Chapter Ten: The Relics Beneath the Freezer

Chapter Ten: Relics Beneath the Freezer

Chen Xiao remembered what "Red Seven" had told him: There’s a surprise in the freezer...

Although she didn’t quite understand why Chen Xiao made such a request, Yaya carried it out all the same. She truly knew how to operate this biological chamber—even the unfamiliar symbols on the buttons, she recognized them all.

Very soon, at a blinking point beside the freezer, the red light turned green. Then, with a slight hiss, a sunken section at the base of the freezer slid open, and a small metallic compartment slowly extended outward automatically.

Inside, there were three items.

A letter.

A small notebook with a leather cover.

A silver metal cylinder, about the size of a glass.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Xiao picked up the letter first. The seal had already been broken, but what truly stirred him was the delicate, graceful handwriting on the envelope: “To my dear friend.”

These lines were unmistakably his mother’s handwriting!

With slightly trembling fingers, he unfolded the letter—though he felt a faint disappointment: this letter was not addressed to him.

“Dearest Three:

Heh, I really don’t like your new name ‘Black Three’. I told you before, this name simply doesn’t suit a woman.

I’m sorry I can only write to you in this primitive, handwritten way, because the security and access controls in this place are extremely strict. Any electronic storage or small device is nearly impossible to smuggle in or out—I couldn’t even get a USB drive out. Perhaps these people are simply too accustomed to technology and have forgotten the most primitive of things, which is how I have this chance to write to you.

Lately, my husband and I have been growing increasingly uneasy—we cannot, in good conscience, continue our current work.

I still remember, back in university, my professor once told me: A scientist should possess steadfast conviction in the pursuit of truth—even to the point of obsession. After all, as everyone knows, almost every great scientist in history was a fanatic.

Yet I believe there must also be a baseline of conscience.

We have made our decision—this enterprise is wicked, and not even God would forgive it. Although my husband and I are from the East and do not believe in God, we still have our own faith—such as conscience.

Life should not be ‘manufactured’, nor should it be born in a test tube. Even now, I firmly believe that every life in this world deserves its dignity, and that dignity should never be trampled.

Forgive me, my friend—I have been lost for too long. And our intellect has already been exploited by those people, bringing much suffering to these lives.

As of yesterday, the first fifteen test subjects have all died. They have decided to continue the experiments on Yaya—an insane decision, but one we cannot resist. We believe that the evolution and breakthrough of life should bring something beautiful… not evil or disaster to humanity.

For all these days, I have been tormented by my conscience. Even though I know this is not my fault, seeing our research—our data—turned into the executioner’s blade in their hands, I think, when we die, our souls will surely descend to hell.

So I thought of you—I thought of you, my once dearest friend. I remembered how, when we met again, you seemed to be working in some mysterious field. Perhaps you can help us end this evil.

Please believe in my sincerity—for this is not about scientific truth, but the conscience of an ordinary human being.

All these years, watching the birth of Number One, and the death of Number Fifteen, every time I saw those vibrant lives cease their heartbeats on the cold operating table, I could not help but think of my own child… A life just the same, unworthy of such trampling.

And Yaya… she is our last hope for redemption.

Please trust this is our final decision… We have resolved to end this evil.

As for Yaya, I have found a way to send her out. I hope once she reaches you, you can look after her for a while.

My only concern is for my son, Chen Xiao. All these years, for his utmost safety, we have minimized contact with him. Every time we met, they had people watching us closely. I think, after this, Chen Xiao will definitely become their object of suspicion. But, based on my knowledge of their internal protocols, they will only observe him for a fixed period—about two years. During those two years, they will find nothing suspicious about him, and then they will let him go.

I only wish my son could live beneath a free sky, far from evil.

I believe: What goes around comes around.

Your loyal friend,
Xiao”

That was the end of the letter.

From his mother’s words, Chen Xiao gleaned several valuable truths. First, the letter was written to someone called “Three,” whom his mother addressed as “Black Three”—a name that immediately reminded Chen Xiao of “Red Seven,” whom he had encountered. There seemed to be a connection there.

Second, just as he had suspected, his father and mother were involved in some mysterious research, apparently under duress, forced into actions that tormented their consciences. His mother was deeply troubled, and eventually made a decision, writing to “Black Three” for help. This plea was likely related to Yaya.

Third, what made Chen Xiao’s heart pound with irrepressible excitement: his parents’ past was absolutely not what it seemed—they never simply worked at an ordinary chemical and liquefied gas institute. As for their deaths… the truth was now within reach!

Fourth, Yaya was Number Sixteen. His mother’s letter stated that Numbers One through Fifteen had all died.

And most importantly:

His parents had always been protecting him! They had minimized visits and contact, leaving him to fend for himself in their homeland. He’d once harbored resentment and even anger toward them for this.

But now he understood—everything was done out of love and protection!

…

…

Moreover… his parents’ death was not an ordinary accident?

Not an accident!

Not an accident!!

…

…

Chen Xiao’s heart surged. He gripped the letter, head bowed low, his face unreadable. Only his trembling fingers betrayed his emotions.

After a long while, he finally looked up at Yaya. His expression was grave. “You… have you ever seen these things down here? Do you know what they are?”

Yaya shook her head in confusion.

Chen Xiao was silent. He carefully reread the letter, then picked up the leather-bound notebook.

He opened the first page—it was a diary!

“May 5th.

Today, ‘Number Eleven’ was born—a boy. He is our sixth boy so far. We are all excited; the little one is strong and healthy. Numbers Nine and Ten have already begun to show exceptional qualities and abilities, to our delight. I think our experiments are heading in the right direction! We are uncovering the greatness of human life, seeking its deepest mysteries…

I’m especially fond of Number Eleven, because he was born on the same day as my son’s birthday. Today, Chen Xiao turned three, but sadly, I wasn’t with him.”

“September 9th.

Numbers Thirteen and Fourteen were born—two girls this time. We had prepared everything to welcome them. Unfortunately, Number Thirteen still… This was the first time I witnessed a subject’s death with my own eyes. Seeing that newborn baby’s heartbeat stop in the nutrient embryo dish, I wept uncontrollably. I cried in the bathroom for a long time. I miss my son so much.”

“October 6th, Number Sixteen was born. A girl this time—she was beautiful and so adorable. At my ardent request, I was finally allowed to enter the birthing chamber and witness the child’s birth up close—instead of watching from the isolated observation room.

The little one’s eyes were captivating. Someday, she will grow into a beautiful young lady. Listening to her innocent cries, I decided to name her Yaya. Isn’t that lovely?”

By this point, the diary’s tone revealed a faint warmth.

“Yaya…” Chen Xiao looked at the girl beside him, his gaze softening. “Your birthday is October sixth… And your name was given to you by my mother.”

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