The next day.

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The entrance to the Life Science College Experimental Area.

Zhao Heng was carrying a white biological sample transport box in his right hand, containing a spinal sample. In his left hand, he carried a laptop bag, with Sun Xinxin's examination records inside the laptop.

However, just as Zhao Heng reached the entrance to the experimental area, a security guard stopped him. This was a national-level biological experiment center, and naturally, not just anyone could enter.

"Hello, I am Zhao Heng. Professor Li Hongwei asked me to come."

Zhao Heng politely told the cool-looking security guard.

"Professor Li Hongwei?"

The security guard looked at the young Zhao Heng, a bit puzzled, because Professor Li Hongwei was an absolute authority in this experimental area, and he generally only worked with PhD candidates. Seeing Zhao Heng, who appeared to be in his early twenties, naturally aroused the security guard's suspicion.

"Yes, just a call to Lab One to confirm will do. Sorry for the trouble."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

This was a heavily guarded national-level laboratory; if one tried to barge in, they might end up with free lodging and meals in the future.

"Alright."

Seeing Zhao Heng's polite demeanor and his confident way of speaking, the security guard nodded and turned away to make a phone call.

Shortly thereafter, the security guard returned. Although he had confirmed Zhao Heng's identity, he still found it a bit incredible that Zhao Heng could have connections with Professor Li Hongwei.

So, he continuously sized up Zhao Heng, wanting to see what kind of person Zhao Heng was, enough to have strict Professor Li Hongwei give him this green light.

"Can I go in now?"

Seeing the security guard incessantly scrutinizing him, Zhao Heng asked.

"Yes, you can. This is a temporary pass, but you can only go to Lab One, and you must carry this pass with you at all times."

The security guard nodded and handed Zhao Heng a silver-colored chip card.

This chip naturally had monitoring functions, as a measure of confidentiality.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng took the chip card and placed it into his pocket.

Following this, the security guard opened the door, and Zhao Heng finally got inside.

This place is really hard to get into!

Zhao Heng couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

It's worthy of being a national-level biological experimental area.

Before long, Zhao Heng found Lab One and swiped the chip card for access before entering the laboratory.

Upon entering, Zhao Heng immediately saw several research personnel clad in white lab coats, who should be members of Professor Li Hongwei's research team.

Professor Li Hongwei was directing one of the researchers to operate some equipment, and standing beside him was Wei Jinghao, the assistant professor.

Seeing Zhao Heng come in, Li Hongwei gestured for Zhao Heng to come over.

Seeing this, Zhao Heng quickly walked over to Li Hongwei's side.

"Xiao Zhao, did you bring the samples?"

Li Hongwei glanced at Zhao Heng and got straight to the point.

Truth be told, he was quite interested in the spinal degeneration seen in top athletes; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken time out of his busy schedule to have Zhao Heng come over.

"Yes, Professor, the samples are here."

Zhao Heng placed the white biological transport box on the workbench, speaking slowly.

"Xiao Wei, do a microscopic projection inspection."

Li Hongwei nodded and instructed the assistant, Wei Jinghao.

"Okay, Professor."

Wei Jinghao nodded, gave Zhao Heng a glance, opened the white biological transport box, and took out the bone marrow smear inside, placing it under the microscope.

Then, Wei Jinghao operated on the workbench, and the image of the bone marrow smear under the microscope was transmitted to the big screen.

At first, Li Hongwei looked at the screen rather casually, but the more he looked, the more his expression became grave. He personally operated the microscope and conducted several more examinations.

"Hmm, this is indeed spinal degenerative change, but it's extremely rare to occur in someone so young."

After the examination was completed, Li Hongwei nodded to Zhao Heng and stated.

"Professor, given this patient's spinal condition, is there still a possibility of differentiation into nerve stem cells?"

Seeing that Li Hongwei had confirmed the condition, Zhao Heng couldn't help but ask.

"Previously, I indeed managed to obtain pluripotent stem cells and various functional cells through cell fate regulation, but that was achieved in mice. As for clinical trials, this is the first time."

Li Hongwei pondered for a moment and replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng noticed that he said "I," not "we" or the "team."

This meant that, up until now, only Li Hongwei had mastered this technology.

"Professor, can we give it a try? The patient is Winter Olympics skiing champion Sun Xinxin."

Seeing Li Hongwei's hesitation, Zhao Heng mentioned the patient's identity.

He couldn't mention this at the beginning, as that would have amounted to coercion.

Now was the right time to say it.

"Sun Xinxin? Are you talking about the skiing champion who got injured in a competition abroad?"

Upon hearing Zhao Heng's words, Li Hongwei asked with some surprise.

Of course, Li Hongwei had heard of Sun Xinxin, a champion hero who had brought glory to the country in the Winter Olympics.

"Yes, that's right, she was just transferred back from the Mayo Clinic."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

"Since that's the case, then let's give it a try. However, currently, I'm the only one who can master this technology, and the cultivation and differentiation time is quite long—at least a month."

Li Hongwei thought for a moment and then quickly agreed.

He had great respect for the champion hero who brought glory to the country, and it had to be done.

"Professor, can this time be shortened?"

Hearing Li Hongwei say this, Zhao Heng was initially pleased, but upon hearing the one-month timeframe, his heart sank.

With Sun Xinxin's condition, the brainstem aneurysm in her brain definitely couldn't hold out for a month.

"Unless there is someone with a level of cell fate regulation knowledge comparable to mine working alongside me, I can't shorten the time."

Li Hongwei said rather helplessly.

Cell fate regulation is a highly advanced and cutting-edge technology worldwide; it is not something easily mastered.

"Professor, I have a bold request. May I observe from the side during your operations?"

On hearing Li Hongwei's response, Zhao Heng decided to take a risk.

"Observe? It's okay to observe."

Hearing Zhao Heng's request, Li Hongwei found it rather odd but still agreed.

Concerning cell fate regulation, he couldn't wait for more people to master it. He was utterly open with his PhD students, but none had mastered it yet.

It was a technology reliant on individual capability rather than synthesizing some medication, so there was no fear in allowing others to watch.

If someone could learn just by watching, Li Hongwei would be delighted.

"Then I will be indebted to you, Professor. As for the costs, I will try my best to coordinate."

With great gratitude, Zhao Heng said.

"It's not much money anyway, and if this is successful, it will be of significant importance. Moreover, without you, I wouldn't have this opportunity for a clinical trial."

When Zhao Heng mentioned the expenses, Li Hongwei waved it off without a care.

Cultivating and differentiating nerve stem cells for one individual might only cost around a hundred thousand or so, which was negligible compared to the billions annually in research funding that Li Hongwei had access to.

Moreover, conducting an experiment to redifferentiate and cultivate nerve stem cells in a degenerated spinal cord is of immense significance.

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