"Actually, Senior Jiang has been in the industry longer than I have; he understands the situation much better," Jiang Cheng said. "I believe your colleague should undergo testing first. I haven't personally conducted research on Gaemor. Senior Jiang, how long is the incubation period for Gaemor?"
Jiang Langmin thought for a moment. "Theoretically, five to seven days."
Jiang Cheng expected him to provide all the relevant information at once, but Jiang Langmin stopped after that single sentence. As they both waited, Jiang Langmin remained silent. Jiang Cheng looked at Lu Linjiang helplessly and added the details himself: "I recall that after the onset, the primary symptoms are fever, pain, and loss of appetite. In the later stages, there should be hemorrhagic symptoms. The course of the disease is about ten days to half a month. Is that correct?"
Jiang Langmin smiled. "Correct. You say you haven't researched it, yet you remember its characteristics quite well. When the Gaemor samples arrived, I believe you had only just joined the institute and weren't involved in the study."
At that time, Jiang Cheng had been immersed in his own projects. Combined with his lack of seniority, he hadn't been given the chance to participate in the study of this newly discovered Level 4 virus. Research institutes everywhere had been racing against the clock to analyze it and map its sequence. Such opportunities for fame and prestige rarely fell to someone of his standing.
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Yes. Later, when I had some time, I read through all the research papers. I remember the research didn't seem to continue after a certain point."
"The outbreak was in Southeast Asia, and since it isn't airborne, the epidemic subsided as the infected died off. Without further investment, mapping the sequence was mostly just a way for people to pad their resumes. Without financial support, the work naturally ground to a halt."
This was a harsh reality. With so many unknown viruses in the world, there was no need to stubbornly pursue a subject that offered no visible return on investment.
Jiang Cheng understood this all too well. He let out a frustrated sigh. "Then, Senior Jiang, do you know if there are any facilities in Jinghai that can perform the test?"
Jiang Langmin pondered slowly for a while. "There is one—a biotechnology R&D company. They collaborated with the institute a couple of years ago. I can inquire on your behalf."
"That’s great," Jiang Cheng said sincerely. "Thank you, Senior Jiang."
Lu Linjiang didn't want to be indebted to Jiang Langmin, but since this involved Guo Junyi, getting a confirmed test result early was far better than guessing in the dark. "Thank you, Mr. Jiang."
Jiang Langmin smiled slightly. "Don't mention it, Captain Lu. I'm doing this to help my junior."
The words sounded a bit grating to Lu Linjiang, but since he needed a favor, he suppressed his irritation. "Please notify me as soon as there's news. I'll bring my colleague over."
Jiang Langmin nodded politely, then turned back to Jiang Cheng. "So, do you plan to wait for the results before heading back?"
Jiang Cheng hesitated. In his heart, he hoped no one was infected with a virus as lethal as Gaemor, which had a near hundred-percent mortality rate. However, based on the situation Lu Linjiang described, the possibility couldn't be entirely ruled out. If the worst happened...
"Senior, I plan to stay for a couple more days. In case of an emergency, I might be able to help."
Jiang Langmin laughed. "I understand. I'll go book the flight then. Once I hear back from the biotech company, I'll let you know immediately."
Jiang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Langmin was always efficient; if he promised something, it would be handled. Once the official business was concluded, the atmosphere among the three became somewhat subtle. Jiang Cheng sat there for half a minute before he couldn't help but usher the two "great deities" out of his room. Peace finally returned to the room. Jiang Cheng stretched at his desk, sat quietly for a moment, and then pulled up a folder on his computer. It contained all the papers he could find on Level 4 viruses, and Gaemor was naturally among them.
Jiang Cheng reread the papers he already knew by heart, his gaze finally lingering on the tissue sections of infected patients included in the studies. No vaccine, no effective barrier—he couldn't help but sigh.
Jiang Langmin's efficiency was indeed impressive. Using whatever connections he had, he informed Jiang Cheng even before business hours that the other party had agreed to perform the test. Jiang Cheng immediately notified Lu Linjiang. They waited at the entrance of the biotech company for a while before Lu Linjiang arrived, supporting Guo Junyi.
Guo Junyi looked haggard, his spirit clearly forced. Lu Linjiang and Tang Hua flanked him on either side, waving to Jiang Cheng from a distance.
Jiang Cheng’s attention was entirely on Guo Junyi. The man clearly hadn't slept all night; stubble covered his chin, and there was a scabbed wound just below his left cheekbone. The group didn't waste words. After exchanging greetings, Jiang Langmin led them inside the company.
A security guard led them to an office where a man stood up to greet them. "Mr. Jiang, long time no see."
Jiang Langmin shook hands while introducing him. "This is Manager Cheng Hao. Thank you, Manager Cheng, for doing us this favor."
Cheng Hao smiled kindly. "It's no trouble. This is what we do. If there is a discovery, early containment is an honor for our company. By the way, which one of you needs the test?"
Guo Junyi instinctively reached out his hand. "It's me. Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Cheng."
Cheng Hao did not respond. He kept his hands clasped in front of him, seemingly not seeing the gesture at all. "It's no trouble. It's only right."
Guo Junyi’s already pale face darkened further. Jiang Cheng, who had been silent at the side, suddenly took Guo Junyi’s hand. He naturally turned Guo Junyi’s palm upward and asked, "Mr. Cheng, will the blood be drawn here? Is the right hand okay? Do you need a finger prick or venous blood?"
Cheng Hao raised an eyebrow. "I've already arranged for someone. It won't be done here. Please wait a moment."
Jiang Cheng took the opportunity to lower Guo Junyi’s hand. "Of course, we were just too anxious." He lightly patted Guo Junyi’s back. "May I ask when the results will be out?"
Cheng Hao put down his phone. "Theoretically, two hours. However, considering there might be a window period, we’ve decided to run three tests. We’ll do follow-up confirmation tests at twenty-four and forty-eight hours after the second culture."
"That would be best. Thank you, Mr. Cheng."
A person in a hazmat suit entered. Cheng Hao pointed at Guo Junyi. "This is the gentleman for the test. This... uh..."
"Guo Junyi."
"Right. Mr. Guo, please follow the researcher to have your blood drawn."
Realizing they weren't exactly welcome, they didn't linger after the blood was drawn and left immediately. Jiang Langmin said somewhat apologetically, "Sorry, Cheng Hao is just that kind of person..."
"It's fine." Having had several vials of blood drawn, Guo Junyi actually seemed a bit more spirited now. "I'm the one troubling him anyway. Besides, if there's a risk of contagion, it's only right to keep some distance."
Jiang Langmin shrugged and said no more. After the morning's ordeal, Guo Junyi suddenly felt a sense of resignation. He looked at Jiang Cheng. "Thanks for today."
Jiang Cheng looked at him; the man's complexion had miraculously improved slightly. "Don't mention it. I think the chances of infection might not be that high. Don't worry too much, Mr. Guo."
Guo Junyi laughed. "I just suddenly had an epiphany. Life and death are up to fate, and wealth is up to heaven." He looked closely at Jiang Cheng. "I never used to see you around, so I thought you just didn't like people. I only realized today that I was judging you unfairly."
Jiang Cheng knew exactly what he had been like during that period—constantly trapped in self-doubt and denial, longing to see Lu Linjiang yet terrified of it, brainwashing himself into believing that his devotion would eventually be rewarded. Looking back now, it was a complete mess.
Lu Linjiang cleared his throat awkwardly. He knew better than anyone why Jiang Cheng had been like that. To be honest, Jiang Cheng stepping in to save Guo Junyi from embarrassment had startled him. Although he knew Jiang Cheng had changed, in his subconscious, Lu Linjiang still thought of him as a shy, introverted person who was afraid to speak up.
Cheng Hao’s attitude had been arrogant to the point of rudeness, but they were the ones asking for a favor. Jiang Cheng had dissolved the awkwardness so naturally, neither offending Cheng Hao nor leaving Guo Junyi in a more humiliating position. For a moment, Lu Linjiang felt something was off, but upon further reflection, everything seemed exactly as it should be. He watched as Jiang Cheng and Jiang Langmin drove away together before returning to his own car.
Guo Junyi sat in the middle of the back seat, rubbing his stiff neck as he joked, "I don't think I ever really interacted with Jiang Cheng before... no, that's not right. We were at a few gatherings, but I only ever saw him busy working in the background without saying a word. Looking at him now, he’s truly a completely different person."
Lu Linjiang drove in silence, not responding. Guo Junyi let out a "heh" and said to Tang Hua, "What did I tell you? Any good talent that ends up with your captain is bound to be led astray."
Tang Hua chuckled twice, neither confirming nor denying, and gave Guo Junyi a sly wink.
"Fortunately, Jiang Cheng came to his senses in time. Otherwise, I might have been in real trouble this time."
Lu Linjiang glanced at Guo Junyi through the rearview mirror. After the trip to the biotech company, the despondency he’d arrived with had vanished, and he seemed to have returned to his usual self. Cheng Hao said he would send the initial results in two hours; Lu Linjiang had specifically left his own number just in case.
"Is the autopsy report ready?" Lu Linjiang asked.
"Tsk, even in my state..." Guo Junyi feigned annoyance, but he sat up straight. "The time of death was approximately between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the 27th. Due to the virus, the internal organs were eroded and hemorrhaging. There was no external trauma. The virus was the primary cause of death—the only cause."
Guo Junyi paused. "Given that we just closed the Tao Minxing case, figuring out how he got infected is your job now."
Lu Linjiang nodded. "He had been to Tuocheng. I wonder if there's a connection."
"Hmph!" Guo Junyi leaned back against the seat with his hands behind his head. "Check the wild game restaurants. Maybe he went there to broaden his horizons."
"We're checking. Are you going back to the station or home?" Lu Linjiang asked. He thought for a moment. "Forget it, come to the station with me. It saves me a trip. The duty room has everything you need anyway; you can make do there."
Guo Junyi didn't argue. He knew Lu Linjiang wouldn't let him be alone right now, so he let Lu Linjiang drive him back to the office.
***
