Chapter 59: Developing a New Product

After Chen Xiaofei left, Lu Yu returned to his room, opened his laptop, and began searching online for the equipment he needed, carefully examining their specifications. He was so absorbed that he didn’t notice the darkness settling outside, and only when Zhang Kexin and Qianqian came to call him for dinner did he realize evening had already passed.

Following them to a nearby restaurant, Qianqian asked, “Later we’re playing games in a group—do you want to join us?”

Lu Yu pulled out a chair and sat down, casting her a glance. “So you can knock me down with your sharp tongue and leave me crawling on the ground?”

Qianqian remembered the last time they played together—her temper flared, and she repeatedly pummeled her teammates—so she covered her mouth, laughing.

Zhang Kexin assured, “Don’t worry, this time Qianqian won’t target you.”

Lu Yu nodded in agreement. “Yes, I believe that, but you’ll target me instead. Clever as I am, I’ll pass.”

Zhang Kexin clicked her tongue, her little scheme seen through. “Hey, Lu—rumor has it you like girls in traditional style. Is that true?”

Lu Yu’s expression faltered for a moment. “Who said that?”

Zhang Kexin pressed, “Never mind who said it. Just answer—do you like girls dressed in traditional fashion?”

Lu Yu couldn’t help but recall Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian in their flowing robes, especially their gentle white dresses under the hazy moonlight at Mount Qingcheng not long ago. Thinking of those moments, he nodded. “Yes, I quite like it. Why do you ask? Do you have someone to introduce to me?”

Zhang Kexin glanced at Qianqian, her expression unreadable. “No, even if there were, I wouldn’t introduce her to you.”

Lu Yu was puzzled. “Why not?”

Zhang Kexin replied, “You’re hardly a pretty boy.”

Lu Yu chuckled and buried himself in his meal.

Zhang Kexin continued, “By the way, can I borrow your place this weekend?”

Lu Yu looked up. “Haven’t you always used it?”

Zhang Kexin explained, “It’s my birthday this weekend—I want to invite classmates and friends from school for a gathering. Your place is spacious, so rather than going out, I’ll just order some food and drinks—it’s perfect.”

Lu Yu confirmed, “Weekend? If I’m not mistaken, today’s Wednesday?”

Zhang Kexin nodded. “Right, I’m planning to invite everyone on Saturday. Don’t say no, and don’t say you’re busy.”

Lu Yu thought it over. “Use it as you like—just have the cleaning company tidy up afterward. But I honestly don’t know if I’ll be free; I have to leave tomorrow.”

Zhang Kexin coaxed, “Birdman, someone as outstanding as you will surely find time, won’t you?”

Lu Yu agreed, “Fine, I’ll try to come back. By the way, how old are you—twenty-one, twenty-two?”

Zhang Kexin squinted, “Why do you care? Am I that old?”

Lu Yu looked her over seriously, then nodded. “You are.”

Zhang Kexin gritted her teeth. “I just turned twenty!”

Lu Yu was a bit surprised. “Tsk, old auntie.”

Zhang Kexin nearly snapped her chopsticks. “Are you trying not to eat tonight?”

Lu Yu turned to Qianqian. “Qianqian, this braised pork rib is really good—give it a try. It’s tender but not greasy, fragrant and soft, perfect for girls, and great for the complexion.”

When he saw both girls distracted by the ribs, he deliberately acted as if he just remembered something. “Oh, right, Zhang Kexin, our company has just developed a new product—I think it’s especially suitable for you.”

Zhang Kexin’s eyes lit up, curious. Every product from Pink White Black Company was known for its quality. “What product?”

Lu Yu looked at her slowly. “Anti-wrinkle. The effect is amazing—try it once and you’ll never want to stop.”

Zhang Kexin’s expression froze.

Taking several deep breaths, she quelled the anger and pain in her chest, clutching it and turning to Qianqian for help. “Qianqian, look at this Lu! I ordered takeout for him out of kindness, and look at him… he’s not acting like a human!”

Qianqian was amused by the two of them, and hearing Zhang Kexin complain, hurried to stuff a piece of rib into her mouth.

Zhang Kexin was immediately distracted, mumbling, “Mmm? So tasty!”

After laughing and chatting over dinner, Zhang Kexin and Qianqian returned to school.

Lu Yu went back to his room to read, while instructing Deng Qiang to prepare some materials for him to pick up the next day.

Upon waking, Lu Yu washed up and grabbed some fruit from the fridge in the living room. Eating as he left, he took the subway to Pink White Black Company and called Deng Qiang.

Deng Qiang soon appeared, and after exchanging greetings, Lu Yu asked him to bring the materials he needed for today.

Deng Qiang had received the news the previous day and had the staff prepare everything overnight—he suspected it was related to the new anti-wrinkle product and didn’t dare delay.

But Deng Qiang had only prepared some of the materials. When experimenting with hydrating agents and pigment-absorbing substances, he had purchased many types for testing. Some were unused and remained in the makeshift lab.

Lu Yu soon gathered the materials, loaded them into a company car, and drove to the lab.

He hadn’t visited the makeshift lab in a while, so he began by cleaning up before unloading the materials.

After a short rest, he started synthesizing the new material.

Since this material was to be used on skin, it was certainly not a metal. Nor was it an inorganic nonmetal that didn’t dissolve in water. It belonged to the category of organic polymers.

Essentially, this organic polymer was a complex silicon-based compound.

Its anti-wrinkle properties stemmed from two factors.

First, it possessed the elasticity and mechanical properties of youthful skin. When applied, its fine and smooth texture quickly reduced skin contraction, making wrinkles appear to vanish. However, this effect was purely physical and temporary—it didn’t truly erase wrinkles, just tightened the skin for a while.

For genuine wrinkle removal, the second factor was key.

This polymer had a certain stimulative effect—it could prompt the cells in the dermis layer to absorb and produce collagen more rapidly. Wrinkles form because, after about age twenty-five, skin metabolism slows and collagen content decreases.

The polymer’s stimulative effect encourages cells to absorb and generate protein, especially collagen. The principle was similar to hydrating stimulants—after using it, eating more collagen-rich foods would help.

Thus, using this polymer not only quickly diminished the appearance of wrinkles, but, with a diet rich in tremella, pig’s trotter, fish maw, egg whites, fish, and other collagen-laden foods, absorption would be enhanced.

Skin would be replenished with collagen, truly erasing wrinkles.

With consistent use and a proper diet, wrinkles could be removed from the inside out.

The synthesis of this polymer was not complicated.

Using the lab equipment, Lu Yu finished within a few hours.

After a break, he went out for a meal, then returned to test the polymer on skin surface cells.

A few hours later, satisfied with the results, he considered the next issue: which substances to add.

These substances had to be harmless, not detrimental to the skin, and not affect the polymer’s performance.

That was the experiment Lu Yu now faced.

This task was no simpler than the previous experiment.

Lu Yu had a clear plan for synthesizing the polymer, with basic scientific references at hand.

But adding useless substances—there was no reference for that, and it wasn’t part of his studies.

He could only try adding various common herbs and other ingredients one by one.

He couldn’t add them at random—a careless mistake could affect the polymer’s performance or harm the skin.

At that moment, Lu Yu realized sharply: damn, messing things up is harder than pure research!

Synthesizing new materials wasn’t so troublesome, but now, just trying to stir things up required even more effort!

He worked into the deep night without finding a suitable formula and, feeling tired, decided to rest in the lab and continue in the morning.

When he woke on the lab’s sofa, Lu Yu felt sore in his back. He stretched, then drove out for breakfast.

On his way back, he bought some extra food to eat later when hungry, and quickly immersed himself in the experiment.

This time, he finally found a suitable solution before nightfall.

He added more than a dozen types of herbs and several other organic ingredients. With this blend, it wouldn’t harm the skin or affect the wrinkle-removing effect.

Looking at the lump of unknown substance before him, Lu Yu couldn’t help but smile.

Such a complex composition would be a nightmare for those researchers to analyze.

He gave a silent salute to their brain cells.

The finished product would be a latex-like viscous liquid, with added fragrance to mask any unpleasant odor.

Apply wherever needed!

Impeccable—utterly perfect!

Such a product was nothing less than a catalyst for women of a slightly older age.

Let’s ask: what could you possibly do to resist?

Erase wrinkles, prevent wrinkles, reclaim youth, and radiate beauty!

Just answer—do you want it or not?

Speak up, I can’t hear you!

With such a miraculous product, selling it at a high price shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Consumers would surely accept it.

Once the overseas market was tapped, the price should be raised—significantly.

He believed that even so, foreign female consumers—especially Western women—would flock to it.

There was no helping it; Westerners’ skin tends to wrinkle earlier.

When the product was presented to them, accompanied by the phrase, “Dear, erase wrinkles, free shipping!”—how could they not go crazy?

Thinking of this, Lu Yu’s face broke into a smile as warm as spring.

Wonderful—so much easy money, waving at him enthusiastically.