Chapter 804: A Moment of Resolve

At that moment, Lu Xin was rendered speechless.

He fell silent for a long moment and simply turned to look at Doctor An and her group.

Those who had once joked and clowned around—despite their impressive academic credentials—had become unexpectedly calm after this decision. Doctor An’s face showed neither determination nor fear.

Only calm prevailed, as if it were meant to be.

Even Sissi beside her remained composed; it seemed she understood Doctor An’s words.

She said nothing more, merely waving gently at her sister.

The small face peeking out from under the down jacket still held a hint of a smile.

Master Li’s face, however, revealed a rare glimpse of despair and reluctance.

Yet, he said nothing further.

Instead, beneath his usually domineering and unreasonable demeanor, a trace of feminine vulnerability emerged.

Instinctively, he took two steps back, wanting to lean against Doctors Zhang and Wang…

…only to suddenly realize that the two hadn’t noticed him; his arms, clasped tightly together, were trembling.

“?”

That brief softness on Master Li’s face vanished, replaced entirely by extraordinary anger.

……

……

In short, they all seemed to accept this arrangement rather well.

There was even a subtle air of inevitability, as if it were supposed to be.

Yet Lu Xin, his emotions suddenly tangled, after a long silence, gently shook his head.

With a smile, he said to Doctor An, “That’s not acceptable.”

“If we leave, we all leave together. Escaping alone goes against everything I believe in.”

“……”

“You?”

In contrast to Lu Xin’s calm, Doctor An suddenly became agitated.

She felt none of the gratitude or relief one might expect from his suggestion that they all stay united.

Instead, her brows furrowed fiercely, and genuine anger surged as her palm slammed against the wall by Lu Xin, glaring at him while shouting, “How stupid! Even now you’re spouting nonsense?”

“This isn’t the time for childish tantrums. Do you know how important what you’re carrying is?”

“Do you know what it signifies if they get hold of it?”

“……”

While she shouted, she advanced toward Lu Xin, her delicate features contorting.

It looked as if she might devour him.

Lu Xin was even forced against the wall, with nowhere left to retreat.

Listening to her words and catching a sidelong glance that showed Doctors Zhang and Wang watching him, he realized…

That look of resignation, urgency, and a hint of reproach stirred something strange within him.

He knew they intended to protect him.

Even if their motives varied, being defended at the cost of their own lives was profoundly moving.

Yet, alongside that feeling, a subtle exasperation began to grow inside him.

“Do you even understand?”

“Do you even understand?”

He couldn’t make out all of Doctor An’s loud words, only noticing her face drawing ever closer.

With his back pinned to the wall, and her unrelenting approach, an unusual anger surged within Lu Xin.

He abruptly raised his hand and pushed Doctor An away.

He pushed her shoulder aside.

Then, locking eyes with her, he shouted, “I don’t know.”

“You…”

Doctor An was taken aback by Lu Xin’s blunt, anger-laced reply.

Especially since her earlier furtive observation of him had already left her deeply shaken.

Even as lingering fear made her step back instinctively in the face of his outburst,

after his calm declaration of the first three words, Lu Xin felt as if a door in his heart had suddenly swung open.

Frowning deeply, with a stern, almost fierce expression, he glared at Doctor An and declared:

“You are the big shots at the Research Institute. As researchers, you hold exceptional status—you’ve never treated money as mere money…”

“You have far-reaching visions, considering any sacrifice as inconsequential…”

“But I’m not like that!”

“I’m just an ordinary guy. I work to earn my living—I even got my college diploma handed to me.”

“……”

As he spoke, he felt the burden of being a graduate lift, growing ever more frank:

“That’s why I despise how you all constantly opt for self-sacrifice.”

“Whether you plan to sacrifice yourselves or me, I won’t stand for it…”

“I don’t know if your habit of idealizing everything is right.”

“But look around—this world is as it is because of you.”

“So I won’t be like you, abandoning anyone and choosing self-preservation over all else.”

“……”

After a pause, he felt he might have sounded overly noble and instinctively added:

“Of course, I’m not that great—I wouldn’t risk my life to save you…”

“But we can try…”

“Let’s escape together. If we really can’t, if there’s truly no other way, then maybe… maybe things can change.”

“But leaving someone behind is simply not an option…”

“……”

A person’s anger is the most compelling force.

At its highest form, it’s the rage that arises when one accepts their true self.

And that was exactly what Lu Xin was displaying.

For the first time, he openly showed his vulnerability and honest self-assessment.

Around him, several of the doctors stood in stunned silence.

None had expected Lu Xin to erupt with such fury over this issue.

Especially since his earlier words, when considered rationally, weren’t the smartest idea.

In some respects, they could even be labeled ‘foolish.’

Yet, his words carried a force that even the cleverest among them couldn’t easily refute.

“Stop arranging things for me…”

After saying that, Lu Xin appeared somewhat dejected as he shook his head and continued, “Whether it’s the Old Director, Mom, or even you, you always end up planning things for others—be it good or bad. Honestly, many times I’ve wanted to refuse, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do so. But this time, I really don’t want to follow your plans anymore.”

“I have my own principles and standards.”

“Perhaps, to you, it might seem unwise…”

Lu Xin exhaled deeply, looked up at Doctor An, and once again smiled proudly.

“But I feel proud.”

“Because this is what being human is all about…”

……

……

After Lu Xin finished speaking, a serene silence fell over the area.

Inside the Research Institute, the usual chaotic clamor suddenly died down, and outside, the throng desperately crowding the doorway began to disperse—everything felt tranquil.

Perhaps it was simply the calm that had settled within.

“Hehehe…”

Whether it was just his imagination, Lu Xin faintly heard laughter coming from inside the Research Institute.

Laughter that rang with pure joy.

Even the minds, once overwhelmed by constant information, seemed to lighten considerably.

“You…”

Seeing Lu Xin’s candid and proud expression, Doctor An opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it again.

At that moment, she was visibly conflicted.

A part of her was furious.

Furious that Lu Xin wouldn’t choose the optimal solution and instead plunged everything into uncontrollable chaos.

Yet deep inside, she couldn’t help but recall the figure who once leapt from the building without a trace of regret—a memory that softened her heart and nearly brought her to tears…

As she began to speak, she didn’t expect herself to say such things.

“Perhaps, if that person had even a bit of your ‘foolishness’ back then, I wouldn’t be so desperate…”

She fell silent for a long moment, faint traces of blood seeping from her eyes.

But she didn’t waste any time—instead, she quickly rolled up her sleeve to wipe her eyes, took a deep breath, and, looking straight at Lu Xin, said in a low voice, “No matter what, remember: exiting safely is our top priority. Understand?”

“You are the most important—do you understand?”

“……”

“This…”

Doctor An, meeting Lu Xin’s unflinching yet proud gaze, suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

She wondered if she had misunderstood him—after all, he truly believed he was the most important…

He hadn’t intended to die with them.

Abandoning you all here and valuing your lives over his own are entirely different matters…

…Besides, I was even planning how to shift the discussion to that extra hundred million when she abruptly cut him off.

“Enough!”

But Doctor An didn’t allow Lu Xin another chance to explain. Taking a deep breath, she addressed the group, “The Research Institute’s forbidden power is dissipating faster; those strange anomalies below will catch up soon, and the creatures outside are gathering by the minute.”

“Every minute we delay, we invite an extra measure of danger.”

“So, prepare to break through from here immediately…”

“……”

As she spoke, her expression turned subtly fierce: “A Zhen, initiate breakthrough mode.”

“Sissi, you’re allowed to release the seven constraints; if necessary, release the eighth.”

“Li Jiajia, stop watching those two men and immediately send a message to our support team to send deeper backup.”

“Whether they receive it or not, our lives are at stake…”

“……”

The group took a moment to process her words before hastily scrambling to prepare.

Some checked their firearms, others removed their down jackets in preparation to unlock the orb, while a few began operating the electronic flies.

Even Sister, tense, ran aside to open her small backpack as if she were taking inventory.

Only Lu Xin stood apart, looking slightly embarrassed.

After thinking for a moment, he squatted down to tie his shoelace, trying to blend into the tense atmosphere.

Within just one minute of preparation, after sending the signal, Master Li even came over, gently elbowed Lu Xin, and said, “Hey, you sure have a manly aura. By the way, do you live in Qinggang?”

“What’s your exact address?”

“……”

“?”

Feeling awkward, Lu Xin moved a bit farther away and explained, “First, my name isn’t ‘Hey.'”

“I’m Lu Xin. People in the circle call me Single Soldier.”

“Second, I’ve been meaning to tell you—someone is keeping an eye on me…”

“……”

He laughed, then nodded emphatically, “So don’t worry. I was always meant to come back.

“My home is in Qinggang. Many people are waiting for me…”