Chapter 55 - Deeply In Love With You [Quick Transmigration]

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Chapter 55: Mutual Direction (2)

 

 

Ye Zhi, walking alongside, discreetly assessed the two assistants, then turned his gaze to Zong Que. The man's return had only been approved after intense debate among the three great families. Many had opposed it, believing someone without moral integrity had no place in the central labs. But the truth behind the past incident remained murky—and Zong Que, facing what lay ahead, showed not a trace of hesitation or fear.

 

The elevator rose, carrying them to the top floor, where the meeting room sat like a suspended disc. As the doors opened, Zong Que glanced at the two nervous young men beside him, gave a slight signal, and stepped inside.

 

The spacious conference hall was dimly lit. People filled the massive semi-circular seats—some in formal attire, others in military uniforms. At the center sat three elders, each commanding the attention of the room like gravitational points drawing all orbits toward them.

 

On the left was an aged man wearing glasses, his every silver strand meticulously groomed. On the right sat a uniformed general, thin but ramrod straight beneath his insignia. And in the center was a kindly elder with gentle features and bright eyes, exuding an air of warm benevolence.

 

The Shen Family. The Feng Family. The Ye Family.

 

These were the patriarchs of the three great clans—also the highest leaders of the Alliance.

 

Through centuries of scientific advancement and political upheaval, the three families had endured. Part of it owed to their extended lifespans—but more than that, to their talent in recognizing and nurturing others.

 

A clan leader might not be the most brilliant among them—but he would always be the one who best understood how to ensure his family's legacy.

 

Seated in the semicircle were nearly all of the Alliance's top leaders. At the very center, lights illuminated the presentation platform—equipped with the most advanced technology and the most expensive instruments the Alliance could offer.

 

Luo Xin's breathing trembled ever so slightly. As Ye Zhi entered behind them, he said, "Doctor, you may proceed with presenting your current research results."

 

"Mm." Zong Que stepped onto the central platform, donned his gloves and protective gear, then opened the case Luo Xin had handed over and removed a series of petri dishes.

 

The projection screen came to life, casting his every movement onto the surrounding walls with sharp clarity.

 

"What I'm about to present," Zong Que said, as he activated the control interface and brought up visuals and text, "is the birth-pod technology."

 

"As humanity expands into deep space, the human body has come under increasing pressure. While embryos may still implant, full-term pregnancies have become rare—some embryos fail to implant at all. This isn't degeneration. It's evolution. The next generation will require stronger physiques to survive interstellar conditions, and the falling birthrate reflects the body's inability to meet the demands of that evolution."

 

With the evolution of human genes and the extension of lifespan, the once-fragile maternal body could no longer provide the nutrition necessary to sustain these enhanced embryos. Instead, the body treated them as foreign threats—rejecting their implantation, halting their gestation, and blocking their progress.

 

Yet when humans reproduced with merfolk, not only could children be born successfully—they were born stronger, healthier. This was due to the formidable genetic constitution of merfolk: their bodies were capable of enduring the toll of gestation and supporting the evolutionary leap that nature demanded.

 

Even modified merfolk, who bore only fragments of that physiology, showed slightly improved fertility rates compared to ordinary humans—but still fell short of what was needed.

 

The birth-pod, however, could solve this.

 

It allowed embryos to be synthesized externally and nurtured within an artificial pod. There, they could receive nutrients and energy the maternal body could no longer provide—facilitating safe, healthy growth and birth.

 

"You mean to say," a researcher from the back row stood up and asked, "that children could be produced in batches? That raises serious ethical concerns. If we can mass-produce children, it could lead to genetic sorting—eliminating those deemed inferior, while favoring high-quality genes. Some families might have thousands of offspring, while others might see none. Dr. Zong, how do you answer to that?"

 

"The artificial womb project, also known as external embryo gestation technology, was designed with these issues in mind," Zong Que replied evenly. "The pod does not entirely sever the embryo from the parent. It is connected to the human body via the navel, allowing the host to provide essential nutrients. Supplemental nutrition is delivered externally, easing the strain on the body."

 

Studies had shown that embryos could form emotional bonds and retain memory while still in the womb. Children born en masse, entirely detached from human touch, might grow up emotionally stunted—unable to bond, unfit for society. This danger to social order had halted many promising technologies before.

 

At Zong Que's words, the conference room fell briefly silent before murmurs began to ripple across the chamber again.

 

Another voice rose with challenge: "So this means not only mothers can gestate children—fathers could too, even strangers. If the uterus is no longer necessary, does that render motherhood obsolete?"

 

"Embryo formation requires both parents," Zong Que said, turning toward the speaker. "That's elementary biology."

 

All eyes turned toward the person who had spoken. That individual frowned and replied, "They could just be donors…"

 

"Social regulation will be managed by social systems," said the elder seated in the center, smiling serenely. "If Dr. Zong's artificial womb technology is brought to market, new legal frameworks and policies will naturally be created. There's no need to worry about that now."

 

The man's expression shifted, and after a quiet "Understood," he sat back down.

 

"Dr. Zong," said the elder on the left, adjusting his glasses, "if your demonstration reflects reality, then our earlier concern—that children would be manufactured like machines—no longer stands. But where exactly is the progress now?"

 

At this, the entire room stilled, collective breath held. This was the heart of it all.

 

"A prototype has already been completed," Zong Que replied, opening another experimental case.

 

Even the three elders at the head of the room paused in surprise. "You've completed one already?"

 

"Yes. Though it required all available resources, it is ready—though not yet tested." He retrieved the petri dish and presented it to the audience.

 

Flesh-toned and gossamer-thin, like a cicada's wing.

 

"Wouldn't this shatter with the slightest pressure?" someone asked, skeptical.

 

"This is merely the core membrane," Zong explained. "It's constructed using cellular simulation technology and adjusts as the fetus grows. It can eventually hold an adult human without rupture."

 

One question followed another, and he answered each in turn.

 

Questions about cost, whether it could be removed midway—yes, though the connector alone is as complex and expensive as the device itself and requires specialized handling. Yes, it must be worn on the human body. Yes, there are limitations.

 

And yet, despite the cost, many eyes grew bright as he spoke.

 

Because compared to seeking out deep-sea merfolk or perfecting their gene-modification techniques, this was almost trivial. The potential benefits far outweighed the expense.

 

It was a revolutionary breakthrough—one that could carry humanity into a new age.

 

Some were visibly stirred, filled with anticipation and ambition.

Others sat pale-faced, their disdain barely hidden.

 

The presentation concluded. Zong Que shook hands with the three elders, and the formal agreements were delivered to him afterward.

 

The patent for artificial womb technology. A top-tier laboratory. Leadership of the project. Freedom to select his own researchers. A seat at the three-family council. Elite compensation and benefits. The only condition: the patent belonged to the Alliance, and the profits would be split thirty–seventy—Zong Que taking thirty, the Alliance seventy.

 

In this age, technology was paramount. And reproduction had been deemed the Alliance's highest priority. Every major breakthrough promised immense wealth in patent revenue alone.

 

Thirty percent was the maximum share ever offered—an unmistakable gesture of goodwill.

 

"Dr. Zong," said the patriarch of the Feng family with a genial smile, "if you have any other requests, don't hesitate. Whatever the Alliance can give, we will."

 

"It's about the merfolk," Zong Que said evenly.

 

The three elders were momentarily taken aback. From the side, Ye Zhi's brow shifted as he spoke: "Grandfather, the deep-sea merman's partner candidate list can be expanded by one."

 

"Very well," said General Ye, his gaze falling on Zong Que. "Though much cannot be proven, what's done in the dark will eventually come to light*."

 

[T/N: The original Chinese saying is: "走夜路多了，總會碰到鬼"

"Walk the night long enough, and you'll eventually meet a ghost."

It implies that if someone continually engages in shady, risky, or unethical behavior, they will eventually face consequences or be "caught" — metaphorically encountering a "ghost."]

 

The artificial womb project had been shelved in the Central Laboratory for years. Even with Zong Que's earlier papers, the expected timeline had been projected at over a century—yet now he had results.

 

Plagiarism?

 

If it had been a truly groundbreaking discovery, there might have been room for suspicion. But the so-called "plagiarized" work from back then? Not even worth a second thought.

 

To let such a petty accusation ruin an entire life? Unthinkable.

 

Zong Que listened to the elder's subtle praise without reaction. "It's not about the deep-sea merman," he said. "It's about merfolk modification technology."

 

The deep-sea merman's partner selection is just a game of politics and power—this wasn't speculation, it was established fact.

 

"Merfolk modification technology?" The elder of the Feng family raised a brow. "Is there something wrong with it?"

 

"Now that the birth-pod technology has matured, I hope the research into merfolk modification can be terminated," Zong Que said calmly.

 

Only by halting the merfolk modification program could the existential threat to the deep-sea merfolk be reduced.

 

If the laws of the world ever guided humanity and merfolk to merge again, then let it be by the merfolk's own formidable strength—not through mutual devastation.

 

"If the birth-pod technology truly leads to evolution, then merfolk modification will no longer be necessary," said the elder from the Shen family, exhaling slowly.

 

Those humans transformed into merfolk had lived with painful limitations—mere stopgap sacrifices.

 

"Indeed," the other two elders nodded in agreement. "We accept your condition. But it must wait until the birth-pod technology is proven fully viable."

 

"Mm," Zong Que replied.

 

The agreement was revised, and his signature added to the page.

 

"How about I reserve you a spot among the deep-sea merman's partner candidates?" the head of the Feng family asked with a grin, eyes studying the young man before him.

 

He was handsome, promising, and capable. While the merfolk were a strength to any house, Zong Que's presence was an asset to the entire Alliance—easily on par with the heirs of the three great families, if not surpassing them. A man like this could become a serious contender.

 

"No need. I already have a lover," Zong Que said simply.

 

There had been no conclusion between them, but to the other, Zong Que was already a lifelong partner.

 

The Feng patriarch froze for a moment, then chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Very well, then. Rest well."

 

"Thank you," Zong Que replied.

 

…

 

Once the signing was over and the others had left, Luo Xin visibly relaxed when he saw Zong Que emerge. He rubbed his stiff cheeks and said, "That was the first time I've ever seen that many big shots in one place—I was scared stiff."

 

"Same here," Liu Chao chimed in.

 

"Your families are all on Planet A?" Zong Que asked as he stepped out of the conference hall after the three elders had gone.

 

"Yeah. I thought getting into the Research Institute was already a big deal. Who knew I'd be shipped off to some godforsaken backwater the moment I got in? I really thought I'd never make it back," Luo Xin said with a grin, trailing behind him. "It's all thanks to you, Doctor."

 

"Pretty much the same for me," Liu Chao added.

 

"There'll be a personnel selection in the lab over the next couple of days," Zong Que said as he pressed the elevator button. "You two have three days off. Go home, see your families."

 

"Thank you, Doctor!" the two chimed in simultaneously.

 

As the elevator descended, the two young men grew visibly more excited. Zong Que, on the other hand, was focused on the personnel list from the Central Research Institute.

 

The elevator doors opened from the outside. Zong Que looked up briefly to check the floor. As he turned, he saw several people waiting to enter.

 

In an instant, the cheerful chatter inside the elevator fell silent. The people waiting outside also faltered when they caught sight of Zong Que, expressions darkening subtly.

 

Only the man in front—a square-faced man—smiled faintly. "What a coincidence."

 

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