Pathological

by Jinkang Wang

  “That’s great, thank you. That sets my mind at rest.”

  Back home, he told Moraine and Bruce what happened. After that, there was nothing to do but wait for Agent Banbury to get in touch.

  CHAPTER TWO

  AMERICAN MISFORTUNE

  Early September 2016—Nanyang, Henan-Hubei provincial border, China

  When school let out at noon, Mei Xiaoxue dashed back to the orphanage to find Mother Liu and Mother Chen preparing lunch. “Has Mother Mei arrived yet?”

  “She’s reached the county, and will be driving over from Wuhan, together with Uncle Xue Yu who came last time. They have some business down south, in Xinye, but they’ll definitely be back for your birthdays this evening.”

  Thirteen-year-old Xiaoxue cheered, and so did her friends, twelve-year-old Mei Xiaokai, eleven-year-old Xue Yuanyuan, and a gaggle of girls aged two to six. Xiaoxue said, “Is Mother Mei’s room ready for her?”

  “Of course,” said Mother Chen, then, knowing what she was hinting at, she added, “The door’s not locked, if you want to go and give it a final sweep, go ahead. But don’t forget lunch.”

  Mei Xiaoxue ran out joyfully, followed by several of the children. Mother Liu and Mother Chen watched her go, smiling. In its fourteenth year, the orphanage now housed thirty-two children, with Xiaoxue the oldest. These kids were more than usually thoughtful, and had formed a deep bond with Mother Mei. The director kept a small room here, furnished very simply, which was normally locked. She spent no more than a day or two here at a time. Before and after each visit, Xiaoxue would find all sorts of excuses to spend time in her room. Once, after Director Mei had gone, Mother Liu went to check on the room and found Xiaoxue hugging the pillow she’d used, breathing deeply. Seeing Mother Liu come in, she blushed bright red, and shyly explained that the pillow still had Mother Mei’s “Mommy scent” that she liked to smell. All the orphans, not just Xiaoxue, had invested their affection in Mother Mei.

  Out of thirty-two orphans, twenty-four were girls, a sign of Chinese society’s preference for boys. None of them knew their birthdays for certain, but over the last decade, they’d started a tradition that on the first Sunday in September, at the height of fall, Director Mei would find some time to come visit and celebrate a group birthday. And so, on this day, the children were every bit as excited as on Chinese New Year.

  Mother Liu and Mother Chen had met Director Mei for the first time fourteen years ago. Seeing the glittering crucifix around her neck, they’d assumed she too was a believer, and it was only later that they learned she wasn’t a Christian. Still, her benevolence was every bit as real as the most devout person of faith. She’d never married, and lived very simply, spending all her money on the orphanage. The living expenses of all thirty-four residents (including the two custodians) were entirely covered by Director Mei, along with a small amount of government funding. Mothers Liu and Chen always said that it didn’t matter about Director Mei not being a believer (the greatest regret of these two women was that such a good person should lack faith)—in a hundred years she’d certainly ascend to heaven.

  Xiaoxue came back from Mother Mei’s room. She was the oldest child of the orphanage, and often helped the two mothers with odd jobs—serving lunch, washing dishes, and so on. Now she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to work. At thirteen, she was extremely beautiful, with a pair of bright eyes and two rows of straight white teeth. Her skin was delicate, red blooming through the white, and very smooth. Her face nearly always wore a smile, along with its accompanying dimples. She was the prettiest girl in the orphanage, and indeed the town. Quite a few people murmured that if her parents had known how attractive she’d turn out to be, they’d never have abandoned her.

  All thirty-two children were assembled in the dining room, on either side of a pale wood table. Mother Liu led them in prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread . . .” Although this wasn’t really a Christian orphanage (the Church had only provided the land), both mothers were believers, and naturally wanted the children to say grace. Mei Yin hadn’t initially approved of this, but neither had she explicitly forbidden it, and so they continued. Four of the children were young enough that they needed to be fed. The two mothers took one each, while the oldest children, Xiaoxue and Xiaokai, took care of the other two. Xiaoxue was feeding Little Niu, while her own meal was placed nearby, so she could shovel in a few mouthfuls whenever she had a moment. All the kids were thrilled at the news of Mother Mei’s imminent arrival, chattering away about it. Little Niu asked, “Sister Xiaoxue, does Mommy Mei have a mommy and daddy?”

  “Mother Mei’s mommy and daddy died of an illness, so she’s an orphan, just like us. But she has a mommy and daddy in America—no, just a daddy, her mommy died last year.”

  “Is her American father named Mei, too?”

  Xiaoxue smiled. “Of course not! This granddad’s name is Dickerson. He’s a scientist too.”

  “Mother Mei, and Grandfather Dickerson, they’re the best scientists in the world. Just like Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. Isn’t that right?”

  Xiaoxue had no answer to that. Jesus and the Virgin Mary she knew about—the two mothers had seen to that. But it was the first she’d heard them compared to scientists. Mother Chen said threateningly, “You little rascal! No more talking, sit down and eat your lunch. If anyone of you misbehaves, you won’t get to eat Mother Mei’s birthday cake tonight.”

  Little Niu immediately shut his mouth, and obediently finished his meal.

  After they’d done the dishes, Xiaoxue quietly asked, “Mother Liu, what time is Mommy Mei arriving? I only have gym class this afternoon, I can ask to skip.”

  Knowing she wanted to spend as much time with Mother Mei as possible, Mother Liu replied, “She phoned to say she’d be here after four.” Then she teased, “Xiaoxue, Mother Chen and I are very sad, you know, because you only think of Mommy Mei.”

  Xiaoxue blushed a little, and replied sweetly, “Who says? I love all three of my mothers, it’s just that Mommy Mei is only here for such a short time.” And with that, she ran off to school.

  A little after nine that morning, Mei Yin and Xue Yu arrived at the road to the main town in Xinye County. There, they met County Chief Jin, standing in front of a top-of-the-line Lifan car. Afraid they wouldn’t see him, Jin flagged them down vigorously. Mei Yin quickly asked Xue Yu to stop and leaped from the vehicle, smiling. “Hey, Jin, how did you know we were coming back today? Look at you, blocking our way like the king of the hill. What’s the matter?”

  “What’s the matter?” said the county chief with mock outrage. “All I want is for Ms. Mei Yin, director of Heavenly Corp., to do me the honor of allowing me to host her this once, a wish I’ve cherished for fourteen years. As for how I knew you were coming today—I have a spy! I’m kidding . . . I knew you had set up an orphanage in Nanyang, and that you come back on the first Sunday of every September to celebrate all their birthdays. So I knew you’d likely be passing this way, and came here early like a hunter in front of a rabbit hole. I’d like to throw you a banquet at noon. You’ll still be in time for the kids’ birthdays.”

  “Forgive my bluntness, but I’ve been back in China more than twenty years now, and I’m still not used to all this government entertainment. I think if everyone stopped wasting time and money on official banquets, the country would develop a lot faster.”

  “It’s not an official banquet, I’m planning to host you myself. Just a few of us, for a private chat. Though I admit this car behind me was bought with government funds—and it’s for you, a reward for the part you’ve played in Xinye’s economic development. I insist you accept it. You’ve had your Santana so many years, it ought to have been scrapped years ago. I know your finances are tight, and you’ve never awarded yourself a bonus at Heavenly, plus most of your salary goes straight into the orphanage.”

  He was clearly moved as he got to the last sentence. Mei Yin thought about it, then happily accepted the car. County Chief Jin called over the Lifan’
s driver, and told him to bring the Santana to the county hall, while he took the wheel of the Lifan himself. “Please get in, Sister Mei, and this comrade as well.” He glanced over at the tall, thin young man, who exuded an air of competence. “Is it Mr. Xue? You were here last time.”

  “Yes, I’m one of Professor Mei’s doctoral students. I met you a year ago, sir.”

  “Please get in, both of you. I’ll take you to Heavenly Corp. first, so you can take care of official business, then to your party.”

  Mei Yin joked to Xue Yu, “Does this seem like a kidnapping to you?” Feeling helpless, she got in the car.

  The Lifan sped toward Heavenly Corp. Along the way, County Chief Jin pointed out the car’s many features: car-mounted computer, GPS positioning, big-screen navigation, and genuine-leather, heated massage seats. Not to mention the standard rearview monitor, double safety air bags, and so on. He bragged that this vehicle was well made yet inexpensive, less than a hundred and fifty thousand, and every bit as good as a BMW, apart from the lack of a car phone.

  The road was different now than a decade before. It was no wider than before, but it had been resurfaced, and there were now pedestrian crossings, flower beds along the side, and traffic lights. The riot of beautiful blossoms, together with artistically designed street lamps, stretched the whole length of the road. The refurbishment of this road was Jin’s first act after becoming county chief. Mei Yin admired the scenery on both sides, thinking how fourteen years ago, when she’d chosen this abandoned farmland as the site for her facility, the main reason had been its unobtrusive remoteness. But as the saying goes, tall trees catch the wind; Heavenly Corp. now had an output value of two billion, and would have attracted notice whatever she did.

  County Chief Jin said, “This is my first time hosting you in Xinye, and it may also be my last—I’m being transferred to Nanyang, to be their deputy mayor.”

  “Ah, that’s good news,” beamed Mei Yin. “Jin, you’re a rising star, and there’s no limit to what you’ll achieve. You must be the youngest deputy mayor the city has ever had?”

  “It’s all thanks to you,” he said, truly grateful to Mei Yin. His successful career had begun with the deal they’d struck fourteen years before. “This is just a temporary position. The official appointment won’t take place until the next People’s Congress.”

  “That’s just a formality, of course you’ll be confirmed, unless you make some terrible error in the meantime. But I know our Jin isn’t corrupt and doesn’t womanize, so what could possibly go wrong?”

  “It’s hard to say. Government is like a battlefield—being in politics is the most dangerous job, even worse than being a Hollywood stuntman.”

  They laughed and chatted till they reached the Heavenly Corp. building, which still kept up its low-key exterior, surrounded by a large grove of pine trees, planted fourteen years ago and now fully grown, so lush they turned the day green. An unremarkable cement road led through the pines, only wide enough for two cars to pass, not at all resembling the entrance to a large work site. The woods were very still. Occasionally, the red roof flashed into view. There were no slogans or flags on the outside of the building, not even the company’s name or road signs pointing to it. When they got to the office, General Manager Sun Jingshuan welcomed them without much fanfare. Seeing County Chief Jin, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “I’d said the magpies were chirping a lot today. Turns out it was because of our important visitor!”

  County Chief Jin said, “No need to praise me. When I asked you when Director Mei was coming, you kept your mouth sealed. But didn’t you say, ‘You might be the county chief, but you’re no chief here; you might be a high official, but this is my domain.’”

  Sun laughed. “Oh no, I’m done for, I’ve offended Mighty Lord Jin. In all your vast territories, I’ll have nowhere to shelter from your wrath!”

  He ushered them into seats as he spoke. County Chief Jin said, “Enough of that. You two have business to discuss. Do that, and get someone to show me around the facility. I haven’t been here in five or six years.”

  General Manager Sun exchanged an unobtrusive glance with Director Mei. As the brightest star in the county’s sky, their business had naturally attracted its share of officials wanting to take a tour—but they usually refused diplomatically. County Chief Jin knew they had a firm rule that unless it was a compulsory inspection, no one was allowed to disturb the workplace. Yet he’d asked directly, and it would be rude to turn him down, so Mei Yin said breezily, “Of course. I didn’t come here to talk business today, I’ll give you a tour myself. Xue Yu, you can come have a look too. Sun, you don’t need to come, stay here and take care of your own work.”

  The forest of pines wrapped around the workshop like a shell. These buildings were all a pleasing sky blue, and it was quiet here, with none of the commotion you’d hear in any other facility. Along the roads were orderly lines of boxwood and holly hedges, all neatly trimmed, not a scrap of trash in sight. Xue Yu complimented Sun Jingshuan, saying his management of the area alone showed his caliber. Mei Yin smiled, replying, “Not only does he keep everything running smoothly, he also has a great aptitude for technology. After more than a decade here, he’s been responsible for quite a few innovations in animal cell cultivation.”

  First they went to the preparation lab, which mainly focused on preparing blood serum–free cultures and consisted of rows of containers and pipes in a variety of sizes. All the workers were in clean white lab coats and smiled in recognition at the sight of Mei Yin, before burying their heads back in their work.

  Next was the main laboratory, which contained neat rows of a dozen or more large tubes. Xue Yu explained that they were the world’s most advanced hollow-fiber biological reactors. Each contained tens of thousands of hollow fibers, creating separate reactor chambers inside and outside the tubes. The cells grew on the tubes, unable to enter the inner chamber, their secretions similarly kept out, including macromolecules such as monoclonal antibodies. Blood serum–free culture circulated through the inner chamber, oozing out, while waste products leaked back in and were carried away by the movement of the culture. Within this system, cells could proliferate in three dimensions at a density as high as 109/mL.

  Mei Yin explained, “We’re number one internationally in terms of density of cell cultivation.”

  After visiting several more auxiliary labs, Mei Yin said, “That’s everything we need to look at. Shall we return to the office?”

  Jin halted. “Isn’t there one more new lab? The one we invested in last year.”

  Xue Yu glanced at Mei Yin—he hadn’t heard of any new lab. She nodded. “Right, I forgot about that. Come on, I’ll show you.”

  They followed a small path into the woods. Another building appeared from behind the trees, sky blue like the others. This was County Chief Jin’s main reason for that day’s visit. Heavenly Corp. was very dear to him, and he was very protective of it, preventing other government departments from causing them any trouble. But he’d heard about a new heavily sealed laboratory on the premises, and it made him uneasy. Director Mei had said the facility would only produce animal cells, nothing at all to do with viruses, and there was no possibility of viral contamination—so what were all the precautions for? If some accident were to happen, his job would be in danger. His professional success had started with this company; he hoped it wouldn’t also end here.

  The lab was in regular operation, but the entrance was firmly locked. Mei Yin let them in with a magnetic card. At first glance, it looked no different from the other workshops, just rows of large bioreactors. Mei Yin explained that their interior construction was different. “The techniques used in this lab weren’t our innovation, but a mature technology purchased from the Mérieux Research Center in France, which produces a new kind of rabies vaccine. With all the new pet owners in China, the market for this vaccine looks very strong.

  “I made a promise to you that this facility would have nothing to do with
viruses, and that promise is still in effect. The rabies vaccine consists of the attenuated virus, curative rather than pathogenic. No danger there. We keep a tight rein on this lab only to prevent industrial secrets leaking out.”

  County Chief Jin stopped worrying. While entry to the building was restricted, the workers were dressed in ordinary lab coats and masks, no special protective gear.

  After they finished their tour and went back out, they came upon a medium-size lab. The door was locked, and when they looked through the window, there was no one inside. Mei Yin said, “This is an auxiliary lab, not in use yet. I’ll phone for the guard to open the door.” After making the call, she reported, “Sun says the guard will be here in half an hour at the most.”

  “Forget it,” Jin said. “No need to go in.”

  “If you’re sure, I’ll tell Sun not to bother, then.”

  Xue Yu looked through the window. The lab contained three completely sealed negative-pressure ultraclean workstations. He had no idea why a vaccine lab would require such a facility, but didn’t ask.

  The trio returned to General Manager Sun’s office. County Chief Jin offered to whisk them off to the government hotel in the town, where a banquet was waiting for them. Sun laughed. “County Chief, there’s no need for that. You’re on our territory now, how could we let you play host? Come on, we’re going to my home. A regular farmer’s meal.”

  Granny Sun was still healthy, and as the visitors arrived, she rushed out to welcome them. Her white hair was dazzling, her body still sturdy, and her memory extraordinary. She cried out, “Jin, you’re here—it’s such an honor. It’s been twelve, no, fourteen years since you were last here.” Her grandson roared into her ear, “He’s the county chief now! Lording over us all!” Jin cut in. “Manager Sun, you should scold me instead. In front of your grandmother, I’m always going to be junior—she should lord it over me instead!”