With He Xin's team having achieved success in the second phase of research, their clinical surgical treatment technique was officially approved. He Xin and the other researchers received a slew of certificates and awards, and the new procedures and drugs developed during the project became the returns on Mu Family's investment.
Just as Ni Sheng was helping Mu Corporation apply for mass production approval of their new drug, Han Weicheng's team publicly released their own research results—and immediately announced the launch date for their new drug.
In other words, they beat Ni Sheng's group to it, going public first with a new drug whose ingredients and efficacy were effectively identical to the one Ni Sheng's team had spent years developing.
Shu Lanzhou could only laugh—and seethe with anger.
Clearly, Han Weicheng panicked once he saw their results published and rushed to declare his own launch, hoping to steal back the initiative. But he overlooked one crucial fact…
Shu Lanzhou brought the news release to Ni Sheng's office.
"You're just in time—I was about to look for you," Ni Sheng said, his face grim. "Two years ago, when I first discovered this compound, you pointed out flaws in my experiment. Thanks to your insights, I changed the protocol and altered the drug's formulation."
He hesitated. "So… do you think it's possible that Han Weicheng also hit upon a novel experimental idea—and derived the same drug independently?"
Shu Lanzhou's expression turned serious. "You're worried their drug's ingredients will match yours exactly. If that happens, even if our drug wins approval first, his announcement will overshadow ours."
"Team Leader Ni," she pressed, "you'll lose your reputation as the pioneer in preoperative medication for cellular disorders!"
"Reputation is secondary," Ni Sheng shook his head. "What really worries me is Mu Corporation's investment. They've put a lot of money in—if Han Weicheng's drug goes on sale first and Luo Corporation wins the production license, it could deal a serious blow to Mu."
"That won't happen," Shu Lanzhou said firmly.
"Judging by how I—" she paused, smiling wryly, "—personally participated in every step of our experiments in my past life, there's no way Han Weicheng could have discovered the flaw in our protocol, revamped the experimental design, and isolated the same compound in just two years."
"He's always dismissed my 'wild ideas'—he'd never follow my train of thought. Their drug must be flawed."
She turned to Ni Sheng. "We mustn't let their move rattle us. We'll stick to our own launch schedule—no shortcuts, no delays. If you're still uneasy, buy a batch of their drug when it hits the market and run a comparative analysis on its formulation."
Ni Sheng brightened. "Yes—that's exactly what we need. Our drug is intended for use in conjunction with acupuncture prior to surgery. Their research follows a traditional cellular-disease model without acupuncture. Logically, their pre-op medication should differ from ours—if it's exactly the same, I'll be very suspicious."
"It wouldn't be too surprising if the core compound were the same," Shu Lanzhou replied thoughtfully. "Remember, in our earliest trials—before we introduced acupuncture—the prototype formula was already close to what we have now. The real differences lie in the ratios and in the sequence of the synthesis steps… plus we added a single proprietary herbal component."
Ni Sheng fell silent, frowning ever more deeply. "Could their drug…"
"It's too soon to say," Shu Lanzhou cut in. "Let's wait and see." With that, she set off to find He Xin, suspecting something was afoot.
Before she could reach him, she heard Yi Ming mention that He Xin had been summoned to the director's office. Concluding that her suspicions might be best raised with the director first, she headed straight for the office.
Thanks to her contributions, she now enjoyed a degree of freedom at the institute unheard-of in her past life. Though her work remained unpublished, the director knew of—and appreciated—her efforts. This was more than she'd ever dared to hope for.
As she approached, she heard a roar of voices from within.
"Director, these rules were set by you! Now that our new drug is ready to launch first, why can't I be appointed deputy director?" It was Shi Yong's voice.
The office door stood wide open, and the shouting carried clear across the floor.
Zhou Yan chimed in indignantly: "You promised a fair competition. Instead, Director, you secretly called Professor He in and privately decided to make him deputy director. What's that about?"
The director—Elder Lin's trusted right hand—was seeing red. He slammed his hand on the desk.
"The contestants aren't just you two! Why is nobody else barging into my office shouting and gesturing like you idiots?"
"Who gave you the nerve to treat me—the director—as though I were useless? I still have two years before I retire!"
He pounded the desk again. "Do you think Professor He really wants the deputy-director position? He could have had it years ago if he wanted—why wait until now?"
"Out! All of you—out! And don't make me say it twice!"
Zhou Yan and Shi Yong had never seen the director so furious. Even though Zhou Yan's husband had been the previous director—and the family still wielded influence—and Shi Yong's own family was no lightweight, neither dared to remain. They exchanged glances as they shuffled out in embarrassed silence.
As they passed through the hallway, they ran straight into Shu Lanzhou standing by the door, her face composed, a faint smile on her lips as though she had heard nothing of the uproar.
Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed. "Unlucky girl."
Shi Yong scowled. "What are you doing here?"
Shu Lanzhou's tone was cool. "I have business."
Shi Yong sneered, "Don't mouth off, kid—some things aren't for you to gossip about!"
Shu Lanzhou laughed. "What are you afraid of, Director Shi? Worried I'll broadcast your little 'heroic' outburst to the whole world?"
She raised her voice just enough. "No need—I'm pretty sure everyone on this floor heard you two loud and clear. Besides, I'm not that free." She paused, eyes glinting. "After all, the last person who competed with Professor He for deputy director ended up in detention."
Shi Yong lunged forward with a snarl, but Shu Lanzhou slipped inside the office and gently closed the door behind her.
Leaning against the door, she looked up to meet the surprised gazes of the director and He Xin.
"Heh," He Xin chided, waving her in. "What are you stirring up them for?"
Shu Lanzhou stepped forward, smiling. "I'm not part of the institute officially—I don't mind offending them. Our seniors in the project team bite their tongues around them all the time. And, well, they started it—no reason I shouldn't fire back."
The director let out an amused chuckle. "Your temper is nothing like your teacher's—or any Mu family member's. You're more like a little hedgehog: cute to look at, but prickly when you strike."
Shu Lanzhou blushed with modesty. "Thank you, Director."
He Xin tapped her shoulder. "All right, enough banter. Tell me—what did you come here for?"