Lin Qinghe was now the deputy director of Laboratory One, her authority second only to Director Gu Hesheng.
Jiang Li, despite his outstanding achievements and considerable abilities, was originally in a position far lower than hers. She wasn't even considered a laboratory assistant, merely a member of the lab personnel. It was precisely because she reported the unusual nature of You Rong to the organization that the organization's higher-ups decided to make her deputy director, granting her participation in all experiments related to You Rong.
Because of this, Jiang Li harbored deep resentment towards Lin Qinghe. On the surface, she refused to call the original occupant Deputy Director, even leading the entire laboratory staff to call her "Professor Lin."
The original occupant, absorbed in her research on You Rong, had paid it no mind.
Jiang Li's thoughts were exposed in a single sentence. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes behind his glasses. He tried to maintain his composure and said, "Professor Lin, you've misunderstood. I didn't."
"Really didn't?"
Lin Qinghe stared intently at Jiang Li, taking a step forward. Jiang Li instinctively took half a step back, unable to meet Lin Qinghe's gaze. "Really… it's just a misunderstanding…"
Lin Qinghe let out a light chuckle, but her eyes held no mirth. "Jiang Li, if you want to cause trouble for me next time, or find fault with me, please come up with a smarter excuse. Given You Rong's current physical condition, I doubt you're unaware. Let alone untying the leather straps binding him, even if I opened the laboratory door and let him walk out, he wouldn't be able to crawl a single step… And yet you claim to worry that untying the leather straps would cause problems? Don't you find that laughable?"
Lin Qinghe's words caused Jiang Li's face to turn a sickly shade of green and white.
He had been careless, thinking he could use this as an excuse to embarrass Lin Qinghe. He hadn't expected to be ridiculed instead.
Lin Qinghe raised her chin slightly and sneered dismissively, "The new drug being tested on You Rong is extremely important. If You Rong's wounds continue to fester, it's highly likely to become infected with bacteria, thereby affecting the entire experiment's results and data. That's why I applied medication to him. Also… your targeted behavior towards me these past few days, I will report it all to Director Gu when he returns from Laboratory Five!"
With that, Lin Qinghe left without looking back, leaving Jiang Li frozen in place with a grim expression.
Before Gu Hesheng's return, Lin Qinghe indeed needed to conceal her changes in treating You Rong. However, faking things like blood was merely to avoid some trouble. She didn't need to take people like Jiang Li seriously!
Jiang Li's eyes were filled with cold resentment as he stared at Lin Qinghe's retreating back.
Why!
If it hadn't been for her discovering You Rong's unique condition, what qualifications would an ordinary medical professor have to hold her current position! To enjoy the privileges of a deputy director of the experimental group!
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Lin Qinghe had been feeding You Rong for several consecutive days. She started with plain congee and later, by scrimping and saving what little meat she was allocated, she boiled it and secretly brought it to You Rong to eat.
It was thanks to Lin Qinghe's meticulous care these past few days that You Rong's condition improved day by day.
One day, after Lin Qinghe left, You Rong lowered his gaze and clenched his fist tightly. He discovered he could exert strength in his body and, with effort, he could even prop himself up. However, due to the restraints on his limbs, he couldn't break free.
You Rong lay back down, and once he confirmed he had regained his strength, his dark eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as an eagle's as he surveyed the laboratory environment.
His eyes scanned every object that could potentially be used as a weapon.
After examining them all, You Rong closed his eyes, suppressing the ferocity in them. He had made up his mind.
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The following day at noon.
Lin Qinghe arrived at the laboratory as usual. She sent everyone else away, then opened her lunchbox, smiling gently. "Today I got half a chicken. It's been frozen for quite a while, but the soup made after thawing it tastes pretty good. I'll give you more later, it's good for your health…"
You Rong's expression was devoid of emotion, not much different from the previous few days.
Lin Qinghe paid it no mind. As before, she prepared the nutrient solution for him, administered it, then untied the leather straps binding him and applied medication to the healing wounds on his wrists and ankles.
After applying the medicine, Lin Qinghe turned to get a bowl and spoon, preparing to pour the chicken soup for You Rong.
At this moment, You Rong stared at Lin Qinghe's back, his eyes sharp. He stealthily pulled out the IV tube from his hand, quietly sat up, and then detached the IV bag from the other end of the tube.
You Rong stood up, his steps extremely unsteady. He forced himself to tread lightly, step by step… making no sound.
You Rong walked behind Lin Qinghe. Without hesitation, the instant Lin Qinghe was about to turn around, he used the IV tube he held to swiftly coil around Lin Qinghe's neck and tightened it with all his might.
"Bang—" The bowl in Lin Qinghe's hands fell to the ground, and the warm chicken soup spilled everywhere.
Lin Qinghe's hands grabbed the IV tube around her neck, struggling desperately. However, You Rong's strength was too great, and she couldn't break free immediately, causing her to gasp for air, her face turning crimson.
Due to the lack of oxygen, Lin Qinghe felt as though she was about to faint.
Her gaze quickly swept over the tray of medications on the counter and she spotted the anesthetic.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth, summoning all her strength, and dragged You Rong forward a step. Then, she quickly reached for the anesthetic and, with a flick of her wrist, injected it into You Rong's arm.
A few seconds later, the anesthetic took effect. The grip You Rong had on the IV tube gradually loosened. Lin Qinghe bent her elbow and violently slammed backward, causing You Rong to stumble and fall to the ground.
Finally freed, Lin Qinghe slumped to the ground, coughing violently as she clutched her neck.
"Cough, cough—cough, cough—"
Lin Qinghe gasped for air, taking in deep breaths. It took her a while to recover. Looking at You Rong, who had fallen to the ground but hadn't lost consciousness, his eyes filled with a ferocious intensity, Lin Qinghe swallowed hard, a sense of dread washing over her.
You Rong had genuinely wanted to kill her!
She had almost been killed by You Rong just now!
She knew You Rong harbored killing intent towards her, but she hadn't expected it to be so strong. The moment he regained a little strength, his first impulse was to kill her!
She had underestimated You Rong, thinking his body wouldn't recover so quickly. Who knew he would recover so rapidly.
At this moment, Jiang Li, hearing the commotion outside the laboratory, asked, "Professor Lin, is something wrong? Do you need me to come in and help?"
Lin Qinghe blurted out instinctively, "No!" Fearing Jiang Li would become suspicious, she forced herself to adjust her breathing, making her voice sound calmer. She added, "No need to come in for now. The new experimental drug is causing a rather intense reaction in You Rong, but he's bound and can't break free. Don't worry."
"Really don't need me?"
"No!"
"Alright then. Professor Lin, call me if you need anything."
Listening to Jiang Li's footsteps receding, Lin Qinghe breathed a silent sigh of relief. When she looked back, her gaze immediately met You Rong's icy stare.
Despite receiving such a large dose of anesthetic, You Rong was merely lying on the ground, unable to move. Yet, his consciousness remained clear.