Because I was in a hurry to get to Hua Qingqing’s place, Zhang Xiaoya drove me to the bus stop right after lunch. She kept her head down and stayed quiet the whole way, looking quite dejected.

“By the way, how did you know I went through your diary?” I couldn’t help but ask Zhang Xiaoya as we were about to part ways.

Zhang Xiaoya gave a mysterious smile. “I’m not telling you. It’s a woman’s intuition.”

Ugh, she clearly had no clue and was just bluffing. And I fell for it so easily. But honestly, it was a good bluff, or I never would have gotten Zhang Xiaoya’s first kiss.

The bus was about to pull in. Zhang Xiaoya hesitated before asking, “Zhao Fen called you this morning, right? Was she rushing you to come back?”

It turned out Zhang Xiaoya thought my urgency to leave was because of Zhao Fen. I quickly explained, “No, Fenfen is actually very easygoing. You should know that from how well you got along last night. I need to go to the Hua Corporation lab. I have a part-time job there, and when the boss calls, I have to go.”

Zhang Xiaoya looked a bit embarrassed. Just then, the bus arrived, and she promptly shoved me aboard. “Hurry up and go, don’t be late for work. I’ll call you when I fly back next week.”

A staff member led me to Hua Qingqing’s laboratory. Hua Qingqing’s face, though showing excitement, couldn't hide her exhaustion; it seemed she hadn't slept at all the previous night.

“Zhao Qian, you’re finally here! Did you bring the other B-Substance pearls?”

I shook my head. “Tell me what’s going on first.”

Although Hua Qingqing was anxious, she knew she couldn’t rush me. So, she calmed down and began to explain, “This research on B-Substance isn’t new, so the lab equipment is all set up. I ran tests as soon as I got back last night, and that pearl turned out to be B-Substance of extremely high purity. It was so late that I didn’t notify you then.”

Hua Qingqing led me to a rack of test tubes. She pointed to a slender one. “This is one-tenth of the B-Substance from that pearl. Doesn’t it look like mercury to you? After adding the nutrient mixture, it turns into this.”

The substance in the tube truly resembled mercury, both in color and form. If you tossed it onto the road, no one would ever mistake it for a treasure. I asked Hua Qingqing, “What exactly does it do, besides treating Xiao Rou’s illness?”

Hua Qingqing said mysteriously, “Its capabilities are beyond your wildest imagination. From a day and night of testing, I can tell you that one-tenth concentration of B-Substance injected into a living body not only heals illness and strengthens the body, extending cellular vitality, but the most critical function is its powerful ability to repair gene chains. In other words, Professor Chen’s super-soldier project might actually be achievable.”

What concerned me most was how much money those pearls could fetch. So, I asked Hua Qingqing, “Does that mean each pearl is worth a fortune?”

“Yes. If used purely for therapy and fitness, just one percent content from a single pearl can make an injection. Because the dosage is low, it won’t alter human genes, but it can eradicate every known virus currently afflicting humanity. Curing chronic diseases like cancer is no longer a dream.”

I couldn't hold back; I jumped up. If one percent of a single pearl held such immense power, selling just one or two would secure my livelihood for the rest of my life.

“Have you checked your bank account? I just deposited ten million in cash into your card. Don’t think it’s too little; consider that the selling price for this one pearl. We’ll discuss the other pearls you have separately.”

“You really transferred ten million in cash to me!” I exclaimed. Ten million—what did that even mean? My previous salary was two thousand a month, totaling twenty-four thousand a year, only two hundred and forty thousand in ten years, and two million four in a century. Suddenly possessing ten million—was I dreaming?

Hua Qingqing looked indifferent. “Do you think it’s too little?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Sorting out my chaotic thoughts, I said to Hua Qingqing, “To be frank, I got these pearls from a giant python. I don’t have many, but I’m willing to give you one or two. Dr. Hua, I want to partner with you. Let’s sell five pearls first. You know I’m starting a tofu company, and even a small company needs capital to run.”

Hua Qingqing beamed. “Great! You’re finally willing to agree. I thought you might hide them all and not tell me.”

I explained, “That’s impossible. I didn’t mention it before not to deceive you, but I genuinely forgot about it. Otherwise, why would I let Xiao Rou suffer for so long?”

Hua Qingqing advised me, “I suggest you don’t tell Xiao Rou about this yet.”

“Why?”

Hua Qingqing chuckled, like a child. “Your relationship has reached this point largely because of Xiao Rou’s illness. If she were suddenly cured, I don’t know if you two could withstand the pressure from Tan Tian. I’m afraid you might be the first one to back out.”

“This?” I felt conflicted. To be honest, I couldn't give up Yi Xiaorou now; I already loved and was accustomed to her embrace. She treated me with the gentle tenderness of an older sister. If I could withstand Tan Tian’s pressure, but Yi Xiaorou couldn't, what then? Hua Qingqing was right; having this bond might actually be a good thing.

“Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Hua. I’ve decided to sell those five python pearls to you at a bargain price. Consider it my contribution to the country and the Hua Corporation.”

Hua Qingqing tested the waters. “How about one hundred million RMB per pearl? While one pearl can be broken down into one hundred injections, you know our hospital has high operating costs, and competition is fierce. We can’t possibly sell one injection for a hundred million, right? Even if we did, the world doesn’t have that many wealthy people with terminal illnesses for us to treat.”

I was starting to get used to these astronomical figures. A hundred million for a life-saving drop of water didn't seem impossible. But Hua Qingqing made a fair point; perhaps the people who needed this injection more were ordinary citizens, not just the super-rich with terminal diseases.

“Dr. Hua truly cares about the nation and its people. Then how can I, Zhao Qian, lag behind? How about this: for five pearls, just give me one hundred million. If I weren’t in desperate need of money, I could have given you a better price.”

Hua Qingqing was overjoyed. “Really? Don’t go back on your word! I’ll notify finance to transfer the money immediately. We’ll drive over to your place shortly to collect the pearls.”

Alas, it seemed I was taking a loss. Hua Qingqing might have over a hundred wealthy clients waiting for treatment right now. Perhaps she could recoup the entire hundred million from just one life-saving drop. But a gentleman keeps his word, so I nodded firmly at Hua Qingqing.

Hua Qingqing smiled sweetly and beautifully, making her look even more captivating. “Zhao Qian, I actually don’t like being called Dr. Hua by you. You can just call me by my name, Qingqing. We’ve known each other for so many days; even if we aren’t the best of friends, we should at least be casual acquaintances, right?”

Hua Qingqing’s words undoubtedly bridged the gap between us. Perhaps, aside from the boss-employee relationship, we had indeed become friends. “Alright, then from now on, I’ll call you Qingqing along with Xiao Rou.”

Hua Qingqing was delighted. “Great! Now that we are good friends, I have a request. I wonder if you can grant it?”

I was unsure, but how could I refuse a request from such a beautiful girl? “Go ahead, as long as I can do it, I promise I will.”

“The request is this: No matter how many more python pearls you have, if you decide to sell any, you must sell them to me. Do you promise? I’m actually thinking of your own safety. If you start selling them openly, it will definitely attract the attention of certain bad people. Then, all the women around you could become targets they use to blackmail you.”

So, Hua Qingqing was trying to get close to me for this reason. However, having Hua Qingqing manage the sale of such a precious medicinal material was perhaps the most suitable arrangement. The Hua Corporation Hospital was fundamentally dedicated to healing, so developing a miraculous cure wouldn't be a shocking headline. Even if the future price wasn't ideal, it didn't matter. With this one hundred and ten million, I would soon get my tofu company up and running, and then I wouldn’t have to rely on the python pearls for sustenance. Thinking this, I agreed.

Receiving my affirmation, Hua Qingqing immediately pulled out her phone and made a call: “Hello, Professor Chen? I have great news for you. I now have five B-Substance pearls. As an old friend, I’ll let you have two of them. What? You want them all? No, no, I paid a sky-high price for these! I can only let you have two. Name your price... OK, fifty million each. I’ll bring them over later.”

Crash! I knocked over a pile of glassware. This Hua Qingqing was seriously ruthless! She bought my five pearls for one hundred million, and then turned around to sell two of them for another hundred million!

Hua Qingqing smiled broadly. “Sorry, Zhao Qian. Although I’m a doctor, I’m also a businesswoman. I’ve invested heavily in B-Substance research over the years for your wife’s sake. Let me earn a bit back, okay? Agreed, later when Professor Chen asks about the pearls, you must firmly say you have no more.”

I nodded in horror. What a shrewd businesswoman she was. Whoever marries her in the future will have struck gold. But I loved hearing her say, ‘your wife.’ Fine, I wouldn't argue with her over this.

After Hua Qingqing notified finance to transfer the money, the two of us set off for Zhu Da’s house to collect the python pearls.

Hua Qingqing waited for me in the living room downstairs. I went up to the second floor and got a huge fright. The upstairs hall was a complete mess, littered with shopping bags, and strewn with new sofas, TVs, coffee tables, stereos, and more.

“Brother, you’re back! Look at all the things we bought! Sister Mengmeng and Sister Chuchu paid for all of it,” Little Yu Di happened to be coming out of a room with things when she saw my surprised face.

Fang Yanmeng, Zhao Fen, Zhao Fang, and Xiao Chuchu heard the noise and rushed out of their rooms. Zhao Fen looked apologetic. “Mengmeng and Chuchu insisted on buying all this stuff; I couldn’t stop them.”

I couldn't deal with this right now. I grabbed Zhao Fen, got the five python pearls from her, and fled downstairs as if pursued. Honestly, if I stayed up there, I’d be working as a servant for the entire afternoon.

Seeing me drag her toward the exit, Hua Qingqing asked, confused, “What’s wrong? Why are you running?”

“The women upstairs have gone mad. If I don’t run now, I’ll go mad along with them.”

Hua Qingqing didn't quite grasp what I meant, but before she could ask, her phone rang. “Professor Chen? What! How could you be so reckless! You’ve already conducted three gene modification trials! I’m coming right now, just hold on a little longer!”

It sounded serious. I asked Hua Qingqing, “What happened?”

Hua Qingqing’s face turned ice-cold. “I gave Professor Chen half of your python pearl. I didn’t expect him to secretly carry out human gene modification tests out of impatience. The three special forces soldiers who were modified woke up agitated and violent. They’re about to lose control of the situation.”