Chapter 6: Something Missing

Several informed executives at the pharmaceutical factory were embroiled in a fierce argument.

One faction insisted that the medicine must not be destroyed.

This batch was too expensive. Destroying such a large quantity of finished products would inevitably alert the Drug Administration, and the losses would far exceed just raw materials, minor ingredients, and processing costs. It might even shake the company’s foundation and damage the brand’s market reputation.

The losses would be incalculable.

The other faction was straightforward: if the medicine was no good, it couldn’t be rebranded, released, or sold—no matter what!

The two sides were at each other’s throats.

Lu Chengwen held his head in his hands, leaning over the table, his thoughts consumed by his own troubles.

Why was this so frustrating?

When it rains, it pours—misfortunes all seemed to come at once.

Wasn’t this supposed to be part of the main storyline? What was this? Could the system really alter the plot at will?

There was no invincible protagonist here anymore, right?

What was going on with Xu Xuejiao? Why did she suddenly want to harm me?

At that moment, the door was pushed open, and everyone immediately stood up.

“Hello, President Xu!”

Everyone greeted Xu Xuejiao warmly.

Lu Chengwen was stunned—she had come too?

Xu Xuejiao took a seat opposite him at the round table, smiling gently at Lu Chengwen. “Brother Chengwen, I know all about the situation. What do you plan to do?”

“Uh…”

Lu Chengwen’s mind raced.

[This batch of medicine absolutely cannot leave the factory; it must be destroyed!]

Xu Xuejiao was taken aback; her eyes shifted rapidly, as if she didn’t recognize Lu Chengwen at all, staring at him intensely.

Destroy it?

So that was his true intention!?

[Got it! I’ll just say we have to ship it normally, let her take the lead in opposing me—she absolutely won’t allow this batch to be released.]

[If she’s annoying enough, she probably won’t bother with me anymore. I’ll use this chance to argue with her, then withdraw my shares! Yes, that’s the plan!]

[I really am a damn genius!]

Lu Chengwen chuckled at the thought.

He shamelessly walked over to Xu Xuejiao. “Sister Xuejiao, look, here’s the situation! The cost of this batch is too high. Compressing the minor ingredients was my idea. Sure, it’ll slightly reduce the medicine’s effectiveness, but this is traditional Chinese medicine—it won’t kill anyone!”

“But if we destroy it, it will alert the Drug Administration. We’d have to hold a press conference. Our pharmaceutical factory would be finished! The reputation of the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory would be ruined! Stock prices would crash, right? And future medicine sales would plummet, correct? Then there’d be no money to make!”

“We’ll keep everyone involved silent. At this moment, we must withstand the pressure and accomplish something big! Isn’t that right?”

Lu Chengwen smiled brightly at Xu Xuejiao, his thoughts anxious:

[Go ahead, scold me! Oppose me!]

[I’ll withdraw my shares, you become the major shareholder, and from now on, we don’t acknowledge each other, never cross paths again.]

[You’d better obediently go be with Long Aotian and be his concubine; we each go our own way, no one bothering the other.]

Xu Xuejiao was no pushover.

This guy had clearly decided in his heart to destroy this batch of medicine.

But if he won’t do it himself, why expect me to? What did he mean?

Since when did he become so conscientious about medicine?

And why was he avoiding me like the plague? What was that about?

Was I really so worthless as to become that disgusting Long Aotian’s concubine?

Xu Xuejiao’s eyes twinkled as she smiled. “Brother Chengwen, I think the same as you! The factory can’t do without you. In times like these, it’s you who must steer the ship!”

Lu Chengwen’s smile instantly froze.

He looked at Xu Xuejiao as if she were a complete stranger.

“Xuejiao, did you mishear me? I said… we should rebrand, release, and sell the medicine…”

“Exactly!” Xu Xuejiao said. “That’s exactly what I think too!”

Lu Chengwen shook his head vigorously, feeling as if his whole world was collapsing.

[What the hell is this!?]

[You, the benevolent healer Xu Xuejiao, how could you do this? You’d even agree to something as absurd as giving birth without an anus? Have you lost your mind?]

Lu Chengwen forced a smile. “Xuejiao, you have to think carefully. This is medicine! Medicine’s purpose is to save lives! If the medicine is substandard, it will delay patients’ treatment. Just think, thousands upon thousands of people could be harmed by our medicine… heh heh heh, you get what I mean, right?”

“I understand, I fully understand.” Xu Xuejiao was resolute.

This was a game of who blinks first.

Both were secretly determined neither batch could be released.

But each wanted the other to bring it up.

The current situation was: Xu Xuejiao already knew Lu Chengwen’s bottom line, while Lu Chengwen was still confused and unable to see through the fog.

Xu Xuejiao had won from the start.

The cunning little girl said casually, “It’s just a batch of finished medicine. What’s the big deal? If it really delays treatment, that’s their own bad luck. Who told them to get sick? Brother Chengwen, don’t you agree?”

“But we spent a lot of money, and if we can’t recoup the losses, the company’s in trouble. Brother Chengwen, I support you! I’ll sign off; this batch will leave the factory today, and all must be shipped within three days!”

As the contract was brought forward, the secretary handed over the pen. Xu Xuejiao picked it up, ready to sign.

Seeing her about to sign, Lu Chengwen panicked, pressing his hand down on the signing area and staring at her.

Xu Xuejiao’s large eyes blinked rapidly, looking at Lu Chengwen. “Brother Chengwen, what’s wrong?”

Lu Chengwen shook with anger and disappointment.

[From now on, don’t call me brother. You’re my father!]

“Xuejiao, have you really… thought this through?”

“I have!” Xu Xuejiao said. “I trust you, Brother Chengwen. Whatever you say, I’ll follow.”

Lu Chengwen lowered his head, frustrated to the point of explosion.

He snatched the document and tore it apart.

Pressing his hands on the table, head bowed, he said gravely, “Report to the Drug Administration: we must immediately destroy this batch of medicine and request their supervision.”

“At the same time, conduct an internal systemic investigation, with all relevant departments reviewing their operational procedures.”

“Investigate the minor ingredient procurement personnel, revoke their professional licenses, and hand the case over to judicial authorities for investigation.”

Xu Xuejiao smiled—she had won.

Zhao Gang was nearly frantic. “Young Master Lu, this batch is worth over 600 million! Over 600 million! Please reconsider. Haven’t you and President Xu already…”

“Get lost!” Lu Chengwen vented all his inner anger and frustration on Zhao Gang, deliberately cursing loudly enough for others to hear.

“Is this company’s business something a security captain like you can meddle in? Can’t I even enforce a little house rule?”

“This is medicine! Medicine! Medicine that treats and saves lives!”

“Listen carefully! If anyone dares to release even a box, a pack, or a single pill from this batch, I’ll twist their head off and use it as a ball!”

“Not just today—if anyone dares to mess with the minor ingredients again, I’ll send them to prison so fast they’ll wear out their cell floors!”

“Forget 600 million, even if it were 6 billion or 60 billion, I’d rather have it die here in our factory; not a single scrap will leave!”

Lu Chengwen looked at Xu Xuejiao. “What do you think, President Xu?”

Xu Xuejiao smiled, this time with genuine relief.

She suddenly realized she didn’t know Lu Chengwen as well as she thought.

This guy was completely different from when they were young.

Were those rumors of him bullying, doing evil, and being merciless really true? Or had she been mistaken?

And just now, his temper was actually quite impressive.

“Brother Chengwen, I told you: you decide, and I’ll follow whatever you say.”

Looking at Xu Xuejiao’s triumphant expression, Lu Chengwen suddenly understood.

[That damn girl knew from the start I wouldn’t let this batch leave the factory!?]

[Has she never heard about my reputation? I’m the ruthless tyrant who bullies markets, steals men and women, commits every evil, and is blinded by greed! How dare she play like this with me?]

[No, something’s wrong. Something must be wrong!]

Xu Xuejiao stood up, smiling. “Brother Chengwen, my birthday is next week. I invite you to my birthday party. As for things here, I leave them to you.”

She turned and left.

At that moment, she was completely at ease.

She had seen through Lu Chengwen—there was no need to worry about him causing chaos in the pharmaceutical factory.

He simply lacked that ‘ability.’

Sitting in the car, Xu Xuejiao’s thoughts were unsettled.

When she agreed to release the batch, the way Lu Chengwen looked at her—his disappointment—made him seem like the good guy, while she was the notorious villain of Xue City.

But today, that kid really impressed her.

Just thinking about how he was driven to desperation, desperately trying to outwit her, only to be pushed to the brink of collapse—it was utterly amusing!

Xu Xuejiao burst out laughing.

The secretarial team was dumbfounded, exchanging glances. The chief secretary cautiously asked, “President Xu, is something wrong?”

“Oh, nothing,” Xu Xuejiao said, quickly putting on a serious face again. But then, recalling Lu Chengwen’s defeated expression so vividly, she couldn’t help but chuckle once more.

…

Evening fell, lights flickering on.

Leng Qingqiu had been distracted all day.

Lu Chengwen’s behavior was too strange.

Why had she suddenly been able to hear his inner thoughts?

And why could he so accurately predict Long Aotian’s actions?

He seemed afraid of Long Aotian, but they had never met!

Among those present today, only she knew of Long Aotian’s exceptional skills. How could Lu Chengwen so keenly sense the danger he posed?

So many mysteries.

Was his supposed love, affection, and pursuit over three years all a lie?

Because Long Aotian appeared, he backed down? He stopped fighting?

A secretary knocked and poked half her body in. “President Leng, leaving for the day?”

“Hmm? Oh.” Leng Qingqiu snapped back to reality. “Yes, it’s time to leave.”

She felt uneasy, as if something was missing…

Of course—it was someone.

For three years, at this time every day, a persistent suitor would be waiting at the door early, dressed flamboyantly, holding flowers, spouting nauseatingly cheesy romantic lines.

She had to endure his harassment and false flattery daily, losing face in the company building every day at this hour.

But today, he wasn’t there. Seeing the empty doorway, Leng Qingqiu suddenly felt hollow inside.

Walking down the corridor, the sound of high heels was especially cold.

One secretary muttered, “Huh? Why is it so quiet today?”

Another blurted, “Young Master Lu isn’t here!”

“Oh, that explains it! Usually, he’d be waiting at the door at this time, talking nonstop.”

Leng Qingqiu glared at them. “Are you all just idle?”

The secretaries quickly fell silent, quietly walking to the elevator.

Leng Qingqiu felt restless all over.

What was going on?

Hadn’t she always wanted Lu Chengwen to stay away from her?

Hadn’t she wished he would disappear from her world?

Now that he was gone, what was this feeling?

She was terribly agitated.

At the entrance, a girl responsible for collecting flowers daily was already waiting. Seeing Leng Qingqiu and others come out empty-handed, she froze.

Then she looked behind Leng Qingqiu—no sign of Lu Chengwen.

Her face filled with astonishment.

Leng Qingqiu said, “He’s not here today.”

Getting into the car, Leng Qingqiu grew even more restless.

It seemed that without Lu Chengwen, her life suddenly changed...

Her troubled mood tormented her for a long time before she resolutely picked up the phone.

“Hello, is this Lu Chengwen? I want to see you.”

On the other end, it was noisy. “Huh? What? Speak louder, I can’t hear.”

A girl’s voice interrupted, “Young Master Lu, you’re with someone drinking!”

“Ah, wait a moment, I’m on the phone. President Leng, I’m a bit busy now. Let’s talk another day!”

Beep… the call ended.

Leng Qingqiu was furious. She ordered the driver, “Track Lu Chengwen’s location. Go find him!”