The plan to visit the "Apocalypse Creatures" lab was suddenly terminated, and the acquisition process encountered a major setback.
Not only was Zhou Qingfeng surprised, but even the usually composed Kelly could barely conceal her anger.
Before they stepped out of the lab, Kelly quickly made several phone calls, eager to uncover the real reason behind this "rejection."
As a "commercial elite" who had battled in the big investment banks for years, she didn’t believe in the so-called ’Department of Commerce prohibition,’ convinced that someone was manipulating matters from the shadows.
As for Zhou Qingfeng, his reaction was to laugh angrily.
After the apocalypse erupted, humanity was left puzzled by one question—who the hell created the ever-mutating and evolving X Virus?
In the early days of the apocalypse, when societal order hadn’t completely collapsed and governments and international organizations were still operational, there was an investigation into the origins of the virus.
Eventually, the clues pointed to the "Apocalypse Creatures" in White Beach Town.
However, the investigation abruptly ended there.
Zhou Qingfeng was just an ordinary person struggling to survive in the apocalypse, thinking only about how to obtain food and water to maintain basic survival, not about how to save the world.
His knowledge of the X Virus largely came from unverifiable rumors and gossip. After struggling in the apocalypse for so long, who had the mind to deeply investigate the origin of the virus?
In fact, Zhou Qingfeng had no idea what the X Virus even looked like. If the virus was placed in front of him, he wouldn’t recognize it.
After being reborn, his goal was merely to raise funds to prepare for the possible recurrence of the apocalypse.
Of course, he hoped that the virus wouldn’t break out, allowing him to enjoy a few decades of carefree, peaceful life.
This time, he came to "Apocalypse Creatures" in person, intending to acquire the company, completely shut down the lab, and destroy all pathogens, hoping to prevent the apocalypse from happening.
However, now that the acquisition path was blocked...it was time to resort to harsher measures, at least saving some money.
When returning to the apartment in Yunding Mansion, Kelly had already gathered preliminary information.
First, the United States Department of Commerce indeed issued a ’sensitive technology export and investment restriction list,’ including aerospace, pharmaceutical biology, semiconductors, and AI.
These strong industries of the United States are all within the restriction range to ’prevent endangering national security.’
But whether "Apocalypse Creatures" should be on the ’restriction list,’ that’s debatable.
After all, this company is currently entangled in negative rumors and hasn’t produced any world-shocking technology or product.
Its lab hasn’t even fully obtained FDA certification, and the so-called ’biomedical potential’ is just some insignificant, inflated papers.
But...while Zhou Qingfeng was still pondering what had happened behind the scenes, his phone rang.
Kelly’s father, the chairman of "Pioneer Holdings," Jeff Connally, called with a very serious tone:
"Victor, I believe you already know some of the situation. Stop focusing on ’Apocalypse Creatures,’ it’s not a game you can play.
I previously agreed to sell ’Apocalypse Creatures’ shares, but now I’ve changed my mind. Let me remind you, as a foreigner, your foundation here is too shallow.
You’re only eighteen or nineteen, don’t act recklessly like a boy with a toy gun. Your life is just beginning, find something that normal young people enjoy.
For instance, date my younger daughter Jennifer; she can introduce you to the elite society of Miami.
Or get my older daughter Kelly pregnant, let her take a maternity leave, and give me more grandchildren.
In any case, stay away from ’Apocalypse Creatures,’ it’s better for you."
When the call ended, Zhou Qingfeng didn’t even have the chance to ask ’why.’ However, his rebellious nature was fully ignited.
Kelly also received her father’s ’advice’ and was very worried that Zhou Qingfeng might feel humiliated and take some drastic action.
Whether ’acting impulsively’ or ’harboring resentment,’ it wouldn’t be good.
"Victor, my father actually meant well...he probably hopes you won’t confront him openly..." Kelly tried to alleviate the atmosphere, giving an explanation.
Zhou Qingfeng took a few deep breaths, lazily waving his hand, "Got it, just reminding me that ’Apocalypse Creatures’ is a muddy water, and I shouldn’t jump in headfirst.
I indeed don’t understand biochemical technology, nor the U.S. capital circle; starting with such a big show was really beyond my capability.
Let’s switch tracks, develop low-altitude aircraft, the electric kind, partially replacing helicopters in city air transport, okay?"
Zhou Qingfeng was being overly agreeable at the moment, anyone could see it wasn’t his true intent.
After all, when this kid gets serious, he can spend money to mobilize the National Guard and completely wipe out a local gang.
Kelly couldn’t keep up with his jumping thoughts, thinking to persuade him slowly. As long as he doesn’t obsess over ’Apocalypse Creatures,’ it would be a good thing.
"Sure, I’ll look into this area."
After fooling Kelly, Zhou Qingfeng’s view on ’Apocalypse Creatures’ became much simpler—no matter what the problem was, find the people behind it and kill them.
Even the team developing the virus would be disbanded or even eliminated, pathogens destroyed, and everything would be fine.
His first reaction was to call "Gray Shark" and an unnamed ’friend’ in the Department of Homeland Security to dig into ’Apocalypse Creatures’ from both legal and illegal sides.
For instance, the company’s funding sources, backers, core of the research team. As for financial reports and the like, Kelly had already sorted those out.