His intention was to administer acupuncture to Elder Qi, and ideally, this treatment should be continuous for three days. Unfortunately, his schedule didn't allow for that luxury, so he had to substitute with the Yang Sheng Pills.

The function of the Yang Sheng Pills was identical to the acupuncture treatment: to regulate the body.

The needling session today was swift. Qi Zhengguo strictly adhered to Zhang Yang's three requirements: no other personnel were present during the acupuncture.

Only after removing the needles did Zhang Yang inform them that he would be gone for a period. During his absence, Elder Qi simply needed to take the Yang Sheng Pills punctually every day; everything else would remain as usual.

Learning that Zhang Yang was leaving, Qi Zhengguo expressed surprise and offered a few words of entreaty for him to stay. Elder Qi, however, was more philosophical about it, understanding that Zhang Yang had pressing matters to attend to, and they could discuss other things upon his return.

Leaving Elder Qi's residence, Zhang Yang pondered for a moment before driving directly toward the Third Institute.

He had barely paid attention to the research project; Wang Guohai managed everything. He, the hands-off manager, wasn't sure how long this trip would take. Before departing, he felt he ought to make a visit.

At the very least, as the person in charge, he needed to grasp the current progress of the research.

Inside the project research team's office, facing Zhang Yang, Wang Guohai appeared quite 'aggrieved.'

This was Zhang Yang's private office, and in fact, it was Wang Guohai's first time occupying this seat today; he hadn't even entered the room during his previous visit.

It could also be said that Wang Guohai had never encountered a project leader like Zhang Yang—absent for days at a time, only making brief appearances before relinquishing all further concern. Even for a minor project, such conduct was unheard of, let alone for a significant project approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

After all, if this research succeeded, it wasn't impossible for the researcher to be absorbed into the Academy as an Academician, an identity of extreme pride.

"We submitted the research report the day before yesterday. The result hasn't come back yet, but based on the materials you provided, combined with our work, this report should satisfy the higher-ups. This is all the research progress. Take a look!"

Wang Guohai looked at Zhang Yang and pushed a stack of documents toward him, his tone remarkably placid.

"Director Wang, since I entrusted this place to you, it proves my absolute faith in you. I won't pore over the details; I only need to know the current progress!"

Zhang Yang chuckled and pushed the entire stack of documents back.

A portion of these research materials had been left by him for them to expand upon; Zhang Yang truly had no need to review them. For him, the outcome was already known; what he needed to ascertain now was the pace.

Beyond that, nothing else concerned him.

After Zhang Yang spoke, Wang Guohai stared at him oddly again, as if looking at an alien.

After a moment, he let out a bitter laugh and shook his head helplessly. "A project leader like you is absolutely unique in the entire country. The person in charge doesn't know the research progress—what kind of situation is this!"

A leader being unaware of the research progress was as absurd as a ship captain not knowing where the vessel was, or a pilot being unsure if the plane had taken off.

If this story were told, few people would likely believe it. If it hadn't happened to him personally, Wang Guohai would never have believed such a thing could occur.

"Isn't this all because you all are so capable? Then my role isn't that important!"

Zhang Yang grinned again and quickly showered Wang Guohai with compliments. Wang Guohai realized for the first time that Zhang Yang's flattery skills were quite sharp; with just this silver tongue, Zhang Yang could succeed even without real ability.

After listening for a while, Wang Guohai couldn't bear it any longer. He immediately grabbed one of the thinner files and handed it to Zhang Yang, stating directly, "Alright, stop flattering me. If you praise me more, I might not make it home today. These are the current research progress notes. Take a look and see if they are correct, and if there are any areas that need correction or improvement. Point them out quickly!"

These were the latest research updates, all based on the materials Zhang Yang had left behind.

Zhang Yang stopped speaking, picked them up, and examined them closely. He then pointed out a few areas needing refinement; otherwise, there were no major changes.

After making his points, Zhang Yang explained the subsequent research direction to everyone, then departed the Third Institute.

Watching Zhang Yang leave, Wang Guohai’s face once again displayed helplessness.

He was powerless against Zhang Yang now. This hands-off management style seemed to suit Zhang Yang more and more, and judging by his demeanor, he intended to continue this way indefinitely.

With Zhang Yang gone, Wang Guohai was left to spearhead the remaining work. Fortunately, the suggestions Zhang Yang made were all perfectly accurate; following the foundation Zhang Yang laid, they were certain to achieve results.

As Zhang Yang drove away, recalling Wang Guohai's expression, he couldn't help but smile.

He had already researched this particular topic once in his previous life. Having to re-tread the ground for a project he already completed, he was naturally reluctant to dive back in.

In any case, as long as these people followed his instructions step by step, they would ultimately succeed, regardless of his presence.

Antian is a prefecture-level city located in the northeast of Chuanyu Province. By northwestern standards, Antian ranks as a mid-sized prefecture-level city.

Antian has no airport. Zhang Yang and the others flew into Shaan'nan Airport, and from there, they took a taxi directly to Antian.

In the cab, Gu Fang complained incessantly to Li Wei, grumbling that if he had known the ride would be so bumpy, he would have driven himself. Having not experienced motion sickness in ages, he vomited in the car for the first time.

Shaan'nan Airport to Antian spanned over two hundred kilometers, with a significant stretch of poor road quality. Gu Fang had been severely tormented by this journey.

They boarded the plane in the afternoon, but it was already evening by the time they arrived in Antian.

Zhang Yang sat quietly in the car, watching the night scenery slip by, recalling the remnants of this city in his memory.

Upon entering the city limits, Zhang Yang occasionally spotted familiar landmarks from his memory, though these recollections were somewhat hazy, having been away for ten years without setting foot in the place even once.

The place Zhang Yang was most familiar with, the one imprinted most vividly in his memory, was a zoo they passed. In all his recollections, this was where the young 'Zhang Yang' most loved to be taken by his mother—to see the animals and play the games inside.

As they passed the zoo, an inexplicable restlessness stirred within Zhang Yang's heart.

This restlessness was different from the violent agitation he felt when encountering Zhang Keqin; this agitation carried a thread of warmth, mixed with a trace of sorrow.

"We're finally here. If we didn't arrive soon, I was going to die!"

The car pulled up to the Tianyu Grand Hotel in Antian, a place Zhang Yang had booked in advance. It was also the only quasi five-star hotel in the area.

The six of them had booked six suites here.

The speaker was Gu Fang. Upon exiting the car, he immediately squatted down, retching continuously. Zhang Yang walked over with a smile, two silver needles pinched between his fingers, and swiftly inserted them near Gu Fang's ear.

Gu Fang looked up in astonishment. He had seen Zhang Yang insert the needles, but he felt nothing—no pain, no headache.

In less than a minute, the nausea and gagging vanished, and his body felt instantly relaxed, free from the previous discomfort.

"Zhang Yang, you're not a good friend! You had such an excellent remedy, why didn't you use it on me earlier?"

Feeling the relief spreading through him, Gu Fang's face nonetheless showed a mixture of bitterness and resentment. He had suffered miserably for over three hours on the road trip.

"My apologies. I forgot," Zhang Yang replied with a slight smile.

Gu Fang froze, his expression turning even more woeful, on the verge of tears.

"Gu Fang, don't say that. Don't forget we weren't in the same car. Mr. Zhang didn't know you suffered from motion sickness either!"

Li Wei stepped forward and patted Gu Fang's shoulder. Gu Fang blinked again, finally recalling that Zhang Yang genuinely couldn't have known about his car sickness.

The six of them had taken two taxis; Zhang Yang's group of four had been in the lead car. How could he possibly know that the person in the rear car was feeling ill?

Zhang Yang paid no further attention to Gu Fang. After speaking, he suddenly took a few steps forward, walking straight out of the hotel entrance and standing on the broad street outside.

Standing on the road, he gazed intently in one direction, fixedly staring toward it.

Mi Xue hurried to catch up. Long Feng and Qu Meilan also stepped outside.

"What's wrong?"

Mi Xue hooked her arm through Zhang Yang's, asking with genuine concern. Gu Fang and Li Wei soon followed; they all sensed that something was amiss with Zhang Yang.

Just like before, Zhang Yang’s application of acupuncture to Gu Fang wasn't forgetfulness; it was because he hadn't known Gu Fang was sick beforehand—his explanation was clearly just a dismissal. This suggested that Zhang Yang's mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with other thoughts.

"Over there," Zhang Yang said, pointing to the distant spot, "is where I lived as a child, back when I was with my mother. Every day was happy then!"

The rest of this city, Zhang Yang barely remembered, but the location of his former home, he recalled with perfect clarity.

From the moment he entered the city, Zhang Yang's mood had been in a state of fluctuation, accompanied by a unique, profound emotion.

This was the body's natural reaction, much like his instinctive revulsion towards Zhang Keqin. However, this manifestation had no tangible effect on Zhang Yang, save for adding a touch of sentimentality to his inner world.

"You lived here too?" Gu Fang asked, surprised. Not just him, but Mi Xue’s face also showed astonishment.

They all knew Zhang Yang was coming to Antian, but Mi Xue had asked why. Alas, she received no satisfactory answer; Zhang Yang had only given her the vague reply that he had business here. Only now did she realize that Zhang Yang had spent time here, and moreover, in the company of his mother.

Zhang Yang continued to gaze into the distance, nodding silently. "Ten years ago, I had a period of happy childhood here, but my childhood also met its end here!"

Zhang Yang searched through his memories and stated this natural conclusion.

According to the memories, 'Zhang Yang' before the age of ten was happy, specifically happy when with his mother. Once his mother departed, his life turned bleak, and he rapidly grew up and matured.

If viewed this way, the turning point for the former 'Zhang Yang' occurred here. Thus, Zhang Yang's decision to come here now seemed appropriate. Only by coming here could he reclaim the past and understand everything that had transpired previously. Only through understanding could he devise a way to neutralize the hidden dangers lurking in his body—dangers that remained a significant liability for him.

………… Fourth update, Fifty-second chapter of the Hundred-Chapter Bonus Addition.