Continuing the questioning process, Ariana waited for Qian Ling to finish speaking. As she listened attentively to each word, she was saying, Chen Nan memorized her responses.
Ariana asked, "But what do they exactly want to find out?"
Rubbing her chin with deepened creases on her forehead, Qian Ling took a step forward. "Actually, they imprisoned me to find a way to recreate humans. They found ways to kidnap teenagers and children with special abilities. I've helped many escape by creating clones using their genes. Though I've dragged on this project, I've also wondered whether this is all for money."
"Besides, they used human blood to soak that old man's body. This shouldn't have anything to do with research. Who the hell would squeeze human flesh and rip their skin to juice out blood for a bath? There is definitely a whole lot more to this." She said as she thought of possible solutions.
Once in a while, her eyes would wander onto Alexander and then elsewhere. Ariana remembered the old man's words when he chased after them. "That old man chased after us before. I've been attacked by him. His grip is abnormally strong for a man his age. He's even stronger than me. I remember he repeated some words a few times."
Her eyes brightened as she recalled his words. At the same time, Chen Nan also opened his mouth and said, 'I don't want to die.'
Qian Ling nodded, "That's what he always says for some reason. Did he think murdering those people and drowning himself in their blood would prolong his life?"
Alexander shivered with goosebumps over his body as he joined the conversation. "I've been trying to figure it out too. I know the old man really wants to live long, but I'm not sure if researching in recreating humans would help him in any way to achieve that goal."
Qian Ling cut him off and said, "Unless they wanted me to successfully figure out a way in recreating human cells and injecting it to his body. Maybe they think human cells taken from people with psychic abilities could increase life span? I'm not sure why he soaks himself in disgusting blood baths and keep those organs in jars, though. He might even be a psychopath."
Ariana nodded, "If your first task was to save Alexander's life, then the task was completed. Maybe they were looking for someone who could save him to test the person's capabilities. If that's the case, then what happened to Alexander when he was younger? How did you save him?"
Hearing her question, Qian Ling and Alexander's expressions froze. While waiting for her response, Ariana fixated her attention on their reaction to her inquiry. She saw Qian Ling hesitantly parting her lips, but closed them witin a few seconds repeatedly.
"Don't tell me you forgot." Ariana said as she sensed something off.
Qian Ling swore to herself that Ariana had the strongest instinct anyone ever could imagine having. She was literally thinking about an excuse and decided to choose the lamest one. Just as she was about to say it in front of everyone, Ariana gave her a warning, making her halt her words.
She knew Ariana was staring straight at her face, so she couldn't even roll her eyes to Alexander. At this moment, she felt like her life was meeting one of the biggest tests in her life. Previously, she already promised Alexander that she would not disclose his privacy to her. Now, she's cracking her brains away to find an excuse.
Cursing inwardly to herself, she screamed, 'How the heck do I find another way of explaining chip implantation and genetic modification to his body to prolong his life? It's impossible! I can't tell her his time is almost up!'
She pondered a few minutes before opening her mouth again. This time, she found a way to indirectly speak the truth. "When I first saw Alexander in his bed, he was nearly lifeless. I heard he slipped in the middle of hiking and injured himself. Many doctors were hired to treat his condition, but nobody had the confidence to treat him."
"I remember helping him bandage the cuts and bruises on his body. After that, I prescribed some rare herbs to make his blood circulation improve. This helped his health better and prepared him for operation. He woke up after a few days."
She made sure to be detailed, but being unspecific about certain things. Alexander subconsciously made a deep breath as he heard her response. He was glad she could respond in such little time. If the silence dragged on any longer, Ariana and Chen Nan might suspect her credibility.
Ariana continued her stares even after Qian Ling had finished speaking. "Okay. That does sound reasonable. Why did you hesitate before?"
"I needed time to think about what I did in the order that I've done it. It's been a decade since this occurred, so my memory is a bit fuzzy already." Qian Ling crossed her arms and took a look at the time.
Alexander also checked the time and said, "It's almost an hour. I'll go out first to check for guards. If they're gone, then we can go to the labs." Although he wanted to send this couple out of here, he knew they wouldn't listen to him. If they continue asking these questions, he might get exposed. Therefore, he can only fulfill their needs and assist them.
As long as he was around them, he swore he wouldn't let anyone hurt them. 'I need to hurry and make everything come clear.' He unlocked the door and left the room. After he had walked out, Qian Ling guarded the entrance in case anyone tries to barge into the room.
"Any other questions?" Qian Ling forced a smile towards the couple.
"Not for now." Ariana replied after exchanging glances with Chen Nan. Chen Nan was oddly quiet as he stared at Qian Ling. He repeated what Qian Ling had said in his mind and felt something was weird with her explanation. He didn't know why, but he felt like she was hiding something important from them.
After five minutes, Alexander came back to the room and whispered, "The hallways are clear." Sneaking through the hallways, they ended up at one of the laboratories safely.