Chapter 85: The Test Results

“In fact, many people in the bureau want to capture Yangyang for dissection and research. After all, his true form is a thousand-year-old Poria mushroom,” Katerina said calmly.

“A thousand years! In today’s environment, when ecological damage is ever worsening, it’s hard enough to find a hundred-year-old Poria, let alone one that’s lived for a millennium.”

“If it were just an ordinary medicinal plant that couldn’t walk, run, or speak, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But Yangyang is a spirit of wood and grass, shaped into human form, able to speak, laugh, and think—indistinguishable from an ordinary child.”

“This only makes people more curious about his origins and abilities. Most importantly, everyone wonders about his powers: can he revive the dead or heal broken flesh and bones? Could a single bite grant immortality? Might he cure all diseases?”

“We know very little about him; this ignorance only fuels everyone’s eagerness to study Yangyang, some even impatient to start.”

“I won’t agree to any experiments on Yangyang!” Chang Yu was immediately anxious upon hearing this. A voice deep in his heart told him that he must do everything in his power to protect Yangyang.

After all, isn’t he his own son?

“They may want to, but they won’t dare without the Chief’s approval. Conducting research on humanoid intelligent life without authorization is strictly forbidden.”

“So as long as the Chief remains silent, no one will dare harm Yangyang. The Chief is very respected in the bureau.”

“That’s a relief…” The great weight on Chang Yu’s heart finally settled. His greatest fear was someone attempting to harm Yangyang while he stood powerless to stop it.

“But there’s something you must remember,” Katerina continued, “Yangyang’s identity must be kept secret.”

“While people in the bureau might not act against him, that doesn’t mean other organizations of gifted individuals wouldn’t.”

“To those with ulterior motives, Yangyang is a treasure—with rare research and medicinal value.”

“If his identity were exposed, they would stop at nothing to get their hands on him.”

“Don’t worry, I understand.” Though he appeared calm on the surface, Chang Yu was already on high alert inside.

Time ticked by, and the long MRI examination finally ended.

As the mechanical capsule opened, Yangyang, who had been lying inside, appeared before everyone once more.

“How do you feel? Any discomfort?” Chang Yu asked.

“Nope!” Yangyang replied with excitement, “I thought the MRI was pretty fun.”

“Especially when the capsule started spinning—it was so dazzling, and the lights changed colors.”

“Hey, Chang Yu, can we negotiate? Let me do the MRI again? I didn’t get enough last time.”

“No way!” Chang Yu flatly refused.

“Once is enough, too much isn’t good for the body,” Xia Lin advised.

It was sound advice, though it sounded odd, making Chang Yu’s expression a little awkward.

“The results are in—all organs are normal, and Yangyang’s body is no different from other children his age.” Sister Chen walked over with a thick stack of black films, displaying optical images of Yangyang’s organs.

“However, MRI alone can’t tell us everything,” she said seriously. “There’s still a series of tests to run: ultrasound, ECG, routine exam, immune function… and so on.”

“We’ll do every test the hospital offers, and what they can’t, we’ll find a way.”

By noon, the morning’s examinations were complete. Sister Chen had run every possible test and found not a single abnormality in Yangyang.

In short, their boy was very healthy.

“Yangyang’s transformation was a success. His organs, skeleton, and even muscle development all match human physiology,” Sister Chen explained to Chang Yu.

“If I didn’t know his true identity, I’d have thought he was just an ordinary child.”

“He’s in excellent health, even healthier than his peers.”

“This means he might be more lively and energetic than other children, but that’s not a bad thing—kids are meant to be spirited.”

“That puts my mind at ease.” Chang Yu looked fondly at Yangyang, who was being hugged and lifted high by Xia Lin. He felt the pride of a father watching his child grow strong.

His feelings toward Yangyang were complicated.

On one hand, he subconsciously regarded Yangyang as his own chubby son, seeing himself as his father.

On the other, he couldn’t shake the sense that Yangyang’s existence was a mark of shame for him—a disgrace he wished he could erase.

All in all, it was a tangled mess.

“By the way, there’s something I’d like your opinion on,” Sister Chen hesitated, conflicted.

Here it comes!

The moment Chang Yu had feared since the beginning had finally arrived. Alarm bells sounded in his mind, and his nerves were taut.

Seeing Sister Chen’s awkward demeanor, he knew her request must involve Yangyang.

He resolved that, if she went too far, he would refuse—no matter what.

“Could I take a vial of Yangyang’s blood?” Seeing Chang Yu’s protective stance, Sister Chen felt a little embarrassed.

“Yangyang’s case is special. I’d like to collect a blood sample for research, to see if we can discover anything new.”

“Just a vial of blood?” Chang Yu was taken aback, surprised.

He had imagined Sister Chen wanted to take Yangyang away for dissection, slicing him up, extracting marrow, and more.

His mind was already picturing a horrifying scene:

In a cold, gloomy laboratory, Yangyang’s pale face was strapped to a rusty iron bed. Researchers wielding saws, hammers, scalpels, and syringes eyed him hungrily, their gazes burning.

They cackled as they injected unknown chemicals into Yangyang, then slowly sawed through his tiny limbs.

Yangyang struggled in agony, dwarfed by hulking men, pitiful and helpless.

In the end, Yangyang screamed, crying for Chang Yu to rescue him…

Chang Yu had already prepared to refuse Sister Chen’s request for dissection—Chief’s orders or not.

If pushed too far, he would flee with Yangyang, even if it meant a life on the run.

No way would he let his child become meat on a scientist’s chopping block.

But to his surprise, she…

She… had no intention of dissecting Yangyang at all.

It was Chang Yu’s own narrow-mindedness, his imagination running wild, scaring himself.

Seeing Chang Yu’s genuine surprise, Sister Chen paused.

An experienced veteran, she guessed his thoughts at a glance.

She laughed and reassured him, “Just a vial of blood, nothing more. Don’t overthink it.”

“It’s the 21st century, after all—the era of reform and harmony. Unauthorized human experiments, without consent and approval, are strictly forbidden. The bureau is quite strict on this.”

“If it’s just a blood sample, that’s no big deal—I agree.” Chang Yu felt relieved.

At most, it was like a routine blood test, nothing life-threatening. Let them research if they wished.

Chang Yu’s sense of duty was strong now.

Since he was living under the bureau’s protection, he couldn’t take their benefits without giving something back.

He was also curious if they could learn anything from Yangyang’s transformed body.

With his consent, Sister Chen quickly drew a small vial of blood from Yangyang and placed it in a refrigerated cabinet.

Perhaps not sensing any malice from Sister Chen, Yangyang cooperated fully throughout.

Afterward, Sister Chen gave Chang Yu her phone number, saying to call if there were any discoveries.

Before leaving, Xia Lin reluctantly said goodbye to Yangyang.

Though their time together was brief, her heart had been completely captured by this “cute and well-behaved” little boy.

“Yangyang, I have to go. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely come visit you again,” she said sadly.

“I’ll miss you too, sis,” Yangyang replied, a little forlorn at the farewell.

He hadn’t had enough of the warmth from Xia Lin’s embrace—his favorite “VIP seat” was leaving, leaving him a bit downcast.

Chang Yu thought he detected a hint of regret and sorrow in Yangyang’s eyes.

Tsk… so young and already such a heartbreaker—what will he be like when he grows up?

Chang Yu scoffed, burying his envy deep within.

He watched as the military vehicle slowly departed, then turned to Katerina. “It’s midday—shall we have lunch together?”

“Let’s go to the cafeteria at Yong’an Security. I have something to discuss with you,” Katerina replied cheerfully, not one for fussiness.

A trace of delight appeared on Chang Yu’s brow.

Is this a date? he wondered.

After several days of sharing meals at the hospital, he felt the distance between Katerina and himself had noticeably diminished.

“What about you—a Poria mushroom—do you even need to eat?” Chang Yu eyed Yangyang warily.

After a morning of careful observation, Chang Yu was convinced Yangyang was a little rascal.

If he wanted to guard Katerina’s innocence, he had to keep Yangyang away from her.

If Yangyang dared say he didn’t need to eat, Chang Yu would leave him at home and enjoy some alone time with Katerina.

“I do, of course!” Yangyang’s eyes spun, and he quickly answered.

“I’m in human form now—I have to eat grains just like you, or I’ll starve.”

“Tsk, what a hassle.” Chang Yu frowned, clearly annoyed at his little tagalong. “No choice, then—let’s all go together!”

“I didn’t drive today—so I’ll ride with you,” Katerina said, looking at the black sedan parked nearby.

Clearly she recognized it as the Disaster Investigation Bureau’s vehicle assigned to Chang Yu.