On the twenty-second day, Liu Hui arrived at the office, and Hu Xian'er immediately brewed a cup of that exceptionally fine tea and presented it to him. On the desk sat an array of newspapers, some in Chinese, some in English, and others in Japanese.

“Thank you, Xian'er,” Liu Hui said, sipping the delicious tea as he surveyed the papers.

The front-page headlines of every newspaper were dominated by news of Starry Sky Group's launch of "Starry Sky Myopia Reliever," accompanied by photographs from the auction site.

“Mr. Liu Hui Creates Another Miracle, Conquering Myopia After AIDS,” declared the headline in Hong Kong's Ming Pao.

“Chinese Traditional Medicine Shows Divine Power Again, Rooting Out Myopia in One Go!” screamed the headline of a prominent mainland newspaper.

“Starry Sky Myopia Reliever Agency Rights Auctioned; Our Nation's First Pharmaceuticals Wins Asian General Agency, Japanese Pharmaceuticals Finally Go Global!” was the headline in Japan’s Asahi Shimbun.

“A Gospel for the World’s One Billion Myopic Sufferers; Starry Sky Pharmaceuticals Gains Worldwide Fame,” proclaimed the front page of the Washington Post in the United States.

“Mr. Liu Hui’s Magical Performance Forces Nobel Medical Prize Committee into a Dilemma!” blared the headline of Britain's The Sun.

Liu Hui grinned as he looked over the reports, feeling quite pleased. All the coverage of Starry Sky Group was overwhelmingly positive, and he himself was portrayed as a kind of human savior. There was no clamor in the papers about making the drug’s invention public worldwide, nor were there accusations that Starry Sky Group was about to monopolize the global pharmaceutical market. Even the experts, who usually jumped out to criticize anything new, were nowhere to be seen. Everything was simply wonderful! It seemed he had successfully used this medicine to weave an immense network spanning the globe. Those general agents and those eager to become secondary agents must have played a huge role in all this!

“Boss, Manager Li from the Sales Company needs to report to you. Do you have time?” Hu Xian'er cautiously reminded the daydreaming Liu Hui.

“Ah! What?” Liu Hui snapped out of his reverie.

Hu Xian'er had no choice but to repeat herself.

“Ah, well, have her come in then. I’d also like to know what progress she’s made with her work,” Liu Hui said with an embarrassed smile.

“Yes, Boss,” Hu Xian’er replied, pushing open the door.

Li Zhi soon entered, pushing the door open as well.

“Boss.”

“Manager Li, please have a seat,” Liu Hui said, genuinely pleased.

“Boss, let me update you on yesterday’s auction.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening!”

“After we confirmed the four regional general agents yesterday, they wired the one-hundred-million-dollar agency deposit into our company account that same evening. They also asked when the formal agreements could be signed,” Li Zhi stated.

“Oh, they are that eager? We haven't even launched the medicine, and we already have four hundred million dollars?” Liu Hui remarked, surprised.

“Yes. They just secured the regional rights. The representatives from other companies in their regions have been extremely enthusiastic toward them. They’ve already sensed the opportunity for market consolidation, so they’re pressing us to sign the formal agreements quickly!” Li Zhi chuckled.

“Have their senior executives come to Hong Kong to sign the formal agreements. I authorize you to handle all these matters completely,” Liu Hui instructed.

“Boss, I will certainly handle everything properly.”

Li Zhi said gratefully. Because of Liu Hui, she was fortunate enough to participate in the sales of this world-shaking product, thereby realizing her years-long dream. She was, therefore, immensely thankful to Liu Hui.

“I trust you will handle it well,” Liu Hui smiled.

“Boss, the representatives from those general agencies told me they can push the EU and US drug administrations to expedite the clinical trials. They said if necessary, they could compel the local regulatory bodies to accept the data from Hong Kong. They estimate it will take no more than a week to guarantee our product’s market launch,” Li Zhi announced cheerfully.

“Launch ahead of schedule!” Liu Hui sighed.

“Boss, you don’t seem very willing to launch early?” Li Zhi asked, puzzled.

“No, I was thinking about something else. Right, if we launch in a week, how much stock do you estimate we’ll need to prepare for ‘Starry Sky Myopia Reliever’ to meet global demand?” Liu Hui asked. “Excluding the Greater China region, the first batch will probably need about ten million units!” Li Zhi calculated and replied.

“Oh, that’s fine then. You can go now,” Liu Hui said.

Li Zhi stood up and left, somewhat bewildered.

Ten million units for the first batch? But I currently only have four million units. How should I solve this problem?

Liu Hui paced restlessly around the office. His current supply of "Starry Sky Myopia Reliever" was definitely insufficient for the global market. He had originally planned to launch first in Hong Kong, where these four million units would be more than enough. Then, he planned to find some drugs through other means and exchange more medicine with Zeg, which would allow him to fully supply the global market. But now, the potential early global launch had disrupted his plans. This was the first time doing business with these agents, and it was crucial to guarantee a sufficient supply to build their confidence in the agency, thus securing a long-term partnership. So, what should he do?

Liu Hui took a sip of tea and sat back in his executive chair, flipping through the newspapers on the desk haphazardly while lost in his own thoughts. Suddenly, he stopped flipping and stared at the paper in his hand; a piece of news had caught his attention.

Vice-leader of Japan’s Yakuza, Kiyoshi Takayama, Arrested; Police Confiscate Five Tons of Narcotics from Family Home.

I’m so desperate for narcotics here, and they have five tons confiscated by the police over there. What a waste! Liu Hui lamented internally as he began to read the news item carefully.

The report stated that Kiyoshi Takayama, the vice-leader of Japan’s Yakuza, was arrested for extortion. During a routine search of his residence, the police unexpectedly discovered five tons of narcotics in a highly concealed cellar. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department held a press conference confirming the seizure of five tons of drugs, announcing they would be destroyed in three days.

Liu Hui closed the newspaper. Such major news should have been the front-page headline, but the advent of the "Starry Sky Myopia Reliever" had forcibly shoved this story onto the second page.

So much narcotics is going to be destroyed. It’s such a waste. If only I could have it—I certainly wouldn’t sell it or cause any harm to society, Liu Hui mused.

Suddenly, Liu Hui leaped up from his chair. He pulled back the curtains and paced rapidly in front of the window, thinking: Since you are going to destroy it anyway, why not intercept this batch of narcotics before you destroy it? That would save you the trouble of destruction. This thought, like a divine seed, instantly sprouted into a towering tree.

Robbing the narcotics from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department! That was a truly insane idea. Before last night, Liu Hui certainly lacked the capability and wouldn't have dared to consider such a plan. However, after obtaining the Magic Mask, this idea seemed to have a chance of realization!

The last time you attacked my Han Tang Hospital, trying to steal my drug formula and even killing two of my security guards, I had no way to seek revenge. This time, let me teach you how to rob, and settle the deep feud between us, Liu Hui thought bitterly. Possessing the Magic Mask, he only needed to find one—another identity—use that identity to travel to Japan, and then switch identities a few more times once there, making it highly possible to steal the five tons of narcotics without anyone noticing. Then, he could sneak back to Hong Kong, ensuring no one would pay him any mind. But the person assuming this false identity couldn't have any connection to him. So, where could he find such a person?

Liu Hui couldn't figure out a solution while stuck in the office, so he decided to tour the factory grounds with Hu Xian'er, hoping for some inspiration.

Liu Hui and Hu Xian'er left the office and walked along the cement path of the factory grounds. The spring breeze made everyone feel languid, and the newly planted flowers along the roadside were blooming brilliantly.

Liu Hui suddenly walked up, plucked a flower, returned to Hu Xian'er's side, and carefully tucked the flower into the hair above her temple.

Liu Hui stepped back a few paces to observe and remarked, “I thought this flower was quite beautiful, but after putting it in your hair, I find it rather ordinary. Is this my faulty perception, or has your beauty overshadowed the flower’s charm?”

Hu Xian'er’s cheeks flushed crimson. She lowered her head and asked softly, “You think I’m beautiful too?”

After a long moment without hearing Liu Hui’s voice, Hu Xian’er looked up only to find that Liu Hui had already walked far ahead. She felt a pang of hurt but quickly regained her composure, hurrying to catch up and walk alongside him.

Liu Hui and Hu Xian’er reached the entrance of the transport workshop and saw a little girl playing by the door. In front of the girl were several rag dolls, and she sat on the ground, using a small spoon to scoop sand to feed her dolls, murmuring soft coaxing sounds.

Liu Hui slowly walked over and stopped in front of the little girl. She was deeply engrossed in her play and didn’t notice Liu Hui approaching.

Liu Hui suddenly froze. He noticed the little girl had a pair of incredibly clear eyes, brimming with childish innocence, which immediately made him feel fond of her.

“Xian’er, go ask the person in charge of the transport workshop whose child this is,” Liu Hui told Hu Xian’er.

Hu Xian’er immediately went into the transport workshop and soon returned with a bespectacled man, followed by a robust middle-aged woman.

“Hello, Boss. I am Yan Xi, the person in charge of the transport workshop,” the bespectacled man introduced himself.

“Yan Xi, whose child is this, and why is she playing here?” Liu Hui asked.

“Boss, Xiao Yao is my child. I am so sorry, I shouldn't bring her while I’m working, I apologize,” the middle-aged woman said, assuming Liu Hui was angry and apologizing repeatedly.

“May I ask the lady’s surname?” Liu Hui inquired.

“Her name is Gao Yueming, we call her Sister-in-law Gao. Boss, Sister-in-law Gao’s family situation is a bit special, which is why she has to bring her child along,” Yan Xi quickly explained.

“Sister-in-law Gao’s family is special?” Liu Hui asked.

“Yes, Sister-in-law Gao is a single mother; she and Xiao Yao depend only on each other, they have no relatives, and her employment has always been unstable. This time, thanks to the Boss’s generosity, she was able to join our Starry Sky Pharmaceuticals, but she hasn’t received her salary yet. Sister-in-law Gao doesn't have the money to send Xiao Yao to school, so she has to keep Xiao Yao with her. However, Xiao Yao has always been very well-behaved; she never causes trouble,” Yan Xi explained.

At this point, the little girl named Xiao Yao finally noticed Liu Hui and the others. She cried out, “Mommy,” and hid behind Sister-in-law Gao, refusing to come out.

“Sister-in-law Gao, how old is Xiao Yao?” Liu Hui asked.

“Xiao Yao will soon be seven,” Sister-in-law Gao replied.

“Almost seven; she should be starting school then!” Liu Hui sighed.

“Boss, I will send Xiao Yao to school as soon as I get paid,” Sister-in-law Gao immediately said.

“Sister-in-law Gao, it’s like this: I have something I’d like to discuss with you.” Liu Hui began. “Boss, please don’t fire me. I’ll take Xiao Yao home right away; I won’t let it interfere with my work.” Sister-in-law Gao, thinking Liu Hui was about to dismiss her, grew very anxious.

“Sister-in-law Gao, you’ve misunderstood. What I meant was, our Starry Sky Group is prepared to hire Xiao Yao as the image spokesperson for our product,” Liu Hui quickly explained.

“Boss, this—” Sister-in-law Gao murmured, unable to finish her sentence.

“Sister-in-law Gao, Xian’er, and Yan Xi, please look closely at Xiao Yao’s eyes,” Liu Hui said with a smile.

Sister-in-law Gao gently pulled Xiao Yao from behind her back, and the group quickly observed the child’s eyes.

“Boss, Xiao Yao’s eyes are incredibly clear. I was taken with them the moment I saw her,” Hu Xian’er sighed.

“Indeed, Xiao Yao’s eyes are very large, and crucially, there is something within them that is deeply captivating,” Yan Xi also remarked.

“Are you exaggerating? I don’t notice anything different,” Sister-in-law Gao said doubtfully.

“Hehe, Sister-in-law Gao. That’s because you see it too often and have become desensitized. I dare say your daughter’s image is perfectly suited to be the spokesperson for our product.”

Isn’t this exactly what the eyes look like after treatment with ‘Starry Sky Myopia Reliever’? Liu Hui chuckled.

Hu Xian’er and Yan Xi beside him quickly nodded in agreement. Sister-in-law Gao wasn’t sure what to say. Only Xiao Yao looked at Liu Hui curiously with her innocent eyes wide open.

“Since the Boss thinks Xiao Yao can be the spokesperson, then I will listen to the Boss,” Sister-in-law Gao finally said.

“Xian’er, immediately take Sister-in-law Gao and little sister Xiao Yao to see Li Zhi, convey my intentions to her, and let her plan this out carefully,” Liu Hui instructed.

In truth, Liu Hui had been constantly thinking about the product spokesperson issue. The image of "Starry Sky Myopia Reliever" was extremely wholesome. Hiring a big celebrity could certainly open the market quickly, but who knew if that celebrity might suddenly be embroiled in a scandal? If that broke out, it could very well damage his product. Since seeing Xiao Yao, he had been deeply moved by her eyes. Instead of using a big celebrity, using this little girl, full of childlike innocence, as the spokesperson, while perhaps not yielding as immediate an impact as a major star, projected a healthy image beneficial for his long-term strategy.

Hu Xian’er immediately left with Sister-in-law Gao and Xiao Yao. Liu Hui bid farewell to Yan Xi and continued his inspection of the factory grounds. He looked over the workers, all diligently laboring, and suddenly felt like the superfluous person.

Liu Hui called Hu Xian’er, told her he would be leaving for a while, and then drove out of the factory complex. In the car, he put on the Magic Mask and transformed himself into an unfamiliar middle-aged man he had seen on the street. He then drove around Hong Kong carefully. Previously, due to security concerns, he had dared not go out casually. But now, possessing the Magic Mask and the ability to change his appearance, he could finally venture out for a drive and sightseeing without inhibition.

Liu Hui spent the entire day enjoying himself in downtown Hong Kong, tasting famous local delicacies, and even stopping in Central to admire the city’s beautiful women. He played until dusk before starting his drive back. On the way back to the company, he discovered a small village—a haphazard collection of buildings, but situated in a prime location from which one could see the sunset glow. He quickly stopped the car and climbed the hillside next to the village. The twilight view from this vantage point was stunningly beautiful.

The sun finally sank completely below the horizon. Liu Hui regretfully prepared to get into his car and leave when he suddenly heard the sound of someone crying. He curiously focused his hearing, and the weeping instantly sounded as if it were happening right in front of him. It was a woman crying, and inside the room, a man was sighing repeatedly.

“Xiao Yu, it’s my fault. I shouldn't have gotten involved with any gangs. Now that I’ve caused trouble, I have to run,” the man’s voice said.

“A-Shui, do you really have to leave? Then what should I do?” the woman’s voice asked.

“I desperately want to run with you, but this money is only enough for me to escape alone. What would you eat if you followed me?” the man named A-Shui said helplessly.

“Then ask your gang boss for help. See if they can assist you. Aren’t you one of their underlings?” the woman suggested.

“This incident was caused by an operation gone rogue by a big shot above me. The gang hates it when people act independently. Now that trouble has erupted, the gang obviously won’t concern themselves with us. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be caught by the other side sooner or later, and then I’ll be finished,” the man sighed.

“Everyone else runs away by boat, so why do you dare to take a plane? And why to Japan?” the woman questioned.

“Isn’t it because I need to get away quickly! Arranging a boat takes time, and if I delay too long, the other side will realize it was me, and I’ll be in deep trouble. Besides, running by sea makes it easy for word to get out,” A-Shui explained.

“You’re leaving tomorrow morning. Will you ever come back?” The woman sounded as if she were hugging the man and crying.

“I have an uncle in Japan; I’m planning to go rely on him this time. If things work out well, I’ll come back for you,” A-Shui comforted the woman.

Hearing this, an idea suddenly sparked in Liu Hui’s mind. He got back into the car, took a manila envelope from his storage space, and then pulled out three hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. He placed the cash inside the envelope. After listening to the couple’s conversation a little longer, and judging that the time was right, he got out of the car and walked to the door of the couple’s residence.

Liu Hui began to knock. The sounds inside the room immediately ceased.

Liu Hui called out, “A-Shui, open up quickly! I’m here to help you, sent by the gang boss.” Upon saying this, Liu Hui heard movement inside the room, followed by someone peering through the peephole at him. He opened the manila envelope, flashed the money inside, and said, “A-Shui, the boss knows you’re in trouble, so he sent me with this money to help you run.”

“Who are you? I don’t know you.” A-Shui saw only Liu Hui outside but remained cautious.

“A-Shui, you are being targeted by the other side. For your safety, the boss didn't dare send a brother who is often seen around to deliver the money; he was afraid of being followed. That’s why he sent me. I rarely show my face on the streets, so no one recognizes me,” Liu Hui explained.

The door opened a crack. A thin man inside cautiously observed the scene outside. Seeing only Liu Hui standing alone, he finally opened the door wider to let Liu Hui in.

Liu Hui entered. The room was small but neatly kept. A young woman was weeping inside.

“Brother, please sit,” A-Shui offered a chair, and Liu Hui sat down.

“A-Shui, this is from the boss. There is three hundred thousand inside,” Liu Hui handed the manila envelope to A-Shui.

A-Shui quickly opened it, counted the money carefully, and even verified the authenticity of the bills. Liu Hui remained unperturbed, just smiling and watching him.

“Brother, this is really three hundred thousand! Thank you so much, and thank the gang boss for not forgetting me!” A-Shui said emotionally.

“A-Shui, you bought a plane ticket to Japan, correct?”

“Yes, for tomorrow morning’s flight.”

“Oh dear, A-Shui, precisely because you bought a plane ticket to Japan, the other side has targeted you. They even said they would be waiting for you at the airport!” Liu Hui said, feigning a sigh.

“Damn it, how do they get information so fast?” A-Shui replied dejectedly.

“A-Shui, the boss told me to instruct you to take this money and go with your sister-in-law to the mainland to lay low for a while. However, you must hand over your ID card, passport, and everything else to the boss for safekeeping, to avoid being identified through those documents. Wait until the heat dies down, then you can come back,” Liu Hui instructed.

A-Shui quickly retrieved his ID card and passport and handed them to Liu Hui. Finally, he took out the plane ticket and handed it over as well, saying, “This is the ticket to Japan. It’s useless now; give it to the boss to keep too!”

Liu Hui accepted the items and smiled at A-Shui, “A-Shui, take good care of your sister-in-law. The boss said that those who mix with gangs ultimately do not have a good end. If you find a decent way to make a living on the mainland, don’t come back to Hong Kong. The path of the gang is not suitable for you.”

Liu Hui’s words caught A Shui by surprise, yet by the time he snapped back to reality, Liu Hui had vanished without a trace. It was only then that A Shui remembered he had forgotten to ask the name of this timely benefactor.

**H