Chapter 153 The First Appearance of Antibodies
After taking in Ding Yan, nearly a hundred more people fled to the research institute.
Most of them were original employees of the research institute. The Nanhua Biological Research Institute not only studies viruses, but also has other biological research projects and departments.
At the beginning of the zombie outbreak, the research institute was poisoned and suddenly suffered a large-scale zombie outbreak, losing about two-thirds of its employees.
The survivors were mostly lucky ones who didn't eat breakfast in the canteen and were able to avoid the zombies until they were rescued by the military. After being rescued, most of them went home to take refuge, except for the employees who were involved in the zombie research project.
Currently, large areas of Nanhua are experiencing water and power outages. Most employees know that the research institute has backup water and power, so the surviving employees are fleeing back to the research institute with their families.
This also attracted zombies from the city to this place, causing a lot of trouble for the defending troops.
There were no residential areas nearby. Occasionally, zombies would wander here, but as long as no one was out, the zombies wouldn't approach, especially with the gate blocking their way.
However, whether driving or using other means, the journey from the city to the research institute brought with it a lot of zombies. Allowing the cars to carry zombies around outside would eventually affect the research institute.
For the garrison stationed at the research institute, their mission is to protect the institute and prevent zombie invasion. Most of their colleagues are out on missions to rescue civilians and evacuate survivors. Now that the civilians have come here on their own, and most of them are employees of the research institute, there is no reason to refuse their arrival.
The people currently in the research institute are mostly those in charge of zombie research projects. They are so focused on their research that they have no interest in these matters.
Lin Xi knew that the resources provided by the relevant departments to the research institute could currently guarantee the survival needs of the laboratory and the garrison, but as the number of people increased, the resources would not be enough, especially since most of the people returning were accompanied by their families.
People like Ding Yan, who consciously say that their whole family only uses her name and resources, are rare. Most people come here seeking protection.
Over time, the survivors in the research institute will start to argue, quarrel, and even riot over resources.
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Some cells that had not been deactivated were extracted from the left brain of the talking zombie. Song Heng seemed to have grasped a glimmer of hope, believing that antibodies could be isolated from the cells that were not completely infected.
While learning relevant theoretical knowledge, Lin Xi participated in scientific research, devoting all her energy to the research of a certain virus. With the shared resources of the laboratory, Lin Xi gradually entered the real research process from being an assistant at the beginning.
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Song Heng's research direction is correct; a protein was indeed extracted from the left brain of the talking zombie, and its peptide chains were not completely destroyed.
Unlike antibiotics, which target viruses, existing antibiotics can only kill viruses that have not yet entered the bloodstream. Once a virus has entered the bloodstream and interacts with the blood, it cannot be eliminated by antibiotics.
This explains why a small number of people who ingest the virus can survive with the help of antibiotics, while those bitten or attacked by zombies are beyond saving.
The extracted new protein contains some stable peptide chain structures that cannot be destroyed even at high concentrations of zombie virus.
This discovery greatly encouraged the Chinese biological community. Song Heng shared the information, and various regions will try their best to collect talking zombies for research.
Lin Xi was both happy and hesitant. She was happy because she had learned that the virus was not invincible after entering this circle, but she was hesitant because this matter would not be so simple. There were quite a few talking zombies, but the subsequent research progress was slow and difficult.
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June 28, 2025.
The number of survivors at the Nanhua Biological Research Institute has reached 496.
Of these, 45 were members of the zombie research project team, 21 were local guards, 128 were colleagues from other departments of the biological research institute, and the rest were family members who came with the research institute and refugees who found their way here on their own.
At first, everyone had some supplies they brought from home or resources they had acquired during the apocalypse. All they needed was electricity from the research institute and clean water.
As the population grows, water and electricity resources gradually become insufficient, and with rising temperatures, people's demand for electricity is increasing.
Lin Xi had already taken precautions and reported this to Song Heng, preparing for the worst: "Teacher, the laboratory needs a lot of electricity. The cold storage, air conditioning, and various equipment cannot be shut down. With so many people using electricity, the laboratory will eventually have to stop operating."
Song Heng was troubled by the stalled research progress after extracting a small amount of antibodies, and didn't really listen to Lin Xi's words, casually replying, "Then what should we do?"
Lin Xi blinked: "You are now the person in charge of this project and the highest leader of the research institute. You need to make the decisions."
Song Heng scratched his head: "I'm only in charge of research. These people aren't even from our department, so how can I manage them?"
Lin Xi: "Even in the apocalypse, you still care whether they're from our department or not. Once they're in the research institute, they all have to follow your orders."
Song Heng touched his bald spot, which had grown even wider. He wasn't good at managing relationships; he was focused on his studies. Now, however, his students were forcing him to do management tasks that he wasn't good at.
After a moment of anxiety, Song Heng focused his gaze on Lin Xi.
The gaze was intense, making Lin Xi feel uneasy.
"Xiao Lin," Song Heng adjusted his glasses, looking down at his book to hide his expression, "among the students in the research institute right now, the professors value you the most."
Lin Xi raised an eyebrow, as if she had a premonition of something.
"Since the zombie outbreak, you've not only excelled in your research, but you've also assisted in maintaining the safety of the laboratory. You're not only a research talent, but also..."
Lin Xi had been an ordinary person who drifted through life for several lifetimes, rarely receiving criticism but also almost never being praised. Hearing these words suddenly, he was not flattered but rather slightly uncomfortable.
She readily agreed, saying, "Give me the authority, and I'll handle it."
Song Heng printed out an authorization letter with satisfaction.
Lin Xi took the authorization letter from the highest-ranking leader of the research institute to negotiate with the military. With Lu Wei as her superior and the authorization from the research institute, she would have many conveniences in doing things later.
As Lin Xi walked, she thought, "Who said Song Heng is an old-fashioned man who only knows how to do scientific research and is not good at interpersonal relationships? Isn't he quite shrewd and good at management?"
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