Chapter 183 Back to the Laboratory

laboratory.

"They were laying off staff before the Lunar New Year, but the situation changed after the Lunar New Year, and the base is now giving strong support to the research team."

"I heard that a new research team is coming today."

"I've heard about it too, but I don't know where it came from."

"I heard that the base brought it back from the wild some time ago."

"It's been two years since the apocalypse, what kind of team can survive in the wild for two years?"

"I don't know, I don't know, but they have a very strong background, backed by high-ranking officials at the base. Look, they have their own dedicated laboratory."

"What good is having connections if you don't have research achievements?"

"I heard they brought two aberrant zombies, and some rare resources as well."

"What's so special about the abnormal zombie? Can it be more special than that half-infected special zombie?"

"..."

In the morning, the staff members from the five laboratories who were coming to relieve the shift were discussing among themselves while queuing for security checks at the entrance. The several laboratories had been operating in parallel for a long time, suppressing and helping each other to maintain a balance. Now that a new team was suddenly coming, everyone was very curious.

Amidst the murmurs, a lone figure walked to the back of the security check line, keeping a distance from the others.

The murmurs gradually subsided, and everyone turned to look at the "stranger."

The woman who arrived was tall and slender, yet possessed a strong presence. She stood upright, carrying a refrigerated box, like a bamboo stalk.

She was wearing a brand-new white lab coat, newer than everyone else's old work clothes. A mask covered most of her face, revealing only a pair of calm eyes.

Everyone was a little confused.

"Is this the new guy?"

"Just one person?"

"What's going on? One person from the new team arrived on time on their first day of work?"

Lin Xi looked at the familiar laboratory, remaining perfectly calm.

Yesterday, Xiang Xin saw Lin Xi packing up her work supplies and shouted aggressively, "We're all pretty free lately, let's take you to the lab together tomorrow! That way they won't try anything funny, like tripping you up or drugging you."

"No need. I can handle it." Lin Xi refused outright.

The three of them are already core members of the base, and Lu Wei has even reached the rank of major general. While their presence at the laboratory would certainly provide support, that's not the effect Lin Xi wants. She can handle these problems herself.

Now she stands alone in front of the laboratory, facing everyone's gaze.

A murmur rippled through the crowd, and a male voice said, "Eek... isn't that the guy who disappeared for months under Song Heng's command... that guy... that one..."

Another familiar voice tentatively asked, "Junior Sister Lin?"

It was Lin Xi's turn to go through security. She swiped her access card, and a voice announcement came through: "Zhang Sirui, Sixth Laboratory."

"Zhang Sirui?"

Ignoring the stares, Lin Xi carried the refrigerated box into Laboratory No. 6 amidst the puzzled and surprised looks of the others.

Lab 6 was indeed a newly opened lab, but it was much smaller than the other labs and didn't have much high-end equipment; it was more like a private office.

Lin Xi entered Laboratory No. 6 under everyone's watchful eyes.

She needed the lab as a support for her identity and some independent space, but to truly return to the purpose of the experiment, she still needed to negotiate with Song Heng.

-

Lin Xi went to Laboratory No. 5 on her own initiative.

I haven't been here for almost half a year. The layout hasn't changed, but there are fewer busy staff.

Everyone was wearing masks, but having worked together for many years, I could recognize who was who just by their figure and eyes.

Some scrutinized her, some looked guilty, and others, unaware of the situation, greeted her: "Lin Xi, it's been so long! You're finally back!"

Zhao Jing hesitated, but Song Heng was still engrossed in his research and didn't notice her approaching.

Lin Xi walked straight up to Song Heng and quietly watched her once-familiar mentor working diligently.

Seeing that this was not a crucial step, Lin Xi coughed lightly.

"What's all the noise about! Have you forgotten the rules?" Song Heng said, displeased.

Seeing that Lin Xi didn't leave, he slowly raised his head: "Lin Xi?"

Lin Xi glanced at her name tag: "I am Zhang Sirui, the head of the Sixth Laboratory."

"Lin Xi?" After confirming Lin Xi's face, Song Heng's eyes were completely indifferent: "You came back because you've come to a change of heart? You've agreed to provide experimental samples?"

Lin Xi shook her head: "I am Zhang Sirui."

Song Heng was completely bewildered, and Zhao Jing stepped forward first to ask, "What exactly do you mean by this?"

Song Heng suddenly seemed to realize something: "You really are a spy."

Zhao Jing also had a look of "I knew it" in her eyes.

Lin Xi: "..."

Her past actions, coupled with her current name change and military backing, certainly lead people to think in this direction, confirming her "spy" identity.

But that's not important.

Lin Xi cleared her throat: "I'm here to discuss cooperation."

Song Heng said impatiently, "As long as you are willing to cooperate with the research, any kind of cooperation is fine."

Lin Xi got straight to the point: "I have various bodily fluid samples of 'Lin Xi'. First, I need the right to use this laboratory, as well as all the experimental data and results from this laboratory."

"Secondly, the samples I have can only be kept and studied by myself, but the data can be shared with Professor Song."

"Third, our project needs to be kept secret by everyone here."

After Lin Xi finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

Song Heng stared blankly, seemingly not understanding what Lin Xi was saying: "You were originally from this lab."

Zhao Jing understood, and looked incredulous: "You don't even hand over the samples, yet you want to use our lab's equipment and want all our results and data. Why don't you just rob us?"

Lin Xi: "Then just consider it robbery on my part."

Zhao Jing: "We can admit that we were morally indebted for what happened before, but if you disrespect your teachers and act arrogantly because of this, we will not tolerate it!"

Lin Xi remained unmoved.

Zhao Jing continued, "You are able to stand here and speak now because your teacher, out of consideration for your safety and dignity, did not directly report the news that you might have antibodies. If we wanted to study you, we would have directly reported to the base and 'asked' for your cooperation. At that time, your friends could not protect you at all."

Lin Xi's gaze darkened: "That's your business."

Even if it is reported now, "Lin Xi's" personal information at the Dawn Base has already been cancelled, and "Lin Xi" has been confirmed as dead in the national population information.

Moreover, she has friends backing her up at the Dawn Base, so the people in the lab can no longer touch her. The base has set up an internal network, so they can't transmit the news that she might have antibodies.

Zhao Jing wanted to maintain the stalemate, but Song Heng made up his mind: "Those things don't matter, as long as you can provide samples."