"According to this newsflash, a new type of virus broke out in Japan at eight o’clock this morning. The initial form of the virus closely resembles the HTC4 virus from four years ago, hence it has been nad the HTC4 mutant virus!"
Such a brief news update sent a shockwave through Xiao Linxin’s heart. The HTC4 virus originated in Japan back then, and the outbreak was triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Mainland Japan. This disaster dealt another heavy blow to Japan, which was gradually recovering its economic vitality. The HTC4 virus also originated from Japan, but it quickly erupted in Jingliang Province dostically. It was only later discovered that Japan had kept the HTC4 virus tightly under wraps, revealing the information two whole weeks later than Huaxia. At that ti, Huaxia faced unprecedented international pressure because the HTC4 virus didn’t just ravage Huaxia; it almost spread to every corner of the world.
Japan paid a heavy price afterward and fell into decline, becoming a second-rate country.
From that ti on, Huaxia also took advantage of Japan’s decline to firmly establish its position as the leader in Asia, forming a tripartite power structure with the European Union and Arica.
Given the Japanese governnt’s attitude back then, who knows how long they kept it hidden this ti before it leaked out? It’s important to know that Huaxia had released the information half a month ago, albeit as a small, local issue, but internal managent was absolutely strict. Today marks the third batch of experts sent over. Xiao Lin’s mind was not at ease; what does the mutation of the mutant virus signify? It ans that the previously mutated virus has adapted once again to the antibodies currently under study, continuously replicating new viruses. It further ans that the previous efforts of the expert group have been in vain and must be started from scratch.
But is there still ti to start over? The virus waits for no one.
Xiao Lin was in deep thought...
Outside the car window, it was already a cacophony because while Xiao Lin was deep in thought, the traffic light had changed multiple tis, and the sound of car horns from behind was incessant, even attracting a traffic police officer.
Xiao Lin’s train of thought was interrupted, and a knocking sound ca from the window. Xiao Lin was a little annoyed; how could soone interrupt his thoughts at such a mont? Didn’t they know he was pondering sothing very, very important?
Xiao Lin looked towards the window and found a traffic officer knocking on it, followed by a series of distinct car horn sounds coming from behind.
Only then did Xiao Lin realize why the officer was knocking on his window. Feeling embarrassed, he rolled down the window and quickly said to the officer, "I’m sorry..."
"No need to apologize to !" the officer said coldly, then swiftly wrote a ticket and said, "To the left of here is our traffic police station; you can pay the fine there!" With that, he turned and walked away, not urging Xiao Lin to leave.
Xiao Lin smiled bitterly, glanced at the amount on the ticket—four digits, no wonder the officer wasn’t rushing him—knowing that if he didn’t leave imdiately, another ticket would arrive in less than two minutes. Besides, Xiao Lin wasn’t soone lacking civic sense. He quickly started the car and drove toward Yan University.
At the entrance of the university hospital, Xia Xue had already been waiting. Seeing Xiao Lin’s car arrive, she hurried forward a few steps. As soon as Xiao Lin’s car stopped, he leaned out and asked Xia Xue, "Xiaoxue, what’s so urgent?"
Xia Xue nodded and said, "Xiao Lin, Tong Tong has co to see you, saying there’s sothing urgent!"
"Jingliang Province?" Xiao Lin imdiately guessed what Tong Tong wanted to see him about.
"Yes, you should go in quickly; she’s in our office, and Director Li is comforting her! I’ll park the car." Without letting Xiao Lin refuse, Xia Xue pulled him out of the car and went to park it herself.
Xiao Lin wrinkled his nose, thinking this must be urgent; otherwise, Xia Xue wouldn’t rush him over without explaining the details.
In the ergency departnt office, it was already after hours. The vast university hospital had only about a dozen doctors and nurses on noon duty, most of whom were nurses, but there were no patients.
Entering the lobby, Xiao Lin heard faint sobbing from the ergency departnt, followed by Li Jingyi’s comforting voice, "Don’t worry, Dr. Xiao will help you!"
Xiao Lin entered the ergency room and saw Tong Tong sitting on the sofa, with Li Jingyi by her side, crying like a tearful person. Seeing Xiao Lin co in, she imdiately got up and knelt beside him, sobbing, "Dr. Xiao, please save my parents!"
Xiao Lin was montarily stunned but quickly reacted, hurriedly helping Tong Tong up, saying, "Get up first; we can talk once you’re up!"
Tong Tong, however, stubbornly said, "Dr. Xiao, if you don’t promise, I won’t get up!"
"Alright, alright, I promise, but you have to get up first!" Xiao Lin said helplessly, having to agree, otherwise how would the scene look?
Hearing Xiao Lin agree, Tong Tong finally got up, her face wet with tears, making her look even more pitiable. Her big eyes shimring with tears evoked compassion.
"Dr. Xiao, do you really an it?"
"I do. What’s the matter? Why do you need to save them?" Although Xiao Lin had a vague idea of the situation, he still asked to calm Tong Tong’s emotions and to clarify, as his guess and Xia Xue’s vague reply were just that—guesses.
"This morning, my parents called, telling not to go ho for the National Day; there’s an outbreak happening there, reportedly like the one four years ago!" Tong Tong said, wiping her tears.
"Okay, then what?"
"Later, my parents accidentally slipped that they’ve contracted that virus. I heard that our county has already seen over a hundred deaths. Now the entire town is in a panic because once this epidemic spreads, there’s no chance of a cure!"
"Nonsense!" Xiao Lin said. If it were really as Tong Tong’s parents said, the relevant authorities in Jingliang Province should have imdiately released such news.
"No, my parents are very honest farrs. They initially didn’t want to tell these things; I forced them to say it. Moreover, the deaths happened just in the past few days. Over ten people have died in the town already!" Tong Tong hurriedly said, "Dr. Xiao, wasn’t it you who helped cure this virus last ti? I beg of you, please save my parents!"
"Are you sure your parents aren’t lying?" Xiao Lin was still a bit uncertain.
"If you don’t believe , I’ll call them right away!"
"No need, I believe you!"
Xiao Lin was profoundly shaken internally. Is the impact of the newly mutated virus really that severe? Over a hundred people dead in just two days? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welco to vote for it on Qidian (qidian) with recomndations and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)
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