The old man appeared ancient, his face a map of age spots, deeply lined, his eyes yellowed and dull, topped by sparse, entirely white hair, with only a few wisps of beard hanging from his chin. His breathing was shallow and labored, giving the impression he was on the verge of expiring at any moment.

"Indeed, a very old gentleman. It seems Director Hou wasn't misleading me," Liu Hui remarked with a sigh.

The old man named Chen Songlin sat alone in a wheelchair, a blanket draped over his knees. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes half-closed, staring expressionlessly at the sky ahead, utterly motionless.

"The administrator mentioned that Chen Songlin is the oldest resident in this nursing home. He was quite spirited when he was first brought in, but recently his decline has been extremely rapid. It’s likely his time has come," Wu Yuanjia added.

"Can he still speak?"

"He probably can, but his mind is likely not very clear anymore. Apparently, this time of day is when he is at his most lucid; in half an hour, he will drift into slumber," Wu Yuanjia continued, relaying information gathered from the staff.

Although Liu Hui had Zerg’s assurance that human lifespan could be extended, looking at the man who seemed seconds from death made his decision feel precarious. Could a man so close to passing truly be made young again, his life prolonged?

"Old man, what are you looking at?" Liu Hui stepped forward to ask, but the elder ignored him, remaining fixed on the sky.

"Boss, it looks like he’s already asleep. I told you, he’s so frail, how could his mind be clear or capable of speech? I think he’s really done for," Wu Yuanjia said.

"Young man, think before you speak. My eyes are open, how could I be asleep? And though I am old, speaking presents no trouble at all," the old man named Chen Songlin suddenly spoke, glancing dismissively at Wu Yuanjia.

"Uh..." Wu Yuanjia was stunned that the elder wasn't asleep—not only had he heard their words, but he had also retorted. Though the elder’s voice was weak, his retort left Wu Yuanjia deeply embarrassed, unable to find words. After all, criticizing someone to their face and being overheard is mortifying.

"Ahem, venerable sir, please don't take offense," Liu Hui interjected, overjoyed to see the elder speaking with such clarity and coherence, stepping forward to smooth things over.

"Hmm, young man, I recognize you," Chen Songlin said, startled by Liu Hui’s appearance, then laughed.

"Sir, you know me?" Liu Hui was greatly surprised that this frail recluse in a nursing home recognized him.

"Indeed, I do. You're quite the sensation, young man; your news is on television every day," the elder noted, his gaze shifting briefly toward a nearby television set.

"I’ve only achieved some very minor successes. I never expected an elder such as yourself to still keep me in mind," Liu Hui replied humbly. He became even more intrigued by the old man; at his age, still following current events via television suggested a remarkably strong capacity for learning.

"Young man, you are doing very well. Your career is in its golden age, far surpassing what I managed in my day. But for me, it’s over; I’m leaving soon. My wife and children are waiting for me below," the elder finished, his mood darkening, his entire demeanor growing listless.

"Sir, since you know me, I won't waste time with pleasantries. I came here to invite you to be the head of scientific research for our Starry Sky Group."

Chen Songlin managed a few ragged breaths, managing a wry smile. "Young man, are you joking? Look at me. Can I possibly engage in scientific research? I’m only lucid at this hour; the rest of the time I’m either sleeping or incoherent. I’m utterly useless, how could I possibly conduct research? I might be gone the next second."

Liu Hui smiled mysteriously and leaned toward Chen Songlin. "Sir, since you know me, you know my track record. No one in the world imagined I could invent an HIV treatment drug, yet I did—a cure for an age-old plague. No one imagined I could invent a drug to completely cure myopia, yet I did—a boon for countless millions. That drug will hit the market in a few days."

"I know all that, young man. Get to the point; my condition won't hold out much longer," Chen Songlin urged, appearing ready to collapse into sleep at any moment.

"Sir, I have actually invented a drug that can restore youth," Liu Hui said, stepping closer and whispering directly into Chen Songlin's ear.

"Young man, don't play such jokes near an elder, especially one on the brink of death. It causes unnecessary pain; it’s a cruel thing to do," Chen Songlin, seasoned by life, refused to believe a word of it.

"Sir, when I invented the AIDS drug and the myopia cure, the world didn't believe me either," Liu Hui said calmly.

Chen Songlin considered Liu Hui’s history, then looked into his eyes, and a flicker of hope began to stir within him. He rallied, asking in a low voice, "You speak the truth? You aren't deceiving me?"

"What I say is naturally true. As for the effect, you can experience it firsthand. I haven't told a third person about this yet," Liu Hui whispered back.

"Why me?" Chen Songlin asked, his spirit seeming to lift slightly.

"It’s simple. My Starry Sky Group is preparing to launch its own scientific research division, but currently, I lack anyone trustworthy to lead it. Cultivating talent from scratch now would take too long and impede our progress. Therefore, I need numerous experienced researchers immediately. I know your past achievements and trust your capability. Moreover, being unburdened by family now means no one pays attention to your existence," Liu Hui stated plainly.

"What do I gain, and what must I give up?" Chen Songlin asked concisely.

"You gain youth and an extension of your life. You will also receive abundant funding for your scientific research—and by abundant, I mean a truly massive amount. I plan for the annual research budget to be no less than ten billion US dollars. Furthermore, you will personally witness the countless miracles the Starry Sky Group will create. The cost is simple: you dedicate your remaining life to research for the Starry Sky Group, and you cannot reveal yourself to the world under your own name without my permission. Apart from that, you are free. Of course, we also need you to utilize your extensive network to help us recruit powerful scientists to join our research institute. Importantly, their age is irrelevant; if they have the ability and can still think critically, they are welcome," Liu Hui's voice was like a siren, constantly enticing Chen Songlin.

"Is the annual research budget truly ten billion dollars? And who has the final say over this research institution?" Chen Songlin inquired.

"The initial annual investment is ten billion dollars, and subsequent years will not be less. As for management of the research institution, you will be in charge. I only require results; I will not interfere with your management decisions. Naturally, I have made my own breakthroughs in research, including several powerful medicines in biomedicine, and I will participate as a scientist, but I will not interfere with your administrative control," Liu Hui explained.

"If you can truly deliver all that you’ve promised, I will certainly agree. However, my energy is already overdrawn today; I must rest now. We can discuss the rest tomorrow when I am clearer," Chen Songlin said, his exhaustion overwhelming him; he was on the verge of collapse.

Liu Hui knew this trip hadn't been in vain. Chen Songlin's mind was still sharp enough to reason. The rest would be managed later. Seeing the elder’s poor condition, Liu Hui instructed Wu Yuanjia to assign two bodyguards specifically for his protection, then left the nursing home, needing time to plan meticulously.

Three days later, in the records of Mong Kok Nursing Home, 96-year-old Chen Songlin passed away due to heart failure, despite emergency efforts at the hospital. His remains were quickly cremated and interred in a public cemetery. The other residents and staff soon forgot the quiet, taciturn old man.

Simultaneously, a middle-aged man named Chen Changsheng appeared among the senior management of the Starry Sky Group. His title was Director of the Starry Sky Group Scientific Research Academy. Strangely, no one knew where this man came from or how the Boss had recruited him.

After settling Chen Changsheng's affairs, Liu Hui finally reached the official launch day for the global release (excluding Greater China) of the Starry Sky Group’s “Starry Sky Myopia Corrector.” The future trajectory of the Starry Sky Group depended entirely on this product’s sales performance.

If this product sold exceptionally well, many of Liu Hui's arrangements and plans could be realized effortlessly. If the market rejected it, Liu Hui’s grand vision would suffer a major blow.

The pre-launch marketing efforts were complete; now, it was a matter of waiting for the market's reaction. Liu Hui could do nothing further, so he remained intensely nervous, constantly monitoring sales figures from his office.

Tom’s lifelong dream was to become a firefighter, but excessive strain on his eyes during his school years resulted in severe myopia, shattering that ambition. A few days prior, while idly watching television, he became captivated by an advertisement. It promoted a product called “Starry Sky Myopia Corrector.” Though the ad itself was unremarkable, Tom was mesmerized by the little girl featured in it, who possessed beautiful eyes. He remembered the product advertised, knowing it was for curing nearsightedness. Gazing at the girl's clear vision, Tom felt a powerful desire to finally cure his own eyes. However, he had seen countless commercials for exquisitely produced products whose effects were often negligible. How effective could this plainly advertised item be?

In the following days, Tom kept seeing the same advertisement repeated on television, and a growing yearning took root in his heart, convincing him he should try it. Perhaps he could regain healthy sight and resurrect his dream of becoming a firefighter. Thus, he waited for the product's launch with intense anticipation.

The day arrived; the long-awaited “Starry Sky Myopia Corrector” finally went on sale. Tom had specifically requested leave from work and rushed to a designated sales point early that morning, only to find a long queue already snaking down the block.

"Hey, buddy, why so many people queuing up? What exciting thing are you buying? Did I miss something big?" Tom asked the man ahead of him curiously.

"I'm here for the 'Starry Sky Myopia Corrector' from the Starry Sky Group. Aren't you?" The man turned, gesturing toward the long line, his expression questioning.

"I'm buying this product too. But why are so many people lining up for it? I haven't seen a scene like this for buying goods in years," Tom replied, perplexed.

"You don't know? This 'Starry Sky Myopia Corrector' is from the Starry Sky Group, founded by Liu Hui, the man who invented the HIV cure. He's the frontrunner for this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine. His AIDS drug cured so many patients with zero side effects. Though for some reason, he left that hospital and founded the Starry Sky Group. This 'Starry Sky Myopia Corrector' is rumored to be his invention too, and the results are incredible. People who used it on the spot had their vision restored almost immediately—the whole process takes only two hours. I saw the video online. I’ve been waiting for this launch. With this new product, I won't have to wear these damned thick glasses anymore," the man ahead pointed to his spectacles, which were as thick as bottle caps.

"Another new drug invented by Liu Hui? Who is this Liu Hui, to be able to create such powerful medicine?" Tom had heard the story of Liu Hui, the inventor of the AIDS cure, but never imagined he would produce another drug benefiting humanity on such a scale.

"Heh, I heard Liu Hui found some secrets within the traditional Chinese medicine popular in Huaxia, which allowed him to create such potent drugs," the bespectacled man whispered mysteriously.

"Is traditional Chinese medicine really that powerful?" Tom asked dubiously.

"It must be, or why would this 'Starry Sky Myopia Corrector' work so much better than our Western medicine? And look at the price—it's not even that high, just $1,480, less than half my monthly salary. It's cheaper than comparable treatments and devices, and the key is that the other products don't offer a complete cure. That’s why I rushed here this morning, but I guess I'm late, stuck at the very back of the line," the man grumbled regretfully.

Tom paused. He now realized that almost everyone in line was wearing glasses. These cursed lenses made everything seem slow; Tom’s anticipation to buy the "Starry Sky Myopia Corrector" intensified. Soon, an even longer queue formed behind Tom, and the atmosphere was electric with excitement.

Despite the long wait, the consumers showed no resentment, only an urgent desire to obtain the drug that promised a complete cure for myopia and freedom from their visual troubles. As those who managed to buy the medicine walked past Tom, beaming, his impatience grew unbearable; he longed to make his own purchase immediately.

Unfortunately, when it was the man in front of Tom’s turn, the pharmacy announced that their entire stock of “Starry Sky Myopia Corrector” had sold out. This immediately angered Tom, the man in front of him, and the rest of the line. They demanded the store immediately replenish its stock, vowing not to leave until they secured a supply that day.

The pharmacy manager was drenched in sweat. He had tried to estimate consumer demand generously and stocked extra inventory, but he hadn't anticipated a sales surge leading to an immediate shortage. He frantically called his company headquarters to request an emergency resupply to meet the public's overwhelming need. Tom and the others were willing to wait right there for the new shipment to arrive.

At that exact moment, situations identical to Tom's were unfolding globally, with the "Starry Sky Myopia Corrector" dominating every conversation.

Requests for more stock flooded in via telephone calls, sales data reports flowed from every pharmacy to regional distributors, then to zone distributors, finally converging at the Starry Sky Group headquarters.

In his office in Hong Kong, Liu Hui waited anxiously for the sales feedback.

"Boss, the figures are in," Hu Xian'er entered, holding a stack of documents.

"Quickly, quickly, what’s the situation?" Liu Hui demanded.

"Boss, two hours after the global launch, 'Starry Sky Myopia Corrector' sales reached five hundred thousand units. Looking at the temporal distribution, the sales rate is constantly increasing," Hu Xian'er announced in her clear voice, reading the data.

"Five hundred thousand units—that's five hundred million dollars—and that’s just the data from two hours on the market? And the rate is still climbing? What does this even mean?" Liu Hui stared, overwhelmed with elation. He instantly lifted Hu Xian'er, who was standing beside him, kissed her hard on the forehead, and spun her around a few times, speaking incoherently. "Xian'er, we did it. Do you hear me? We succeeded! Our era has dawned."

Hu Xian'er touched her forehead, gazing at the ecstatic Liu Hui, feeling that this moment was the happiest she had ever known.

My apologies for the five-day hiatus in updates; normal posting resumes starting today.

Qianyu Chuhai thanks readers: Blood Soul General and Ye Manlin (1176 currency) for their tips. Unfortunately, I lack the capacity to update by 12,000 characters today, for which I am truly sorry.