Chapter 277 Rebuilding the Fortress

After the virus was handed over to the relevant departments, the central CDC, in collaboration with the research institute, took over the virus research work.

Although no human trials have been conducted, the viral infection of animals and plants and its erosion of human cells have already demonstrated how destructive it can be to humans.

For a period of time, no one could contact Lin Xi.

The virus research was conducted in a secret laboratory of the relevant department. In order to avoid the leakage of virus-related information and the resulting large-scale panic or the attention of Zhang Zheng and the forces behind him, the virus research became a highly classified project.

Few people knew that the virus originated from Zhang Zheng. Before Lin Xi entered the secret laboratory, Zhang Zheng was still free to move around. The subsequent tracking, investigation and arrest were left to the relevant departments.

After many years, Lin Xi returned to the days of immersing herself in the laboratory and not having contact with the outside world.

The virus analysis was largely as Lin Xi had anticipated. She was considered to have amazing scientific research talent, thus becoming the youngest researcher in the entire project team.

After completing the virus analysis, the next step is to study antitoxins and related vaccines.

Although Lin Xi knew the poisoning would take place around May 20th, any small thing could trigger a butterfly effect and bring about huge changes to the world.

Before Lin Xi entered the laboratory, Zhang Zheng had already been secretly monitored, the extent of which Lin Xi was unaware of.

Even if Zhang Zheng is captured, the virus has already been developed. It is unknown whether the foreign forces behind him will take any action, so vaccines and antiviral agents must be developed.

The formulas for these two medicines are known to only two people in the world today: Lin Xi and Lu Wei.

Toxin neutralizers only need to be prepared according to the dosage.

But the vaccine is different from the one in the previous life.

Most of the antibodies in their previous lives came from Lin Xi and Lin Jie, with a small portion coming from some special zombies, such as those that retained the ability to speak or some human functions and thinking abilities. Their antibodies were not as numerous as those in Lin Xi and Lin Jie's bodies, but they were just enough to make up for the parts that Lin Xi and Lin Jie lacked.

Due to the mutations and changes in appearance, or even facial injuries, those special zombies are difficult to identify through facial scanning. Only a small number of the original owners of these zombies can be identified, which hinders the collection of antibodies.

As early as his previous life, before Lu faced death, he had already considered a solution to this problem:

The reborn Lu Wei will follow the scientific research path taken by Lin Xi, becoming a researcher before the zombie outbreak. He will try to win over the original Lin Xi and Lin Jie in this world to collect antibodies, as these alone, along with the known vaccine formula, are insufficient to create a complete vaccine. However, the antitoxin can be manufactured. In the event that the zombie outbreak cannot be stopped, the antitoxin will eliminate zombies faster and will not affect the city or other survivors.

But even so, the zombie outbreak still occurred, and many people still died in the early stages of the outbreak.

Lin Xi once saved her parents' lives, preventing car accidents from happening at the source and saving others from suffering.

The same applies to the zombie apocalypse—we must do everything possible to directly prevent the disaster from happening.

Toxins and vaccines must be developed.

However, the research plan has just been formulated, and if Lin Xi were to reveal the answer directly, it would easily arouse suspicion.

She and Zhang Zheng were already related by blood and needed to avoid suspicion. If it weren't for her selfless act of putting family aside and her accurate analysis of the virus, Lin Xi wouldn't have been qualified to join the project team.

The missing antibodies in Lin Xi and Lin Jie can be extracted from Lin Yi, Lin Cheng, or even Lin Jie's child. If that doesn't work, they can be extracted from Gu Yixuan.

After thinking it through, Lin Xi had a private discussion with Academician Guo Xingyuan about antibody extraction.

"According to our analysis and observation, the virus can have a devastating impact on most people's health, but Zhang Zheng behaved normally and had immunity to the virus. The source of this special immunity is currently unknown, but I think it may be related to genetic factors. We can extract antibodies from Zhang Zheng's blood relatives, as this immunity may be inherited through blood relations."

A glint appeared on Guo Xingyuan's glasses as he stared intently at Lin Xi.

Lin Xi said earnestly, "Of course, as a collateral relative of Zhang Zheng, I am also willing to provide antibodies." She pretended to be very sincere, even naively praying, "If I do have antibodies in my body."

After she finished speaking, Guo Xingyuan looked thoughtfully at the proposal Lin Xi had submitted, seemingly with a skeptical attitude.

Lin Xi thought to herself that she had been planning her argument and proposal for a long time, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Facing Guo Xingyuan's slightly questioning gaze, Lin Xi asked, "Dean Guo, is there a problem?"

Guo Xingyuan: "No problem. I just think..."

"?"

Guo Xingyuan: "Since Zhang Zheng is completely immune to the virus, we can extract antibodies directly from him."

A complete antibody is right in front of you.

They could easily control Zhang Zheng and extract complete antibodies from him. With the antibodies, Lin Xi would know the rest of the adjuvant formula, and the vaccine research process would proceed very quickly.

Lin Xi suddenly felt like laughing. She was probably stuck in a fixed mindset, and actually avoided the answer altogether.

But Lin Xi quickly thought of another problem: "Zhang Zheng had not been arrested before we entered the lab. The relevant departments seem to want to track and investigate the team behind him. If he is really involved in crimes of endangering public safety and espionage, arresting him directly may alert them. Although the source of the virus has been controlled, the overseas research team behind him may also have virus samples. I don't know if they will take other actions."

Before the emergence of zombies in this world, the secret laboratory researched the virus and named it "I-virus".

Due to the unique nature of this virus, relevant departments have not yet released information about it, and customs or border inspections have not received any relevant instructions, making it impossible to conduct inspections.

However, these are not matters that the research institute needs to consider for the time being; they need to wait for further instructions from the relevant departments.

Lin Xi sincerely said, "If it's the situation I described, we should also plan ahead and research antibodies to produce vaccines."

December 30, 2024.

As the year drew to a close, Lin Xi was given a short break and finally gained the freedom to use her mobile phone.

During his research in the secret laboratory, Lin Xi informed his key contacts that he would be under closed management for a period of time and asked them not to worry.

But as soon as I turned on my phone, a lot of messages popped up:

[Song Heng: Where did you go? Why were you absent from work?]

[Zhao Jing: Your absence has affected the progress of Group A's project. The teacher wants you to write a self-criticism and work overtime for a week after you return.]

...

Two days later, Song Heng sent another message. Although it was just a line of text with no emoji, Lin Xi could almost imagine the expression on his face when he said it.

[Song Heng: My student is promising! He's been recruited by the Chinese Academy of Sciences! Don't rush back, stay there and do your research!]

Lin Xi replied to his message, and presumably Song Heng has also received the invitation and will be recruited into the I-virus vaccine research project team.

Then there's the "family of three" group.

[Zhao Qiong: It's gotten colder in Nanhua. Are you cold there? Should I send you some clothes and a blanket?]

Lin Yi patted 33.

[Zhao Qiong: Where are you doing your secret work? Like a secret agent, you only reply to messages once a week.]

[Zhao Qiong: Are you conducting secret research in the desert? Have you eaten enough? I'll send you some things.]

Lin Yi patted 33.

Even though Lin Xi didn't reply, the group chat kept buzzing with messages.

A warm feeling washed over Lin Xi.

Then there's a small group called "Burning! Doomsday Terminator".

The messages have become so numerous that they've been reduced to "..."

Most of the messages were between Xiang Xin and Liang Hui discussing everyday matters, with Lu Wei occasionally joining the conversation.

They tagged Lin Xi several times during that period, but there were just too many messages.

In addition to group messages, Xiang Xin also sent her many personal messages, such as inquiring about progress, sharing daily life, and showing concern for her life.

Lin Xi selected a few important messages to reply to and informed the other party that she would soon be taking a short vacation, and that they might get together sometime.

And a greeting from Aquaman:

[Zhang San, it's getting colder, drink more hot water.]

[Zhang San, it's snowing, drink more hot water.]

"..."

The few lines of text left Lin Xi both amused and exasperated: "Brother, you're destined to be single forever."

Liang Hui replied quickly: /heartbrokenwhy

[33: It's okay, just drink more hot water.]

Gu Yixuan also contacted her several times.

I'm so bored, should we go to the amusement park on Saturday?

Ah... I had a lumbar puncture during my physical this year. I need to take good care of myself; I'll treat you to hot pot later.

[Hey... are you still alive?]

Lin Xi briefly replied that she had been too busy with work lately to reply to messages.

She knew that Gu Yixuan and Zhang Zheng didn't communicate much, but she still didn't want Gu Yixuan to know what she had been busy with lately.

Gu Yixuan quickly sent a reply:

[Tch. I knew it. You researchers are all big, busy people.]

Zhang Zheng and Song Heng were like that, and now Lin Xi is the same.

Another profile picture also had a red bubble icon. Just as Lin Xi was about to click on it, that profile picture suddenly jumped up and sent a new message:

[A: ?]

【33: ? ? 】

[A: Is he going to be the last to reply to my message?]

Lin Xi was stunned for a moment, and immediately realized that Lu Wei and Liang Hui might be together. They had both received the news, but there had been no movement from their side.

Lin Xi scrolled up and saw that Lu Wei hadn't sent many messages. He knew that Lin Xi had probably joined a classified research project team. After not getting a reply to his previous posts about checking in at the gym and practicing boxing, he posted again for a while. Recently, he sent a few messages that roughly described the progress and asked her to meet him if possible.

Lin Xi suddenly felt that her short vacation was not enough; there were too many people to meet.

Even during the short holiday, I didn't have any time for myself.

Thinking back to before her rebirth, although she was busy with work, she had free time when she wasn't working overtime. She would occasionally participate in shopping and dining activities with the "slacking off group," but most of the time she would stay at home resting.

Many people care about her now, and many people need her care.

Lu Wei, Xiang Xin, and Liang Hui were the first people Lin Xi met, because they were there to greet her at Nanhua Airport.

During this time, Xiang Xin eagerly inquired about the progress of "saving the apocalypse," and casually rubbed his hands together, asking, "When is it my turn to go on stage?"

Liang Hui: "Yes, we two are very out of touch with the news."

Lin Xi: "I cannot disclose the information on my end at the moment."

Lu Wei: "Me too."

But the two of them would have a deep conversation after the dinner.

"Once I get back from my vacation, I'll start developing the vaccine and antitoxin. I can't report the results all at once. I'll push forward the research at the appropriate time and get it ready as soon as possible, so we can't be caught off guard if the riots break out prematurely. How's Zhang Zheng doing?"

In this life, Lu Wei was also supposed to participate in scientific research. In the last days of his previous life, Lu Wei spent all his time studying in the laboratory and had already gained some understanding of scientific research in the field of pathogens.

If Lin Xi hadn't been reborn, he would have changed his major to studying pathogens and pursuing a research career.

Although Liang Hui and Xiang Xin believed they were reborn and knew that a disaster might be coming in the future, those who had never been reborn had no direct experience of disaster and death.

They would take saving the world seriously, and they might even learn more skills like fitness, martial arts, or other technical skills, but they wouldn't change their original life trajectory to contribute to the future or what might happen.

Lu Wei: "Relevant departments sent people abroad to investigate Zhang Zheng's whereabouts and found that he may indeed have joined a very dangerous scientific research organization, or may be involved in espionage. People have been sent domestically to track and protect him throughout the process."

Lin Xi: "I heard from Gu Yixuan that she might go on a trip abroad with her family this year?"

Lu Wei: "They can't go. Their whole family will be restricted from leaving the country. Once the relevant departments have completed their preventative measures, they will arrest Zhang Zheng."

If Zhang Zheng were merely an evil scientist, he could simply be arrested.

However, he has an overseas research team behind him, and this person may also be involved in espionage, so a full investigation into his movements and objectives is needed.

Both of their jobs are highly confidential, but they are partners from several lifetimes, like family during the apocalypse, and the most solid partners after their rebirth, so they exchange information in private.

After discussing the progress, the two remained silent for a while.

Lin Xi is getting ready to go home.

Lu Wei suddenly said, "Soon."

Lin Xi nodded, not asking further, but he wasn't sure if "soon" meant five months until the zombie outbreak, Zhang Zheng was about to be arrested, or the matter was about to come to an end.

After returning home, Lin Xi had a deep conversation with her parents.

"Dad, Mom. Why don't you stay in Yunxiang for a while after the New Year?"

Zhao Qiong and Lin Yi were both surprised when they heard this. The last time they were so surprised was when Lin Xi suddenly said that she wanted to sell the house in District D and build a house in Yunxiang.

Zhao Qiong: "How can that be? Mom and Dad both have to work."

Lin Xi said sincerely, "Actually, you've reached retirement age. Although Dad hasn't retired yet, it's not suitable for me to do such high-intensity work every day."

Lin Yi is several years older than Zhang Zheng, but Zhang Zheng's daughter, Gu Yixuan, is Lin Xi's cousin. Lin Yi and Zhao Qiong had Lin Xi late in life, so they are older than the parents of Lin Xi's friends of the same age.

Zhao Qiong was still in shock and hadn't recovered yet, but she could tell that Lin Xi was serious.

Lin Xi added, “I have a good job now, so you don’t need to worry about money at all. More than your financial situation, I hope you are safe and healthy. Due to the confidentiality agreement, I can’t tell you why yet, but please trust me and go back to Yunxiang to settle down for a while.”

Lin Xi knew everything that was supposed to happen before May 20, 2025, but she didn't know what would happen to her parents, nor did she know whether the changes she and Lu Wei were making to the world would lead to other chain events.

Before the major events are settled, Lin Xi wants to get her parents back to that safe haven.