Chapter 289 - 9.35
In Fang Jing’s office, the computer screen clearly displayed everything that had just transpired between Ling Zhuang and Shen Yunqing.
Fang Jing stared intently at the footage. When he saw Shen Yunqing actually persuaded into drinking the potion, he couldn’t help but curse aloud. "What a fool! Are you not afraid of being poisoned?"
But soon, as Shen Yunqing’s body showed visible signs of strengthening, Fang Jing’s anger faltered. His earlier suspicion, that Ling Zhuang might be a spy sent to harm him, began to fade.
His gaze fixed on the shattered, empty vial.
This Ling Zhuang... he was truly that capable?
He had actually created a potion that could grant an ordinary human extraordinary power?
Then, if he could strengthen the powerless, could he also create something that made the strong even stronger?
Fang Jing, who had just moments ago mocked Shen Yunqing’s gullibility, suddenly found a similar desire stirring in his own chest.
But before his thoughts could deepen, the monitor flickered. The image distorted into static, white snow filling the screen.
Fang Jing frowned and tapped the desk. "What’s going on?"
A signal issue?
Since the apocalypse, the old communication network had long since collapsed. The base’s cameras operated only through local signal towers powered by independent generators, fragile, imperfect, and prone to interference.
Still, something felt off. He stared at the frozen screen, his reflection faint against the static, unease twisting in his gut.
Laboratory.
Ling Zhuang calmly withdrew his signal-jamming field, the faintest smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Across from him, Shen Yunqing was still trembling with excitement.
"But I forgot to mention one thing..." Ling Zhuang said softly.
Shen Yunqing blinked, still dazed from the rush of new strength coursing through him. "What is it?"
Ling Zhuang’s voice was gentle, almost apologetic. "The potion does give you power far greater than before. But there’s a drawback... it only lasts for one month. After that, you’ll return to being as ordinary and weak as before."
Shen Yunqing froze. His joy drained away in an instant. "What... what did you say?"
To gain such power only to lose it again, wasn’t that crueler than never having it at all?
Ling Zhuang’s smile remained faint. "Don’t worry. As long as you follow my instructions and keep your thoughts... clean, I can guarantee you’ll receive a new bottle every month."
Shen Yunqing’s heart pounded violently.
The leader’s orders... and now this professor’s threat... what should he do?
If he didn’t report back, even with his newfound power, Fang Jing could easily ruin or kill him. But if he disobeyed Ling Zhuang...
"I-I..."
He couldn’t decide. Desire and fear warred within him.
"I know what you’re panicking about."
Ling Zhuang turned his back, hands clasped behind him. His voice came unhurried, calm. "I know what you’re struggling with."
Shen Yunqing looked up sharply.
"You’re hesitating between me and Fang Jing. You don’t want to lose either side, but you can’t afford to offend either." He smiled faintly, his tone laced with amusement.
Ah, human nature. Such beautiful agony. He never tires of watching it.
The professor’s words sent a chill down Shen Yunqing’s spine. His earlier awe turned to pure terror.
Ling Zhuang continued, turning slightly. "But don’t worry, I don’t intend to make things difficult for you."
He twirled the scalpel in his fingers, its silver blade glinting under the light. "Since Fang Jing wants you as his spy, then be his spy. But remember, what he learns from you will depend entirely on me. In other words, everything he hears will be what I allow him to hear. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand!" Shen Yunqing stammered quickly. "Professor Ling, don’t worry! I’ll report exactly what you tell me!"
Shen Yunqing wasn’t an idiot. Otherwise, no matter how capable Fang Jing was, he wouldn’t have chosen someone so dense to be his spy.
Ling Zhuang nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Then remember this: don’t play tricks. And one more thing: in this lab, unless I bring it up, you must never reveal that you’re following my orders."
Shen Yunqing froze. "Why... why is that?"
Was there someone else watching besides him?
Ling Zhuang’s eyes curved behind his glasses as he turned the scalpel between his fingers. "Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t."
His voice was gentle, but the warning was unmistakable.
He checked the time and smiled softly.
Jiang Jiamian should have finished his team application by now. The lab was inspected, the spy dealt with. Perfect.
Time to go home and cook dinner.
What should he stew tonight?
Chicken? Fish?
Or perhaps... ’stew’ someone?
He chuckled quietly.
He used to think such emotions were ridiculous: attachment, desire, jealousy. But after tasting them once, he understood what it meant to be unable to let go.
"Brother, you mean... I’m really part of your team?"
Jiang Qing stared blankly at the identity badge marked Lone Team in her hand, unable to recover from her shock.
But she didn’t even have real power!
Sure, her water ability had been measured at seventy-five, but she didn’t even know how to use it properly!
If she joined her brother’s team like this, wouldn’t she just become dead weight?
"Don’t worry." Jiang Jiamian said with a smile. "How could I, your brother, let you fight without any real power? You already have energy within you, you just don’t know how to use it. Starting today, I’ll teach you every day."
"Every day?"
Just as the siblings were talking, the door creaked open.
Ling Zhuang stood in the doorway.
His gaze landed precisely on Jiang Jiamian, then shifted to Jiang Qing. His voice was calm, but the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.
Before Jiang Jiamian could respond, Jiang Qing, a woman with an excellent survival instinct, immediately took a step back and said with a nervous laugh, "Not every day! Brother just needs to teach me the basics! I can practice by myself! If I don’t understand, I’ll come ask him then!"
Jiang Jiamian: "..."
Damn it, Ling Zhuang, what did you do to my sister!?
Look at her, she is terrified!
Ling Zhuang blinked innocently under Jiang Jiamian’s accusing stare.
He didn’t do anything!
In truth, he was just as puzzled. Jiang Qing clearly had feelings for Jiang Jiamian before, so why was she suddenly keeping her distance?
He had underestimated a true fujoshi’s ability to adapt. To them, turning unrequited love into enthusiastic shipping was just another coping mechanism.
"Aha... hahaha..." Jiang Qing glanced nervously between the two men, their locked gazes crackling with unspoken tension.
She laughed awkwardly, edging toward the door. "You two go ahead and talk! I, uh, need to... kill that chicken you gave me, brother. It’s been squawking all day."
Ling Zhuang frowned. "What chicken?"
And squawking?
A live chicken?
He remembered sending her some fresh food yesterday, but not a live chicken.
Jiang Jiamian watched his sister bolt out the door like her life depended on it and rolled his eyes at Ling Zhuang.
"Professor Ling, you’re really skilled at being jealous!"