575: 9.45 An Unexpected Situation

9.45 An Unexpected Situation

Professor Zhao had been accustomed to talking in public when he gave lectures to his students. Now, against a bunch of people in formal suits, elegantly combed hair and immaculate aura, he did not show any hint of nervousness. No, to be exact, these people were treated even worse than students. At least, with them, Zhao Bolin would still halt every once in a while to ask whether they had any questions. But with these high-ranking members from the government, Zhao Bolin did not even put them in his eyes.0

He talked in a concise, systematic manner as the slides on the projector screen moved to show complicated diagrams of DNA and various chemical reactions. His manner could even be considered as rude and impatient.

Either way, it was not like these people were interested in what he was saying. What they wanted to know was only one: when would the vaccine be completed?

As he expected, once his presentation slides came to an end, a middle aged man with bald spots on his head tapped on the mic in front of him and asked in a genial tone, "Excellent presentation, Professor Zhao. You're truly the best hope humanity can have. May I be so presumptuous to ask when we can expect the first batch of the vaccine to be ready?"

Everyone in the room nodded solemnly and directed their hopeful gazes at Zhao Bolin.

Glib tongue. Flowy and exaggerated praises. Polite inquiry in the name of humanity. But in the end, all they could think of were themselves.

Professor Zhao sneered inwardly but he still put a frown on his face. "I'm afraid you don't understand what I have been talking about at all." He did not hesitate to tear off the mask of cordiality and show displeasure on his face. "We are talking about human's genetics here. I have to emphasize that those elite researchers you have chosen could not even achieve their goal despite decades of experience, sophisticated laboratories and unlimited funds. Why do you think I am able to do that?"

The smile on the middle aged man's face, whose name Zhao Bolin did not even deign to remember, stiffened slightly. 

They were all politicians and had been used to passive-aggressive verbal attacks. On the front, their smile was still genuine and sincere but the words they said were akin to needles covered in silk. People like Zhao Bolin who directly threw a straight ball caused the atmosphere to turn a little awkward.

In the corner of the room, Yang Tengfei, who had his hands clasped behind his back in a straight posture, furrowed his brows. The gaze he directed at Zhao Bolin was filled with utter distaste. It was like he was not looking at a human, but trash.

Someone cleared their throat gently. It was an elegant woman this time. She looked in her fifties and wrinkles had been formed on the corner of her eyes. Her eyes were kind and gentle. Zhao Bolin had a faint impression of her. It seemed like he had seen her on TV before when she was launching a campaign as a party leader. 

"Please pardon our harmless curiosity, Professor Zhao. It's not our intention to make you uncomfortable. We still mourn for the loss of our elite researchers…" she let out a regretful sigh and forced a smile on her face as though she was truly grieving. "However, it's not the time to be stuck in the past. Our main priority is to unite and fight against the virus. New will always surpass the old, and Professor Zhao must be more insightful and creative than them. We have looked through your brilliant achievement over the years and we are very appreciative of you. That's why we can't help but put our massive expectations on you. By any chance, have you encountered any difficulty? Please do tell us. We will try our best to shoulder this burden with you."

"Ha…" Zhao Bolin let out a light sigh that almost resembled a laugh.

Launching such a passionate speech — in the end, what was her point? As a politician, what kind of burden could she shoulder for him, a researcher? Of course, it could only be money. She was subtly reminding Zhao Bolin that it was him who had rejected their offer in the first place. Sophisticated laboratories, unlimited funds… It was the first thing they proposed when they asked Zhao Bolin to create the vaccine. However, Zhao Bolin did not want them all and insisted on staying in that shabby laboratory of his. As such, bringing up the deceased elite researchers who received top notch treatment was simply a shameless move.

Or in other words: we know you're just spouting nonsense but we are too kind to burst your bubbles. Now, we are extending the offer to you for the last time. Will you take it or not? 

This woman was even more poisonous than the previous man. Nobody was innocent here. They all had set their eyes on the vaccine and the way they looked at Zhao Bolin was very ravenous as though they were itching to swallow him whole. 

Disgust crawled through his skin. Originally, he was still hesitating on what to do with the vaccine hidden back in his laboratory, but now that he was meeting these people, a firm decision started to form in his mind.

"Professor Zhao?" Upon seeing that Zhao Bolin suddenly fell into thoughts, the woman called out tentatively, her tone containing infinite patience as if she could waste a whole day waiting for Zhao Bolin's answer.

…But unfortunately, Zhao Bolin did not have the time.

As of now, two and a half hours had already passed since he left F University and Lu Yizhou behind. He simply could not muster the patience to talk back and forth with these people.

Hence, he merely waved his hand. "No, there's nothing you can do so just forget it. I will try my best to create the vaccine."

The corner of the woman's lips stiffened as well, feeling as though her subtle attack had landed on soft cotton which did not create any effect whatsoever. 

Everyone here had been warned about Professor Zhao's eccentric personality and his aversion to deal with the government. They thought that they could incite this person's emotions and manipulate him into the trap they had prepared. But in the end, Professor Zhao just backed down without any fight! He didn't even try to argue back at all! What was happening? This was not in line with what they had been informed!

Zhao Bolin started to gather his things as he said, "Well, I guess our meeting will end here. To meet your high expectations, I have to return as soon as possible and continue my experiments. Please excuse me."

Yang Tengfei frowned deeper and he discreetly tapped twice on his earpiece when nobody was looking.

In the next moment, a series of knocks landed urgently on the door. It opened to show a tall soldier clad in protective gears. He saluted toward the politicians before his gaze landed on Yang Tengfei. Despite suppressing his fluster, everyone could see his trembling pupils and pale face. "Reporting to the Commander!"

Yang Tengfei's expression sank as he returned the salute. Together with the soldier, he went out and closed the door behind him.

Zhao Bolin stared at his back and a subtle foreboding crept into his heart. Had something happened? The originally formal atmosphere in the room suddenly turned restless because of the soldier's arrival. People could not help but whisper to each other.

"What happened?"

"I don't know… There can't be another invasion, right?"

"We have just strengthened the border a month ago! How can there be another invasion so fast?!"

Zhao Bolin stood in front of the meeting room and felt chills seeping into his bones. The whispers of doubt and apprehension entered his ears seamlessly. He was not afraid of zombie's invasion. He knew that Lu Yizhou had perfect control on them and there was no way Lu Yizhou would hurt him either. However…

What if Lu Yizhou had followed him here?

Based on his personality, it was possible. After all, that person had led Professor Lou away by himself and killed him just because he betrayed the group and stole Zhao Bolin's bread. But… But Zhao Bolin had clearly told him to stay put! He had told Lu Yizhou not to worry, that he would return as soon as possible! Lu Yizhou had also promised him that he would obediently wait for him to come back!

So what was happening here?!

Just as Zhao Bolin was descending into anxiety, Yang Tengfei returned, bearing not-so-good news to them. "There has been an unexpected situation." He did not clarify what kind of situation it was, but now, could there be another problem aside from the zombies? "I am afraid that we have to remain here for a while. Please do not worry. Your safety is our first priority. We will solve the problem as quickly as we can and send you back."

Commander Yang's decisive words and steady demeanor calmed their restlessness and people nodded in understanding, trying to abate the fear and dread within their hearts.

It was only Zhao Bolin who could not stay still. His ears were ringing and his mind was filled with only one sentence. Lu Yizhou… Lu Yizhou must be here! There was no mistake about it! When Zhao Bolin thought of the firearms, tanks and machine guns he had seen on the way here, all the blood in his body shot up to his head and dizziness struck him hard. 

Despite his powerful healing ability, Lu Yizhou was still a zombie! He would die if a bullet shot into his brain!

Zhao Bolin, who had been acting aloof and apathetic all this time, unexpectedly lost his cool when he thought of Lu Yizhou being shot on the head. He rushed toward Yang Tengfei, taking the latter off guard when he grabbed his arm. Zhao Bolin's expression was distorted due to panic when he demanded, "What's happening outside? Tell me!"

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