Chapter 44: Zombie Apocalypse (II)

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Chapter 44: Zombie Apocalypse (II)

“The genes within these cells have all changed and now possess a strong infectious property. I can no longer find a single normal human cell. What a fascinating virus.” Miao Lichen gently swirled the test tube before taking a step back. “But this virus isn’t entirely harmful to the human body.”

“Professor, you mean…” Zhang Yang stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the blood-red test tube. A look of understanding flashed through his eyes. If the virus could produce two different outcomes, then everything would make sense.

“This virus first destroys the cellular structure before beginning to reconstruct it. But the reconstruction isn’t guaranteed to succeed. When it fails, this is the result.” Miao Lichen lightly shook the test tube before picking up another one from the table. The liquid inside was a deep bluish-purple and emitted a faint scent of decay.

“This is both a disaster… and an evolution.” He set the test tube down on the laboratory bench, a faint smile on his lips. There was an air of detached elegance about him, as though this so-called disaster and evolution had nothing to do with him.

“Evolution, huh?” Zhang Yang’s lips curved into the same flawless smile. He had already suspected as much. Along with the appearance of zombies came those people who had awakened abilities, though they were still weak. But had this professor never considered what it would mean if zombies were stronger than ability users? That would spell humanity’s extinction. Or perhaps this biology professor simply didn’t care about life and death.

For some reason, Zhang Yang recalled hearing several years ago that Miao Lichen had once taken over a research project concerning human evolution. It had later been suppressed because Miao Lichen specialized in plant evolution and rarely involved himself with animal research, much less human subjects. Although he seemed to possess considerable expertise in cellular biology, he had never published any papers on the subject. Yet judging from his actions just now, he clearly understood human cells extremely well.

“Yes, evolution.” Miao Lichen returned the second test tube to the table. He removed his gloves, tossing them onto the bench as well, then gently patted Miao Nianling’s head. She rubbed affectionately against his palm before glancing at the two test tubes, the innocent smile on her face becoming even brighter.

“But this method of evolution is far too cruel.” Zhang Yang sounded as though he were talking to himself, yet every word was clearly meant to be heard. Even as he spoke of such cruelty, his expression remained unchanged, the faint smile never leaving his lips. For some reason, Miao Lichen found the sight strangely familiar. He hoped it was merely his imagination.

“Perhaps it is.” Miao Lichen answered noncommittally before carrying Miao Nianling and opening the door to his private laboratory. The corridor outside was eerily silent. This was the professors’ laboratory building. Only a handful of professors had access to it, making it far less crowded than the rest of the university—and consequently much safer.

“Professor, are you planning to leave with the child? The laboratory building is still relatively safe for now. Why not stay here for a few days and observe the situation? I imagine you have enough food stored here to last at least that long.” When Zhang Yang fled the boys’ dormitory, he’d escaped with nothing but the clothes on his back. He leaned against the wall and gently pulled Miao Nianling back. Those walking corpses were extraordinarily sensitive to the scent of living humans.

Just as Zhang Yang expected, a zombie wearing a white lab coat soon appeared in the hallway. Compared to the zombies outside, this one was remarkably intact. It hadn’t lost any limbs; only its skin had turned bluish-green, and its eyes glowed red.

“That food will only last a few days. Rather than waiting here, it’s better to go outside and seek a chance to survive.” Miao Lichen closed the laboratory door again just as the zombie slammed heavily into it. Fortunately, the laboratory ranked among the school’s best in both soundproofing and structural durability. Once the door was shut, everything became perfectly quiet.

“This virus isn’t like ordinary viruses that can be dealt with quickly. Whether it’s infectivity or survivability, it’s the most formidable virus I’ve ever encountered. We need to prepare for a prolonged battle.” He turned to Zhang Yang, his gaze seemingly asking a single question. Are you ready?

“It was my oversight. I’ll follow your arrangements, Professor.” Zhang Yang released the struggling Miao Nianling. The little girl seemed unwilling to acknowledge anyone except her father. He couldn’t help wondering who her mother was, and if the professor’s hasty departure was related to her.

“Are you coming with us?” Miao Lichen asked as he packed the food into a backpack. For convenience, the laboratory mostly stored compressed biscuits, which happened to be particularly useful under the current circumstances. There were also two full cases of bottled water, though there was no way they could carry all of them.

“I hope you don’t find me troublesome.” Smiling, Zhang Yang picked up another emergency backpack from the room. A research laboratory naturally prepared for emergencies—for example, how valuable research data could be evacuated after an accident. Keeping several spare backpacks on hand was perfectly normal.

His gaze swept across the spacious and sophisticated laboratory. He had only spent a few days here before being forced to leave. He wondered whether he would ever set foot in a laboratory again. Probably not. After all, unlike Professor Miao, he possessed no passion for biological research. Choosing this major had been nothing more than an accident.

“How could that be? No matter who looks at us, I’ll be the one causing trouble. And… I will never abandon Ling’er.” Miao Lichen took another set of sportswear from the wardrobe and, without the slightest embarrassment, changed out of his protective suit right in front of Zhang Yang. Although the protective suit offered better protection, it was far too conspicuous. In the apocalypse, the most frightening monsters weren’t zombies. They were humans.

What did being a researcher represent? Before the apocalypse, it meant higher education, intelligence, and status. But after the apocalypse, it meant physical weakness and even a burden. At least, that’s what most people believed. Researchers were stereotypically shut-ins, after all. Few possessed particularly good physiques.

“I will do everything I can to protect her.” Zhang Yang deliberately looked away. He had seen plenty of naked men in the dormitories before, yet for some reason, he felt strangely uncomfortable now. Maybe it was because the professor was too slender; both his frame and physique were far too delicate for a man.

Yet moments later, his gaze drifted back. His eyes caught the two tiny white markings on Miao Lichen’s back. Before he could get a better look, however, Miao Lichen had already pulled on his shirt, concealing them. Still, he’d seen enough. They resembled a pair of miniature angel wings. But it was enough for him to make out what they were. Two small white marks on his back that resembled angel wings. Had he seen them before waking up this morning, he would have assumed they were simply tattoos belonging to someone with unusual tastes. But now, they looked much more like the manifestation of a supernatural ability.

He placed his hand on his forehead. Perhaps he was overthinking it; not everyone awakens a supernatural ability. Among the hundreds of students in the boys’ dormitory, only two or three had done so. Surely it couldn’t be such a coincidence that both the professor and his daughter had awakened.

“Papa.” The previously quiet Miao Nianling suddenly wrapped her arms around Miao Lichen’s leg. Their eyes met, but she made no move to let go. Her tiny, chubby fingers clung tightly to his clothes. Her little face was flushed, displaying an expression somewhere between excitement and fear.

Zhang Yang turned toward the laboratory door behind him. Walking over, he peered through the peephole. The once silent corridor was now teeming with zombies. A researcher dressed in white desperately sprinted toward the staircase, clutching an iron rod. But the weapon inspired no fear in the undead. Despite putting up a desperate struggle, he was quickly overwhelmed and devoured.

Once they had stripped every scrap of flesh from the researcher, his skeletal body slowly climbed back to its feet, joining the ranks of the undead. The zombies staggered through the hallway until, little by little, the crowd dispersed as they wandered off in search of their next meal.

“Papa.” Miao Nianling loosened her grip and quietly leaned against Miao Lichen’s leg. He picked her up and gently brushed his fingers across her forehead, concern evident on his face. Feeling only healthy warmth beneath his fingertips, he finally relaxed. There was nothing wrong with her.

Zhang Yang looked at Miao Nianling with a complicated expression. If he’d originally intended to stay by Miao Lichen’s side because she was an ability user with great potential, he was now even more convinced. She hadn’t even seen the zombies, yet she’d reacted so intensely. This little girl possessed an instinctive awareness of their presence.

“There were a lot of zombies outside just now… She seems to have some kind of special reaction to them. She’s not sick.” Zhang Yang spoke in the same calm tone as always, betraying none of the complicated thoughts in his heart. He was merely stating a fact. “In other words… the virus may have caused some kind of evolution in her.”

“…That gives us a better chance of escaping. At least Ling’er won’t be a burden.” Miao Lichen gently patted her back until she looked up and wrapped both little arms around his neck. He smiled at the little one, his loving expression easing Zhang Yang’s guard considerably.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Miao Lichen set Miao Nianling down before handing some food to Zhang Yang. “Eat something. Then we’ll leave. Given the current situation, the existing government will probably collapse sooner or later. We’d be much safer heading somewhere with an armed military force.”

“I was thinking the same thing, Professor. But before we go… shouldn’t we look for Ling’er’s mother?” Although Zhang Yang smiled, his eyes remained fixed on Miao Lichen’s face, trying to judge just how important his wife was to him. He was willing to protect the professor for the little girl’s sake, so long as it remained within his abilities. Adding another burden though…

“Ling’er has no mother. She is simply my child.”

“…My apologies.” There wasn’t the slightest sincerity in Zhang Yang’s apology. If anything, there was a trace of satisfaction.

Miao Lichen gave a slight smile, but his lowered eyelashes cast faint shadows across his face, giving that smile an inexplicably chilling quality. Was the protagonist’s favorability rating dead? Why was there no notification?

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