Suffering from minor cerebral hemorrhage symptoms, Jing Tianhui developed a relatively rare symptom of excessive salivation. No longer suitable for his position at the Jiangzhou City Jade Collectors' Association, he voluntarily resigned as Vice Chairman.

This drooling condition could range from a minor inconvenience to a significant disruption in daily life. While his intellect and motor skills remained completely unaffected, his public image suffered greatly, leaving him no choice but to step aside.

If it had come to an internal vote, Wang Zhuo might have had a chance to ascend, but even though the Collectors' Association was a private organization, seniority still mattered. He was simply too young, so when Jia Weimin nominated candidates for the new Vice Chairman, Wang Zhuo was not included.

However, regardless of who ultimately took the position, the series of punitive measures against Shengshi Dynasty had fizzled out. As the weather grew colder, the jade market naturally entered its slow season. On one hand, the number of tourists shopping had drastically decreased; on the other, many jade pieces were unsuitable for cold weather wear.

The consensus was simple: as long as Shengshi Dynasty didn't engage in the unthinkable act of holding a deep off-season discount sale, let them be!

Wang Zhuo certainly had no intention of offering any discounts. He planned to use the lull to build up his inventory, preparing for the peak season next year. This was Shengshi Dynasty's time to consolidate its strength; even Qi Fei and Guan Yingying had taken a slight breather. Wang Zhuo, meanwhile, poured all his energy into developing the hangover cure.

The power of a unique ability far outstripped current technology. Wang Zhuo could analyze the atomic structure of alloy; analyzing the molecular chains of organic matter was well within his reach. Every day, he would fully map out the principles and efficacy of one or two anti-intoxication products, then synthesize, differentiate, refine, and apply them practically. He started with clinical trials on white mice and rabbits, then offered substantial rewards to hire brave volunteers for human testing.

Historical records show that during the Yin-Shang period, human sacrifice and attendant burial were practiced, treating human bodies like livestock. Because of this, medical scholars of that time managed to conduct substantial academic research, yielding incredibly valuable experience. After the Warring States period, only coroners were permitted to perform dissections. Anyone else attempting to study the deceased faced charges of murder, potentially leading to execution by slow slicing.

This severely constrained medical development. When Western anatomy was just beginning to emerge, the Church strictly forbade it. Anyone dissecting a corpse was deemed disrespectful to life, an 'heretic'—punishable by hanging at best, or burning at the stake at worst. Andreas Vesalius, the founder of modern human anatomy, was persecuted to death, and another scientist named Michael Servetus was burned alive, delaying the discovery of blood circulation by seventy-five years.

Wang Zhuo knew that his research methodology, in some respects, clashed with the law, but creation is always accompanied by controversy. When the first cloned sheep was unveiled, weren't there extremists screaming for the scientists' deaths? But look now: the Japanese can grow human teeth on mice—when transplanted into a mouth, they are straighter and sharper than the original set, beautiful, and highly sought after!

In the blink of an eye, it was Christmas Eve. The streets of Jiangzhou City were draped in lights and festive decorations, filled with buoyant holiday cheer.

Wang Zhuo had effectively turned his Audi into a "war machine"; he used this vehicle even more frequently now than his bed.

In the early evening, he drove the car carrying both Gan Shuang and Siyuan through the congested streets. He felt no frustration from the unending traffic jam; instead, he hummed an off-key little tune, looking thoroughly relaxed.

"Why is he so happy today?" Siyuan couldn't help but ask Gan Shuang beside her.

A light snow had fallen the day before, and with the temperature drop, Siyuan had changed into a short, red woolen coat paired with exquisite high-heeled leather boots, exuding youthful energy like a proud little princess. Gan Shuang was also meticulously dressed today, wearing a snow-white cashmere suit that accentuated her fair complexion—her luminous skin was even whiter than the snow, looking like a figure from a painting.

Sitting in the back seat, upon hearing Siyuan’s question, Gan Shuang chuckled softly. "He's completely confident, dear. The things he developed with his own hands are finally about to be revealed to outsiders; how could he not be excited?"

"Oh," Siyuan nodded. "Then that means we should celebrate!"

"Exactly, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate." Gan Shuang smiled, listing them off: "Successful R&D, successful clinical trials, product launch, mass production, roaring sales, and the celebration itself. We could go on and on. Today is practically the launch."

Siyuan’s expression showed delight, but inwardly she was smiling slyly. She and Instructor Wang had already quietly celebrated the R&D and clinical success—those were two truly wonderful afternoons that still lingered vividly in her memory!

Unbeknownst to Siyuan, Gan Shuang harbored similar thoughts, only her celebratory moments weren't in the afternoon. They occurred during two specific evenings. During the day, she had classes, and in her free time, she helped Wang Zhuo with what little she could manage. At night, she had to sleep with her mother who was accompanying her studies. Only the window between five and eight in the evening offered the most suitable time for intimacy; embracing amidst the setting sun was also a wonderfully pleasant affair!

Each harboring their own secret, they chatted warmly and intimately, arriving at their destination, Fushui Hotel, before they realized it.

The moment the car pulled into the open space in front of the hotel, a young man in a suit, wearing an earpiece, hurried over with a wide, welcoming smile, gesturing precisely where to park.

This Fushui Hotel was one of Li Guangyi’s properties. Wang Zhuo was newly rich; his foundational backing couldn't compare to those second-generation heirs who inherited wealth from their ancestors, nor could it match the resources of even a pharmaceutical boss like Li Guangyi. Li Guangyi possessed hotels, guesthouses, resorts, and auto service centers. Wang Zhuo, on the other hand, only had the jewelry store where he started, a copper mine a thousand miles away, and his daily work at the research institute.

Recently, Wang Zhuo had been asking acquaintances to help him acquire some tertiary sector businesses. Seeing how Li Guangyi could handle his own car repairs, entertain guests in his own establishments, and host relatives at his choice of guesthouse or resort, Wang Zhuo felt that level of control was what mattered.

As soon as Wang Zhuo stepped out of the car, Li Guangyi himself came out from inside the hotel to greet him, accompanied by one woman and two young men. The woman, dressed in formal attire, appeared to be his secretary or a subordinate. One of the young men bore a resemblance to Li Guangyi, suggesting he was his son.

"Mr. Wang, your presence truly honors our humble establishment!" Li Guangyi seemed not highly educated, relying on this one phrase. With a beaming smile, he grasped Wang Zhuo's hand and introduced the others: "These three are the younger generation: Li Ying, Li Hui, and You Fei. Just call them by their names."

Wang Zhuo smiled and nodded to the three. Li Guangyi continued, "Li Ying is the daughter of my classmate and currently works as my assistant. Li Hui is my son. You Fei is the son of the Vice President of my pharmaceutical company, currently interning."

He turned back to Li Hui and said, "Son, this is President Wang I told you about. Even though he’s the same age as you, you must call him Uncle."

Li Hui scratched his head awkwardly and looked at Wang Zhuo with a troubled expression. Wang Zhuo certainly wasn't interested in capitalizing on such seniority, so he quickly waved his hand and smiled, saying it wasn't necessary.

Ji Guangyi made a move as if to scold his son, but Wang Zhuo intervened again with a wave, laughing: "Let me introduce you. This is my classmate, Gan Shuang, and this is like a sister to me, named Siyuan."

The meaning behind "like a sister to me" was open to interpretation, but Li Guangyi wasn't going to dwell on such details. If Wang Zhuo called her a sister, she would be treated as such! As for the other "classmate," there was no need to overthink it—no one brings an ordinary classmate to an occasion like this. Clearly, she must be the "classmate who is also a girlfriend"—that was the popular assumption these days!

"Come, come, Mr. Wang, please come this way! Let’s first sit in the private room, and then I’ll take you to the kitchen to see our specialties!" Li Guangyi invited with a face full of smiles and genuine sincerity, fulfilling the old adage: 'It is a joy to have friends coming from afar.'

"Hold on a moment," Wang Zhuo said with a smile. "I have a box of things in my trunk. Find a waiter to help carry it up."

"Oh dear," Li Guangyi rubbed his hands repeatedly. "You shouldn't be so formal when visiting; what kind of things have you brought? This is truly..."

Wang Zhuo waved his hand with a smile. "Brother Li, you misunderstand. There's a story behind this; we can talk about it slowly later."

"Oh?" Li Guangyi paused, then smiled. "Very well, let’s go inside and talk first!" He turned back and beckoned to Li Hui and You Fei: "You two, go bring the box up."

Wang Zhuo pressed the remote key, and the trunk lid automatically popped open slightly. The two walked over and lifted out a twelve-pack of beer cases, though they didn't contain beer, but bottles wrapped in brown paper. They weren't overly heavy, leaving one wondering what was inside.

Li Guangyi glanced at them curiously. Seeing that Wang Zhuo had no intention of explaining, he set the question aside for the moment and led the way into the hotel.

This Fushui Hotel was clearly a mix of catering and reception services. The private room Wang Zhuo and his party were led into was opulent and luxurious. Beyond the windows were pavilions and courtyards, though now, being winter, the scenery wasn't as beautiful as in summer or autumn.

Seeing the view outside, Gan Shuang became contemplative and smiled slightly. "If we were in the North right now, we could be admiring the snow."

"The temperature is a bit high today," Li Ying commented from the side with a smile. "If it were a bit colder, I could let Miss Gan really see snow."

Wang Zhuo, Gan Shuang, and Siyuan all paused. Siyuan asked in surprise, "A snow-making machine?"

Li Guangyi laughed heartily. "It was a debt settlement item from a ski resort given to me, so I brought it over here."

The box wasn't heavy, and carrying it felt awkward for two people. Li Hui ended up carrying it in alone. After entering the room, unsure whether to place it on the floor or the table, he momentarily held it, looking to his father for instruction.

"Put it on the table," Wang Zhuo told him, smiling, half-jokingly and half-seriously. "This is the secret weapon I brought today; Brother Li is going to be very surprised later."

"What are you waiting for, put it on the table quickly," Li Guangyi urged his son.

The beer case was placed on the table. Everyone except Wang Zhuo, Gan Shuang, and Siyuan stared curiously at its contents. However, one thing was certain: anything Wang Zhuo would keep a secret about was definitely not simple!