"Yes, Professor Han, could you please explain why some people have died after taking the drug your team developed?"
"Since both projects are part of the research institute, and Professor He's team has already made their research data public, why are you unwilling to do the same?"
"Now that Professor He's team has agreed to a public livestream inspection by the relevant authorities, doesn't that mean your team should also undergo a similar inspection?"
"In the interest of public safety—especially after a medical accident—shouldn't you be giving the public an explanation?"
"I remember that during the clinical trials, Professor He's team openly recruited a large number of volunteer patients from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Many of those patients have now recovered and been discharged."
"I actually did a follow-up report on the treatment of critically ill patients and personally interviewed some of those volunteers. To this day—"
"Not a single patient treated with Professor He's new drug has experienced a life-threatening situation. So why is it only patients treated with your drug who are dying?"
"Do you have anything to say about this, Professor Han?"
"..."
Han Weicheng's legs buckled, and he felt like he couldn't stay standing. He knew there was no getting around this. This wasn't something he could bluff his way out of with a few smooth words—the reporters were clearly here for him.
If he couldn't give a reasonable explanation today, he might not even make it out of this press conference!
How had things spiraled this far? He had calculated everything. According to his plans, He Xin's team would never blow things up. In fact, they'd go out of their way to cover things up.
After all, if this escalated, it wouldn't just damage him—it would also directly affect the new drug developed by He Xin's team.
But reality proved him wrong. Not only had He Xin taken the lead in blowing things up, he even seemed eager to make the medical incident public—forcing Han Weicheng to confront the public under intense pressure.
Han Weicheng felt utterly hopeless. He glanced up at the emotionally charged crowd of reporters, only for his gaze to meet a pair of cold, unfeeling eyes.
He froze.
It was Shu Lanzhou.
Shu Lanzhou curled her lips into a faint, almost mocking smile and silently mouthed: "Explain."
Her?
It was Shu Lanzhou!
So this was all her plan. Had she suspected all along that they hadn't developed a real drug at all? That their research hadn't progressed in the slightest?
But how could she have known for sure? Even if she had her doubts, how could she be so certain?
Han Weicheng's chest heaved with rage. He was trembling, barely able to remain standing. Not even when he'd been expelled from the university years ago had he felt this cornered.
In his mind, a chorus of voices screamed at him: Explain. Explain. Say something!
Darkness closed in around him—and he fainted.
Chaos erupted on-site.
The institute's director grabbed the microphone:
"To better accept public oversight, I have decided that both project teams will undergo open audits. We must ensure that anything coming out of our institute is absolutely safe and reliable."
"If there is any misconduct or irregularity, we will deal with it strictly. There will be no leniency."
"As the director of the Medical Research Institute, I ask for your trust—I would never gamble with public safety!"
With this reassurance, the reporters erupted in excitement. The inspection team, now in full view of the livestream, got right to work.
These were top-level agencies. With a live broadcast for accountability, the public was full of anticipation.
Especially those who had participated in the clinical trials—they now spoke out unanimously in support of He Xin's team, publicly expressing their trust and confidence.
Meanwhile, Han Weicheng's team had already fallen into disarray…
National Hospital.
Before the press conference was even over, Xiang Hua summoned Xiao Anning and smashed his phone—still streaming the event—into the young man's face.
"Look at what you've done! Tell me—did Han Weicheng ever get the proper approval for that drug? Did you even see a real clinical trial report?"
Pain shot across Xiao Anning's face. He picked up the phone in silence. Even now, he didn't dare tell Xiang Hua the truth. Instead, he shifted the blame onto Han Weicheng.
"The final approval was done by him alone. I can guarantee the drug is real, but… we didn't have time for large-scale clinical trials."
"I figured since He Xin already had cured patients, our drug couldn't be problematic either. That's why I pushed for early market approval."
"But who knew Han Weicheng would… would lie!" Xiao Anning put on his best betrayed expression.
Xiang Hua didn't buy it. He stepped forward, his stern, imposing gaze locking onto Xiao Anning.
"Tell me honestly—did you really not know? A major research project like this—he might've led it, but what the hell were you doing? Don't you have any judgment of your own?"
"Whatever he told you to do, you just did it? Then why even bother working at the institute? What are you, a decoration?"
"Let me tell you, Xiao Anning—if this whole mess doesn't come back to me, fine. But if it does, don't expect to stay in this field."
Xiang Hua tugged at his collar, face flushed with fury. He had spent his whole life working diligently. It had taken him years to earn the position of director, to finally have influence equal to even that of the renowned Elder Long.
And now it was all about to be ruined—by a bunch of reckless fools!
He had trusted the wrong people. How could he have been so careless—so foolish as to help them push for early market approval?
"Professor, please calm down. It's not as bad as it seems," Xiao Anning stepped forward to steady Xiang Hua.
"I've seen the documents Han Weicheng submitted for the drug approval. They were completely legal and compliant. If there's a problem, it must have been with the reviewers—it's not our fault."
Xiang Hua paused. That was true.
All he had done was call to ask about the review status—he had even emphasized that everything had to be carefully verified.
He never told them to greenlight it without proper vetting. If something went wrong, it might not be his fault after all.
Xiang Hua calmed slightly. "Go back to the institute and keep a close watch. If there's anything wrong with Han Weicheng's work, cut ties immediately. End the collaboration."
"I used to think he had real ability. Turns out he's just a fraud. How did he even gain such a reputation—how did he stay ahead of He Xin all this time?"
"His student was right. He's the type of professor who churns out flashy papers to boost his name, but when it comes to real-world application—he's got nothing."
"Calling him a fraud would be generous. He's worse than useless!"
"..."
By the time Xiao Anning returned to the institute, Han Weicheng was being loaded into an ambulance. He glanced toward the press conference venue.
Surprisingly, the scene wasn't chaotic at all. In fact, there was a sense of calm, even cheer. He Xin's team showed no signs of distress or frustration.
There wasn't even a trace of concern about the future of their drug on their faces.
Were they really… not afraid at all?
Xiao Anning hadn't expected He Xin to be so bold—to openly invite investigation.
He was starting to regret encouraging Han Weicheng to push for market approval so soon. He also regretted sending Luo Jialin to fight for market share with MuseDer.
Maybe if they'd just waited, stayed quietly behind He Xin's team, they might have gained something. Their research could've continued.
But now…
Xiao Anning didn't dare finish that thought. He quickly followed the ambulance, accompanying Han Weicheng to the hospital.
There were still things he had to discuss with him—things he definitely couldn't let slip in front of Xiang Hua. Otherwise, no one would get out of this unscathed.