After Shen Feng had refuted the old professor to the point of speechlessness, Lan Zi quickly intervened, saying, "Lord Shen Fuyao, please stop arguing. Let's focus on understanding the dangers of this mutated blue-green algae."
Shen Feng agreed, realizing that any mutation, especially one occurring in the ocean, could not be taken lightly. He immediately inquired, "So, what are the dangers of this mutated blue-green algae?"
The other researchers, mostly with master's or doctoral degrees, pondered Shen Feng's question for a while before replying, "We haven't discovered any immediate dangers yet, but we can't be sure about the future!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Feng shrugged and said, "If there are no dangers, then there's no need to worry. It's just mutated blue-green algae, isn't it? As long as it continues to produce oxygen, that's all that matters. Why worry so much?"
The old professor, who had been about to leave, couldn't stand Shen Feng's pontificating and turned back. He directly addressed Shen Feng, "What do you, an outsider, know? Oxygen is the foundation of all life. Even the slightest fluctuation can have enormous consequences. Do you know that a decrease in oxygen levels can kill people? If the global oxygen content drops, vast numbers of people will die. Children will be stillborn before they can even be born, and adults will suffer from oxygen deprivation with any strenuous activity. What do you know?"
In his agitation, the old professor even resorted to profanity, and Lan Zi quickly relayed his words to Shen Feng.
Hearing the professor's explanation, Shen Feng hesitated. He thought, "Is this really a major problem? Why did the blue-green algae mutation also occur in the ocean, just like the virus mutation? Could it be the influence of an extraterrestrial meteorite?"
The professor continued, "Even an increase in oxygen concentration can affect humans. Do you know about oxygen poisoning? If the oxygen concentration rises, countless people will suffer from oxygen poisoning. Furthermore, an increased oxygen content will enhance oxidation, thereby shortening human lifespans. The ideal human lifespan is one hundred and forty years, achievable only with perfect health and no illness. However, an increased oxygen concentration will directly lead to shorter lifespans. People who could once live to sixty might die at forty. Hmph, human civilization might be destroyed by blue-green algae!"
"Damn it, if that's the case, isn't this a serious problem? High oxygen levels kill, and low levels kill too. Do we have to pray that the mutated blue-green algae has similar photosynthetic capabilities to the original ones?" Shen Feng said with frustration.
"Actually, it's still too early to worry. Although mutated blue-green algae has appeared, based on my estimates, it will take at least five years for these algae to completely replace the original ones!" Seeing Shen Feng's anxiety, the professor couldn't help but offer a word of comfort.
However, this statement had no comforting effect; instead, it made Shen Feng even more anxious. "Five years? Five years?"
Shen Feng couldn't imagine what the situation would be like in five years when the mutated blue-green algae completely replaced the original ones. Would the Earth's oxygen concentration increase, decrease, or remain unchanged?
"Alright, alright, I'm not a researcher, and I don't deal with these things. Let's go back. This matter is too complicated!" Shen Feng said, and then prepared to leave with Lan Zi.
The ocean had experienced a virus that caused global mutations, turning humans into zombies, animals into mutated beasts, and plants into various mutated forms. These issues had already left humanity in a state of distress. If the blue-green algae in the ocean also began to mutate, it was uncertain whether it would be a blessing or a curse for humanity. Shen Feng couldn't prevent these events, nor could he stop them.
As Shen Feng left, the old professor continued to address his team, "Quick, quick, quick! Notify the entire world of our findings. Also, I want to name this blue-green algae after myself. This way, my name will be known throughout the world!"
Shen Feng knew that even though humanity had become the undisputed ruler of the Earth, they were not without the threat of extinction. If large-scale climate anomalies occurred on Earth, they would directly lead to famine, such as the onset of the Little Ice Age or global warming. With humanity's current scientific and technological level, developing the vastness of space was entirely impossible!
Currently, humans found it difficult even to land on the moon, let alone reach Mars. They were completely incapable of escaping Earth. Some people listened to Elon Musk's nonsense and truly believed that aerospace technology was incredibly mature, thinking they could colonize the moon and Mars at any time. This was utter nonsense. Without Earth, humanity was bound to perish!
With a heavy heart, Shen Feng returned home. He checked the time and realized it was almost lunchtime. Shen Feng had no appetite and asked Lan Zi and Yue Hengyi to order food.
Yue Hengyi, on the other hand, was ravenous. After all, he had spent the entire afternoon in the company of a beautiful and appetizing woman, wanting to eat but daring not to, and could only keep drinking water. Now that Shen Feng had returned, he naturally wanted to have a good meal.
"Uh, make me some dishes to cool down the body. Cold cucumber salad, bitter melon stir-fried with eggs, cabbage and tofu soup. For the meat dishes, nothing spicy. Stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts, braised pork ribs with scallions, and sweet and sour pork. For the sweet and sour pork, don't put too much sugar!" Yue Hengyi ordered three vegetarian dishes, seemingly feeling very hot after basking in the sun all afternoon and needing some cooling dishes.
Lan Zi thought for a moment and then said to the chef, "I'll have a bowl of ramen!"
The chef, having received the order, immediately went to prepare the meal. At his current level, he was proficient in both Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Such a chef could only be afforded by the wealthy.
"Brother, look... where should Sayaoka live?" Yue Hengyi suddenly asked Shen Feng.
Sayaoka immediately looked at Shen Feng nervously. She knew that her fate now rested entirely on his words. If she received an extremely poor answer, she would inevitably suffer torment.
Shen Feng pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, and said, "How about this, let her live in your room and take care of you personally?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Hengyi's face turned bright red. Although he was an eighteen-year-old adult, he was such an upright young man who had never had contact with women. He felt shy at Shen Feng's direct arrangement.
Sayaoka's face, however, suddenly turned pale, seemingly frightened by Shen Feng's decision.
Fortunately, Yue Hengyi was too bashful to accept Shen Feng's arrangement. Moreover, his heart always belonged to Qin Kewei, so he quickly said, "No, no, absolutely not. I am a gentleman. I cannot do such unspeakable things. I will not agree."
Shen Feng was displeased upon hearing this. He thought, "I went to such lengths to help you achieve something good, and you only needed to politely decline. Now you outright refuse, completely wasting my good intentions. Forget it, you can figure it out yourself!"
"Alright then, you arrange it. If my arrangement is not suitable, I won't be responsible!" Shen Feng decided to let Yue Hengyi handle the matter.
Sayaoka then looked at Yue Hengyi. Although she wore a smile, it was somewhat unnatural. Yue Hengyi looked at the tall, mature woman before him and couldn't help but hesitate. In the end, reason triumphed over emotion, and he said, "Let her live on the third floor. She can take care of me during the day. At night, there's no need to trouble her!"
Yue Hengyi said with great reluctance. It took him considerable willpower to make this decision because the woman before him resembled Qin Kewei so much, their faces were almost identical. Furthermore, she exuded a mature older sister aura, which was what attracted Yue Hengyi the most.
Seeing Yue Hengyi's decision, Shen Feng couldn't help but shake his head slightly. He thought, "I underestimated this kid. It's not easy for him to overcome his desires! It seems he truly likes Qin Kewei and cannot tolerate even a shred of stray thought."
Upon learning of this decision, Sayaoka's face lit up with gratitude. She then made a bold decision. She gently hugged Yue Hengyi and kissed him on the cheek. Although she said nothing, a sincere smile appeared on her face.
Yue Hengyi touched his cheek, his face showing a look of surprise. He hadn't expected to receive such enthusiastic gratitude for a simple decision.
For Yue Hengyi, this decision was simple and only concerned his momentary selfish desires. But for Sayaoka, it was not just an ordinary decision; it was related to whether she would experience a life of being at someone's mercy. If she had any choice, she would not have come to a strange place to serve a strange man.
Everyone seemed satisfied with Yue Hengyi's decision. However, Lan Zi looked at Sayaoka. Her face still wore a harmless smile, but she was already very unhappy because Sayaoka's actions meant that she would have no progress with Yue Hengyi.
During dinner, Yue Hengyi felt that his internal heat was quite strong today, so he ate the entire plate of bitter melon stir-fried with eggs, leaving none for others. Shen Feng, not in a good mood after learning about the mutated blue-green algae, ate seven large bowls of rice and then left, his appetite affected.
Shen Feng went to his study to research, while Yue Hengyi waited for the doctor to come and change his dressing. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lan Zi found Sayaoka, grabbed her hand, and led her into the kitchen. On the surface, she was preparing to wash dishes, but her true intention was to threaten.
"Tell me, you're in your prime now, and in a few years, you'll become old and unattractive. If you don't plan for the future now, you'll regret it later. Look at you, with such fair and tender skin, wouldn't it be a loss if you don't utilize it?" Lan Zi gently stroked Sayaoka's arm, speaking softly, as if there was no threat at all, but only Sayaoka understood the true meaning.
Sayaoka allowed Lan Zi to stroke her arm and said in a low voice, "But if I'm too proactive, I might be disliked. As it is now, I'm not disliked, and I think that's good!"
"Good?" Lan Zi's voice instantly deepened. She slowly walked behind Sayaoka, who dared not move. Lan Zi parted Sayaoka's long, flowing hair to both sides and reached out to stroke her smooth back. Her whispered words were like a voice from hell, "You probably don't know how I deal with useless people. If you can complete the task, I won't be stingy with rewards, but if you disobey, you'll only be sent underground!"
Sayaoka's body trembled slightly, as if she recalled something unpleasant.
Lan Zi then began her real threat, "Listen to me carefully. In Kagoshima, some entertainment establishments operate independently, catering to ordinary guests, while others operate underground, specifically for men who prefer the shadows. Be careful, or I'll sell you there. Then, for every time you are violated, your name will be tattooed on your body. Once your entire body, including your back, is covered in tattoos, I'll throw you back to your husband. How will you face him?"
Faced with Lan Zi's threat, Sayaoka trembled and submitted. She couldn't bear to imagine how her husband would treat her if she appeared before him covered in tattoos. Perhaps her husband would scold her, perhaps he would kill her on the spot, and she would become the talk of others.
"Miss Lan Zi, I will do whatever you say. I will not hesitate!" Sayaoka said quickly, not wanting to suffer inhumane treatment.