The Final Choice

"Her physique is a bit unusual; the needle might really not be able to penetrate!" Lin Xiaosu chose his words carefully. "You don't need to give her an injection. Based on your experience, judge if she's in danger."

Judging by her vital signs, Hu Ya's vitality was extraordinarily robust.

Through the breath-blowing test, her blood alcohol level was actually not high enough to pose a danger.

She seemed to be in a peculiar state of mutation—a state that doctors in the past wouldn't have been able to detect, as it defied the norms of life. However, gene mutation had begun to solidify as a consensus in the medical field. Even without encountering actual cases, doctors had seen various mutations that exceeded their understanding in the database.

Gene mutation was a revolution within the body.

Metabolism was proceeding at a rapid pace.

Amidst the rapid changes, the brain activated its protective mechanism, and falling into a coma was the norm.

Lin Xiaosu was relieved.

Hu Ya was not in danger.

She had merely come into contact with that faint light, and her body had begun a new round of mutation.

There were indications that this was not a bad thing; in fact, it might even be a good thing!

The ambulance arrived at the hospital, and she was admitted to the emergency room. However, emergency measures were limited to superficial examinations, and there was no room for injections that would penetrate the skin.

When the nurses in the hospital heard about such a strange occurrence, their sleepiness vanished. They found excuses to make rounds in this room and then discussed it animatedly in various corners.

Second Uncle and Second Aunt rushed over overnight, extremely anxious.

But Lin Xiaosu pulled Second Uncle aside and quietly explained the situation. Second Uncle's cloudy expression instantly cleared up...

Turning away, Second Uncle also whispered with Second Aunt for a while, and Second Aunt's expression was one of fluctuating emotions...

After a series of examinations, discussions, and worries, followed by relief, time passed quickly.

As a few disturbances occurred in the ward, the sky outside brightened.

Lin Xiaosu went outside the hospital to buy them breakfast. When he entered the ward carrying a large pile of plastic bags, he was surprised to see that the bed was empty. Second Uncle stood by the window, gazing at the sky, Second Aunt sat in a corner, motionless, and a beautiful woman in a police uniform was comforting Second Aunt.

That beautiful woman was Zhou Mei.

"Where is she?" Lin Xiaosu asked.

"Chang Ye came," Zhou Mei said. "She said Hu Ya's condition is very special and took her to the provincial department for treatment."

Lin Xiaosu was slightly taken aback...

"Xiaosu... you think this... is this okay?" Second Aunt jumped up and ran to him.

Her daughter was sick with a strange illness. Suddenly, people from the provincial public security department arrived and took her daughter away for treatment. She didn't recognize the people who came and was truly worried. Her husband couldn't give her confidence, so she sought confidence from Lin Xiaosu.

"It's fine!" Lin Xiaosu said. "This isn't a bad thing for Hu Ya; it's a good thing!"

"A good thing?"

"Yes, Second Aunt, don't worry. After some time, when she's recovered, she'll be back."

Second Uncle turned his head. "You believe it now, don't you? I said it was a good thing, but this woman just wouldn't believe it."

"You're such a mysterious Taoist priest, who would believe you?" Second Aunt said. "But I believe Xiaosu! Besides us, only Xiaosu truly cares about her! If Xiaosu says it's fine, then it's truly fine!"

Lin Xiaosu smiled gently. "Alright, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you should go back after you've eaten. I'll settle the bill at the hospital."

As he left the hospital's billing department, Lin Xiaosu's mind was filled with surging emotions.

He connected all the events...

Last night, Hu Ya suddenly fell ill.

This condition could not be contained in the hospital. As countless nurses spread the word, it reached the Public Security Bureau. The people at the bureau were very sensitive and immediately reported it to their superiors, which is how Chang Ye found out.

Chang Ye was a member of Qianlong and had an almost obsessive enthusiasm for recruiting talent.

When Hu Ya kicked the gene people's eggs apart earlier, she might have already fallen under Chang Ye's observational scope. Her personal visit tonight, under the guise of taking Hu Ya for treatment, was clearly a pretext.

What she truly wanted to do was to see if Hu Ya had the potential to serve Qianlong.

If such a day came and Hu Ya joined Qianlong, Lin Xiaosu personally felt it was worth looking forward to.

Didn't she always say she wasn't like a normal woman?

To be honest, abnormal outliers were very lonely.

But in Qianlong, was being abnormal a problem?

"Abnormal" was a common label for all Qianlong members, wasn't it?

There were no normal women among them!

Hadn't she found her own kind?

She had also complained about being born in the wrong era. If she had been born in ancient times, Hua Mulan would probably have been replaced by Li Diandian.

And now, wasn't the opportunity here?

If she joined Qianlong, kicking people's eggs was nothing!

The things Qianlong did surpassed worldly conventions; injuring or killing people was a common occurrence for them.

In conclusion, Hu Ya had found her organization, or rather, this unique seedling had found a special platform suitable for her to flourish...

A familiar car waited for him at the hospital entrance.

The car window slid down, revealing two faces.

Zhou Mei was driving, and Chang Ye was in the back seat.

"Get in, I'll treat you to tea!" Chang Ye said.

The car sped off to the east side of the city, to Shengxin Teahouse, which had just opened.

On the side facing the Yishui River, green bamboo formed a railing, and a purple clay pot sat ready. The spring breeze, lingering from the end of spring, brushed past, bringing a chill.

The tea poured from the teapot had a unique aesthetic in the early morning.

The tea in the cup was a light green.

This was Tashan's Qingming tea.

Qingming had just passed, and new tea was on the market. Enjoying a cup in the bustling city was a picture of contentment.

"Your childhood sweetheart girlfriend, there won't be a problem!" Chang Ye said, raising his hand slightly, answering a question for him.

"Childhood sweetheart is the wrong term!" Lin Xiaosu smiled slightly. "But it's not important. What's important is, have you found another business opportunity?"

"Business opportunity?"

"The market is like a battlefield, and the battlefield is like the market. During competition, everything in the world is a chess piece on the board. Adding a piece to your own side is a business opportunity!" Lin Xiaosu lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"Young man, I've noticed you've changed!" Chang Ye leaned forward slowly.

"How have I changed?"

Chang Ye said, "Before, even though you had a skill, you still seemed a bit naive. But hearing you talk today, I suddenly feel you've gained a bit of refined elegance, somewhat like Xinyue's father."

"Xinyue's father... is that a reference? Are you saying my demeanor rivals the sun and moon?"

Chang Ye chuckled. "There aren't that many references. Rivals the sun and moon? You're quite narcissistic. Xinyue's father is just Xinyue's father, Qianlong's former strategist."

"My demeanor rivals Qianlong's strategist, and I don't even have the right to be narcissistic? If you keep comparing me like this, I'll really get a big head!" Lin Xiaosu smiled lightly. "Let's talk about something I care about, Hu Ya... what will happen to her in the future?"

What will happen in the future?

This was indeed a topic Lin Xiaosu cared about.

"What will happen to her in the future... instead of asking me, you should keep an eye on it yourself!" A mysterious light flashed in Chang Ye's eyes.

"I understand! We've gone in circles, and it's back to the topic from the night before last!" Lin Xiaosu said.

No outsider would know what would happen to Hu Ya in the future, nor would they have the right to keep an eye on it.

To keep an eye on her, the prerequisite was for Lin Xiaosu to join Qianlong.

One could only keep an eye on things from within an organization...

This was the choice Chang Ye had presented to him the night before last...

"Intelligent and sensitive, you're becoming more and more qualified!" Chang Ye said. "So, what's your answer? I don't think we necessarily have to wait until the civil service exam begins."

"Alright, I'll join!" With those five words, Lin Xiaosu put down his teacup.

Chang Ye smiled. "Why so straightforward today?"

Lin Xiaosu stretched. "I suddenly realized that I'm actually similar to her. In this chaotic mortal world, it can't accommodate her invulnerable body, and perhaps it can't accommodate my peerless demeanor that rivals the sun and moon."

"Hey, that's a bit arrogant... I can only guarantee to bring you in, but whether you can establish yourself, or whether you'll be crushed by all sorts of prodigies to the point of doubting life, I make no guarantees!"

"When will the crushing begin?" Lin Xiaosu leaned forward slightly.

"Right now!" Chang Ye stood up. "Do you want to say goodbye to your mom? Because once you leave, you might not be back for a long time."

"Will it take a long time?"

"Yes, you won't enter the organization directly. You'll need to go through a series of training and learn relevant knowledge. With your learning ability, which struggles even with the civil service exam, this won't be quick."

Lin Xiaosu took out his phone and called his mother.

"Mom, I'm staying with a classmate in the county town for a few days, so I won't be coming home. After the exam, we're planning to go out and play."

His mother was silent for about ten seconds. "Which classmate? Is it the one who came to our house last time?"

"Yes!"

His mother suddenly got excited. "Mom will send you some money. Don't be stingy when you go out and have fun..."

After a phone call to ask for leave, his mother not only approved it immediately but insisted on sending him ten thousand yuan, telling him to eat well, drink well, have fun, and "entertain" himself. Lin Xiaosu managed to talk her down to three thousand yuan after much persuasion.

Three minutes later, his phone notified him of a 5,000 yuan deposit.

His mother had added 2,000 yuan to the amount he had agreed to.

Chang Ye looked on curiously. "I wouldn't have guessed. Your mom is quite generous. She insisted on giving you money even when you didn't want it."

"Do you know why she's so generous? Because whether it's five thousand or ten thousand, it's a small amount compared to finding a wife!" Lin Xiaosu said. "That's why no matter how thrifty elders are usually, they're very generous when their sons go out with girls. This is actually an abnormal social phenomenon that directly fuels the 'simp economy'..."

Chang Ye chuckled. "Then after your training, will I have to play along with you completely? Buy a box of mooncakes to see her?"

"Forget it! If you act to that extent, she'll really give you a red envelope, and it'll most likely be 10,001 yuan!"

Chang Ye looked wistful. "Wouldn't that be perfect? I gave her ten thousand yuan on a whim last time and felt heartbroken for over a month. It's only right to get it back..."

Lin Xiaosu looked at him with utter disdain. "You say Qianlong's salary is high. I seriously suspect you're full of it. If the salary were really that good, would you be stingy about the bait you used while fishing?"

What do you mean, bait for fishing?

Am I fishing?

How amazing do you think you are that I need to fish for you?

It's because I think highly of you that I'm extending an olive branch!

You brat, you just don't know what's good for you...

Chang Ye had a lot he wanted to say, but in the end, he could only roll his eyes...

Midnight. On the roof of the county public security bureau, a dark cloud covered the moon. A gust of wind blew, and a Maglev Flying Car appeared as if out of nowhere, completely silent.

Lin Xiaosu and Chang Ye stepped into the flying car.

And disappeared into the night.