Chapter 82: Returning the Blood Orchid

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Above the beautiful William Garden, flowers never wither, freely displaying their beauty to every visitor.

The last time Ye Nan came to the William Garden, he walked with caution, afraid of damaging the floor; today, Ye Nan was full of confidence—the once poor boy had become a wealthy man.

“Time really flies,” Dr. Ma Xiu said, standing to Ye Nan’s left, sighing. “Before we knew it, a year had passed. When I first came here, I tiptoed everywhere; today, I stride forward boldly.”

“Human attitudes constantly change—time, status, power—they all alter it. In truth, the William family isn’t as bad as imagined,” Ye Nan said with a smile, looking at the doctor with a touch of emotion.

“But back then, how did you even get me—a kid—to steal the egg?”

"Did I have any other choice? Everyone else had fled, your sister Jessica was unconscious, and the Lianbangdiaocha Bureau was watching. There wasn’t time to call anyone else—was I supposed to go myself, with these old bones of mine?" Dr. Ma Xiu chuckled, then suddenly paused as if remembering something, and burst out laughing. "Hey, you kid, why bring up the past today? Are you looking for a chance to get revenge?"

“How would I dare? You’re the golden-egg-laying hen of our ICQ Company—I’d never retaliate against you,” Ye Nan replied with a grin, slipping in a quiet jab at Ma Xiu.

That little incident was long past—at least in Ye Nan’s mind, it had become mere fodder for laughter.

“Dare you not,” Dr. Ma Xiu laughed triumphantly, then suddenly snapped back. “You just called me a hen?”

“And one that lays golden eggs,” Ye Nan added.

“You’re asking for a punch,” Ma Xiu lunged forward with a fist, but Ye Nan dodged, and the two began chasing each other across the William Garden.

William Douglas sat on a small chair, half-asleep with half-lidded eyes; only when Ye Nan and Ma Xiu entered did he open his cloudy gaze.

“Ye Nan, it seems your injuries are fully healed,” Douglas asked with a smile, just like an ordinary old man as before.

“Thanks to Dr. Ma Xiu, I’m all better,” Ye Nan replied casually, no longer the nervous boy who once stood before William Douglas.

After returning from the Yamaxunhe River, Ye Nan had lain in Dr. Ma Xiu’s lab for about half a month before recovering. He had asked what Ma Xiu had done to him, but Ma Xiu refused to say.

Douglas’s attention was immediately drawn to the Blood Orchid Ye Nan had brought—the Blood Orchid was an extremely rare red orchid, eerie and crimson, as if forged from blood; more like a demon’s temptation than a flower.

“This is the Blood Orchid? The one you said grants immortality?” Douglas stared at the flower, utterly entranced. He trembled as he took it, examining it repeatedly, his admiration deepening with every moment.

Dr. Ma Xiu also stared at the Blood Orchid, his scientific hunger uncontrollable: “Of course, this is the Blood Orchid. But to achieve immortality, further study is needed. After all, its existence is nature’s gift—we cannot let this gift go to waste.”

“According to Ye Nan, the Blood Orchid blooms once every seven years. When it blooms, it secretes a liquid—that liquid is the key to immortality.”

Douglas carefully adjusted the Blood Orchid, handling it with extreme care. As he listened to Dr. Ma Xiu, his fondness for it grew even stronger.

“Tell me, how long will it take to discover true immortality?” Douglas’s gaze tore away from the orchid and locked onto Ma Xiu, an immense pressure radiating from him.

A bead of cold sweat formed on Ma Xiu’s forehead. He finally understood: the Douglas of before had merely tolerated his joking. Now that the matter was serious, the true ruler of America, the head of the William family, revealed his razor-sharp fangs.

“I don’t know. Unless all of America’s biologists and botanists work together, I alone…”

“Fine. I’ll give you every biologist and botanist in America,” Douglas cut him off. “I want you to discover it as soon as possible. Otherwise, when my lifespan ends, you’ll both die with me.”

Ma Xiu and Ye Nan’s faces turned pale at once, but Douglas paid no mind. To him, America was a toy in his hands—what were two insignificant people?

“This… research is highly uncertain. Completing it within a set timeframe won’t be easy,” Ma Xiu said, his voice hesitant, carefully choosing words to avoid provoking William Douglas.

“Your purpose is to strive for my immortality. If I lose immortality and meet God, you have no reason to exist. Let your so-called research be buried forever.” Douglas stood, turning his back to them. “You both know perfectly well where my tolerance comes from. But you’ve disappointed me greatly, Ma Xiu. Your research into genes, the Fury, the Terminator—clearly you’re wasting your time. I must say, you’ve truly disappointed me.”

“After gaining my trust, you squandered it on nonsense, burning my youth and my faith. Ma Xiu, what were you thinking?”

“I…” Ma Xiu was speechless. He had always treated these billionaires as mere funding sources, indulging freely in whatever interested him, never realizing his every move was under observation.

“I thought you were clever. I never expected you to be this foolish, betraying my trust.”

“My time is running out. I can feel my body decaying. Soon, I will die of old age. I hate that feeling. Can you understand me, Dr. Ma Xiu?”

“I understand you, Mr. William Douglas,” Ma Xiu replied meekly, large beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“Good. Focus on your research. I will tolerate you to the utmost.” Douglas turned back. “And you, Ye Nan. Your ICQ Company is growing fast, but don’t stretch your hands too far. Many young ones are dissatisfied with you—especially that little brat from Umbrella Company. Watch yourself.”

“You two are the people I value most. My hope for immortality rests on you. I hope you can surprise me—don’t force me to turn against you.”

“Yes.” “I will work hard.”

Ye Nan and Ma Xiu nodded helplessly, watching Douglas leave.