Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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At the experimental base, Gu Ming cautiously went about his business, unaware of what he had done to displease the professor, whose dark expression made Gu Ming tremble with fear.
From the moment he suggested participating in the experiment, the professor hadn’t given him a kind look. While the professor’s expression wasn’t always pleasant, this time it seemed even more severe.
The storm had come too quickly, leaving Gu Ming completely bewildered.
Especially since the professor usually consulted him before assigning tasks, but he had just seen the professor negotiating with someone else.
Zhang Zhongmin read the instructions; it was for ordinary people going voluntarily. Those who weren’t going wouldn’t be forced. This relieved Zhang Zhongmin.
The base was bustling, but completely unrecognizable from its pre-apocalyptic state. Nevertheless, Zhang Zhongmin still found his way back to his front door.
Just as he reached the door, Zhang Xuemei returned home, and the two met at the entrance.
Before the apocalypse, Zhang Xuemei had snow-white skin, but now she was tanned to the point that she looked no different from Zhang Zhongmin. She was wearing a long-sleeved black bodysuit and leggings, which made it easier for her to move around.
“Brother? Why aren’t you coming in?” Zhang Xuemei said as she walked over and opened the door. “We heard you were back yesterday, and Mom and Dad were so excited, but we haven’t seen you come back yet.”
“After I came back yesterday, Commander Chen called me over, and then I went there,” Zhang Zhongmin replied.
“Come on, it’s good you’re back. Whenever you go out, Mom and Dad worry about this and that all the time. I’m out on missions every day, and they’re never this worried,” Zhang Xuemei joked.
That afternoon, Chen Song announced Commander Chen’s death to the base, and the previously buzzing discussions about the nutrient solution immediately fell silent.
Then, Chen Song announced Zhang Zhongmin as the base commander of the Blue Light Base. This caused a huge uproar.
Zhang Zhongmin? Who was that?
Ordinary people didn’t recognize him at all; only those who had been trained by Zhang Zhongmin knew him. For most people, Zhang Zhongmin was a complete stranger.
But what Chen Song announced must have been Commander Chen’s will.
Zhang Zhongmin was also surprised. He had thought that with Commander Chen dead, and no one else knowing that Commander Chen had appointed him to lead the base, and Chen Song had always seemed determined to get the position of base commander. So, Zhang Zhongmin thought that what Chief Chen had said was over, but he didn’t expect Chen Song to actually do as Chief Chen had instructed.
From that day on, everyone at the Blue Light Base knew that Chief Chen was dead and Zhang Zhongmin had taken over.
But life went on as usual, and everyone continued doing what they were supposed to do. Even the discontent among many people at the base caused by Zhang Zhongmin’s rise to power was suppressed by Chen Song.
With Chen Song on Zhang Zhongmin’s side, no one had a chance to say anything.
Although it was unexpected that Chen Song would help, Zhang Zhongmin also began to take office, understand the internal situation of the base, and quickly begin reforms.
Although the Blue Light Base was much larger than the D City Base, and its model was better, many things were still not as perfect as those at the D City Base.
Zhang Zhongmin started the reform campaign as soon as he took office, which made many people dissatisfied. Especially when it touched on the interests of certain people, Chen Song became increasingly silent. Although his attitude towards Zhang Zhongmin was not very good, it was much better than before.
Regarding the nutrient solution, no ordinary person was willing to try it, even if it meant enduring hunger. No one at the base was willing to go.
Professor Gu was quite annoyed by this. He had already considered this possibility. Although the Blue Light Base was experiencing a growing shortage of supplies, it wasn’t yet at a critical level, so it was certain that no one would be willing to participate.
Chen Song being fine after drinking the nutrient solution didn’t necessarily mean it was successful; it could simply mean the virus content was low.
Gu Ming’s offer to try it was indeed a good idea. However, Gu Ming wasn’t an ordinary assistant; everyone had their own motives, even Professor Gu, who was solely focused on research.
Gu Ming was his nephew, having grown up by Professor Gu’s side. In Professor Gu’s eyes, Gu Ming was practically his own son. He certainly couldn’t allow his son to experiment. That’s why he hadn’t given Gu Ming a friendly look since Gu Ming’s suggestion, and he had kept the researched nutrient solution in his room, giving Gu Ming no opportunity.
“Gu Ming,” Professor Gu suddenly called out.
Upon hearing Professor Gu’s voice, Gu Ming immediately put down the data in his hand and rushed over: “Professor, what’s the matter?”
Professor Gu turned on the computer; the power supply to the Blue Light Base had been restored long ago. Although Chief Chen didn’t have any superpowers, he had done a lot for the base.
Building such a large base was truly no easy feat.
“Come here…” Professor Gu pointed to the data on the computer screen and said to him, “No one is willing to conduct the experiment yet. If there are any problems with this batch of nutrient solution, remember to readjust from this aspect…”
As Professor Gu spoke, Gu Ming listened attentively. He didn’t dare to lose focus for a moment, afraid of missing anything.
“And the antibody agent, I’ve compiled all the previous research results. After the nutrient solution runs out, we’ll start researching the nutrient solution,” Professor Gu said.
“Understood, Professor.” Gu Ming was a little puzzled. The nutrient solution issue wasn’t even finished yet; wasn’t it a bit too early to tell him all this?
He was somewhat suspicious, but Gu Ming didn’t dare to ask.
“I always feel that zombies might one day become a completely new kind of humanity,” Professor Gu sighed, but he didn’t know if he would ever have the chance to see that day.
Gu Ming’s heart skipped a beat, thinking of Number Eight: “Professor, Number Eight…”
“Don’t mention Number Eight. Not only has Number Eight regained his intelligence, but he also treats us like enemies.” Professor Gu shook his head and sighed.
“But… he clearly did it voluntarily back then.” Gu Ming frowned.
“So, the zombie might become a completely new human. But it might very likely not be the same person he was before.” Professor Gu said, “He should only have memories from the experiment, not memories from before he became a zombie.”
Otherwise, Number Eight wouldn’t have such deep hatred for him.
Gu Ming fell silent.
“Alright, go out now. Look through these materials more, familiarize yourself with them. Gu Ming, remember, you’re no worse than anyone else. No worse than me, understand?” Professor Gu said.
Gu Ming had been Professor Gu’s assistant, and in fact, he had already learned a lot from Professor Gu, and could often offer suggestions.
However, he was always afraid of displeasing Professor Gu, so he never dared to speak up. Professor Gu was helpless, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Gu Ming sensed something was off about Professor Gu. He stopped at the door and turned back. “Professor, why are you talking to me so much today?”
Professor Gu’s face hardened. “What’s on your mind all day? Get out of here!”
“Yes!” Gu Ming, startled, quickly ran out and closed the door.
Professor Gu breathed a sigh of relief. He opened the cabinet, took out the nutrient solution, and looked at it. Then he picked up a notebook and pen and wrote a lot in it.
He unscrewed the cap and drank it down in one gulp, then continued writing.
He didn’t want to use this method, but he respected others’ wishes; no one at the base was willing to participate in the experiment. He couldn’t let his nephew do it either.
So, he had to do it himself.
Soon, Professor Gu felt something wrong. He turned a page and began recording the time and symptoms. Gu Ming could use this to determine the severity of the virus in the nutrient solution.
Professor Gu felt weak and emaciated, sweat pouring down his body, dripping from his forehead like rain onto the notebook.
Considering his age, his resistance should be weaker than that of younger people, especially given his lack of exercise and constant confinement to the lab.
The pen fell from his hand with a ‘clatter.’
Professor Gu gritted his teeth. His room also had experimental equipment and a research bed. With difficulty, he climbed onto the bed, locked himself on it, and only then did Professor Gu close his eyes in relief.
Back at his seat, Gu Ming couldn’t concentrate on his work.
He recalled Professor Gu’s words, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
Suddenly, Gu Ming abruptly stood up and rushed to Professor Gu’s room. The moment he opened the door, he saw Professor Gu lying on the research bed, his hands and feet cuffed, his eyes filled with rage.
“Professor!” Gu Ming rushed in and unlocked the handcuffs and leg irons, but Professor Gu was burning hot yet his skin was deathly pale; he seemed to have lost consciousness.
“Professor, Professor, wake up!” Gu Ming’s voice attracted all the other researchers.
One researcher saw an empty bottle of nutrient solution nearby: “Professor Gu, he drank the nutrient solution! Gu Ming, come quick, be careful!”
Clearly, the nutrient solution had failed to be developed.
Gu Ming was stunned: “How could this be! How could the professor have experimented on his own…” Suddenly, he remembered what Professor Gu had told him earlier. Now, thinking back, the reason he felt strange was because what Professor Gu said sounded like his last words!
He quickly pried open Professor Gu’s eyelids to look at his pupils. The pupils had begun to shrink, and blood was slowly filling Professor Gu’s eyes.
Gu Ming hugged Professor Gu and burst into tears.
No wonder, no wonder Professor Gu had been lying on the experimental bed handcuffed and leg irons; he had already discovered that the nutrient solution had failed.
“Gu Ming, let’s tie the professor up first, in case he turns into a zombie.”
“What are you saying? Can’t you speak properly? Gu Ming, don’t be too sad. Even if there are sick people in the nutrient solution, there won’t be many. Maybe Professor Gu can pull through?”
“Yes, Gu Ming, don’t be too sad. Let’s settle Professor Gu down first.”
The quiet research base suddenly seemed to become lively, with people chatting incessantly.
Gu Ming, however, held Professor Gu tightly, showing no reaction.
“Gu Ming, come here quickly! There seems to be a letter from Professor Gu for you!” Suddenly, someone shouted, and Gu Ming looked up at the person.
Gu Ming carefully put Professor Gu down, then rushed over, picked up the letter and notebook, and tore open the envelope with trembling hands.
The letter instructed Gu Ming to continue his research, to succeed in what Professor Gu had failed to research. It also instructed him to research something called purification fluid, which could purify viruses.
Professor Gu had a clue, but the nutrient solution issue had stalled him, preventing any progress. He hoped Gu Ming could figure out everything he was thinking of.
Aside from that, Professor Gu said nothing more.
The notebook contained information about the purification solution and Professor Gu’s reaction after drinking it.
Gu Ming gripped the notebook tightly: “Professor, don’t worry, I definitely won’t let you down. I definitely will!”
But when he reached the end of the letter, Gu Ming’s body went limp, and he almost collapsed, dropping everything he was holding.
The others exchanged glances, helped Gu Ming up, and picked up his things. However, no one read the contents of the letter. Tears streamed down Gu Ming’s face as he forced a smile.
“Gu Ming, remember, you are no less capable than anyone else.” Professor Gu’s words seemed to echo in his ears again.
How many years had it been? Gu Ming didn’t know, but this was the first time he had heard Professor Gu praise him. Gu Ming had always lacked confidence; he always felt he was stupid and incompetent, otherwise why would the professor always look at him with such disappointment?
But this time, the professor said he was no worse than anyone else…
“Gu Ming, what did the letter say?” someone couldn’t help but ask.
Gu Ming slowly turned his head to look at the person: “Professor, it says he volunteered to be a test subject for our antibody research.”
Everyone looked at Professor Gu with admiration in their eyes.
Although they knew nothing after becoming zombies, many people, even in death, didn’t have the courage to donate their bodies for research.
Suddenly, Gu Ming rushed forward like a madman: “Professor, hold on, you must hold on, you have to wake up. I can’t do it alone, I can’t do it, I really can’t. You have to hold on, you know!!”
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