Edge of the Apocalypse

Chapter 126: Chapter 118: Zhou’s Research Project

Yu Dong and Qiao Ping talked a lot about Yin Shuangyang’s affairs, and the more Yu Dong listened, the more alarmed he became.

’A man who could build such a massive fortune is certainly no pushover...’

In the end, Qiao Ping looked at Yu Dong, still unable to believe anything he said.

"I’m sorry, Yu Dong. I don’t know how you found out my secrets, but... this is as far as it goes. Take the money and leave. Just pretend you were never here. Your story was very exciting."

Qiao Ping was trying to send Yu Dong away. She simply didn’t believe that a virus capable of sweeping the entire globe could exist.

No matter how reasonable everything else he said was, as long as there was one fatal flaw, it was all fake.

It was like appraising an antique. An expert appraiser doesn’t care if the glaze, the blue-and-white pattern, or the patina are correct... if it has "Microwave Safe" written on the bottom, they can give their verdict immediately.

After setting aside all other factors, Qiao Ping ultimately concluded that the virus Yu Dong described—one that could instantly infect 90% of the world’s population—was impossible. Therefore, everything he said became a lie.

It was just that Yu Dong’s storytelling ability and his knowledge of her were indeed profound...

’I’ll just consider this one million yuan the price for my own safety.’

She didn’t want to get into a conflict with Yu Dong right now. Who could be sure that he wouldn’t turn into a desperate criminal the moment she exposed his lies?

’I’m a pregnant woman... there’s no need to take that risk.’

"Sister Qiao, even after I’ve told you so much... you still won’t believe me?"

Yu Dong was extremely frustrated.

"No matter how real a fake thing is made to look... it’s still fake. That’s enough. This one million is actually a considerable sum. Besides, it’s dirty money, so I can’t report it to the police. Just take it and leave."

Yu Dong spread his hands helplessly.

"Alright, activation failed. Sister Qiao, you’re not working out. The information I left was correct, but you don’t understand yourself... Sigh, my apologies, Sister Qiao."

"What... what are you going to do?"

Qiao Ping grew nervous.

"Remember that notebook of Yin Shuangyang’s I just told you about? What a coincidence... it records the time, place, and reason your mother received this money. If I were to hand this notebook over to the disciplinary commission, do you think your mother could get away clean? One million is enough to land her in jail for many years, don’t you think?"

"Don’t! Wouldn’t that be mutual destruction? If you do that, Yin Shuangyang will go crazy. If they don’t manage to arrest him... he’ll definitely kill you!"

"Eh! But what if I hand over the money and have someone tell Yin Shuangyang that it was your mother who turned it in and reported him by name? Wouldn’t he just come after your family and kill you all?"

"???"

Qiao Ping pointed at Yu Dong, so angry she was grinding her teeth.

Yu Dong chuckled. "So, Qiao Ping, you can either cooperate with me, or... let your mother face the dire consequences. The choice is yours."

"Forcing me to believe your ridiculous, loophole-ridden apocalypse story... don’t you find that laughable?"

"Since I can’t win your heart, I’ll just have to take you. Now... Qiao Ping, it’s time for you to choose."

Yu Dong stood up, looking down at Qiao Ping with a powerful, oppressive aura.

Qiao Ping’s expression shifted multiple times before she finally lowered her head.

"What do you want me to help you with?"

"Over the next week, I need to use some of your family’s connections to help me with a few things..."

"Fine... but don’t go too far."

"This is a report I wrote. Have your husband submit it to the national disease control center. See if they can make some preparations before the apocalypse, as an early preventative measure."

After his rebirth, Yu Dong had used various pieces of information he’d heard on the radio in his past life to write this document, titled "S-Virus Investigation Report," waiting for a chance to submit it to someone influential.

Yu Dong knew that if he went to some official confidential department and started yelling about a zombie virus apocalypse... he would definitely be treated as mentally ill and placed under some form of restriction.

But Qiao Ping’s husband was the head of health and disease prevention in Yanhai City. If he could send this report up the chain, it might capture the attention of some higher-ups.

"No one will believe it. If my husband submits this, he’ll just be asking for a reprimand. It’s too absurd."

"Perhaps... but we have to try. Let your husband make a little sacrifice for his mother-in-law. After all, he got his position thanks to her."

"Fine, I promise. I’ll have him send this to the national disease control center as soon as possible... Anything else?"

"Your uncle, Qiao Yunliang. I want you to call him. Tell him about the zombie apocalypse happening in seven days. Tell him to get ready, prepare weapons and ammunition in advance, and find a way to disperse his soldiers on that day to preserve more of his forces."

"Impossible! The military is no joke. Mobilizing troops without authorization will cause huge problems!"

"It’s fine. It doesn’t matter if he believes you or not, just tell him. Just say you received a tip from a virologist and that you’ve already compiled a report and sent it to the national disease control center."

"Knowing my uncle, he’ll definitely think my pregnancy has made me lose my mind."

"Call him."

After Qiao Ping made the call and explained everything, there was a long silence on Qiao Yunliang’s end...

"Pingping, I’m going to have our unit’s psychologist pay you a visit... just wait at home, okay?"

After hanging up, Qiao Ping spread her hands.

"See? A complete waste of effort."

"Hehe, no effort is ever truly wasted... As long as the information is out there, it could trigger a butterfly effect big enough to change the future."

Yu Dong had anticipated this outcome. Having handled these two matters, he didn’t need Qiao Ping for the time being.

"Sister Qiao, remember, don’t wander off. It’s not convenient for you in your condition. Besides us... it’ll be hard for anyone to protect you constantly after the apocalypse begins. Wait for my call."

After Yu Dong left, Qiao Ping’s expression grew serious.

’These two things he had me do... they don’t help him at all. Does he really believe this virus exists? Strange...’

...

After leaving, Yu Dong didn’t stop for a moment, heading straight for a Luckin Coffee.

Zhou and Xufeng were each holding a cup of coffee, chatting happily.

"My dad may not understand science, but he respects it immensely. He donates money to national experimental projects every year!"

"So Mr. Xujiang is your father! Well, isn’t this a case of failing to recognize one of our own! Our academy has received donations from your father before."

Yu Dong: "???"

"Zhou, how do you two know each other?"

Zhou Jian Country turned his head. "You must be... Yu Dong, right? A pleasure to meet you!"

Dazed, Yu Dong shook Zhou’s hand.

Then he asked, "How did it go, Teacher Zhou? I assume Xufeng explained the situation to you?"

"He did, but I didn’t believe him. You know... we researchers value logic and evidence. An assumption like yours simply doesn’t hold up in the real world."

"The core parameter for your Experiment Nine is 13779926690. Zhou, you’d better live up to your words!"

Yu Dong stared into Zhou Jian Country’s eyes, hoping for some kind of positive reaction.

’Dealing with the stubbornly disbelieving Qiao Ping was exhausting. To hell with those stupid secret keys; threats worked best in the end.’

’Threaten Sun Shan, then threaten Qiao Ping.’

’So far, the only person I’ve managed to "activate" is Zhao Youcai!’

’Even Huang Zhiqiang didn’t work out.’

"HSSS..." Zhou sucked in a sharp breath.

"You even know this... Interesting. Only I noticed that strange parameter. My future self must have passed this on to you as the most critical piece of information... Even after the apocalypse, my future self was still obsessed with Experiment Nine... Or could it be... that Experiment Nine was the right path all along... If I were to leave a message for myself from months ago, what would I leave..."

As he said this, Zhou unexpectedly fell into a state of sudden enlightenment, leaving Yu Dong and Xufeng stunned.

"Xufeng, would you say this counts as... a successful activation or not?"

"Uh... I think it worked?"

After thinking for a long time, a look of joy finally spread across Zhou Jian Country’s face.

"Yu Dong, I believe you are a Reincarnator now. But I have to get back to my lab. I’m certain that my future self sent a message to my present self... We’ll talk more when I get back!"

"Huh? Seriously, Zhou? The apocalypse is just around the corner, and you’re still doing research? Is it that important?"

Zhou gave Yu Dong a strange look.

"Didn’t my future self tell you? My project is: ’Research on Anomalous Particles in the Air’."

"I think he might have mentioned it... but does that have anything to do with the apocalypse virus?"

"I don’t know. But there’s plenty of special data only I would know that my future self could have had you bring back, any of which would have been enough to prove he’d spoken to you personally. But he had you bring back the special number for Experiment Nine... there must be a reason. I trust myself. I have to go back and check."

Yu Dong didn’t understand the world of scientific research, so he didn’t dwell on it.

"But Zhou, I need you to help me concoct a chemical that can deal with zombies. We’ve tried detonators and explosives, but the drawbacks are too great. We need something quieter, but more lethal to zombies..."

"Easy enough. We’ll talk on WeChat."

Zhou Jian Country scurried off in a hurry, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the high-speed rail station, completely forgetting about Mei.

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