66 EVERYTHING CLICKED INTO PLACE (1/2)

After the shower and a change of clothes, Hu Lei felt much better. Shortly afterwards, she heard a knock on the door. She felt her heart beat in anticipation at the thought of seeing her father. She had literary been around the world in search of him, so she was understandably excited. She hoped that the lab had not treated him poorly.

Outside her door was one of the private military men. He looked ordinary without a distinguishing feature. He was medium height, average-bodied and his face would disappear in a crowd. He nodded at Hu Lei without hostility or friendliness.

Hu Lei did not mind. She knew that these people would not be nice or mean. From Helen Brown's attitude, it was clear that she kept them on a tight leash. Knowing her circumstances, she also did not try to ingratiate herself. Her only focus needed to be her father.

She followed the average Joe along the corridors in silence. A few corridors later, a dining space was revealed. There were about fifteen military men eating in one area. In another area, there was a different group of people, who had to be the people working in the lab. Before she could look for her father, he rose from that corner in excitement and walked to her.

”Ah-Lei, I am so glad that you are alright.” Hu Ming spoke with a bright smile.

Hu Lei looked at her father up and down and found that he was in perfect condition. In fact, he seemed to be glowing with excitement. She felt relieved in her heart. At least, he was alright. She smiled slightly at him as the average Joe left.

”Come and sit with me.” Hu Ming did not take her to the place he had been sitting. Instead, he led her to an empty table in the dining hall.

Hu Lei sat down and remained silent for a while, contemplating their predicament. Now that she had found him, it was time to think about an exit strategy. It would be difficult for them to escape this place, but she did not feel that she should give up. As long as she was on earth, she would find her way back.

”How are you doing, Dad?” She finally asked.

”I am well,” Hu Ming answered with the same glow in his eyes. ”This place is great, and I can see a possibility of pushing the limits of genetics beyond of what I thought was possible.”

Hu Lei frowned at her father. She knew this fanatical side. He always became like this when he found something interesting.

”How did you end up here? What happened?” She was anxious to get at the bottom of the matter.

”Oh, it is nothing big. It is just like I told you. When I was researching in a certain lab in Amazon, I found a device which could change the future of splicing, but I thought it was not in the best state. I tinkered a little and left the lab with it. Who knew the owners would miss it? They captured me in Argentina, and I assumed they wanted to get their product back. But after a long talk, they told me about an opportunity for using the best resources in genetic study and here I am.” Hu Ming finished his story with a smile.

Hu Lei looked emotionlessly at her father as a certain cold fact sank into her mind. She had heard everything that Hu Ming had said and everything had clicked into place. The thing that always caused her to be confused and suspicious about this mission was finally clear. She felt everything within her become like ice.

”Didn't you say that you left the device in a motel for the owners to find?” She asked.

”Yes… yes, that is what I meant.” Her father answered nervously.