English Version（想看华语/原稿的可以往下翻）
In a dim, hushed laboratory, several scientists worked with intense focus—until the heavy steel door swung open, its edge grinding against the floor and ripping through the silence.
A tall Chinese man stepped inside. He wore a coat, cargo pants, and a half-cape draped over one shoulder. A beard shadowed his jaw. The moment his boot hit the lab floor, every scientist froze and set their work down.
His name was Tan Ling Feng. He looked to be in his thirties.
He didn't greet anyone. His eyes went straight to the results.
"Status."
One scientist swallowed. "Boss… we've got nothing. No progress."
Ling Feng didn't blink. "How far did you get?"
Another scientist tried to explain, voice tight. "Boss, this serum… it's basically impossible to—"
Ling Feng cut him off.
"Don't say impossible."
The room went silent.
Then a scientist stepped forward with a printed paper in both hands. "Boss, you should see this. It just went public online."
Ling Feng took it and skimmed the header. His expression barely shifted.
"Dark Energy," he said—not as a reading, more like a quiet test of the words. Then he lifted his gaze. "What does this change?"
"It changes everything," the scientist said quickly. "The properties described here… it's like it was tailor-made for our serum. As a stabilizer, it's non-negotiable. We can't complete the formula without it."
Ling Feng's gaze hardened. "Verified?"
"Not officially," the scientist admitted. "The government's trying to confirm Dark Energy even exists. Rumor is the formula's with them. There's a decent chance they're already producing it—"
He hesitated. "—but we can't confirm. Still, if it is real, there's no substitute. And we have zero idea how to synthesize it ourselves. We're… dead in the water."
Ling Feng read on, scanning for anything usable. Then his eyes stopped on the author line.
He paused.
The lab was so quiet that even breathing sounded loud—until Ling Feng spoke again, almost under his breath, like the words weren't meant for anyone else.
"Seventeen… Song Chang Ann."
A beat.
"A high school kid," he murmured, voice low and flat. "And he pulls off something like this."
He handed the paper back and turned to leave as if the decision had already been made.
A cold feeling crawled up the scientist's spine. He couldn't stop himself. "Boss… what are you going to do?"
Ling Feng paused at the doorway. Before the steel door closed, he looked back at the man who spoke.
"Bring him in," he said. "He makes the element."
The scientist's face tightened. "Why not just steal the formula? Are you really talking about kidnapping a minor?"
Ling Feng's expression didn't change.
"…Snatching a person is easier than breaking into a government facility," he said flatly, "especially one with Elmer Tech boosting their security."
He turned away, voice cold as steel.
"Stay on the serum. Make it happen."
Then the heavy door slid shut.
The scene cut hard.
A history exam—scored at a miserable ten—slapped onto a wooden desk.
A Malay female teacher sat behind it, her expression stern, irritation barely contained as she stared at the student in front of her.
"Chang Ann," she said, flatly. "You failed again."
Chang Ann stood there with open indifference, eyes on his teacher like he couldn't care less.
"And?" he said.
"And?" Her brows lifted. "Do you have any idea how serious this is?"
"I think I'd rather take a nap than think about that."
She leaned forward, voice sharpening. "You're pretty relaxed for someone who keeps flunking. You realize if you fail history, you can't move up, right? You don't qualify."
"Why do I have to study history?" Chang Ann shot back. "Is it seriously more useful than physics and chemistry?"
Right then, a male teacher passed by the doorway. The moment he saw Chang Ann, his face lit up.
"Hey, Chang Ann! Congrats!"
Chang Ann answered instantly, the smile switching on like a habit. "Yo, sir."
The teacher noticed the history teacher mid-scolding and immediately got the picture.
"Ah—am I interrupting?" he said quickly. "Sorry, my bad."
He kept walking.
Chang Ann turned back to the history teacher, smug as ever. "Looks like my physics score was pretty insane again today."
That did it.
The history teacher pushed up from her chair, frustration breaking through. "You don't understand what history is for!"
Chang Ann fired back without missing a beat. "And what's the point of forcing us to memorize stuff that only exists in the past?"
For a second, it looked like she might actually lose it. She took a breath, forced herself calm, and spoke slowly—dangerously controlled.
"Listen. I'm giving you one last chance." She tapped the paper. "Go home and write your corrections three times. After the break, if you don't hand them in—then you're coming with me to the principal's office. Got it?"
Chang Ann's face screamed please end this conversation. He nodded rapidly.
"Yes, yes, yes. Got it."
He slipped out of the staff room like a man escaping an explosion.
The moment he stepped outside, exam paper in hand, he nearly bumped into a Malay boy leaning against the wall beside the door.
The boy grinned. "Got chewed out again? Don't worry—I heard everything."
Chang Ann blinked, confused. "Ali? You've been standing here the whole time?"
Ali waved it off. "Nah. I hit the bathroom halfway. Came back and still caught the best part." He leaned in. "More importantly—let me see."
With one quick motion, Ali snatched the exam paper from Chang Ann's hand. Chang Ann didn't even resist.
Ali stared at the score like it was a magic trick. "Ten? Dude. That's a new record. Last time you got, what—thirteen?"
Chang Ann exhaled, weirdly satisfied. "Next time I'll go for zero."
Ali handed the paper back, the grin fading a little. "Okay, jokes aside… that's kinda dangerous. You sure you're good?"
"Hm?"
"I mean… with grades like that, you might not even get into uni. Even if you ace every science subject."
Chang Ann kept walking. He thought for a moment—then shrugged like it was nothing.
"…It's fine," he said lightly. "I'll figure something else out."
By the time they reached the school gate, Ali's expression had turned uneasy. He looked at Chang Ann like he wanted to say more, but didn't.
"Good luck," Ali said. "See you, Chang Ann."
"Yeah. Later."
Chang Ann smiled and waved as Ali climbed into a luxury car and pulled away.
Chang Ann adjusted his backpack, swung onto his motorcycle, and left the school behind.
The second he was on the road, the smile vanished. His face went blank, like whatever just happened didn't even register.
While waiting at a traffic light, Chang Ann noticed a commotion nearby—someone sprinting out of a shop with a money bag in one hand and an axe in the other. The robber tossed the bag into a car and jumped in after it.
Chang Ann just watched, expression cold and empty.
A distant police siren started wailing.
The light turned green.
Chang Ann looked away and rolled forward, attention snapping back to the road like nothing mattered.
Not long after, he arrived home—an apartment building.
Before walking in, he took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for impact.
He moved down the corridor toward his unit—only to be intercepted.
"Chang Ann!" the landlord barked.
Chang Ann sped up immediately.
"Hey! Stop!" the landlord chased after him. "Where's my rent?"
"I'll pay soon," Chang Ann called back, fumbling for his door. "As soon as I get this month's paycheck."
The landlord's voice rose. "You've been behind for months. If I don't get the money this month, you and your family are out. You hear me? Out!"
Chang Ann found his door at last and answered without looking back.
"Yeah, yeah. I got it."
He shut the door—and walked straight into the next problem.
His grandmother's voice cut through the apartment. "Chang Ann, your teacher called just now. You failed history again?"
He jumped slightly, keys still in his hand, and headed for his room without meeting her eyes.
"I just didn't revise enough," he said quickly. "Next time I'll do better."
"Chang Ann," his grandmother sighed, disappointed more than angry. "I'm not trying to nag, but can you please take things seriously? History is important, you know."
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
He slipped into his room and shut the door.
Even through the thin wood, her voice still carried—quiet, but clear.
"You're smart. You just don't want to study. Think about what you're doing."
Only after he locked the door did Chang Ann finally breathe out.
He fumbled in the dark, flipped the light on, dropped his bag, and collapsed onto the bed. Phone in hand, he opened the news replay and dragged the timeline forward.
He stopped on a segment and hit play.
The anchor's voice filled the room:
"Regarding the newly discovered element known as Dark Energy, the government continues further research. Due to its potential as an unlimited energy source—possibly providing endless electricity—the government is attempting to produce Dark Energy. That concludes the latest official update."
A brief pause.
"Now, turning to reports of an extremist group known as Red Justice. Recent claims suggest the organization may be quietly rising in the shadows. Both the government and military are investigating and working to verify the credibility of these reports…"
Chang Ann's expression—initially expectant—slowly sank into disappointment.
He shut the video off.
Covering his face with one hand, he muttered to himself, almost annoyed.
"The government moves so damn slow… If you've got the materials, you could make it in a day." He exhaled. "When do I finally get to live the kind of successful life everyone talks about?"
From outside, his grandmother called again. "Chang Ann! What are you doing? Go shower and come eat!"
"I'm coming!"
He got up, set the phone on his desk, and walked out.
After lunch, his grandmother added, "Chang Ann, go to the nearby supermarket and buy some soy sauce."
"With my money?"
"With mine," she said, pushing cash into his hand. "Take it."
A moment later, Chang Ann was on the way to the supermarket.
To cut time, he took a shortcut through a deserted alley.
That was when a group of masked men in black seized the moment.
They rushed him from behind—one hand clamped over his mouth.
Chang Ann fought like hell, kicking and twisting, but his resistance weakened fast. The world blurred. His limbs went heavy.
Then everything went dark.
When he came to—he didn't.
He was already being lifted into the back of a van.
A voice muttered, almost impressed, almost amused:
"Damn. That was way too easy."
(To be continued.)
Chinese Version(Prime)/华文版本（原稿）
在一个光线微弱且安静的实验室里,几位科学家在专心地搞研究,直到厚重的铁门打开时与地面发出的摩擦声打破这安静的氛围也
一位身材高大,穿着外套,工装裤和半披风,有着胡子的华人进入了实验室,他一脚踏进实验室,所有科学家立刻放下了手头的工作
那位男子是陈凌峰,看起来有30多岁了,他一进门就盯着实验成果,直入主题地问"进展如何?"
其中一位科学家回答"老大,没有进展."
凌峰接着问"你们的进展到哪里了?"
另一位科学家回答"老大,这血清几乎不可能被发明出来...."
还未等那位科学家说完,凌峰就打断道"这个世界就没有不可能的事情."
凌峰一说完,所有科学家都沉默了,直到有一个人拿着一篇论文说"老大,请你看一下这个,这是最近公开在网上的论文."
凌峰接过论文看了看,就说"「新元素暗能量」?和这个项目有什么关系吗?"
那位科学家说"关系大了,我发现这论文里描述的新元素,所有的特质仿佛为这血清量身定制,作为血清的稳定剂,这新元素不可或缺...."
凌峰问"这论文被证实了吗?"
"现在政府在尝试证实暗能量的存在,据说配方都在政府那里,他们现在极大可能在制造暗能量,虽然不知道其存在是真是假,但这是完善血清的必须材料,暂时没有替代品,我们也暂时对制造暗能量没有任何头绪...."
凌峰继续看论文试图找到有用的信息,就看到了论文上署的名字,停顿一会后念了出来"宋长安....?而且还是个高中生?这种年纪就发现不得了的东西...."
凌峰把论文还给了那位科学家就准备要离开,那位科学家有种不好的预感,于是转头问"老大,你接着要干什么?"
凌峰关上铁门之前,看着那位提出问题的科学家回答"把人弄过来,让他弄出新元素."
"为什么不直接偷配方呢?你是要去绑架一个未成年人吗?"
"....偷人总比冒险潜入那有艾尔默科技加强安保的政府部门去偷一个配方简单多了,你们继续研究."
凌峰说完,就关上了铁门
画面一转,一张仅10分的历史考卷被丢在了一张木桌上,一位马来女老师坐在椅子上表情严肃又有点生气地看着一位学生说"长安,你又不及格."
老师眼前的学生是宋长安,长安一脸不屑地站着,并看着自己的历史老师说"所以呢?"
"所以呢?你知道问题的严重性吗?"
"我觉得与其去想这个问题我还不如去睡午觉."
"你还挺放松啊,你知道你历史不及格你就不能升学吗?"
"我为什么非得读历史?读了有比物理化学更有用吗?"
此时一位男老师路过,看到长安便兴奋地打了招呼"嘿长安!恭喜你."
长安也迅速回应"哟,老师好."
此时那位老师看到了历史老师似乎在教训长安,便大概知道怎么回事了,就说"打扰你们了吗?实在不好意思."
老师说完后就走了,长安转头看向历史老师说"看来我今天的物理成绩也很优异呢."
历史老师已经被长安气得想抓狂了,站起身子就说"你不明白历史的存在究竟有何意义!"
长安也迅速反驳"让我们学习只存在于过去的回忆,究竟又有何意义呢?"
历史老师被长安这一怼气得快受不了了,迅速冷静下来后便说"听着,我再给你最后一次机会,回去做改正三遍,假期后如果我没有见到你做的改正,你就和我去一趟校长室!"
长安想结束对话的心情写在了脸上,疯狂点头说是,敷衍过去就离开了教师室
此时长安拿着历史试卷一走出门,就碰见了一个后背靠站在门口旁的马来男学生
那位学生笑着说"又被骂了?你放心吧,我都听到了."
长安表情有点困惑地问"阿里?你一直在这里?"
"不不不,中途我还去了趟厕所,回来后还听到你被老师骂,比起这个,让我看看!"
阿里一手就夺走了长安的试卷,长安也任由阿里拿自己的试卷来看
阿里觉得不可思议地说"10分?突破了最新记录啊,你上次好像是拿13分来着."
长安也一脸惬意地说"下次我可以试试看0分."
阿里把试卷还给了长安,并说"不过说实话,你这分数可能的确危险,这样真的好吗?"
"嗯?"
"我的意思是,你这成绩可能会上不了大学啊,即便你的理科是满分."
长安边走边思考一会后便以轻松的姿态说"....没关系的,我会另寻出路."
阿里此时已经走到了校门口,表情也略显担忧地看着长安说"祝你好运吧,再见长安."
"啊,再见!"
长安微笑着和阿里挥了挥手,看着阿里坐进了豪车,便背着背包,骑上摩托车就离开了学校
骑着摩托车的途中,长安立刻变得面无表情,仿佛不记得刚刚发生了什么
骑着摩托车等红绿灯的途中,长安看到了附近有强盗拿着钱袋和斧头从某家店里冲了出来,并把钱袋丢进了车里,但他只是用冷漠的表情在一旁看着,直到附近的警笛声响起,此时也绿灯了,长安也重新把注意力放在了路上
很快长安回到了家,但是是公寓,长安进公寓之前,深吸了一口气,仿佛鼓起勇气要面对什么似的
长安走在公寓的走廊准备找自己的房间,但一进走廊,就被房东不断催房租
长安听到房东叫住了自己的名字,立刻加快脚步,房东追着长安喊道"喂!你给我站住!房租呢?"
长安边找自己的房间边回应"我很快就会交了!等我拿到了这个月打工的薪水."
房东立刻生气地补充道"你已经拖欠了几个月的房租,要是我这个月再没有收到房租,你们一家必须给我扫地出门!"
长安此时已经找到了自己的房间,也只是敷衍地回应"知道了知道了."
长安打发完房东,就关上了房门,结果还要面对奶奶的唠叨"长安,刚刚我接到了你老师的电话,你历史又考不及格了?"
长安被吓了一跳,拿着钥匙就往自己的房间里走去,也不想看着自己的奶奶一眼就说"没复习好而已,下次一定考好."
"长安啊,也不是我想说你,你能不能有点上进心?历史可是很重要的你知道吗?"
"啊啊啊,我知道我知道."此时长安走进了自己的房间,敷衍一下自己的奶奶就关上了房门
此时奶奶的声音透过房门穿透进了房间,虽然小声但还是听得清楚"你明明是个聪明人,你只是不想读而已,你自己好好反思!"
长安锁上房门后才松了一口气,随后才摸黑开了灯,就立刻放下书包,躺在床上打开自己的手机,打开了新闻回放
长安拖动了回放的进度条,随后停在了一篇新闻报导并播放"关于新元素暗能量,政府也在进一步研究,因其可能具有无限的能源,可能为社会提供无限电力,因此政府正在尝试制造出暗能量,以上皆为来自政府的最新消息,现在我们来看看关于某极端组织「红色正义」的消息,近期有相关消息说他们在背地里偷偷崛起,而政府和军方也在极力调查该组织,并验证其消息的真实性...."
长安的表情从原先的期待,听着新闻慢慢失望了起来,并关掉了新闻
长安捂着脸自言自语道"政府的效率好慢啊,只要材料够,根本不用一天就可以造得出来吧?什么时候才能过上出了名的成功人生啊?"
此时门外传出了奶奶的声音"长安啊!你在做什么?还不赶快洗澡吃饭?"
"我马上就去!"长安听后就立刻从床上下来,把手机放在书桌上就走出房间了
"长安啊,吃完饭后去附近的超市买一下酱油!"
"用我的钱?"
"用我的,拿着."
转眼间,长安就在去超市的路上
为了抄近路,就选择走在没人的小巷里,却突然间被一群蒙面黑衣人抓住了机会,突然冲出来捂住了他的嘴巴,长安开始拼命挣扎,可是反抗变得越来越虚弱,直到晕倒过去后就这样被抬进了面包车里
"天啊,没想到会这么简单."
未完待续