These genetically modified rice seedlings have successfully withstood three cold waves, and the seeds will be ready for harvest in two weeks.
"Still not resting?"
A familiar female voice came from behind.
Su Mingqiang turned around and saw Zhou Xiaobai walking over, wearing a coat and holding two cups of hot tea.
"I can't sleep."
He took the teacup, and his fingertips accidentally touched her hand. He immediately pulled back as if he had been electrocuted.
"The rice is almost ripe, and I'm worried something might go wrong."
Zhou Xiaobai chuckled softly.
"You're always like this, worrying about everything, no matter how small."
She crouched down to check the fullness of the rice ears.
"But you're right, we can't let our guard down, especially in the final moments."
Under the moonlight, her profile was both soft and firm, leaving Su Mingqiang mesmerized.
Since their conversation in the lab, the two have maintained a subtle distance from each other.
They were both intimate and distant, separated by a thin layer of ice that neither dared to easily break.
"What are you looking at?"
Zhou Xiaobai noticed his gaze and looked up to ask.
Su Mingqiang hurriedly looked away.
"N-nothing. I was just thinking about the data we need to collect tomorrow..."
"lie."
Zhou Xiaobai stood up and looked him straight in the eye.
You were clearly looking at me.
Su Mingqiang's ears instantly burned.
He opened his mouth to explain, but was interrupted by a strange noise coming from afar.
What was that sound?
Zhou Xiaobai turned around alertly.
Su Mingqiang immediately went on high alert, shielding Zhou Xiaobai behind him.
"It sounded like barbed wire being cut."
The two held their breath and, sure enough, heard a faint metallic scraping sound coming from the direction of the wall, followed by a deliberately hushed conversation.
"Someone has broken in!"
Su Mingqiang lowered his voice.
"Go call the police quickly, I'll go check the situation."
Zhou Xiaobai grabbed his arm.
"No, that's too dangerous! Let's go call the police together."
"It's too late, they're clearly after the experimental field!"
Su Mingqiang broke free from her hand.
"This batch of rice seeds is extremely important; we can't afford any mistakes!"
Zhou Xiaobai tried to stop him, but Su Mingqiang had already crouched down and crept towards the source of the sound.
She gritted her teeth and ran quickly toward the nearest alarm.
By the moonlight, Su Mingqiang saw three dark figures had already climbed over the wall and were moving towards the experimental field.
Their movements were professional, clearly indicating they had been trained.
One of them took a metal container out of his backpack, while the other two held some kind of sampling tool.
"They really were trying to steal rice seeds!"
Alarm bells rang in Su Mingqiang's mind.
He looked around, picked up a wooden stick, and decided to strike first.
Just as he was about to rush out, the base's alarm suddenly sounded, and the piercing siren cut through the night sky.
The three intruders were clearly startled, but they quickly calmed down and sped off toward the experimental field.
"stop!"
Su Mingqiang stopped hiding and jumped out to block their way.
"This is a key military research site. Lay down your weapons immediately!"
The leader of the men in black sneered and pulled a pistol from his waist.
"Get out of the way, we just want the rice seeds, we don't want to hurt anyone."
Su Mingqiang gripped the wooden stick tightly, refusing to budge an inch.
"Don't even think about it!"
Gunshots rang out suddenly, and bullets whizzed past Su Mingqiang's ear.
He instinctively fell to the ground, but quickly got up again and continued to block the experimental field.
"Final warning!"
The man in black raised his gun and aimed it at his chest.
At the critical moment, a figure rushed in from the side and forcefully pushed Su Ming away.
The gunshot rang out again, and the man groaned as he fell to the ground.
"Xiaobai!"
Su Mingqiang was horrified to discover that Zhou Xiaobai had been shot in the left shoulder, and blood quickly stained her white coat.
The man in black was stunned by what he saw, clearly not expecting that innocent people would be harmed.
The alarm sounded closer and closer, and the flashlights of the armed police guarding the area could be seen in the distance.
"withdraw!"
The leader of the men in black gave the order, and the three of them quickly scaled the wall and escaped.
Su Mingqiang disregarded the pursuit and immediately knelt down beside Zhou Xiaobai to check her injuries.
The bullet pierced his shoulder, and blood was flowing profusely, but fortunately it did not hit any vital organs.
Why are you so stupid!
He tore off the hem of his shirt and pressed it hard against the wound to stop the bleeding, his voice trembling with fear.
Zhou Xiaobai's face was pale, but she managed a smile.
"Because...you are more important than the rice seeds..."
Armed police and researchers who rushed to the scene quickly surrounded the area.
The siren of the ambulance grew louder as it approached.
"Hang in there, the ambulance is on its way!"
Su Mingqiang held Zhou Xiaobai's hand tightly, as if afraid that she would disappear if he let go.
Zhou Xiaobai's breathing became rapid, but she still tried to stay awake.
"Mingqiang... I'm afraid I won't have the chance to say it..."
"Don't talk nonsense! You'll be fine!"
Su Mingqiang's voice choked with emotion.
"Let me finish..."
Zhou Xiaobai struggled to raise her hand and touch his face.
I love you...no matter what your past is like...I will always love you...
These words were like a key, instantly unlocking Su Mingqiang's tightly locked heart.
All worries, fears, and hesitations crumbled at that moment.
He bent down and pressed his forehead against Zhou Xiaobai's, tears falling onto her pale face.
I love you too... I've loved you for a long time...
He finally spoke the words that had been buried deep in his heart.
"But I'm afraid...afraid that I don't deserve it..."
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