To Han Weicheng, all business was dirty business. The Mu family had been entrenched in commerce for generations—how could they have successfully pivoted from pharmaceuticals to broader markets in just a few short years without employing some underhanded tricks? He simply didn't believe otherwise.
There was no way that impulsive, muscle-headed Mu Rongxie had pulled it off alone.
The only reason nothing had ever come to light was because they'd been careful—too careful.
And that idiot Shu Lanzhou, shouting about a public investigation, really thought the Mu family's factory and Muthink's new company would fully cooperate with the police? Even if it eventually came to light that the problematic products were counterfeits, the investigation would still expose some ugly truths about their factory. Their reputation would take a hit either way.
If they somehow managed to come through this scandal unscathed—with Mu Corp, Muthink, and the hospital all intact, and even getting free publicity in the process—he'd write his name backwards.
But Xiao Anning wasn't nearly as calm. This sly old fox—Han Weicheng—was neither a shareholder in Luo Jialin's company nor a legal representative of the research center. He hadn't directly handled any of the dirty dealings either.
He just sat back and calculated every move, manipulating everyone and everything without getting his own hands dirty. And when things blew up, anyone could be held accountable—except him.
"Whether the investigation gets to the bottom of it or not," Xiao Anning snapped, "once they start digging, they're going to find out where those problematic products came from. Aren't you afraid we'll be implicated?"
Han Weicheng smiled faintly. "Assistant Xiao, what are you talking about? I don't quite follow. What factory? What does that have to do with me?"
With that, he turned and walked back into his lab.
He'd been working on that experiment for more than a decade, never letting anyone else lay a finger on it. Now that the research had moved to the new center, he had implemented the strictest confidentiality measures.
Xiao Anning let out a cold snort. Let's see what you actually manage to "discover."
Meanwhile, Shu Lanzhou and Muthink's CEO Mu Side successfully located Wu Shan.
Their timing was perfect—Wu Shan was just about to head downstairs.
"It's you guys?" Wu Shan looked surprised to see them. "I saw the news online. Dr. Shu, are you alright?"
Shu Lanzhou shook his head. "I'm fine. Didn't expect you to still remember us."
"Of course I do. I mean, you two are hard to forget," Wu Shan said casually. At first, he was going to compliment Shu Lanzhou's appearance, but when his gaze shifted to Mu Side, he quickly changed gears.
Truthfully, Mu Side looked like a celebrity—strikingly handsome with a sharp, almost intimidating aura. But he was so cold, Wu Shan instinctively stepped back a little.
"You guys need something? A follow-up? I haven't finished using the product yet. But as you can see, the dark spots on my face have faded a lot. They're not totally gone, but I figure another month or so should do it. I can take promo photos for you then."
Who said programmers were all awkward and blunt? Wu Shan was clearly articulate and enthusiastic.
Shu Lanzhou chuckled. "Seeing how you still trust our product even after everything online—it really means a lot. Thank you. I promise, the product won't let you down."
"Photos won't be necessary," Mu Side added coolly. "But we do have a small favor to ask, Mr. Wu."
"Sure! If there's anything I can help with, I'll absolutely do my best." Wu Shan looked genuinely honored. He hadn't expected people of such high status to come ask someone like him for help.
When he'd first seen Mu Side and Shu Lanzhou's backgrounds online, he'd nearly choked.
He was standing in front of none other than the heir to the century-old Mu medical family and his brilliant spouse—basically the real-life protagonists of a corporate drama!
And yet, they were so down-to-earth and polite. It was hard not to be impressed.
Mu Side and Shu Lanzhou exchanged a glance.
"It's not a big deal," Shu Lanzhou said. "We just hope you'll come with us to visit Chen Yue. There are some things we may need your help persuading her on."
If it turned out that Chen Yue had been using a product developed by Han Weicheng, they would need her to speak up.
"No problem. I was planning to visit her anyway." Wu Shan turned and led the way. "She's been acting strange lately. I feel like she's avoiding me. I'm worried something's happened and wanted to check in on her."
Something had happened.
Chen Yue's face was now covered in an explosion of spots and acne. If she went even a day without applying Luo Corp's spot-fading cream and recovery balm, she couldn't leave the house.
But the more she used it, the worse her skin got.
When Wu Shan arrived at her place, she had locked herself in and refused to open the door. Her emotions were clearly in shambles.
She liked Wu Shan and had once pursued him openly. But now, she didn't dare show her face.
Who would want to show their worst side to the person they liked?
"Chen Yue, listen to me—we're here to help you. Hiding away isn't the answer. If the product messed up your face, you need to be brave and confront the people responsible."
Wu Shan knocked on her door gently, trying to coax her.
"Go away! Just leave!" Chen Yue sobbed from inside. "I don't want to see you! I don't want to talk to you! Leave me alone!"
Wu Shan frowned, frustrated. "You're all alone out here—it's not easy. We've known each other for a while now. How could I just walk away when something's clearly wrong? Don't push me away. Just open the door first."
"I won't open it!" she wailed even harder.
"I know you're laughing at me. You must think I'm an idiot. I even tried to get you to use it too. You must have looked down on me from the start—thought I was some kind of fool."
"You told me that fast-acting products might have steroids, or harsh chemicals. But I didn't listen. I thought it would make me prettier. And now—look at me! I'm a freak! Neither human nor ghost! How can I face anyone like this?"
She was sobbing so hard it hurt to listen. Even with two doors between them, her anguish was painfully clear. Wu Shan's brows drew tightly together; he didn't know how to comfort her.
Shu Lanzhou stepped forward and knocked lightly.
"Miss Chen Yue, this is Dr. Shu. Tell me—were the products you used from Luo Corporation? If so, I might be able to help."
"I won't promise a miracle, but I can help you return to a normal life, to feel confident enough for social interaction again. I'm a doctor—you can trust me. Things aren't beyond saving. You mustn't give up."
"And think about it—this product caused you real harm. Aren't you angry? Don't you want justice? This wasn't some shady, unknown brand. This was Luo Corp. Shouldn't they be held accountable?"
There was a pause. Then the voice came again, closer this time.
"You really think… you can help me fix my face?" she asked, almost whispering.
Shu Lanzhou nodded. "I'm a doctor. I would never lie to you."
"...Then… you… you can come in." A click sounded. Chen Yue had unlocked the door.
But when Shu Lanzhou tried to push it open, it remained shut.
"Chen Yue?"
"No—wait. Tell Wu Shan to leave. I'll only let you in if he's gone." Her voice was strained and trembling.
Shu Lanzhou turned to look at Wu Shan.
"Alright, alright, I'll go, I'm leaving now," Wu Shan said helplessly, throwing up his hands. "I won't look at you, okay?"
A moment later, the door cracked open slightly.
"Is he gone?"
Shu Lanzhou stepped aside. "He's gone. May I come in now?"