Chapter 234 The Truth

In the luxurious reception room, a man with silver-rimmed glasses announced new research progress to the clients before him.

"'Time Reversal Protein' is a nutrient extracted from youthful blood, which can promote your overall and systemic rejuvenation. By improving cell function and microenvironment, it activates cells. Connecting the young and old systems, it not only improves the function of multiple tissues and organs, but also gives you a new lease on life, making your skin, liver, and muscles look ten or even twenty years younger overnight."

"Is it really that amazing?" A woman with an awkward accent, speaking arrogantly with a Korean accent, said, "You're just trying to swindle our money. Based on your country's cosmetic surgery capabilities, you're far from meeting such standards."

With a beaming smile, the man in silver-rimmed glasses pulled back the curtain, and a young-looking female staff member emerged. But Kim Yoo-jong's mother, Choi Ye-sook, recognized her immediately: "It's you? You delivered Happy Gao to me at the embassy. How come you look so much younger?"

Choi Ye-sook has a hard time forgetting those who visited her and brought expensive gifts. Her position is sensitive; many people treat her with respect, but few truly care about her.

Only her aging face and the growing Kim Yoo-jong made her truly feel the passage of time.

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses spread his arms wide and said excitedly, "Ms. Cui, please trust our research and development capabilities. You should know that our slogan is: 'Reverse aging, return to a happy life!'"

An elderly tycoon standing next to Choi Ye-sook remarked, "Can organ function be reversed?"

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses said, "Of course, this is a world-class product that we developed; you can't find it anywhere else."

Choi Ye-sook stroked her cheek, feeling increasingly that she couldn't leave the house without heavy makeup over the past two years. But as a diplomat, light makeup was the most appropriate choice. Consequently, the diplomat gradually distanced herself from her, seeking out more "natural" beauties.

Another wealthy woman asked, "Where do you get the raw materials for your products?"

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses gave a strange smile and said mysteriously, "It's a trade secret, but please rest assured, it's absolutely all-natural, pollution-free, and not chemically synthesized."

The elderly tycoon, sitting in a wheelchair, said without any hesitation, "Give me an injection first! Who cares, I'll die if I don't try!"

The rich woman also shouted, "I want one too, but if you don't do it well, I'll sue you."

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses said, "Then I'll have someone arrange it for you right away. You pay and get the injection at the same time."

The name "Time Reversal Protein" delighted Cui Yishu, but its price left her speechless.

While she hesitated, the upper-class people who had been invited and were worried about aging began to pay money.

Besides money and ability, successful people also need strong physical control. Diet, fitness, and beauty treatments—a youthful body signifies a long-term comfortable and privileged lifestyle.

Choi Ye-sook noticed something was off about the smile on the man's face and pondered the meaning of his words, such as "all natural," and her heart began to pound with fear.

If that's really the case, if it's really possible, why doesn't she try it?

Choi Ye-sook wasn't as well-off as the wealthy men. She went to the man with the silver-rimmed glasses and, while signing the papers, whispered, "I don't want a stinky man. Find me a young woman, beautiful and energetic."

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses replied knowingly, "Of course, otherwise it would tarnish your beauty and health. But the price..."

Choi Ye-sook cursed in H language, then, thinking about how to ask the diplomat for money, forced a smile and said, "No problem."

The man with the silver-rimmed glasses said sincerely, "According to my boss's standards, a poor person's life is worth 20,000 yuan. We are a conscientious company, and we will give several thousand yuan more in compensation than others. The costs are what they are, and there are also research and development expenses and hazard fees."

Choi Ye-sook sneered and said in a strained tone, "Don't tell me that, I don't know anything. Here's the money, just get it done for me... Is it really that safe here?"

"Don't worry, not even a ghost could find you," said the man with the silver-rimmed glasses. "Let me show you around the lab; it's absolutely up to international standards."

Just a wall away from them, Jiang Han curled up naked, his lumbar intervertebral space exposed. A "doctor" said, "Find the L3-L4 intervertebral space and mark it."

His assistant marked the spots with a pen and applied the cold disinfectant. Jiang Han closed his eyes in humiliation, clenching his deformed teeth.

The "doctor" began the extraction procedure, and the puncture needle was inserted vertically into the marked point steadily and irresistibly.

The young skin felt a strong resistance. After breaking through, the boy let out a painful groan. The needle tip missed slightly, then suddenly pierced the taut, rubber-like area, and a drop of bone marrow fluid appeared at the end of the needle.

Bone marrow fluid dripped into the collector under pressure, and time passed by, accompanied by the cheerful laughter of wealthy customers.

The doctor's assistant whispered, "It's already exceeded the standard dosage."

The "doctor" continued the extraction with a dismissive tone: "The standards weren't set for me. Oh, poor child, you don't know how precious your youth is. Those rich people buy your youth and future vitality to prolong their own aging."

A sharp, bone-deep pain shot through my back, followed by a powerful electric shock sensation in my lower limbs, and then waves of excruciating pain traveled to my toes.

Jiang Han's whole body stiffened, his fingernails dug into his palms, and tears silently dripped from the corners of his tightly closed eyes.

"He's passed out? We can't let him die. Inject him with more hormones to increase cell and bone mutations and quickly grow bone marrow fluid for the next use."

"yes."

"Business is getting better and better, and he alone is far from enough." The "doctor" said, "Have the children with glasses quickly buy some new targets, preferably with parents who have signed a 'life-or-death contract' like him, so we won't have any worries. If the children with glasses can't do that, we'll just have to randomly select them from the children who come for physical examinations."

“Randomly selected physical fitness tests may not meet the standards; only those who have undergone screening are considered excellent. Please don’t worry, I will convey the message, Professor Xiong,” the assistant said.

"Hmm." Professor Xiong left the operating room with the bone marrow fluid, satisfied, and headed to the research lab to prepare the "time-reversal protein."

"Someone come and administer the injections." A voice with silver-rimmed glasses came from outside. The assistant, not bothering to clean up the mess, glanced at Jiang Han, who was still unconscious, and quickly went out to help inject the wealthy tycoons with "time-reversing protein."

Jiang Han, who had been in a coma, woke up and, despite the excruciating pain, climbed off the operating table.

"A life-or-death contract..." Jiang Han leaned against the wall, his knees buckling. He took two difficult steps, tears streaming down his ugly face. "Wasn't it to raise money for my sister's surgery? Didn't you say I could go home in six months?...Mom...Mom..."

Looking around the cold operating room, Jiang Han couldn't help but tremble. He realized he had nowhere to go.

The voices outside were warm and harmonious. Jiang Han saw the syringe next to the operating table where his bone marrow fluid had just been extracted. There was still dark red liquid inside. He gritted his teeth, grabbed it in his hand, pushed open the door, and rushed out.

Soon, the sounds of chasing could be heard outside, along with the startled screams of Choi Ye-sook.

......

......

Shen Zhenzhu slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with bloodthirsty rage.

Walls, sound, and water flow.

The woman with silver-rimmed glasses reassured Choi Ye-sook as she left, emphasizing that she would definitely find a young woman who met her standards for her use.

After Choi Ye-sook left, the person with the silver-rimmed glasses pressed a button next to the stopped assembly line, creating a narrow passage.

His research institute is hidden on an assembly line.

"That Korean is no good!" Shen Zhenzhu muttered under her breath.

Zhao Qiqi turned the van off the highway and asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Zhenzhu said, "I'll make a call to the factory."

“That area is already sealed off,” Zhao Qiqi said.

Shen Zhenzhu picked up her mobile phone and dialed the number. After saying a few words, Lu Ye's voice came from the other end: "I'll be over as soon as I'm done. Don't worry, we're still searching. We'll dig three feet into the ground to catch everyone."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "I'll be right there. Make sure you have the necessary manpower."

Lu Ye keenly sensed something and walked to a quiet spot, saying, "Have you found anything?"

Shen Zhenzhu said, "We found a bone marrow aspiration needle on Jiang Han's body, and there were traces of it being used. I suspect they have a hidden research lab in the factory area and selected Jiang Han as their experimental subject."

Lu Ye said, "Isn't it hormone therapy?"

Shen Zhenzhu said, "Injecting hormones is one aspect, but there's also a group of people extracting bone marrow fluid from the children."

Lu Ye was silent for a few seconds, then spat out the bubble gum in his mouth and said, "Damn it, I'll dig them out even if I have to dig three feet into the ground. If I can't dig them out, I'll write my name 'Lu' backwards."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "We're keeping such a close watch on them, they must be even more anxious than we are. Let's start with normal surveillance."

"Understood," Lu Ye said. "I'll go and distribute the manpower."

Shen Zhenzhu found a spot to pull over and got out of the car. Zhao Qiqi said, "I'll be back after I drop you off."

Lu Xiaobao, sitting in the passenger seat, pondered the experiment and said to Shen Zhenzhu with a serious expression, "Don't let any of them escape."

......

That night, at midnight.

Chen Zhenzhu squatted on the roof of a residential building opposite the factory area, holding up binoculars to check: "It's pitch black, no wonder they can't see anything."

"Hmm." Lu Ye squinted, listening silently to the sounds from afar.

Xiao Bai, who was taking a break in the back, whispered to Wu Zhongguo, "This is the first time we've seen criminals so infuriating."

Wu Zhongguo said, "They're utterly depraved. Tell me, how come they didn't find the needle hidden in Jiang Han?"

Xiao Bai said, "Maybe we don't treat him like a person anymore."

Wu Zhongguo remained silent.

Little White sprayed some cool water on his face and muttered, "I'd rather be glorious, but before I'm glorious, I'll bite them."

Wu Zhongguo patted some cool water on the back of his neck, then reached out and shook her hand: "Same."

Holding a walkie-talkie, Chen Zhenzhu gave orders to the logistics trucks in the factory area: "The drivers can go into the truck to rest now, and the security guards inside should come out."

Following her instructions, the driver who had been "urinating" by the truck circled the truck, carefully checked the fuel tank, slowly pulled up his trousers, and got into the driver's seat. He then put his legs up on the window and casually went to sleep.

The security guard at the logistics station came out of the security room, glanced at his watch, got on his bicycle, and began his routine patrol.

Everything was the same as usual.

All entrances and exits to the factory area were sealed off, and the police officers had left after completing their search.

The night was dark and windy, eerily quiet.

At 3:30 a.m., a kind man pushing a cart appeared outside the Happy High factory area. He would occasionally stop to pat his back and legs, and then continue pushing the cart forward.

"Attention." Shen Zhenzhu handed the binoculars to Lu Ye and picked up the walkie-talkie: "A suspect has appeared."

Zhao Qiqi squatted to one side and sneered, "Selling fruit at this hour? What a rip-off."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "Brother Aye, have your men follow them."

Lu Ye walked out quickly: "They can't escape."

The old fruit vendor, thinking he was getting away with it, wandered around the factory area three times. Only after the last round of security guards had gone back to their posts to sleep did he finally linger at the gate of Happy High School, abruptly stand up straight, tear off the seal, and take out his key.

A moment later, Professor Xiong and his assistants, who had been waiting in the factory area, emerged furtively from under the assembly line in Workshop 8, grumbling to the man with the silver-rimmed glasses, "We've been starving for two days, why are you taking so long to come?"

Turning to the old man's silver-rimmed glasses, he said angrily, "I barely managed to escape; it's good enough that I came back to save you."

"You're lucky you arrived just in time; everything's packed." Professor Xiong crawled out and said curtly, "If you hadn't come, I would have eaten you!"

In that instant, dawn broke.

Countless lights shone on them, and Shen Zhenzhu's oppressive voice came from above them:

"Now it's your turn to be eaten."

......

Production line No. 8 was completely moved, and the research institute hidden beneath the factory area came into view.

The interior is ultra-luxurious, and all products are imported, catering exclusively to wealthy and successful individuals.

"Sister Pearl, we found a batch of physical examination information for teenagers in Professor Xiong's private laboratory."

"Report! Illegal medical devices have been found here!"

“Sister Pearl, this is Jiang Han’s ‘growth record’.”

Shen Zhenzhu arrested Silver-rimmed Glasses, Professor Xiong, and their assistants, and entered the underground research institute, where they saw an operating table exactly the same as the one seen in the Heavenly Eye Retrospective.

Unlike the luxurious venues used to entertain the wealthy, the operating room was simple and spacious, with a pungent smell of disinfectant. A cabinet in the corner held a large number of puncture needles and scalpels, as well as a batch of veterinary hormones.

Jiang Han had his bone marrow fluid extracted here.

Chen Zhenzhu surveyed the area, passing through the busy searchers, and pushed open the door to the reception room, where she was greeted by the scent of expensive perfume. Elegant piano music played from the speakers next to the bar, and imported fruit was stored in the refrigerator.

Shen Zhenzhu went straight to the back of the bar, kicked open the locked cabinet, and took out the "Time Reversal Protein" registration list.

“Hey, these are the people who donated money after the incident at the Youth Palace.” Wu Zhongguo, wearing white gloves, rummaged through the list and frowned as he glanced at it, saying, “No wonder they donated so much; it turns out it was money they had no conscience to donate.”

“What good stuff could this underground research institute possibly offer? They’re just pretending not to know,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “Look, even the H country diplomat, Cui Yishu, who took pity on us and let us go, is among them.”

Wu Zhongguo said incredulously, "How did she find that Korean?"

Shen Zhenzhu said, "Flies can find the toilet by smell. If you entice them a little, they'll come one after another."

Wu Zhongguo sneered, "These heartless rich bastards have been on edge these past few days. It's good to arrest them all."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "These people use the 'success' of human experiments on teenagers to plunder excellent growth factors to delay aging. Even if they say they don't know, I don't believe that once they have actual therapeutic effects, even if they know the source, they can still refuse."

Wu Zhongguo stretched his shoulders, preparing for the upcoming arrest: "Refuse? Heh, where is their humanity?"

Before dawn, Shen Zhenzhu led her team to arrest twelve people from the underground research institute in one go. After obtaining sufficient evidence, they returned to the Criminal Investigation Brigade in a grand manner.

From initial excitement about the arrest to anger upon learning the situation, all those involved ruthlessly pushed and shoved them.

“Jiang Han’s extraction records and ‘growth’ records are all here, as is the ‘life-or-death contract’ his mother signed.” Xiao Bai organized the materials she found and spread them out on the table: “Sister Pearl, please take a look.”

Shen Zhenzhu saw that the people she had met that day were all on the list, and there was also a group of other people.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Shen Zhenzhu drank half a bowl of soy milk, contacted Director Chen, and learned that the children were doing well, which put her mind at ease.

"If it had been discovered any later, it's hard to imagine what the consequences would have been." Xiao Bai, carrying a notebook and a strong cup of tea, followed closely behind Shen Zhenzhu into the interrogation room.

Shen Zhenzhu stood outside Professor Xiong's interrogation room for a while, while Lu Ye was inside in charge.

Professor Xiong shamelessly clamored that "they sacrificed themselves for science."

Lu Ye slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Professor Xiong's nose, saying, "Can't you speak properly? Do you want me to teach you?!"

Shen Zhenzhu silently looked away and walked to the interrogation room next door.

In the interrogation room next door, the man with the silver-rimmed glasses, who had been so eloquent, remained completely silent. He'd probably be under considerable strain.

In the third interrogation room, Xie Yuyin sat cautiously. She was still telling the female officer, "I didn't expect them to treat my son so cruelly. I didn't dare to look at his body. Actually, what I said before was just an angry outburst. How could I not love him?"

"Sister Pearl, your classmates are here." Xiao Bai gently tugged at Shen Zhenzhu's clothes. Shen Zhenzhu turned around and saw two male classmates from the metallurgical school.

Shen Zhenzhu smiled at them and said, "I heard there's something to report?"

Two male students skipped class and ran over, wearing basketball shoes just like Jiang Han's. They came from the metallurgical school, covered in sweat, looking at each other and glancing at the clock on the wall every now and then.

The tall, crew-cut boy was someone Shen Zhenzhu had seen before; she had seen his award-winning photos on the bulletin board. He had good athletic achievements.

He quickly replied, "Haven't you found Jiang Han yet? We've been thinking about it for two days and figured he should go somewhere to work."

Shen Zhenzhu pushed open the door to the inner interrogation room, opened the soundproof window, and said to them, "Please don't mind, we arrested a lot of people yesterday, and the room is full."

The short but wiry boy walked nervously into the interrogation room, swallowed hard, and said, "It's fine if you don't interrogate us."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "No, I have my own plans. Please tell me what you know."

The tall boy said, "My name is Mosquito, and I'm the second oldest on the basketball team. This guy is the third oldest. Jiang Han is our oldest."

Xiao Bai poured them some water from outside: "Have some water, and talk slowly."

The mosquito gulped down the water, licked its lips, and said, "I remember before he disappeared, he proudly told us that his silly sister was a genius!"

Dunzi also said, "Yes, he is very proud, saying that his sister will be the pride of their family in the future."

Mosquito said, "He's not a talkative person, but it's rare to see him so happy. I remember him saying that his sister is a genius, and that his mother can finally rely on him, and that he's talked to the factory so he can earn money for medical expenses!"

Dunzi said, "You have no idea how happy he was at that time. Really, we went to school together and played ball together since we were little. He had never been happier than this."

Mosquito chimed in, adding, "We all know his mother doesn't like him. But that time Jiang Han cried in front of us, saying that he could finally help his mother share the burden. He's not afraid of any hardship or fatigue; he's willing to do anything to cure his sister."

Xiao Bai sighed; the outcome was already laid out before him.

Shen Zhenzhu asked, "What else did he say before he left?"

Mosquito said, "He said his biggest dream is to buy a ticket to the World Championships basketball tournament. If he earns enough money to treat his sister and there's any left over, he'll buy his mother a new outfit and a perm. If there's still any left, he'll buy a ticket to see a basketball star dunk in person!"

Dunzi said, "I admire him for that. I've never thought about dropping out of school to work; I always feel like I'm still too young. But he was willing to do it for his mother and sister. Otherwise, how could he be our eldest brother?"

The mosquito said, "Please believe us. He told us himself that he wasn't going to amount to much in his life, and his mother thought so too. But being able to rely on and trust his mother was the greatest happiness of his life. He didn't need anything in return from his family; just a smile from his mother was enough to make him happy."

Uncontrollable sobbing could be heard from next door.

Shen Zhenzhu said softly, "Does he really believe that my sister's illness can be cured?"

The mosquito said, "That's what his mother thinks, anyway... I think it's difficult."

Dunzi quickly said, "I also think it's difficult. We've all seen him. Anyway, we think he's working in some factory."

"You've reminded me, I'll check it out later." Chen Zhenzhu had finished asking her questions, stood up, and patted them on the shoulder: "Thank you for coming all this way."

Mosquito sidled up to Chen Zhenzhu, glanced at her watch, and said awkwardly, "We skipped class to come here; we can still run back in time."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "I'll have someone drive you in a police car, and I'll also explain the situation to your homeroom teacher so he won't criticize you."

Dunzi was overjoyed: "Really? Our homeroom teacher hates us. He always says we're all brawn and no brains, dragging the class down. He doesn't want us to talk about Jiang Han, but we can't hold back. Even if we have a clue, we might be able to find him. What if we do? Don't you think?"

“You’re absolutely right,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “You and Jiang Han are both good kids, and the clues you’ve provided are very important.”

The mosquito couldn't help but grin and ask, "When will Jiang Han be back?"

As soon as the question was asked, a loud wail suddenly came from next door. Mosquito glanced over curiously, but unfortunately, it was blocked by Chen Zhenzhu.

“Jiang Han will be very happy to know that you care about him so much.” Xiao Bai put his arm around their shoulders and said, “Come on, I’ll arrange a car to take you. If the homeroom teacher criticizes you, tell me and I’ll help you scold him back.”

Dunzi was interrupted: "Really?!"

The mosquito hesitated, turning back repeatedly. Even after leaving the house, it wanted to look next door, but the door was locked, so it couldn't find out what was wrong with the woman crying sadly.

As they reached the corner, Dunzi bowed deeply: "Please. Let the eldest brother come back, I miss him."

The mosquito stopped and bowed deeply, saying, "Please."

-----------------------

Author's note: See you tomorrow, there's a red envelope coming! [Let me see]