Meng Chao stared at Xie Xiaolei for a long time before he asked uncertainly, “President Xie, are you joking?”
Xie Xiaolei’s smile was bitter. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to joke around? That bastard Gao Ye dealt a huge blow to Spirit Creation Creatures. Not only did he destroy the research center we’ve built through much hardship over the years and blew the construction deal for Subway No.20, the most crucial thing is that he completely destroyed the trust we had in the eyes of the public and the government!
“Biochemical modification has always been a very sensitive industry. If you don’t have complete trust in monstrous-looking biochemical beasts working obediently, it’ll be difficult for you to accept them.
“Now that a lunatic, monster, and traitor has come out of Spirit Creation Creatures, it’s the same as us being blacklisted twice in the government and public’s eyes. It’ll now be difficult for us to do any business or research.
“If we don’t want to declare bankruptcy right away, the only choice we have is to have someone take over this problem.”
“Is that so?” Meng Chao thought about it. “There are still plenty of rich and powerful corporations in the biochemical modification field, right? I believe that they would be interested in buying Spirit Creation Creatures or at the very least, part of your company’s assets.”
“I don’t want to look for those big companies,” Xie Xiaolei shook his head. “We have yet to fully investigate Gao Ye’s matter, and Spirit Creation Creatures is a really problematic baggage. Even if those big companies would be interested in taking over, they would offer a very low price.
“And when I say price, I don’t mean money. To me, money isn’t a problem. Even if the company goes bankrupt immediately, I have ways to ensure that I can live the rest of my life comfortably.
“But it’s just not my ideal life to shoulder a tainted reputation and live the rest of my life with no excitement whatsoever. I’m not even forty yet, damn it!
“I hope that Spirit Creation Creatures can continue existing in a relatively independent manner. Even if we’re no longer known as Spirit Creation Creatures, it’s fine. I don’t mind it as long as it can continue existing.
“But this is practically impossible if I work with a large company. They will tear Spirit Creation Creatures to shreds, like how hyenas tear apart antelopes. With you, though, I think that we can work in a rather equal fashion and that you will allow my company to retain its basic dignity and independence.”
“Is that so?” Meng Chao sank into deep thought.
“Of course. Our research center might have been destroyed, but even when a skilled person is struck with hardships, he’s still better than someone with no skill, right? Everyone from our research team besides Gao Ye is still around. This group of experienced biochemical experts is a huge piece of treasure.
“Besides being able to help Superstar reach new heights, they can also be beneficial for your cultivation,” Xie Xiaolei said. “Think about it. They’re dozens of experienced specialists who you can use as your personal cultivation consultants. They can customize a cultivation plan solely for you and search for secrets in your cells and genes. How much faster would your cultivation then become?”
Meng Chao was tempted. “Are all the researchers in your company… not planning to leave?”
He had thought that Spirit Creation Creatures was going to collapse after it went through such a catastrophe.
And when a tree fell, all its occupants would leave. The researchers had no reason to fall together with Spirit Creation Creatures, right?
“Where can they go after they leave Spirit Creation Creatures?” Xie Xiaolei sighed. “Meng Chao, you know what happened. They definitely helped Gao Ye create that Ultimate Sandworm. Even though I can swear with my life that they didn’t know anything about Gao Ye’s plan, which was also confirmed by the results of the investigation, at the end of the day, they still indirectly helped Gao Ye with his crimes!
“Now, they’re being kept in isolation for investigation, but even if the investigation ends, this matter will turn into a stain they can never erase from their resume.
“With it around, even if they join other biochemical modification companies, do you think that they will be able to get in touch with the main projects and continue to stay at the top of the industry?
“The ones who are only of average talent may be willing to become nameless researchers for the rest of their lives, and that’s fine, but I personally recruited most of them. They’re all the best graduates from Agricultural University and all of them are prideful people.
“They hope to have a few achievements related to their name and will not tolerate having this sort of stain getting in the way of their life. They won’t stand for other people looking at them differently and living the rest of their lives achieving nothing.
“That’s why they’re not willing to leave. They will grit their teeth and persevere until the day Spirit Creation Creatures rises back to power.”
“Got it.” Meng Chao nodded slowly. “Honestly speaking, Spirit Creation Creatures was in the limelight in the biochemical modification circle. It has a lot of technology, experience, and businesses. Even if Gao Ye dealt you a heavy blow, the remaining assets are still a very tempting slice of pie.
“But I know myself. Superstar is just a small company that was created last year. Since its creation, we have been focusing on low-grade or middle-grade harvesting jobs. We’ve never been in touch with biochemical modifications before. Also, our company is still small. We can’t compare to Spirit Creation Creatures in terms of our capital or resources. This pie is too big and greasy. We can’t eat it.”
“During the start of the year, didn’t you take in Prosperous? You did beautifully when you ate that giant. It was basically a classic, stereotypical case described in textbooks,” Xie Xiaolei said.
“That’s different.” Meng Chao shook his head. “Superstar had broken free from Prosperous, so we were connected to each other. We were competing in the same area, so we understood our tasks very well. I also share a good personal relationship with Prosperous former owner, President Qin. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for each other. All these factors were like blessings, and it’s what brought about this deal.
“Spirit Creation Creatures is far larger than Prosperous. If I try to merge with you, I won’t be trying to eat a giant, I’d be eating a dinosaur.
“President Xie, forgive me for being blunt, but you’re just acting in desperation. I want to help you, but Superstar can’t give Spirit Creation Creatures a lot of things.”
“No, you can.” Xie Xiaolei insisted. “At the very least, you can bring one thing to Spirit Creation Creatures—trust.”
Meng Chao decided to listen to him quietly.
“I told you just now that the most fatal blow to Spirit Creation Creatures from Gao Ye’s betrayal is not Gao Ye leaving and not the reduction of our current businesses, but the loss of trust. The government’s trust is the most important, because the northern frontlines is going to be developed now, and we’ll also be launching major counterattacks in the eastern, western, and southern frontlines. If we want to get any deals, we must have trust from the government,” Xie Xiaolei explained.
“Based on what I know, the Red Dragon Army is planning to form a solo monster army. They’ll be using modified biochemical beasts to fight against normal monsters and open up the eastern, western, and southern frontlines. If we want to take this business, it’s impossible without trust.
“Spirit Creation Creatures has received major damage and its reputation was stained. It no longer has the ability to exist alone. The only way for it to continue existing is by affiliating itself to a powerful fighter that the government trusts completely. It would be best if they were a hero everyone knows, since only then could we take our time to wash away the stain and rebuild the trust.”
Meng Chao started laughing. “President Xie, your analysis is correct, but I’m not a powerful fighter the government trusts completely and a hero known to the public!”
“You’re too humble, Meng Chao.” Xie Xiaolei smiled faintly.
While talking, he gradually regained his spirit and some of the elegance of the president who planned all the operations of the company. “First, you performed outstandingly during the northern offense and contributed under Raging Waves. Even though your contributions have not been announced publicly due to them being classified information, I know of them from different channels. Plenty of strong people and people from all forces of power are impressed with you.
“Second, you have been involved in the case of the murderous pets in Blessed Paradise from the start to the end. You’re the last person to have talked to Gao Ye as well, and you too spoke for a long time. If the related departments try to understand the event clearly, they cannot exclude you from the case. In other words, there’s a good chance you’ll get in contact with the secret hid by Gao Ye. It’s impossible for the related departments to not trust you.
“Third, your personal tutor, Gu Jianbo, has just become a five-star superhuman, and he stirred up the trend by releasing the Ultimate Style. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell that the Ultimate Style can challenge the Overkill Style. It’s already showing signs of becoming the leader of all martial arts aside from the Overkill Style.
“You’re Gu Jianbo’s personal student, so not only do you receive lessons from him, your relationship is much tighter when compared to usual teacher-student relationships. You’re going to be the person who will take over Gu Jianbo’s legacy in the future and become the head of the Ultimate Style. I believe that you won’t stay a two-star superhuman for long, either.
“Besides, Mr. Gu just got married. His wife is another powerful person in Agricultural University’s martial arts course, Griffin Li Yingzi. As long as their relationship remains strong, this married couple’s authority will be incredibly high in Agricultural University’s martial arts course.
“You share a really good relationship with Agricultural University’s resource course as well. Elder Ning worked with Agricultural University’s resource course to form the Fire Relayer Foundation, and you’re deeply involved in it as well.
“In other words, you basically have all the resources of the powerful courses in Agricultural University.
“The biochemical modification circle is not big, but it’s not small either. It’s formed mainly of people from Agricultural University. Even the biochemical experts in the government are mostly our seniors or juniors. As long as you have Agricultural University’s trust, you basically have the government’s trust as well.
“I also heard that you have a good relationship with Yan Organization. The Red Dragon Army has announced that they will research Ripple Force V3 together with Yan Organization and turn it to the primary force execution technique for the grassroots forces. By the looks of it, Yan Organization will be working with the military from now on.
“But even more importantly, you saved my life. Instead of tearing apart Spirit Creation Creatures and feeding it to the hungry hyenas, I would much prefer to benefit you. It would be my way of repaying you.
“After considering this problem for half a month, this is the only way I could think of to save Spirit Creation Creatures. Don’t you think it will work?”