Chapter 262 Do what you think is right
April 8, 2029.
Lin Xi arrived at the headquarters of the relevant department, which was hidden in the northwest.
The base's security and immigration checkpoints did not give them any trouble, nor did they interrogate them.
Several directors of the headquarters research institute and high-ranking officials from relevant departments greeted them, but they were accompanied by armed personnel—
Lu Wei is extremely capable in combat, but he is a semi-infected person. Even though he was handcuffed during the journey, the relevant departments did not relax their vigilance.
Among this group of people, Lin Xi saw some familiar faces: faces that would only appear on the news before the apocalypse, and now they were right in front of her.
Whether they were academicians or leaders, Lin Xi and Lu Wei were conspicuously young in comparison.
Li Shuyi was initially very happy to enter the "absolutely safe" headquarters base, but now she also felt the pressure. As an ordinary person, she was a little scared to suddenly see so many celebrities.
Lin Xi was the youngest among that group of academicians. People may not have met her, but almost everyone had heard of her.
Moreover, she brought vaccine research results and antibody samples with her this time.
Everyone politely addressed her as "Dean Lin".
When the zombie outbreak and the apocalypse arrived, Lin Xi was still an unknown graduate student. Even after the apocalypse, despite her expertise in vaccine research and numerous achievements, she was unable to pass the doctoral exam or publish papers to gain fame in the academic world. She did not have any prestigious titles in scientific research and could only be called the Dean of the Dawn Research Institute.
The two sides negotiated their arrangements for entering the base. Lin Xi naturally joined the research institute to continue her research, while Li Shuyi went to the civilian area to be assigned work and obtain survival supplies. The few survivors of the Iron Wolf base could also join the army after political vetting.
The most awkward question: Lu Wei.
The armed forces accompanied the research institute to the scanning room of the research institute, where Lin Xi and Lu Wei were eager to know Lu Wei's current internal situation.
He had previously exhibited uncontrollable behavior, and it's unknown how much the virus had ravaged his body during the days without medication.
The feeling was agonizing: she was eager to know if he was alright, yet afraid that the outcome would be something she didn't want to see.
The image gradually took shape, and some shadows appeared in the body in addition to the hardened bones, scattered like stars, but the total area may be about 20%.
Everyone at the research institute was deeply moved upon seeing this: "We heard that Major Lu has been a semi-infected person for over a year, but his brain has not yet shown any obvious mutations."
It was the best-case scenario they had ever seen in a semi-infected individual, but even so, mutations had still occurred, not to mention that vital organs in the body were gradually failing.
Noticing Lin Xi's expression, everyone coughed lightly and moved on to the next topic.
The dean concluded, "Major General Lu is a semi-infected individual and, in principle, needs to be placed under control. However, given his outstanding contributions to the relevant departments since the zombie outbreak, he will be placed in isolation..."
Lin Xi coughed lightly, interrupting would have been somewhat impolite, but she couldn't wait until Lu Wei was taken away for quarantine was a done deal.
“The reason why semi-infected people lose their minds and act out of control is usually because the virus is eroding the brain. Here, here, and here…” Lin Xi pointed to several parts of the brain on the film, where there were no obvious shadows: “These areas will not directly lose control before they are infected. And we will continue to use delay agents and antitoxins.”
Dean Shen and the senior management exchanged a glance and nodded. The base management department said, "Our research institute used to focus on two main areas: vaccines and virus eradication, but... six months ago, we established a new project department to 'treat' semi-infected individuals."
Lin Xi's eyes flickered.
Treating the semi-infected? It was something she wanted to do, but never had the time or space to do. Moreover, given her familiarity with the zombie virus, once infected, the entire process was irreversible.
This project...
Dean Shen knew what she was thinking and sighed softly, "There are too many semi-infected people. Some malicious individuals have unknowingly turned many into semi-infected individuals. With the population drastically reduced, we should save as many as possible..."
Lin Xi nodded in agreement. The headquarters would not abandon the living. The reason they did not choose to let the fallen city perish with the zombies at the beginning of the zombie outbreak was because they valued life. Now, if they had the resources, they would save the living.
It's a great place, but unfortunately, ordinary people like her wouldn't have been able to come into contact with these people before the apocalypse.
She said to the dean and relevant department managers, "I want to say, please remove Lu Wei's handcuffs. I can take responsibility for his situation."
Before Dean Shen could say anything, Lin Xi touched the pocket gun that hadn't been confiscated and said, "If he shows any obvious signs of mutation, I guarantee I'll take care of him personally."
-
The headquarters was very busy, and they only gave Lin Xi and Lu Wei a simple welcome.
Without having time to properly tour the headquarters, Lin Xi was led into the laboratory.
Dean Shen took the vaccine sample and said to Lin Xi, "I've met Professor Song Heng before, but I didn't expect him to have such an outstanding student. The scientific achievements you've brought have made a qualitative leap in the vaccine research process."
Headquarters is also researching vaccines, but due to the inability to manufacture antibodies, the small number of special zombies, and the missed opportunities with Lin Xi and Lin Jie, the vaccine research is progressing very slowly.
Lin Xi shook her head: "Dean, you're too kind. The vaccine results were... a collaborative effort between the professor and our entire laboratory."
In that instant, Lin Xi thought of Song Heng, Zhao Jing, Qu Shuran, and others.
Dean Shen: "But Major General Lu Wei, the best-case scenario among the semi-infected individuals, was supervised by you. You also have merit in antitoxin research."
He gave Lin Xi the freedom to choose to join either the vaccine research project or the semi-infected person research project.
Dean Shen gave her time to consider and took people to analyze the vaccine data first.
After they left, Lin Xi and Lu Wei stood in front of the signs for the three major laboratories of the research institute.
Lin Xi's heart stirred slightly, but only for a moment.
She asked Lu Wei, "Where do you think I should go?"
Lu Wei didn't give her a clear answer, but looked into her eyes and said, "You will do what you think is right."
Lin Xi avoided that gaze.
He knows.
Lin Xi's area of expertise has always been vaccines.
Vaccines are the most likely breakthrough project, while treatment for partially infected individuals...
Lin Xi didn't think about this question in depth.
"Then where are you going? The army won't let you participate," Lin Xi asked again.
After a moment of silence, the two suddenly spoke in unison:
"Join the lab."
But not as the researched, but as the learner to become a researcher.
Some roads are very long, with no end in sight, but they have a beginning.
Once you have a starting point, you have a direction.
-
Lin Xi settled down in the research institute, while Lu Weize studied and learned about various drugs in the laboratory. The semi-infected person was energetic and Lu Weize was very efficient in learning, but no matter how efficient he was, he was still a learner and was far from becoming a researcher.
That day, after getting off work, Lin Xi and Lu Wei saw a face they hadn't seen in a long time.
Li Shuyi was waiting for them near the research institute, carrying several bags in her hand. When she saw them, she raised her free hand high and waved at them.
Lin Xi and Lu Wei walked over, but before they could ask her what was wrong, Li Shuyi spoke first: "I knew you two workaholics were either working overtime or doing handstands. I came here specifically to bring you dinner!"
She waved the things in her hand: "I have a salary now, and I just saved up a little money to buy you some food that the cafeteria doesn't have. Here, Linxi, you should drink more of this sea buckthorn juice; it can boost your immunity. With such a lot of work pressure and your health not being good, be careful not to get sick."
Lin Xi felt a warm glow in her heart, but she still wanted to clarify: "Actually, my health is pretty good. It's just that I'm always in a bad situation when I meet you, so please excuse me."
Li Shuyi waved her hand casually: "Why are you saying this? I screamed everywhere like a coward and you didn't despise me. You even pressed a needle against me and forced me to walk so that I could survive."
"..." Lin Xi changed the subject, "How have you been?"
Li Shuyi's expression already revealed her state: "It's great. I have a job now and can earn points. Although it's not much, it's enough to eat and stay warm, and I can even come and feed you guys."
Lin Xi smiled and nodded; this was the most relaxed she had experienced recently.
Li Shuyi thought of things far in the future, sighed and then laughed: "Before the apocalypse, I was a beast of burden and hated going to work. Now I feel so lucky to have a job."
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