Chapter 624 - 392: Playing the Final Move
Looking into Qi Ling’s vacant and bewildered eyes, which had yet to snap out of their daze, the sinister smile on Zhao Yiming’s face grew deeper.
He raised his chin, as though he were already the victor, deliberately using a slow tone: "Don’t think that I’m playing tricks, nor assume this is some kind of trap. The existence of this girl is real."
"After the Nemesis virus incident, I sent people to Venus Eden Garden and found the genetic data samples of the receptors from the super-brain project in their database from back then."
"Based on the samples, our genetic experts performed biological restoration, creating an identical individual and accelerating the cultivation with artificial means, finally resulting in her."
"The girl before you has exactly the same genes as Xiaoqi, from stature to appearance, even down to a mole on her body, and the texture of her hair—completely identical, with her age restored to the 18th year when she passed away."
"Of course, I know the body is just a shell; if only the appearance is identical, it’s meaningless. So, I gave her the same inner being as Xiaoqi."
"Through memories read from the Ring of Secret Gazing, I had the company’s elite psychological profiling experts conduct a comprehensive analysis of Xiaoqi, creating an absolutely precise persona for her, and transferring those memories into this girl’s mind."
"Do you know what that means? It means her body, memory, thoughts, and character... from inside to outside, from physiology to psychology, are entirely consistent with Xiaoqi."
"Her current excitement and joy are not taught by me, nor are they an act; they come from within her heart."
"Biologically speaking, she is exactly the Xiaoqi from your memory, recalling every moment between you."
"The only difference between the two is that the Xiaoqi you knew has passed away, something you will never be able to recover. Yet this Xiaoqi still lives, able to accompany you for the rest of your life."
"Now, I return this childhood companion to you."
Listening to these words, Xiaoqi appeared somewhat bewildered, because Zhao Yiming wasn’t lying. She held all the memories from back then, remembering every detail of the past.
However, her memories stopped at the age of 18, when Zero was 12. She used her last moments to dig a tunnel to the outside world, said farewell to Zero, then was sent into the laboratory one last time, sat on the experimental equipment, and thereafter knew nothing.
How did Zero grow so big?
Why do I seem like I haven’t grown up?
What exactly happened during these years?
This man said the former me had died; what does that mean?
She doesn’t know any of it.
Yet those questions have been overshadowed by the joy of reunion. She has met Zero again, just as promised, in the sunny world outside. That’s more important than anything!
Xiaoqi cast those distracting thoughts out of her mind, softly caressing Qi Ling’s face, her slightly tearful voice filled with joy: "Zero, let’s... Let’s find a place to sit and talk!"
"What exactly happened over these years? How have you been? You look so beautiful grown up; surely many boys like you, right? Do you have a boyfriend already? You must tell me all about your life. I want to hear it all!"
After a long silence, Qi Ling’s eyes finally found focus, yet perhaps she was still trapped in shock, unable to speak. She said nothing, only raised her hand to place it on Xiaoqi’s face.
Feeling the touch, Xiaoqi showed a blissful smile. She gently held the small hand against her face, looking at Qi Ling through her tears with laughter.
This scene of reunion after a long time was so heartwarming, and it made Zhao Yiming’s sinister smile even deeper.
He was a master strategist whose secret to countless victories was always seeing further than others.
Even back during the Fools’ Association event, this trap had already been set.
Did he play tricks? Not at all.
He merely understood human nature, lightly exploiting the "emotion" that humans are born with.
Even monsters are capable of feeling emotions.
Qi Ling, this little monster, loved only two people in her life.
So among these two people she loved, if she had to choose, who would she pick?
In Zhao Yiming’s view, the answer was without suspense.
Su Mo and Qi Ling had known each other for less than half a year, with their emotional foundation being just that.
As for Xiaoqi?
From age 6 to 12, Qi Ling had spent those years under Xiaoqi’s care.
Six years may not seem long, but consider that Qi Ling only lived to be 18 years old.
Six years were already one-third of her entire life.
Without Xiaoqi, Qi Ling would have never been able to leave Venus Eden Garden, born as Zero the monster, and would have died as Zero the monster.
Even the name "Qi Ling" was forever a tribute to Xiaoqi, her childhood friend.
That childish love and affection between a boy and a girl could never compare to the strength to endure through dark days.
From the moment that chess piece was placed, he had already won.
His heart was filled with the joy of victory, leaving Zhao Yiming struggling to suppress his laughter; he regretted not preparing a champagne in advance, for now would be the perfect time to celebrate.
Zhao Yiming managed his facial expressions, revealing his usual graceful smile again, saying, "Qi Ling, although we are quite different in age, we are friends beyond years, and helping each other is what friends should do."
"I’ve helped you find your childhood companion; in return, I want to ask you for a favor. Given your skills, surely you have a way to help me retrieve some... data. Yes, you understand."