They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 156 The Day Angels Attack (Part 1)

After finalizing the EVA modification plan and reporting the modification plan for Unit 2, which was being carried out simultaneously at the German branch, Zhang Qi's life became even busier.

Instead of being busy with bottles and jars and complex gene maps in the lab, they were in meetings, endless meetings.

The appearance of the Third Apostle, the Water Angel, and the terrifying combat power it displayed, enough to completely crush humanity's proud conventional army.

Like dropping a depth charge into a calm lake, it instantly put the nerves of top officials around the world on high alert.

Amidst the mix of panic and awe, there is an unprecedented level of attention.

More resources and more funds are flowing into NERV like a tidal wave.

Humans are such greedy and pragmatic creatures.

After witnessing EVA's destructive power, every faction wanted to hold it firmly in their hands and make it the most important piece on their chessboard.

The EVA project, which had previously been difficult to advance, was naturally pushed forward, with various countries vying to help NERV build EVAs.

And all of this was naturally within the script that the old guys at SEELE had anticipated.

They need to unite the power of all humanity to destroy all the apostles.

Then, after that, everyone will usher in the glorious and unified "evolution" they have planned.

Zhang Qi didn't care much about this.

Greed and fear are the primal driving forces behind the development of human society.

He simply disagreed with SEELE's self-righteous ultimate solution.

In his view, every independent soul with self-awareness is the most precious treasure in the universe.

The Human Instrumentality Project is fundamentally a complete denial of the value of the "individual".

Therefore, from the very beginning, his goal was to overturn that outdated chessboard.

However, that was after the external threat of the Apostles had been completely resolved.

After all, once SEELE's plan and the truth about EVA and the Second Impact are revealed, the only result will be to trigger suspicion and war within humanity.

By then, internal strife will have exhausted all our strength, and let alone fighting the Apostles, humanity will probably destroy itself first.

In a sense, it was precisely because SEELE's plan triggered the Second Impact that EVA was born.

……

A few days later, when Zhang Qi returned to his apartment, exhausted from the meeting, a rich and familiar fragrance instantly filled his nostrils, forcefully dispelling the vexation in his mind.

That's the unique aroma of fermented soybean paste after being stir-fried in hot oil, mixed with the caramelized aroma of pork belly rendered from fat. Just smelling it is enough to make your mouth water.

His eyes lit up, and following the aroma, his gaze locked precisely on the slightly thin figure in the kitchen.

Shinji Ikari was wearing a somewhat comical pink apron and was intently wielding a spatula.

This child... is really too virtuous.

Zhang Qi couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Since moving in, this boy, who should have been a guest, not only took the initiative to tidy up his apartment, which was as messy as a doghouse, but also naturally took on all the housework and meals.

A few days ago, he casually mentioned that he missed the taste of Chinese food, but he didn't expect the child to really remember it and start to study it seriously.

"I am back."

"Welcome back, Zhang Qisang."

I tried making twice-cooked pork today, but I don't know if it will suit your taste.

Hearing the noise at the door, Shinji Ikari turned around with a shy smile on his face.

Shinji Ikari's voice was as gentle as ever, but Zhang Qi's gaze froze the moment he saw the child's face.

"What's wrong with your face?"

On Shinji Ikari's left cheek, there was a clear red swelling. Although it wasn't very serious, it stood out starkly against his fair skin.

"Ah...this..."

Shinji Ikari's eyes immediately became evasive; he instinctively lowered his head, trying to cover his scars with his bangs.
"It's nothing, I just bumped into it accidentally."

This clumsy lie was so bad that even he couldn't convince himself.

At the dinner table, the fragrant twice-cooked pork failed to ease the tension.

Under Zhang Qi's calm but unwavering questioning, Shinji Ikari finally stammered out the truth.

It was exactly the same storyline he remembered.

The person who did it was his classmate, Suzuhara Touji.

The reason is simple and direct—in the battle of the Water Angel, Suzuhara Touji's sister was caught in the crossfire and was injured and hospitalized.

Therefore, he directed all his resentment and anger at Shinji Ikari, the pilot of EVA Unit-01.

Having learned the whole story, Zhang Qi put down his chopsticks.

He could understand Suzuhara Touji's feelings, but that didn't mean he would condone such behavior.

Especially in Japan, where bullying is almost the norm, most people choose to endure it or ignore it.

But he is not Japanese.

More importantly, he is now Shinji Ikari's nominal guardian.

As a guardian, there are naturally things that a guardian should do.

……

The next day, to the astonishment of the researchers, Zhang Qi unusually asked for half a day off.

They took Shinji Ikari with them and went to Tokyo-3 Middle School No. 1.

When Zhang Qi's face, which frequently appeared in various scientific journals and news reports, appeared at the school gate, it instantly caused quite a stir.

This school was originally established by NERV for the children of its stakeholders, and the teachers and some students here are more or less aware of Zhang Qi's identity. Moreover, even disregarding his status as a senior advisor to NERV, his title of "Father of Fusion Reactors" alone is enough to make him a world-class celebrity who solved humanity's energy crisis.

Countless curious, awe-inspiring, and inquisitive gazes came from all directions, making the already introverted Shinji Ikari feel extremely uncomfortable. He lowered his head even more self-consciously, wishing he could shrink into a ball.

The school principal personally came out to greet him. This middle-aged man with a receding hairline was exceptionally respectful in front of Zhang Qi, carefully inquiring about his purpose.

"No big deal..."

“I brought the child here, and while I’m at it, I’ll help him get some revenge.”

Zhang Qi's tone was calm, but the content made the principal break out in a cold sweat instantly.
……

Soon, Suzuhara Touji and his friend Aida Kensuke were summoned to the principal's office.

Kensuke Aida seemed a little uneasy. He was a military enthusiast and was full of curiosity and admiration for everything about NERV. Now that he saw Zhang Qi in person, he was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands.

Suzuhara Touji, on the other hand, was a completely different person.

With his messy, tousled hair and baggy school uniform, he glared fiercely at Shinji Ikari, his eyes filled with disdain and provocation, as if to say,

"Tch, what a rude guy! He can't beat them, so he calls his parents?"

Shinji Ikari turned his head away, not daring to meet his gaze, his fingers nervously twisting the hem of his clothes.

"Suzuhara-san, I've already heard about what happened."

Do you think it's all Shinji's fault?

Zhang Qi took in everything. He ignored Suzuhara Touji's clamor and calmly asked a question.

"Is not it?"

Suzuhara Touji, neck stiff, retorted without backing down.

"If he hadn't been driving that thing around randomly, my sister wouldn't have gotten hurt!"

"Oh?"

A barely perceptible smile curved the corners of Zhang Qi's lips.

"You mean, if you were to pilot EVA, you would do a better job than him?"

"of course!"

Suzuhara Touji blurted it out almost immediately, but after thinking for a moment, he added,
"At least, I won't hurt others like he did!"

"is it?"

Zhang Qi's smile deepened.

"Since you're so confident, I'll give you a chance."

He said this and stood up.

"Come on, boys, follow me."

……

When Suzuhara Touji and Aida Kensuke actually followed Zhang Qi to NERV headquarters and took the high-speed elevator deep into the bottomless underground space, their expressions were completely different.

Kensuke Aida was so excited that his face turned red. He looked around curiously, like a country bumpkin visiting a grand garden. This legendary underground city was many times more magnificent than he had imagined.

Meanwhile, Suzuhara Touji started to get nervous.

His words were just a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment, and he never dreamed that the other party would actually bring him to a place like this!

Zhang Qi ignored their thoughts and led them directly to the simulation training area.

"Go in."

He pointed to a cockpit for a plug and said to Suzuhara Touji.

With the help of the staff, Suzuhara Touji sat down inside with some skepticism.

"Load the combat data of the Third Angel 'Water Angel' and the pilot of Unit 1. Synchronization rate... Let's set it to 30% for now."

Zhang Qi issued commands to the control panel.

A moment later, a piercing scream erupted from the loudspeaker.

Seeing his friend's contorted face in pain on the screen, Kensuke Aida turned pale with fright.

Shinji Ikari shuddered as he recalled what had happened that night.

The screams lasted for a long time before gradually subsiding.

The cabin door opened, and Suzuhara Touji was helped out by the staff. He was soaked in cold sweat, his face was as pale as paper, and his legs were trembling so badly that he could not even stand up.

Zhang Qi walked up to him, looked down at him, and spoke in a cold but clear voice.

"Got it, kid?"
Driving an EVA is exactly what it's like.

Neural connections synchronize not only the body's movements, but also all the pain it endures.

The excruciating pain of broken bones, the tearing sensation of internal organs being pierced, and the immense fear of facing that inhuman monster—a fear capable of driving a normal person insane.

"To be able to ride that thing, to endure pain we can't even imagine, to fight those monsters..."

Shinji Ikari is far more remarkable than you imagine.

After hearing this, Suzuhara Touji remained silent. He raised his head and looked at Shinji Ikari not far away with an extremely complicated expression. His eyes contained shock, guilt, and a hint of awe that even he himself could not explain.

In the end, he said nothing, turned around and left without uttering a word.

Hearing Zhang Qi's words, Shinji Ikari felt a rush of heat to his nose, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

He had always felt that he was dispensable, that he was forced to board the EVA, and that he was being used as a tool by his father.

But this was the first time someone had told him so bluntly that the pain he was enduring was worthwhile.

You are amazing...

(End of this chapter)