#28 - Chapter 28 Showdown

"Then, could you contact the force behind you? I hope to have a face-to-face meeting with your superior," Yan Fangfang continued.

"What do you want to discuss?" Dongfang Chen jokingly asked.

"You! Dongfang Chen, this matter is very important! It concerns the lives and futures of everyone, it's not a game!" Seeing Dongfang Chen's dismissive attitude, Yan Fangfang became stern.

"Oh? Then what do you think I'm doing right now?" Dongfang Chen retorted sharply.

Yan Fangfang fell silent.

"Let me put it this way, Miss Yan. First, this technology isn't something I can just give away as I please. Second, the force behind me isn't something you can handle. Third, I see moral blackmail as nothing more than bandit logic. If you want to talk, you need to have the attitude for it. If you just want to flaunt your young miss's power here, then I'm sorry, that doesn't work on me."

Dongfang Chen's words were also harsh. Without waiting for Yan Fangfang to speak, Dongfang Chen continued to add:

"Moreover, it's not you who should be talking to me."

At this point, Yan Fangfang understood what he meant and angrily asked:

"You investigated me?"

"I wouldn't call it that. I'm just thinking about the safety of the base," Dongfang Chen said, already losing his patience.

He thought she was some old fox, but after all this time, she's just a little chick, a naive little chick.

"So, you knew my identity from the beginning?" Yan Fangfang continued to press.

"Yes!" Dongfang Chen replied.

"Then why didn't you kick me out at the beginning?"

"There's no need. The base is everyone's base. As long as you don't cause trouble, I naturally welcome more people to come," Dongfang Chen replied frankly.

"You're really confident!" Yan Fangfang joked.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, then let's leave it at that," Dongfang Chen said, losing interest in continuing the conversation, and turned to leave.

"Hey! Wait!" Yan Fangfang hurriedly stopped him.

"Anything else?" Dongfang Chen asked impatiently, turning his head.

"Could you give me an extra dose of the antigen serum? I'm willing to buy it," Yan Fangfang asked.

Logically speaking, Dongfang Chen wouldn't even bother with such an unreasonable request. But the person in front of him was different, with a powerful backer behind her. So, although her actions were both childish and thoughtless, he still had to give her the respect she deserved.

"What do you need it for?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"I want to take a dose to my dad," Yan Fangfang explained.

Since Dongfang Chen had investigated her, she thought he probably knew who her dad was.

Dongfang Chen frowned and thought for a moment, not answering immediately, but instead asking:

"Aren't you worried there might be something wrong with the antigen?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"Didn't I already take it?" Yan Fangfang replied cryptically.

There were multiple layers of meaning in this sentence. One layer was saying, "I took it, and I'm fine." The second layer was saying, "I took it, so I'm a walking test subject, and you can do all sorts of tests on me when I get back."

Dongfang Chen nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and finally replied:

"I can give you an extra dose, but it's not free."

"Oh? What do you want?" Yan Fangfang asked, overjoyed.

"I'm not going to ask for an exorbitant price. One dose of the antigen for 100 crystal cores. This is just a friendship price for you, and it's a one-time offer," Dongfang Chen replied.

"What are crystal cores?" Yan Fangfang asked.

As soon as Yan Fangfang asked, Dongfang Chen immediately understood:

He overestimated her, definitely overestimated her!

You, the beloved daughter of the commander, a Ph.D. in biology, and a big sister who robs houses outside, have you been wasting your time? You don't know what crystal cores are?

It's understandable if ordinary bandits don't know.

If you don't know, it means that Huaguo's research center, and even the Huaguo Congress, have very limited understanding of the virus!

Dongfang Chen blinked, turned around, looked at her, and said:

"Sister Yan, crystal cores are a translucent, multifaceted crystalline substance that gradually forms in zombies from the day they zombify, also called zombie cores, usually located in the brainstem. Newly zombified zombies may not have them, but they basically form after more than 15 days of zombification."

"Oh? Is that so? So, you mean you have to kill at least a hundred zombies to have a chance of getting 100 zombie cores?" Yan Fangfang asked thoughtfully.

"That's right!" Dongfang Chen replied with a smile.

"That's not right! This expression is wrong! Why is this kid smiling so strangely?" Yan Fangfang thought, sizing him up.

"What's wrong?" Dongfang Chen asked, feeling uncomfortable from her gaze.

"Can it be cheaper?" Yan Fangfang asked.

"Damn it! Miss Yan! Do you think this is a vegetable market? You're even trying to haggle?" Dongfang Chen exclaimed.

"Can't I haggle?" Yan Fangfang asked, pretending to be innocent.

"Then I won't sell it!" Dongfang Chen pretended to stop doing business and prepared to turn around and leave.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm just asking, do you have to be like that?" Yan Fangfang quickly stopped him.

That's more like it! Dongfang Chen turned around triumphantly, looking like a petty person who had achieved his goal.

"Let me tell you, 100 crystal cores for a dose of the serum is a great deal for you! This is a one-time offer, and there won't be this price later. You don't know, the cost of developing this thing is very high, and the sacrifices are also very great!"

Yan Fangfang was a medical student and knew how much effort it took to develop a vaccine and how many resources were burned. So, it was understandable that the price was a bit high. But what did he mean by there wouldn't be this price later? Could she still buy it? So, she quickly asked:

"Do you mean you can sell it in large quantities?"

Here it comes! That's what he wanted, and he couldn't let this half-day of acting go to waste. He replied pretentiously:

"Not in the short term, we can't produce that much. Look, there are still many people in our base who haven't been vaccinated yet. Once everyone in our base has been vaccinated, we can consider selling you some."

"How much can you produce each day?" Yan Fangfang quickly asked.

"Alas! The production is pitifully low, only two doses can be produced each day!" Dongfang Chen shook his head and sighed.

Although the current production of the antigen was not high, that was because the Queen Bee didn't invest in many robots, but it wasn't so low that only 5 doses could be produced each day. As a natural con artist, he had a habit of not telling the truth if he could con someone, especially in matters that were closely related to his own interests.

"Two doses?" Yan Fangfang was stunned. You call that production? Isn't that just an experimental product from the lab!

"That's right! Didn't I say that this thing is very expensive!" Dongfang Chen said.

Dongfang Chen was naturally not afraid. In this world, no one but him could create this antigen. So, he could say whatever was convenient.

"Okay, wait a moment, I'll make a call."

Yan Fangfang hurriedly took out her phone to make a call, and Dongfang Chen didn't stop her.

Go ahead and call, if you can get through, I'll take your last name!

She carried a satellite phone with her, which her dad gave her, directly connected to a military satellite. In order not to reveal her identity, she had never used it.

She took out her phone and turned it on…

Huh? Why is there no signal?

Are you kidding me? What kind of junk is this? You said there would be a signal as long as I was on Blue Star? You're bragging, aren't you?

"Don't bother, you can't get through," Dongfang Chen said gloatingly.

"You…" Yan Fangfang was speechless.

"That's right! If I didn't have this ability, would I let you wander around the base?" Dongfang Chen boasted triumphantly.

"Can you let me make a call? I'll have my dad bring the crystal cores over. I want all the antigens, no matter how much you produce!" Yan Fangfang patted her chest and guaranteed.

"Forget it! You should just go out and kill zombies tomorrow! When you have enough crystal cores, I'll give you a dose to take back. If you say it on the phone, your dad will think you've been scammed," Dongfang Chen said.

"Am I that easily scammed?" Yan Fangfang said dissatisfied.

"What do you think?" Dongfang Chen didn't talk to her anymore and turned to leave.

"You…, I…" Yan Fangfang was speechless, standing there dumbfounded.

Dongfang Chen arranged for Brother Zhang to closely observe the people who had been vaccinated, and no one showed any allergic reactions.

The next morning, in the underground base training area.

Because four people didn't get vaccinated yesterday, there were four fewer people today.

"Comrades, today is your first day of combat training, so we won't arrange specific tasks. Everyone should focus on adapting to the weapons, equipment, and combat methods. In order to ensure that everyone can return safely, no one is allowed to take off their protective suits without permission or act alone. Do you hear me?"

Brother Zhang, as the captain, arranged.

"Yes!" Everyone said in unison.

"Next, come over in groups to implant the bone mic," Brother Zhang ordered.

The bone mic was mentioned earlier, full name: micro-implantable bone mic, which requires special equipment to wear. After wearing, it can only be removed by violently destroying the ear canal unless the device is removed. The bone mic is connected via satellite signal, and its function is the same as a walkie-talkie.

"Everyone, test the signal and volume."

"Check the weapons and equipment, check the energy bar magazines."

"Okay, let's go!"

After 30 minutes of arrangement, everyone lined up in two teams and walked out of the underground base.