Xiao Xun slammed the table abruptly, startling the elderly experts, who feared they had said something wrong.
"Director Xiao, did we say something incorrect?"
Xiao Xun waved his hand, picked up the model, and snapped it in half. Pointing to the spinal cord area, he asked, "If we open this up and fix it with special bionic equipment, creating a pipe that can be opened at any time, and then integrate the cockpit into it as the spinal cord, wouldn't that achieve perfect synergy?"
The group exchanged glances. "It's worth trying, but there are still technical shortcomings."
"That's why I've brought you here! Your job is to tackle the technical challenges. I'll figure out how to connect the bioelectricity and the system to ensure the cockpit's connection with the original person."
Seeing their silence, he added, "Raise any needs you have, voice any difficulties, and let's discuss them."
An elder expert, appearing to be the oldest, said, "Director Xiao, this isn't something you can solve with just a few words. If a normal person's vertebral canal is severed, they'll be paralyzed. You want to create an opening and use artificial material as a spinal cord – scientifically, it's impossible."
Xiao Xun grew angry. "If it were easy, why would I need you? Tell me, who thinks this is difficult? You can leave right now."
The expert who had just spoken stood up, only to see the dark muzzle of a gun. Several men in black, led by a bear-like man, said, "This isn't a place you can just come and go as you please. You're involved in humanity's top secret, so you'd best cooperate."
They immediately sat back down. "We'll cooperate, we'll cooperate."
Xiao Xun addressed the bear-like man, "Find me the world's most skilled bionic experts and have them work with these professors to solve the problem of replacing the vertebral canal without damaging the nerves."
Upon exiting the experimental base, he encountered Su Xiang.
"Xiao Xun, I've found the person you were looking for."
"Thank you, Xiang-K."
Su Xiang looked exasperated. "What the heck is Xiang-K... Never mind. Why are you looking for a lunatic?"
Xiao Xun blinked in surprise. "A lunatic? Did I find the wrong person?"
Su Xiang described Liu Yue'e's physique and appearance, especially her striking red high heels. "I found her at a psychiatric hospital. She has a doctor's certificate, and her words are nonsensical."
"Yes, that's her."
"At first, I thought it was a different person with the same name, but coincidentally, she's the only one in our city with that name living in your area."
Xiao Xun arrived at a small reception room, similar to when he last saw Liu Yue'e. The red vest of a domestic worker was gone, but she maintained the same mysterious smile that sent shivers down one's spine.
"Sister Yue'e, do you still recognize me?"
"Who are you?"
"Yun Mei's uncle."
"Isn't Yun Mei dead?"
Xiao Xun frowned. "But I'm not dead yet."
"You're her uncle, you look remarkably young."
"You've forgotten, you visited my home."
"I've been to many places, how would I know where your home is?"
Xiao Xun reminded her, "Eastern suburbs affluent villa district, House Number One."
"No memory."
"You said there that you had found a wormhole that traversed time and space."
"Lunatic..."
Liu Yue'e looked around and shouted, "You've read too many fantasy novels!"
Xiao Xun suddenly realized there might be listening devices present.
He took out paper and a pen from his pocket and wrote in tiny letters: I truly need to travel to another world. Please help me.
He then placed it in Liu Yue'e's hand. Without looking, she popped it into her mouth. "Delicious, very tasty."
Behind the monitor, Su Xiang stood with his hands behind his back. "I can't figure it out. Why is Xiao Xun looking for this crazy old woman?"
"Sir, perhaps she's faking it."
"Faking it? For what purpose?"
"Perhaps, like you being a shut-in, she offended someone she shouldn't have!"
"Hiss~"
Su Xiang gasped. "Offended someone? She's just a poor old woman, who could she have offended?"
At this moment, Xiao Xun whispered to Liu Yue'e, "If you can help me, I'll resolve all your current difficulties."
Liu Yue'e's eyes suddenly sharpened. "Based on what?"
Xiao Xun said confidently, "If I couldn't do it, why would you be here?"
Liu Yue'e snorted, "What's the use of you going back?"
Xiao Xun's interest was piqued. "You know where I'm going?"
"If you didn't know, you wouldn't be looking for me, right?"
Xiao Xun looked at the old woman before him, thinking, I truly underestimated you.
"Then tell me! What do I need to do for you to help me travel?"
Liu Yue'e sighed. "You say someone saved your life with great difficulty, why must you jump into the fire pit again?"
"I want to, okay? That's my wife. We'll die together if we have to."
"I didn't expect there to be someone as devoted as you in this world. However, you've come to the wrong person. I can't help you. If I could, why would I be here?"
Xiao Xun glanced around and lowered his voice. "Who can help? Tell me, and I'll help you too."
"This way, you help me kill someone first. If she dies, I'll tell you who can help you."
Xiao Xun's brow furrowed. "Kill someone?"
"Scared?"
Xiao Xun asked coldly, "Who?"
"That bitch who seduced my husband."
"Didn't she die long ago?"
"No, she's at your house."
"My house?"
"That's right, her name is Qin Yongmei."
Xiao Xun exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Mei..."
"Yes, it's her. As long as she dies, I'll tell you who can help you return to that world."
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment and asked, "If I really kill her, what if you've lied to me?"
"Then you can kill me too."
Xiao Xun grew anxious. "What's the use of killing you then?"
Liu Yue'e tilted her head, crossing her legs. "Then there's nothing more to discuss."
Xiao Xun stood up. "Fine, I hope you keep your promise. Otherwise, I'll let you know the consequences of deceiving me."
With that, he turned and walked out, telling the guards, "Give her whatever she wants. Don't let her starve or go thirsty, and don't let her leave this place."
"Yes!"
Xiao Xun walked outside the base and had a car drive him away. On the road, he asked the driver, "Do you have a gun?"
"Yes."
"Lend it to me."
"No."
"What if I snatch it?"
The driver tossed the gun from under his arm into the passenger seat. "You snatched it, I don't know anything."
With that, he opened the door and fell out.
Startled, Xiao Xun quickly scrambled into the driver's seat from the back, swerving violently to avoid going down the hillside.
He drove to the hotel in the city where he had stayed the previous night. Along the way, Su Xiang called.
"Xiao Xun, don't do anything rash. If you need anything, just say it, and we can satisfy it."
"I've told you, you can't satisfy it. I'll have to use my own methods."
"Are you crazy? If the higher-ups find out, you're dead."
"I'm already a dead man. I'm content with a few more years of living."
He hung up and entered the hotel.
He pried open the door. Sister Mei was still staying there.
"Director Xiao, you're here."
Xiao Xun nodded expressionlessly, his tone cold. "You've worked hard these past few days. I want to ask you a few things."