RIACMET chapter 191

 

“Brother Jiang Nian, why are you here?”

Xiaoya pulled out a chair and sat across from him at the table.

Jiang Nian smiled.
“Well, I came here for something and to see you.”

Then, he placed two gift bags in front of her.
“These are gifts from all of us to you.”

One bag was filled with candy and snacks, and the other contained two dresses, hair clips, and hair ties.

“Thank you, Brother Jiang Nian, and everyone.”

Xiaoya blinked her slightly red eyes.

After entering the detention school and learning about the situation inside, she had lost hope of ever seeing Jiang Nian and the others again. She didn’t expect…

“You’re welcome. How have you been at school?”

It had been a while since the incident in Room 1805. With the latest exam results and his past life experience, Jiang Nian’s mindset had changed a lot when he saw Xiaoya again.

However, he still didn’t know how to comfort her, so he shifted the topic to something practical.

Xiaoya wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand and nodded with a smile.
“I’m doing fine here. The teachers and supervisors are all good people. Thank you, Brother Jiang Nian.”

Jiang Nian nodded and asked,
“That’s good. How’s your superpower? Tell me about it.”

“Still the same.”

When the topic turned to superpowers, Xiaoya pursed her lips and lowered her head.
“I’m scared to use it. At first, I was afraid of hurting people again. Then, the doctors said that if I use it, the core crystal might collapse or shatter on its own. I’m still scared.”

Sometimes she thought it would be better if she just died. After all, she had made an unforgivable mistake. Now that she knew using her superpower could kill her, however, she didn’t dare use it anymore.

She knew she was a coward.

Jiang Nian understood.
“So, you haven’t used your superpower since Qingyun City, nor have you trained with it daily?”

If he remembered correctly, Xiaoya hadn’t used her superpower since they uncovered the secret of Room 1805. When they entered the room, she didn’t use teleportation to escape. If she had, she might have been able to break through instantly.

“Yeah.”

Xiaoya nodded.
“The doctors said it’s up to me whether I use it or not. If I don’t, the core crystal will eventually break down on its own.”

She spoke hesitantly, then looked at Jiang Nian with a serious plea.
“Brother Jiang Nian, what do you think? What should I do?”

After losing control of her mother, she developed an unexplained fear of her own ability. Her teachers said her ability was amazing, but all she could think about was the bloody scene.

Even though things were much better now than at the beginning, she still didn’t have the courage to face it.

“…”

Jiang Nian stared at the fear and helplessness in her eyes. It was hard to imagine what she would look like as the Zombie King in the future.

After thinking for a moment, he said,
“Some things you have to decide for yourself. But since you’re asking me, I encourage you to use it. Be brave. You’re not abusing your power, you’re not using it under mental strain, and you don’t intend to hurt anyone. The core crystal won’t collapse on its own.”

Back then, research into superpower core crystals wasn’t as advanced, so reports only said the crystal was cracked and might collapse.

“Really?”

Xiaoya looked into his eyes for a moment, then nodded.
“Okay. I believe in you, Brother.”

Jiang Nian held her hand and encouraged her.
“Xiaoya, as long as we’re alive, we have to look forward. You have to admit your mistakes and be willing to do your best to make up for them. There’s no point in clinging to the past or blaming others to escape it. You have to be strong.”

Her desire to save her father was understandable, as was the fact that she made a mistake by killing someone. However, no matter how unwilling she was, it was in the past. Dwelling on the past would only cause more harm than good and could even distort her personality, which would cause more trouble later on.

People are selfish. They could preach to others well, but when their own interests were at stake, they became blind and impulsive and lost all reason.

If killing someone else could truly save a loved one, Jiang Nian believed that many people would choose to let the other person die.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll do my best… Thank you, Brother Jiang Nian.”

Xiaoya nodded earnestly. Although the psychologist had said the same thing, she felt Jiang Nian’s words were truer and more convincing. At the very least, she trusted him more.

If her superpower awakened and she grew stronger, she could join the rescue team at the base and help other survivors. Even if she died in the process, that would be better than constantly blaming herself and being a coward.

“…”

After achieving his goal, Jiang Nian pulled two cartoon-shaped lollipops out of his pocket and unwrapped them.

He gave one to Xiaoya and kept one for himself. Then, he started asking about her daily life there and how she was cooperating with the superpower research. It was more effective than asking directly.

Xiaoya answered honestly and also asked him how Huang Qian, Li Shuhui, and the others were doing.

The mood of the conversation gradually became calm and relaxed.

Chu Yi watched from behind and thought Jiang Nian would be good at work involving children.

Cheng Jing remained silent. He was now more grateful to Xiaoya for her help in their past life. While thinking about something, he took the chance to ask,

“How does the base handle juvenile superpowered criminals who can’t be rehabilitated?”

Chu Yi answered without hesitation.
“The superpower core crystal will be removed, and they’ll be imprisoned according to regulations. Those aged fourteen and older will work as volunteer laborers. This base has a place where minors can undergo labor reform. In addition to studying and receiving daily psychological counseling, they also perform various levels of volunteer work.”

Cheng Jing nodded.
“Has anyone had their superpower core crystal removed? Are there any adverse effects on the body after removal?”

“…”

Chu Yi thought for a moment and shook his head.
“So far, no one has had their superpower core crystal removed. Luo Yuan might be the first. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong, but his superpower is too dangerous. That’s why he’s had so many physical checkups recently, all in preparation for the core crystal removal surgery.”

“Yeah, it’s a good way to take away the power he relies on and continue educating and reasoning with him.”

Cheng Jing agreed with the approach, then asked,
“Will you take the opportunity to conduct a core crystal transplant experiment? After all, it’s rare to find someone with a superpower that works on zombies.”

Chu Yi shook his head.
“The professors say transplanting a core crystal isn’t that easy. Besides evaluating the recipient’s physical condition, we also have to consider rejection reactions. First, we need to develop a suitable drug to prevent rejection. We have to take it step by step. No rushing.”

Compared to the past, research has progressed a lot now that there are professors with brain evolution superpowers. Still, it’s best not to expect too much too soon.

“That’s true.”

Cheng Jing felt reassured after hearing this. Even if you knew something would succeed, proper preparation was necessary.

Time, effort, and trial and error were needed to obtain accurate data.

Looking at Xiaoya again, it was clear that she wasn’t inherently bad or twisted. He hoped that she could step out of the shadow of her past at the detention school, face it head on, and contribute to the fight against the end of the world by doing her best to make amends.