Chapter 184.1 – Before the Apocalypse (1)

◎ (Vincent x Xie Lan) Parents’ Love ◎

In the 17th year of the new calendar, early spring.

District B9, Askar.

A high-definition advertising screen scrolled and played a passionate speech: “Genetic engineering will effectively repair embryonic and human defects, resist the invasion of genetic viruses. It is a milestone development in DNA editing technology and the gospel of human evolution in the post-radiation era…”

High above the starship harbor, a slender figure stood quietly.

Xie Lan, dressed in regular clothes, with her jet-black long hair tied into a low ponytail behind her head. Her appearance was beautiful and charming at first glance, but if you lingered for a moment, you could feel a cold and sharp aura. Even standing still, there was a hidden but palpable sense of pressure.

On the screen, Academician Bob, being interviewed, continued to speak expansively: “Unfortunately, the success rate of this technology is currently unstable, hovering around 30%. Some subjects experience severe adverse reactions. My team and I are working hard to overcome these challenges…”

“Colonel, a total of 380 people, everyone is present.” The adjutant approached from behind and reported in a low voice.

Xie Lan nodded slightly. The purpose of her trip was to bring a group of physically fit soldiers selected from Beijun for genetic enhancement experiments. In the past two years, there had been continuous border conflicts in Beijun, and the Cario Empire, with its “evolvers”, had repeatedly provoked them. They had suffered quite a bit in the shadows. If this mission succeeded, the Xie family could truly have “super soldiers.”

The 380 people sent to Askar all volunteered for the experiment and wrote their wills in advance.

With a success rate of 30%, the prospects were too uncertain. No one knew whether they would achieve “evolution” or become sacrificed martyrs.

“Let’s go.” Xie Lan withdrew her gaze and put on an isolation mask.

The post-war environment was deteriorating day by day, the air was polluted, and the ubiquitous nuclear remnants made it difficult for her to breathe. She had to wear a mask when traveling.

…

Research Center.

The receptionist respectfully led Xie Lan to the office, saying, “Colonel Xie, Academician Bob is currently in Liuponi for academic exchange, so Dr. Zhuang, his student, will be leading the genetic enhancement experiment.”

Xie Lan halted her steps, a storm brewing in her eyes. “I haven’t received any information about a personnel change.”

Beijun had invested a significant amount of money and manpower for this venture, and at this crucial juncture, Bob dared to change personnel on the spot, seriously crossing her bottom line. Xie Lan didn’t mind personally going to District A4 to “invite” him back.

The receptionist was sweating profusely; the intimidation brought by Xie Lan was too strong. Fearful, he didn’t dare to lie, but certain things couldn’t be explained too explicitly. He could only offer a vague explanation, “Actually, whether Academician Bob is here or not is not important. Dr. Zhuang is the core. Please rest assured; everything will be fine!”

Xie Lan furrowed her brow, speculating on the unspoken meaning in his words. She had heard about some unwritten rules in academic circles, but who held the title was not important to her. What mattered to Xie Lan was how many people she could bring back.

The automatic door opened slowly, revealing an empty room with scattered papers, and instruments quietly humming with occasional “beep” sounds.

The receptionist, accustomed to this sight, looked around and called out softly, “Dr. Zhuang?”

Before his call was answered, an angry figure pulled open a side door with a loud bang! The light screen fell heavily on the table.

“Zhuang Qingyan! Are you using my authority? You even wrote comments for the interns I brought, don’t be too arrogant!”

The documents on the floor shifted, and suddenly, a head emerged from the pile of papers. A man sat up, rubbing his forehead, his voice slightly hoarse.

“I casually flipped through last night, and there are 25 logical flaws in your group’s model. It’s really unbearable to look at.”

“25 flaws? Is that true?” A person named “Ning Rong” doubted, muttering. He casually flipped through the paper, and the comments inside were infuriating:

“Fortunately, only you and I have read this paper.”

“This section is well-written but needs to be entirely deleted.”

“Who taught you to use formulas like this?”

“Please do not create, no, transport academic garbage.”

Towards the end, the comments became sharper:

“??”

“Is your brain 99% water?”

“My silence is deafening.”

Ning Rong: “…”

Despite those interns idolizing him, did they know he had such a sharp tongue?

The man yawned, folded up his bed, casually put on a white coat. Tall and handsome, despite the tiredness showing in his dark under-eye circles and stubble. “Your research project can’t proceed. Don’t waste your time; abandon it early.”

“Why can’t it proceed?” Ning Rong refused to accept it.

“No money, no personnel,” the man said lazily.

Ning Rong was momentarily speechless. He was right; once it entered the practical stage, the funds were like pouring into a bottomless pit, and investors expected returns. Young scholars like them, unknown and unproven, found it challenging to get 100% support.

But Ning Rong still held onto his fantasies. “Maybe one day, an investor will appear, recognize my talent, and be willing to climb the research peak with me.”

The man chuckled softly, rummaged through a drawer, found the instant coffee empty, and helplessly closed it. “Are you sure you’re talking about investors?”

Ning Rong blushed. “What do you, a lonely researcher, understand? I curse you to be forever single!”

The man raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need such unnecessary things. Research is my partner, and I’m willing to dedicate my life to it.”

He said it with conviction, leaving Ning Rong speechless.

“I’ll take a nap; you watch over things.”

Seeming quite tired, the man yawned again, swayed towards the side door.

“Dr. Zhuang, please wait a moment.” The receptionist stepped forward to explain the situation. After listening with bowed head, he glanced at the unexpected visitor at the door.

The receptionist warmly introduced, “This is Dr. Vincent Zhuang. Dr. Zhuang, this is Colonel Xie from Beijun.”

Vincent’s slender fingers flipped through the appointment records. “Genetic enhancement experiment… 380 people?”

Xie Lan, behind her mask, stared at him. “I hope to complete it as soon as possible. Cost is not an issue.”

Vincent straightforwardly refused, “Can’t be done.”

Xie Lan frowned. “What?”

The receptionist hadn’t expected him to offend someone with his first words, and his face turned pale.

Vincent and Xie Lan locked eyes for two seconds. Patiently, he repeated, “I said it can’t be done. Please leave.”

Without a second thought, Xie Lan drew her gun, pressing the cold mechanical device against his mouth. “When I paid the deposit, the answer I heard was not this.”

Behind her, the tall figure raised their weapons, aiming at Vincent’s head, creating an instantly tense atmosphere.

Ning Rong was terrified, holding onto Vincent’s arm, shouting, “No, no, no, don’t be impulsive, let’s talk!”

Vincent calmly glanced down at the gun at his mouth. “The genetic enhancement plan you received is the version approved by the Alliance, but it’s not my best plan. If you insist on experimenting, perhaps you can only take away 100 people. Even so, do you still insist?”

Xie Lan’s eyelashes flickered slightly. “What is your ‘best plan’?”

Vincent, surprised by her keen focus, replied, “The best plan… because of lack of funds, it’s not ready yet.”

“So you’re playing games with me?” Xie Lan showed a hint of displeasure, and her fingertips on the trigger moved slightly.

Ning Rong, panicking, exclaimed, “Nonono!”

Vincent spoke before she could act. “One week.”

“One week, and I can provide you with the best plan you want. The condition is, um, you pay for it.”

The receptionist gasped, weakly asking, “Dr. Zhuang, is this too risky? What if it fails…”

They would be in big trouble with Colonel Xie. He had a premonition; they would definitely be!

Vincent stood his ground confidently. “Failure is inevitable. I’ve experienced at least ten thousand failures, but as long as I succeed once, it’s worth it.”

The receptionist felt a headache and toothache and his entire body ached. These research geniuses were all oddballs! Speaking arrogantly about failure as if it were a matter of course, wasting a week with Colonel Xie, who would undoubtedly let him off easily?

Xie Lan carefully observed the man in front of her. There was a lingering chemical smell on his white coat, not pleasant. His hair was messy, his appearance untidy, giving off an aura of unreliability. Only his face seemed somewhat presentable.

“What’s the success rate?” Xie Lan slowly raised the gun, pressing it against his Adam’s apple.

“45%.” Vincent replied instantly, as if he had deduced it countless times.

Xie Lan’s mind raced; it was close to half.

“What if the subjects are military personnel?”

“Allow me to correct you; without data to support it, physical fitness and genetic strength are directly related.”

Vincent’s deep brows stretched as he smiled, radiating a handsome glow.

“How do you prove yourself?”

Xie Lan cast a light glance at him. Those soldiers were her subordinates, her personal guards; she had to be responsible for them.

Their eyes met again, and a hidden wave surged between them. Vincent quietly gazed at her and suddenly smiled, “How about this? Give me another week, maybe I can increase the success rate to 65%.”

Ning Rong exclaimed, “Hey, don’t go crazy…”

Vincent remained composed. “Give it a try.”

Xie Lan, without changing her expression, stared at the man in front of her. He had attractive almond-shaped eyes, shallow like they couldn’t contain anything. However, her intuition told her that when he mentioned 65%, he wasn’t joking.

“I’ll give you half a month.”

“During this half-month, I will investigate your background thoroughly. From your birth, growth, education, to this moment standing here, I will have a clear understanding of your past. I’ll review every detail of the plan you propose, and any changes must have my approval.”

Vincent nodded calmly. “You pay, you decide.”

The adjutant, with a worried expression, whispered, “Colonel…”

At the border of Hede Island in Beijun, conflicts were escalating, and war was imminent. Half a month was too risky for them.

“If any issues arise, I’ll take responsibility,” Xie Lan asserted with her characteristic decisive demeanor, but…

“Achoo!” A sneeze disrupted her authority.

Vincent glanced at her and turned around, rummaging through a cabinet full of potions. He pulled out a small green bottle.

“Antiallergic spray, an adjunct product of one of my projects.”

The packaging was rudimentary, with a handwritten signature on the bottle, depicting a majestic character, vaguely resembling the character “Yan.”

The adjutant’s expression turned serious. “What is this? Do you have approval from the Drug Administration for this?”

Xie Lan, with her background, wouldn’t use such a dubious concoction.

Xie Lan holstered her gun, pondered for a moment, and reached out to take it. The soft fingertips and Vincent’s slightly cool palm met briefly and then parted.

As she left, faint, fragmented sounds could be heard in the room: “Young Miss… delicate…”

Ning Rong sneakily glanced at Xie Lan and pulled on his sleeve desperately. “Could you say a few words less? She’s carrying a gun.”

…

In the following half month, Vincent, except for eating and sleeping, rooted himself in the laboratory. Xie Lan set up a simple office in the outer area, staying close to supervise him. Finally, she understood what the receptionist meant by “Dr. Zhuang is the core.”

The results of the experiment were unexpected. Out of the 380 people Xie Lan brought, astonishingly, 288 successfully underwent enhancement, showing early awakening symptoms. The success rate exceeded 75%. Once this news spread in the Alliance, it caused a massive stir.

Without a doubt, Vincent had made history.

News in various districts enthusiastically reported on the achievements of Bob’s team, with Vincent’s name only mentioned once in a corner.

However, when he saw the news, he just yawned, his handsome face showing signs of fatigue with dark circles under his eyes. He cared little about the fleeting fame.

On the day of the return journey, Vincent’s gaze fell on Xie Lan’s face. She wasn’t wearing a face mask, and the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye added a touch of charm.

“Used it?”

“Mm.”

Their abrupt conversation left onlookers confused.

Vincent’s eyes revealed a faint smile, and he looked at her a bit longer before saying nothing.

She used the antiallergic spray he gave her, and it worked. She believed in the optimal plan he adjusted, and it succeeded.

Xie Lan returned to Beijun with the 288 awakened individuals.