Chapter 124: I Will Be Very Gentle

Before Mo Niannian could seek out Jiang Hu, he came looking for her first.

He adjusted his glasses and said, "I have done everything you asked. Now, it is time for you to fulfill your promise."

The intense, burning light in his eyes as he looked at her made Mo Niannian’s skin crawl. This man was truly disturbed.

Jiang Hu led the way to his laboratory. He opened a hidden door on the wall and ushered Mo Niannian into an inner chamber. This room was less cluttered, and Mo Niannian caught a glimpse of his research reports. She felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter, unsure of what he might do next.

*Click.* Jiang Hu shut the hidden door and flicked on the laboratory lights. They flooded the room, reflecting off the cold, sterile surfaces.

He put on a white lab coat, smoothed his cuffs, and smiled at her. "Don't be nervous, Niannian. I will be very gentle."

His words only served to make her more anxious. He was truly the male lead with maximum malice—a lunatic beyond measure.

Jiang Hu attempted to hypnotize her again, but Mo Niannian showed no signs of succumbing. The light in his eyes grew even more fervent. "You are truly special, Niannian."

"…Thank you for the compliment," she replied.

Following this, Jiang Hu conducted a series of tests, even drawing a vial of her blood for some unknown purpose. At this rate, he would eventually dissect her to further his research. This could not continue.

Mo Niannian’s eyes flickered. "Jiang Hu, can we talk about your experiments? I’m curious."

She sat beside him, eyes wide and fixed on him. She remained quiet, her gaze filled with genuine curiosity, waiting for him to speak.

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Hu began, "Stem cell cultivation for human organ transplantation. If successful, from a certain perspective, humanity could achieve immortality."

"That’s impressive," Mo Niannian said, playing along.

"Brain transplantation is difficult. Everyone’s consciousness, energy, and thoughts are different."

The most effective method currently was to transplant brain cells into others. Jiang Hu, however, sought a different path. He wanted to cultivate and replicate an entire person—a true resurrection.

Mo Niannian only had a surface-level understanding of these things, but having lived for so long, she knew a little about everything. Occasionally, she would ask him questions or offer him new perspectives.

This was the first time anyone had listened to him so quietly, keeping him company. It was like having a toy, yet she was more vivid and lively than any plaything he had ever possessed.

[Male lead’s malice reduced by 5. Current malice: 95.]

Mo Niannian: "..."

She could never quite grasp the logic behind his malice reduction. Was it purely based on his mood?

Seeing that the moment was right, Mo Niannian frowned, looking troubled. "This approach of yours won't work."

Jiang Hu turned to look at her intently.

"If your goal is human immortality, how can you achieve it if you don't even understand humanity?"

Jiang Hu fell into deep thought. "I know everyone’s thoughts."

No one could escape his hypnosis; under its influence, all darkness was laid bare. The filthy, unspeakable thoughts were all exposed. He knew that the human heart was filthier and more terrifying than anything else. He wasn't even sure why he was conducting this research. Perhaps he had just needed something to do, happened upon this field, and became intrigued. Who was to say that immortality was happiness? To repent for one's sins throughout an endless life—that was the greatest agony.

"That may be true," Mo Niannian countered, "but there are always exceptions. Look at me—I’m immune to your hypnosis."

"Wald once said that you can only understand the essence of a thing if you study it and see through it." She had never bluffed so hard in her life; she didn't even know what she was spouting, and she had no idea who "Wald" was.

She improvised, rambling on from the origins of the universe to biological differences, from the individual to the collective. She spouted every bit of nonsense she could conjure until her throat was dry.

Jiang Hu’s expression darkened slightly. "Are you saying I should experience the life of a normal person?"

Mo Niannian lied through her teeth. "Of course. Think about it: brain cells determine a person's thoughts and actions. Even the slightest difference can cause massive changes. If you don't study it closely and experience it yourself, how can you perceive those subtle gaps?"

Jiang Hu remained silent for a long time. Mo Niannian felt a knot in her stomach. This was the most nerve-wracking mission she had ever undertaken; she almost wanted to just knock him out and be done with it.

Finally, Jiang Hu gave a slight nod. "I understand."

"So, you agree?"

Jiang Hu nodded again. He turned to look at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I would like for you to accompany me, Niannian."

His gold-rimmed glasses obscured his eyes, but the smile didn't reach them; his gaze remained a deep, impenetrable black.

This was exactly what Mo Niannian had hoped for, so she readily agreed.

"Then, will you listen to me from now on?"

Jiang Hu hesitated for two seconds, then smiled. "I will listen to you."

Mo Niannian straightened her back, emboldened. "Very well, then. We’re stopping your experiments for now. We’re going out to experience life properly."

She had to get him away from this lab; otherwise, there was no telling what he might do.

Jiang Hu’s lips curved upward. "Very well."

Mo Niannian grew even more confident. "There are far more interesting things in this world than experiments. Trust me, you’ll like them."

*Hopefully, he’ll forget this wretched experiment entirely.* In the original plot, Jiang Hu had killed countless people for this; his hypnotic abilities were essentially invincible in this world, which led to its chaos and eventual collapse. She was determined to keep him as far away from his experiments as possible.

Even Mo Niannian found it incredible that he had agreed to leave the lab with her so easily. Walking down the bustling street, she felt a sense of unreality.

"You wouldn't lie to me, would you, Niannian?" Jiang Hu asked with a soft smile. He was still attached to her, so he was giving her this one chance. She had better not disappoint him.

"Of course not! You can count on me," she promised immediately.

Jiang Hu looked away. "Where are we going?"

"Follow me. There are many delicacies hidden in these streets and alleys—the deeper you go, the more enticing they are." Mo Niannian reached out and took Jiang Hu's hand, leading him into the maze of streets.

She didn't think much of it, but Jiang Hu stared at their joined hands for a long time before smiling.

[Male lead’s malice reduced by 1. Current malice: 94.]

Mo Niannian glanced at him, puzzled. The rules governing his malice reduction were truly bizarre.