Chapter 498: Chapter 34: The Mysterious Visitor from a Foreign Land
Xiao Xian returned to the Zeng Family home to find Xuerou already waiting at the dining table. Mrs. Zeng was not around; without a doubt, she was out at another social engagement.
Grandma Zeng knew that Xiao Xian had spent the past few days doing a summer practicum at the supermarket. She had specially prepared a dish of chilled chicken feet, saying that after eating it, one could stand for days without their feet hurting.
After dinner, Xuerou shared some news about the hangover medicine with Xiao Xian.
Mrs. Zeng mentioned earlier that she had registered patents for the hangover medicine in several major developed countries and regions. Not long ago, the United States had already sent a written notice of patent approval.
However, there was no news from Europe until halfway through their summer vacation, when the European Royal Research Institute, which was responsible for the patent application in Europe, finally responded.
"Mom went out tonight to host the institute’s main person in charge. I heard they regard the patent application for the hangover medicine highly and have specially sent a commissioner to China, who has also requested to meet the person who developed the medicine’s formula," said Mrs. Zeng. Despite not being very familiar with the procedure, she still arranged the reception according to their request.
"Meet? You mean, they want to meet us?" Xiao Xian was somewhat surprised to hear they needed to step into the limelight.
"The specifics will have to wait for my mother to return," said Mrs. Zeng. In the afternoon, she also roughly asked Xuerou for her opinion. Setting aside her identity as a businesswoman, as a mother and an elder, she felt it wasn’t right to expose her underage daughter and her friends to the scrutiny of foreign research institutions. Xuerou’s opinion was largely aligned with Mrs. Zeng’s.
Mrs. Zeng came back early that night, looking somewhat displeased. Could it be that the evening’s meeting hadn’t gone well?
"Even those from Huang’s Breeding, who reek of copper, were called over. I really wonder what’s on Commissioner John’s mind?" Mrs. Zeng carried the usual smell of alcohol; in fact, she hardly drank at the dinner table. She had been so busy clinking glasses that she couldn’t find a chance to start a conversation with Commissioner John. It was Huang Tengchong, the general manager of Huang’s Breeding, who prevented her from speaking to John.
Upon hearing about the general manager of Huang’s Breeding, both Xiao Xian and Xuerou showed a bit of disgust. Huang Tengchong was like his villa, all shiny on the outside but with a heart as black as a dog’s. Mixing with people like Aisha and Xu Changfu, he surely wasn’t good news.
Xuerou voiced their concerns.
"Mom doesn’t want you to meet any commissioner. That Commissioner John is a typical Brit, not very talkative, but with a very sharp eye; he’s not an easy man to deal with," said Mrs. Zeng. She hadn’t put too much effort into the patent registration because she gained confidence since the hangover medicine had been approved in several countries and regions. If the medicine could be launched on the international market, it would bring great recognition to Chinese medicine, so her attitude towards the matter had shifted from conservative to uncertain.
"Why don’t we hire someone, find a professional Pharmacist? But that’s no good; it would be equivalent to leaking our formula," Xuerou suggested the idea of finding a stand-in, then thought of someone, "Aunt Xi’s son would be the perfect choice."
He was a professional who could converse freely with the people from the Royal Research Institute and wouldn’t need to worry about leaking the hangover medicine formula.
Mrs. Zeng thought it was a good suggestion. Li Juan had mentioned that her son had returned to work. She quickly contacted Xi Lijuan, but as luck would have it, Aunt Xi said her son had gone on a business trip a week ago and wouldn’t be back for a while. He was currently in Southern Xinjiang, investigating local cotton production.
Xinjiang? Hearing this name, Xuerou felt dismayed. Commissioner John was hoping to arrange a meeting on the weekend with the relevant researchers. Xinjiang was too far, and besides, he had work to do.
"Actually, it’s no big deal. We’re just meeting someone. Besides, Xuerou and I both look quite mature. We don’t have to clarify our identities; we just have to say our family has an ancient herbal medical tradition, and that will suffice," Xiao Xian saw the Zeng mother and daughter worrying and offered her advice.
After weighing the options again, Mrs. Zeng finally agreed. Tomorrow, Xiao Xian and Xuerou would go together to meet Commissioner John from the UK.