16 years

Shao Xuefan, 77 years old, graduated from Yanqing University, a famous professor of the Department of Bioengineering, majoring in genetic engineering, has been teaching in foreign research institutes for the past few years, has just returned to China for two years, and now lives in S City, J Province.

Fu Yan didn't know much about him, only heard that he was a very stubborn old man. His reputation in the scientific research circle was mixed. Those who agreed with him agreed with him very much, while those who disagreed called him "rebellious scientific research ethics".But Fu Yan didn't know anything about this old man specifically. He overheard this sporadic news when he decided to rescue Shao Xuefan during a meeting at the base.

Compared with his reputation, the old man died very hastily in his previous life, and he only lived for a week in troubled times. Fu Yan happened to pass by when the rescue team recorded the time of death in the mission rollback, so he remembered it clearly.

According to the team at the time, when they went, Mr. Shao Xuefan had already been gnawed beyond recognition by the zombies who broke into the door. More than half of his arms and legs were gone, his soft abdomen had been worn out, and his intestines and organs were scattered all over the place, but his face was still in good condition. , saving them the trouble of identifying the corpse.

After Shao Xuefan's death, although the base also established a research team, due to the lack of an effective leader, it has been very difficult to advance the research on the virus for several years.

Doing it all over again, Fu Yan decided to keep Shao Xuefan no matter what.

Fu Yan was afraid that Liu Ruosong would become suspicious, so he decided to go to see Shao Xuefan for the reason of accompanying him to work, and then we'd see each other when we got there—anyway, with him around, it shouldn't be difficult to protect a few people in the chaos.

He still remembers that in the early days of the end of the world, before the high-speed rail and highways were completely paralyzed, collective rescue activities were organized for a period of time.As long as he is responsible for rescuing Shao Xuefan and handing it over to the authorities, things will be much easier after that.

Liu Ruosong quickly accepted his rhetoric. After all, Fu Yan had always supported him in having his own career and pursuit, and rarely offered to ask Liu Ruosong to give up something to accommodate him.

"Then let's go." Liu Ruosong quickly replied to the message there, and comforted Fu Yan at the same time: "Fortunately, even if I have to go out, I don't think I will leave immediately. The preliminary preparations for the project will take time."

Shao Xuefan's response came very quickly. Liu Ruosong was connected with the student of the other party, and his words were very polite. He first thanked Liu Ruosong for being invited to visit, and then finalized Shao Xuefan's free schedule with him.

After confirming the itinerary with him in a few words, Liu Ruosong pressed the lock screen, turned to Fu Yan and said, "Mr. , so ask us to meet the day after tomorrow."

While speaking, the intersection in front of him happened to turn red, Fu Yan stepped on the brake steadily, and thought for a while with his eyes down.

There is still half a month before the outbreak of the end of the world, only four days, Fu Yan can still afford to wait.

So he said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Liu Ruosong stuffed his mobile phone into his pocket, then threw the obstructing backpack to the back seat of the car, and then looked sideways at Fu Yan as if he had finally mastered his kung fu.

He was silent for a while, until the traffic light turned from red to green, and the traffic ahead began to move slowly again, Liu Ruosong finally opened his mouth.

"Brother Fu, do you have something on your mind?" Liu Ruosong asked.

His voice was a little worried. Although it was a question, it was obvious that he had already guessed.

Putting together the love they grew up with, and sharing the same bed for so many years, Fu Yan had already concealed it very well, but Liu Ruosong was still keenly aware of something from Fu Yan.

"What happened at home?" Liu Ruosong asked this question for the second time today, this time he asked a little more detailed: "But I just talked with my parents on the phone the day before yesterday...then..."

No wonder Liu Ruosong was thinking aimlessly, after all, in his impression, Fu Yan's nerves were comparable to reinforced concrete, as hard as bulletproof material, and he would not frown when the sky fell.

But today, not only did he have to come to pick him up from get off work abnormally, Fu Yan had lost his mind three or four times in just ten minutes.

He was in a daze for a very short time, most of which happened near traffic lights and zebra crossings, and he was in a daze for only a second or two each time before quickly regaining his state.

Liu Ruosong couldn't tell what was wrong with him, but he watched from the sidelines and always felt... Fu Yan seemed not used to the traffic and crowds outside.

But this guess is too absurd. Although Fu Yan has been in the military area all year round, he is not a savage in the deep mountains and old forests. It has nothing to do with the word "unaccustomed".

Liu Ruosong looked at him worriedly, afraid that something important happened to Fu Yan, and afraid that he would be worried, so he didn't know how to tell him.

Fu Yan didn't plan to be stubborn in front of Liu Ruosong - in his opinion, even if there is a big issue between the couple, honesty should be the first priority.Although he couldn't talk to Liu Ruosong about ghosts and gods such as "the end of the world" and "resurrection from the dead", he couldn't go against his conscience and say that it was all right.

So he continued to shift gears, grabbed Liu Ruosong's hand and shook it lightly, instead of answering his question, he changed the way of answering.

"I have a little problem." Fu Yan said in a low voice: "I was thinking, if a matter is artificially intervened and changed when the result is known, will it be self-defeating and cause more serious consequences. "

Liu Ruosong didn't delve into the specifics of Fu Yan's "problem". He knew the other party, and it must be no small matter to make Fu Yan feel this hesitation.

He guessed in his heart, but he couldn't be sure whether there was something wrong with Fu Yan's working environment or something else.Fu Yan's job is special, and there are often political disagreements between his superiors. Fu Yan occasionally mentioned it to him.Liu Ruosong weighed it in his heart, and chose a gentle way to persuade him.

"The result is known to be bad?" Liu Ruosong said.

"Very bad." Fu Yan paused, and added: "...Very bad."

"Then what do you think?" Liu Ruosong said softly, "What do you think? Since you asked me, there should be at least a tendency in your heart."

Fu Yan was silent for two seconds.

"Indeed." Fu Yan said, "I am more inclined to change."

"A butterfly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane." Liu Ruosong said: "But which way the wind blows depends on luck. If things are already bad, why not give it a try, maybe you can save your life .and--"

Liu Ruosong glanced at Fu Yan's relaxed side face, and said with a smile: "And I believe you, if even you feel the need to take risks, then this matter must be worth the risk."

Fu Yan didn't look back at him, but extended his arms, took Liu Ruosong's hand, and squeezed it hard.

It's just that Fu Yan had clearly anticipated this hurricane, but he didn't expect that this hurricane would turn out to be so tricky in the end, so tricky that it wasn't in any of his preconceived plans.

Fu Yan thought about many impacts that Shao Xuefan's life would have on the last days, good, bad, and even unpredictable.But he never expected that even though he came so early in his life, Shao Xuefan would still be dead.

—and died inexplicably.

Shao Xuefan lived in seclusion and did not teach in any public place after returning from abroad. Instead, he recruited a group of students and formed a private research team.

He lived not far from the laboratory, in a remote suburb north of S City, there were only a few decent buildings within a five-kilometer radius, and it was easy to find.

The time Liu Ruosong agreed with him was ten o'clock in the morning, but when he and Fu Yan came to the door, they saw that Shao Xuefan's courtyard door was closed. Liu Ruosong tried to ring the bell at the entrance of the lower courtyard, but no one came to open the door.

He thought that Shao Xuefan had misremembered the date of his visit, but he called his student, but no one answered, which was very strange.

But Fu Yan, I don’t know if it’s because Shao Xuefan has already “died” once in his memory, he is extremely sensitive to this abnormality, when Liu Ruosong was trying to contact the contact person, he had already walked around the two-story building in front of him in a circle.

When he walked to the side of the small building, there was a sound of objects falling to the ground from nowhere in the small building. The sound was crisp and clear, and it sounded like some glass product was broken.

Fu Yan had an inexplicably bad premonition in his heart. He ran back a few steps, held down Liu Ruosong's cell phone, and said, "Don't call, I'll go in and have a look—"

As he said that, he took a few steps back, and then took a run-up. He reached out his hand to grab the iron bar on the hospital door, and easily turned over the door.

Liu Ruosong was stunned for a moment, and then called out to him.

However, Fu Yan had already run downstairs at this time. He didn't hesitate at all. He glanced and found an open side door on the side of the building. He stepped on the window edge of the first floor and lifted himself up. Drilled in through the half-opened window on the second floor.

Liu Ruosong: "..."

Liu Ruosong didn't know why he was so reckless all of a sudden, but he knew that Fu Yan would never break into someone's empty door for no reason.Seeing him like this, I also had a faint premonition in my heart.He looked around, gritted his teeth, followed Fu Yan's example, and turned over the courtyard door.

Fortunately, he carried the camera up and down the mountain and river on weekdays, otherwise he might not be able to keep up with Fu Yan.

However, as soon as he ran to the window, he heard a loud noise from inside the building, followed by a muffled crash. As soon as Liu Ruosong climbed onto the window sill, he heard Fu Yan yell.

"stop--!"

Liu Ruosong frowned, and didn't dare to go out of the room rashly.

The place where he stayed was a utility room. He casually took a heavy iron chain used to lock the courtyard door from the cabinet next to him, wrapped it around his hand, and carefully looked out through the half-open door.

However, at this glance, Liu Ruosong was stunned.

In the living room not far from the door of the utility room, a grey-haired old man was lying face up on the carpet. Large swaths of blood flowed from him, soaking the off-white carpet beneath him red.

His eyes were wide open, he collapsed on the ground in a large font, his head was slightly raised, and he happened to be looking in the direction of the utility room.

Liu Ruosong glanced at him unexpectedly, her heart almost missed a beat.