Chapter 276: Fu Cheng Dares Not Gamble
Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Fu Cheng Dares Not Gamble
"Fu Cheng, your recovery is far better than I imagined," Gong Tianhua said with feeling. "You’re the first Superpower User I’ve ever seen survive after being declared a terminal case."
Superpower Users are powerful, but also exceptionally fragile.
You can’t say for certain whether Superpower Users or mutant beasts are stronger. They keep each other in check; it all comes down to who reveals their weakness first.
"Thanks for the compliment," Fu Cheng said, his face devoid of expression.
"If you have a moment, could you come back to the research institute with me?" Gong Tianhua asked. "I need a vial of your blood for my research."
"Not going," Fu Cheng refused without a second thought.
"Fu Cheng, this would be a huge contribution to the entire Imperial City, even the whole planet. If I can unlock the secret of how you survived, do you have any idea how many people that would help?"
Fu Cheng didn’t know, but he was certain of one thing: if the secret to his recovery was exposed, it would be a catastrophe for Shen Lu.
"Heh. When I was about to die, you abandoned me without a second thought. Now that I’ve clawed my way back to life, you want to talk to me about ’contributions’?"
Gong Tianhua frowned. "As an outstanding student of the military academy, you should be well aware that resources are extremely tight right now. Not wasting them is our duty."
"What does ’not wasting resources’ have to do with us people from the Lower City District? Does the amount wasted by everyone in the Lower City District in a day even compare to a single day’s consumption in the Lan Palace?"
"To speak so brazenly of the Royal Family... you’ve got some nerve."
"Is Director Gong going to report me?"
"I didn’t come here to argue with you." Gong Tianhua’s tone became more amicable. "Fu Cheng, I’m being very sincere. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to pick you up in person today."
As the deputy director of the research institute, his schedule was packed every day. Gong Tianhua had postponed other matters just to come to the Lower City District.
Fu Cheng’s expression didn’t change. Shen Lu placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
’Bro, seriously? It’s time to stop. He’s giving you an out, just take it!’
Fu Cheng shot Shen Lu a look. ’I can’t go.’
The equipment at the research institute was different from the hospital’s—far more advanced. The hospital hadn’t found anything abnormal, but there was no guarantee the institute wouldn’t.
Fu Cheng didn’t dare to take that risk.
"Director Gong, may I have a private word with Fu Cheng?" Shen Lu asked.
"Of course." Gong Tianhua cooperatively stepped out of the booth area.
"You don’t have to say anything. I’m not going," Fu Cheng said before she could speak. "Shen Lu, it’ll be too dangerous."
"I know, but I want to go," Shen Lu said, looking at him seriously. "Trust me. I won’t let you fall into danger, and I’ll protect myself, too."
"What’s your plan?" Fu Cheng wasn’t one to be easily fooled; he wouldn’t believe her just based on a few casual words.
Shen Lu scratched her forehead, then leaned in and whispered a few words in Fu Cheng’s ear.
An incredulous expression appeared on Fu Cheng’s face. Shen Lu nodded affirmatively.
"It’s true!"
She wasn’t lying to him.
Fu Cheng took a deep breath. "Shen Lu, you have to think this through. If you make even one mistake, you’ll never be able to live a normal life again."
"I have a reason I must do this."
Fu Cheng relented. If he went with Shen Lu today, he could at least look out for her. He was more afraid of her going alone. If something happened then, she would be completely helpless with no one to turn to.
Once in the car, Gong Tianhua remarked meaningfully, "Miss Shen and Fu Cheng seem to be very close."
The person he couldn’t persuade even after humbling himself had obediently gotten into the car after just a few words from Shen Lu. Other than them being close, Gong Tianhua couldn’t think of any other reason.
Shen Lu smiled faintly and lowered her head, feigning shyness.
Fu Cheng turned his gaze to the window, not joining the conversation.
Gong Tianhua didn’t mind. All that mattered was that Fu Cheng was willing to cooperate.
In any case, he hadn’t come looking for Fu Cheng to mend their relationship.
As a researcher, how could he possibly resist studying a living miracle standing right in front of him?
Gong Tianhua leaned back against the seat, closed his eyes, and recalled a conversation with his wife from the previous night.
"You’re saying Fu Cheng is still alive? Yun Yao’s son?" Yun Lian, who was sitting at her vanity applying skincare, turned her head. "Shouldn’t he have been dead long ago?"
It wasn’t just Gong Tianhua who had seen Fu Cheng’s medical records; Yun Lian had seen them too.
It wasn’t out of concern. Rather, it was because Fu Cheng was a Dual Ability User. Not only was that rare, but his Superpower Level wasn’t low either. It was hard not to notice such a prodigy.
"And yet, he survived. And from the looks of it, his injuries are healing quite well."
"How is that possible?"
"The impossible just happened," Gong Tianhua said, walking up behind her. "I plan to draw a vial of his blood for research."
"Then draw it," Yun Lian said nonchalantly. "Why are you asking me about your work?"
"He is your nephew, after all."
"Hah. I’ve already been kicked out of the Yun Family. My name was struck from the Yun Family Tree long ago. What kind of nephew is he to me?"
"He’s still Fu Haichen’s only son."
Yun Lian glared at him. "Gong Tianhua, what are you trying to do?"
Gong Tianhua kissed her temple. "My mistake. It won’t happen again."
At this thought, Gong Tianhua opened his eyes. The car had come to a stop.
The group got out of the car. Gong Tianhua led the way, moving through the research institute without any obstruction.
This time, Shen Lu’s journey didn’t end at the conference room. Instead, she passed through two more doors and entered the central area of the research institute.
Gong Tianhua led them directly to his office.
The deputy director’s office was simply and neatly furnished. An entire wall was a floor-to-ceiling window that looked out onto lush greenery, with butterflies fluttering among the plants, giving it a surreal, magical feeling.
"Is this real?" Shen Lu asked curiously.
"Yes," Gong Tianhua nodded. "This display area was meticulously cultivated by the institute. Every flower, every blade of grass, including the butterflies, is truly alive."
"That’s quite impressive."
"Does Miss Shen like it?"
"Who wouldn’t like green plants and living animals?"
Shen Lu had only been living here for two months, and her daily sights consisted of barren landscapes and dilapidated streets, occasionally punctuated by being chased by a mutant beast.
To suddenly see green plants and normal animals made her feel particularly emotional and nostalgic.
’Sigh, the people in this world really have it rough.’
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Gong Tianhua said.
A young man in a white lab coat walked in, carrying a tray with various small tools for drawing blood.
Shen Lu remembered him. The last time she came to the institute, he was with Gong Tianhua, who later assigned him to collect data.
"Director Gong, I’m here to draw the blood."
Gong Tianhua nodded at him, then introduced him to Fu Cheng and Shen Lu. "This is my student, Qi Zhixian."
Shen Lu gave Qi Zhixian a nod of acknowledgment. Fu Cheng had no reaction, leaning back in his wheelchair as if cut off from the outside world.
"Little Qi, you can draw Fu Cheng’s blood now," Gong Tianhua said, completely unconcerned by Fu Cheng’s attitude. All he wanted was his cooperation.