"The domestic drug formula has arrived, but we still haven't heard from Mr. Siegel."
"Please gather all available materials and research papers on the S2 Flu for me to review after dinner."
Liu Qing opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated.
Zhou Tianming immediately understood her concern: "I'm not arrogant enough to think I can develop the vaccine alone. But I believe my logical reasoning is strong enough to at least provide a direction to accelerate the development process."
"Understood. Finish your meal first. I'll try to compile the most comprehensive materials for you."
"Thank you."
Thirty minutes later, three or four empty food containers sat neatly on the dining table.
Zhou Tianming leaned back in his chair, gently rubbing his slightly rounded belly with circular motions.
Liu Qing entered carrying a laptop, her words dying on her lips as her eyes were drawn to the empty containers. Her mouth twitched: "Tian Ming—may I call you that? You've eaten way too much. We're not short on supplies, there's no need—"
Burp~ After releasing a satisfied belch, Zhou Tianming glanced at the table with an embarrassed smile. "Tian Ming is fine. It's not about scarcity—I just naturally eat a lot."
"This is excessive." Liu Qing eyed his distended stomach. "This is bad for digestion. If you're hungry, eat smaller portions more frequently instead of stuffing yourself all at once."
Zhou Tianming raised his right hand in an 'OK' gesture. "Still no word from Uncle Siegel?"
"No." Liu Qing shook her head. "But I've compiled all verified S2 Flu materials, including some unconventional theories for alternative perspectives."
"Thanks." Zhou Tianming considered briefly. "Could you prepare a quiet room for me? Printed materials would be ideal—I work better with physical documents."
"The room is ready, but you'll have to manage without printing."
Nodding silently, Zhou Tianming followed Liu Qing to a private suite. He activated the integrated computer, studying the pale blue holographic display as he began analyzing the data.
The S2 Flu research was exceptionally complex. Zhou Tianming first scanned everything rapidly, committing all information to memory, then activated [Analyze] to categorize, organize, and extrapolate.
Once, twice, thrice...
After eleven consecutive [Analyze] activations, he'd finally synthesized the materials preliminarily, generating hundreds of potential conclusions.
Time became irrelevant until the door slid open abruptly.
Liu Qing stood at the threshold: "Mr. Siegel's materials have arrived. I've sent them to your terminal."
Ding~
The computer chimed its notification.
Zhou Tianming opened the files, and dense text, charts, and chemical formulas filled all the floating screens before him.
"Help me send a copy to my... grandfather."
Tianming stumbled over the word, making Liu Qing's lips curl into a faint smirk. "I'll send it to Chief Zhou immediately."
"Chief?" Tianming asked curiously. "What rank is Grandfather? Is it high?"
Liu Qing hesitated for a moment before answering, "Within the Human Division, Chief Zhou holds the highest position. The chiefs of the other five divisions are of equal rank, and above them is the National Premier."
Tianming hadn't expected his grandfather's rank to be so high. This meant the LOGOS matter could now reach the highest levels of East Asian leadership.
The problem was—how could he make his grandfather believe him?
Tianming frowned, deeply troubled.
Noticing his expression, Liu Qing asked, "Do you have something to say? I can relay it for you."
He shook his head. "No, it's nothing."
This wasn't something to be carelessly shared. He'd have to find an opportunity to speak to his grandfather in person to earn his trust.
"Then I'll go send the data to Chief Zhou first."
With that, Liu Qing turned and left. Tianming exhaled and began reviewing the S2 Flu vaccine data.
...
Upon receiving the files, Zhou Junguo immediately contacted the head of the Medical Division.
"Mr. Hua, I've just obtained PLANT's data on the S2 Flu vaccine. I'd like to prioritize its analysis and research. Consider this a personal favor."
A voice, aged yet vigorous, replied from the other end of the line, "The S2 Flu is already our top priority. Securing this data is a tremendous help—I should be thanking you."
"The credit isn't mine. It's my grandson, Tianming. He happened to assist Siegel Clyne, which is how we obtained this information."
Zhou Junguo's lips curled slightly as he spoke.
The voice on the phone burst into laughter. "For Siegel to send this data, the favor must have been significant. No wonder you hold him in such high regard."
Then, turning serious, he added, "I've already heard about Hanxiang's situation. I'll have the specialized team expedite their research. Even if the vaccine isn't ready in time, we'll prioritize developing a treatment to alleviate symptoms."
"Thank you."
...
Inside the shuttle cabin en route to Earth.
Tianming spent half an hour memorizing the vaccine data before immediately activating [Analyze].
Using the vaccine data as a foundation was like planting the trunk of a tree.
A flood of processed and integrated information acted as high-quality fertilizer, continuously nourishing it.
The 'vaccine' began growing rapidly.
At first, there was only the trunk, but as it expanded, countless branches sprouted.
Tianming frowned.
One, ten, a hundred...
Each branch represented a possibility.
He cross-referenced the hundreds of previously deduced possibilities with [Analyze], comparing and filtering them.
After ten more consecutive uses, large sections of the 'vaccine's' branches were pruned and discarded.
Yet around a hundred remained.
Just as he prepared to use [Analyze] again, Tianming's vision suddenly darkened, and a wave of dizziness struck.
What's happening?
His forehead burned, his heartbeat accelerated, and his face and body were drenched in sweat.
At the same time, a gnawing hunger surged from his stomach, twisting it painfully.
I've only used [Analyze] twenty-something times. Has my Mental Power dropped below 100?
That can't be—I remember it was over 180 before.
Zhou Tianming was about to enter his consciousness when the door beside him opened.
Liu Qing walked in holding a small cake: "Tian Ming, want some cake?"
At first glance, she was shocked.
Zhou Tianming's face was pale and exhausted, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Holy shit! What's wrong with you?"
She tossed the cake onto the table and rushed over to check on him: "Tian Ming! How do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Zhou Tianming weakly described his condition, swaying unsteadily with a hand pressed to his head.
After listening, Liu Qing looked puzzled: "That sounds like low blood sugar..."
She glanced at her mechanical wristwatch: "It's only been a little over three hours since you ate. How could that be?"
The moment he heard "low blood sugar," Zhou Tianming immediately understood.
[Analyze] Overuse—his brain had burned through all his blood sugar.
With a trembling hand, he grabbed the small cake from the table and shoved it into his mouth.
After a while, his heartbeat steadied, the palpitations faded, the cold sweat stopped, and his dizziness improved.
Seeing this, Liu Qing sighed in relief and walked over to shut down the computer without a word.
Zhou Tianming raised a hand to stop her: "Wait, I haven't—"
She pushed him back into the chair, her tone firm: "Get some proper rest. If you keep this up, I'll tattle to your mom when she wakes up."
Hearing this, Zhou Tianming sighed and lowered his arm.
His current condition really was terrible.
Without using [Analyze], his efficiency would plummet.
Finally, he nodded.
"Fine, I'll rest for a bit."
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and set an alarm.
"How much longer until we reach Earth?"
"About four hours."
"Any news from Grandpa?"
"Don't worry, I'll let you know the moment I hear anything."
Then he'd rest for two...
No, one hour.
After setting the alarm and placing his phone on the table, Zhou Tianming leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, soon falling asleep.
Liu Qing quietly slipped out.