"Mr. President, Yi Wen Liu has released two new drugs under her personal name, and their effects are remarkable. Experts estimate their market value to be in the hundreds of billions!"
"What did you say!" the President of the United States exclaimed in shock. "What kind of medicine could yield such immense profit? Is it a miracle cure for cancer?"
Dr. Fu Qi, the U.S. Secretary of Health, stepped forward to explain.
"They are not cancer cures. One of these drugs enhances ligament elasticity, increasing the body's flexibility. The other repairs muscle strain and alleviates pain. The market for the flexibility-enhancing drug is not very large, primarily serving specialized industries like dance and gymnastics."
"However, the market for the second drug is incredibly broad. Muscle strain is an extremely common occupational hazard, whether one works in an office or performs manual labor, as prolonged maintenance of the same posture is unavoidable."
"Beyond acute muscle pulls, the greatest cause of muscle strain is the chronic cumulative damage resulting from sustained tension in muscles held in static positions. One hundred billion is a conservative estimate. If the drug's efficacy truly matches their promotional materials, it's not impossible for that figure to double."
"After all, the current market size for anti-cancer drugs has already reached over one hundred and thirty billion. While muscle strain treatments have lower costs, the consumer market for it is simply colossal!"
As Dr. Fu Qi elaborated, the President's gaze grew more fervent. "This medicine is a gift from God to the United States. We must acquire it at any cost. Dr. Fu Qi, I will trouble you with reverse-engineering these two drugs."
"Smith, spare no expense in bringing the inventor of these two drugs here. If she is unwilling, then God is calling to her, and you know what you must do!"
Smith Lun En nodded first, then spoke hesitantly.
"Mr. President, is she truly the inventor of these drugs? After their recent actions, our available personnel in Dragon Country are dwindling. If she is a decoy deliberately put forth by Dragon Country, like Jing Ming Qiu, then we..."
He was interrupted mid-sentence by the Director of the CIA.
"Smith, you need not worry about that. We have investigated thoroughly. This Yi Wen Liu is different from Jing Ming Qiu. She achieved fame at a young age and is extremely proud. The possibility of her using someone else's prescription to gain attention is very low."
"Furthermore, Jing Ming Qiu's new mecha structure only requires inspiration. However, for Yi Wen Liu's two inventions to be stably marketed, it would require at least ten years of research and testing. There are too many complexities involved to perfectly attribute it to an outsider."
"But," Smith Lun En scratched his head, "ten years ago, she would have been at most ten years old!"
The President regained his composure and waved his hand. "What's the issue with that? Dragon Country once had a seven-year-old chancellor. If she started her research at ten, that's quite late. Go ahead with confidence. I will arrange for people to provide you with ample intelligence and financial support."
With the President's decision, the matter was settled. Smith Lun En left the White House and boarded a plane to Dragon Country.
Meanwhile, in Laboratory No. 2 at Technology University of Dongyang City, Dragon Country, mechas were being forged with great fervor.
After a period of working together, the eight members of Zhao Geng's team had become gradually familiar with Jing Ming Qiu.
Their address for him had shifted from Professor Jing to Brother Jing, in accordance with local custom.
Although these individuals had a somewhat eccentric aura, they had all passed Jing Ming Qiu's personally designed, exceptionally difficult examinations. They were all top-tier graduate students.
Considering the likelihood of spies among them passing intelligence out of the laboratory, Jing Ming Qiu did not utilize the plan provided by the principal, nor did he adopt their proposed design concepts. Instead, he employed a highly specialized design scheme provided by the system.
"Brother Jing." Jing Ming Qiu was in discussion with Mo Rui Xue about the next romantic unlockable pose for the evening when Zhao Geng, having just completed his treatment, approached with a thick stack of A4 papers.
"Professor Jing, I feel that our current method of generating electricity by absorbing thermal energy to reduce the mecha's temperature is too costly. I've designed a new plan; could you please offer some guidance?"
Jing Ming Qiu took the document from Zhao Geng, quickly scanned it, and tossed it back. "The method of preventing heat transfer through a hollow insulation layer – your plan is excellent."
"So?" Zhao Geng's eyes lit up. "Professor Jing, are we going to switch to this?"
Jing Ming Qiu raised a finger and gently shook it. "No, no, no. Precisely because it's so good, we can't use it."
Zhao Geng was stunned by this response.
"Why! Professor Jing, why can't a good plan be used?"
Jing Ming Qiu didn't want to dampen Zhao Geng's enthusiasm but couldn't reveal the truth. As he hesitated, Jing Rou and Yi Wen Liu walked in hand-in-hand, chatting and laughing.
Upon seeing Jing Ming Qiu, Jing Rou decisively let go of Yi Wen Liu's hand and rushed to hug his arm, proactively seeking praise. "Ming Qiu, we passed a hot pot restaurant just now, and it looked delicious. Shall we go eat there tonight?"
"No problem," Jing Ming Qiu agreed readily, then turned to address the others in the laboratory. "Hot pot gathering tonight, everyone come along. We've been busy for a long time; it's time to relax."
"Hooray!"
"Long live Brother Jing!"
...
Hearing this, the previously somewhat quiet laboratory erupted in cheers.
"I won't be going," Zhao Geng mumbled, his head down. "I'm still not well. The doctor said I need to abstain from meat, spicy food, and greasy foods."
Jing Ming Qiu waved his hand and pointed at Yi Wen Liu. "It's fine, we can order a split pot, and if that doesn't work, we have a miracle doctor here."
"This..."
Zhao Geng tried to decline again, but Jing Ming Qiu, with no further patience for words, directly called two people over to forcibly drag him to the hot pot restaurant.
Beef slices, lamb rolls, tripe, shrimp paste,
Mushrooms, lettuce, lotus root slices, Chiang Mai tofu,
And various kinds of meatballs...
As an assortment of delicacies was consumed, accompanied by several drinks, the atmosphere grew lively, and conversations flowed freely across all topics.
Since the system automatically shielded him, Jing Ming Qiu wasn't worried about letting slip any secrets. He accepted every drink offered and quickly became intoxicated.
Yi Wen Liu, being a physician, was acutely aware of the dangers of alcohol and did not drink a single drop.
Seeing Jing Ming Qiu slumped over Mo Rui Xue and starting to babble incoherently, Yi Wen Liu instinctively drew a silver needle from her waist, preparing to help him sober up.
"There's no need," Mo Rui Xue reached out and stopped Yi Wen Liu. "Ah Qiu has been under a lot of pressure lately. Just let him get drunk and relax for a bit."
Yi Wen Liu recalled the other people's instructions and frowned. "But? What if he says something he shouldn't?"
"It's alright," Jing Rou said with a smile as she stood up, helping Mo Rui Xue support Jing Ming Qiu. "When falsehood becomes truth, truth also becomes falsehood. Even if Ming Qiu speaks the truth, they might not dare to believe it. After all, who knows if Ming Qiu is drunk or sober right now?"
Jing Ming Qiu cooperated perfectly, shouting, "I'm not drunk! I'm a Sword Immortal, immune to a thousand cups! If you don't believe me, I'll perform sword manipulation for you!"
Saying this, Jing Ming Qiu flicked his wrist, and a streak of white light shot out from his sleeve...