With his guidance, the guard let Huo Rou in.
"Why are you here?"
The young man scratched his head, his large head drooping down, feeling very embarrassed. "Teacher Huo, I volunteered to participate in the experiment."
"Last time I cooperated with you in the lab, I learned a lot, so I wanted to gain experience and contribute to the country."
This young man was the assistant when Huo Rou was purifying in the lab last time.
Huo Rou patted his shoulder. "You have good talent and are very responsible."
The young man buried his head even lower, secretly glad that his protective gear was in place and his face was completely hidden. "Professor Zhong mentioned you, so I eagerly volunteered to pick you up..."
A team walked past them. The leader was robust with steady steps, while the one behind him appeared much thinner.
The thin man saw them, and his gaze fixed on Huo Rou, causing him to halt.
"Little ancestor, what are you looking at?" The person beside him tugged at the thin man and asked playfully.
The leader in front also stopped, looking at the young man who was labeled "Laboratory" and the slender Huo Rou beside him.
"Who is this?" the leader asked in a hoarse voice, his presence still imposing. "Didn't your lab get everyone all at once? Don't wander around. If you need anything, contact the liaison!"
They were the team meant to solve the root of the problem, and if anything went wrong, Yizhou would truly be without hope.
"Reporting, Chief Qin," the young man immediately stood at attention. "This is Teacher Huo. We need her help with key technology, so I came out to meet her as soon as she arrived in Yizhou."
"Teacher Huo." Qin Nishui's tone softened slightly upon hearing about key technology. He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for your trouble!"
Although she was much shorter than him, Qin Nishui showed her the utmost respect for the sake of the myriad people of Yizhou.
"Uncle Qin, you honor me too much." Huo Rou took a step back to avoid the gesture.
"Huo Rou!" the thin man shouted.
Huo Rou smiled. This Zou Xiaoxiao was still so energetic.
"Does Qin Ge know you're here?" Zou Xiaoxiao directly grabbed her. "Hurry up and go. Is this a place you can just mess around?"
"You, don't hurt Teacher Huo!" The young man bravely stepped forward, blocking Huo Rou. Zou Xiaoxiao's hand landed on his arm.
Qin Nishui also recognized Huo Rou's voice. It was a stark contrast to her exceptional marksmanship.
He remembered the call he had just received from Qin Ningyi and was about to say something.
"Their new plan requires my help to attempt purification. Time is of the essence," she said, waving her hand, not wanting to delay further. "We'll head in."
Time was life. The cries from the military hospital building assaulted her ears, urging her to hurry, to hurry faster.
"Huo Rou!" Zou Xiaoxiao reached out to pull her again but was stopped by Qin Nishui.
Zou Xiaoxiao's eyes were filled with urgency. "Uncle Qin! How can someone who works with computers understand this!"
So many people had been infected in the lab in just a few days. How could they get out if they went inside?!
"Yizhou depends on them."
The sun was scorching, but the atmosphere was frighteningly oppressive.
Zou Xiaoxiao gazed deeply at Huo Rou's slender retreating figure. "You'd better come out alive!"
Her voice choked with tears. "Otherwise, I'll steal your man!"
Zhao Hengyu dragged her away. "Steal what!"
Huo Rou smiled and shook her head, listening to Zou Xiaoxiao's voice. Led by the young man, she went through a series of complex procedures and a long corridor, finally reaching the laboratory.
Through the glass, she could see the busy figures inside.
Their eyes were filled with determination.
The laboratory was divided into several sections, each with beds and daily necessities.
A special laboratory caught Huo Rou's attention. A flicker of sadness crossed the young man's eyes as he explained, "These are our infected colleagues. They are isolated here to live and rest. When their condition is stable, they will continue to participate in some experimental processes."
Through the doors and windows, she saw several people hunched over, their bodies trembling from coughing. Some were at a workbench one moment and rushing to a trash can to vomit blood the next.
On beds in the corner, several people were curled up, having removed their protective gear. Their sweat-soaked clothes and faces contorted in pain were visible.
Her eyes began to sting. The people outside and the people inside seemed separated only by a glass door, but in reality, they were separated by life and death.
This feeling made her uncomfortable. Huo Rou abruptly turned her head and asked stiffly, "Where will I be working?"
"For your safety, this is a single laboratory prepared for you."
Huo Rou, with her bag on her back, stepped in without looking back. The young man anxiously reached out from behind. "Teacher Huo!"
"Yes?"
He nervously rubbed his hands. "You..."
"Take care of yourself!"
"I will, thank you." Huo Rou closed the laboratory door.
This time, she was on the inside.