Watching Norman take away all the equipment and even the volunteers, Dr. Otto clutched his chest and sat down by the table.
Peter Parker also hurried forward, supporting Dr. Otto while comforting him: "Don't be upset, don't be upset. They didn't take everything. Maybe we can restart..."
"No, Peter." Dr. Otto raised his tired eyes. "There is no 'we' anymore. Without the city government's funding, I can't pay your salary."
After saying that, Dr. Otto lowered his head despondently, like an old man in his twilight years.
Peter Parker also fell silent. He wanted to comfort Dr. Otto, but what Dr. Otto said was true. Without research funding, they had no way to start over.
"I need some time to think..." Dr. Otto said with his head lowered, then looked at Peter Parker: "If I were you, I would choose to find another job."
"I..."
"How about coming to work for me?"
Just as Peter Parker was hesitating to say something, a young voice came from the doorway.
Hearing this, the two dejected people turned their heads. What came into view was an Asian young man in his twenties, walking in with a gentle smile.
"And you are?"
Peter Parker quickly stepped forward to meet him. Looking at the young man who had suddenly entered, he asked.
"Me? Well..."
Xia Yu walked up to Dr. Otto. Looking at the middle-aged balding man, he said casually: "I just want to invite you to join my company. Of course, I won't seize your research results."
Hearing this, Dr. Otto frowned. He was about to say something, but Xia Yu made a gesture for silence.
Then he took out a USB drive from his pocket, gestured to the two of them, and plugged it into the laboratory's computer port.
As Xia Yu clicked, the information in the USB drive was revealed. It was technology related to bionic limbs. Seeing this information, Dr. Otto and Peter Parker's gazes froze.
As they browsed through the data, the two of them exclaimed from time to time. The research on bionic limbs here was much deeper than theirs.
Moreover, some technologies were clearly more advanced, including artificial skin, smart chips, and so on.
However, there was no research data related to human neural links. These bionic limbs seemed more like they were for creating bionic robots rather than bionic limbs.
"Truly breathtaking." Otto took off his glasses and rubbed his brow. "This research data is at least decades ahead of this era."
In fact, it was thousands of years ahead, but to avoid appearing too shocking, it had been specifically modified to look like this.
Hearing Dr. Otto's evaluation, Xia Yu silently complained in his heart.
The data for these bionic limbs was all compiled by his super tool-man, AI Xia Yu. The specific source was the manufacturing data of Androids from the world of nier: automata.
Since being kicked out of Kamar-Taj by the old man Ancient One, he thought about it and decided to start a company first. Anyway, Ancient One hadn't explicitly said how he should experience the mortal world.
Therefore, he decided to follow his own pace. Returning to Huaxia back then was a choice made when he had no other options, but since he now had power, he could naturally do whatever he wanted.
Xia 'Homelander' Yu: I can do whatever the f*** I want!
"How about it, Doctor? Do you want to join my company? Rest assured, the salary I give you will definitely not be lower than the aid funding the government gave you."
Hearing this, Peter Parker was a bit tempted, but the final decision rested with Dr. Otto, so he didn't speak first.
"Hmm..."
To be honest, Dr. Otto was a bit tempted. Not only did the other party bring out such precious bionic limb data, but he also gave him such a solemn promise.
But... he also had his own difficulties. However, he didn't directly refuse the other party, but said somewhat hesitantly.
"Sorry, can you let me think about it first?"
"Hmm... is it because of your illness, Doctor?" Xia Yu said.
"What?!"
Before Otto could even speak, Peter Parker shouted out in surprise. He looked at Dr. Otto's complexion in disbelief.
"Doctor, are you sick? What kind of illness?"
Dr. Otto, who had originally wanted to keep it a secret, just smiled bitterly and nodded upon hearing Peter Parker's surprised exclamation.
"I didn't expect to be seen through. The doctor said it's 'degenerative neurological disorder,' probably from being exposed to toxic chemicals for too long."
"The worst part is that this symptom only affects the muscles. The mind can still continue to function, but the mind cannot direct the body's movements."
Listening to Dr. Otto's explanation, Peter Parker gradually understood why the doctor chose the research direction of bionic limbs. It wasn't just to help other disabled people missing limbs, but also to save himself.
"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Dr. Otto gave a forced smile and waved his hand at Peter Parker: "You are already helping."
"Are you two being a bit disrespectful?" Seeing that a sad atmosphere was about to emerge, Xia Yu suddenly interrupted the topic.
Being interrupted like this, both of them looked at Xia Yu. Peter Parker said somewhat awkwardly: "Sorry, I just..."
"Stop." Xia Yu suddenly made a timeout gesture, then walked behind Dr. Otto. Before the two could react, he suddenly took out a syringe from his lower back.
"This is an advance on your salary."
After saying that, Xia Yu suddenly stabbed the syringe into Dr. Otto's neck, and the medicine inside the syringe was quickly injected into Dr. Otto's body.
"Wait..."
Peter Parker had just spoken when Xia Yu had already pulled out the syringe.
Dr. Otto also belatedly clutched the place where he had just been injected, but soon, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
Under Peter Parker's tense gaze, Dr. Otto suddenly stood up, hopped in place, and then, with a face full of wonder, clenched his fists and did a backflip. This was completely unlike what a somewhat chubby middle-aged man could do, especially one who was suffering from an illness.
"Doctor, you..."
Peter Parker looked at this scene in disbelief. Dr. Otto's breathing also became heavy—not from exhaustion, but from excitement.
How long had it been since he felt such abundant physical strength? His stiff muscles seemed to have come alive again, and they even became quite a bit stronger.
Otherwise, he couldn't have performed such a difficult move as a standing backflip.
Dr. Otto's face was red with excitement. He grabbed Xia Yu's hand and shook it up and down, while continuously thanking him: "Thank you! Thank you! What was the injection you just gave me? With it, we can save more people!"
Xia Yu also said with a smile: "As long as you join my company, I'll tell you. How about it?"
"I'm in!" Otto said impatiently.
Peter Parker, standing by, also showed a happy smile. The other party was not only willing to fund them but also cured Dr. Otto. He was also very willing to join the other party's company.
"May I ask, what is our company's name?"
Hearing this, Xia Yu smiled shyly and said: "No company for now, name undecided, no employees, but the funding is quite sufficient.