

Ye Yuqing replied, "Their treatment plan involves removing the crystal core. They said the core seems to have mutated, with abnormal energy fluctuations. Both light psychics and wood psychic ability users have had poor results treating him, suggesting that there's energy within the core counteracting the treatment. Continuing like this might impede further treatment."

"But Ye Shiqing is furious and adamantly refuses to have the core removed. He believes he might have activated some extraordinary mutation and wants to continue enhancing and training."

Zhou Yun: "..." Sure, the chosen one. Confidence is commendable.

Ye Yuqing laughed, "After they left, I questioned their associates and found out that Ye Shiqing went to Xining to capture volcanic spiders but was saved by General Guan and you? The rescued guards are extremely grateful to you and believe Ye Shiqing was arrogant beforehand and later insisted that his disfigurement was your fault, showing ingratitude and shamelessness. Because of this, they all defected and pledged their loyalty to me without hesitation."

Zhou Yun: "..."

Ye Yuqing said, "Dr. Zhou, you have done a great service to the Lin Dong base. The lives of these guards are a debt I owe you. You gave me the opportunity to exact personal revenge, and I am deeply grateful, never forgetting your kindness."

Zhou Yun, however, understood that Ye Yuqing had likely guessed that he had tampered with the crystal core inside Ye Shiqing. He smiled, "No need for formalities. Cleaning up the mess and protecting the environment is everyone's duty."

After hanging up, Zhou Yun turned to Guan Yuanfeng with a smile, "What's going on? Not busy today?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "There was an outdoor event, but it was canceled due to rain. I'm working from home, keeping you company."

Zhou Yun said, "That's unfortunate. I have a meeting today with experts from Zhongzhou for a research topic discussion, and Du Zonghan will also be there."

Guan Yuanfeng: "..."

Zhou Yun smiled and said, "Why don't you join the research topic meeting, General Guan?"

Although Guan Yuanfeng found Zhou Yun's smile adorable, he firmly declined, "No need, you’re busy. I’ll pick you up after the meeting." Academic meetings were too dull for him, and he would never attend.

Zhou Yun had breakfast with Guan Yuanfeng and then headed to the institute to convene the research topic meeting. Du Zonghan, the Deputy Governor, arrived on time and gathered the experts from Zhongzhou. He distributed the existing research projects and assigned respective research groups.

Some of these experts knew each other and collaborated, while others brought their disciples and formed their own research groups. Du Zonghan naturally took on the topic of volcanic rabbits, while he modestly delegated the topics of volcanic spiders and lightning butterflies to another authoritative entomologist.

Professor Mi, Duoduo’s maternal grandfather, did not take on any research topics but instead took on the major task of establishing the Guixu Academy.

Most of the leaders of the research project groups were young and energetic scholars and experts. The older, more renowned experts, like Yao Huan, served as honorary consultants, providing consultations and occasionally mentoring students in simple research tasks.

Soon, Du Zonghan gathered his former classmates and friends from Zhongzhou to form a research group and flew to Xining. Before leaving, he specially gave Hua Rou a high-quality light crystal core and formally apologized to her.

Not long after, the inaugural issue of the "Guixu Journal" was published. The first issue featured several significant papers, including Zhu Ming's "Research on the Population Structure of Mutant Volcanic Algae in Volcanic Activity Areas and the Potential Application of Psychic Abilities," and Du Zonghan's "Preliminary Study on the Ecological Habits and Domestication Techniques of Mutant Volcanic Rabbits."

Additionally, there were more than a dozen significant papers published, such as "Discovery and Identification of New Species of Mutant Lightning Butterflies," "Study on the Structure and Properties of Volcanic Spider Silk," "Anatomical Structure and Functional Adaptability of Volcanic Spiders," "Preliminary Study on the Application of Volcanic Spider Exoskeletons," and "Research on the Application of Volcanic Spider Silk in New Flexible Deformable Exoskeleton Composite Materials."

The inaugural issue was in full color, with each paper accompanied by color images and detailed charts. It even included some marginal sections featuring anecdotes and photos from various research groups' fieldwork and laboratory studies.

All these papers were first published in the "Guixu Journal," instantly creating a stir in the academic world.

The Psychic Society felt somewhat embarrassed, as their journal had not published any significant papers. Although the "Guixu Journal" allowed reprints, reprinting them would inadvertently promote the journal. However, not reprinting them would make their journal seem less authoritative. In the end, they reluctantly selected a few papers to publish.

Zhou Yun himself was quite surprised. In his previous life, the remains of these mutant creatures had been discovered in a decayed state, and no significant scientific achievements had been made. He never expected that simply handing over these materials would inspire so many research results.

He sighed as he held the thick journal and spoke to Guan Yuanfeng: "It truly is a case of 'throwing a brick to attract jade.' There are so many talented people. Look at this idea for an exoskeleton; I never thought of it." Of course, it wasn't his area of expertise.

The exoskeleton of volcanic spider legs and joints is exceptionally sensitive, combining rigidity and flexibility, impact-resistant, puncture-resistant, and wearable. It can be developed into new materials for exoskeletons, usable for disabled individuals or as wearable exoskeleton suits for military personnel.

Compared to volcanic spider legs, volcanic spider silk was an additional surprise. Experts believe it can serve as a new material for flexible exoskeletons, wrapping around human limbs and joints, working in parallel with human muscles and ligaments to transmit tension and assist joint movement. Lightweight, flexible, and easy to wear, it can be applied in muscle rehabilitation for patients and assist the elderly in limb usage for medical rehabilitation.

If one were to keep these materials to themselves out of sectarianism and conduct closed-door research, relying on oneself or a limited number of people, how could such results be achieved? Collective wisdom leads to a diversity of ideas. Human wisdom knows no bounds, and science will continue to advance.

Guan Yuanfeng knew that Zhou Yun was always so selfless. It seemed that only when it came to himself did Zhou Yun show a strong sense of possessiveness and exclusivity. When it came to benefiting more people, he was always generous and unmoved by fame and fortune.

Zhou Yun, unaware that Guan Yuanfeng had once again viewed him through a new lens, flipped through the calendar on the wall and sighed: "Tomorrow is Xiaoman."

"Xiaoman, Xiaoman, rivers gradually fill." As summer approaches, rainfall increases. Xiaoman signifies that things are beginning to reach fullness. There's no need to worry about gains and losses; a little fullness in life is better than absolute perfection.

He felt deeply content to be with Guan Yuanfeng now.