Power and Wealth

Before noon.

Research center.

No. 2 isolation room. Zhong Lizhen thought for a while and made a decision. She got up from her bed. Since no one can rescue her, she will find a way to escape.

Digital lock….

𝒇𝑟e𝗲𝚠𝚎𝐛𝗻𝐨νel. 𝒄om

I need an access card….

I still need a fingerprint….

Zhong Lizhen looked at that large metal door and pushed up her spectacles. She walked over and examined the access device. After that, she returned to the projector by the meeting table. She opened the casing and dismantled a circuit board. She reached in again and pulled out a sharp component. She placed it beside her and reached in again.

One minute….

Two minutes….

Four components were dismantled and placed beside her.

Zhong Lizhen kept them in her pocket and walked to another device. She opened the casing and took out a small electronic device.

After getting all the necessary components, she walked to the door again.

She touched the fingerprint device and removed a sharp object from her pocket. She stuck it in and forced it open.

The fingerprint device’s casing opened quickly.

Zhong Lizhen was focused and counted the remaining time before the alarm started. She only got 10 seconds. She quickly removed a small green component and stuck two wires into the exposed circuit board. Five seconds… three seconds… one second….

The alarm did not sound.

Zhong Lizhen was not surprised. She cut a blue wire with a nail clipper and the digital lock device screen blackout. After that, she used the nail clipper and pulled out a circuit board. She replaced it with one of the components in her pocket.

It’s done.

Zhong Lizhen took a deep breath and pressed her ears to the door to listen for outside sounds. She could not hear anything as the room was soundproof. She hesitated for a few seconds.

She only wants to return home.

Zhong Lizhen pulled out a red wire, and the sparks flew from the circuit board.

A miracle happened.

The digital lock is opened, which requires an access card, pin, and fingerprint.

Zhong Lizheen pulled the door handle, and the door opened.

The isolation room is located in the west wing, and there is not much staff here. The corridors are empty. Zhong Lizhen stuck her head out and walked out cautiously. She listened carefully for any sounds before walking quickly to the stairs. She knew her chances to escape were slim, but she got to try.

One step….

Five steps….

Ten steps….

Zhong Lizhen had no problems with the digital lock, but her movements were not as smooth. She tripped while descending the stairs and made a loud sound when she knocked on the door.

Thump….

Immediately, a few doors opened.

“What?!” Someone left a room and saw Zhong Lizhen holding her arm on the stairs.

*Clock….

The soldier clocked his gun and grabbed Zhong Lizhen.

A middle-aged man in uniform and holding a plate of food saw them. He stopped. “Professor Zhong.” He was the man who had spoken to her earlier.

Zhong Lizhen knew she was caught and kept quiet.

The soldier was furious. He would be held responsible if Professor Zhong escaped. Luckily, he heard sounds and came out to check.

The soldier looked at Zhong Lizhen angrily. “How did you get out?!”

That soldier was stationed at the research center for a while and knew the isolation room was secured. Professor Zhong’s fingerprint and access were removed, and she could not leave the room. She also does not have a pin or access card. How did she escape from the room?

“What’s the point of doing this, Professor Zhong?” The middle-aged man frowned.

Zhong Lizhen looked at him. “What do you think, David? I want to return home!”

David looked at the soldier. “Let go of Professor Zhong.”

David’s authority is relatively high in the research center, and that soldier lets go of Zhong Lizhen’s arm. “She….”

David sighed. “It’s my fault. I did not expect her to escape from the isolation room. But she is the top scientist in the research center, and digital locks cannot stop her. I will get someone to repair the lock later and bring her to another isolation room. We will add another physical lock outside to prevent her from escaping again. I will also inform the higher-ups.”

The soldier replied. “Yes.”

“Let’s go, Professor Zhong. I brought your lunch.” David said.

Isolation room.

The door was opened, and soldiers were stationed outside. They were not worried about her escaping; only Zhong Lizhen and David were in the room.

“Here’s your lunch, Professor Zhong.”

“Stop pretending. I am not hungry.”

“I will not report to the higher-ups about what happened. But you….”

“I know what you want! I will never agree!”

“Don’t be so sure. I am not the one who wanted your research. It is the higher-ups.”

“Stop wasting your time. You all should know my character well. I would not change my mind if I decided on something. Do you think I am scared of you telling the higher-ups? Go ahead!”

“It will not be as simple as adding another lock if I inform the higher-ups.”

“You don’t need to threaten me. It’s useless.”

David looked at Zhong Lizhen. “I can tell you that China had sent people to save you. They failed. You should know how secure this research center is. No one can enter.”

Zhong Lizhen did not say anything.

David continued. “You only have one choice. Complete this research first. I had spoken with the higher-ups, and they consider letting you return after it.”

Zhong Lizhen sneered. “David, I am one to two years older than you. Do you think I will believe these lies?”

David replied. “I am not lying. As long as this research is successful, you can make any request. You should know how important this research is.”

Zhong Lizhen shook her head. “it’s impossible.”

“Why?” David frowned. “Don’t you want to go home?”

“I want to go home and serve my motherland. I don’t want to go home as a loser. Your country had disappointed me, and don’t even think of making me work for you all!” Zhong Lizhen sat on the chair and started eating. “What else do you want today? Go and report to the higher-ups if you want.”

“Professor Zhong….”

Zhong Lizhen did not look at him and continued to eat. “Your people are despicable and will use underhand methods to get what you want. I had seen through you all. Someone will teach you all a lesson!”

David’s face changed.

Suddenly, someone in the isolation room clapped.

“Haha…. Well said.” A young man was clapping on a chair in the corner of the isolation room. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a coat.

Zhong Lizhen and David were stunned.

When did this man enter the room?

Although the door was left open, they did not see anyone coming in.