Chapter 166: He Can Be Saved!

The moment the carrot entered Gu Xuanming’s mouth, its sweetness spread across his tongue, while its refreshing fragrance filled his nostrils.

Gu Xuanming had lost his sense of taste after being infected with the X virus. He could hardly remember the last time he had tasted anything sweet.

Closing his mouth, he slowly chewed the carrot. As its juice trickled down his throat, the burning pain and insatiable hunger that had tormented him relentlessly began to subside.

Stunned by the sudden relief, Gu Xuanming chewed faster before swallowing the carrot. Once he had finished, he turned to look at Xu Kangxiang.

Realizing that he wanted more, Xu Kangxiang quickly picked up another piece with his chopsticks and placed it into Gu Xuanming’s open mouth.

Two pieces...

Three pieces...

Four pieces...

Xu Kangxiang continued feeding Gu Xuanming without pause.

Before long, the entire bowl of carrot pieces was gone. Looking at the empty bowl, Gu Xuanming licked his lips.

Noticing that he was still hungry, Xu Kangxiang immediately ordered, "Quick! Cut up some more carrots!"

"Yes, Chief Doctor Xu!"

Following his order, the doctors took out the remaining portion of the first Basic Carrot and cut it into small pieces.

While waiting for them to finish, Xu Kangxiang asked, "Base Commander Gu, how are you feeling now? Are you still in pain? Are you still hungry?"

Gu Xuanming nodded, then shook his head.

Unable to understand his response, Xu Kangxiang frowned slightly. Before he could ask for clarification, one of the doctors handed him another bowl filled with carrot pieces.

The moment Gu Xuanming saw it, his eyes lit up.

Without wasting another second, Xu Kangxiang resumed feeding him.

Two hours later, Gu Xuanming had finished all the Basic Carrots.

The doctors exchanged shocked gazes at the sight of the empty boxes. However, none of them said anything.

Looking away from the empty boxes and bowls, Xu Kangxiang turned to Gu Xuanming and said, "Base Commander Gu, there are no more carrots left."

Hearing this, disappointment flickered across Gu Xuanming’s eyes. However, he made no further movement and simply closed his eyes.

Xu Kangxiang and the other doctors waited for a while, but Gu Xuanming showed no sign of opening his eyes again.

Handing the empty bowl to one of the doctors, Xu Kangxiang instructed, "Clean up the room. I’m going to see Great Commander Gu."

Without waiting for a response, he hurried out of the isolation room and made his way toward the Central Command Headquarters of Lie Huo Military Base.

The hospital and the Central Command Headquarters were not far apart, so it didn’t take Xu Kangxiang long to reach Gu Hao’s office. Panting heavily, Xu Kangxiang knocked on the door and waited impatiently.

Knock, knock, knock.

Inside the office, Gu Hao raised his eyes from the report he was reading and looked at the door. "Come in."

Having received permission, Xu Kangxiang opened the door and rushed inside. Before Gu Hao could speak, he shouted, "Old Gu, good news!"

Looking at Xu Kangxiang’s disheveled appearance and hearing him speak breathlessly, Gu Hao frowned slightly and asked, "Old Xu, what’s going on?"

Xu Kangxiang slammed his hand on the table, leaned forward, and stared straight into Gu Hao’s eyes.

"Xuanming can be saved!"

The moment Gu Hao heard this, he sprang up to his feet. Grabbing the collar of Xu Kangxiang’s white coat, he asked excitedly, "Really?! You are not lying to me, are you?!"

Choked by his grip, Xu Kangxiang hurriedly patted Gu Hao’s hands. "L-Let me go first!"

Realizing what he was doing, Gu Hao quickly released Xu Kangxiang. He patted his back apologetically and said, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m just too excited."

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Waving his hand, Xu Kangxiang took several deep breaths. He shook his head and reassured his old friend, "I’m fine, I’m fine."

Once he had caught his breath, Xu Kangxiang looked at Gu Hao and said excitedly, "Old Gu, Xuanming really can be saved! Didn’t the Third Division report anything to you?"

At his question, Gu Hao glanced at the report lying on his desk and nodded. "Yes. I received an urgent report from the Third Division a few minutes ago."

He paused, then looked at Xu Kangxiang with a hint of uncertainty. "Do you mean that this mutated carrot is Xuanming’s hope?"

Xu Kangxiang immediately nodded, his head bobbing like a chicken pecking at rice.

"That’s right!"

His eyes shining with excitement, Xu Kangxiang continued, "Old Gu, you should have seen it! Xuanming just ate ten mutated carrots! I have never seen him look so calm and peaceful since that incident."

Quickly wiping away the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes, he added, "This time, Xuanming will have more than enough time to wait for Old Lin to develop the cure!"

Gu Hao and Xu Kangxiang had been friends for decades. Xu Kangxiang knew how much Gu Xuanming and Gu Lingjian meant to Gu Hao, and he would never give his old friend false hope without first confirming the facts.

Slumping back into his chair, Gu Hao covered his face with both hands. For a brief moment, silence filled the office.

Then, soft sobs broke the silence.

Looking at his old friend’s trembling shoulders, Xu Kangxiang sighed helplessly. He walked around the desk and stopped beside Gu Hao.

Gently patting his back, Xu Kangxiang comforted him. "Everything will be alright now. Xuanming is a fortunate child. He will definitely survive this ordeal."

Taking a deep breath, Gu Hao gradually composed himself. He wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand and nodded.

"I know. Thank you, Old Xu."

Smiling at him, Xu Kangxiang chuckled cheerfully. "Why are you suddenly being so polite with me?"

Glancing at his watch, he added, "I still have something to discuss with Old Lin, so I will take my leave now."

"Alright. Let me know if you discover anything new regarding the cure."

"Got it." In a good mood, Xu Kangxiang left the office and hurried back to the laboratory.

Left alone, Gu Hao leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

After a long silence, he murmured softly, "Elder Brother, can you hear that? Your son, Xuanming, can be saved... He really can be saved..."

While Gu Hao was still trying to process the good news, Liu Yun had encountered an acquaintance near the northern wall.