Chapter 47: Ah, I feel like I’ve consumed too much sugar
In the original storyline, the supervirus-infected mutant 012, which nearly caused an extinction event due to carrying too many types of viruses, had been experiencing worsening health.
Before being eliminated by the protagonist, his condition was already precarious.
However, it was also an incredibly tenacious life form. The various t*rtures in the laboratory did not kill him, the viruses did not kill him, and the special hunting team sent from the human residential area also failed to kill him.
Perhaps it was because, in this world, he had nothing to lose except his own life.
So, he clung to life and fought to survive.
But in this world line, Yu Yan replaced Kang Shi, did not inject more chaotic viruses into 012, did not mistreat him, but instead treated him and sent him away.
Now, 012 has not become a terrifying virus source.
In theory, his body should no longer deteriorate now, but recently, he fell into an inexplicable sleep and became weak.
Yu Yan conducted several examinations and initially determined that it was not due to the residual viruses in his body, and his weakness was not the weakness of death but rather a sign of evolution.
Just like the silver wolf Xiao Ye, who followed the protagonist Su He and protected her.
In the original storyline, after Xiao Ye evolved into a high-level mutated entity, it followed Su He into exile, protected her, and also experienced inexplicable weakness and sleep.
Later, due to Su He’s care and various medical treatments, Xiao Ye successfully recovered and evolved into a high-level mutant.
Such upgrades are reserved for the protagonist’s close companions.
The evolution of such mutated creatures is extremely rare. In the original storyline, Xiao Ye’s evolution might have been stimulated by Su He’s care and the deep bond between them, which sparked its desire to protect its master.
In simple terms, it was due to love and being loved.
So, after realizing this, Yu Yan reflected on it and thought that the little bird bat might have been too happy in recent times.
As a little bird bat, it had chosen a mate, and after receiving a response, it eagerly wanted to provide a good environment and care for his mate and show his strength. All these factors drove his evolution.
Upon guessing the cause of his “illness,” Yu Yan was both amused and exasperated.
He tried to prepare a medication, but it did little to help 012, so he thought of consulting Su He.
He was unsure of what medication Su He had used to help Xiao Ye successfully evolve in the original storyline, so Yu Yan decided to ask her to come and take a look.
Coincidentally, the plot had reached a point where Su He would be leaving the Central District.
Yu Yan decided to return to the Fifth District specifically to bring Su He over.
However, the little bird bat did not share this perspective; he feared being abandoned by his mate.
Yu Yan tried to reason with it, but the bat sorrowfully licked Yu Yan’s face in response.
Yu Yan wiped his face and thought: Forget it, Yao’er must be sick and his brain is probably mush.
Lu Qiufeng also knew about Yu Yan’s plan to return to the Fifth District, having stayed there for a while as well. He was preparing to leave with Yu Yan.
…
The next day, golden light poured into the crack above the Golden Light District. Lu Qiufeng waited impatiently in the car for what felt like an eternity before Yu Yan finally emerged.
“Why do you take so long just to go out? Are you putting on makeup or something?” Lu Qiufeng complained, staring in disbelief as Yu Yan walked over, carrying a large object.
The “large object” was clinging tightly to Yu Yan’s neck and head, its eyelids drooping as if it might fall asleep at any moment.
“Are you serious? You’re bringing him along? Can’t you be apart for a day?!” Lu Qiufeng was exasperated, rolling his eyes as he got out of the car to sit in the passenger seat, avoiding sitting with them.
Unlike the bearded boss, Lu Qiufeng seemed to take on the role of a disapproving relative, finding many faults with 012.
“What’s with this huge thing clinging to you and making you carry it?”
Yu Yan settled into the back seat, pulling down 012’s wing that was covering his face and said with a smile, “He’s actually quite light. Don’t believe me? Want to try holding him?”
Lu Qiufeng looked back at the seat and saw 012 struggling to keep its eyes open, its silvery-gray gaze as cold as ice floating in the Arctic Ocean.
Lu Qiufeng thought to himself that these mutated creatures were all experts at putting on an act. One moment they looked weak and pitiful, and the next they had murderous glares.
“No thanks, I’d rather not get involved,” Lu Qiufeng replied with a forced smile.
Before leaving, Yu Yan asked Xiao Gao to look after the few children in the courtyard.
Xiao Gao, unable to speak, simply nodded repeatedly.
As the car drove out of Golden Light District, Lu Qiufeng couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really okay leaving Xiao Gao in charge? Aren’t you concerned about his past actions against you?”
“That’s exactly why he’s useful,” Yu Yan said casually. “Causing me trouble means he’ll spend the rest of his life making up for it.”
He said it in a joking tone, but Lu Qiufeng couldn’t help but feel a shiver.
“Alright, Yao’er, stop licking me. I’m carrying you with me; we’re not separating.”
“Yao’er, be quiet. Lie down and close your eyes.”
Lu Qiufeng thought to himself: That earlier shiver must have been a mistake. After Kang Shi’s change in personality, he’s turned into a soft-hearted, love-struck fool. Whether it’s being captivated by a mutant or spending money to help homeless children in the Underground City, it’s all the same.
As they neared the barrier wall, Lu Qiufeng said, “If he gets stopped and can’t get in, I won’t help you.”
Yu Yan replied, “It’s fine.”
Due to the issue with the evolution liquid, the Central District was on the brink of collapse, with widespread panic. Many people had fled to the surrounding districts, and a significant number had taken refuge in the underground city. As a result, the checks at the barrier wall were more lenient than ever.
Besides, having spent so much time in the Underground City, Yu Yan still had connections to get into the human residential area.
As expected, there were no problems during the barrier wall inspection, and they successfully entered Fifth District.
“I’m heading off first,” Lu Qiufeng said, eager to escape the sticky situation of the two men. He quickly made his way back.
Yu Yan instructed the driver to take the car to a specific address.
When Yu Yan was still in contact with Su He, he had given her an address and told her that if she ever had nowhere else to go, she could take refuge there.
Yesterday, the security system at that location was triggered, showing that someone had entered using the password, which meant Su He had arrived.
No wonder she’s the protagonist; she has a good survival instinct.
If she had been trapped in the Central District and unable to get out, Yu Yan had considered various methods to get her out. Now, many of those concerns were resolved.
Yu Yan was a laid-back person who preferred to lead an easy life and do simple tasks.
Picking up someone this time should be quite easy.
The car arrived at an old district far from the research institute and Kang Shi’s residence. The area was filled with old seven-story buildings, some of which were even older than Yu Yan himself.
The densely packed old buildings were tightly clustered together, and the narrow passageways made it difficult for cars to navigate.
If Xiao Gao were here, he would be very familiar with this place, as this was his home.
After Xiao Gao disappeared, Yu Yan had visited his home and bought that small house.
People in the know thought Yu Yan bought the house out of anger, intending to wait there to catch Xiao Gao.
Even if Zhou Sheqing had guessed that Su He might come seeking help, she wouldn’t have expected that Yu Yan would have arranged for her to stay in Xiao Gao’s old home.
Xiao Gao’s home was on the third floor. As Yu Yan got out of the car, he decided to carry the unconscious 012 on his shoulder and take him upstairs.
Otherwise, if 012 woke up and didn’t see him, he might try to fly to the third-floor window and scrape the glass to find him. His mind wasn’t very clear right now.
When the doorbell rang, Su He was inside, fretting over the medicine cabinet.
After escaping the Zhou family research institute in Central District, she and Xiao Ye had nowhere to go. Fortunately, thanks to Senior Kang’s message, they had a place where they could temporarily rest without being disturbed.
The place was stocked with food, water, and a medicine cabinet, but it only contained some basic medications.
Xiao Ye, who had been injured while helping her escape the Zhou family’s capture, was in worsening condition, and she needed more medications, preferably in a lab where she could produce them.
The sudden doorbell startled her.
Su He glanced at the silver wolf lying on the bed, covered in wounds and unconscious, then took off her shoes, padded over to the door in her socks, and grabbed a suitable weapon.
“Junior sister, it’s me, I’m coming in,” Yu Yan announced as he opened the door, noticing Su He trying to sneak around with her shoes and weapon.
“Ah, it’s Senior Kang,” Su He said with an awkward cough, putting down the shoes and the hammer she had grabbed.
“Long time no see, junior sister,” Yu Yan said, carrying 012 into the room.
Yu Yan carrying 012 was such a striking sight that Su He, overwhelmed with confusion, blurted out, “Senior, did you bring 012 back from Underground City?!”
Yu Yan replied with a straight face, “No, I just brought him out for a bit of fresh air.”
Su He was speechless.
“Hahaha, we’re a bit pressed for time, so let’s discuss this later,” Yu Yan said, noticing the silver wolf and feeling more confident about his offer.
He continued, “The residential area might be quite chaotic soon. Why don’t you stay in the underground city for a while? I’ve set up a lab there that I think you might need.”
With no other options, Su He quickly agreed after a moment of consideration.
“But I’m bringing Xiao Ye with me. Will we be able to get through the barrier wall check smoothly?” Su He asked, skeptical.
“Of course,” Yu Yan said with a smile.
…
As Yu Yan had promised, the process of passing through the barrier wall went smoothly.
Compared to their last journey to the underground city, the number of people traveling this time was much higher.
“Are all these people heading to the underground city? How come there are so many?” Su He asked, astonished, looking out of the car window.
“There will be even more soon,” Yu Yan replied.
Su He leaned against the car window, feeling somewhat dejected. “I wish I had never released the evolution liquid.”
“Some things are inevitable. Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing. Don’t be too discouraged, junior sister,” Yu Yan said, trying to comfort her.
Upon hearing Yu Yan’s words, Su He straightened up and turned to him, staring intently:
“Senior Kang, the research materials Zhou Sheqing initially received—I’ve always felt they seemed familiar. When you helped me with Xiao Ye’s treatment, I saw your summary report, and some of the ideas were similar.”
“So, was it you?”
Yu Yan displayed genuine confusion. “What research materials?”
“Junior sister, no matter what you’re suspecting, you’re mistaken. You know me—I’m just a lazy, useless senior.”
Su He couldn’t detect any dishonesty and sighed in resignation, sitting down and withdrawing into herself.
Yu Yan lazily ruffled 012’s feathers, adopting a relaxed and indifferent posture.
A few months ago, when he sent that research material to Zhou Sheqing, the system had issued a warning:
[Mr. Yu Yan, System 06 reminds you that this action may cause turmoil in this world!]
At that time, Yu Yan had replied, “I remember my agreement only requires me to monitor the villain. Haven’t I been doing well?”
Indeed, under his guidance, the threat level of the villain 012 had remained below the safety line.
However, the system’s detection showed that Yu Yan’s danger level was even higher than that of the current villain.
Yu Yan even joked, “The agreement only says to monitor the villain, it doesn’t say I can’t be one myself, right?”
[…………]
Before the system could go awry, Yu Yan suddenly grinned again, adding, “Just kidding.”
“I only did a small bit of research and sent out some preliminary materials. I haven’t harmed anyone. If anything regrettable happens in the future, it’s not my doing.”
The system had no way to refute Yu Yan’s claim. Because he hadn’t directly caused the events to unfold, the system couldn’t determine that he had violated any rules.
Initially, the system found this collaborator easygoing and accommodating, but now, after suspecting deception, the system had been withdrawn for some time.
Just like the protagonist little sister now.
The head resting on Yu Yan’s shoulder stirred, and he looked down.
“Awake? We’re on our way back to the underground city. I said it would be a quick trip. Can’t just lie around at home; you had to cling to me.”
012 didn’t mind. As long as he could feel his partner nearby upon waking and knew he hadn’t been abandoned, he was happy.
He clung to Yu Yan, resting his head against his chest and gently rubbing.
Su He, watching from the side, looked at 012 again and said with sudden envy, “Senior, you’ve really taken good care of 012. It seems like he’s even put on some weight.”
Looking at her own injured silver wolf, she felt a pang of sadness. “I haven’t taken good care of Xiao Ye. It’s been a week since I last bathed him and combed his hair.”
Yu Yan responded, “Uh…”
Su He looked at the senior and 012, who were both suddenly staring at her, unsure of their meaning.
Yu Yan said, “Now that you said it, he’ll probably ask me when we get back, ‘Why didn’t you give me a bath and comb my hair?’”
Su He didn’t believe it. “Senior, you’re joking again.”
In Su He’s memory, 012 was still the distant, aloof experimental subject from the lab, who often went days without saying a word.
012 always observed from a distance, like a wild animal watching the world.
There’s no way he’d say something like that.
Yu Yan replied, “Junior sister, your suspicion is even more chilling than the one before.”
He suddenly pinched 012’s cheek and asked, “Do you know what this is?”
Su He replied, “The flesh on his cheek?”
Yu Yan said, “It’s called ‘happiness fat.’”
