Chapter 32: Not here, but everywhere
Yu Yan’s laboratory was fully reorganized during his vacation. He rearranged the feeding area and assigned it to the new experimental subjects.
He also selected a batch of new experimental subjects, all of whom were at a low level or severely injured and about to be eliminated, following the same procedures as before.
Mid-level and low-level experimental subjects only had animal forms. Yu Yan took on the role of both caretaker and part-time veterinarian, checking, feeding, and treating them daily.
Assistant researchers Xiao Ai and Xiao Pan also came to help, but they had reverted to their initial nervousness, focusing on their work without daring to speak much or ask questions.
Their most familiar colleague, Xiao Gao, had been dismissed from the research institute for “violating experimental regulations and stealing experimental data.” He had become a fugitive from the inspection team, and his whereabouts were unknown.
To investigate the matter involving Gao Nianze, they had also been questioned by the inspection team.
In the months prior, they had rarely entered the laboratory and were unaware of what had happened. They only knew that upon their return, experimental subject 012 had been destroyed, and Xiao Gao’s misconduct was likely related to 012.
So, they didn’t dare mention 012.
Without a high-level experimental subject, the laboratory seemed much like it had before.
The feeding area, which resembled a rainforest tank, was divided into smaller sections, becoming the new homes for many experimental subjects.
Every time Yu Yan took a break from work and turned his chair to look over there, he no longer saw the lonely, thin figure sitting under a tree in the mist, but rather the noisy little animals adjusting to their new homes.
The traces left by 012 were easily swept away. Only the mutated yellow-bellied bees and the iridescent glowing butterflies from his original feeding area were moved to another tank.
The tank for the iridescent glowing butterflies was placed by Yu Yan at the edge of the workbench. Inside were miniature scenic plants and water flows. The small butterflies seemed very comfortable in their new home, which required little feeding.
“Your home has become smaller, but his home is definitely bigger now,” Yu Yan said, pointing at the glass.
The butterflies adjusted to their new home as comfortably as ever. Yu Yan hoped that 012 was doing the same.
Occasionally, Yu Yan would tease them through the glass.
Unfortunately, they didn’t show the same fondness for his hand as they did for chasing 012. They would only flutter over to sip nectar if he placed a stick coated with venom inside.
Su He visited from time to time. She was still researching the troublesome tree-shaped T-virus in Yu Yan’s body, a virus that weakened the immune system and caused various issues.
A significant portion of Yu Yan’s weakness was due to this virus.
While Su He continued her virus research, Yu Yan officially began his research on experimental subjects.
His research focused on improving the physical quality of the experimental subjects and developing their mutation abilities, which had some connection to Su He’s research.
During casual conversations, Yu Yan joked, “Virus research isn’t my strong suit, but I can help you solve the problem with Xiao Ye and help it recover and become stronger.”
Su He’s companion, the silver wolf Xiao Ye, was stuck at an upgrade bottleneck, and the situation had been fluctuating recently, which wasn’t very promising.
In the original storyline, after being stimulated, Xiao Ye broke through the level barrier to protect its master from the escaping 012, but it left behind quite a few sequelae due to the rush.
Now, however, Xiao Ye was being well cared for and loved by its master without any threats, and its upgrade progress had stalled.
Since the original owner’s research was mostly related to the mutation direction of experimental subjects, and Yu Yan, being a doctor with a broad range of knowledge, combined their studies, Yu Yan now had some confidence in helping Xiao Ye upgrade.
After being helped by the protagonist little sister for so long, he felt he should at least return the favor.
As for the other “fox friend” who had helped him, Lu Qiufeng, he finally appeared at the research institute a few days after Yu Yan resumed work.
This time, researcher Lu, who usually liked to smile insincerely, appeared with a gloomy expression, his brows furrowed as if he was facing some trouble.
“If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know. After all, we’re good friends,” Yu Yan generously offered as they went to lunch together.
Lu Qiufeng, looking disgruntled, asked, “Are we that close?”
Yu Yan smiled, “We’ve shared the same room for so long, don’t say such emotionally distant things.”
Two junior researchers who passed by their table suddenly stopped their conversation, stared at them for a while, and continued to glance back even after they had walked far away, whispering among themselves.
Lu Qiufeng displayed an expression of “hom*phobia,” similar to his reaction every time Yu Yan talked to 012 in the isolation box.
Despite his discomfort, Lu Qiufeng told Yu Yan, “I need to go to your lab later. I have something to tell you.”
What Lu Qiufeng wanted to discuss was related to 012.
“I’ve had some personal matters recently and haven’t kept up with 012, but a few days ago, when I tried to contact the people from the outer city, I found that they were unreachable. They didn’t even want the remaining payment, which isn’t like them.”
“I now have a few guesses: first, they might have had an accident during transport and died; second, they discovered 012’s high-level experimental subject status and intended to blackmail us by selling him for a higher price; third, news might have leaked, and they took our money while delivering 012 to another buyer.”
People from the outer city only care about money and have no integrity. Lu Qiufeng felt the latter two possibilities were more likely.
“This situation is due to my poor arrangement. Now that they’re untraceable and 012 is missing, what do you think we should do?”
Yu Yan replied, “I was aware of the risks when I asked you to arrange this. You didn’t take any intermediary fees, so it’s not your fault.”
“Since 012 has already left the lab, what happens next is no longer our concern. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Hearing his callous response, Lu Qiufeng was stunned. “What did you say?”
“You’re not going to care about him? He might be in danger right now, and you’re not worried?”
Yu Yan said, “I’m not worried.”
Aside from other aspects, after a few days of catching up on basic life knowledge, he should be able to manage living alone.
Lu Qiufeng suddenly stood up angrily. “I thought you cared about him differently, but you’re just a heartless bastard.”
“Is your affection for him so cheap and fleeting? Yes, mutants aren’t human, and I don’t like mutants either, but how are you any different from those men who deceive others’ feelings?!”
Yu Yan was left speechless.
His image had been deteriorating, and 012 had to take a significant share of the blame for it.
“Did you misunderstand the relationship between 012 and me? Although we had some close contact due to certain accidents, there was actually no significant responsibility between us.” Yu Yan thought to himself that his scumbag image was becoming entrenched.
He instinctively grabbed some disinfectant and sprayed it in front of him.
Lu Qiufeng was so agitated that the saliva flying around made Yu Yan want to disinfect the area.
Lu Qiufeng’s expression was unpleasant, and just as Yu Yan thought he was about to start another round of angry outbursts, Lu Qiufeng sneered, “I’m not blind. It’s obvious that you both have feelings for each other.”
Yu Yan was puzzled.
He opened a drawer, pulled out a small flashlight, put on gloves, and said solemnly, “Come over here. Let me check your eyes. Maybe you have astigmatism or blurred vision? You haven’t been seeing illusions, have you?”
Lu Qiufeng tilted his head, “If you don’t want to admit it, fine. Anyway, your matters are none of my concern. If you don’t want to take care of 012, I won’t either.”
With that, he stormed out.
Yu Yan called after him, “Oh, and Lu Qiufeng, if Su He asks about 012, just say he was smoothly sent to the outer city. Don’t mention anything else.”
Lu Qiufeng looked back and gave him a cold sneer.
It seemed like they parted on bad terms, but the next noon, Yu Yan went to find him for lunch, and Lu Qiufeng didn’t refuse. He only spoke with a sarcastic and cold tone.
When Su He came over to greet them, she saw Lu Qiufeng angrily leaving Yu Yan’s lab and later saw them having lunch together. She was somewhat puzzled by the nature of men’s friendships.
“Lu Qiufeng’s temper is quite strange. He often seems to argue with you unilaterally, as if he’s ready to cut off all contact. Yet, when you go to find him next time, he’ll still respond to you,” Su He remarked with curiosity.
Yu Yan pondered for a moment before answering, “Have you ever considered that he might be willing to engage with me because no one else wants to be friends with him?”
Su He: “…”
Alright, given his harsh words, Lu Qiufeng’s reputation in the research institute wasn’t much better than Yu Yan’s.
He usually had a half-smiling, half-sneering expression, but whenever something displeased him, Lu Qiufeng’s aggressiveness would become quite strong.
A couple of days later, during lunch, Lu Qiufeng told Yu Yan, “I inquired about the major markets in the underground city, but there’s no trace of 012.”
Seeing Yu Yan’s expression, Lu Qiufeng felt that his remarks were met with skepticism, so he emphasized, “I was actually trying to find other information and just happened to check on this.”
Yu Yan suddenly opened his terminal, and Lu Qiufeng’s sarcastic words from a few days earlier echoed: “Anyway, your matters are none of my concern… I won’t take care of them either.”
“Seriously, are you crazy? Why would you record something like this?!” Lu Qiufeng hastily finished his meal, rolling his eyes as he left.
Yu Yan couldn’t help but laugh. As he raised his hand, he accidentally activated the voice library on the terminal, and a voice said, “Third Brother.”
“Third Brother, would you be happy if I called you that?”
“It’s better than just calling me by my name. Do you know how young you are? I’m not taking advantage of you by letting you call me ‘Third Brother’.”
“I can call you that every day if you come with me.”
“Well, in that case, forget it. If I call you ‘Big Brother,’ can you leave tomorrow?”
“I’m reluctant to.”
“…”
“I’m reluctant to part with you.”
Yu Yan silently turned off the terminal and also canceled the automatic recording settings.
…
Lu Qiufeng got busy and stopped bringing up 012, so no one else mentioned it either. Over time, the once fiercely debated little bird-bat seemed to have never existed.
Yu Yan’s research got back on track, and Su He finally agreed to share the status of Xiao Ye with him, inviting him to participate in the research and help Xiao Ye complete its transformation.
Knowing the original plot, Yu Yan confidently told Su He that Xiao Ye was in the process of evolving into a high-level mutant.
The transformation from mid-level to high-level was unprecedented, and if successful, it would undoubtedly have a huge impact.
Both were very busy, with Yu Yan working especially hard, as his illness had not yet fully recovered and he was still taking medication and receiving injections daily.
But he was good at relaxing. While everyone was equally busy, he appeared to be more relaxed compared to others.
When the changes in the silver wolf Xiao Ye, who was placed in a secret laboratory, began to stabilize, Yu Yan’s illness was also nearly cured thanks to Su He’s efforts.
In her words, Yu Yan had developed antibodies against the mixed virus present in 012. Most viruses on the market no longer posed a threat to his health.
“If you ever encounter 012 again, you won’t have any issues even if you go up and kiss him. I mean, that kind of kiss,” Su He said.
As they became more familiar, Su He’s words became increasingly unrestrained.
Yu Yan, who hadn’t heard 012’s name from anyone else for several months, paused for a moment before smiling and replying, “Well, I should complain to him. He really made me suffer!”
……
“012, you damned child, you’ve made me suffer so much.”
In the early morning, Yu Yan woke up from a sticky dream and felt the dampness in his hair.
The warmth was moving through his body, penetrating every inch of skin, with no gaps to escape through.
The velvet blanket on the bed was soft and smooth, and brushing against his skin reminded him of the feel of certain wings.
He lifted his arm over his eyes, and an illusionary scent seemed to linger on his fingers, even though they were dry; psychologically, he felt they were still damp.
Yu Yan had a new annoyance, or rather, a new experience.
As an asexual person, he rarely felt such desires, but recently, with his health improving and various functions recovering, such situations had become more frequent.
The only experience came from 012, a body switch flipped by the other party, caused him some indescribable trouble with a delay after a few months.
