Three days later, He Xin's investigation team publicly announced the findings of their inquiry. At the same time, Han Weicheng's team also released their own investigation results.
The director of the research institute entered the conference room holding the final report.
"Everyone, today's meeting has two main topics: first, the outcome of the investigation into Professor He's team following the allegations; second, the selection of our new deputy director."
The director paused briefly, but no one murmured or whispered—after all, the findings had just been posted on the official website of the relevant department.
At this point, not just the institute's personnel, but the general public was aware of the results.
He Xin's team's new drug had passed all tests. Its path to market had been fully legal and compliant. The clinical data was genuine and reliable. The drug would be released to the market as scheduled, in accordance with its official approval.
On the very day the announcement was published, Mu Pharmaceutical was flooded with orders. Hospitals large and small across the country scrambled to secure the first batch of the new drug.
Some pharmaceutical companies from other provinces even approached the research institute, hoping to obtain licensing rights to begin production themselves.
Everyone at the institute had been busy dealing with the fallout and logistics.
As the primary investor in the research project, the Mu Corporation was riding high—not only had they secured substantial profits, they had also gained a wave of positive publicity.
As for Han Weicheng's team... best left unmentioned for now.
After reading the official investigation statement aloud, the director looked up at the attendees. "Alright, let's move on to our second agenda item: selecting the new deputy director of the institute."
"Based on our prior evaluations, the qualified candidates are: Professor He Xin, Director Zhou Qiang, and Professor Wang Hongxia. We'll now proceed with the voting."
"Wait a minute!" Shi Yong suddenly stood up. "Director, this isn't right. Our Director Zhou was clearly on the list—why aren't you reading our names?"
The director was visibly irked.
"You seriously have the nerve to ask why? Your team's entire project has been suspended. What makes you think you're still eligible to run for deputy director?"
"The suspension wasn't our fault!" Shi Yong protested. "It was Han Weicheng's lies and deception that led to it. If it weren't for him, our research wouldn't have been halted!"
Zhou Yan also chimed in indignantly. "For over two years, Director Shi and I have been working hard on this project—diligently running experiments and writing reports. You've seen them yourself, Director."
"We've worked just as hard as Professor He and the others. It's not fair for you to dismiss our efforts just because of Han Weicheng's mistakes!"
The director nearly laughed out loud in disbelief.
"So by that logic, the old man Zhang guarding the front gate should be eligible too? If we're talking about hard work and dedication, he's no less diligent than you two."
Old Zhang was the institute's security guard.
The director walked over to the two of them. "In fact, I'd argue he's contributed more to this institute than you have—he works harder and endures more."
"And the two of you? As the project leads, you let Han Weicheng run the whole thing without oversight. He played you like fools."
"He fabricated results, faked experiments, and even concocted a bogus drug—and you didn't notice a thing. And you dare talk to me about diligence and commitment?"
"If Han hadn't taken the fall and assumed full responsibility with Luoshi, you'd have been dragged in too. You really think you still have the qualifications to stay here?"
"And now you want to argue with me about the deputy director selection? I've already shown you leniency by not demoting you. Honestly, I regret being so soft."
He slammed a copy of the investigation report down in front of them.
"This is the upper authority's conclusion regarding your entire project team. I was going to speak to you privately—but since you don't mind the embarrassment, let's air it all out."
"The report states that your team lacks complete experiment documentation. Numerous reports are incomplete or missing key data."
"The higher-ups recommend canceling your entire project. The findings are not qualified for entry into the institute's database, and they recommend disciplinary action against those responsible."
"Director Shi, Director Zhou—you've reached the end of the line. From this moment forward, focus on writing a self-criticism that the rest of the institute can accept."
With a cold snort, the director returned to the head of the table. "I propose that Professor He Xin be appointed our new deputy director. Let's vote. I vote yes."
As soon as he finished, everyone—except Shi and Zhou—raised their hands.
The two other nominees immediately stood up to speak:
"Our project hasn't made much progress. Compared to Old He, we're clearly lacking in both capability and influence. We fully support He Xin's nomination and will withdraw from the race."
"Agreed. He Xin's the right person for this. Let's not waste time—just appoint him."
"..."
Just as He Xin was preparing to say a few words, the director slapped the table and stood up.
"I hereby declare that our institute's new deputy director is Professor He Xin. Meeting adjourned."
The announcement was swift and decisive. Before the echo of his words faded, the old director had already walked out of the room—like the very air in the meeting room had become repulsive to him.
The others rose as well.
As they left, they congratulated He Xin, now addressing him as "Vice Director He."
As for the other two? Most people walked past without a word—some sighed and shook their heads. That was even worse than being ignored.
Shi Yong was seething, on the verge of an outburst—but when he looked down at the damning investigation report the director had slammed in front of him, all the wind went out of his sails. He had nothing left to say…
Following the official termination of Han Weicheng's research project, Han himself vanished without a trace.
Shu Lanzhou stared at the investigation bulletin on her phone, reading it over and over again until she was visibly shaken.
"So in the end... Han Weicheng isn't being punished?" she muttered, incredulous.
"According to the investigation, Han Weicheng's team did make a legitimate new drug discovery. However, it was nearly identical to the one created by He Xin's team, and held no further clinical research value.
Han realized this after He Xin's team publicly released their results. Unwilling to concede defeat, he fabricated an elaborate lie and deceived Xiao Anning. Using his professional knowledge, he forged all the necessary documents to fast-track a drug approval and forced Xiao Anning to push it through expedited review.
He received approval just before He Xin's team, and to maintain the ruse, Han continued working overtime on weekends to 'verify' the drug's effectiveness.
Du Yifan accidentally witnessed this and, motivated by greed, stole a batch of Han's half-finished experimental drug. These compounds were never intended for human use—they were merely props for appearances.
The resulting medical accident was due to Du Yifan's theft. Han, fearing his lies would be exposed, turned around and reported He Xin's team—only to dig his own grave in the process."
"So the report concludes that the medical accident was entirely Du Yifan's fault, because he stole the experimental drugs from the lab. He's the only one who will be held accountable?"
"He will be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. Han Weicheng's actions, while unethical, did not constitute a criminal offense. He never handed over the formula or intended to commercially produce the drug."
"The research institute has officially canceled the project and severed ties with both Luoshi and Guo Hospital. Xiao Anning has been removed from his deputy position for failing to provide oversight and causing reputational damage to Guo Hospital."
"And the staff who approved Han's drug license? Because they failed to detect the falsified documents, they will also face administrative penalties?"
"…So in the end, apart from Du Yifan, no one else really faced any meaningful consequences?"