PCJ – Chapter 645 Return to School

After reclaiming the mutated white mice, Zhang Jiaohua’s mission was essentially complete. The remaining matters naturally fell to Xi Qizhong.

Zhang Jiaohua did not return the experimental mice to Huang Zhongfang’s lab. After the incident, Huang’s team could no longer keep these white mice. These mice had become spirit beasts-level creatures, and after this violent episode, had developed a certain ferocity. No one could predict if they would attack again, since their intelligence was still not very high despite the mutation.

Zhang directly brought the mutated mice to the Xiyun Secret Realm, where the spiritual energy remained dense. The sealed spirit springs there were actually infused by Zhang himself. After the last purge, the number of cultivators in Xiyun had drastically reduced, so there were not many cultivators left, but compared to the previous chaos, the place was much better organized. Everyone seemed to have their own affairs to attend to.

Zhang released the white mice and arranged for their management, then left.

He went to Huang Zhongfang’s lab and gathered with the research team.

As Zhang was preparing to leave, Mei Qing stopped him, saying, “I want to talk to you alone about something.”

Zhang nodded and found a quiet spot to sit down.

“Mei teacher, what’s this about? Why so mysterious?” Zhang asked.

“Can I use your active reagent for some research?” Mei asked.

“That’s not impossible. But you can’t do the research in the lab. You have to go with me to a secluded place, and if you come out later, you must promise not to disclose anything about it,” Zhang said.

“I promise!” Mei Qing replied.

“Then no problem. Prepare yourself. Once you’re ready, I’ll take you there. But your research might not be very meaningful—some things simply can’t be published in papers,” Zhang warned.

“My thesis is basically finished. I’m not in a rush to defend it like you. Since I have some free time now, I want to try new things,” Mei admitted.

Mei’s research was mostly done; she had plenty for her doctoral thesis. The pressure was much less now, so she finally had time to pursue what she wanted. She had followed Zhang’s experiments closely from the start and was amazed by the content. Mei had tried to repeat Zhang’s experiments using his methods but couldn’t get past a critical point—it truly required Zhang’s active reagent to cross that threshold.

“Mei teacher, do you want to do further research based on my experiment?” Zhang asked.

Mei nodded. “I want to try in vitro embryo cultivation with more species. Also, I want to see if this active reagent can cause other species to mutate in the same way as the white mice.”

“So you ultimately want to see if this method can optimize humans, right?” Zhang asked.

Mei did not deny it. “Yes. If this reagent can improve genes during the embryo stage and activate ancient genes in the human genome, maybe human constitution and intelligence could be greatly enhanced. Super soldiers wouldn’t be impossible.”

Zhang laughed. “If you go to that secluded place, maybe you’ll stop thinking that way. Even if the reagent can create super soldiers, it wouldn’t change human society much. Still, I won’t stop you from experimenting in that direction.”

“You’re not tricking me into a secluded place to sell me off, are you?” Mei joked.

Zhang laughed heartily. “Think carefully. Once there, no one will come to save you.”

“I’m not scared. I’m so stinky, who’d want to buy me?” Mei laughed.

“If you smiled more like that, the male students at our school would probably break down the lab door to chase you. Then Huang teacher would tell you, ‘Mei Qing, graduate quickly and go torment others,’” Zhang teased.

Mei giggled. “You don’t know—students at school are divided into three types: male students, female students, and female PhD students. I feel like I’ve become a monster.”

Zhang smiled. “If you’re a monster, you have to be a beautiful one.”

“Enough joking. I need to prepare. Handing over the lab will take some effort. Don’t get impatient!” Mei had been a key figure managing many instruments and reagents in Huang’s lab. Now that she was moving to do experiments in the secret realm, these responsibilities would be handed over. She had already chosen a successor: Ma Nanli, a master’s student who planned to continue through a PhD. Though his current project was enough for a thesis defense, he had started on a new topic.

Zhang’s phone rang—it was Ji Jiaxin.

“Zhang Jiaohua, where are you? I heard you’re back at school,” Ji said breathlessly.

“Just around the lab building, talking with Mei teacher. Planning to stay a few days. How’d you know I’m back?” Zhang asked.

“Hehe, not telling you,” Ji teased.

“I know—it must be one of Zhunshi, Xia Hui, or the other guy,” Zhang said without needing to ask.

“I ran into all three at the school gate today,” Ji revealed.

“I knew it was them. I was just about to look for you. I’ll stay in the capital for a few days. Mei teacher will continue my experiments. I’ll only return to Daihua County after setting things up,” Zhang said.

“Are you really planning to stay in that village all the time?” Ji asked puzzled.

“Not really. I’m just sorting out things in Yingpan Village before making further plans,” Zhang explained.

Suddenly hearing Ji’s voice, Zhang looked up to see her waving energetically from afar.

Ji’s hair was simply tied back, but even so, her beauty was striking. Her white shirt and black suit pants gave her a professional look that couldn’t hide her fiery spirit.

Ji quickly approached Zhang, complaining, “You’re too fast. I haven’t even really enjoyed university life, and you’ve already gotten two PhDs. How is that fair?”

“Can’t help it. I’m eager to get out of this misery. I have no interest in studying,” Zhang laughed.

“That really hurts. You earned two PhDs and two world-class achievements in one go. If you have no interest in studying, those who do must feel deeply ashamed,” Ji smiled. She knew Zhang was honest, but to others, it might sound like bragging.

Before Zhang could respond, Ji continued, “I’ve self-studied some courses this year, hoping to graduate one or two years early. By the way, I’m planning to do social research during the holidays in that village where you’re a village official. What do you think?”

“Our conditions there are tough. Someone who came with me stayed just one night and left. As a girl, you’d better not suffer that hardship. There’s not even a proper place to stay,” Zhang warned.

“Don’t underestimate me. You lasted so long there; a few days won’t be a problem,” Ji said, dissatisfied.

“It’s not underestimating you—the conditions there are truly harsh. You know, I grew up in the countryside. For me, it’s just a taste of my childhood life,” Zhang explained.

“Zhang, your family is much wealthier than mine. I grew up in the city, but I think I can endure any hardship,” Ji said stubbornly.

“Well then, if you can handle it, you’re welcome anytime. I’ll try to prepare food and lodging for you,” Zhang said after thinking.

“Then it’s a deal. Maybe I’ll like the life there and become a village official like you someday,” Ji said.

“Ji Jiaxin, don’t do that. You and I are not the same kind of person,” Zhang said.

Ji objected, “Why not? Do you think I’m some spoiled rich girl? We’ve known each other since childhood. Did I look like a spoiled girl back then?”

Zhang shook his head. “You misunderstood me. A few days from now, I’m taking Mei teacher to a place. If you’re interested, you can come and see, then you’ll understand what I mean. But once there, you must not tell anyone what you see.”

“What place?” Ji asked curiously.

“You’ll know when you get there,” Zhang said.

The two walked side by side on campus, looking like a young couple. The atmosphere felt a bit strange to Zhang. Though a cultivator, he was still a young man of eighteen—an age full of yearning for love. Ji Jiaxin, such a charming beauty, had an irresistible attraction to him.

Ji already had a special fondness for Zhang. Whenever she stood with him, she felt her heart pounding faster. She was bold in love and hate and dared to pursue her own happiness. She was good friends with Xu Xiaoting but would never tell her about Zhang’s return to the capital. In some matters, she believed not everything should be shared openly.

Ji wasn’t afraid to open her heart to Zhang but worried that confessing might push their relationship into uncontrollable territory. So she waited for the right time. Until now, she wasn’t sure if Zhang felt the same way.

Ji felt Zhang was a mysterious boy with something she could never fully understand. Sometimes he seemed pure, as if you could see right through him. Other times, he was so mysterious that she couldn’t grasp him at all.

Xia Hui’s phone call broke the silence.

“Xia Hui and the others want me to come to a gathering. Are you coming?” Zhang asked.

“I don’t think I should,” Ji glanced at Zhang, wondering if he was hinting at something. But Zhang seemed innocent in his question.

“Why not? We’re all familiar,” Zhang said.

“Okay then,” Ji nodded.

Xia Hui, Ma Zhenyuan, and Luo Huaping arrived early, but the room wasn’t just them. Surprisingly, all three had girlfriends now. Zhang was glad Ji came; otherwise, the atmosphere might have been awkward.

“Jiaohua, we’ve been waiting for you guys,” Xia Hui said when Zhang and Ji entered.

“You guys are fast,” Zhang said.

“Fast can’t beat you. We entered school together, didn’t finish undergrad, and you already got two PhDs. We don’t even have first loves, and you kidnapped Ji Jiaxin when you were what, a kid? How can we compete?” Xia Hui joked.

“Let me introduce you. You all know them, but these are the first times for you. This is Xia Hui’s girlfriend, Jiang Yiran; this one is Luo Huaping’s, Zhao Yali; and this, of course, is your sister-in-law, Xue Yuan,” Ma Zhenyuan introduced the girls.

“Don’t listen to Ma Zhenyuan’s nonsense—we’re just friends,” Xue Yuan quickly said.

“I understand, all pure friendships,” Zhang smiled.

Jiang Yiran laughed. “Jiaohua, you’re a star student now. At school meetings, nine out of ten times, they use you as an example.”

“That’s true. Among so many graduates, who’s done anything close to Jiaohua’s achievements?” Xia Hui proudly said.

“You all should work harder. Otherwise, you’ll be far behind Jiaohua,” Zhao Yali said.

“Don’t say that. We’re all roommates. No matter what we achieve, we’re brothers. Right? If we overcomplicate, our bond will dilute,” Zhang quickly said.

“Jiaohua’s right. We’re lifelong brothers. We don’t have his talent for research, but we work hard in the lab. Living with Jiaohua is lucky. If we were in other dorms, maybe we’d just coast through college. But here, we can’t slack off. Even if we don’t reach Jiaohua’s level, we’ll have no regrets. Right?” Xia Hui said emotionally.