Zhao Min sat on the sofa, facing Chen Mo, her expression tinged with unease.
"Any word on the cooperation?" she asked.
It had been ten days since they sent the drug samples and accompanying experimental data. In all that time, they'd received no feedback. The silence was heavy, but they both knew this wasn't something that could be rushed.
"Nothing yet," Chen Mo replied calmly.
He wasn't worried. He was confident in the efficacy of the drug. With its potential, he doubted they would be ignored. Even if the cooperation didn't proceed, there would at least be some kind of response.
"Should we reach out to Mr. Li to check in?" Zhao Min asked, brows furrowed.
"No need," Chen Mo shook his head. "If they're serious about cooperating, they'll contact us first."
"You really know how to stay cool," Zhao Min sighed. "I'm a bit anxious. This is the first time I've been involved in something so... sensitive. We don't even know what kind of terms they'll propose."
Chen Mo nodded slightly, acknowledging her concern. "That's the real issue. Even if this is a collaboration, the biggest beneficiary will be them. Our gain will be limited. This is just an opener—an olive branch."
"But what if they just want to buy the technology outright?" Zhao Min voiced the worry that had been gnawing at her. "A one-time transaction. That's what I'm most afraid of."
If they sold the tech, it would mean a huge loss on their part. The risks they'd taken, the political sensitivity—it would all be for a meager return. And if the authorities pushed too hard, refusing could be difficult.
"I've thought about that too," Chen Mo said, expression calm. "But that would be shortsighted. It's like killing the chicken for its eggs. We approached them first—that already shows our sincerity. If they want a long-term strategic partner rather than just the tech, they'll respect that. I don't believe the people up there are foolish."
Zhao Min slowly nodded. She agreed. If the higher-ups really tried to force a buyout, it would ruin any future cooperation. And that would be a loss for both sides.
Especially since she knew that the company still had far more terrifying technologies—like the ambient-temperature superconductors. Compared to those, this drug was a minor offering.
Just then, Mo Nu's voice rang out.
"Brother Mo, Mr. Li has entered the building."
Hearing that, the two exchanged glances and chuckled.
"Speak of the devil," Chen Mo said.
Li Chengzhi entered with his usual composed smile. This time, he carried more than just a mission—he carried results. Wu Bing's experiments had yielded a full report, and the outcome had exceeded all expectations.
Five groups of mice had undergone trials using the diluted drug based on Chen Mo's formula. After five days, the test subjects remained active and healthy—clearly superior to the control group. In contrast, the institute's previous experimental formulas had killed mice within two minutes of injection.
There was more. Dissection and analysis revealed significantly enhanced muscle toughness and bone density. Even more stunning, tests on cultured cells showed that those treated with the drug had a higher colony formation rate, elevated activity levels, and faster metabolism compared to untreated cells.
In short, this was no fluke.
Although they had yet to prove the drug's efficacy in humans, the results with mice and cells were groundbreaking. The only downside was the limited quantity of the drug. Only a small sample remained in the refrigerated vault—barely enough for verification.
Li Chengzhi's first goal today was to acquire more of the drug for further testing.
His second task was more delicate: to officially negotiate terms of cooperation.
Given the sensitive nature of the research, a confidentiality directive had already been issued from above. And because he was familiar with Chen Mo, the leadership had personally appointed him to handle the negotiations.
"Brother Chen, we meet again," Li Chengzhi greeted, taking a seat across from Chen Mo without waiting to be asked. He'd been here many times—formality wasn't necessary anymore.
"How did it go?" Chen Mo asked, motioning for Mo Nu to serve tea.
Li glanced at Zhao Min.
"She's in charge of this project," Chen Mo explained before Li could say anything. "There's no need for secrecy here. I'm too busy to handle all the details myself."
Li Chengzhi nodded in understanding. "Very well. Let's talk cooperation then. What kind of partnership model do you have in mind?"
"You first," Chen Mo replied.
"To be frank," Li said, "our preferred approach is a full buyout of the technology. It would remain classified—non-transferable to any third party, even if you decide not to pursue it further. In return, you'd be compensated in whatever way you prefer: money, land, resources—you name it. Would you accept this kind of deal?"
He watched Chen Mo closely, trying to gauge his reaction.
Chen Mo responded without hesitation. "No other options?"
"This is just our ideal scenario," Li clarified quickly. "If you don't agree, we're open to alternatives. You're the technology owner—my superiors have made it clear we're to proceed based on your terms, so long as national interests aren't compromised."
The technology was clearly of national interest, and letting it stay solely in the hands of a private company posed risks. But Chen Mo had reached out first, which showed he understood the gravity of the situation. And with the unique status of the Marching Ant Company, officials had decided to proceed with care. Forcing a partnership could backfire.
Chen Mo nodded, satisfied with the answer. Their willingness to defer showed respect—and the importance they placed on cooperation.
"To be honest, I see this as a stepping stone," he said. "This isn't just about one deal. I think we'll have many opportunities to work together in the future. This drug is a foundation."
"Oh?" Li leaned forward, intrigued. "What do you propose?"
"You establish a company. You appoint your researchers and managers, and we provide the technology. For every unit of the drug you produce, we receive 10,000 yuan in profit. Production is entirely your responsibility."
In other words, Chen Mo was half-selling, half-gifting. He wasn't doing it for the money—the drug had little personal use for him. What he wanted was to lay the groundwork for a long-term strategic alliance.