The scene is the high-level conference room at the base.
Gu Hesheng and others, who had just rested, were gathered together, their faces extremely grim.
Jiang Shengwen, the district chief, slammed the table heavily with a stern face and said coldly, "Director Gu, don't you owe us a reasonable explanation? You tell me now that the people in your laboratory took You Rong, who is highly concerned by headquarters and the leader, and they are now missing?!"
Gu Hesheng pursed his lips, "I... I'm sorry, I don't know why Lin Qinghe suddenly wanted to take You Rong. It was she who reported to the organization initially, and we only then learned of You Rong's peculiarity. She..."
Combining what Jiang Li had said, Lin Qinghe had been subtly protecting You Rong during this entire period. This made him rack his brains, unable to understand.
A girl whispered, "Could it be that Professor Lin has fallen for You Rong? That's why..."
Jiang Li said indignantly, "I don't think so! Who is Lin Qinghe? She must have taken him because she wanted to monopolize You Rong, this special experimental subject! Or she wants to use You Rong to achieve some purpose. In short, she must have some intention towards You Rong, but it's definitely not affection!"
Lin Qinghe had always been indifferent to You Rong's suffering, even showing excitement. She could not possibly like You Rong!
The room was filled with chatter. Jiang Shengwen couldn't stand it anymore. With a stern face, he said coldly, "Enough! I don't care what intentions Lin Qinghe has in taking You Rong. All I want now is to find You Rong! Bring You Rong back!"
Gao Tian's eyes flickered. Remembering the deal he had made with Lin Qinghe before, he nervously asked, "District Chief, what do you mean..."
Jiang Shengwen said coldly, "Find Lin Qinghe for me immediately! And bring You Rong back!"
"Uh... Well, we searched the base inside and out, and found that Lin Qinghe stole an old, abandoned car, took You Rong, and rammed through the electric fence on the right side of the civilian area. They have escaped outside. If you want to find them, it might not be easy..."
Jiang Shengwen coldly interrupted Gao Tian, "I don't want to hear about 'easy' or 'difficult.' My order is that You Rong must be brought back! Issue an order immediately to have people go out and pursue Lin Qinghe, and also notify headquarters to issue a wanted notice for Lin Qinghe to all regions and bases. Begin the pursuit of Lin Qinghe!"
Gao Tian quickly responded, "Yes! District Chief, I'll go do it now!"
The door to the high-level meeting opened, and everyone left with grim faces. No one was happy after this meeting.
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Meanwhile.
Lin Qinghe drove You Rong all the way, leaving the city and continuing on the highway.
Along the way, they encountered many zombies. Lin Qinghe did not get out of the car, choosing instead to ram them or drive over them.
Scenes of limbs and internal organs flying everywhere. From extreme physical discomfort at the beginning, Lin Qinghe gradually became numb, and now she expressionlessly turned on the windshield wipers to clear the intestines blocking her view.
As the sky began to darken, Lin Qinghe took the exit off the highway and arrived at a small town.
Lin Qinghe glanced at You Rong and softly called out, "You Rong, You Rong..."
You Rong showed no reaction. His eyes were open, but his eyeballs didn't even move. It was as if, apart from breathing, he was no different from a corpse.
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed. She didn't know what to do for a moment.
After thinking for a while, she drove to a two-story building that looked like a prison. She parked the car, went to the back seat, took out a pistol and tucked it into her waistband, then grabbed a submachine gun. She closed the car door and entered the second-floor building.
She pushed the door open. A strong smell of mildew emanated from inside. Lin Qinghe turned on the light. A thick layer of dust covered the room, indicating that no one had visited in a long time.
However, for safety's sake, Lin Qinghe inspected the entire building. She confirmed that the doors and windows were sturdy and there were no zombies inside before returning to the car. She simply took some water and food, unbuckled You Rong's seatbelt, and pulled him towards the house.
Fortunately, although You Rong was unresponsive, he would follow if pulled or dragged. However, his limbs were stiff, and he walked very slowly. His legs were straight and could not bend, making his gait very strange.
Upon entering the house, Lin Qinghe closed the door behind her and helped You Rong to sit on the sofa.
She looked at You Rong, reached out to pinch his body, and called out to him a few more times. His face was pale and sallow, and he sat there stiffly, with his body perfectly upright, showing no reaction.
Lin Qinghe reached out and touched You Rong's forehead. His body temperature was noticeably low. Checking his heart rate, it was also clearly abnormal, beating slowly and frighteningly.
Lin Qinghe was completely helpless. She had no idea what to do.
Lin Qinghe stared at You Rong for a long time, her face filled with worry. Having no other option, she went to a room and found a musty blanket, which she draped over You Rong to ensure his body temperature.
Lin Qinghe turned on the water and brought it to You Rong's mouth. "It's been a day, and you haven't eaten anything. You should at least drink some water."
Lin Qinghe tried to feed You Rong water, but he remained motionless. The water flowed down the corners of his mouth.
Lin Qinghe was desperate. She couldn't just watch You Rong not eat or drink. His condition was uncertain, and if he didn't eat or drink, something bad might happen.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth, tilted her head back and took a sip of water. She pinched You Rong's cheeks, then leaned in and pressed her mouth to his.
Lin Qinghe slowly pried open You Rong's teeth with her tongue and transferred the water into his mouth, making him swallow.
After laboriously getting You Rong to drink a little water, Lin Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. She continued to feed him water in this manner. After drinking about half a bottle, Lin Qinghe's cheeks flushed slightly as she wiped her mouth. She glanced at the dazed You Rong and muttered to herself, "What am I thinking?! I'm only doing this because I'm afraid he'll die, and I have no other choice..."
Lin Qinghe shook her head, pushed away the messy thoughts, took a packet of biscuits, and ate a little to fill her stomach. Then she didn't know what else to do.
Lin Qinghe looked at the unresponsive You Rong and sighed, feeling an inexplicable unease.
Lin Qinghe reached out and touched You Rong's forehead again. She felt his body temperature was even lower, as if he couldn't feel anything.
Lin Qinghe frowned and went to find a few more blankets to cover You Rong completely. However, his body temperature just kept dropping. Lin Qinghe decided to push the sofas together. She took off her outer clothes, crawled into the blankets, and lay down next to You Rong, holding him tightly in an attempt to raise his body temperature.
Lin Qinghe hugged You Rong, her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat. Perhaps due to a whole day of intense mental stress, gradually... Lin Qinghe closed her eyes and fell asleep.