Chapter 86: A Friend from River City

"Look at this—it's the genetic code of Asians."

"NHEJ and HR maintain the integrity of the genome, but even these are unstable, and both undergo rearrangements."

"Among countless molecules, those unstable ones are replaced with more stable molecules from other animals. During the transmission of DSBs along the cell cycle, repairs are made at appropriate stages, but the chromatin environment affects the repair outcome. Therefore, this experiment is highly immature."

Ye Qiu suddenly understood; this must be the reason for Shi Ping's instability now.

"According to the experimental data, the stabilizer must be used continuously to maintain the connection of double-strand breaks."

"In that case, the stabilizer Shi Ping has isn't nearly enough. Either he must keep acquiring more, or someone needs to constantly produce it for him. Either way, he has to go to River City."

"What are you talking about? Stabilizer? River City?" Lin Wan'er looked at Ye Qiu, puzzled.

"Nothing. But you—didn't you say you're a traditional medicine doctor? How come you know so much about scientific research?"

"Even traditional medicine keeps up with the times, you know." Lin Wan'er rolled her eyes at Ye Qiu, then her expression turned worried. "Ye Qiu, listen to me, this kind of research is illegal, you..."

She stopped mid-sentence, knowing Ye Qiu was a clever man, and some things didn’t need to be spelled out.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything like that. Otherwise, why would I ask you to do the testing?"

"What do you mean by that?" Lin Wan'er protested. "What do you mean, otherwise you'd ask me for testing?"

"Slip of the tongue. Don't take it to heart."

"Hmph."

Lin Wan'er took off her gloves and shot Ye Qiu a fierce glare. "Enough. This is all I can do. You'll have to handle the rest yourself."

"Wan'er, thank you."

"I don't want your words of thanks. If you really mean it, then you should—"

"Ah!"

Just as Lin Wan'er was speaking, a panicked cry drifted faintly up from below.

It was clearly an instinctive shout; otherwise, it wouldn’t have reached the third underground floor.

Ye Qiu’s face changed instantly when he heard the voice.

He knew it too well.

It was his eldest sister’s voice.

"Stay here." Ye Qiu tossed the words behind him and rushed toward the elevator. The few seconds it took to ascend felt like an eternity, every second dragging out as long as a day.

Ding.

The elevator doors slid open, and Ye Qiu’s shadow shot out so fast it was almost impossible to see his figure.

"Stop!"

A cold shout rang out, seemingly from nowhere.

Several masked men slowly emerged from the woods behind.

The one in front had a hand clamped around Liu Yiran’s neck, regarding Ye Qiu with cold curiosity, clearly intrigued by this unexpected visitor.

"Let her go, and I’ll pretend this never happened."

"What did he just say?" The man turned to his companions, who shook their heads in confusion, their eyes betraying amusement.

It was simply hilarious.

"I didn’t catch that. What did you say?" the man asked, tightening his grip. Liu Yiran, already strangled, flushed a deep red, desperately slapping at his hand. But the man’s large fingers held her neck as tightly as a vise.

Her contorted expression revealed her agony, but in the man’s eyes, it sparked a peculiar excitement—a nameless thrill.

"Take whatever you want," Ye Qiu forced himself to stay calm, wary of provoking the man.

"Shi Ping and the box."

The man relaxed his grip slightly, and Liu Yiran gasped for air, never having needed it so desperately.

"The box is in the lab; you can take it. Shi Ping escaped, as I’m sure you know."

The man nodded, his eyes flashing coldly. "But I said—I want both Shi Ping and the box."

His hand tightened again. Liu Yiran, whose face had just regained some color, turned pale once more, writhing even more violently, her pain clear.

Ye Qiu’s clenched fists creaked, nails digging into his palms as warm blood slowly trickled down.

He dared not make a move—the man across felt like a hyena waiting for the right moment. There were four others, all positioned advantageously.

If he moved, he was certain the man would snap his sister’s neck without hesitation.

"Since you know all this, you must realize how cunning Shi Ping is. Catching him will take time, right, friend from River City?"

"You’re clever," the man’s eyes brightened, reassessing Ye Qiu with curiosity. He hadn’t expected Ye Qiu to guess where he came from.

But that was as far as it went.

He would never allow someone who knew these secrets to live, especially not someone so smart.

That was one more reason he couldn’t be left alive.

"Kneel."

Ye Qiu froze.

At that moment, Liu Yiran ignored her pain and shook her head fiercely.

The rough hand had already left a deep red mark on her fair neck, so vivid and clear.

But she couldn’t care about that now. If Ye Qiu hesitated, both would end up here.

"Elder sister..."

Ye Qiu looked at Liu Yiran’s pain and his unyielding legs nearly buckled.

"How dull. I thought I’d see a good show, but who would’ve guessed there’s real affection these days... ah—"

Thud.

A strong light flashed across the man's eyes. In that instant, he saw a shadow appear beside him. Instinctively, he stabbed at the shadow.

Almost simultaneously, the arm holding his hostage went numb. As his grip loosened, he felt the warmth of her neck slip beyond his control.

By the time his arm regained strength, they had already pulled two meters apart.

"Interesting."

The man's eyes sparkled as he looked at Ye Qiu. That speed was nothing ordinary—it surpassed the limits of any normal person.

A successful experimental subject.

This realization made the man's gaze turn even more delighted, like the shiver before a thrill.

"Ye Zi, I’m sorry, I—"

Liu Yiran was filled with regret. If she hadn’t followed secretly, she wouldn’t have dragged Ye Qiu into this.

"Elder sister, it’s all right."

Ye Qiu patted her hand, signaling her to stay calm.

"Such sibling affection—how interesting."

"I agree. It is."