I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 805 - 895: Six Minutes and Six Seconds—Not a Second More, Not a Second Less

"Huh? Just this person got sick, is it really that serious?"

Zhang Yicheng’s voice quivered a little, his first reaction being that he was in trouble. Oh my goodness, this person’s facial features were twisted to an extreme, as if enduring something excruciatingly painful, even more exaggerated than a woman he once saw rolling on the ground with period cramps.

"No, it’s quite serious. A tick has burrowed into his body! Initially, the tick’s toxin paralyzes and causes no sensation, but after a day or two, it’s likely devoured most of his organs, surely causing him to writhe in pain on the ground.

Where there’s one, there’s bound to be another, so everyone must be checked. As for this person, I’ll handle it."

"Huh? Oh, okay, okay. Someone, arrange it quickly if you’ve heard. Wait, you’re handling it? How? Ticks are really dangerous, I’d rather call Situ Xiaoye and the people from their village, they’re not afraid..." Zhang Yicheng hadn’t even finished his sentence.

He saw Jing Shu suddenly pull out her black case from the Hulk’s strength, revealing layers of medical tools, and took out a reflective scalpel.

"I’ll extract the ticks, I have experience with this. Just hold the container for me."

"Huh? Oh... okay..."

Jing Shu said calmly, handing the still bewildered Zhang Yicheng a glass container, then swiftly tore open the employee’s clothing, flipped him over, and pinned him down with her leg to prevent struggling, saying, "There’s no anesthesia, bear with it, I’ll be quick."

Jing Shu’s leg rendered the person unable to move, making a weird ’ah-wu ah-wu’ sound.

Zhang Yicheng swallowed nervously, recalling Jing Shu kicking Situ Xiaoye onto the deck the day before.

That kick might just push the employee’s insides out, but he didn’t dare say a word.

He watched as Jing Shu’s scalpel sliced through a patch of back skin, exposing a bloated, blood-sucking tick beneath. Startled by the exposure, the tick attempted to fly away immediately.

Zhang Yicheng’s mouth hung open, pointing at the tick for ages.

But Jing Shu flipped the blade, relying solely on her hand to grab the fleeing tick.

Zhang Yicheng wanted to exclaim how dangerous ticks were, fearing they would burrow into anything! But in Jing Shu’s hand, the tick was as obedient as a grandson.

With a crisp ’crunch,’ the tick was sealed into the glass container.

In no time, Jing Shu skillfully stitched up the wound, slashing a few more times on the body.

Curiously, no lurking tick could be seen with the naked eye, yet Jing Shu’s cuts were so precise, each incision led to more tick discoveries. Another few ticks were dug out, stitched again, the procedure carried out with ruthless efficiency, leaving onlookers agape.

Some whispered quietly, wasn’t she a shareholder and executive from the headquarters? Why did she appear so intimidating?

How aggressive! Yet genuinely admirable! Some employees had stars in their eyes already.

"It’s not too severe, the organs haven’t been extensively consumed. Just administer some supplements later, that’s all. Alright, haul him away to rest."

"Yes, yes, okay," Zhang Yicheng wiped his sweat, swallowed hard, his hands trembling as he held the glass jar. Discovering ticks burrowed into the body causes hollowed-out, bloody holes; terrifying indeed.

At this moment, Wu Jiang hurried in, noticing the tick in Zhang Yicheng’s glass container, he frowned, "Has there been a tick infestation?"

"No, it’s not possible, we’ve followed protocol strictly."

Jing Shu speculated, "It shouldn’t be a mass tick escape; if it were, there would be more than a few. It’s probably a deliberate infliction, either externally or internally placed during operations."

Wu Jiang nodded, promptly arranging for an investigation, and asked Jing Shu, "President Jing advised gathering everyone at the square; the people are already gathered."

"Good, let’s go. I’ll conduct checks to ensure there are no remaining lurkers; there’s no sensation when ticks first burrow in."

So, at the second-floor square, Jing Shu examined all the employees. Those checked also picked up some local specialties handed out by this big boss, Jing Shu.

Ticks, with their unique energy points palpable in the body, could be detected from afar by the Insect King Chongchong. Hence, not much effort was needed for Jing Shu to find three more employees with ticks inside.

One by one, she operated, extracted the ticks, sutured, and Jing Shu performed the tasks with finesse, every movement fluidly executed.

In Zhang Yicheng’s glass jar, 15 ticks jumped around, Wu Jiang’s expression a mix of uncertainty, forcing a smile at Jing Shu,

"Thankfully, you came, President Jing. Otherwise, our loss wouldn’t just be a few valuable employee lives but immense social backlash and public opinion, possibly losing our cigarette manufacturing rights."

"I owe you a favor, Jing Shu, I’ll definitely get to the bottom of this incident."

Jing Shu nodded, "Start the investigation from the numbering of cigarette production, every stage is documented. This matter could escalate if maliciously drawn into the public eye; the consequences would be dire."

Jing Shu believed this was targeted at the Yangcheng cigarette factory, perhaps the factory’s gains had threatened someone else’s interests.

It seemed other cigarette factories should take note, issuing immediate notices for rectification, avoiding deliberate tick infestations. Today, she was present; if not, what disastrous repercussions might have ensued?

...

Because Jing Shu solved a major issue, Wu Jiang upgraded the scale of her evening banquet and specially included some traditional specialties with distinctive cooking methods and flavors not usually served.

Perhaps Wu Jiang knew how much Jing Shu could eat, or maybe he had something to say to Jing Shu alone; regardless, it was just Wu Jiang and Jing Shu in a large private room for dinner.

"President Jing, try this Macau roast pork." Wu Jiang diligently turned the dish towards Jing Shu.

Jing Shu picked up a piece of the crispy-skinned pork belly to taste, the exterior crunchy yet the meat tender and layered, the distinctive aroma of the fatty layers bursting in her mouth.

Jing Shu nodded in delight, praising, "Delicious, rich in texture, pleasantly aromatic, and the taste is truly unique."

Only after Jing Shu polished off a plate did Wu Jiang continue,

"This dish is freshly steamed East Starfish, all secret methods steamed for exactly six minutes and six seconds, not a moment more or less, just to highlight its singular charm, freshness! Try it, President Jing." Wu Jiang then redirected a large platter of fish.

Jing Shu peeled away the still steaming scallion garnishing to take a generous bite from the succulent, tender fish belly, finding its fresh, smooth texture downright melt in her mouth, the savory fish flavor endlessly lingering on her tongue... Mmm... Fresh and savory!