This Villain Ch.27

Chapter 27: Humans are always like this

The secret research institute of the Zhou family had relocated Zhou Xiangcheng from the external laboratory to a more secure facility since he was injured and in critical condition.

This place conducted covert experiments not meant for public knowledge, equipped with the most advanced instruments and the strictest security system, managed by Zhou Yuanyou, Zhou Sheqing’s uncle.

In such a highly confidential location, it was extremely difficult for outsiders to gain entry, except for a few authorized members of the Zhou family.

A man in uniform, having passed several biometric verifications, finally received a temporary pass and entered the research institute.

Unfamiliar with the facility and wary of making any mistakes, he went straight to Zhou Xiangcheng’s sickroom.

Connected to numerous tubes and instruments, Zhou Xiangcheng lay with his eyes closed, still unconscious.

He was currently only awake for less than an hour each day; the rest of the time he remained in a drug-induced slumber to alleviate the strain on his body.

When he finally woke, the uniformed man waiting outside the room received permission to enter and hurried in.

“The Kang family did not send Kang Shi as planned; they said they encountered some trouble.”

“Is it not going smoothly? That’s a pity.” The response came from an electronic voice emitted by the smart brain connected to Zhou Xiangcheng’s head.

After nearly three months of repair, Zhou Xiangcheng’s almost severed head had been reattached to his neck, but it was still in the recovery phase, requiring continuous treatment for complete healing.

His neck was still immobile, and he couldn’t speak directly, only able to communicate through the smart brain and simple exchanges with others.

Upon learning that Kang Shi, 012’s current researcher, had not been killed by the aggressive 012 in mating period, he also expressed disappointment with a “what a pity.”

At that time, he remarked, “It’s a pity that Kang Shi isn’t a woman; otherwise, research on 012’s reproduction would be much smoother.”

He then expressed his desire to make Kang Shi a subject of his experiments, and naturally, many people acted on his wish.

As had happened countless times before, Zhou Xiangcheng always got what he wanted.

The uniformed man wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I will urge the Kang family as soon as possible and ensure that I bring you good news next time.”

After the uniformed man left the secret research institute, Zhou Sheqing arrived.

Her uncle, Zhou Yuanyou, came to see her.

“You said you had a breakthrough with the virus suppression drug for Xiangcheng?”

“Yes.” Zhou Sheqing handed him the materials she had brought.

Zhou Yuanyou glanced through the documents for a moment and then smiled. “Very good. Although it’s not as effective as Xiangcheng’s, you’ve made some progress.”

“You can also participate in the drug research for Xiangcheng during this phase.”

Within a few days, Zhou Xiangcheng’s condition suddenly worsened. The medication was administered with such precision that even the slightest adjustment in dosage needed careful consideration. An unexpected increase in the dosage triggered a chain reaction.

Furious, Zhou Yuanyou had to disconnect Zhou Xiangcheng from the smart brain, allowing him to continue sleeping to alleviate the strain.

He then screened all members of the drug research team and eventually identified a problematic researcher.

When the researcher was taken away by guards, Zhou Sheqing, detached from the scene, watched coldly. As she was leaving, she passed by Zhou Xiangcheng’s sickroom and gave a slight smile.

Later that night, Zhou Sheqing returned to the Fifth District Evolution Research Institute.

“Xiangcheng’s condition worsened due to an unforeseen complication. He might not wake up for at least a month,” Zhou Sheqing stood beside Su He, her face relaxed and unusually cheerful. “Thanks to the research materials you gave me, I can now participate in his drug research and monitor his condition at any time.”

She could even achieve more.

“Our Xiao He is truly a genius, coming up with effective drugs in such a short time.” Zhou Sheqing proudly ruffled Su He’s hair.

“Oh, don’t mess up my hair. It’s oily and I haven’t had time to wash it,” Su He complained to her friend, but seeing her so happy, she also smiled. “That’s great. With this, we’ll have much more time.”

“Why push yourself so hard? Didn’t I tell you to rest well? Kang Shi won’t die so easily. You can take your time with the research,” Zhou Sheqing said, scrutinizing her friend’s expression with a frown.

“Kang Shi” was also present, coughing twice to get attention. However, aside from 012 in the isolation box glancing at him, no one paid him any mind.

“I’m not working on the antiviral drug for Senior. It’s another drug intended for 012…” Su He explained the drug’s purpose and shared their plans with Zhou Sheqing.

“I specifically asked you to come today to discuss how to send 012 away at the right time.”

Su He thought Zhou Sheqing would accept this plan, but her reaction was unexpectedly resistant.

“Why do we need to send 012 away?” Zhou Sheqing’s expression grew cold. She released Su He’s shoulder and fixed her gaze on her with clear disapproval.

“012 was born in the laboratory and has never been outside. How could he adapt to the outside world?”

Yu Yan replied, “Perhaps he’s stronger than you think. He’s not just a creature that can only live in an isolation box.”

“Even if we can reduce his viral infectivity, he still won’t be able to interact normally with people. I don’t think sending him away is a good idea,” Zhou Sheqing insisted.

Seeing the tense atmosphere between them, Su He’s relaxed smile faded. She grabbed Zhou Sheqing’s hand. “Sheqing, I thought you’d also prefer to see 012 leave his cage. Isn’t that right?”

“A cage? Perhaps, but it’s also a means of protecting him,” Zhou Sheqing asked coldly. “Xiao He, do you also agree with him and think I’m wrong?”

Su He was momentarily at a loss for words. But if Xiao Ye were in the same situation as 012, she would also prefer to send it far away from here.

Without waiting for her to find the right words, Zhou Sheqing released her hand. “I understand.”

She leaned against the table, calming down for a moment before looking at Yu Yan. “How do you plan to send him away, and where to?”

Yu Yan responded, “It’s just an idea for now. The specifics haven’t been decided yet.”

“Is it that you haven’t made a decision, or are you already preparing to guard against me?” Zhou Sheqing said with a cold smile.

Unable to reach a consensus, Zhou Sheqing left, radiating coldness.

Su He looked at Yu Yan with a complex expression. “I heard your conversation with Lu Qiufeng. Are you planning to use his method to get 012 out, avoiding Sheqing?”

“If Ms. Zhou Sheqing continues to resist in this manner, perhaps we will,” Yu Yan responded calmly, unaffected by Zhou Sheqing’s hostility.

In the following days, Zhou Sheqing visited several times, and under Su He’s persuasion, her attitude seemed to gradually soften.

Yu Yan administered the daily injections and inquired with Lu Qiufeng about the transport channels while also fabricating a data file to make 012’s “reasonable exhaustion” seem plausible.

After half a month, the most infectious virus on 012 had been significantly weakened. For the first time, 012 wore a respiratory isolation mask and stepped out of the isolation box.

Yu Yan coughed while clapping, Su He smiled and clapped as well, but Lu Qiufeng stood with his hands in his pockets, showing no visible joy or excitement, only tapping his toes on the ground.

012 approached Yu Yan, grabbing his arm with its gloved hand.

Yu Yan immediately said with a smile, “If you want to test it, you can just hold my hand. But don’t touch the other two; it’s still not safe for them.”

His straightforward attitude instantly dispelled any subtle hint of ambiguity.

Although 012 only stayed outside the isolation box for half a day, it was the longest time 012 had spent outside since birth.

Another half month passed, and Su He’s research made a significant breakthrough. Yu Yan no longer needed to wear a respiratory mask, and 012 could also remove the mask and breathe freely outside.

“Now, the virus 012 carries is mostly transmitted through blood and s*xual contact. But for now, it’s still best to be cautious: avoid exposing skin, wear gloves and masks, and don’t touch others carelessly,” Su He instructed Yu Yan meticulously.

Yu Yan asked, “012 is right here. Can’t you just tell him directly?”

Su He replied, “You tell him. I’m afraid he won’t listen if I say it.”

012 carried a cold, aloof demeanor that made it seem as if there were still a thick layer of glass between him and the others, even after he stepped out of the isolation box.

Yu Yan relayed the precautions to 012 and handed him the clothes prepared for him, most of which were his own, suitable for 012 to wear.

“This suit pants, you refused to wear back then, but now you have to,” Yu Yan joked, watching as 012 compliantly put on all the clothes.

Due to his wings, the upper garment was not a shirt but a tight-fitting vest that exposed his arms and shoulder blades, with the collar reaching his chin. He wore a loose, long coat over it.

“You’ll be free tonight, leaving the lab. Are you happy?” Yu Yan asked as he sat nearby. Though his body was still recovering, his face remained pale, but he smiled warmly.

012 put on the gloves Yu Yan had prepared and responded offhandedly, “Humans are always like this.”

So self-absorbed, without exception.

Yu Yan decided to use the channel Lu Qiufeng had suggested. They had business dealings with the underground city outside human habitation, where 012 could be hidden in a cargo container and transported outside.

As long as they left the perimeter barrier of the Fifth District, 012 could go anywhere in the vast wasteland and desolate areas inhabited by mutated creatures.

Having witnessed 012’s formidable strength, Yu Yan wasn’t worried about his ability to adapt to the outside world.

“Are you really not going to tell Sheqing about this? She said she would find a way to help 012 leave the last time she was here,” Su He, who had been troubled by keeping this from Zhou Sheqing, asked.

Yu Yan replied, “Sheqing’s attitude may still be changing, but for now, it’s better to proceed without involving her. We don’t need any complications.”

“Since you’ve agreed, there’s no problem. After 012 leaves, you can inform Ms. Zhou about this matter tomorrow morning,” Yu Yan reassured Su He.

Su He trusted Zhou Sheqing, but Yu Yan wasn’t as confident in Ms. Zhou.

With a month’s worth of fabricated records prepared, Yu Yan sent 012 out under the pretense of “death due to exhaustion”.

012 left the laboratory unexpectedly smoothly.

As the weather turned colder, Yu Yan put on a heavy coat and went to see him off personally.

While waiting for the contact to arrive, Yu Yan chatted with 012.

“Just remember not to spread the virus recklessly when you leave here.”

“I won’t do that to others.”

“Uh, that’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t like humans.”

“Alright, you don’t like humans.”

“I don’t like humans.”

“Actually, I’m not too fond of humans either.”

“I don’t like humans.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say?” Yu Yan glanced at the affection value on 012’s status screen, which had risen to 80.

Could it be that this guy is experiencing his first crush?

Yu Yan suggested, “If you meet someone you like and it feels right, you could try dating.”

012 asked, “What does it mean to like someone?”

Yu Yan was stumped. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I’m not entirely sure, but maybe it’s about not wanting to part with them?”

012 didn’t respond further, leaving Yu Yan uncertain if he had come to some realization.

A transport truck arrived and stopped in front of them. The driver, who had been contacted in advance, gestured towards them.

Yu Yan stood up and gave 012 a final pat on the air above his head. “Live well.”

The place he patted was the blood-red danger value that had settled at 75.

With no longer being tortured by Kang Shi and not turning into a massive, terrifying viral source, 012’s danger value was unlikely to increase further.

It was good, the monitoring task was considered complete.

The truck took 012 away, and Yu Yan slowly made his way back through the deserted streets, glancing back over his shoulder.

Could it really be this smooth?

The vehicle meant to take 012 out of the Fifth District stopped midway, then restarted and changed direction, heading towards the Central District.

The truck’s interior was silently filled with anesthetic gas.

012 remained indifferent, tugging at the gloves binding his hands and displaying a faint smile.

“I said, humans are always like this.”

He wanted him to leave for a place better suited for him.

She wanted him to stay by her side, treating him as a prized possession.

It was all just one-sided wishes.

They didn’t really care about what he wanted to do. But it was fine; he could now do what he truly desired.

<< _ >>