Chapter Twenty-Two: The Failed Plan

Five days passed, and there was no word from the Maidebier Testing Center. By the fourth day, Zhu Lan already knew that what he feared had begun to happen. Normally, no matter how difficult the testing or how many tasks there were, results should be out in three days. If there were no unforeseen circumstances, by the fourth day, there would be a call notifying him. Now, it was already five in the afternoon on the fifth day—closing time—and still, there was nothing. Zhu Lan understood that his worries were justified.

He was not flustered. Bringing the gene optimization serum to Europe for testing, he had prepared for the worst; it was just that, when the time came, he found it hard to accept.

“Hello!” As he pondered whether his concerns had indeed materialized, his phone suddenly rang.

“Boss!”

“Manager Ren?” Zhu Lan was surprised. At this hour, it should be nighttime back home—the time difference between Germany and home was seven hours. Why would Ren Linting be calling him now?

“Yes, boss.”

“What’s happened?” For Ren Linting to call at this time, Zhu Lan could guess something was wrong; otherwise, he wouldn’t be calling.

“Well, it’s not a big issue, but not a small one either.”

“Stop beating around the bush. Out with it.”

“It’s like this: these past two days, Sheng Tang’s project progress seems to be deliberately slowing down. I spoke with their supervisor, who said there’s a problem with the materials site—materials can’t be supplied right now.”

“And the result?” Zhu Lan didn’t ask for details, but went straight to the outcome. He trusted his people, but that didn’t mean he was truly at ease. Quietly, he had hired several detective agencies in Hong Kong and back home to investigate some employees’ backgrounds. Yu Dongming’s side was the most mysterious; none of the agencies could uncover his identity. As for Ren Linting, the general manager, Zhu Lan had taken extra care in his investigation.

“I sent people to inspect Sheng Tang’s materials site. There are absolutely no supply issues; in fact, materials are piled up in large quantities outdoors. There’s no problem at all. Sheng Tang’s trucks are moving in and out as usual, so there’s no dispute.”

“So you’re saying someone’s tripping me up behind the scenes?”

“Yes, we don’t know who yet, but to affect Sheng Tang, it’s not a minor issue. Right now, they’re only making trouble with small matters, so I thought it necessary to inform you.”

Zhu Lan was silent, thinking. To affect Sheng Tang? He searched the entire province in his mind but couldn’t identify anyone suitable.

Sheng Tang was powerful, but there were a few other companies locally, and the government had some influence, but none of these companies with strong backgrounds or the provincial government could possibly have a grudge against him. The military was even less likely; his ties with them were relatively close now, so they wouldn’t sabotage him, especially with petty tricks.

That left only one possibility: a high-ranking insider within Sheng Tang.

Realizing this, Zhu Lan shook his head helplessly. “I understand. Keep an eye out. If anything happens, call me immediately.”

“Yes, I understand!” Hearing Zhu Lan’s words, Ren Linting understood that Zhu Lan had figured out who was playing games, so he stopped worrying.

Zhu Lan truly knew.

He had never offended anyone within Sheng Tang, so the only possibility was that his meeting with Tang Xuejian had annoyed someone. This person likely cared deeply for Tang Xuejian, and Zhu Lan’s meeting with her made him fear the rekindling of old feelings, prompting him to use his influence to make trouble.

Tang Xuejian’s authority within Sheng Tang must be considerable. Ever since Zhu Lan learned that she was part of Sheng Tang Group, he knew her power there was significant.

Who was Zhu Lan? An ordinary man, indistinguishable from the masses—three generations of fishermen, no melodramatic family secrets. And yet, he had received Tang Xuejian’s love, the classic case of a toad eating swan meat.

Did Tang Xuejian’s family not know? Even a child from a poor family, studying thousands of miles away, would have their parents visit once or twice in four years to check on their studies and well-being.

Who was Tang Xuejian? The daughter of Sheng Tang Group. Sheng Tang had been a leading private enterprise in the country since the nineties. As the cherished daughter, she fell in love with an ordinary man—could her family not know?

Sheng Tang’s roots were in the provincial capital, just a few hundred kilometers from S City. With their means, they could make several round trips a day. There was no way they wouldn’t know.

During Zhu Lan’s university years, especially after becoming Tang Xuejian’s boyfriend, no one from her family ever intervened—only romantic rivals appeared, never her family.

Because of this, Zhu Lan always thought Tang Xuejian’s family was well-off, but never imagined they were Sheng Tang Group.

Whether indulgence or ignorance, Tang Xuejian’s family not stopping her from being with him was impossible. That they never did meant Tang Xuejian had suppressed everything herself, which showed her influence within Sheng Tang Group—within the Tang family—was immense, enough to determine her own future.

“What does it matter to me?” Zhu Lan said helplessly. “I just hope they don’t provoke me. I don’t care who they are.”

The next day, Maidebier Testing Center called to say the test results were ready.

Hearing the news from Cheng Xue, Zhu Lan realized the real test was upon him.

Arriving at Maidebier, he was received by Jin He’er as before. What puzzled Zhu Lan was how smoothly everything went. Jin He’er spoke highly of the research, calling the inventor an absolute genius—her praise reached the heavens.

Throughout, Zhu Lan was perplexed. Gene optimization serum was unprecedented worldwide. No matter how kind-hearted, no one could be ignorant in this field, especially at a bio-specialized center like Maidebier. Yet, everything proceeded as if the serum were an ordinary item—testing went smoothly, and he received official certification from Germany, meaning he could launch the product in Germany, and, with this certificate, sell it in other European countries.

Though other European nations would require additional procedures, this German official certificate meant Zhu Lan could indeed market the gene optimization serum.

Back at his hotel, the more Zhu Lan thought, the more puzzled he became.

Originally, his plan was that the testing of the serum would attract a few heavyweight Germans, and then he could offer a slightly lower price, safely launch in Germany. Once it circulated there, other European countries would naturally follow. With time, American businessmen would inevitably come sniffing for opportunities like sharks drawn to blood. Thus, apart from Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, he could secure Europe and North America.

By then, news of the serum abroad would spread online back home. His company could then launch sales, opening up the domestic and Asian markets.

The plan was flawless, but Zhu Lan hadn’t expected it to collapse before it even started.

“This can’t be right.”

“Boss, what are you talking about?” Cheng Xue looked up at Zhu Lan as she ate.

“Nothing. I’m full. You all take your time.”

As Zhu Lan walked away, the others exchanged puzzled glances.

“What’s with the boss?” Qin Shi asked, bewildered.

“You ask me, who am I supposed to ask?” Cheng Xue rolled her eyes at Qin Shi.

Qin Shi was embarrassed. “Boss is acting strange. The results are out—he should be happy, but he…”

Zhai Bang put down his chopsticks. “You all eat.”

Knock, knock, knock—

“Who is it?” Zhu Lan frowned. He was deep in thought about why his plan had failed, and now someone was disturbing him; naturally, he was annoyed.

“Mr. Zhu, it’s me!”

Hearing Zhai Bang’s voice, Zhu Lan was even more puzzled. So many days in Germany, the official sent from this country hadn’t made any moves, didn’t interfere, almost as if he were just sightseeing. Zhu Lan often forgot Zhai Bang was even there.

He opened the door and looked at Zhai Bang. “Do you need something?”

“Yes, may I come in?”

Zhu Lan nodded.

“All right, what is it?”

Zhai Bang sat across from Zhu Lan. Hearing the question, he looked Zhu Lan in the eye. “Mr. Zhu, the higher-ups have instructed that after you finish testing, you should return to the country as soon as possible.”

Zhu Lan frowned. That was not what the military had told him before he came.

Before coming to Germany, he had negotiated with the authorities. The result was that he would bring samples for testing and stay for a period to open the market.

He had prepared to stay abroad for a month, but now, after less than seven days, Zhai Bang was telling him to go back. Judging by Zhai Bang’s words, this order had been given long ago—to be delivered once testing was complete.

Thinking it over, Zhu Lan understood the intent.

Though the gene strengthening serum had been handed over, he himself was a living source of it—the only one capable of producing it. If he could come to Europe, it must have been due to some unexpected turn.

Truthfully, Zhu Lan barely understood the formula for the serum. He only supplied a few key ingredients; the rest were thirteen vials he had developed and kept in reserve.

Now, clearly, the authorities had no way to mass produce the serum, and Zhu Lan was the only one in the world able to make it. If the country could control production, his importance would be less critical; but as things stood, without the ability to manufacture it, Zhu Lan’s significance was heightened, making such an order not unreasonable.

Seeing this clearly, Zhu Lan nodded helplessly. “I understand. But I need a few days to arrange someone to take over my work in Europe. Let’s set it for three days from now.”