Chapter 427 - Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Golden Finger (Part 1) (1/2)

Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Golden Finger (Part 1)

Zhou Rui had always been deeply interested in ants and their behaviors. He liked researching the diverse characteristics of various ant species, and he even kept them to study and observe.

So any creature that most people would not pay attention to, or even despised, he would instinctively give a few more glances and then associate them with relevant memories from his previous research.

Just like certain car enthusiasts who, upon seeing a distinct car model, would immediately make judgments in their minds and be able to guess the car’s brand and model just from a hubcap, a rear window, or a fender. They could even identify the engine by the sound of it revving, and could tell you about its specifications like how many cylinders it has, how much horsepower it churns out, and its maximum torque and efficiency curve.

And if the engine sound, exhaust pipe design, car details, or rear emblem doesn’t match, they would instantly recognize that the car has been modified.

However, unlike cars, living organisms cannot undergo modifications. They are what they are, and any significant differences would amount to a huge discovery.

At that moment, Zhou Rui had the feeling that he had stumbled upon such a discovery.

The insect perched on the chair’s backrest belonged to the Order Hymenoptera. His first instinct was that it was a reproductive ant, judging from the size of its abdomen he presumed it to be a “princess” (a female ant ready to mate).

However, upon moving closer for a better look, he speculated based on its color and physical attributes that it could be a species of Polyrhachis discothorax, commonly found in Szechwan, Guangdong Province, Hunan and Chu, so sighting one in Haixi Province was not odd.

But upon a closer look, Zhou Rui realized that this Hymenopteran insect seemed to be no ordinary ant.

Besides the two regular antennae on its head, it also had two thin, long whiskers which struck him as quite unusual!

Moreover, its wings were peculiar as well. They bore complex and conspicuous vein patterns and were much smaller compared to the wings of a typical Polyrhachis discothorax “princess”. They were so small that they could barely cover its abdomen, leading him to question if it could actually fly.

Zhou Rui gently picked up the ant, scrutinizing it meticulously.

To his shock, he discovered similar whisker-like structures underneath its shorter wings, clinging against the sides of its body.

What could this be? A parasite?

The more he looked at it, the more he felt a sense of bizarre discordance towards the ant.

Parallel to relying on his knowledge of ants, he recalled that time when he was investigating a case involving a giant raptor attacking tourists on Wushu Mountain. He had encountered an ant on the main peak of the mountain.

Back then, just like now, he had caught a glimpse of an ant scurrying underground. The ant was of the same rare species that he kept at home, unlike the Polyrhachis discothorax which is unlikely to be found in the wilderness in Haixi Province. He had immediately started digging where the ant had disappeared, hoping to find an ant colony or other ants of the same community.

However, much to his disappointment, he hadn’t found the ant he saw. Instead, his effort had helped Dr. Fang discover the anomaly that there were no ants at all on the main peak of Wushu Mountain.

“Is this…a reproductive ant?” Mijoe, who had walked over, stood by his side and asked, looking at the ant in his hand.

Her thoughts also immediately went to that invisible insect that could fly and was carried off by a “giant raptor”.

According to the analysis provided by Dr. Fang and Zhou Rui, based on the visuals captured by her infrared thermal imaging camera, the “invisible insect” was also a Hymenopteran insect, and its head shape resembled more that of an ant.

“It’s a bit strange. I want to take it back for further research,” Zhou Rui said, and the three of them ended their shopping trip ahead of schedule and headed back to their parked car.

Meanwhile, the sky started to drizzle again.

Unbeknownst to them, a bald man stood by the window on the second floor of Youlong Restaurant, peering out from behind his glasses and the window at them.

This man was none other than Xiang Kun.

Honestly, he didn’t expect Mijoe, Zhou Rui, and the others to come and dine at the Youlong Restaurant today.

He, Old Xia, Tang Baona, and Yang Zhen Er had already been in Tongshi Town for two weeks.

Shortly after their arrival, Zhang Qian and Zi Cheng were also summoned and came over to meet with them. They discussed with You Meng and Liu Caifu about how to operate the game project. The other “shareholders” who couldn’t attend delegated their decisions to either Zhang Qian or Zi Cheng.

In truth, Tang Baona had already discussed the main points on behalf of Xiang Kun and Zhang Qian and everyone else mainly followed their decisions, only giving their inputs on some minute details.