551: 9.21 Two Conditions

9.21 Two Conditions

The students' eyes flew wide and then they looked at each other in astonishment. Oh my God, their Professor Zhao was asked by the army and government to create an antidote! That's so cool!2

Everyone felt like it would be such an honor to receive this invitation. At least, they would not even consider a refusal but unfortunately, Professor Zhao's brain was wired differently. Let alone being touched, he even had disdain written all over his face as if what he heard was something disgusting.

"Did I hear wrong?" A ridiculing smile spread across his face. "The government asks for me? Sadly, I am only an ordinary researcher. This kind of important task, I dare not accept for fear that I will disappoint all of you."

Commander Yang had been prepared. He did not even need to think as he replied, "Back then, the government had reached out to you regarding a highly classified project but unfortunately, you refused, no matter what kind of prize they tempted you with. But now it's different. Humanity's fate is on the line. Without you, then all of us can only wait for doom. Will you refuse again this time, Professor?"

Instead of answering straight on, Zhao Bolin barked out a laugh, tinged with a hint of schadenfreude. "Back then, I had already told them that they were playing with fire and one day, they would definitely get burned. Tell me, what happened to them?"

Yang Tengfei considered his choices before deciding to be honest, "They have already received their retribution." This was also the same as admitting that those researchers were the cause of the zombie outbreak and as a result, they were also one of the first people who got infected.

Zhao Bolin became even more contemptuous. "So, now you're asking me to wipe their asses? What makes you so certain that I am willing to do that?"

"We have no other choice." Yang Tengfei gave a signal and behind him, the soldiers suddenly pointed the muzzle of their guns toward Zhao Bolin. "Please," he said without a change in his expression. "We can only rely on you."

The students were stupefied. Weren't they just talking nicely? How come it become like this all of a sudden?! Those were real guns… right?! They did not understand the context of Commander Yang and Zhao Bolin's vague conversation. Suddenly being faced with such a situation, they were shocked silly that all the joy from seeing the soldiers dissipated like a little weak flame doused by icy water. They could only stare at both sides with a blank expression, trying to make heads or tails of the current situation.

But then, something even more shocking happened.

They saw Student Lu, who had been listening to the conversation quietly and almost melded into one with the wall, suddenly placed himself between the guns and Zhao Bolin! 

Professor Zhao had been so engrossed in his conversation with Commander Yang that he forgot Lu Yizhou's presence beside him. He did not show an ounce of fear when the guns pointed at him but when it came to Lu Yizhou, brief panic flashed in Zhao Bolin's eyes as he tugged on the student's arm. "You… What are you doing?!" He was so anxious that the soldiers would suddenly open fire. His grip on Lu Yizhou tightened, wishing that he could pull the man into his pocket for safety. "Come back here, Lu Yizhou!"

Alas, Lu Yizhou was unmovable. Against the deadly metal weapon, his expression hardly changed. He raised his eyes to meet Yang Tengfei head on.

The corner of Yang Tengfei's lips twitched. Where did this rebellious student come from, so daring to put himself at gunpoint? Was he not afraid of death? Commander Yang was surprised because he had actually been so focused on Zhao Bolin to ignore such a person beside him! When Lu Yizhou wanted to hide his presence, he could easily mingle with the crowd but when he wanted to show himself, then his aura would explode almost terrifyingly. Against the Special Forces' Commander, his momentum did not lose out even a bit! 

On the other hand, it was Commander Yang who was getting uncomfortable. He had been a soldier for almost a decade and his instinct had been honed through countless special missions with high risk. Yet now, looking into this student's calm silver eyes actually sent shivers down Yang Tengfei's spine. A drop of cold sweat rolled down his back. What was up with this student? 

Yang Tengfei observed the other warily. Now that he looked closer, the student was slender and thin in stature; had a pale complexion that looked almost sickly. Aside from that, he looked like an ordinary university student. So where did this subtle foreboding come from…? 

Commander Yang chose to believe in his instinct and acted carefully. "This student, what do you mean by inserting yourself into the conversation? Do you have something to say?"

When Lu Yizhou lifted his hand to sign, Yang Tengfei was startled. So he couldn't speak? Behind him, one of his subordinates let out a disdainful snort, most likely ridiculing that this student had such great courage. However, Yang Tengfei did not dare to look down on him.

[Tell your men to put down the guns.] The student's hands moved in a lazy grace yet his demeanor was akin to giving an order. [Otherwise… don't blame me for what will happen.]

The soldiers in the Special Forces had gone through various intense training to prepare them for any kind of unexpected situation, including learning sign language. They did not take Lu Yizhou's threat seriously and even burst out laughing. "Little mute," one of them teased with a malicious grin on his face. "Do you think that this gun is fake? Want to test it?"

Zhao Bolin was stunned by Student Lu's audacity. He had known that Lu Yizhou was good at fighting despite his fragile appearance but he had never foreseen that he even dared to go against real soldiers with legit guns! "Lu Yizhou!" He reached out to pinch the other's waist. Damn it, what had he eaten to actually have such a toned body? There was no excess fat at all! Zhao Bolin whispered furiously, "Are you seeking death? Do you think you're a zombie who can heal yourself after being shot?!"

Student Lu did not show any pain on his face but instead, he shot Zhao Bolin with a complex look which could be translated into ten thousand words. Then he pursed his lips and moved his hands, almost aggrievedly. [You don't believe me?]

Zhao Bolin was so angry that he laughed. "Well, I should wait until they shoot you first then!"

However, in the next moment, Commander Yang suddenly gave an order, "Put down the guns."

Everyone was dumbfounded, especially the soldiers. However, they had been trained to obey orders and thus, no matter how unwilling, they still had to lower their weapon. The soldiers glared at Lu Yizhou with a look that said 'You're lucky this time, little mute' whereas Lu Yizhou did not even put them in his eyes.

"It's my fault, I am being too hasty." Commander Yang decided to take the blame on himself. "I beg Professor Zhao to overlook the discourtesy. As we speak, 60% of the citizens have fallen under the virus' victims. If we don't do anything, then the whole world will be destroyed sooner or later. Professor Zhao…" Commander Yang's gaze went through Lu Yizhou to Zhao Bolin. "I am not downplaying the situation when I said that humanity's fate rests in your hands. You may think it's insulting to take care of the mess they left behind, but what if you look at it from another perspective? You can save countless people, not only us who are standing here but also your loved ones. When the time comes, you will be thankful for making the choice today."

Zhao Bolin fell silent unexpectedly. He knew that it was the Commander's tactic to rouse his sympathy and conscience. Alas, Zhao Bolin admitted that he lacked the two aforementioned aspects. He had no family members, no partner and no one he wanted to save. The people whom he was most likely to connect with were only his students, but was it enough for him to swallow his pride and accept the invitation? No. The world could go to hell for all he cared. He had no close ties left in this world…

…or so he thought. 

He glanced at Student Lu's side profile and sank into thoughts.

Commander Yang knew that his plans had worked and thus, he waited patiently for the answer.

Zhao Bolin let out a frustrated sigh and grunted, "Fine. I will try… but don't put too much expectation on me." 

Commander Yang nodded albeit insincerely. If even Zhao Bolin could not create the antidote, then nobody could. "Then, shall we—"

"Wait a moment," Zhao Bolin cut him off. "I may agree to work on the antidote, Commander, but I have two conditions." He put on a 'take it or leave' expression, taunting the other to reject. Fortunately, Commander Yang had been warned early on regarding Zhao Bolin's eccentric personality. He gave a gesture for Zhao Bolin to continue. 

"First, I want to conduct the experiment here. Don't be so quick to reject, Commander. I have been doing my experiments for years here and I have all the things I need. More importantly," he sneered while sweeping his gaze over the soldiers. "I do not want to go to the military basecamp if the people you have there are those who mock 'little mute' to someone with a disability, especially doing so with a smile on their face. It's disgusting."

"You—!"

Commander Yang glared at the soldier who had just spoken — he was also the one who had provoked Lu Yizhou earlier. The soldier clamped his mouth shut, face flushed with anger and humiliation.

"It's my negligence. I will make sure to properly discipline them," he said solemnly. "However, I can't make a careless promise regarding your conditions. Please allow me to discuss it with the higher-ups."

Zhao Bolin shrugged. He did not have a problem with that. 

"What about your second condition?"

"My second condition…" Zhao Bolin's eyes flashed. "I want to form my own team." 

Hearing this, the seven students perked up their ears, eyes shining in excitement. They were Professor Zhao's students. Was it possible that… Professor Zhao wanted to choose them? It was highly probable, after all his attitude toward the army and government did not seem too good. They stared at Professor Zhao eagerly, awaiting his verdict like a bunch of puppies waiting for food. 

Li Zhu clenched his fists tight, excited and nervous at the same time. He was Zhao Bolin's direct student and he had also helped the professor conduct a few important experiments in the past. Nobody understood how perfectionist Zhao Bolin could be aside from him. If there was anyone Professor Zhao would choose, then it should be him — Li Zhu!

Then, they heard Professor Zhao say, "I only need one assistant." He pulled Lu Yizhou to himself. "Just this one."

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