Chapter 35: Junior, You’re a Legend

  Seven minutes later, Zhang Yang wearily moved away from Xu Danlu. He had successfully transferred the contents of Advanced Combat Technique to her. How much she could grasp, though, was another story. Still, he was certain that all the combat knowledge had subtly integrated into her mind — with a bit of practice, she’d get it.

  But the downside of this Transfer Technique was how draining it was. He’d already been tired after rushing back from Shanghai, and now after less than seven minutes, he felt completely wiped out.

  Still, it was worth it. Because right after transferring Advanced Combat Technique to her, the system’s voice chimed in: 【Successfully transferred Advanced Combat Technique to Star Mender No. 32. System reward: 20 points. Your total score is now 43 points. Title: Promising Youth. Please continue your efforts, Promising Youth…】

  Zhang Yang was startled — even that earned points? And that many? Jackpot!

  Besides, the Nuwa System was becoming more and more official — concise and businesslike. But those 43 points made Zhang Yang perk up. It meant he could now spend 30 points to take on an M-level mission, and the rewards for those were always crazy good.

  Before leaving the hotel, he specifically told Gao Qi to look after Xu Danlu and prepare her something to eat when she woke up.

  Big Boobs glanced at the clock across the lobby and gave him a thumbs-up. “Impressive.”

  “Huh?”

  “What do you mean, huh? You were in there an hour and a half, and the girl can’t even get out of bed now. You’re a beast.” Gao Qi gave him a meaningful smirk, leaned in, and whispered when the front desk clerk wasn’t looking, “You used protection, right?”

  Zhang Yang’s face darkened. “Next time those punks show up, don’t call me.”

  “Come on, that was a compliment…”

  Zhang Yang’s gaze fell to the massive weapons on her chest, and he barely resisted the urge to spend 30 system points just to test if she was a Star Mender. Instead, he reminded her, “She likes light food. Tell the kitchen not to make it too greasy.”

  “Oh, so considerate.” Gao Qi pouted but still grabbed a notepad to jot it down. Then she tilted her head, eyes gleaming mischievously. “Was it her first time? If it was, give her some eggs with sugar and red dates — helps replenish energy.”

  “Senior…” Zhang Yang was speechless. “You seem to know a lot. Did your first boyfriend bring you sugar eggs too?”

  Gao Qi blushed, glared at him, and huffed. “Forget it then! I only heard that from older folks.”

  “Alright, I appreciate it anyway. But please, don’t corrupt my Lulu, Senior.” Zhang Yang clasped his hands in mock respect.

  “How could I possibly corrupt her? If anything, she’ll corrupt me.”

  “Thanks. I’m off. I’ll settle the room payment in a few days.” Zhang Yang checked the time — it was almost when he was supposed to meet Qiao Xier — and headed for the exit.

  “Sure, just deduct it from that seventy thousand.” Gao Qi rolled her eyes and called after him, “Don’t forget your shift tonight.”

  Zhang Yang sighed and nodded. “Got it, boss.”

  Just as he reached the door, Qiao the beauty pulled up in a red A6. She glanced at him, said nothing extra, and took off her sunglasses. “Get in.”

  From the hotel front desk, Gao Qi spotted Qiao Xier in the A6. She was momentarily dazzled, then rolled her eyes. “This guy’s insane — one girl’s still in bed, and he’s already got another waiting. And both are top-tier!” As she muttered, she couldn’t help glancing down at her own impressive chest. “Well… I’m top-tier too.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Of course, Zhang Yang didn’t hear that. If he had, he might’ve fainted on the spot.

  The Molecular Cell Research Lab was just over a kilometer away, but Qiao the beauty covered the distance in under a minute. Zhang Yang silently cursed her — this was still campus grounds!

  “Just got word — the day after tomorrow, UICC President Dr. Hill and Huaxia Anti-Cancer Alliance Chairman Academician Hao will be visiting. Their main goal is to review our previous research results.” As they got out of the car, Qiao Xier explained, “But you know, your theory only lets us create the Super Gene Cells. Oh, right, we’ve named them Zhang Yang Cells.”

  Zhang Yang shuddered. “Zhang Yang Cells?”

  “What’s wrong with that? It’s a huge honor.”

  “Come on, I’d rather you call them Qiao Xier Cells.”

  “Ugh, typical.” Qiao Xier glared at him. “Others would kill for that kind of recognition.”

  When they reached the lab door, Zhang Yang stopped. “I’m serious — if you don’t change the name, I’ll die right here.”

  “Enough, get in already.” Qiao Xier fumed, shoving him inside.

  In the office, besides Professors Shangguan Hong, Zheng Yuntai, and Ding Pengshan, there were two unfamiliar foreigners. Upon seeing Zhang Yang, Academician Zheng Yuntai introduced them: “This is Professor Enreed from the Royal Society of New Zealand and Dr. Reih from the Cuban Academy of Sciences. They’re oncology experts and now visiting professors at Meining University’s Medical School. Starting today, they’ll officially join our ‘Dragonborn’ research group.”

  Then he turned to the foreigners and said in English, “Gentlemen, allow me to formally introduce Zhang Yang — the originator of the Super Anti-Cancer Cell Theory.”

  “What?” Enreed snatched up his reading glasses, put them on, and stared intently at Zhang Yang like examining a specimen, then burst into rapid English.

  Zhang Yang was completely dumbfounded. English? Oh my god! He silently cursed himself — I’ve failed you, Teacher Yang! At that speed, it was all gibberish to him.

  Seeing him freeze like a statue, Qiao Xier sighed and quickly translated for him.

  “Professor Shangguan, the fact that such a young man came up with the Super Anti-Cancer Cell Theory is unbelievable! I’ve reviewed its framework — even top-tier Ph.D. candidates couldn’t write something like that. No, even the world’s greatest genetic engineers couldn’t. If you’re saying this young man created it, that’s not a miracle, that’s science fiction!”

  Professor Shangguan gave a bitter smile. “Dr. David, it’s true. We didn’t tell you earlier — first, because Zhang Yang asked for confidentiality, and second, frankly, because we ourselves could hardly believe it. If we hadn’t hit a bottleneck, we wouldn’t have asked you to join this team.”

  “Oh, what an honor. Thank you for letting me witness history! As a member of Meining University, I’m proud. Also — if you’re willing, Zhang Yang, I can help you get a research placement at the University of Otago with at least one million USD in funding… Of course, with Professor Zheng’s approval.” Enreed stopped himself, realizing he was rambling.

  Empty flattery aside, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but like Enreed — one million USD was one hell of a number. Which school gives that kind of grant?

  Seeing Zhang Yang’s eyes light up, Professor Shangguan quickly cut in. “Alright, I’m sure Professor Enreed was just joking. Let’s get back on topic.”

  Switching back to English, Professor Shangguan continued, “Dr. Hill and Academician Hao will visit the day after tomorrow. As you know, the purpose is clear — our Super Anti-Cancer Cell Theory. We hadn’t planned to announce it yet, but when we submitted our funding application, the news was leaked to the media.”

  He tapped the table with a sigh. “So now we’ve had to go public without being fully prepared. But we’ve discovered a fatal flaw — how do we suppress it?”

  “Since Meining released the news, it’s on us to fix it. Everyone here is an expert in this field. Time’s short, and it’s impossible to develop a safe inhibitory gene in time. So today, I want everyone’s input — is there any alternative solution?”

  He glanced at Zhang Yang, who was still sitting like a block of wood, and switched to Chinese. “Ahem… Xier, translate for him.”

  Qiao Xier shot Zhang Yang a death glare. He blinked innocently. “Do I have a pimple or something?”

  “Go study your English, you idiot. Even if you’re fast-tracked, you’ll need to read at least sixty English reports to graduate. Hmph!”

  Zhang Yang groaned. English really was his weak point. Meining students were usually great at it — even scumbags like Zhou Wei had passed the CET-4 long ago. He was the only one still shamelessly failing.

  Guess he’d have to ask Xu Danlu for lessons — she’d even passed CET-6.

  “Honestly, even just the Super Anti-Cancer Cell Theory is enough to impress Dr. Hill and Academician Hao,” Professor Shangguan said. “But without a corresponding inhibitory gene, it’s not a true cancer cure — it’s an incomplete miracle. So we need ideas for a temporary workaround to avoid embarrassment during their visit.”

  When he finished, the world’s top genetic experts in the room all fell silent.

  After a while, Dr. Reih, who hadn’t spoken yet, looked up from his laptop. “Apologies, I was reviewing Zhang Yang’s theory. I’ll skip the praise — saying too many good things to a future Nobel Prize winner would sound insincere.”

  “Regarding inhibitory genes — you’ve probably heard of Alnylam’s ALN-VSP drug. It uses RNA interference to stop the production of pathogenic proteins, effectively starving liver tumor cells by cutting blood flow. It’s only effective for liver cancer so far, but it’s quite similar in principle to Zhang Yang’s Super Gene.”

  “The main difference is that Zhang Yang’s Super Gene integrates tumor-suppressing genes like P53 and RB, and what’s scarier is its rapid self-replication. To suppress it would be as difficult as developing another Super Anti-Cancer Cell Theory — if not harder.”

  “So in short, it’s nearly impossible in the short term…”

  Before he could finish, Enreed gently tapped the table. “Dr. Stockdin, have you forgotten an old Huaxia saying? ‘He who ties the bell must untie it.’ Since Zhang Yang created the theory, surely he has a solution.”

  “Ah, David, thank you for the reminder! I nearly forgot, still too shocked I guess.” Reih took off his glasses, closed his laptop, and turned to Zhang Yang. In broken Chinese, he said, “Zhang, maybe… we should hear your idea.”

  Every eye in the room turned toward Zhang Yang, full of expectation. From their looks, they no longer saw him as a student, but as a fellow scientist.

  Zhang Yang scratched his head and realized these old foxes had set a trap for him from the start.

  Feeling awkward, he hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said, “Alright then, this one’s on me. But you’ll have to give me two days — I can come up with a corresponding inhibitory gene.”

  Qiao Xier instinctively translated his words.

  And the moment she finished, everyone except her and Zhang Yang froze in place — the sound of glasses dropping echoed through the room.

  “You brat,” Qiao Xier whispered, poking his side. “Even giving birth takes ten months — two days? Are you kidding me?”