Lu Yan originally wanted to say that he had hands and didn't need Tang Xunan to hold an umbrella for him. Moreover, he quite liked the feeling of rain soaking everything.
But a sentence from the system changed his attitude.
"[Shen Qingyang is nearby.]"
"Tsk tsk, this kid likes you."
Lu Yan knew about this, he wasn't stupid.
The system saying Shen Qingyang was a kid was not a problem. Shen Qingyang had just finished his nine years of compulsory education and started working. He claimed that his family was poor and couldn't afford to send him to school. His biological parents were nowhere to be found, and he had been beaten by his alcoholic foster parents since childhood. The only thing good about him was his decent face.
When he met Lu Yan, he was only 20. In the hospital, he had broken a leg. Orthopedic surgery was expensive, he had no social or medical insurance, and because he had no money, he wanted to sneak away quietly in the night after the surgery at 3 a.m. Lu Yan, who had just finished surgery at that time, caught him.
Lu Yan said, "Your bone condition is still unstable, you can't leave the hospital."
He turned around and covered his medical expenses for him.
Because Shen Qingyang had lived a miserable life in the first half of his life, he didn't really know what hardship was. If he had time to grieve over the past, he might as well focus on the present. But after meeting Lu Yan, he understood.
It's not that Lu Yan is not good, it's just that this person is too good.
He pulled him out of the quagmire, making the first twenty years of his life seem very bitter.
He almost obsessively admired this person,
Since he turned into a pollutant, Shen Qingyang knew very well that he had lost the qualification to stand by Lu Yan's side. Unless Lu Yan also became a monster like him.
He envied. Shen Qingyang couldn't articulate the reason, he just envied. Envious of everyone who could stand by Lu Yan.
He seemed like a clown consumed by impotent rage.
Lu Yan turned his head without changing his expression, scanning the area. His eyes were not just visual organs; they were more like a camera that could store images in his mind in a short time.
But there were quite a few people around, and he couldn't find Shen Qingyang among them.
[He has mimicry; you can't find him. Xiao Octopus didn't originally plan to join the team at the research institute, but now he wants to.]
"Why?"
The system's tone was inexplicably gloating: [Because he thinks, in the event of a research institute explosion, Tang Xunan will definitely go.]
The location of the class reunion was at the restaurant across from the school.
Compared to a reunion to catch up, this place felt more like a small arena of fame and fortune.
After graduation, academic achievements during school were no longer the focus; the real focus was on how well one was doing in their current job and how much they were earning.
Lu Yan looked good, and his grades were even better. Although he was low-key, he couldn't hide the fact that he was like a giant shining body, attracting people. Not to mention, he got off a Bentley worth millions.
As soon as he entered, the class monitor warmly greeted him.
"Lu Yan, long time no see. I missed you, bro!"
The class monitor was an enthusiastic Northeasterner, originally planning to give Lu Yan a hug. However, when he reached out, he suddenly felt a chill behind him. Turning his head, he saw a cool-faced handsome guy standing beside Lu Yan, so he had to awkwardly retract his arm.
To go out and meet people, Tang Xunan specially wore black contact lenses.
"Heh, this must be the family, right?" The class monitor teased, then reached out, "Hello, I'm Lu Yan's roommate."
Tang Xunan politely shook hands and introduced himself, "Tang Xunan."
"Little Lu silently started a relationship," the class monitor joked while leading Lu Yan to the banquet, and also found a seat for Tang Xunan, "Which university did you graduate from, and where are you currently working?"
The class monitor, who was a student union cadre during school, went abroad for exchange in his third year and stayed at school as a counselor afterward. He was outgoing and smooth in handling things.
He considered himself to have good conditions and a good family background. Therefore, when he saw Tang Xunan, even though he felt completely defeated in appearance, he still had a sense of comparison in his heart.
Lu Yan calculated, Tang Xunan joined the Fire Seed Project at the age of 18, probably not having time to get a college diploma. As for the Special Operations Department, it didn't seem to be as publicly known as other organizations; most people hadn't heard of it. So, he planned to divert the topic.
Unexpectedly, Tang Xunan's expression was particularly calm, "Graduated from the National Defense Military Academy. Currently, the rank is Major General."
The class monitor was stunned, unable to say a word.
He wanted to say this was impossible. Tang Xunan didn't look like he was even thirty, how could he have the rank of Major General?
But the imposing aura on the other side was too overwhelming. It was obvious that he was not an ordinary person, and there was a kind of military killing intent. So much so that the class monitor didn't dare to refute.
The class monitor secretly took out his phone and asked his grandfather, who was still working in the military.
Grandpa responded quickly: "Where did you hear this name?"
The class monitor briefly explained the situation, and Grandpa only sent two words in reply: "Believe it."
These two words completely stunned the class monitor.
He raised his glass, with a smiling face, "Brother Tang, you can call me Xiaowang."
The class monitor turned his sorrow and anger into strength, starting to drink with Tang Xunan.
Lu Yan didn't drink, simply not liking the feeling of being numb and unable to think after being intoxicated.
Tang Xunan also didn't drink much, but he didn't refuse either. He had a clear understanding of his alcohol tolerance and wouldn't drink until he was drunk.
"We, Yan Yan, are the most delicate cabbage in the whole hospital." The class monitor, getting more and more intoxicated, became emotional and even teary-eyed, "If you don't treat Yan Yan well, no matter who you are, I'll fight you. I'm serious."
Tang Xunan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, fitting of an elder man with high status.
The system's eyes were moist: [This is what I wanted to say too.]
Lu Yan: "..."
Lu Yan didn't like socializing; he agreed to come to the gathering mainly to see his mentor. His attention shifted to the conversation at the main table.
"The big body teacher of the Medical School at Chang Ming University has disappeared again."
"The title '大体老师' is a respectful term in the medical field for body donors. Chang Ming University is a regular undergraduate institution near Yanda, with a medical department.
In the past, around 2050, some backward areas still had the crude custom of arranging Yin marriages. Therefore, occasionally, the bodies of young women would be stolen and sold for money. However, by the 22nd century, with the strengthening of security measures, such incidents had become rare.
"Did you report it?"
"Reported. There were no surveillance findings; security guards stayed overnight and didn't see anyone approaching...," someone lowered their voice, "My high school classmate studies medicine at Chang Ming. She mentioned that many body donors at Chang Ming University recently have bite marks on their bodies. Some were bitten to half, hiss. During experimental teaching, when they uncovered the shrouds, it was all blood. Hospitals that were contacted on the phone said they were fine when sent."
"Could it... be ghosts?" Someone felt uneasy, touching the sweat on their arm.
The people present were all outstanding young individuals who had received higher education. Many of them were staunch advocates of atheism. "Most likely just rumors spreading!"
Lu Yan wasn't particularly interested in the food outside. Since becoming a Harbinger, his desire for eating had decreased significantly.
Holding a tea cup, he sensed that it might not be ghosts but perhaps some pollutants.
As a precaution, Lu Yan opened his phone and sent this information to the Disease Prevention and Control Center, hoping headquarters could send someone to investigate.
Controlling pollution was also one of the tasks of Special Operations Department members.
Half an hour after the banquet began, the elderly Professor Zhao finally arrived.
As Professor Zhao entered, the classmates in attendance stood up and greeted him, addressing him as "teacher" one after another.
He had been teaching for many years, dedicated to medicine, with disciples all over. He was deeply loved.
"Sorry, classmates. I had a small surgery today, so I'm a bit late," Professor Zhao said cheerfully.
However, after not seeing each other for a few years, Professor Zhao, who used to be spirited, now appeared somewhat aged.
The class monitor explained, "Professor's wife passed away recently... Professor was deeply affected, directly chose retirement. This class reunion is also meant to help him relax."
Tang Xunan, slightly tipsy but not really drunk, squinted his eyes slightly as Professor Zhao entered.
He turned to Lu Yan and whispered, "Do you smell it?"
Lu Yan sniffed and caught a faint formaldehyde scent. It wasn't pleasant, but he had gotten used to it.
However, Lu Yan knew that Tang Xunan definitely didn't mention this just for the smell.
[Your teacher has had contact with pollutants. The scent lingers.]
Lu Yan couldn't reveal the system, so he acted like he knew nothing, "What?"
Tang Xunan looked at Lu Yan's earlobes, feeling a bit tempted to bite them. This hesitation caused him a moment of distraction, not giving an immediate answer.
Clearly, drinking indeed causes trouble.
Tang Xunan slowly said, "The smell of pollutants."
Author's note: Although it's a bit late, I still updated... Looking at the time, damn, it's too late!!!
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