The stack of papers in Li Po’s hands was light. He glanced through them quickly, identifying them as a list of medication usage. The document was filled with technical terms that gave him a headache, but he dutifully organized them as requested. When he reached the bottom of the stack, his peripheral vision caught something he could understand—a drug efficacy feedback report.

“Sample #23 experiment failed. Five minutes after injection, the subject experienced full-body convulsions and extremely unstable mental state, suspected frontal lobe damage.”
“Sample #47 experiment failed. Half an hour after injection, the subject developed swollen and ulcerated skin, organ damage, and died of excessive blood loss.”
“Sample #61 experiment outcome unclear, further clinical observation required.”

Li Po’s expression tensed the moment he read these lines. What did they mean by “died of excessive blood loss”? Did that imply the subject wasn’t initially dead? If not…

Suddenly, Li Po realized something chilling. He wanted to continue reading, but footsteps outside the door halted. Reluctantly, he quickly sorted the papers and placed the stack on a shelf behind him.

At the same time, he glanced to the side and noticed that the “White Tower Level B2 Experimental Permission Approval” document that had been there was now gone.

“Creak—”
The consultation room door opened, and someone entered.

“Dr. Bian, the sedatives you prescribed recently seem to be ineffective. Could you check if you could prescribe something stronger…”
Suddenly, the voice stopped abruptly. The newcomer’s eyes widened, filled with unmistakable resentment and fear.
Yes, fear.

Ever since learning of Di Kai’s death, Brown Hair had been unable to escape a profound sense of dread. He knew a few people around Di Kai and had easily learned that Di Kai’s teammate on that mission was that omega! Not knowing might have been better, attributed to an accident, but since finding out, Brown Hair hadn’t had a full night’s sleep. He gnawed at his nails nervously every night, and late at night, he even hallucinated that someone was coming to kill him.

The medication prescribed by Bian Lu had temporarily relieved his anxiety, but after this incident, it had stopped working. He was now averaging only two or three hours of sleep per night and had even requested to cancel two missions. Facing the glaring “Last Place Elimination” warning on his communicator, Brown Hair was on the verge of a breakdown.

And now, to think that he had run into the person he least wanted to see!

In that instant, Brown Hair felt dizzy and nauseous from excessive fear, barely suppressing the urge to vomit.

His face pale and body trembling, he had to support himself against the door to steady himself. “Why are you here?!” he exclaimed.

Li Po, annoyed by the interruption, responded impatiently, “What’s it to you?”

If it had been before, Brown Hair would have surely retaliated with some taunts, but now he didn’t dare. He stared at Li Po with a resentful face, his lips quivering for a long time before he weakly managed to say, “Where is Dr. Bian?”

“Right here.” Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

Brown Hair was already highly strung, leaning on the door with one hand to keep himself upright. But then, the person behind him pushed the door further inward to enter, catching Brown Hair off-guard. His body, lacking support, involuntarily staggered forward. His toe hit the threshold, and his body continued forward due to inertia. In a flash, Brown Hair’s legs buckled, and he fell rapidly—

“Thud—”
His knees slammed into the hard ceramic tiles, the sound of bone hitting the floor loud and crisp. The noise echoed in his ears, and Li Po, surprised, raised an eyebrow. Upon seeing the scene unfold before him, he couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

What was this, was Brown Hair kneeling before him?

Such a grand gesture, then he might as well reluctantly accept it.

Instantly, Brown Hair’s face turned ashen. His eyes reddened, burned with humiliation and rage. He stood up, ignoring his bruised knees.

Bian Lu hadn’t expected this turn of events and was momentarily stunned, forgetting to step forward to help. Only when Brown Hair stood up did he quickly approach, asking with concern, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Brown Hair closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the emotions welling up. He didn’t look at Li Po again, turning instead to face Bian Lu to explain the purpose of his visit.

Bian Lu looked at him with a somber expression. In front of a patient, he had to protect patient confidentiality, so he glanced at Li Po, signaling with his eyes.

Li Po caught on instantly. He tucked away the smile at the corner of his mouth and walked towards the door. As he brushed past Brown Hair, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the other man. There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, whether intentional or unintentional.

Regardless of the intent, whether it was deliberate or not, it was enough to drive Brown Hair mad.