As the saying goes, when a wall falls, everyone pushes. Now that Luo Bin had been placed under investigation, Wang Zhuo didn't need to make any further moves; naturally, others were eager to jump in and kick him while he was down.

Thus, some long-buried secrets concerning Luo Kelong were exhumed. Before he went abroad to study, he had been implicated in a murder-for-hire case. While he could have walked away thanks to his father's influence back then, now those old scores were being settled.

This left Wang Zhuo quite satisfied. There was an unwritten rule in official circles: misfortune should not extend to the family. After Luo Bin and his wife were investigated, it was highly likely that young Master Luo would have avoided severe repercussions. With a charge like this hanging over him, it was estimated that Young Master Luo wouldn't see much peace in the coming period.

Luo Kelong’s subsequent ten years in prison, where he permanently occupied the role of 'Number Zero,' is a tale for another time; we leave it aside for now. Following his exposé of the Luo family’s corruption, Wang Zhuo indeed adopted a much lower profile, rarely appearing in public. Instead, he immersed himself completely in the laboratory, diving deep into the study of the $\text{UIP}$ virus.

The $\text{HIV}$ virus, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, since its discovery in the United States in 1981, has spawned an endless stream of drugs aimed at suppressing or eradicating it. Yet, not a single therapeutic method has managed to root it out of a patient's body completely. Its tenacity and destructiveness are unprecedented, remaining one of the intractable problems for the medical community even in this age of advanced medicine.

Globally, hundreds of vaccines have been developed for this affliction, but they are either prohibitively expensive or ineffective. Often, when a new vaccine is released, the media erupts in cheers, and people feel greatly encouraged, only for the fanfare to quickly fizzle out, leaving behind little more than a damp squib.

But as the old adage goes, failure is the mother of success. These numerous failed endeavors formed the very foundation, the cornerstone, of Wang Zhuo's research. Through methods like project acquisitions, network theft, and the movement of research personnel, Wang Zhuo quickly amassed a comprehensive project base. He also maintained several project teams overseas, coordinating their efforts via a unified network platform.

This was, by far, the most significant research project he had ever undertaken. Humanity had already poured immense funding and manpower into this endeavor without conquering this medical enigma. This fact alone attested to its extraordinary difficulty. Therefore, despite possessing the unfair advantage of his X-ray vision, Wang Zhuo did not become complacent. He marshaled every available resource, advancing steadily and cautiously, determined to succeed.

Time slipped by effortlessly. Wang Zhuo’s assets were increasing at a breathtaking daily rate. His 'Cutting Boat' fleet was constantly launching, the sales of 'Life Ark' were booming, and products like 'Dynasty Immeasurable' maintained stable and enviably profitable returns. Throughout the long river of human history, many inventions and events have altered the course of civilization.

In the eighteenth century, smallpox swept through Europe, claiming over 150 million lives. Later, Dr. Jenner’s discovery of vaccination finally subdued this terrifying plague that had ravaged Europe for a millennium.

Without that invention, the history of Europe, and indeed world history, would have followed a radically different path.

There are countless similar examples. If it weren't for the emergence of AIDS, the sexual liberation movement that began in the United States might have already swept across the globe, overturning the traditional moral values of countless nations and ethnicities. Similarly, the treatment for Mad Mosquito Disease, 'Angel One,' developed by Wang Zhuo, prevented the disappearance of Haiti and several underdeveloped African nations a couple of years prior.

'Dynasty Immeasurable' also exerted a profound influence on the drinking cultures of many nations, even triggering surges in grain prices, which once caused the Bureau of Grain Statistics to clash with Wang Zhuo over its effect on the $\text{CPI}$. And then there is 'Life Ark'; after this fat-inhibiting weight-loss drug became widespread, high-fat, high-calorie Western fast food experienced a resurgence!

On this particular day, "Wang's Accounting" specialist Gan Shuang was busy tallying up Wang Zhuo's earnings for the third quarter across all his enterprises.

The figures displayed on the computer screen were precise to five decimal places, but the unit was hundreds of millions—and in US dollars. Gazing at this string of numbers, Gan Shuang fell into a daze. At this level of wealth, money truly was just a number.

Unlike many lucrative industries, Wang Zhuo chose the most profitable sectors, and his research costs were scandalously low. His control over production costs was frighteningly precise. A single dose of the 'Man Enhancer' cost only a few dozen Renminbi. The complex chemical process involved made it impossible for competitors to decipher, and the entire automated production line required zero human intervention; the raw materials fed in were worth only the price of stone, yet the finished product sold for more than gold.

"That's too much. Will this cause problems down the line?"

She voiced her concern to Fu Xinran beside her.

"It will cause trouble sooner or later," Fu Xinran agreed with a wry smile. "If we keep growing at this pace, next year we'll be earning the equivalent of India's entire defense budget."

Gan Shuang’s mind swam slightly. Numbers alone were abstract concepts, but Fu Xinran's vivid comparison made her realize just how hot this money was to hold.

In 2010, India’s defense budget was $41.3 billion, ranking ninth globally. The United States consistently held the top spot, with China in second. India had maintained a fluctuating but steady growth, its spending figure gradually approaching $50 billion.

Yet, one 'Mankind Model' alone could bring Wang Zhuo nearly $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Add to that the succeeding 'Big Shot Model' and others, plus the upcoming concierge service, and next year, this single category of enterprise alone could generate thirty billion dollars in income!

Fu Xinran teased, "Even the US President would fear that amount of money."

"What do you think Wang Zhuo thinks?" Gan Shuang asked hesitantly. "He never seems to care about these things."

"Maybe he just sees making money as a game," Fu Xinran shrugged. "Like those extreme players in online games who just farm stats."

"They might farm lives eventually," Gan Shuang shook her head with a bitter smile. "You can’t keep smoke in a paper bag. It’s manageable now, but once the outside world realizes how staggering his wealth is, even our parents might become kidnapping targets."

Fu Xinran paused for a moment, then realized the terrifying possibility. Even the tomb of Li Ka-shing’s wife had been targeted by criminals for ransom. Wang Zhuo, having branched out so aggressively, was bound to attract trouble once he became too prominent.

"But we can't just stop earning money, can we?" Fu Xinran said, laughing helplessly. "I have no better ideas either. I guess this is the burden of the rich!"

Gan Shuang tapped her Hermès cup with her fingertip. This tiny item had cost over a thousand Renminbi when bought. It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to reverse. That brat Wang Zhuo, just because of a sex scandal with a celebrity, ended up spending fortunes buying up shares in Warner Bros. to bail himself out. Living to that extent—one truly wonders what the point of pursuit is anymore!

While she and Fu Xinran were wrestling with their affluent troubles, Wang Zhuo received a pleasant surprise at the very same moment.

The phone rang while Wang Zhuo was busy pairing up white mice in the rodent house with Meng Shengnan and Meng Shengdi. This was one of his chosen relaxations when taking a break from his intense work—something that required no brainpower and brought tranquility to his mind and body.

The caller was Guan Yingying, and her voice held undisguised excitement as she cut straight to the chase: "Wang Zhuo, where are you?"

"Where else would I be?" Wang Zhuo chuckled. "I've been living here in the lab for a week; I haven't even stepped out to eat."

Guan Yingying giggled. "Then wait right there, we’ll be there immediately!"

Wang Zhuo quickly cautioned, "Hey? What’s got you so happy? Be careful on the road for safety!"

"Don't worry, Siyuan is driving carefully," Guan Yingying chirped before hanging up promptly.

"What’s up with Sister Yingying?" Meng Shengdi asked curiously.

"You can ask her yourself in a moment," Wang Zhuo replied, shaking his head and smiling, peeling off his rubber gloves to wash his hands nearby.

In the years since leaving Peach Blossom Village, Meng Shengnan and Meng Shengdi had changed considerably. The elder sister, Meng Shengnan, had blossomed into a graceful young woman—gentle, pure, and obedient. The younger sister, Meng Shengdi, had fully embraced her clever and mischievous nature, and thanks to ample nutrition, she was now nearly a head taller than her sister.

Children from humble backgrounds often possess greater practical skills than those from wealthy homes. Wang Zhuo was extremely satisfied with the working capabilities of these two sister-assistants, and having two beautiful young women by his side made the work more pleasant, fitting the saying, "Work isn't tiring when men and women pair up."

Meng Shengnan’s character was the epitome of a virtuous and demure traditional woman, inheriting the fine traditions of the women of Peach Blossom Village. Before she left home, her father, Meng Mingliang, had already instructed her that she was destined to be Wang Zhuo’s woman. For years, Wang Zhuo had treated her like a sister, never crossing the boundary of intimacy, yet she maintained a composed mindset, silently serving as his shadow, neither anxious nor resentful.

Meng Shengdi, however, was exactly at the age of blossoming youth, her heart stirred by romantic feelings. Wang Zhuo was undoubtedly her ideal object of affection. Furthermore, given the historical scarcity of men compared to women in Peach Blossom Village, she had been influenced since childhood; her moral compass did not find it unacceptable for a man to have multiple women. Instead, she viewed such a man as capable and worthy of worship. Thus, she made no secret of her admiration for Wang Zhuo, sometimes even dropping ambiguous hints, hoping for something more to happen between them.

Wang Zhuo was not unaware of the sisters' affections. However, after experiencing so many women in his life, the once naive young man had matured into a seasoned player. To have beauty before him and yet refrain from acting was, in itself, another form of enjoyment. Occasionally engaging in light flirtation with the younger sister, dangling her hopes without fulfilling them, was also quite amusing to him.