Zhou Ling listened to Nan Muran’s cold tone and keenly sensed that these powerful figures shared the same hostility toward the two families he hated most.

In his view, anyone who had grudges with Chen Shuhan and Ouyang Yun could naturally become his friend.

Especially when these were people with overwhelming strength: “Give me ten minutes. I’ll go find out everything.”

“No need to rush.
Once you find out, just come upstairs to Room 1516 to find us,” Nan Muran said directly, giving the suite number where Eagle and Qijin were staying.

Watching their group head upstairs, Zhou Ling’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

He had a strong feeling he had just found himself a major backer — and one stronger than any ability user at the Lan City base.

He could hardly wait to rush back and tell his father the good news, to let him know that he had finally made something of himself.

“Think he’s reliable?” Si Ye asked suddenly as he helped Nan Muran bring her luggage into the room.

Since knowing her, he had rarely seen her show goodwill toward strangers who suddenly barged into her life.

Which meant Zhou Ling must be quite useful.

“His background fits, he’s not stupid, and he has some basic decency. He’s usable,” Nan Muran assessed precisely.

Si Ye chuckled at that.

Nan Muran had her own way of reading people — and it was always spot on.

“Before the apocalypse, I met all kinds of rich second-generation kids. Judging from their character and temperament, I usually didn’t get it wrong,” Nan Muran explained.

Si Ye nodded. He knew Nan Muran’s background before the apocalypse and naturally trusted her judgment. “I’ll head back to my room and drop my stuff off. Let’s go to Eagle’s place in a bit.”

In less than ten minutes, everyone had put away their things and gathered in the only suite.

The suite had been specially chosen to be larger — besides a circular couch, there was a big dining table that could seat ten people, perfect for their group.

They had already been cautious of the Ouyang family’s situation since they left the base.

Now, with the addition of the Chen family — with Chen Xiong’an being the top figure in the Lan City base — they had to be even more careful.

Zhou Ling kept his word. Right on time, he came to knock on the door.

“So, the third-floor banquet hall of this hotel is going to host an academic exchange event organized by the Ouyang and Chen families?” Han Yingtian asked, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease at the familiar name.

Zhou Ling nodded. “I asked a friend who works at this hotel.
He didn’t recognize most of the people,
but he did recognize one — a medical professor named Jin Tailin, who came with them.”

The moment Nan Muran, Si Ye, Eagle, and Jiawu heard the name Jin Tailin, their hearts began to rage uncontrollably.

The Madman Jin being here meant this exchange event was organized by the underground laboratory.

“Who else is there?” Jiawu asked, noticing the trio’s sudden bad mood and tactfully changing the subject.

Zhou Ling shook his head. “He didn’t recognize anyone else, but he overheard them discussing genetic experiments.”

Hearing the words “genetic experiments,” Han Yingtian and the others frowned deeply.

Their hearts were filled with a pent-up rage, stuck neither up nor down, making them extremely uncomfortable.

Before the apocalypse, genetic experiments had been strictly banned. As soldiers who had handled special assignments, they knew how cruel such things could be.

Now, with no laws or social systems restraining these people, once they had such thoughts, they would only become more reckless.

What they might do could completely overturn their understanding of humanity — and completely betray human nature.

“We must get to the bottom of this,” Han Yingtian said to Nan Muran and the others, stating his position.

Chengcheng, Xiang Xi, and Shiwu all nodded immediately, agreeing with him.

Of course, this was also exactly what Nan Muran wanted.

“Can you find a way to get the list of participants for the exchange event?” Si Ye asked Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling thought for a moment. “I can’t guarantee it, but I can try.”

If someone was conducting genetic experiments within Lan City base, the Zhou family had a duty to act.

As the second-in-command of the Lan City base, it was their responsibility to maintain its safety and stability.

“When exactly does the event start?” someone asked.

“Three days from now, at 3 PM sharp,” Zhou Ling answered clearly — he had looked into this part carefully.

Everyone fell silent, pondering the current situation.

Eagle turned to Zhou Ling. “Thanks for your help.”

Zhou Ling understood that this was their polite way of telling him to leave, so he readily said goodbye, “Then I’ll take my leave now.
There’s a guy named Lin Cheng at the front desk — he’s one of my people. If you need me, just tell him.
Oh, and I also ordered a meal for you at the Zhou family restaurant on Commercial Street. It should be delivered soon.”

“Not bad, that kid has a future,” Eagle said with a sigh as he watched Zhou Ling’s departing figure.

Clearly, this rich second-generation had good instincts, a good brain, and a good sense of timing.

“What does everyone think about this exchange event?” Si Ye turned to Han Yingtian and the others.

Actually, it didn’t take much thinking.

The Ouyang family and Chen Xiong’an had organized such an event, even inviting top-level medical and genetics professors — it was obviously not for anything good.

The only question was where to start investigating.

“I’ll find a way to get more details about the exchange event, then we can decide what to do,” Nan Muran said.
As a psychic, she could use her powers not just for combat but also to manipulate people’s minds to extract information.

With Qijin’s help, it shouldn’t be difficult.

Everyone had no objections to this plan.

“Eagle, I think our food is here,” Nan Muran, sensing activity in the hallway, immediately signaled him to open the door.

Seeing Eagle carry in four enormous plastic bags, everyone was a little surprised.

And when they opened the sealed containers inside, they were even more astonished.

Cold beef salad, grilled lamb, sweet and sour ribs, spicy fish, braised pork, big plate chicken, cold mixed vegetables… a full fifteen dishes.

There were also two giant servings of ramen and two big bags of various convenience foods.

“Damn, he really spent a fortune,” Eagle couldn’t help but marvel.

Han Yingtian chuckled. “Relax and eat.
This is a sure-win investment on his part.”

Rarely in the apocalypse could they enjoy such a feast, so everyone picked up their chopsticks and dug in.

In the end, all fifteen large dishes and the two huge bowls of ramen were eaten clean.

After returning to her room, however, Nan Muran found herself completely unable to fall asleep.

The name Jin Tailin was a nightmare to her — whenever she heard it, she was consumed with a desire to destroy him.

Her bloodthirsty cravings and the agitation running through every cell in her body made it impossible to rest.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

The sound of knocking came.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, frozen for who knew how long, Nan Muran snapped back to reality.

With a soft sigh, she stepped forward and opened the door.

At the door stood Si Ye, wrapped in a military coat over his pajamas, his expression clearly anxious.

“Why are you here?” Nan Muran asked, surprised.

Feeling the cold, frozen aura radiating from her, Si Ye immediately took off his coat and wrapped it around her. “Let’s talk inside first.”

The sudden warmth made Nan Muran shiver involuntarily.