Chapter 59: This Tragedy Is Huge

  Hearing that, Bai Wensheng jumped in shock, like he’d been stung by a scorpion. His body shrank back a little as he hurriedly stepped several meters away from Zhang Yang. He vaguely remembered his son saying that this Zhang Yang was a pro at beating people up. Still, he tried to keep the composure of a successful businessman and asked calmly, “What do you want?”

  Zhang Yang smiled faintly and shook his head. “Nothing. President Bai, what are you doing here?”

  “None of your business.” Bai Wensheng stared anxiously at the stage—every seat seemed filled, yet not a single hostess had come to invite him. No one even looked his way.

  He glanced at his watch—it was already 9:25. In just five minutes, the signing ceremony would officially begin. Cold sweat began dripping down his forehead.

  Could the organizers have forgotten him? He ignored Zhang Yang, hurried backstage, and grabbed the event organizer—Deputy Secretary Wang of the Municipal Committee. “Secretary Wang, why—why isn’t my name on the list?” he asked anxiously.

  Secretary Wang looked at him, scratched his head, then suddenly clapped his hands. “Ah! I forgot.”

  “No problem, no problem! If you forgot, we can fix it. I don’t mind.” Bai Wensheng sighed in relief. So it was just a mistake—scared the piss out of him for nothing.

  “No, I mean, I forgot to tell you. Here’s the thing—last night Meining University notified us that they canceled your preliminary agreement. Your spot’s been replaced by Xingyun Pharmaceuticals. I just forgot to inform you. My apologies.”

  “W-what? Canceled the agreement?” Bai Wensheng fell straight to the floor, and that barely suppressed urge to pee surged back instantly. “This—this agreement can be canceled? I already invested thirty million!”

  “Oh, that. The agreement you signed was only temporary, not legally binding. As for the thirty million, Meining University already returned it to us for refund to your company.”

  “That’s impossible! Our Bai Group has always had a great relationship with Meining University—they wouldn’t do this.”

  Deputy Secretary Wang shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. You’re on such good terms—why not call and ask? Anyway, I’m busy. Gotta go.”

  With that, Secretary Wang darted away, leaving Bai Wensheng frozen in place.

  Sitting on the floor in shock, Bai suddenly came to his senses, pulled out his phone, and desperately dialed Vice Dean Chen Wentao of the Medical School.

  The line was off.

  “No, wait—Deputy Mayor Ma... and Vice President Huang...”

  Bai Wensheng frantically searched through his contacts. He couldn’t afford to lose this deal. This was Bai Pharmaceuticals’ chance to leap from a regional enterprise to a national—no, global—company. Once lost, it’d never come again. Not to mention, he’d already poured massive funds into advertising.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He made dozens of calls before finally reaching Vice President Huang from Meining University.

  “Old Bai, this is tricky. Everything was fine yesterday afternoon, but last night the ‘Dragonborn’ Research Team sent a strongly worded statement demanding to terminate your agreement. The president supported them. What do you expect me to do?”

  “Tell me, did you offend someone you shouldn’t have?”

  “Anyway, I can’t help you. Stop calling me. Goodbye!”

  “Damn it! When there’s free stuff, you’re always first in line, but now that there’s trouble, you tell me not to call?” Bai Wensheng’s fat body slumped back to the floor. “What the hell is going on? Who did I offend?”

  “Wait—it must be that Zhang Yang. Yeah, him! Feng Tianlin was with him just now—it has to be his doing.” Bai Wensheng shot up to his feet, his tiny eyes gleaming with rage.

  Meanwhile, the Zhang Yang in question was happily chatting with the beautiful Qiao. After being bullied by Bai Liangfeng for so long, venting that pent-up anger felt damn good.

  When he mentioned the issue to Professor Shangguan Hong, Professor Ding Pengshan, and the others last night, all three immediately said, “If they piss you off, just kick them out. Why put up with that crap?”

  Zhang Yang had the eloquent Wu Hao draft a formal statement, which they submitted to the Medical School leadership and the university president. Upon seeing that three vice-minister-level academicians supported it, the president didn’t even read further—he called and chewed out the Medical School leadership.

  “What’s going on? You signed a deal with a company without consulting the senior academicians? Did they bribe you? Cancel it immediately!”

  And thus, Bai Wensheng’s tragedy began.

  But what made Zhang Yang even happier was when the system’s long-lost voice chimed in: 【Successfully thwarted Bai Pharmaceuticals’ conspiracy. Reward: 10 system points. Current total: 14 points. Title: Promising Youth.】

  After spending 50 points on acquiring the gene suppressor for the Super Anti-Cancer Cells, his 54 points had dropped to 4, reverting him back to an Ordinary Youth. Completing an M-level mission worth 30 points had seemed like a distant dream—but now, after toying with Bai Pharmaceuticals, he’d earned 10 points. Talk about a windfall from the heavens!

  Would wrecking Bai Pharmaceuticals entirely earn him even more points? He was genuinely looking forward to finding out.

  “What are you smirking at?” Qiao glared, spotting the pervy grin on Zhang Yang’s face. She raised a hand and smacked him lightly. Glancing down at her chest, she confirmed her outfit was perfectly normal—beige trench coat, purple dress, and a scarf tied around her neckline to prevent wolves from peeking. Unless this bastard came up and pried open her collar, she was completely safe.

  “Nothing!” Zhang Yang quickly covered his grin and glanced at the chubby man staring miserably at the stage, where the signing ceremony was in full swing. His eyes narrowed slightly. “I was thinking... maybe I should head back to the lab.”

  “Fake enthusiasm. There’s only Senior Sister Tian in the lab today—but that’s a good thing. I can tell she’s been drooling over you for ages, and you’re just as horny. Perfect setup—two flames, one lab...”

  Zhang Yang gave her a speechless look. Qiao lowered her sunglasses slightly and asked, “Am I wrong?”

  “Going or not?”

  “Going, of course going!”

  While the ceremony raged on, Zhang Yang and Qiao Xier returned to the lab—not because Zhang was particularly diligent, but because he wasn’t used to such events. Besides, he hated procrastinating. As long as that reagent remained unfinished, he couldn’t rest easy. The signing stuff was already moving ahead—if his reagent failed, it’d be a huge embarrassment.

  But when they returned to the lab, Tian wasn’t there. The huge lab was eerily empty, like a morgue, making their skin crawl. After half an hour of work, progress was still painfully slow, and many procedures needed more than two people. Qiao finally spoke up.

  “Told you—everyone’s at the signing ceremony. They’ll be back this afternoon at best. Let’s go crash at your place.”

  She took off her lab coat, clearly ready to bolt.

  Zhang Yang thought about it. With her gone, there wasn’t much point in staying. Better to go tidy up the villa instead.

  But just as they reached the door, Qiao’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she slipped aside to answer sneakily. When she returned, her expression was unpleasant—like she’d gotten her period twice. “I’ve got some personal business. Not coming with you. Stay here a bit—professors should be back soon.”

  Before Zhang Yang could reply, she dumped him there and ran off.

  “Hey, at least drop me off at the main campus! Damn!” Zhang Yang shouted after her, frustrated at being ditched.

  “I’ll come pick you up later!”

  Zhang Yang sighed helplessly and walked back into the lab. But as he passed the restroom inside, he suddenly heard a strange flushing sound.

  “There wasn’t anyone here earlier...” At first, he didn’t think much of it—but then realized that when he and Qiao came in, the lab had been empty. So how could someone be here now?

  The restroom was separated from the main lab, and they’d been inside for at least half an hour. No one had shown up. Could Senior Sister Tian really have been taking a dump for that long?

  Curious, Zhang Yang walked toward the restroom, intending to take a leak too. The women’s side was dead silent—no sound at all.

  “Senior Sister Tian?” Zhang Yang called out instinctively.

  No response. His words vanished into silence.

  What the hell? Don’t tell me this lab’s haunted in broad daylight.

  Zhang Yang’s scalp tingled. The sterile white lab really did feel like a morgue—the atmosphere was unnerving.

  Amitabha... I’m a man, damn it. A tough guy with Advanced Combat Technique. No way I’m afraid of a little ghost.

  Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yang marched into the women’s restroom. He’d barely poked his head in when he froze and immediately jumped back in terror.

  “Holy shit... a ghost!”