Chapter 704: Trials and Transformations

The medical examination was finally over.

Lu Xin only felt utterly exhausted by the ordeal.

In the end, his exam lasted over a week.

Even taking a day off would be impossible; how could he explain to the company that he spent a whole week getting tested?

Others manage a check-up with just a half-day leave. If he explained his week-long absence, the company might either think he was lying and deny his paid leave or suspect he had a serious illness.

Besides, the exam was truly uncomfortable.

Even though he had prepared thoroughly beforehand, the actual tests still made him feel uneasy.

Every minute and every inch of probing left him feeling completely exposed.

In fact, the deeper the tests went, the more exposed he felt.

Moreover, the looks he received from the testers were downright intimidating.

Although these researchers all carried themselves as medical professionals, their gazes resembled those of butchers…

Butchers preparing for the New Year.

He had never been afraid of facing the ultimate challenge, yet being scrutinized by these people truly frightened him.

Fortunately, once the final loss-of-control risk assessment was completed, the entire examination was over.

It reminded him of his first visit to Qinggang Special Pollution Cleanup Department.

The loss-of-control risk assessment was essentially a conversation.

Sitting face-to-face with Doctor Jia—an elderly man with a gentle and elegant demeanor—he answered a few seemingly simple questions while they exchanged amusing anecdotes. Both enjoyed the conversation.

Now and then, cheerful laughter echoed from the testing room.

In the end, though it was unclear what Doctor Jia had noted on the assessment report, Lu Xin felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He finally changed out of his hospital gown, and yet the Special Cleaning Department didn’t send him home immediately. Instead, he was assigned a hospital room, where he waited quietly in his white patient gown under the care of two gentle, attractive nurses for his test results.

They even served patient meals.

The test results would be discussed thoroughly by Qinggang’s researchers before being handed to him.

……

……

“At least this result deepens our understanding of myself,”

Lu Xin pondered this thought.

He truly intended to push himself to improve a little more.

Perhaps this was his way to heal sooner.

On the other hand, it was also in preparation for the Old Director’s inevitable challenge…

Trial of Life, Trial of Pain, Trial of Desire, Trial of Recognition…

And also, challenges he hadn’t yet faced:

Trial of Strength.

Trial of the Heart.

Trial of the Divine.

……

……

Lu Xin despised these trials. He already loathed being manipulated by others.

Moreover, he knew that each trial signified a looming disaster.

Thus, he was eager to find the Old Director soon and ask him directly: What is the ultimate purpose of this trial?

And to gently persuade him to put an end to it.

But as much as he detested it,

he knew the trials were unavoidable and had to brace himself.

It was like having a heated argument with one’s partner, with trembling hands, an enraged heart, and swearing never to return…

…Yet, one still had to obediently run home to buy groceries, even considering if she liked cilantro.

……

Perhaps having understood this, and unwilling to let pointless anger ruin everything good around him,

Lu Xin candidly explained to the researchers when they asked the sudden reason for his check-up:

“I want to understand myself better and seek guidance for further improvement.”

Of course, Lu Xin had no idea how the researchers reacted to his aim.

Nearly half of them stayed silent on the spot: “So our research in Qinggang has reached this level?”

The other half thought, “This is bad. No slacking off in the future, or we’ll be replaced…”

However, unlike the shock and concern among the ordinary researchers, Professor Bai—the mentor of all Qinggang researchers—seemed completely confident. Every single test result related to the single soldier was eventually consolidated in his hands.

That is to say, only he knew everything about the single soldier’s condition, while everyone else only got a glimpse.

Following that was the strictest ban from the Special Cleaning Department.

Absolutely no one was allowed to discuss or record the results of this test, let alone leak them.

Once discovered, regardless of rank or status, everyone would face accusations from all of Qinggang and a lifetime of imprisonment.

In severe cases, they might even end up in Group D.

Besides these confidentiality measures, the request regarding the single soldier came directly as his personal instruction.

Thus, a day later, while comfortably dressed in a patient gown and enjoying a patient meal under the care of young nurses, Lu Xin received the file. He only took a quick glance before freezing, and after a long pause he incredulously said, “Going to college?”

“Not college,”

explained Han Bing, who had delivered the file, “It’s just a preparatory course.”

“The full name is Qinggang Advanced Mental Theory Training Course. The venue is simply Qinggang University.”

“Besides, you’re not the only one admitted. There are many others.”

“Professor Bai said he would personally teach the class. You should also find what you need through these training sessions.”

“Of course…”

She patiently elaborated, a smile naturally appearing on her face, “According to Professor Bai, you count as both a trainee and a guest lecturer. There are aspects of knowledge that even he doesn’t fully grasp, but you naturally understand. So although you normally attend training here, when it comes to key lectures, you’re expected to take the stage and explain for everyone.”

“Ah…”

Lu Xin was genuinely dumbfounded as he listened.

Not only did he have to attend classes, he was even expected to lecture?

He’d only graduated from high school…

He was so shocked by the news that it took him a while before lowering his voice and asking, “So does this course…”

“…grant a diploma?”

“…”

Han Bing promised she would inquire and quietly added that there was a high likelihood of him receiving a special exemption diploma.

But Lu Xin made his stance clear.

He didn’t want any special titles or honorary distinctions—just a regular diploma.

Perhaps a bachelor’s degree was the only title that, once attached to a special moniker, lost its value.

Besides, he never expected that after all these years post-high school, he would find himself attending college one day…

This training class was set to begin in three days, and that very day Lu Xin was ushered out of the hospital room.

After all, he’d had enough of hospital life.

Living under the care of two young nurses was fine, but having them accompany him to the restroom was unbearable…

There was no time to lament over unfinished patient meals.

He took the training class, or rather the one hosted on the Qinggang University campus, very seriously.

That same day, he returned to Second Satellite City and requested leave from the company.

Not only did he retroactively claim leave for his testing period, he also took leave for the upcoming training.

Then he began packing and preparing for the journey.

……

……

“The outcome isn’t too shabby…”

Seeing Lu Xin so determined, his Mom felt rather pleased: “The researchers in Qinggang, or that old man who loves wearing white suits, really has a bold spirit. His willingness to personally train you shows that he isn’t intimidated by your test results and has chosen to maintain his distance to avoid getting entangled in matters beyond his capabilities.”

“Although I’m not sure if he can really help you, his courage is definitely commendable.”

……

“Why does it sound like you’re not entirely sure they can help me?”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but glance at his Mom.

She was the one who initially suggested it, yet during the tests she had kept her distance.

In this round of testing, almost every ability was examined—except hers.

“You’re in such an odd state that even I’m not sure how to truly help you, let alone them,”

his Mom explained with a smile, “But precisely because they are more fragile compared to you—and most of their theories remain speculative—even if they misguide you, the negative effects would be less severe.”

“Well…”

His Mom’s words slightly dampened Lu Xin’s enthusiasm.

Yet, after a moment of reflection, he accepted the reality.

Even if he didn’t receive much help, earning a degree wouldn’t be too bad…

After all, he was now the youngest senior manager in the company, and having a diploma would only help him climb higher in the future.

With that mindset, he packed his things and held a meeting with his family.

First, his Sister must never be treated as a plaything.

After the Red Moon incident, there were too few college students—each one was a treasure.

Second, his Sister should not wander freely around the university campus.

It was said that college students could sometimes act impulsively; if she saw something she wasn’t meant to, she might be led astray.

Third, a message for his Father:

He mustn’t come out casually to show off his authority.

That would make his demeanor look gloomy and affect how he was perceived by the college students.

……

……

As Lu Xin prepared for the training, over at the Qinggang Special Cleaning Department, Professor Bai was also getting ready.

No one dared take the single soldier’s request lightly.

Furthermore, as a researcher, he indeed hoped he could provide some guidance for Lu Xin.

When he picked up his steel pen to prepare for his lecture, the words of Doctor Jia Mengyi—who had individually conducted Lu Xin’s psychological test and assessed his loss-of-control risk—flashed through his mind: “The current single soldier is not the same as during the first test.”

“He’s noticeably more cheerful now, and his logic has improved drastically compared to before.”

“What does that imply?”

“It suggests that everything he did previously might have been just an act…”

“If you want me to describe it, I’d say he used to suffer from severe depression yet refused to show any signs of abnormality in front of others. Now, it’s as if he’s a depressed patient whose condition has eased, actively seeking help and even exposing some of his personal issues…”

“So, his condition is improving?”

“Certainly, but imagine another scenario…”

“Imagine a severely depressed patient on the verge of improving, only to suddenly relapse into a despair so overwhelming it drowns everything…”

“What?”

“Simply put, it’s a crushing, tidal wave of hopelessness…”

“In many cases, depressed patients lose all hope through such relentless cycles.”

“In the end…”

“……”

“Sigh…”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Professor Bai let out a soft sigh and put down his steel pen.

He wanted to give the single soldier straightforward guidance but was unable to pinpoint exactly what to say.

With Lu Xin’s current delicate state, he felt even more pressure and hesitated to provide definitive advice.

Yet he was sure that Lu Xin now needed some clear, firm, and effective guidance.

The only solution: “Philosophy discussion!”

If expertise falls short, philosophy would fill the gap.

Satisfied, Professor Bai nodded and prepared to write his lecture notes.

At that moment, he heard a soft knock on the door.