"Um, he still has some remnants in South City, but they are not influential." Shang Yu draped an arm around her shoulder, looking down at the trace of coquettishness in her expression as his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Li Qiao, watching the reflection on the elevator’s mirrored walls, had a slightly cool expression in her eyes, "Since Qiu Huan wants the power in South City, does he have enough strength to deal with Tu Anliang?"
It wasn’t that she underestimated Qiu Huan, but from her interactions with him, he did not match He Chen’s capabilities, nor did he possess Shang Yu’s audacity.
Even though the Qiu Family was a hidden powerhouse in the South Sea, they seemed to lack something to fully secure control over South City.
At that moment, the man’s palm gently caressed her shoulder, with a tone both cold and deep, "If he’s not strong enough, then the capable shall have it."
Li Qiao looked up to meet his gaze, a flash of realization in her smile, "That makes sense, he really is different from He Chen."
If He Chen wanted control over South City, he would certainly not ask Shang Yu.
That man, seemingly frivolous on the outside, had methods no less ruthless than Shang Yu’s.
That was why Qiu Huan was just a friend, while He Chen was truly a brother.
At nine in the morning, Li Qiao left the Royal Hotel after breakfast.
After she left, from behind a Roman column at the entrance, Tu Anliang, the man in the Floral Shirt, emerged with two subordinates.
Shang Shaoyan’s girlfriend, the old man’s favorite disciple, she had many identities, so her role must be significant.
Tu Anliang watched the Mercedes drive away, his subordinate cautiously approached and whispered, "Brother Liang, there are too many surveillance cameras around this hotel, we can’t find an opportunity to make a move."
"Idiots, who told you to take action here?" Tu Anliang turned and kicked him, "Have someone follow her secretly."
The subordinate, seeing Tu Anliang’s murderous look, hesitated, lips twitching, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
He thought to himself, You already got your fingers broken last time, yet you dare to target her again? How many fingers do you have left to spare?
As he pondered, Tu Anliang’s next words terrified him even more, "If you can’t find an opportunity, create one.
And the Fu Family Martial Arts School, find a way to bring the old man out too. If you fail this time, prepare to go to prison."
Elsewhere, Li Qiao returned to the laboratory and leisurely ascended the stairs.
Upon reaching the third floor corridor, she saw several unfamiliar middle-aged men speaking with Academician Jiang at the office door.
Li Qiao approached with an unchanged expression, and when Academician Jiang saw her, his eyes lit up, "Qiaoqiao, come here, these are experts from the scientific research institute, they will be visiting our laboratory today.
Just in time for you and Lian Zhen to get ready, you should report to the institute tomorrow."
Li Qiao’s gaze swept over the others indifferently, "Is it necessary to be so soon?"
"Hello, Researcher Li, I am the personnel head of the research institute, Zhang Ji." The man extended a business card enthusiastically, "I’ve heard about your excellent performance at South Sea Medical University and that you’re a proud student of Academician Jiang, our institute has always been looking forward to your joining."
The flattery in his words was heavy.
For a place like the research institute, filled with scientific elites, if they really anticipated her joining, why wait until today to come?
Li Qiao naturally didn’t expose such empty talk, accepting his business card with a muted greeting.
"Actually, I’m here today with another task. We want to take a look at your medical equipment. I’ve heard that Renhe’s gene sequencing devices are very advanced, so our two gene experts here are also eager to have a look."
The equipment at Renhe was sponsored by that ’friend’ of Academician Jiang.
Watching Zhang Ji rubbing his hands together with a smile, Li Qiao tugged at the corner of her mouth but remained silent.
Academician Jiang gestured ahead with a pout, "Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the laboratory."
In a blink, everyone followed Academician Jiang to the laboratory.
Li Qiao didn’t go in but leaned against the windowsill, lost in thought.
The sound of footsteps approached from ahead, and she looked up to see Lian Zhen walking towards her with a somewhat troubled expression.
"What’s wrong, Senior Brother Lian?"
In Li Qiao’s memory, Lian Zhen was always gentle and cultured, always exuding a gentlemanly demeanor like that of fine jade.
It was rare to see him display such evident emotional fluctuations.
Lian Zhen pursed his lips, standing beside Li Qiao, his gaze fixed on the laboratory in front of them, he spoke softly, "They want our gene sequencing equipment."
"The YH-IIA gene sequencing?"
Lian Zhen’s brows were tightly furrowed, but he nodded anyway, "You can’t buy YH-IIA equipment on the market. I heard the person in charge discussing with our teacher, trying to arrange to send one to the research institution."
Li Qiao smiled knowingly, yet her smile was cold, "What did the teacher say?"
"Of course, he doesn’t want to give it, but those people are using our project as an excuse, persuading him right now."
Leaning against the windowsill, Li Qiao crossed her slender legs slowly in front of her and spoke indifferently, "Then just give it to them."
Lian Zhen looked at her in surprise, his eyes filled with astonishment, "But wouldn’t that mean..."
"What can we do when we are under someone’s control?" Despite her words, Lian Zhen couldn’t see any trace of Li Qiao being under anyone’s control by her calm and collected appearance.
Li Qiao took out her mobile phone from her pocket, met Lian Zhen’s gaze, and said slowly, "Senior Brother Lian, would you like to join the Medical Alliance?"
Within less than twenty minutes, under the guise of a tour, the research institution had all but made a complete sweep through the Renhe Laboratory.
In the end, a gene sequencing device, two pharmaceutical equipment units, and many newly developed drugs were negotiated by them to be sent to the research institution building in the name of research, per an agreement with Academician Jiang.
Although Academician Jiang was reluctant, as Li Qiao had said, he was under someone’s control.
That afternoon, three people sat in the conference room, silently sorting through materials, exchanging wordless glances.
It was clear that Academician Jiang was taking it hard.
The Renhe Laboratory was his life’s work and had always received significant funding from Li Qiao.
To have it ransacked by the research institution was hard on everyone.
"Teacher, have some water." Lian Zhen took a paper cup, filled it with warm water, and handed it to Academician Jiang. Observing his heavily wrinkled face filled with sighs of grief, Lian Zhen found himself at a loss for words of comfort.
Academician Jiang took the cup and let out a heavy sigh, "This time, I was careless. These people are simply robbers."
Lian Zhen looked down and remained silent.
Meanwhile, Li Qiao was casually texting on her phone, occasionally popping out a few questions.
"Teacher, what’s your ID number?"
Academician Jiang answered truthfully.
Shortly after, "Teacher, when did you obtain your academician status?"
Academician Jiang thought carefully, "Twelve years ago."
Li Qiao nodded in response, her fingers still efficiently tapping on the screen.
Academician Jiang watched her expression, puzzled, and glanced at Lian Zhen, "Qiaoqiao, what are you doing?"
Li Qiao lifted her eyelids, smiled faintly, "I’m preparing a gift for you."