72 REMEMBER WHERE WE ARE (1/2)

”Will you come with me?” Hu Lei faced her father with a pleading desperation in her eyes.

She had been forming a plan for escape for a while now. But she did not have the heart to leave her father behind. Even though she had told him that she would break ties, she could not just eliminate him from her life and heart. He was her father. He had done something despicable, but she knew she would forgive him. She would always forgive him.

Hu Ming did not respond. He had been postponing his decision since she had first approached him.

”I know that it is a huge risk, but we cannot stay here forever. You can continue your research elsewhere. You do not owe anything to these people.” She hardened her voice.

”Ah-Lei, your plan is not bad, but it is not fool proof. There is a high risk that you will be discovered early on even if I help you get the weapons you need. If you fail, you could be left stranded in an ice desert and die.” He paused. ”Please be patient for a little longer. I am close to a real breakthrough. Once I am done, we can go home.”

Hu Lei felt angry at the words, especially when she saw the excitement in his eyes. It was obvious that he did not have any intention of leaving this place anytime soon. He was like a drug addict. He was always craving and when he was high, he would not care about anything except his research.

”Where is home? What do you imagine life will be if by any chance we leave this place?” She confronted him with disappointed eyes.

”It can be like before, Ah-Lei. I will not be involved in this type of research again. We can go around the world doing good deeds. You can be involved in charity work again, and I will open clinics and treat those without access to medical care. We can change the world. I just need you to give me time.” Hu Ming seemed sincere.

Unfortunately, Hu Lei was not unfamiliar with this scene. It had been the same in Russia. When Vladimir had demanded her 'help' in cleaning up his illegal operations, her father had been like this. He had sworn that once he finished his research, they would not be involved in dangerous things again. At that time, she had believed him. Nothing had changed. But she was not a child anymore.

”You know that is not true. The least you could do is be honest with me and yourself.” She responded wearily before standing and leaving the dining area.

Hu Ming looked at her disappointed and cold back and clutched his fists. This time he meant it. He was not a young man anymore. Though he could not give up the adventurous life working around the globe, he could at least become a true doctor once again.

The more he remained in this underground lab, the more he felt that he had lost his way. He felt guilty every time an experimental subject died. However, he knew that he could not give up halfway or else he would become crazy. He had to either succeed in the work or prove that the Cherub project was impossible. Before he could do fulfil this, he would not leave. The mental burden would be too much.

Some days later, Hu Ming was called into Helen Brown's office. He had never dealt with the woman since the first day he had arrived. However, he had always found her to be a good manager. She did not interfere with the work of scientists.

”Doctor Hu, how is your work proceeding?” She asked cordially.

”I think we are doing quite well.” He replied plainly. There was no need to explain the details to someone who would not understand the intricacies.

Helen Brown shifted in her seat and leaned forward.