The Choice

Barry and Felicity discussed Zhang Tianran for a long time.

Although they ultimately reached no conclusion, Felicity still advised Barry to make his own judgment, cast aside all external factors, and carefully consider what kind of person Zhang Tianran was and whether he could be trusted.

Barry thought it over carefully for a long time and decided that he should trust him. So Barry Allen took out his phone and called Zhang Tianran.

Unfortunately, he chose to trust him, but Zhang Tianran had no intention of paying him any attention. He simply pretended not to hear it and ignored the ringing phone.

Ever since Barry Allen's time-travel incident, Zhang Tianran had already been disappointed in him. He had no desire to experience a world with an altered timeline, nor did he want to keep teaching someone who simply would not listen.

As for the matter between Barry and Wells, they could sort it out themselves.

"Ray, your technology is impressive. It has given me a great deal of inspiration, but isn't the Atom Suit's power system a little too fragile?"

With Zhang Tianran's help, Ray Palmer's problems were quickly resolved. However, Zhang Tianran actually had even better design ideas for the Quantum Suit.

"With current technology, the functional systems I can use are already the best available. Does S.T.A.R. Labs have something better?" Ray Palmer was naturally very confident in his own skills.

In truth, Zhang Tianran had acquired quite a bit of useful technology from Reverse-Flash, and there was also plenty aboard the Time Ship. But he certainly could not provide those things to Ray Palmer. Even if he did, current technology would have a hard time producing them.

"Not exactly. I just think the Quantum Suit's sustained combat time is a bit too short. If you run into a troublesome enemy, it could be dangerous. You could consider designing a backup energy compartment for critical moments." Zhang Tianran made the suggestion and helped Ray Palmer organize many optimization plans.

Ray Palmer immediately became interested when he heard that. Although the Quantum Suit's problems had technically already been solved, the three of them continued modifying it.

Research time passed quickly, until a mechanical bee disrupted the trio's work.

"Careful... this is..." Barry had just returned and never expected that a bee had somehow been hiding on him.

Just as he was about to stop the dangerous bee, Zhang Tianran had already caught it.

"Dr. Zhang... you have speed like Barry's..." Ray Palmer was immediately excited by the astonishing sight.

"A private research result. Compared with Barry, my ability is very incomplete. It lasts too briefly and has many other side effects, but it is still somewhat useful." Zhang Tianran casually handed the mechanical bee to Cisco.

Zhang Tianran had no interest whatsoever in a technological product of this level.

"A Metahuman's abilities can actually be artificially replicated? That's simply unbelievable." Even though Zhang Tianran had explained that his ability was flawed, Ray Palmer was still deeply shocked.

After casually brushing him off with a few words, Zhang Tianran was called outside by Barry Allen. He could pretend not to see the earlier call, but Zhang Tianran could not avoid him now.

"Dr. Zhang... I may have discovered that Dr. Wells is Reverse-Flash." Barry hesitated, but he still said it outright as soon as he opened his mouth.

Zhang Tianran showed no surprise, nor did he have any desire to put on some kind of shocked performance with Barry.

Sometimes, acting a little abnormal made people more likely to believe you.

"Do you have any evidence? I know I studied your abilities without your permission, but that should have nothing to do with Wells. Next time you have suspicions, you might as well suspect that I'm Reverse-Flash."

After speaking coldly, Zhang Tianran transformed directly into a streak of white lightning and vanished, choking back the words Barry Allen had been about to say.

Helplessly,

Barry could only chase after him. Until everything was explained clearly, Barry could not let Zhang Tianran act alone. Since Zhang Tianran had been controlling his speed, Barry caught up with him quickly.

"Dr. Zhang, listen to my explanation..." Barry hurriedly spoke after catching up.

Zhang Tianran looked at him expressionlessly and said nothing.

"I don't have conclusive evidence yet. I also hope that person isn't Wells. I understand even less why Dr. Wells has helped me so much."

"Give me some time. I'll investigate it thoroughly." Barry pleaded with complete sincerity.

"Stupid! Blindly stupid! What exactly are you thinking? Is this some kind of child's game? Why didn't you wait until you confirmed the truth and had sufficient evidence before telling me? And have you never considered that I might stand with Wells?" Zhang Tianran's eyes were filled with disappointment as he scolded him.

Yet when Barry heard that, a faint smile appeared on his face. Because he knew he had bet correctly!

"I've already begun a detailed investigation. I'm sorry. There's a very high possibility that Wells is Reverse-Flash. I didn't want to hide it from you." Barry explained again.

"If it's true, I won't protect him. But I won't help you capture him either..." After thinking for a moment, Zhang Tianran spoke directly.

After saying that, Zhang Tianran chose to leave.

This time, Barry did not follow him. The reason he had told Zhang Tianran everything now was because Barry was worried—worried that Zhang Tianran would help Wells.

Perhaps Barry had enough confidence in his ability to capture Reverse-Flash, but he had no confidence in facing Zhang Tianran. Even if Zhang Tianran's Speed Force could only last for a short time.

Honestly, Zhang Tianran still had not decided how he should deal with Reverse-Flash. Their cooperation held no binding power over Zhang Tianran at all.

Moreover, Reverse-Flash himself had never intended to fight The Flash. What he wanted was not to kill Barry, but to use him to complete his plan to steal the Speed Force.

If he merely wanted to kill Barry, Reverse-Flash had far too many ways to do it. After all, he had watched him for fifteen whole years and had even used the Particle Accelerator explosion to create The Flash.

Naturally, he could not kill him so easily...

As for whether Barry would die during the process of having his Speed Force taken away, that was not something Reverse-Flash needed to care about.

"Wells, Barry has discovered your identity." Zhang Tianran came to Reverse-Flash's side and spoke.

This did not count as betrayal, because Reverse-Flash had known about all of it long ago. That included Barry and Felicity's conversation, as well as the results of their investigation into him.

In fact, the current situation had been orchestrated by Reverse-Flash himself. He needed Barry to discover his identity and then defeat him.

Only then would The Flash willingly open a stable Quantum Channel. Only then could he place himself, Barry, and the Speed Force in the same position, giving him a chance to steal the Speed Force.

"Next, it's time to put on a good show. Do you plan to take part?" Wells removed his glasses, a trace of fervor flashing through his eyes.

"Even now, I still don't think your plan can succeed."