The next morning.
East of Jiang City, along the riverside in the suburbs.
This was the pharmaceutical zone specifically planned by the Jiang City government, where major pharmaceutical companies had established their research institutes.
However, the largest research institute in this area was Tianhui Pharmaceutical's Tianhui Third Institute.
Tianhui Pharmaceutical was a well-known pharmaceutical enterprise in China, controlled by the Jiang Group. It had nine major research institutes across the country, and Jiang City was home to both Tianhui First Institute and Tianhui Third Institute.
Tianhui Pharmaceutical generated billions in profit for the Jiang Group annually, making it a major taxpayer in Jiang City. Consequently, the local government provided significant conveniences to Tianhui Pharmaceutical.
Although this area was designated by the government for pharmaceutical plants, over half of its area was occupied by Tianhui Third Institute. The remaining space was divided among the research institutes of other pharmaceutical companies, most of which primarily supplied raw materials and basic drugs to Tianhui Pharmaceutical.
Ye Ling walked along the river, his gaze lingering on the research institute ahead, which was surrounded by exceptionally beautiful scenery.
In his hand, he toyed with a blood-stained ID card.
When Ye Ling left the Golden Wind Hotel, the police reported by the three blonde women arrived belatedly. Jiang Shanyue's bodyguards stormed into the presidential suite like madmen.
Unfortunately, they were unaware of a secret room within the suite and completely missed the gruesome scene inside.
Everyone believed Jiang Shanyue had disappeared.
"I recall that six years ago, Tianhui Pharmaceutical collaborated with the Life Sciences department of Jiang City University. Xiao Yu was studying Life Sciences in Jiang City, wasn't she? After I'm done with this, I'll go see her."
Reaching the entrance of Tianhui Third Institute, Ye Ling thought of Jiang City University, where he had studied, and murmured to himself.
Back then, both he and Su Ruoxue had studied at Jiang City University. They had expected to graduate smoothly, but fate was unpredictable, and many things had happened afterward.
Jiang City University was now a Double First-Class university in China. Those admitted were either outstanding students or came from prominent families, attending the business school for prestige.
Jiang City University was not what it used to be. Ye Ling, as a senior, sincerely admired Lin Yu for being admitted through her own merit.
Anyone who could emerge victorious from the intense competition of the college entrance examination would likely not fare poorly in cultivation.
"Thinking too far ahead."
Ye Ling shook his head with a smile, putting Jiang City University out of his mind, and vanished from his spot.
...
Tianhui Third Institute, Biopharmaceutical Zone.
"Students, ahead is our Tianhui Pharmaceutical's sterile laboratory. Please put on your protective suits, disinfect yourselves, and then Teacher Jian will guide you inside for the tour."
Huang Jianchuan, an associate professor from Jiang City University's Life Sciences department, was addressing about twenty students from the Life Sciences College of Jiang City University.
In recent years, Jiang City University had signed an agreement with Tianhui Pharmaceutical, whereby Tianhui Pharmaceutical recruited a batch of outstanding students from Jiang City University each year to train them as researchers.
Huang Jianchuan was the professor responsible for liaising with Tianhui Pharmaceutical from Jiang City University. He brought students to visit the Tianhui Pharmaceutical research institute annually to cultivate their interest.
For every student Tianhui Pharmaceutical signed, Huang Jianchuan received a substantial commission, making him exceptionally dedicated to this matter.
Lin Yu listlessly watched her classmates put on their lab coats. She playfully teased the little Qilin sleeping on her shoulder and yawned.
Bored.
She had been assigned to this major by chance and wasn't very interested in biomedical science. Moreover, having encountered the path of cultivation, her interest in biology waned even further.
Her current motto at school was "sixty points is all you need." If the department hadn't forced her to come, she would have preferred to cultivate in her dorm.
"Lin Yu, what are you still standing there for? Are you making everyone wait for you?"
Huang Jianchuan saw Lin Yu yawning at the back of the line, his expression turning somewhat grim. He urged her on.
He brought students here to foster their interest in Tianhui Pharmaceutical. Lin Yu's indifferent attitude could dampen the enthusiasm of other students.
He would not allow such a person in his team.
"Yes..."
Lin Yu responded with a hint of annoyance and slowly put on her protective suit.
Huang Jianchuan glared at Lin Yu before addressing everyone, "Students, Tianhui Pharmaceutical is controlled by the Jiang Group. You all know the status of the Jiang Group in China. If you get a job at Tianhui Pharmaceutical, you'll have plenty of opportunities to prosper in the future!"
Jian Gu, standing nearby, subtly rolled his eyes at Huang Jianchuan's words.
He had been working at Tianhui Pharmaceutical for over a decade and was still just an ordinary researcher with no authority, working tirelessly for meager pay.
Bound by his contract with Tianhui Pharmaceutical, he couldn't even resign!
Given the Jiang Group's influence in Jiang City, he didn't even dare to lodge a complaint against Tianhui Pharmaceutical's exploitation.
If he had to say it, he would never recommend these students to become dogs for Tianhui Pharmaceutical!
Of course, Jian Gu only grumbled inwardly and dared not voice his true thoughts.
He was merely an ordinary researcher. Not to mention the behemoth that was Tianhui Pharmaceutical, even Huang Jianchuan in front of him held considerable prestige in China's biological field; he simply couldn't afford to offend him.
Huang Jianchuan patted Jian Gu's shoulder and said with a smile, "Teacher Jian, please take the students inside and give them a good introduction to Tianhui Pharmaceutical's benefits and working environment."
"Certainly! Certainly!"
Jian Gu smiled at Huang Jianchuan and then beckoned to the students, "Everyone, follow me!"
"Wait a moment!"
Just then, a man in black, wearing sunglasses, walked out from the other end of the corridor and called out to them.
As the man in black appeared, the little Qilin on Lin Yu's shoulder immediately opened its eyes, baring its teeth at the man in black, as if sensing a threat.
"Little Qilin?"
Seeing the little Qilin provoked, Lin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, and she sharply looked at the man in black.
"Who is he?"
At that moment, the man in black quickly walked up to Huang Jianchuan and whispered something in his ear, causing Huang Jianchuan's expression to change. He then asked the man in black, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
The man in black replied calmly, "It's Elder Jiang's order."
Huang Jianchuan's expression flickered as he paced back and forth. After making up his mind, he said to Jian Gu, "Teacher Jian, the tour plan has been changed temporarily. Take the students to the Zone One laboratory."
"Zone One laboratory? That place is..."
Jian Gu exclaimed in surprise, but the rest of his words were silenced by Huang Jianchuan's glare.
Huang Jianchuan said coldly, "Elder Jiang's order. Do you have any objections?"
Jian Gu opened his mouth, glanced at the man in black beside him, felt a strong sense of pressure, swallowed slightly, and then shook his head, "No, no objections..."
Zone One was the core laboratory of this research institute. Forget students; even most researchers didn't have the qualifications to enter there!
The research conducted in that place involved projects that could not be disclosed to the outside world, and even included virus cultivation and human experimentation!
Jian Gu knew that periodically, these men in black would bring in a batch of "volunteers" for secret experiments, and these volunteers only went in, never to come out...
Jian Gu couldn't understand why the research institute would take Jiang City University students into Zone One.
It was sheer madness!