Chapter 102: Chapter 97: Shi Jingyi’s Contact Day seven of the Blood Plague Virus’s spread.
Guan Tong sat at his desk. He had just finished memorizing human acupoints and was now using his laptop to check for the latest official updates online.
Seven days had passed, and the government had not released any information regarding "antibodies," "infection awareness," "serum," or anything of the sort.
Guan Tong refused to believe that, with the government’s resources, they wouldn’t have discovered the existence of "adapters" after a week. Forget a week—they should have been able to find them in a single day.
Therefore, the lack of news meant they had actively chosen to keep it secret.
This was within his expectations, but what made him curious was the complete lack of related discussions online.
He tried searching for some keywords. This time, unlike when he had searched for Sober Mint Candy and gotten "no results," he got plenty of results, but they were almost all irrelevant.
’They couldn’t have upgraded their information-blocking technology, could they...?’
Guan Tong thought it was entirely possible. If so, even if information leaked, it would be contained to small, offline circles of acquaintances, unable to spread thousands or tens of thousands of times faster due to the amplifying nature of the internet.
BZZZ... BZZZ...
Just then, his phone vibrated on the desk. Guan Tong picked it up and saw, as expected, that it was a call from Xu Xiaotian.
These days, Xu Xiaotian was the only person who ever called him.
"Hello?"
"Tong, you’re alive!"
"...Gee, thanks."
Xu Xiaotian laughed awkwardly. "No, it’s just... this Rule is so insane. The casualties over here in Yong’an are terrifying. So, you know, I was worried about you!"
"With so many people in Yong’an, dealing with this Rule must be a huge hassle."
"Yeah, they started a mass evacuation on the first day, and it’s still ongoing."
"How’s your academy doing?" Guan Tong asked.
"We’re okay! The government really values the academy’s students. They shipped in tons of protective gear right after the Rule was announced—a full set for every student."
"That’s pretty good."
"Yeah. And the academy is full of hidden masters, you wouldn’t believe it, Tong. There’s this one person whose Psychic Power item is a disinfectant spray! It’s the perfect counter to this Rule’s virus! The only problem is the effective range is a bit small, about the size of a single room, so it can’t fit many people."
"That’s still something. If you squeeze, you can still fit a few dozen people in one room."
"Exactly. But that guy locked his dorm room door on the very first day and won’t let anyone in... Anyway, forget that. Tong, there’s something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Do you happen to know Lecturer Shi Jingyi, the one who teaches the ’Psychic Power Flow’ course?"
Guan Tong was surprised. "What?"
Xu Xiaotian said, "I was asking her about a course-related question, and somehow we got on the topic of Psychic Power items. I mentioned my idea for developing multi-effect Instant Noodles, and that you were the one who inspired me, Tong. Then she said she also knew a Guan Tong, also in Yunhua, and asked if you were the same person."
"...Yeah, I have met her once."
"Really? I thought it was just a coincidence!" Xu Xiaotian was astounded. "It’s a small world. Oh, and she also said if it was the same person, she’d like your contact info. Should I give it to her?"
’She wants my contact info?’
Guan Tong wasn’t sure if Shi Jingyi needed him for something, but considering they had worked well together fighting side-by-side last time, he agreed. "Go ahead."
"Okay, I’ll send her a message later."
Not even ten minutes after finishing his chat with Xu Xiaotian, Guan Tong’s phone rang again.
The caller ID showed an unknown number. Guan Tong answered.
"Guan Tong?"
A clear, bright voice came from the receiver. It was Shi Jingyi.
"Speaking."
"Haha, I can’t believe it’s really the same person," Shi Jingyi laughed. "It seems we’re quite fated to meet, aren’t we?"
"Maybe," Guan Tong said. "Is there something you need from me?"
"Nothing in particular. It’s just that there’s... hmm, it’s not convenient to talk about that matter over the phone, so let’s just leave it."
’Not convenient to talk about over the phone?’
"Are you worried about... the call being monitored?"
"Who knows? It’s possible."
"..."
Guan Tong was a bit confused. Did he and Shi Jingyi share any secrets that needed to be protected from exposure?
’It seems... Wait a minute.’
Guan Tong suddenly realized something, and his breathing grew a little heavier.
Shi Jingyi, on the other end of the line, seemed to hear it. "Looks like you know what I mean. That’s right, it’s about that. But don’t worry, I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else."
"..."