An hour later, Zhou Tianming awoke to the alarm on his phone.
His condition had improved somewhat, though his face remained pale.
A sweet, cloying fragrance drifted into his nose.
Following the scent, he saw several small cakes of various flavors and chocolate candies arranged on the table.
Thanks!
Zhou Tianming grabbed one and wolfed it down in a few bites.
He patted his cheeks.
Time to work!
He turned on his computer and resumed his vaccine analysis.
An hour later, Zhou Tianming stopped with a grave expression.
He had used [Analyze] twice more during this time, but the results were poor—the data and documents had reached their limit in terms of what could be deduced.
To narrow down the hundreds of remaining branches, he needed experimental biological data.
But there were still too many possibilities. Testing each one would take considerable time, and collecting biological data would also require time.
Closing his eyes, he sank into deep thought.
What else could he do...?
Suddenly, the image of his mother, Zhou Hanxiang, and her seemingly Newtype-like powerful sixth sense surfaced in his mind.
An idea struck him—if science couldn't do it, why not try mysticism?
That's it!
Opening his eyes, Zhou Tianming expanded the floating screen to its maximum size, displaying the remaining hundred or so possibilities in rows.
[Analyze] and [Sense] activated.
The Mental Power that should have radiated outward like radar was instead consciously gathered and concentrated in his brain by Zhou Tianming, giving rise to an indescribably mystical sensation.
In his vision, the hundred-plus possibilities subtly shifted.
It was inexplicable, beyond words.
But he felt a preference forming.
This one feels off—discard.
This one seems decent—keep.
This one feels prickly, problematic—discard.
Oh~ this one feels comfortable—keep.
...
Using [Sense] for rapid screening and [Analyze] for further deduction.
It wasn't scientific, but it was deeply mystical.
Half an hour later, 30 new paths emerged.
This was the limit—his [Sense] had rated all these paths as "good" or better before ending.
After packaging the data and sending it to Zhou Junguo, Zhou Tianming exhaled deeply and waited quietly.
...
Upon receiving the message, Zhou Junguo immediately forwarded it to Hua Bolin, the head of the Medical Division.
"Incredible!" Hua Bolin's voice on the phone was filled with astonishment. "To narrow down these directions in such a short time..."
"Probably just luck. Tianming must have been worried about Hanxiang and made some random guesses."
"Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand," Hua Bolin scoffed. "These choices aren't random at all. The combinations of medicinal ingredients, the balancing of properties—it's all remarkably precise. He might not have extensive medical knowledge, but his fundamentals are rock-solid."
"Extraordinary talent, truly extraordinary. How about sending Tianming to study medicine with me after he returns to East Asia?"
Zhou Junguo felt reluctant in his heart—this was his successor. How could she be taken away?
"Let's see what Tianming himself thinks. That boy has strong opinions. He was bold enough to stay alone on the Junk Guild as a Junk Dealer, causing all this trouble."
"Hahaha, good, good. Having strong opinions is a good thing."
Zhou Junguo sensed trouble. The other side seemed increasingly favorable, so he quickly changed the subject: "Mr. Hua, we'll leave the rest to you."
...
East Asia Capital, First Pharmaceutical Research Institute.
A middle-aged man in his 40s stared at the data sent by Hua Bolin, his mouth gaping wider the more he read.
After a long pause, he exclaimed, "As expected of Chief Hua. His medical skills are astounding."
"Director, what is it?"
Hearing his exclamation, the others stopped their work and looked over curiously.
The director typed on the keyboard, distributing the data to everyone's computers. "Take a look. In such a short time, he's narrowed it down to 30 pathways."
"What? Thirty!"
"No way! Our entire team barely managed to narrow it down to under 200. How did Chief Hua do it?"
"Damn, this herb ratio is possible? What's the reasoning behind this?"
"Incredible! I never thought of synthesizing it this way."
The researchers chattered incessantly in amazement.
The director clapped his hands and raised his voice. "No time for admiration now. We need to proceed with animal testing as soon as possible to develop the Vaccine—or at least a palliative."
"Understood!"
The researchers answered in unison.
...
Capital Hospital, Zhou Hanxiang's ward.
Beep beep beep—!
A sharp alarm blared from the monitoring equipment.
On the bed, Zhou Hanxiang frowned tightly, an oxygen mask covering her mouth. She coughed violently, as if trying to expel her lungs.
Suddenly, a mouthful of blood sprayed out, instantly staining the transparent mask crimson.
A middle-aged doctor in a white coat and mask rushed into the ward. His eyes swept over the readings on the monitors, widening in shock. "The patient's vitals are plummeting—multi-organ failure, accompanied by severe coughing and hemoptysis. Prepare for emergency treatment immediately!"
The nurse who had just chased after him turned and dashed back out.
The doctor retrieved a syringe and injected it into Zhou Hanxiang. Her condition stabilized slightly.
Outside the ward, Gao Jing anxiously contacted Zhou Junguo.
...
Space, an hour's journey from Earth. A Shuttle advanced rapidly.
Zhou Tianming gazed at the blue Earth through the Shuttle's large screen.
In his past life as an ordinary man, he had only seen Earth's full image in videos. Now, he was truly looking at it from space.
For a blue and pure world.
The slogan surfaced in his mind unbidden.
The slogan was great—it was the people who weren't.
His face twisted as if he'd swallowed a fly. Zhou Tianming shook his head, trying to rid himself of the filth.
His phone rang. Zhou Tianming answered hastily. "Grandfather."
"..." After a moment of silence, Zhou Junguo's hoarse voice came through. "Hanxiang... she's not going to make it..."
His pupils contracted. His fingers clenched the phone so tightly the metal casing creaked faintly.
His heart trembled, but Zhou Tianming forced himself to take deep breaths, staying calm. "What happened? Why the sudden decline?"
"Hanxiang's body is severely depleted, too weak for strong medication. Now the complications have suddenly erupted..."
Huff— Huff—
It's my fault. Her body collapsed because she was taking care of me!
Blood trickled down as he bit his lip.
Stay calm!
There must still be a way!
"Is the Vaccine still effective?"
"Yes, but time is..."
"I want to talk to Mom."
Zhou Junguo's voice was heavy with sorrow: "She's still unconscious and can't hear you."
"No!" Zhou Tianming's tone was resolute. "She can hear me."
"...Wait a moment."
One minute later: "Go ahead."
Huff— He exhaled, his voice eerily calm: "You once told me while I was asleep that you always regretted not being able to give birth to me like a normal child, leaving me in endless slumber, robbing me of a complete childhood."
"I haven't forgiven you yet, so you can't die!"
With that, he hung up.
An idea struck him.
[Blessing]: Slightly increases the target's luck, tilting events in their favor.
If he couldn't find the right path, then let her come to him.
Mental Power surged in Zhou Tianming's mind as he activated [Blessing], his head growing heavy.
Gritting his teeth against the discomfort, he triggered [Sense].
Mindpower capacity: 53.
Darkness swam before his eyes, dizziness overwhelming him.
He slumped into the soft chair, utterly drained.
Summoning the last of his strength, thirty paths materialized in his mind.
The previously indistinguishable routes now shifted, as if an invisible hand guided his Mindpower toward one particular path.
This was the lifeline!
The Vaccine!
Done!
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