Chapter Seventy-Seven: God's Amniotic Fluid

Fortunately, Chen Xudong was, after all, a scholar and a doctor. Although in a state of extreme shock he might reveal childlike, unguarded expressions, such moments never lasted long. After a brief pause, he composed himself, adopting a businesslike demeanor.

“You’ll join our third group as a researcher. I’ll have someone arrange your identification card,” Chen Xudong said to Li Qingshui, then turned to Liu Chang and the little girl in his arms. “Are these your family?”

“Yes, they’re my family,” Li Qingshui nodded.

“Good. All our researchers have private rooms. Your family can stay with you,” Dr. Chen continued, pausing to gather his thoughts. “You’re new to the institute, so there’s much to learn and understand. Though your neural mutation is highly advanced—by now you’re a hundred times smarter than us old guys—you still lack sufficient knowledge. In your early days here, focus on building a solid foundation in biology and genetics. For now, follow me during experiments and lectures...”

“All right,” Li Qingshui nodded again.

Just as he agreed and Dr. Chen was about to continue, a powerful, rhythmic footstep echoed from the end of the institute’s hallway. Three figures approached—a middle-aged man in military uniform flanked by two researchers in white lab coats.

The man in military uniform walked between the two and appeared to be about fifty, average in appearance, his demeanor unremarkable. Liu Chang, spotting him from afar, barely noticed his features but was immediately drawn to the insignia on his shoulder—Lieutenant General.

That was a true military authority. Even in all of Zhengzhou, a lieutenant general would rank among the highest officers present.

The two researchers walking beside him seemed equally distinguished. They kept pace with him, their manner suggesting no clear hierarchy among the three. Even more striking, one of the researchers appeared only in his twenties—about the same age as Li Qingshui.

“Dr. Chen,” the lieutenant general called out with a warm smile as he neared, showing none of the airs of a military commander, lacking the forceful presence expected of such a figure. Instead, he exuded nothing but kindness.

At the sight of him, Chen Xudong managed a polite smile and greeted the newcomer with the familiarity of an old acquaintance.

“Chief of Staff Zhang.”

“Yes, old Chen, I heard the military district welcomed a new neural mutation subject today? I came to offer congratulations. What is the nature of this mutation?”

“Oh, just a standard intelligence and analytical type. The mutation isn’t especially advanced.” Chen Xudong smiled, patting Li Qingshui on the shoulder. “Here, this young man.”

“I see.” Chief of Staff Zhang fixed Li Qingshui with a steady gaze, then said, “A spirited young man—the institute needs fresh blood like you.”

“Thank you for your praise, Chief of Staff.” Li Qingshui bowed slightly.

“No need for formality. Young people here don’t need to stand on ceremony,” Zhang replied, then gestured to the young man at his side. “Let me introduce you—this is Comrade Zhao Zhuo, also a young talent. You two are about the same age and both discovered to have neural mutations by our military district. He’s the only local in Zhengzhou we’ve found so far. In the few days I’ve known him, I’ve seen just how smart he is. You two should learn from each other.”

“Hello, I’m Zhao Zhuo,” the young man said, extending his hand to Li Qingshui.

“I’m Li Qingshui,” Li Qingshui replied with a smile, shaking his hand.

“Oh, I almost forgot—my memory’s slipping!” Seeing their handshake, Chief of Staff Zhang pulled the elderly researcher to his side. “This is Dr. Zhang Xilin, a leading figure in China’s field of biological genetics. If you study with him, there’s much to gain.”

“Hello, Dr. Zhang,” Li Qingshui greeted him courteously.

“Hello, young man.” Dr. Zhang Xilin, an elderly man in his sixties, had unusually sharp, upturned eyebrows, giving him a far less gentle and more severe appearance than might be expected for his age. This contradictory blend of qualities rendered him somewhat peculiar.

With introductions complete, Chief of Staff Zhang continued, “Now that you all know each other, feel free to consult Dr. Zhang Xilin with any questions, and share ideas with Zhao Zhuo as well…”

“Chief of Staff Zhang, you’re openly trying to poach my people!” Chen Xudong finally interjected, unable to stand the monologue. “We discovered him first, and as you said when we found Zhao Zhuo, ‘first come, first served.’ Or have you forgotten?”

“Hahaha! Look at you, old friend, getting anxious.” Chief of Staff Zhang waved off the protest. “I just want the young ones to have an easier time settling in—no poaching intended. To avoid any misunderstanding, I’ll take my leave now.”

He patted Li Qingshui’s shoulder once more. “You’re always welcome to visit Group One. Though all five research groups are on equal footing, in our socialist society, while the working people are all equal, there are still subtle differences in division of labor.”

With that, Chief of Staff Zhang departed with a kindly smile, leading the others away.

As their figures faded down the hall, Liu Chang turned to Li Qingshui in confusion. “How did that end up about socialism?”

“He meant that among the five research groups, Group One is far superior to the others—and he wants me to consider my future carefully,” Li Qingshui replied, expressionless.

“And what’s your decision?” Chen Xudong asked, watching him closely.

“By answering as I did, I’ve already chosen your side,” Li Qingshui said.

“Why?”

“No special reason—just a matter of instinct,” Li Qingshui looked at Dr. Chen. “By the way, when you tested my neural mutation composite index earlier, what was my score?”

“One sixty-seven.”

“And Zhao Zhuo?”

“One thirty-four—slightly lower than yours.”

“I see. He’s been here a few days already?”

“Yes, he’s been here for eight days. In that time he’s mastered the entire field of genetic engineering, something others can’t achieve in decades. He’s now fully involved in the direct research team for the Red Mist.” As Chen Xudong spoke, he pulled a prepared flash drive from his military jacket pocket. “This is what Zhao Zhuo used to study—it’s over a gigabyte of text and images. I hope you can finish reading it within a week.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Li Qingshui said, accepting the drive.

“That’s all for today. You’ve had a long, arduous journey and must be exhausted. I’ll have someone arrange a room for you and your family.” Chen Xudong glanced at Liu Chang and the little girl. “Your friend is badly injured, and the child seems to have lost a lot of blood. I’ll call a military doctor to check on you. We’ll discuss the rest later—just wait here for now.”

With that, Dr. Chen left.

The rest of the day went smoothly. A military doctor was called, rooms were arranged, and after Liu Chang and Xiao Jing received basic treatment, the day quietly passed.

In the evening, Liu Chang carried the now-sleeping Xiao Jing back to their assigned dormitory from the infirmary and found Li Qingshui reading at a computer.

“There’s electricity here—what a blessing. I feel like I’m back in civilization,” Liu Chang said, flipping on the light. For a moment, it felt like his old life.

“Too bad civilization isn’t always safer than the wild,” Li Qingshui replied, eyes flickering rapidly across pages on the screen, reading at an astonishing pace—no page lingering more than three seconds.

“I just can’t understand why, even in a crisis like this, people are still fighting among themselves. Wouldn’t unity be better?” Liu Chang laid the girl on the bed and stretched out beside her. “They’re all supposed to be smart, but their awareness is so low.”

“Conflict doesn’t always stem from low awareness; sometimes it’s just a clash of ideologies.” Li Qingshui multitasked, reading while conversing. “For example: faced with this evolving, red-misted world, some advocate using extreme nuclear or biochemical means to reshape or destroy nature in defense of humanity’s dominance. Others prefer humanity to integrate gently with nature. Neither view is absolutely right or wrong, nor is either side necessarily evil—they’re simply different factions and approaches.”

“So you turned down Group One’s invitation because your philosophies didn’t align?” Liu Chang rose from the bed, moving behind Li Qingshui.

“Yes. They’re too aggressive, clearly the radicals. And in their eyes, there’s a blatant contempt for nature—they still indulge in the fantasy of humanity’s invincibility, which I cannot agree with.” Li Qingshui sighed, pausing his reading. He pointed at a line on the screen. “Look—just as the first person to discover the composition of the Red Mist wrote: humanity can never contend with nature, just as man cannot defeat God. Ultimately, the origin of all life sciences points toward theology. This miraculous red mist is, in fact, God’s amniotic fluid.” (To be continued)