Children were kept from advancing past level two, preventing them from leveling up. Larger bases were doing alright, with plenty of men and women. Smaller bases, however, were in dire straits. For example, Jiwang Base was an all-female base, with no men.
She had quietly asked. They resolved their needs themselves, and if that wasn't enough, they would "trouble" each other, at least to alleviate the suffering.
Men in smaller bases could go to larger bases to find someone, or they too would resort to mutual torment. Everyone had endured it.
Not everyone possessed the perseverance of Xiang Jintian, Xu Qian, or Guan Weiyun.
"When was this medicine developed?"
She had never heard of it at Hope Base.
"Quite some time ago. Ever since my brother learned that level three ability users had strong sexual appetites, he started developing the medicine before we even reached level three.
It's just that the quantity is too small; only high-ranking officials could afford it. Only in the past six months has it slowly begun to circulate in City S. As for other bases, I believe my brother has other plans."
Xu Qian pursed her lips, glancing at the man engrossed in watching the mice.
He was truly too intelligent.
Everything he did was for the future, for the people.
She... at least didn't want to resist the experiments like this.
"Done."
The male mouse finally dismounted the female.
"We'll do an ultrasound in a couple of days to confirm."
"Right, don't worry, I won't research you like this. The laboratory is already publicly recruiting women. Anyone willing to join this breeding experiment will receive a colossal amount of crystal cores. You just need to stay here with me..."
I'll be satisfied.
Even though he didn't voice the last part, Xu Qian guessed it.
Why had she lost her memory, becoming so... clingy?
She remembered she wasn't like this before; she was aloof and cool.
It was a shame she couldn't see the favorability ratings now. She estimated his was higher than his brother's.
Tang Zhiyuan cautiously glanced at her and then hesitantly said, "Is my brother very busy lately?"
"Yes, I heard the zombie hordes are coming one after another."
Tang Zhishen didn't want her involved in such matters, and she was too lazy to care. At Hope Base, she had been too meddlesome.
"Don't worry, the base's defenses are strong; the zombies can't get in."
Xu Qian paused. She hadn't paid much attention to the base's gates, though she had explored the interior thoroughly.
Drunken revelry, enduring prosperity – this perfectly described City S.
"I'm not worried."
Tang's Base surviving for four and a half years of the apocalypse wasn't just talk.
Tang Zhiyuan's eyes darkened slightly, and he remained silent.
"Professor Tang, Professor Tang, come quickly and see!"
The man immediately got up and went to the adjacent laboratory. Xu Qian followed in her high heels.
A group of people in white coats surrounded a small glass cage. The male and female mice had already been separated, and they were all staring at the female mouse.
The female mouse kept pacing in the cage, restless and anxious.
Suddenly, a small red bump appeared on her hindquarters, and with a "pop," a pup dropped out.
Then another, and another, then a third. It stopped.
The expressions of everyone present changed slightly; there was no joy.
It was too fast, less than half an hour...
Tang Zhiyuan's expression remained unchanged as he ordered, "Take the pups out and check their bodies. I remember there were a few mutated pigs; have someone bring them over to feed the medicine."
"Yes."
Xu Qian wasn't overly surprised. She had seen zombies lay eggs; mice giving birth to mice was already quite normal.
After everyone left, Xu Qian finally spoke, "I've seen zombies lay eggs."
Tang Zhiyuan: ...
"Lay eggs?"
"Yes, I saw them mate, and not long after, that zombie could lay eggs."
Tang Zhiyuan's brow furrowed, his mind racing furiously.
If zombies and animals could mate and lay eggs, what would humans and zombies produce?
A half-zombie, half-human?
Tang Zhiyuan knew his current thoughts were dangerous, but... experimentation required daring attempts.