Chapter 122 We've waited too long for this moment

A private lounge deep within the laboratory offers a rare moment of tranquility.

Under the soft, warm light, Fu Jinxing, unusually, did not wear his signature white lab coat, but instead changed into a soft gray sweater, shedding some of the coldness of a researcher and gaining a more homely and gentle demeanor.

He carefully served Josh her favorite dishes.

"Xixi," Fu Jinxing put down his chopsticks, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible seriousness, "your medical report is out."

He paused, then continued, "Your cells... are indeed very different from other superhumans. They have very low activity and hardly react to the energy of the crystal core, like... complete insulation."

Josie's grip on the chopsticks tightened almost imperceptibly. "So, you just can't absorb the crystal core, is that right?"

Fu Jinxing shook his head and continued reassuringly, "But I discovered a very interesting phenomenon. When Xie Jue's cell sample is brought close to your cell culture dish, your cell activity... suddenly becomes extremely vigorous! That level of activity even surpasses Xie Jue's own cell peak at one point!"

Josie looked up abruptly, a glint of disbelief flashing in her eyes, which was then obscured by a deeper, more complex emotion.

The depleted cells... can activate her activity?

what does that mean?

This means that Xie Jue is just another power bank.

This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune; at least if Xie Jue continued to follow her, she wouldn't have to worry about her powers running out.

Seeing her head bowed in silence, Fu Jinxing assumed she was bored with the dry data or frustrated with her situation, and sighed inwardly.

He reached out and gently covered the back of her hand, which was resting on the table, the warm touch conveying comfort.

"Don't you find it boring to be stuck in this small space all day, facing these cold instruments and data?"

Josie immediately shook her head and returned his smile: "No, Brother Jinxing. In the apocalypse, how could I complain about being bored in such a safe, clean place where I don't have to worry about food and clothing? That would be too ungrateful."

She was just worried and anxious.

While other superhumans outside are desperately trying to improve their strength, she remains stagnant.

Fu Jinxing tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze firm yet gentle, carrying an undeniable promise: "Soon, Xixi. Soon... I will take you away from here. Wherever you want to go, your brother Jinxing will accompany you."

He never seems to have enough time, but if he just waits a little longer, he'll have a lifetime to spend with Xixi.

He glanced at the time on his watch, stood up apologetically, and said, "Xixi, Brother Jinxing is leaving now. You can ask the staff here for anything you need."

Josie smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm an adult now. I can solve any problems myself. If I really can't, I'll ask them for help."

Fu Jinxing nodded, ruffled Qiao Xi's hair, and then hurriedly left.

After watching Fu Jinxing leave, Qiao Xi closed the door.

I walked alone to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the thick, leaden-gray clouds pressing down low, the air filled with a suffocating oppression.

Extreme weather is coming.

She frowned slightly, a hint of worry rising in her heart.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Coming." Josie composed herself and went to open the door.

The figure outside the door made her pause slightly.

Xie Jue stood there, his figure as upright as a pine tree.

It had only been less than a month, but the boy in front of me seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

His once slightly thin shoulders have become broad and strong, his jawline has become more defined, replacing his previous roundness, and he has grown taller by more than a head.

Those eyes, which were as cold and fierce as ice when facing zombies and enemies on the battlefield, now carried a hint of barely perceptible unease.

Xie Jue was also unable to adapt to this suddenly mature body and more rugged face.

"Sister." Xie Jue's voice was also a bit lower, less youthful and more magnetic.

Josie keenly noticed the unease deep in his eyes, and her heart softened.

She gave him a familiar, warm smile, as if he were still the boy she needed to take care of: "Xiao Jue? Come in and sit down."

Seeing Josh's ever-present smile, Xie Jue's tense shoulders visibly relaxed, and the anxiety in his eyes was replaced by bright joy.

He entered the room, his brows now displaying a sharper edge and greater confidence. "Sister, I... am already a second-tier ability user!"

His eyes sparkled, as if filled with starlight, overflowing with pride at being recognized and excitement at finally being able to fulfill his promise. "From now on, I can protect you! You won't need your sister to shield you anymore!"

"Great!"

Josie was genuinely happy for him and subconsciously raised her hand to pat his head like she used to.

She only realized with embarrassment when she reached her hand halfway up that she had to stand on tiptoe to reach the top of the boy's head.

She naturally shifted her position, with a sense of relief and a touch of emotion, and patted his strong, broad shoulder forcefully, feeling the taut, powerful muscles beneath her skin.

Xie Jue felt the warmth of her hand and that familiar intimacy; his ears burned slightly, but his eyes shone even brighter.

“Sister,” he lowered his head slightly, looking into Josie’s eyes, his tone earnest, “Do you want to leave here? I have the ability now! Let me talk to Professor Fu, and I’ll take you away right away!”

He couldn't wait to fulfill his promise to protect her and take her away from this oppressive cage.

Looking into his eyes, Josie felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded. "Okay, I want to leave too. However," she changed the subject, her tone reassuring, "we might have to go with Professor Fu."

Xie Jue was taken aback. "Professor Fu... he's going to leave here with us?"

Josie smiled and nodded, "Yes, the outside world is getting more and more dangerous, and it's safer if there are more of us."

She knew that Fu Jinxing would definitely leave; his inherent pride would never allow him to become someone else's appendage or pawn.

If his experiment succeeds, he will be taken back to their safe zone and controlled by these people for the rest of his life.

************

The cold metal instruments gleamed with an eerie light, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant and a faint energy liquid.

Fu Jinxing stood in front of the control panel, where the screen displayed a dense stream of data and an exciting chart curve.

"Professor, the final analysis report is confirmed!"

The assistant's voice was filled with excitement, "Based on the complete data from the Xie Jue experimental specimen and the optimized catalyst formulation, the success rate of the new catalyst... has stabilized at over 70%! This is a breakthrough!"

Seventy percent!

This number weighed heavily on Fu Jinxing's mind.

The success rate was high enough that it was worth risking his life for it!

He had been waiting for this moment for far too long.