Shen Xingkong and Chang Le tiptoed up to the second floor like two thieves. Shen Xingkong didn't mind, but Chang Le's heart was pounding.

"Hey, Shen, what exactly are you doing? If the school finds out, we're done for. You're not planning to steal something, are you?"

"Get lost. I'm not stupid enough to steal from my own school," Shen Xingkong retorted, focusing on the security lock on the biology lab door, wondering how to get inside.

"Then what are you trying to do?" Chang Le anxiously looked around, fearing someone might show up.

"Uh!" Shen Xingkong thought for a moment, then suddenly looked serious. "Chang, I can tell you, but you mustn't tell anyone."

"Really? That serious?" Chang Le was stunned, then patted his chest hard. "Don't worry, I'm the most loyal guy around. What's up?"

"It's like this... I suspect I'm not my parents' biological child."

"What?" Chang Le's jaw nearly dropped.

"Seriously, I don't know how to prove it. I'm here to use the equipment inside to test my and my parents' DNA," Shen Xingkong said with a worried expression, though he was inwardly apologizing to Chang Le. Everyone has secrets, and some secrets are too personal to share, even with close friends.

"Then why not go to the hospital?"

"Are you stupid? If it turns out I'm not their biological child, everyone will know if I go to the hospital. I might as well shout it on the streets with a megaphone."

"But do you know how to use the lab equipment?"

"Don't worry, I’ve done my research. It's fine." Having convinced Chang Le, Shen Xingkong returned to studying the security lock on the lab door.

Chang Le, believing Shen Xingkong's "reason," decided to help out. He paced the second-floor hallway, keeping watch.

As for the girl he had an appointment with, missing the date by a day wouldn't matter much. If she got upset, he'd sweet-talk her; if that didn't work, she could leave for all he cared. Chang Le never lacked for female companionship.

The lock on the lab's security door was complicated. Shen Xingkong studied traditional Chinese medicine, not locksmithing.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Hey, Shen, over here..." Suddenly, Shen Xingkong heard Chang Le's whisper.

"What is it?" Shen Xingkong jumped, thinking someone had come.

"Stop fiddling with that door. There's a window here," Chang Le pointed to a window beside him.

The biology lab had not just one door but also a window. While the door was a security door, the window was just a regular plastic steel window and single-pane.

Shen Xingkong cursed himself for being an idiot. How could he not notice what Chang Le did? He quickly approached the window and tried to open it, but it was locked from the inside.

However, unlocking a plastic steel window was easier than the security door lock. Shen Xingkong thought for a moment, then took out the strange golden needle from his waist pack and slowly inserted it between the window frames. The needle's curved handle acted like a hook. Shen Xingkong used it to pull the window latch open.

"Chang, you're amazing. I'll never forget this. Keep a good lookout for me. I'll be quick," Shen Xingkong said, excitedly thanking Chang Le before he climbed through the window.

Inside the biology lab, it was pitch dark, and Shen Xingkong didn't dare turn on the lights for fear of attracting attention.

Feeling his way in the dark, he found the electron microscope, turned it on, and placed the golden needle on a slide. Though he studied traditional Chinese medicine, he had used microscopes in his medicinal plant classes, so he was familiar with the equipment.

With a pounding heart, Shen Xingkong peered through the microscope's eyepiece, adjusting the focus. As he brought the image into clarity, he was astounded to see the needle’s structure magnified two million times.

"Wow..."

He covered his mouth to stifle a cry of astonishment. What he saw was beyond belief: the strange golden needle was alive.

Under the electron microscope, the needle's surface showed no metallic characteristics but was composed of numerous cells.

What shocked Shen Xingkong most was the evident vitality of these cells. A day ago, if anyone had told him about a living "needle," he would have sent them to a mental hospital.

Shen Xingkong remained at the microscope for a long time, his initial shock gradually giving way to a profound fear.

A living "needle"—could it be something from Earth? Shen Xingkong racked his brains but couldn't recall ever hearing of such a creature. Yet, he knew little about biology beyond his medical studies.

If this "needle" was an Earthly life form, what did it live on? Microbes in the air? It had to be incredibly rare. If it wasn't from Earth, but an extraterrestrial life form, it was even rarer.

"Heh..." Shen Xingkong suddenly forgot his fear and smiled, realizing that the "needle" might be incredibly valuable.

His family was not well-off. His parents worked hard away from home, earning little despite their efforts, hoping their son would graduate and help ease the family's burden.

With Chang Le's wealthy lifestyle constantly reminding him of what he lacked, Shen Xingkong also dreamed of driving luxury cars, staying in high-end hotels, and having beautiful women at his beck and call.

However, he knew his abilities and that getting rich was unlikely. He was destined to be a small-time doctor, making a modest living at best.

Now, with this "rare" living needle, there might be scientific interest in it. If he could find a way to auction it off, he might make a fortune. Though it wouldn't be enough for a luxury car, it would certainly improve his life.