Xingyan Group

At the foot of the Taihang Mountains in Huaxia's Nanhe Province, beside a lush forest, a straight road cuts through the landscape as two buses travel slowly along it.

On the lead bus, bursts of discussion can be heard from time to time.

"Chenxing, you will be in charge of the second phase of the base this time. Feel free to make any changes you see fit; Uncle Chen and I have absolute faith in you."

A middle-aged man with a slightly aged complexion, dressed in a light gray suit, tilts his head and rests his elbow on the armrest, looking at the young man sitting in the row across from him.

The young man's face gives off the impression of a typical college student who has yet to step into society, yet he carries an indescribable quality—a blend of confidence and a hint of humility.

Lin Chenxing is the technical vice president of Xingyan Group and also a shareholder. It is precisely because of his visionary technical insight and the cutting-edge technology he holds that Xingyan has grown within a few years from a large chemical enterprise with influence limited to a single city into a massive conglomerate covering chemicals, new materials, medicine, and energy, with its reach constantly expanding into new fields.

"Brother Gao, if it's just minor adjustments, I'll decide them directly. But the temporary adjustments last time involved so many different aspects that it wouldn't have been appropriate not to consult with you and Uncle Chen," Lin Chenxing says with a smile, speaking nonchalantly.

The middle-aged man addressed as "Brother Gao" is Gao Zheng, one of the founders of Xingyan Group and the current chairman. He waves his hand and points to the television inside the bus.

"If it weren't for those integrated disinfection and inspection devices you added to the entrances and the various protocols you set up in the base, our group wouldn't have been able to advance instead of retreat during the global R virus outbreak, nor would we have survived the ravages of this RR virus."

"Even though you are still just a student, I, Gao Zheng, admire you to the point of prostration."

"This wave of the RR virus seems to be passing; after all, the mortality rate was already very high, and those who remain are basically immune."

"With the foundation we have now, our group's future path is wide open."

Gao Zheng speaks eloquently, and the other passengers in the carriage nod along with his words.

In 2013, the R virus broke out, rapidly evolving into over twenty variants and spreading globally, with fatal cases appearing in every country.

In 2014, through the concerted efforts of countries worldwide, the R virus was initially brought under control. In many nations, the virus appeared only sporadically, with large-scale outbreaks remaining only in the United States, which yearns most for freedom, and Tianzhu, which emphasizes caste hierarchies.

In 2015, in Tianzhu, due to dense population and ineffective control, the R virus finally produced its most terrifying variant after dozens of generations of evolution: the RR virus!

The mortality rate after infection with the RR virus was extremely high, reaching nearly 30%. In just three months, according to subsequent statistics, aside from the massive death toll among animals, the global human population plummeted by nearly two billion!

A man with slightly graying hair picks up where Gao Zheng left off, saying, "That is indeed true. Little Lin can be considered outstanding even back at school."

This gray-haired man is Jin Zhenwei, Lin Chenxing's mentor at Jiangzhe University and the dean of the School of Chemical Engineering. This time, he is leading professors and students from the school to visit the Xingyan Group base and finalize a project partnership.

"His graduation project was completed entirely by himself, from the initial proposal to the experiments and the final conclusion. The entire process provided inspiration even to many professors at our research institute."

"Nowadays, not to mention his peers, even the students I taught seven or eight years ago rarely achieve what he has accomplished."

"Moreover, I rarely see someone his age who understands health preservation so well. He has become the top expert in our school's Taijiquan club, and many teachers and students are following his lead."

Hearing this, Gao Zheng claps his hands and says, "Chenxing's Taijiquan is indeed excellent. Our board of directors at Xingyan started learning it with him, and he ended up being the fastest learner. Actually, it's not just Taijiquan; he even learned Military Boxing from Old Chen."

Lin Chenxing, however, shakes his head slightly. After all, he knows the reason he is ahead of others, and this is the greatest secret he has held since birth.

At this moment, a man in the front row wearing glasses and dressed like a secretary says in strong agreement, "Isn't that the truth? President Lin is the person we junior staff admire the most."

Gao Zheng laughs and scolds, "He Kun, you rascal. If he's the one you admire most, then what about me and President Chen? Be careful, or I'll tell President Chen to fire you later."

"Director Gao, I'm just speaking the truth. Even if President Chen were here, he would certainly agree. And don't pretend you don't agree, either."

He Kun says this with complete indifference.

He Kun is the secretary to the general manager of Xingyan Group and has held this position since the group's integration. This time, at the general manager's request, he joined Gao Zheng and Lin Chenxing to welcome the group from Jiangzhe University.

Just as Gao Zheng is about to speak, a sudden screech of brakes rings out, and the bus comes to a rapid halt.

Everyone in the vehicle looks out the windows and discovers some large rocks and a thick tree trunk lying across the road ahead.

Because they were at a sharp turn, the driver only spotted the obstruction while rounding the corner. Fortunately, the speed was low, preventing a collision.

Passengers from both buses disembark one after another. Under He Kun's direction, they set up warning signs at both ends of the road and work together to move the rocks and the tree to the side of the road.

Before long, the debris is mostly cleared. He Kun glances up and down the road and notices no other vehicles waiting nearby.

"It's a good thing not many people travel this road, or we'd be stuck in a traffic jam."

"Though, it's hard for the population to grow now anyway, with so many dead from this damn virus."

He Kun sighs, a hint of loneliness in his eyes, but it vanishes quickly. He looks toward where Gao Zheng and the others are resting and waves to beckon them.

"Director Gao, President Lin, Dean Jin, it's just about done. We can head out. If we don't leave soon, President Chen will be cursing us behind our backs."

Gao Zheng and the others, who were discussing specific details regarding the base expansion, hear He Kun's shout. They look at the employees clearing the last of the branches and leaves on the road, share a smile, and walk toward the buses.

"That rascal He Kun—if it weren't for his efficiency, I would have fired him long ago for that mouth of his."

Gao Zheng says this, but his gaze toward He Kun is full of approval.

"Director Gao, I heard that! If you keep saying things like that, I'll fire you, the big boss, instead."

He Kun, refusing to let the matter drop, complains half-jokingly to Gao Zheng.

And so, amidst a burst of laughter, everyone returns to the buses and continues toward their destination.

However, shortly after the buses depart, several wolf howls echo from the forest on the mountainside, accompanied by the sound of trees snapping and rocks tumbling.