Chapter 82

All the data indicated that the materials for this research experiment had been destroyed due to uncontrollable issues. However, so far, he had not found any reports about the destruction of the human subjects in the materials he had.

Zhou Yi began to flip through the limited image data. The images in his hands, rather than being a record of an experiment, seemed more like a comprehensive monster encyclopedia.

There was a gigantic, terrifying python, resembling an ancient creature. A super-sized shark with a body covered in bone spines. A lion with all its fur fallen out and explosively grown muscles. And a gorilla that had grown two deformed giant hands.

If such things fell into the hands of a Hollywood screenwriter, they might become fresh material for a horror film. Unfortunately, this was a cruel and inhumane biological experiment in real life. Zhou Yi didn't have time to mourn these already dead subjects; he needed to know how far the core of this experiment had progressed.

Finally, he found some clues in the fragmented data. It was an accident report. The content described a lab assistant who was attacked by an experimental creature and, shortly after, was infected by a virus and began to mutate. The report included detailed explanations and a full record of the mutation process.

After reading the entire report, Zhou Yi felt a chill run down his spine. The process of the assistant's mutation was terrifying.

First, the assistant began to experience mild convulsions, followed by symptoms of weakness, irregular heartbeat, and mental confusion. This condition lasted for over an hour. After that, the assistant was declared dead from a medical standpoint.

However, the data showed that this was just the beginning. After death, the assistant's body tissues began to necrotize on a large scale. This necrosis started from the inside and spread outward, turning the assistant into a corpse that looked as if it had been rotting for a long time within just a few hours.

What was even more terrifying was that the corpse began to regain mobility and acted according to its most primitive feeding instincts. The reanimated corpse attacked all living beings it could sense, driven by an uncontrollable bloodlust and hunger.

Unaware of the situation, two security personnel were attacked and underwent the same transformation. To control the sudden outbreak, the report stated that all relevant personnel were examined and disinfected. The report concluded with a final academic analysis.

After reading the report, Zhou Yi's only thought was that if this was a biological weapon developed by the U.S. military for Umbrella, they had succeeded. This thing indeed had a lethal killing power and was not limited to a specific region.

However, such a thing must never be allowed to exist in the world. If it were to leak, not only would the country, but the entire world would face a massive crisis. All of humanity could be forced to make a choice between life and death.

But this problem was not something Zhou Yi's other identity could solve. The Dawn Knight, though a super hero adored by countless people, could not shake a multinational corporation. Not to mention, the tens of thousands of salaried employees under the corporation would not support him.

And as a billionaire, Zhou Yi could not achieve this either. Umbrella's business scope was extremely broad, and with his capabilities, he could not have any significant impact on it. Unless, as Alfred had hinted, Umbrella's research was sabotaged by someone, causing it to erupt and deal a significant blow to the company.

If that were the case, he could rally Tony and some financial tycoons to devour this behemoth. However, deep down, he did not want such a situation to occur. It was too dangerous.

"Medusa, send the information I have to Agent Phil Coulson from last time. Tell them I need their help, and it would be best if someone brings the plan to me!"

"Yes, sir. I will send the message immediately. Also, sir, Mercury Tech has prepared the items you need. Should I arrange for them to deliver the items to you?"

"Send the new equipment along with the items, Medusa," Zhou Yi instructed calmly. This should have been a happy moment, but he felt no joy.

A pile of issues weighed heavily on him. Even with his extraordinary energy, he felt mentally and physically exhausted. Sometimes, he wished he could put down all the burdens and live a life that only cared about himself.

But the superhero cause was like a drug, with an irresistible allure. By now, he had fallen in love with this exciting life. He could give up his current life as a billionaire and return to a normal life, but he could not give up this heroic cause.

Reinvigorating his spirit, Zhou Yi decided to find something to eat to fill his empty stomach. He had been busy all day, and the French meal he had at noon had long been digested.

However, when he stepped into the hotel elevator, he unexpectedly found an acquaintance inside.

"Hey! Jean, what are you doing here?" Inside the elevator stood Jean Grey, who was deep in thought, clearly deciding which floor to go to.

Seeing Zhou Yi, Jean Grey looked somewhat surprised, or rather, her expression was a bit strange.

"I was thinking about getting something to eat. You know, sometimes when you spend too much time researching, you can easily forget things."

"Like eating?" Zhou Yi grinned, pressed the button for the restaurant floor, and said to her, "Since we've met, why don't you join me for dinner? I'm pretty hungry too!"

"What?" Jean Grey asked in surprise. "That's not a good idea, you know I have a boyfriend."

"Hehe, my dear Jean!" Reaching out, Zhou Yi pulled Jean Grey into the elevator and pinned her against the wall. "What's wrong with you today? Are you angry with me? Or do you want me to reveal our relationship and completely outdo Scott, that fool, as a competitor?"

"What do I have to be angry about!" Jean Grey turned her face away, seemingly unable to meet Zhou Yi's gaze.

"Really, you're not angry?" Lifting Jean Grey's chin, Zhou Yi looked at her bashful expression and leaned down. After a long moment, Zhou Yi once again claimed the territory he had defined as his own. Compared to the last time, Jean Grey's response was more awkward, as if this skill had regressed from lack of practice.

He was like a thirsty traveler, using all his strength. At first, Jean Grey had some resistance, but soon she lost her strength.

After a long time, when the elevator paused and stopped moving, Zhou Yi slowly separated from Jean Grey. By then, Jean Grey was already weak, her usually bright eyes now like a pool of rippling water.

"Now, I really feel that you're not angry. So, would you like to have dinner with me, Miss Jean Grey?"

"Alright, just this once!" Jean Grey whispered softly, as if explaining to Zhou Yi or to herself.

"Once there's a first time, there will naturally be a second. Isn't that right?" Zhou Yi held Jean Grey's delicate hand and said confidently and gently.

At this moment, Jean Grey seemed to have lost all her will, allowing Zhou Yi to lead her.

The two of them walked directly into the restaurant. Under Zhou Yi's arrangement, the waiter quickly served the exquisite French cuisine to the distinguished guests.

The chef here specialized in classical French cuisine, which originated before the French Revolution and was popular among the nobility. Later, it was categorized by Escoffier.

The head chef of the classical cuisine was highly skilled, using only the best ingredients. Common ingredients included lobster, oysters, meat, and champagne. The sauces were often made from wine and flour, then reduced to a rich and flavorful consistency, often thickened with butter or cream.

The traditional French menu offered 13 courses to choose from. Each course, though small in quantity, was beautifully prepared. The first course was usually a cold appetizer, followed by a soup. The third course was a hot appetizer, the fourth was fish, the fifth was the main course, the sixth was a hot dish, the seventh was a cold dish, the eighth was a sorbet, the ninth was a grilled dish and salad, the tenth was vegetables, the eleventh was a dessert, the twelfth was a savory dish, and the thirteenth was a sweet dish.

This extensive menu also meant a complex dining etiquette, which many people were not accustomed to. This led to the rise of modern French cuisine, which was more suitable for the fast-paced modern lifestyle.

Zhou Yi had planned to give Jean Grey some guidance on the complex dining etiquette and perhaps engage in some flirtation. However, to his surprise, Jean performed very naturally, even more so than he did.

"Frankly, you really surprise me!" As he savored the exquisite French cuisine, Zhou Yi teased Jean Grey. "Honestly, I thought you might be a bit awkward."

"I haven't been in touch with this kind of dining etiquette for a long time. Honestly, I thought I would be quite clumsy!" Jean smiled gently, rarely displaying a noble demeanor.

"How could you be? You performed perfectly!" Holding Jean Grey's hand, Zhou Yi praised her.

"Really? That's great!"

The two smiled at each other, showing an unusual rapport. Honestly, Zhou Yi never expected Jean Grey to be so unresistant. It was as if she had suddenly let go of all her concerns, acting unlike herself.