After the conference, two days passed in a daze. Apart from not being able to leave the school and occasional rumors about mutations in certain departments, as well as increased strictness in attendance during classes, where absences were immediately scrutinized, everything else remained normal.
Lin Wu was initially puzzled about why, with such a significant event, the school continued with classes. Gradually, he understood. This time, unlike the recent heavy fog incident that led to school closure, everyone knew it was due to severe weather, and patience would solve the issue. But now, if the routine life were disrupted, no one knew what challenges lay ahead.
Sometimes, the order of life serves as the strongest psychological support. It allows people to face storms without collapsing, to feel uneasy without losing control.
However, when passing by unfamiliar classmates on campus, there was a noticeable sense of vigilance and tension, as if fearing that a slight mistake could lead to encountering a ‘mutant.’
By the third day, Ren Feiyu couldn’t bear it anymore and wanted to ‘confess’ to the school. Although he hadn’t exhibited any abnormalities since that night, the incident weighed on his mind, making it hard for him to sleep or eat properly, causing his youthful collagen to start diminishing.
“I’ll go then,” Lin Wu and the others unconditionally supported Ren Feiyu. If Da Yu wanted to climb to the top bunk, they would set up a ladder; if Da Yu wanted soup, they would cook chicken.
Ren Feiyu, full of worries, said, “But if I go, I’ll probably end up in the hospital…”
Lin Wu replied, “No problem, we’ll accompany you.”
Ren Feiyu immediately shook his head, “No, you guys haven’t mutated.”
Li Junchi held his left arm, “Once you’re in the hospital, how can we be far away?”
Xia Yang grabbed his right arm, “Let’s go, my brother.”
The four of them went to the college office with determination, explaining the situation to the counselor, including how Ren Feiyu tilted and fell that night, providing intricate details almost as if reenacting the scene.
The counselor meticulously recorded everything, occasionally interrupting with questions like “Was it just that one abnormal reaction?” or “Do you have any other physical discomfort?”
Ren Feiyu answered everything honestly, and if he missed anything, the other three brothers filled in the gaps.
After reporting the entire situation, they anxiously waited for the counselor’s decision.
The counselor put down his pen, closed his notebook, and said, “Alright, you can go back now.”
… It seemed a bit different from what they expected?
“Aren’t we going to the hospital?” Ren Feiyu, who was most afraid of this, hadn’t expected the counselor not to mention it, leaving him even more uncertain.
“No need. According to the latest notice, starting now, as long as the abnormality doesn’t affect your daily life, the college only needs to record the information and report it,” the counselor explained. These days, he had a headache and could only follow orders. Whatever instructions came from above, he conveyed to the students. “Go back, keep monitoring your body, and let me know if there are any new developments.”
The four exchanged puzzled glances.
Lin Wu asked, “Teacher Gao, what level of abnormality is considered to affect normal life?”
“Wait a moment,” the counselor retrieved a notice file from under the notebook, found the relevant information page, and began reading, “Any behavior that endangers oneself, others, or public safety, including but not limited to emotional instability, violent outbursts, assault, property damage, and uncoordinated behavior…”
Enough waiting; just these criteria were frightening. If Ren Feiyu didn’t have Xia Yang and Li Junchi supporting him, he might have been overwhelmed by the grim future.
Lin Wu’s voice became more serious, “Teacher, can physical abnormalities really cause these issues? How long does it usually take to manifest…”
The counselor responded, “Currently, there’s no evidence. These are just estimates made for worst-case scenarios.”
Lin Wu, Xia Yang, Li Junchi, and Ren Feiyu remained silent.
Doesn’t your crisis awareness from this document seem a bit too strong?
Their visit to the college office felt like a roller coaster ride for the heart. Fortunately, the final result, while not completely reassuring, brought some comfort.
Exhaling, the four turned to leave.
Just as they were about to walk out of the office, they heard the counselor sternly shout, “Stop right there!”
The four froze, panic-stricken, turning back. Had they forgotten some severe measure?
“You nearly slipped through just now,” the counselor stood up and scolded. “How many times have I told you to be careful on the top bunk? You dropped down from there?!”
Lin Wu: “…”
Li Junchi: “…”
Xia Yang: “…”
Ren Feiyu: “No, I just wanted to get a cola…”
Teacher Gao: “You can drop down even while getting a cola. Do you guys go crazy in the dormitory? I really…”
“I’ve said it before, you’re not kids anymore. Can’t you be a bit more cautious…?”
“You’re nineteen or twenty years old; can the teacher still follow you around like in middle and high school? No. I know you need freedom, space, and the madness and enthusiasm of youth…”
For the next half hour, the four stood in the college office, listening to a heartfelt lecture.
The first fifteen minutes were from Teacher Gao, and the next fifteen minutes were continued by Teacher Chen, who returned from a meeting. Thus, they continued.
During discussions about mutant-related issues, the college office teachers could only follow the instructions strictly, reading from documents. Once it delved into their familiar territory, their creativity flowed, and they became eloquent and articulate.
When they finally left, the four had the urge to dismantle their dormitory bed boards and sleep directly on the floor.
Back in the dormitory, they slowly recovered.
Li Junchi: “It’s so strange. Weren’t students from other colleges sent to the hospital yesterday? Why is it different today?”
Xia Yang: “They mentioned a new notice.”
Li Junchi: “But it’s only been three days since the all-college meeting. Isn’t the change too fast?”
“With these unknown mutations, new situations can arise every day,” Lin Wu speculated. “I guess they discovered something further, prompting the adjustments.”
As expected, in the evening, the news broadcasted the second situation briefing.
“All the individuals with physical abnormalities found in various provinces and cities have not experienced deteriorating health or loss of control over their behavior. The initial ‘sense of losing control’ in these individuals mostly resulted from emotional fluctuations due to panic, and through counseling, they have been able to control their behavior normally, not affecting daily life…”
“However, the symptoms of physical abnormalities have not disappeared…”
“During the examination of individuals with physical abnormalities, we found that all of them have experienced varying degrees of ‘gene activation,’ which is the direct cause of the physical abnormalities…”
“But the reasons for this ‘gene activation’ are still unclear…”
After the briefing, experts answered questions from reporters.
Reporter: “You mentioned ‘gene activation.’ Could you explain that in more detail?”
Expert: “There are many gene fragments in our bodies. Although they exist, under normal circumstances, they should be inactive. In other words, the information carried by these gene fragments should not manifest in our bodies. ‘Gene activation’ refers to the reopening of these originally closed gene fragments due to some reasons, leading to abnormal changes in individuals.”
Reporter: “Then why do the manifested abnormal conditions vary not only in degree but also in type? Some affect the respiratory system, while others impact the motor nerves…”
Expert: “This is still under research at this stage. However, each individual with abnormalities does not exhibit a single type of physical change. It’s just that one aspect becomes particularly significant, overshadowing the others.”
Reporter: “Can such physical abnormalities be contagious?”
Expert: “Currently, there is no clear chain of transmission among individuals with abnormalities.”
Reporter: “But such a widespread outbreak must have a cause.”
Expert: “As mentioned earlier, the reasons for triggering ‘gene activation’ still need further research.”
Reporter: “How long will these abnormalities persist?”
Expert: “Once the gene is activated, the changes it brings will continue to manifest in a person’s body.”
Reporter: “So, you mean this condition won’t ‘self-heal’?”
Expert: “Currently, the likelihood is very low.”
Reporter: “What about targeted treatments?”
Expert: “We have tried some ‘suppression measures,’ but none have been effective. The issue of genetics is a very complex, precise, and vast field, and we need more time.”
Reporter: “In your briefing, you mentioned that all individuals with abnormalities can control their behavior after counseling, without affecting their daily lives?”
Expert: “Some individuals with abnormalities can continue their normal lives even without counseling…”
Before the live broadcast ended, Ren Feiyu had already stood up in excitement: “Did you hear that? I’m not going crazy, not becoming insane, not contagious. Even if some weird thing is activated, I can still live normally…”
The fear that had been suppressed for several days finally dissipated at this moment. Ren Feiyu, who had suddenly relaxed, couldn’t control himself. Clearly overjoyed to have survived the ordeal, his words were accompanied by a hint of tears.
“Heard it, heard it.” The three approached, gathered around Ren Feiyu, and tightly embraced the guy who was crying tears of joy.
Ren Feiyu was afraid, and so were they.
They were not yet twenty years old, far from as strong as they thought they were.
Lin Wu took a deep breath, then said, “Now, not only can you live normally, but you can also study, attend classes, and take exams normally.”
“Great,” Ren Feiyu sniffed, his words sincere, “I just realized now that I really love studying…”
Lin Wu hugged him even tighter, “Treasure this moment.”
Li Junchi, Xia Yang: “Because love always passes in the blink of an eye.”
In the following two weeks, with more research findings and news reports, the “group bodily abnormalities” phenomenon became increasingly clear:
“A global surge in mutations…”
“Scientists from multiple countries discover that the genes causing bodily abnormalities are the oldest and most primitive gene fragments in the human body. These gene fragments were universally present in various animals before humans appeared…”
“The bodily and behavioral changes observed in individuals with abnormalities all exhibit a certain type or even a specific animal characteristic. Experts say this may be related to the differences in activated gene fragment.”
