Wang Xuewei was aware of the old professor's problem and worried that these hard-won research results might be lost. So, while Professor He was resting for half a day, she took these few pages of paper to scan into the computer for electronic archiving.
Just then, she suddenly remembered that she had left at home a contract she had signed with a client the day before, so she casually put the important data in a folder and drove home.
She was worried that it would be inconvenient to carry this folder around to find something in the room, and she didn't want to leave such an important thing lying around, so she casually handed it to Yang Hongtao. Who would have thought that she had only been upstairs for a short while when she came downstairs to find that Yang Hongtao had smeared Professor He's research results like this.
This is the only research data available! And it represents the future hope of Xinda Daily Chemicals. If it were completely destroyed, Wang Xuewei would probably even contemplate suicide!
Fortunately, Yang Hongtao only smeared one of the three research data sheets, and it was one that Professor He had just compiled not long ago. Presumably, even if Professor He didn't have a data backup, he should still be able to restore the data equations based on this messed-up document.
So although Wang Xuewei wanted nothing more than to bite Yang Hongtao, the culprit, she knew that now was not the time to settle scores with him. She simply glared at Yang Hongtao fiercely, wiped away her tears, carefully put away all the research data, and ran out of the villa as fast as she could...
Yang Hongtao only snapped out of his inexplicable excitement at this moment. When he saw that Wang Xuewei had taken away all those interesting data equations, he felt extremely unhappy, as if a piece of his flesh had been ripped out.
He looked as frustrated as someone who had finally gotten a winning hand in mahjong, only to have it snatched away at the crucial moment. He clenched his fist at Wang Xuewei's slender back and said coldly, "Hey... I was clearly helping you correct those equations and data, and you... how can you not know that? Uh... fine, don't come begging me later!"
Seeing Yang Hongtao still making sarcastic remarks, Wang Xuewei was instantly enraged. She turned around, snorted heavily, and said, "You think you can help me correct those equations and data? Humph... I seriously doubt you can even recognize a few of the symbols on this paper... You really don't know your place! We'll settle this score later. If these data can't be restored, then I... I'll take you down with me!"
After saying this, Wang Xuewei ignored the dumbfounded Yang Hongtao, immediately pushed open the door, got into her secondhand Buick, and sped away...
Volume 1 The Rebirth of a Prodigy Chapter 007 Professor He
"Professor He, do you think... these data and equations can be restored?"
After leaving the villa, Wang Xuewei didn't dare to delay for a moment. She took the data sheet that was smeared messily and returned to the laboratory of Xinda Daily Chemicals. At the same time, she called Professor He, who had taken half a day off, from the car and asked him to come back immediately.
The two returned to the lab almost one after the other. Although Wang Xuewei hadn't explained what had happened on the phone, Professor He could roughly guess that there might be a problem with his experimental data, which represented months of hard work, so he couldn't help but be nervous.
Seeing that the sheet of experimental data and equations he had personally recorded was completely scribbled on by someone, his wrinkled old face immediately turned pale. He practically pointed at Wang Xuewei's nose and roared, "What kind of work are you doing? This is the result of more than a dozen of us working hard for months, and you just used it like scrap paper to scribble on! I know that your family paid for this research, so even if there are huge losses, it's your problem. But what do you take us for? Toys that you rich people can play with? If that's the case, then I can tell you... I'm done! No matter how much money your family offers, I, He, will not serve you anymore!"
"No, no, no... Professor He, please let me explain!" Wang Xuewei turned deathly pale when she heard that Professor He was about to give up.
If this project were to be interrupted because of this, then the Xinda Daily Chemical Company, which her father founded, would probably not be far from bankruptcy. She hurriedly explained, "This wasn't me, it was my... a friend of mine... he didn't know how important this was, so... Professor He, I know it was my fault, but... you have to believe me, I really didn't mean to! Otherwise, I wouldn't have rushed back to you so urgently! I just wanted to see if there was any way to salvage it, right? If even you can't do anything, then I... I'll..." Wang Xuewei couldn't help but burst into tears as she spoke.
"Okay... don't cry, don't cry..."
Although Professor He was seething with anger, it was only temporarily extinguished by Wang Xuewei's tears. In fact, he understood that no matter how extravagant Wang Xuewei was, she wouldn't be idle enough to invest a large sum of money to produce a scientific research result and then destroy it herself. In fact, Professor He knew a little about the predicament faced by Xinda Daily Chemicals, so he naturally believed that this was not Wang Xuewei's intention. However, seeing his hard work ruined like this, he couldn't help but grumble.
Seeing Wang Xuewei crying so sadly, he naturally couldn't say anything harsh. He could only shake his head helplessly, picking up the data sheet and examining it carefully as he said, "Well... luckily, I only calculated these equations today, so they're still fresh in my mind. Hmm... not much data has been completely erased. As long as I organize it properly, I should be able to restore it quickly... wait... this... how come it's like this! Ah... so this equation can be solved like this..."
As Professor He finished speaking, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, and the expression on his face changed from anger to shock and delight! Then, Professor He ran to his desk with great speed, grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, and began to record and draw rapidly, referring to the data sheet that Yang Hongtao had scribbled over.
Professor He has always insisted on using pen and paper to record experimental data and calculate equations. His pen and paper skills are quite remarkable. In just a short time, he had already filled five or six pages with writing and drawing, and he still showed no sign of stopping.
His expression grew increasingly excited, his eyebrows dancing with joy as if he had become twenty years younger.
Although Professor He would occasionally show a hint of confusion or bewilderment during the calculations, he would immediately understand once he glanced at the messy data sheet.
"Professor He...Professor He...is it difficult to restore the data?"
Seeing Professor He's cheerful demeanor, Wang Xuewei assumed that restoring the data sheet wouldn't be too difficult. However, noticing that Professor He originally only had one data sheet, but had written so much and was still not finished, she couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Unfortunately, Professor He seemed to be bewitched at this moment, ignoring everything she said and never once looking up at her.
Could it be that... what Zhou Ziwei wrote on this paper wasn't just random scribbles?
Professor He's appearance made Wang Xuewei involuntarily have some doubts. Although she and Zhou Ziwei were only a nominal couple, she had done some research on Zhou Ziwei in order to make it easier for them to get along. She knew that the guy was a good-for-nothing spendthrift who dropped out of high school and spent his days hanging out with shady people.
It's utterly impossible for such a scoundrel to understand the complex equations Professor He recorded, let alone help Professor He correct and solve difficult problems. It's a joke. Wang Xuewei would rather believe that the sun rose in the west than believe that Zhou Ziwei has such great abilities.
Hmm... Professor He must have suddenly had a burst of inspiration and solved the problem that had been troubling him for so long! Uh... that must be it!
After much thought, Wang Xuewei could only come to this conclusion, and she was too lazy to think about whether it was reasonable or not.
"A genius! He's truly a remarkable genius!"
Wang Xuewei waited for over two hours before Professor He, who had been engrossed in the equations, finally put down his pen and paper, looking at her eagerly. He said, "Tell me quickly, who is the teacher who helped you correct and solve the equations? I must visit him immediately. Hmm... with his knowledge, he must be a leading authority in applied chemistry in China, right? Could it be Dr. Yu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences? Yes... it must be Dr. Yu. Besides him, I really can't think of anyone else who could solve so many difficult problems so easily in such a short time?"
"Professor He, what...what are you saying?"
Wang Xuewei was already stunned by Professor He's words. If she hadn't misunderstood, Professor He seemed to mean that the data scribbled on the paper wasn't actually random, and it even seemed to be very helpful to Professor He's research... But how could that be? Wang Xuewei really couldn't believe this result.
"Wasn't I clear enough?" Professor He said somewhat displeased, "Xiao Wang, since your company has hired a scientist of this caliber, it's unlikely you need an old man like me to keep stirring things up! But you don't have to try to get rid of me like this, do you? Hmm... you called me back less than half an hour after you took these data sheets, which means... the time that professor spent from seeing these data to solving these problems was definitely no more than twenty-five minutes. So if he were to personally lead the research and development of this project, it would probably be 100% successful in less than a week! Sigh... the difference! This is the huge difference brought about by the level of knowledge! Fine... I'll risk my old face. If you can let me be that professor's assistant for a week, then... not only will I not need your company to pay me a single penny, I can even... I can even pay you a certain amount of exchange fees. Is that alright?"
Wang Xuewei almost fainted when she heard this. Now she began to wonder if the old man had lost his mind because he saw his hard work being ruined like this. Otherwise, why would he say such nonsense?
"Professor He, you... why don't you take another look? Are you sure... that what my friend wrote on it isn't just scribbling?" Wang Xuewei hesitated for a long time before finally asking tentatively.
"What... are you questioning my professionalism?" Professor He's eyes widened immediately upon hearing this...
Volume 1 The Rebirth of a Prodigy Chapter 008 Miniature Safe
After Wang Xuewei walked away, Yang Hongtao gradually calmed down. He frowned and reflected for a moment, then immediately remembered that among the nearly one hundred death row inmates he had devoured, one of them seemed to have been an ordinary researcher at some research institute. The reason why that happened just now must have been due to the memories left behind by this guy!
This researcher's knowledge is truly extraordinary. Several of his papers have caused quite a stir worldwide, and his research projects have achieved unprecedented success. With his abilities, becoming an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing would not be a big problem.
However, this person was a bookworm by nature. Although he was very knowledgeable, he was not good at flattery and had extremely poor relationships with his superiors and colleagues. As a result, his papers were published under other people's names, and the results of the research projects he led were all patents applied for under other people's names. He himself was kept in the dark about these things and even watched his superiors and colleagues achieve success, get promoted and make money without knowing anything.
It wasn't until he learned the truth by sheer chance that he flew into a rage.
This honest person usually doesn't get angry, but once they do, they often lose their temper.
This guy was a typical honest man. When his tolerance reached its limit, he naturally picked up a kitchen knife and chopped all the leaders and colleagues who had taken advantage of him into mincemeat. Of course, he himself did not have a good ending and could only pay for his impulsiveness with a bullet!
After Yang Hongtao devoured the researcher's remnant soul, he only gained memories of the knowledge system related to applied chemistry. He didn't know much about the researcher's life story, so he wasn't sure how skilled the researcher was in life. Therefore, he wasn't sure how much of what he wrote on Wang Xuewei's data sheet was correct.
However, what's done is done, and there's no use regretting it now. Yang Hongtao didn't care too much. He then closed the door, went upstairs to Zhou Ziwei's room based on his memories from the past half month, took a hot shower, changed into a loose set of pajamas, and lay comfortably on the bed. He then closed his eyes and slowly sorted through the almost infinite vast memories in his mind.
Yang Hongtao had already sorted out most of the memories from the remnant souls of the nearly one hundred death row inmates he had devoured at the execution ground. Now, he needed to sort out the memories that he had just obtained, which originally belonged to Zhou Ziwei.
After all, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would likely be living under the name Zhou Ziwei from now on, so it would be essential for him to learn more about Zhou Ziwei's affairs.
Moreover, to use this identity safely, it is necessary to find out who the employer who hired the killer is as soon as possible. Otherwise, since that person was able to do it once, he is likely to do it again. Yang Hongtao does not want to live in fear every day.
However, after he roughly searched through the memories left by Zhou Ziwei, he was disappointed to find that this guy was simply an incurable lecherous gambler, because the so-called obsessions left in the boy's remnant soul were nothing more than various tricks and techniques for playing in bed and some gambling tricks.
As for information about Zhou Ziwei's interpersonal relationships before his death, and what frictions and conflicts of interest he had with whom, Yang Hongtao couldn't find any of it. It seems that finding out who the employer who hired the killer was from Zhou Ziwei's memories is extremely difficult.
Having no other choice, Yang Hongtao decided to take things one step at a time. He believed that as long as he was careful, he wouldn't be easily ambushed again.
The best course of action now is to use the memories of the nearly one hundred people he devoured to quickly build his own business. Whether it's to avenge his past life or to establish himself in his current role as Zhou Ziwei, a strong economic foundation is absolutely essential.
However, where to start and quickly earn his first pot of gold is still something to consider.
There's no need to rush into starting your own business. After all, Zhou Ziwei's past actions have already deeply impressed people. If he changes too quickly or too much at once, it might arouse suspicion among some people. So, the most important thing right now is to get to know the character of Zhou Ziwei as much as possible.
Thinking of this, Yang Hongtao jumped out of bed and started searching the room inside and out, trying to see if Zhou Ziwei had left any diaries, photo albums or the like. Generally speaking, to truly understand a person, one can often get unexpected surprises from these completely private things.
However, after checking everything, Yang Hongtao was somewhat disappointed.
It seems that Zhou Ziwei is indeed very lazy. There's hardly a pen in the whole room, so how could there be a diary? In this day and age, modern people usually vent their frustrations on Weibo rather than writing in their diaries. Very few people still use such an old-fashioned thing as a diary.
There was a laptop in the room, but it had been smashed and couldn't be turned on. Yang Hongtao took a quick look and figured it wouldn't be difficult to fix, but two pieces of hardware would need to be replaced.
However, just when Yang Hongtao thought he would end up with nothing, he unexpectedly discovered a miniature safe in a hidden compartment under the closet.
This discovery delighted Yang Hongtao. Clearly, the miniature safe was hidden so well that it must contain some secrets.
Well... it can only be some rather secret things. Given Zhou Ziwei's gambling addiction, he probably doesn't have anything valuable to hide.
Yang Hongtao was dumbfounded when he discovered that the miniature safe was equipped with an electronic lock. After absorbing the remnants of several master thieves, Yang Hongtao had become a legendary thief. Unfortunately, he was a rather traditional kind of master thief. If he encountered a mechanical lock, no matter how complex or bizarre it was, he was confident he could open it. But when he encountered an electronic lock, he was immediately helpless!
The safe in front of you has a touch screen LCD screen. You need to enter a password on it first, and then use an electronic key with a magnetic stripe to swipe in the card slot to open the safe.
No matter how skilled Yang Hongtao is at picking locks, it's useless against electronic locks that don't even have interlocking holes.
Now that he knows there might be something very useful to him hidden inside this safe, but he can't open it, Yang Hongtao is extremely annoyed. He even has the urge to just take an axe and chop this piece of junk in half.
Anyway, he is the nominal owner of this house and the current owner of this safe, so he is not afraid even if Zhou Ziwei installed alarms or other things in the safe before.
So what... It's my own safe, I can smash it for fun if I want, is it anyone else's business?
However, considering that the safe wasn't very big and that he didn't know what was inside, if he smashed it with an axe, the safe would probably be smashed open and the contents would be reduced to dust. So, after much hesitation, Yang Hongtao decided to first use a safer method to see what was inside the safe.
Fortunately, although Yang Hongtao did not have the legendary X-ray vision, he possessed a soul power that was even more magical and powerful than X-ray vision. As long as his soul power could cover an area, everything in it was as clear and distinct as if it were observed with a magnifying glass.
Although now that he possesses a living human body, it is much more difficult to release the soul power within his soul, and the loss of soul power is also quite severe in the process, Yang Hongtao is eager to discover the secrets in the safe, so he can't care about all that now.
Moreover, he simply wants to check what's in the safe. He only needs to concentrate his soul power and project it in one direction, instead of radiating outwards in a 360-degree circle with his body as the center as before. This way, the difficulty is naturally much lower, and the loss of soul power should not be too serious!
Once Yang Hongtao made up his mind, he didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately squatted down, getting as close as possible to the miniature safe, then closed his eyes, concentrated all his will, and mobilized the powerful soul energy within his soul, which slowly emanated from his forehead.
Volume 1: The Rebirth of a Prodigy, Chapter 009: Independent Soul Body
"brush--"
I sensed that wisp of intangible, formless soul power passing through a space of less than twenty centimeters, and then penetrating into the surface of the safe...
Huh! How... how could this be?!
As the power of his soul penetrated, Yang Hongtao could clearly sense the structural features of this miniature safe, and even "see" what material each layer was made of.
It seems that using the power of the soul to see through things is even more powerful than the legendary X-ray vision! This kind of penetrating sense allows one to easily understand the most essential inner nature of the object being seen through; in his eyes, there are no secrets left!
Yang Hongtao enjoyed the feeling of dissecting the essence of an object, so he didn't rush to completely see through the entire safe. Instead, he controlled his soul power to penetrate deeper little by little.
As his soul power penetrated the control center beneath the electronic lock, a thought suddenly struck him. He remembered that the thieving skills he had absorbed from the remnant soul were only useless against electronic locks, which left him somewhat resentful. Now that he possessed such formidable X-ray vision, why not take this opportunity to thoroughly study the true nature of this electronic lock? After all, an electronic lock is still a lock. He figured that once he understood its working principle, with his profound lock-picking skills, he might just be able to crack it with his own abilities!
Thinking of this, Yang Hongtao consciously stopped the soul power that had penetrated into the safe from penetrating deeper, and instead kept it below the electronic lock, carefully observing and studying its origin.
However, although his soul power did not penetrate deeper, in order to maintain a continuous connection between the soul power radiating outwards and himself, he had to continuously urge the soul power within his body to continue outputting.
In this way, the power of the soul began to accumulate continuously at that one point inside the safe...
Soon... when the soul power at that point reached an extremely high density, all the soul power gathered there suddenly began to rotate violently like a vortex. Then Yang Hongtao suddenly felt the soul power in his body begin to surge out uncontrollably and frantically, continuously pouring into the vortex formed by the soul power!
What's most terrifying is that once all the soul power is sucked into that vortex, it immediately undergoes a fundamental change. Yang Hongtao can clearly feel the existence of this soul power, but this feeling becomes somewhat faint, as if it is no longer the energy he himself possesses! Yang Hongtao tried several times, but he was completely unable to use his will to mobilize the soul power sucked into the vortex back into his body.
Yang Hongtao was truly startled. He had accumulated his soul power little by little by absorbing the remnants of hundreds of death row inmates. In just a short while, he had lost about 10% to 15% of it from this safe. That meant that the soul energy he had absorbed from more than a dozen remnants of souls had vanished. How could Yang Hongtao not feel heartbroken?
Sensing that the safe was still continuously absorbing the soul power emanating from between his eyebrows, seemingly without end, Yang Hongtao dared not continue to hold on any longer. In a panic, he forcibly severed the connection between his physical body and the released soul power.
With a "whoosh," the soul power that hadn't even had a chance to emerge from the skin was immediately drawn back by Yang Hongtao. However, the soul power that had already seeped out of the body was like a stone sinking into the sea, all of it entering the safe and sinking into that terrifying vortex!
Although Yang Hongtao was heartbroken at the loss of some of his soul power, he didn't take it too seriously. After all, if he wanted to, he could simply visit funeral homes and hospitals and find recently deceased remnants of souls to replenish the lost soul energy.
He originally thought that with this ability to project his soul power, he would have the same ability as to see through things, and that it would be quite easy to make his first fortune when he started his business.