NEC Chapter 34: The Miraculous X Drug

Upon entering the inner corridor of the East Xia Medical Academy’s Drug Research Center, Professor Li immediately noticed the armed guards stationed outside Laboratory Nine.

An unusual buzz permeated the research center. Researchers crowded in the shadows of the far corridor, craning their necks toward Laboratory Nine, whispering with a mix of confusion and curiosity in their eyes.

As Professor Li’s figure appeared, the crowd parted like waves before a mythical beast, greeting him with calls of “Teacher,” “Professor,” “Director,” and “Academician Li.”

The sealed laboratory and the event significant enough to involve the institute’s top figure only heightened everyone’s curiosity.

After the guards verified his identity and granted access, Professor Li completed the rigorous cleaning, disinfection, and gowning procedures. Minutes later, the isolation door opened, and Academician Li Yunhai stepped into Laboratory Nine.

A faint, refreshing fragrance greeted him, instantly lifting his spirits.

Adjusting his slightly curled gloves, he walked steadily to the sampling table, his gaze fixed on a small, jade-like white block.

The head of Laboratory Nine, Li’s third disciple Wu Mingzhe, handed over the complete lab records, his voice trembling slightly. “The material came from a military cooperative lab, designated as a batch of drugs for comprehensive performance testing.”

“There are six types in total. Five tested as conventional hemostatic and antibacterial plant-based products, with parameters within normal ranges. The original plant sources are unknown, and we’ve noted them for further observation.”

“This last one, we’ve temporarily named the X Drug. After opening its outer wrapping, it immediately felt extraordinary.”

“We took a micro-sample and used high-throughput confocal microscopy, high-content imaging cell workstations, fluorescent probe tracking, micropore array time-resolved immunoassays, and real-time in-situ metabolomics analyzers for the most comprehensive cross-analysis.”

“The results… defy comprehension!”

“Professor, the biological samples, upon contact with the drug’s components, were almost instantly ‘ignited’! Look here,” he pointed to a high-resolution image in the records, “mitochondria and telomere regions of the cells, after just 1.5 seconds of exposure, reacted as if fully charged, undergoing an extraordinary functional reversal! Activity skyrocketed!”

“All observed data, biological markers, and instrument feedback… everything points to an unbelievable fact: this substance can, in an extremely short time, fully activate cellular vitality and repair damaged tissues!”

“Composition? Unknown! Mechanism of action? Unknown! Pathway? Completely unknown!”

“I halted further expanded testing.”

Wu Mingzhe’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “I don’t know how much stock the military has, but given their high-level security measures… the supply must be limited, perhaps even a one-of-a-kind accidental discovery.”

“Professor, a drug of this caliber, if its performance is consistent, could save a life with every milligram at a critical moment! Or, we could push further in analyzing its composition.”

“I can’t risk wasting it!”

“Well done!” Academician Li snapped the record book shut, closed his eyes to recall the details for a few dozen seconds, then glanced back at the small drug block. After a moment’s hesitation, he ordered, “Take another micro-sample! Immediately replicate Experiments 1, 2, and 5! Be quick! Be precise! You handle it personally!”

Throughout the experiment, the old academician didn’t blink once. When all parameters were verified, and the exhilarating data was confirmed, Professor Li Yunhai paused for a moment, then entered the lab’s attached office and dialed an internal line.

As an academician of East Xia’s Natural Science Academy, given the nation’s high regard for senior scientific talent, Li could theoretically request contact with any East Xia leader.

After an anxious wait, the office staff relayed his communication request to Leader Cangming.

“Leader Simu, this is Li Yunhai.”

“Here’s the situation: the military just sent a drug for testing. Based on the results, I believe it could potentially help Vice Director Liu’s condition.”

“The military has strict confidentiality controls, and Vice Director Liu’s treatment plan doesn’t permit the use of drugs with unknown components, but I feel I must advocate for this. I can only make this request to you!”

“I urge you to help coordinate! I need to know the drug’s stock levels! Is there enough to support animal testing or emergency clinical human trials?”

“I want… to give Vice Director Liu a chance!”

After a few questions from the other end, Li’s voice grew heavier. “Yes, I’m leading Vice Director Liu’s treatment plan. His condition… it’s already… beyond recovery.”

“Yesterday, he was lucid for less than two hours, insisting we give him painkillers and continuing to work on documents from his hospital bed. If there’s even a sliver of hope, I beg you to fight for him!”

“Alright! Alright! I’ll await your response!” Li gripped the receiver, his knuckles white.

What followed was an agonizing wait.

Ten minutes later, Leader Cangming called back.

“Comrade Yunhai,” the leader’s voice was grave, “the drug you have is all there is. We can’t confirm if more will be acquired. Whether the stock supports clinical trials is your call.”

“But if you believe it could benefit Old Liu’s treatment plan, I authorize its use.”

Li Yunhai fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, “Please grant the authorization!”

Central-level authorization was a complex process. While awaiting approval, Professor Li returned to the hospital’s ICU, sitting quietly by Vice Director Liu’s bedside.

The frail, emaciated elderly man lying in the bed was the Vice Director of East Xia’s Natural Science Academy and an academician of the Engineering Technology Academy—a scientific titan who had devoted his entire life to East Xia’s technological advancement.

He had been in the ICU for over four months. Despite East Xia’s exhaustive efforts to save him, severe telomere damage and multi-organ failure had inevitably brought him to his final days.

Holding the old man’s skeletal hands, feeling their faint chill, Li Yunhai’s eyes stung with unshed tears.

A knock sounded at the door.

Outside stood Wu Mingzhe, carefully holding a temperature-controlled secure case, flanked by two somber military personnel carrying a sealed document pouch. The authorization was complete, and the drug had arrived.

Li Yunhai took a deep breath and stepped out. “To the emergency room!”

Outside the emergency room, Vice Director Liu’s wife and children, notified in advance, were waiting. Seeing Li Yunhai, their long-time attending physician, the elderly wife approached, her voice trembling. “Director Li, what’s happening? Is my Old Liu… is he…”

“We’ve discovered a new, potentially effective emergency treatment plan! We need your immediate authorization! Time is critical!” Li explained rapidly while scrubbing for surgery, gesturing for his assistant to hand the consent form to the family without looking back.

The children exchanged glances, but under the assistant’s persistent urging, they hurriedly signed.

The emergency room doors closed. Li Yunhai double-checked the lab’s meticulously calculated dosage and ordered in a slightly trembling voice, “Take 35 milligrams of the X Drug, 10 milliliters of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, let it hydrate for five minutes.”

“Establish a dedicated IV line in the right elbow!”

“Begin infusion, 1.0 milligram per minute, monitor the instruments closely!”

“Repeat the instructions!”

The assisting nurse and circulating nurse recited in turn, “X Drug 35 milligrams, 10 milliliters of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, hydrate for…”

“Instructions confirmed, execute immediately!”

Outside the emergency room, the children waited anxiously, arguing among themselves.

“What is this mess? We just signed without knowing anything!” the youngest son paced irritably, his footsteps thudding on the floor.

The eldest daughter, eyes red, said, “Didn’t they say there was no hope, that we wouldn’t put Dad through more suffering? Why are we doing this now…?”

“They didn’t even explain the treatment plan, just rushed us to sign…”

Suddenly, the emergency room door swung open.

Two nurses pushed out a hydraulic bed. Though their faces were masked, their wide eyes kept darting to the bed.

The procedure was too quick—too short to resemble a surgical treatment. A wave of dread washed over the family.

The hot-tempered youngest son rushed forward, his voice breaking with a sob. “Doctor! My dad… how is he? Is he… still…” The word “alive” caught in his throat, unsaid.

Before the doctor could respond, the old man on the bed slightly raised his head, his voice hoarse but full of vigor.

“You little rascal! Stop cursing your old man! I’m doing just fine!”

“Get me my laptop. I’ve got work to finish!”

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