Chapter 42: Go, Sister Zhou!

Yanhuang University, Huaxia National Center for Disease Control’s Biological Laboratory. Li Fuxing hurriedly sought out Liu Yi.

“Professor, the live experiments on thirty chimpanzees have been completed successfully. Here are the detailed experimental data for your review.”

A smile lit up Li Fu’s face. The results from the animal trials were so perfect that he was filled with confidence for the next critical step—human trials. Yet, human testing was an entirely different matter; lives were at stake, and any mistake could prove fatal for participants. Caution was paramount. Liu Yi, a top scientist in the field of biological viruses, had vast experience in this domain, making his guidance indispensable.

“Oh? So soon? Let me see.”

Liu Yi smiled as he accepted the report. He had always given Li Fu free rein over his research—how to operate, how to conduct experiments—never interfering, for he knew Li Fu had reached a level capable of managing a major laboratory. It was only for lack of opportunity that Li Fu remained in Liu’s lab for now, but Liu Yi provided unwavering support for anything Li Fu needed. He longed to see a cure for HIV emerge, to free millions from the torment of the disease.

“Hmm, the data are flawless. They meet all the requirements for proceeding to the next phase.”

Liu Yi meticulously reviewed the experimental data from start to finish and nodded. The results were clear and comprehensive.

“That’s wonderful!” Li Fu clenched his fists in excitement. Though he had been confident, the prospect of human trials still made him nervous.

“Haha, I’ll have the lab start recruiting volunteers. In the meantime, double-check your preparations and repeat the experiments if necessary. Even though the data are perfect, we must be extra cautious.”

Liu Yi laughed, delighted at the prospect of witnessing the defeat of HIV—a momentous event for a scientist who had devoted his life to battling viruses.

…

In 2010, Zhou Lin, a girl from Guijin Village, Quannan Town, Yangde County, Tianfu Province, was diagnosed with HIV. For her rural family, it was a devastating blow. Her parents, both migrant workers, were themselves uninfected. It was only later they learned that Zhou Lin had contracted the virus during a blood transfusion.

From that day forward, her family was plunged into debt to fund her treatment. The school refused to let her attend, and her former playmates kept their distance as though she were a monster. No one spoke to her, and even her parents’ relatives and friends advised them to give up on her.

After all, there was no cure for AIDS. Existing treatments could only ease her suffering and prolong her life by a few years. Yet, Zhou Lin’s parents never gave up. They took her across the country, seeking every possible means to extend her life: surgeries in the capital, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, herbal remedies—sometimes even trying dubious folk cures, clinging to any sliver of hope.

Zhou Lin herself remained strong. With no one around her willing to play, she turned to the internet, making new friends and sharing her emotional journey of battling HIV through heartfelt posts. Thousands of netizens liked and shared her stories.

“If I can’t change it, I’ll face it bravely! Keep going, Zhou!”

After media coverage of her story, over 300,000 yuan in donations were raised for her ongoing treatment. Zhou Lin never showed despair or resentment. She said she was grateful to her parents for bringing her into this beautiful world, thankful for everyone’s help, and wished that all patients could find hope and health, that everyone could brush past illness unscathed.

(This is a true story. Zhou Lin passed away not long ago from cancer. May she find happiness in another world!)

In a renowned hospital in the capital, little Zhou Lin sat smiling with her phone, chatting with friends online. Since her diagnosis, she had found comfort in online interactions—there was no discrimination, no fearful stares, only encouragement and care.

“Zhou Lin, I have good news! I just saw that the Huaxia National Center for Disease Control’s Biological Laboratory has made a major breakthrough in HIV research. They’ve developed a new drug and are now recruiting volunteers for final trials.”

A friend messaged her, sending a link. Zhou Lin’s eyes immediately lit up. To her, it was like hearing a choir of angels. Only a short while ago, her doctor had told her she had little time left.

“Dad!”

Zhou Lin opened the link and tears streamed down her face as she woke the middle-aged man dozing on the chair beside her.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Her father gently stroked her head and wiped away her tears.

“Dad, there’s hope! Look!” Zhou Lin smiled through her tears, handing him the phone with the news.

“Is this real?”

“Haha, this is wonderful! My daughter has hope!” Her father poured over the news, growing more excited as he read, until he couldn’t help but shout for joy.

“What’s going on, Old Zhou? You look so happy!” The other patients in the ward—also HIV-positive—were drawn by his outburst.

“There’s hope! We all have hope! The National Center for Disease Control has developed a drug for HIV. Everyone should sign up!”

With tears streaming down his face, Zhou Lin’s father began filling out the online application for her.

“Thank you to the wonderful people who give us hope, even at my daughter’s last hour. No matter the outcome, we have no complaints. Please, help us.”

He submitted the application and, for the first time, felt a ray of hope pierce his dark world.

He refreshed the page over and over, anxiously waiting to see if Zhou Lin’s application had been accepted. He prayed silently, knowing her time was running out. If they missed this opportunity, even if a cure was found later, it might be too late for her.

The next morning, after a sleepless night refreshing the page, Zhou Lin’s father dozed off, still clutching the phone with the application open.

Suddenly, the phone buzzed, waking him. An unfamiliar number from the capital appeared on the screen.

“Hello, who is this?”

“Hello, is this Zhou Lin’s father? This is Li Fu from the National Center for Disease Control’s Biological Laboratory—I’m the researcher behind the new HIV treatment.”

“Dr. Li, does this mean my daughter’s application was accepted?” Zhou Lin’s father was so excited he didn’t notice that Li Fu was a scientist, not a doctor.

“Yes, I’m calling to let you know. If you’re willing, come to the Yanhuang University Affiliated Hospital today to sign the agreement. I can administer the drug to Zhou Lin myself.”

“I’m aware of your situation. When you arrive, just mention my name at the hospital and you’ll be admitted—no fees required. Remember, you don’t have to pay for anything.”

Li Fu emphasized this point, as he was personally covering all expenses for the volunteers. Though he had developed the drug himself, the volunteers would need to stay in the hospital for an extended period for data collection, and hospital stays were costly. There was no budget for this, so Li Fu decided to pay everything out of his own pocket. Having earned a fortune from his hit mobile game, his net worth had already surpassed a billion. Li Fu was a simple man, content with enough to eat and wear. Zhou Lin’s story had moved him deeply, and he was determined to help.

“Thank you, thank you so much!” Zhou Lin’s father wept with gratitude. Since his daughter fell ill, he had experienced the best and worst of humanity, but also the kindness of many strangers.

“Dad, what’s happened?” Zhou Lin woke to find her father in tears.

“Our application was accepted! Dr. Li just called to say we can go to Yanhuang University Affiliated Hospital for treatment!” Her father wept and laughed at the same time, the kind of joy that only comes to those who have endured life’s hardest trials.

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