Upgrading Pathology

Before leaving work, the group leader of the pathological testing group, Yang Liqun, returned to the hospital. 

Just when he arrived at the lab room's entrance on the fourth floor, he saw Zhou Wen coming out. 

Yang Liqun asked, "Why are you here?"

Zhou Wen smiled. "Doing a favor for a friend."

Yang Liqun nodded and then smiled as he responded, "Consider joining the pathological testing group instead. I feel like your skills are not put to good use in PCR."

Zhou Wen laughed. "Ms. Yang, you're flattering me. I am far from qualified."

To which Yang Liqun replied, "You're still so young, why are you speaking so humbly? Too much humility is arrogance; do you understand?"

"...Understood."

"So, are you joining our group? If you agree, I can help you tell your leader."

Zhou Wen shook his head. "Nope."

Yang Liqun motioned towards the lift. "Then get out of here."

"Yes, sir." Zhou Wen left immediately. 

Yang Liqun kept a stern face until Zhou Wen left. Then, he smiled regretfully. "What a gifted man; why is he even in PCR?"

Yang Liqun shook his head and entered the lab. 

The rest of the testers were still packing to leave, but they greeted Yang Liqun once he came in.

Yang Liqun asked, "Why did that person come?"

Someone answered, "For pathological testing."

Fearing that Yang Liqun would accuse them of delaying their job, another person quickly explained, "He did it himself."

Yang Liqun nodded at the information. PCR's procedures were very similar to the pathological testing group. It was not a surprise that Zhou Wen knew how to conduct the test. 

Qin Haitao said excitedly, "Leader Yang, Zhou Wen… That guy who just left, he is very skilled in pathogen extraction. He taught us some things just now, and I felt so enlightened."

Yang Liqun was curious. "Oh, really? What did he say?"

"He said…"

Qin Haitao repeated what Zhou Wen said to them, getting excited every time he talked about the key points. After Zhou Wen's short explanation, he could really feel his understanding and operational efficiency increase. 

That beautiful feeling of a sudden realization was indescribable. 

Yang Liqun listened silently and did not interrupt. 

The more he heard, the more shocked he felt. He realized that some of the things that Zhou Wen said were similar to what he had learned after more than ten years of experience in this field. He had never told these findings to anyone else before. 

Like all other humans, he had the desire to keep precious information to himself. 

Yet, Zhou Wen clearly understood these findings and experiences that Yang Liqun hid for so long and shared them with his colleagues so easily. Yang Liqun was beyond shocked. 

Based on his understanding of people, Zhou Wen definitely would not teach everything that he knew, which meant that Zhou Wen knew something that was even more important. 

For instance, he was told that the concentration of the DNA Zhou Wen extracted was always very high and that they were very effective for both polymerase chain reaction and clinical trials. 

Additionally, he was the first to discover the novel Filovirus virus. Even now, no one knew how he determined that the deceased editor, Liu Bin, was infected with the virus. To complicate matters further, he did so with no testing equipment at all. 

And, the antiviral patch that he stuck onto Liu Bin's neck, what was it made of? How did it prevent the spread of the virus?

These were all unsolved mysteries. However, one thing that could be confirmed was that this young man had a very high, professional understanding of virology. 

"Ugh, why did he join PCR…"

Yang Liqun stroked his chin, feeling a little gloomy while pondering how he could pry Zhou Wen from the PCR group. 

…..

After eating dinner at the hospital and on his way back to school, Zhou Wen took a look at his XP level and noticed that it was already at 850. 

Then, he looked at his course list. The only courses at level 0 were pathology, system anatomy, and also a branch course called botany.

System anatomy and botany could be put aside first. He was thinking of upgrading his pathology course to level 1. Then, he could begin his thesis mission. Coincidentally, he just happened to have 3000 points. 

Opening his inventory, his black metal loot box was still lying inside. 

He did not open it. He wanted to keep his hopes high.

Zhou Wen arrived at school right at 8:30 and went straight to the library. For the next two days, he went to the testing center in the morning and went back to the library early in the evening. 

On Tuesday night, he finished his mission. 

[Ding! Mission accomplished. Congratulations, you received 300 course XP and 100 points.]

[Do you want to open your loot box now? Yes/No]

Zhouwen was no longer surprised by the wooden loot box, so he opened it immediately. 

[Congratulations, you received 100 yuan.]

Nevertheless, his face lit up at the sight of money. 

A while ago, he treated some people to a meal; so, he barely had any cash left.

Although he had some money on Ant Credit Pay, he did not want to use it if it was not absolutely necessary. Otherwise, he would have no future emergency fund. It would not be good to build the habit of spending all that he had. 

Although he was used to being poor, it would be good to start to save some money. 

Stepping out of the library, Zhou Wen was greeted by a warm breeze. 

The month of May was arriving in a few days, and the weather was getting warmer. 

Looking up, he saw that the trees were casting shadows over the streets, and the street lights were blurry. A few young female students walked by, wearing clothes that were barely covering their bodies. Their long, fair legs made Zhou Wen feel a little dizzy, even at night. 

This was something that could not be seen in the hospital. Although the nurses dressed up like seductive fairies every day after work, they always wore uniforms during duties. Everything was covered up.

Besides, with the implications that come with their uniforms, these angels in white are "holy" figures that could only be watched from a distance. 

Zhou Wen wandered around and arrived at the field in front of the bell tower. 

He chose a spot where there were no couples and sat down, getting ready to upgrade his pathology course. 

Suddenly, his phone rang. After taking it out, Zhou Wen pressed the mute button on the side and put it back into his pocket. 

After a few seconds, his phone rang again.

Zhou Wen answered it and kept quiet. 

He could hear Xu Shuangyu's voice, "Hello, you there?"

Zhou Wen did not respond. 

Xu Shuangyu said, "Hello? Hello? Hello? Say something!"

Zhou Wen answered lazily, "What's the matter?"

Xu Shuangyu was rather angry with him. "I called you because I treat you as my friend, yet you either don't answer my call or you answer and keep quiet. What's wrong with you? Do you think you're so important?"

To which Zhou Wen replied, "I'm really busy…"

"Beep beep beep…"

Zhouwen glanced at his screen, and the call was ended.

He smiled nonchalantly. 

Finally, he opened the system and upgraded his pathology course to level one. 

The sudden immersion of knowledge that he had already experienced many times overwhelmed him again as a wealth of pathological knowledge gushed into his brain. 

Cell damage, inflammation, tumor, respiratory system diseases, digestive system diseases, nervous system diseases, reproductive system diseases, breast diseases, etc. 

Furthermore, some of the knowledge that he had learned but had eventually forgotten slowly regained clarity in his mind. 

The new information he received was closely integrated with his current understanding of biological immunology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, forming a complete map that allows him to gain a deeper, systematic understanding of life science. 

Just based on theory alone, it was arguable that he knew more than most doctors. 

After a while, Zhou Wen calmed down and stretched his body. Then, he went back to his dorm. 

The next morning, Zhou Wen was off duty.

However, at 6 a.m, he woke up, cleaned up, and ate breakfast. 

He called Lu Qing and agreed on a meeting place. Then, he rushed to the dorm building, where he was at to collect the prepared chemical reagent. 

When he arrived, Lu Qing was already waiting for him in the lobby. Lu Qing handed him a big black plastic bag, "I prepared 200 samples according to your instructions."

Zhou Wen took it and smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem. If you need anything else, call me anytime."

"Okay, thanks."

After saying bye to Lu Qing, Zhou Wen rushed to the lab room.

After he arrived at the lab and took his big box containing rice leaves and plastic cages for experimenting with aphids, he hurried to the hospital. 

After arriving at the testing center, Zhou Wen went straight to his little lab room on the third floor. 

He hung the "Do Not Disturb" sign up, locked the door, and busied himself with work.

He bought some small tools online, such as the 50 plastic cages for keeping aphids, a spray for spraying heavy metal chemicals, and sets of heaters, tweezers, and dissecting needles.

As for the test tubes, single-use pipettes, and measuring cylinders of different sizes used for extracting and distributing heavy metal chemicals, he utilized what was already available at the testing center. Only idiots would not take advantage of that. 

He also borrowed a laptop from Dong Wenying. 

He wanted to borrow it from Wu Yan, but he did not dare to ask her. Dong Wenying seemed very blur, so he did not feel too bad for asking her. 

Weak people always get taken advantage of.