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Chapter209
Since the others had just left and the table wasn't cleared, Geng Qinglu didn't mind eating the leftovers. He grabbed clean utensils and started eating.
Zhou You glanced over, realizing that Shao Qi was seeking Geng Qinglu for important matters, so he didn't linger and returned to the courtyard to meditate.
"I had a chance to check the local websites today. My word! Are you trying to make waves? Hosting a martial arts live stream? It's a good thing the communication here isn't great, or you'd be nationally famous by now."
"It's only a matter of time." No matter how poor the communication, news from here would eventually spread. He wasn't sure about the uproar it would cause, but it would be attributed to the Martial Arts Association. What does it have to do with him, a soldier?
"Some of the old folks in our institute are right about one thing: wherever you go, there's never a dull moment. Recently, with poor communication and lack of news about you, everyone felt uneasy."
"Why would your institute care about me? I'm not your leader."
Geng Qinglu smirked, "Don't we rely on you to bring back some valuable items for us? Like that mutated beast last time. If you have any other treasures, we can negotiate a trade."
Having had too much Baiyu liquor, Shao Qi was slightly tipsy. Watching him jest as usual, Geng Qinglu had known him for years and believed that while Shao Qi might act carelessly, he wasn't a lawbreaker.
"Deal. Let's exchange it for that unique compound of yours. What's it called?... Gene Sequence Adhesive? Is that the name?"
Geng Qinglu paused with his chopsticks, looking at him in confusion, "Why do you want this? Could it be that you too..."
Before he could finish, Shao Qi interrupted, "Lin Shuqing already told me about the transaction between you two. Was it not you who sold him that potion?"
Geng Qinglu's astonishment grew, "Is Lin Shuqing here? That explains it. I wondered why the quantity looked so familiar. Isn’t that the same amount I sold to Lin Shuqing? But why is he here? Wasn't he at the Southwest Research Institute for Biology?"
Shao Qi keenly observed his expression. He was good at reading people, and it was rare for anyone to lie in front of him. Geng Qinglu didn't appear to be lying either.
"I thought you'd know. He’s been here for a while."
"I... I had no idea," Geng Qinglu blinked, realizing that Shao Qi was trying to trap him into revealing more. He chuckled, "Did you assume I knew about this lab beforehand? Or that I was funding it secretly? What a joke. My research doesn't align with this, and I’d never endorse such reckless experimentation."
Shao Qi nodded in acknowledgment, "Meet Lin Shuqing tomorrow. You two can clear things up face-to-face."
"Sure, I would've met him long ago if I knew he was here. He's my senior."
Shao Qi already knew this. He yawned, then stood up, "If everything's settled, you should head back. I'm exhausted."
"But I haven't had my fill yet."
"There will still be food for you when you get back." The military was never stingy with guests, especially those from research institutes. Getting food was never a problem.
"Can't I just stay here? This place seems quite nice."
"No!" Shao Qi waved dismissively, "We're leaving the day after tomorrow. If you want to stay then, feel free. Stay as long as you like."
However, to Shao Qi’s surprise, early the next day, representatives from the government's asset department arrived with the property deed to Zhongjian Villa, as a token of gratitude for Zhou You. While soldiers typically receive rewards for reporting crimes, Zhou You wasn't military. Yet he had repeatedly aided their Jiangnan base. Giving him a property seemed just right.
"We hope Mr. Zhou visits our Jiangnan base often. Our climate is most conducive for living. When you're tired from your travels, consider settling here. The entire city awaits your return," the official earnestly said. A few journalists followed, and soon this gesture made headlines, receiving widespread praise. The public felt the government had finally made a commendable move.
For someone of Zhou You's caliber, gifting property, let alone jewels or beauties, seemed apt if it meant retaining him.
Zhou You hadn't anticipated such a bonus before his departure. He accepted the gift, but not without giving back. He uploaded a recent body training regimen on a live broadcast, more suited for the average person compared to Guo Xiangjin's. If inner strength didn't progress, at least one’s physique could be improved.
Before leaving, Shao Qi suggested renaming the villa. Zhongjian Villa was previously owned by someone else. Now that it belonged to Zhou You, it deserved his personal touch.
Having packed, Zhou You saw Shao Qi preparing to carve a new name. Without much thought, he suggested, "Let's call it Baihu Villa. Hopefully, someday, I can freely bring Xiao Bai to stay."
(End of Volume One)
Chapter 110: Get Lost, Don't Bother Me
"Watch out!" Shao Qi, with his swift reflexes, pulled Zhou You aside. The two leapt into the air, retreating several steps.
Zhou You looked at where they once stood. The grass was dotted with tiny purple flowers. At first glance, they seemed normal, but soon numerous bugs began emerging from the buds, crawling everywhere.
"What are these?" Zhou You was accustomed to the enlarged insects of the present day, but these ants-like bugs were new to him.
Shao Qi, holding onto a vine, jumped onto a tree branch and explained, "These bugs are a new species. They live in flower buds, feeding on nectar, but they prefer to parasitize animals. If they latch on, they’ll enter through any facial orifice. Their reproduction rate is astonishing. Once infested, in less than a month, one's body will be swarming with these bugs and their eggs, eventually hollowing out the organs. They may appear weak, but they're extremely harmful."
Looking below, Zhou You saw the once green meadow now blackened with these creatures. Despite the recent snowmelt allowing the grass to thrive, he never imagined encountering something even more resilient.