36 Genetic Modification Experiment

Zhou Wen constructed a database that was especially used to record the observation data. 

Truthfully, a scanning electron microscope was supposed to be necessary equipment in an experiment, such as the one he was running. He was supposed to get an optical microscope, at the very least. However, his naked eyes worked better than using an electron microscope or standard microscope. 

After he was done preparing the document, Zhou Wen put on biohazard gloves and an N99 face mask before he took out the heavy metal chemical and biology reagent prepared by Lu Qing and placed them into the test tubes one by one. 

Next, he extracted different amounts of reagents with the pipette and pumped them into the small test tubes on one side. 

If he were to administer an overly high amount of the reagent, the aphid would be easily poisoned to death when he sprayed it on the paddy leaf. It would be better for him to use chlorinated pesticides instead. 

This was because he would need to extract 50 types of chemical reagents, one at a time. Moreover, he would need to change a new pipette tip with every extraction, so it was extremely time-consuming. 

Zhou Wen spent two full hours to complete it. 

Next, he attached Test Tube 1 to the base of the mini spray gun and began to spray an even layer of the heavy metal chemical reagent to the surface of the spread-out paddy leaves. He then sprayed the back of the leaves when he was done with the front. 

The paddy leaves were meant for professional experimental use, so the leaves were not sprayed with any pesticide. 

When he was done with that, he removed the disposable suction tube on the spray gun and changed it to a new one. He attached Test Tube 2 and grabbed a small bunch of paddy leaves from the container to continue the spraying task. 

Half a day passed by the time he was done spraying all the leaves. When he came back from lunch, Zhou Wen transferred the paddy leaves sprayed with the heavy metal chemical reagent to the 50 plastic mesh boxes according to the assigned numbers. 

Next, he used a pair of small forceps to pick up the rice root aphid samples and placed them according to the corresponding numbers into the plastic mesh boxes. Then, he turned on the warm air heater to increase the temperature. 

Later, he used his Truevision to ensure that the rice root aphids began to chew on the paddy leaves. Zhou Wen checked the time and found that it was already past two o'clock. 

He needed to increase the progress of the experiment. 

He brought up the system and clicked on 'Points' - a transparent dialogue box popped out. 

[Would you like to spend Points to increase the progress of this experiment? Yes/No]

[Yes]

[Spend 100 Points to increase the progress of this experiment. Please confirm the selection.]

Zhou Wen felt relieved in his heart upon reading the dialogue box before his eyes. 

He had already experimented with the system before this, and he learned that he needed to spend 100 Points for one-round of tests. 

It was still an experiment, after all, where nothing was for certain. In the event of the system changed the rules, it was possible that all the preparation works he did earlier could turn into dust. 

Nevertheless, he chose to confirm. 

In the next second, Zhou Wen felt a gush of mysterious energy enshrouding the area above the 50 plastic mesh boxes in the room. The flow of time in that area seemed to have changed. 

Before he could react to the situation, everything turned back to normal once again while he was still entranced. 

He looked toward the Plastic Mesh Box 1 placed before him and discovered that the paddy leaves were already crawling with over 100 rice root aphids instead of the original two rice root aphids. All this happened in an instant.

They were crawling on the surface of the paddy leaf and used their needle-like stylets to greedily suck at the sap contained in the paddy leaf. 

Soon afterward, he looked toward Plastic Mesh Box 2 and found a similar situation in the box. 

Box 3, 4, 5… The situation inside all the boxes was the same. 

Zhou Wen was beyond excited. 

Even though he had already predicted that this would happen, his heart was still filled with a sense of achievement when his visualization turned into reality. 

So, he began to observe the rice root aphids in detail. 

Under his Truevision, every stylet and every hair on each rice root aphid could be seen clearly. 

He compared each aphid in detail and checked on what were the differences between the aphids that consumed the heavy metal chemical reagent and the offsprings they produced. 

Under ordinary circumstances, one would need to pick up an aphid and observe its hereditary traits under the electron microscope, which would be an extremely troublesome task. 

It was utterly impossible to perform the task, especially in a case like Zhou Wen's. He had to place every aphid under the electron microscope and compare the aphids one by one, which was truly absurd. 

However, there was utterly no need for Zhou Wen to pick up the aphids when he used his Truevision ability. He could check on the hereditary traits of each aphid using his vision that penetrated the mesh box. 

The speed was simply unimaginable. 

It would not be an exaggeration to say that his effort alone could compare to 100 research fellows. 

After some careful observation, Zhou Wen soon discovered the 'deformed child' amongst the rice root aphids. 

He immediately walked to the side of the office table and took a seat to record his observation in the database document. 

Object of observation: Mesh Box 1

Reagent 1: 2 μL, six sheets

Symptoms: Legs - four on the left and five on the right. Compound eyes are bulging in an unusual manner. Cauda is huge and fleshy. 

Result: No significant changes to the reproduction quantity…

Zhou Wen wrote down the observation data of Mesh Box 1; then, he turned around and looked toward Mesh Box 2. The visual of rice root aphids inside the box was clearly displayed before his eyes. He could even see the fine patterns on the aphid's back, including every strand of hair. 

If there was a need, he could even see the rice root aphid's internal organs. 

Under the scrutinization of his abnormal vision, he had the full view of the aphid's body parts such that any missing, deformed, or mutated parts could never escape his eyes. 

With all these observations, it was no surprise that he began typing the observation data on his laptop swiftly. 

Zhou Wen spent a total of three hours writing up 50 sets of observation data. He had only stood up and stretched his body when he heard a knock on his door. 

"Who's there?"

"It's me." Sun Jing's voice was heard coming from the door. "Would you like to go for dinner?"

Zhou Wen walked over and opened the door of the laboratory. 

Sun Jing covered her nose as soon as she entered the room. "Eew… What kind of stench is that? Why is it so strong?"

Zhou Wen chuckled before he answered, "It's a chemical."

As he was speaking, he turned on the exhaust fans. 

Sun Jing fanned her nose and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm carrying out a genetic experiment." As he was speaking, Zhou Wen began to pack up. 

Sun Jing took a glance at the plastic mesh boxes at the corner of the wall and reminded him, "Be careful and follow safety precautions, okay?"

"Mmhmm, I know."

"Come, let's go have dinner…"

They chatted as they left the laboratory. 

…

In the staff cafeteria, Shen Xue joined six gynecology department colleagues for dinner and chatted while they ate. 

Coincidentally, they were discussing a funny topic of conversation so the doctors and nurses around the table chuckled aloud and drew in the attention of the male doctors from other departments in the surroundings. 

Meanwhile, Shen Xue noticed a familiar silhouette walking toward her. It was Zhou Wen, the man who helped her. 

Frankly, Shen Xue was not originally counting on him to help her. 

She assumed that he was probably humoring her, judging by his attitude in the beginning. 

Yet, she did not expect that her relative would receive the test result in the early morning the next day. Her mother called her up to praise her. 

Afterward, she called Xu Jiajia and requested Xu Jiajia to express her gratitude to Zhou Wen on behalf of her. 

She did not expect that she would see him in the cafeteria today. 

In order to stagger peak meal times, every department was allocated different times for different meals.

When Zhou Wen passed by her, Shen Xue took the initiative to greet him, "Hey… Are you here for dinner?"

Holding his food tray, Zhou Wen was rather surprised to meet Shen Xue here. He smiled and nodded. "Mmhmm, you're here for your dinner too?"

Shen Xue's colleagues were grinning from ear to ear upon hearing their conversation. One of the younger nurses said in amusement, "Both of you are truly adorable. One is having dinner while the other is holding the food tray, yet you're both asking each other about having dinner here. Are you the clowns here to entertain us?"

"Hah-hah-hah…"

Just as the group of people was teasing them, Shen Xue pointed to the spot next to her and said smilingly, "Take a seat here."

"Hmm, sure…" Zhou Wen led Sun Jing to sit next to Shen Xue. 

Shen Xue took the opportunity to say, "Thanks a lot for your help previously."

To which Zhou Wen replied, "You're welcome."

Shen Xue asked, "I thought the allocated time for the laboratory department staff to have dinner is 5.30; why are both of you so late today?"

Zhou Wen continued, "I got held up with some experiments."

"Oh…"

Shen Xue asked a few questions and found that she was at a loss of what to say. She turned her head back and continued to have her meal waiting for Zhou Wen to respond to her. 

Sun Jing, who was seated opposite Zhou Wen, nudged him with her foot and asked, "Who's that?"

Zhou Wen explained to her. 

Sun Jing asked, "I remembered you telling me that you don't have a girlfriend, right?"

Zhou Wen answered, "Mmhmm. Why?"

Sun Jing turned around and sized up Shen Xue for a moment before she turned back to whisper to him, "Oh, oh, oh, the girl is quite pretty. She is rather suited to you."

Sun Jing paused for a moment before she continued to speak, "Look at her. Her temples are full, her nose bridge is straight and tall, her forehead is bright and shiny, her gaze is clear and gentle, her lips are curled up, and she is always smiling. She has the facial features that will make her husband's life prosperous."

Zhou Wen replied, "... Uh, since when did you turn into a fortune-teller?"

Sun Jing exclaimed, "What do you mean by fortune teller!? I'm telling you that these are evidence-based findings; otherwise, why would people say that a person's face is determined by her heart? A person with a kind face will not have a bad heart, and similarly, you can frequently tell an evil person from their face."

Zhou Wen nodded to acknowledge her statement. 

Then, Sun Jing nudged him again with her foot. "You should act on it, quick. Ask for her Wechat number."

Zhou Wen did not budge but continued to have his dinner with his head lowered. 

Sun Jing kicked him twice and realized that he did not respond again. She became exasperated from him not living up to her expectations. 

She turned around and said to Shen Xue, smilingly, "Doctor Shen, what is your Wechat number? Zhou Wen wishes to add you on WeChat, but he is too shy to ask."

Upon saying that, Sun Jing then said to Zhou Wen, "Isn't that right?"

Zhou Wen replied, "... You're truly like my own sister."