Helping Each Other

The Site Director of Site-17 was a kind-eyed old man named Hubbard, who immediately called a meeting with the staff upon his return to the site and warmly welcomed Zhang Jue's arrival.

This time, all the employees knew his identity, and before the welcome meeting was over, he was surrounded by many fellows. Like Clement, they were all big fans of Zhang Jue.

Over the past six months, some of Zhang Jue's achievements at Site-14 were published in a booklet by the Foundation and distributed to all the sites. Although these people did not recognize Zhang Jue's appearance, they were very familiar with his name.

Their admiration for Zhang Jue was not quite the same as a common person. It was a recognition of his ability and contribution. Working at the SCP Foundation, more knowledge means more chances to survive.

The atmosphere was very warm for a while, and many of the employees were scrambling around to ask for some advice about their experiments. There were so many people on the floor that Zhang Jue could not answer all their questions, and finally, he could only promise them that he would stay here for a while until he could solve all of their problems.

The welcome party ended with laughter, and all the researchers were very excited. They knew that with Advisor Zhang around, many experiments that had encountered difficulties could continue, and even if there were a dead-end ahead, he would provide a solution.

"Advisor Zhang is really young and talented. When I was your age, I was just an ordinary researcher." Site Director Hubbard said with a smile, his face spaced out, and he didn't know how many years he had lived.

Zhang Jue said with modesty, "You flatter me, Boss. I wouldn't dare to compare myself to you." This time, Zhang Jue did not tell a lie.

Don't believe what it looked like on the outside. As the Site Director, Site-17 had so many ghosts, gods, and monsters lying around. Something that ordinary people can't do with only a sleight of hand.

Harvey was afraid of him, even Clemente, who had a high rank on the site. Not only them, but even the doctors were also afraid when the Site Director was around the work area.

Hubbard said, "I'll have your application with Clemente sent to the headquarters in a moment. According to the general progress, it will probably take a few days. I'll see what I can do to make it faster so that they process it hastily."

"Got it. Thank you, old man." Zhang Jue arched his hand according to Chinese etiquette then left the meeting with Clement.

Hubbard returned to his office and sat on his seat with his eyes closed. A moment later, an ordinary-looking researcher walked in, the very one who had made the most noise earlier.

"Is there anything unusual in the site when I was away?" Hubbard didn't even open his eyes. He knew it was his own secretary. At this moment, he asked about the situation that the general staff shouldn't know.

"Most of the objects are still the same, but last night SCP-343 met with Advisor Zhang on the rooftop. I don't know what they were talking about, and then they went to SCP-053's room. SCP-053 woke up, and this morning, Advisor Zhang proposed to let SCP-073 visit SCP-053. I think there's a connection between these few things. "

"I know." Hubbard did not look at him from the beginning to the end, and the researcher seemed to have been used to it.

Hubbard waved his hand, and he left the office, continuing to play the role that belonged to him. Hubbard opened his eyes looked out the window at the bright sunshine. He sighed and remembered something.

"The rain is coming…."

-----

Headquarters' approval for the experiment would be finished tomorrow at the earliest, and with Clement's help, Zhang Jue met the other key figure in the experiment - Cain.

As introduced in the previous article. After thousands of years, Cain had become very different from before. He had become very helpful and would agree to anything the Foundation asked him.

It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when Zhang Jue arrived at Cain's containment room. The dark-faced young man was staring into the distance through the window. Because SCP-073 had always been loyal and friendly to the Foundation, his movement wasn't restricted, and he was even allowed to eat in the cafeteria. Of course, with surveillance that his feet should not touch the ground.

"Hello, Cain. A pleasure to be at your side." Zhang Jue straddled Cain's side and patted Cain's shoulder with his hand.

Cain wasn't the one who liked to joke around, so he just smiled and didn't say anything.

Clement introduced, "This Zhang Jue and he's specially hired advisor by the Foundation."

Cain glanced at Zhang Jue, nodded, and spoke, "Hello." His voice was very soft but somewhat mechanized and stiff. As if he was an AI who had just learned to speak.

But Zhang Jue didn't mind, and he was in a very good mood at the moment. He had thought that he was like SCP-343. He wouldn't be able to gain any abilities on Cain. But to his surprise, the touch he had just made felt significantly different.

This meant that he had absorbed some of Cain's ability into his body. He just doesn't know what abilities would be transformed into him. But none of that mattered. It was given for nothing anyway.

"Dude, can I ask you a favor?" Zhang Jue chuckled, "In return, I can also do you a favor."

Cain looked at Zhang Jue. Being asked for help was like a daily chore for him, and he had been used to it. But it was shocking for someone to offer him help. Not only him but Clément also looked at Zhang Jue with a surprised look.

Although SCP-073 was not as omniscient as SCP-343, he was very powerful, and he was curious as to what Zhang Jue could do to help this kind of person.

Seeing that both of them were surprised and shown a little doubt in their eyes, Zhang Jue laughed and said, "Cain, do you remember how long it has been since you stepped on grass? Do you remember how long it has been since you plucked a flower with your own hands?"

How long has it been since I stepped on top of the grass?

How long has it been since I picked a flower with my own hands?

Even though Cain has a perfect memory, these two questions made him can't remember how long it has been since then.

He was a man who carried a curse.

Any land he walked on would become barren 'till the last bacteria died out, thus failing to provide life. Any object that grew in the soil would immediately decay and disintegrate under his touch.

These two curses had been with him for many years. He had never harbored any illusions about it.

But this man called Zhang Jue had said that he could help him?

That he could pluck a flower with his own hands?

Was it even possible?

-----

Seeing that Cain understood his intentions, Zhang Jue raised his eyebrows. Showing his indescribably mischievous expression, "It doesn't cost you anything to try, does it? Come on, Cain. A wildflower by the roadside, you know it's worth it."