Chapter 83

Ye Nan wore a white short-sleeved shirt and a black suit over it.

Outside the window, sunlight blazed; flocks of unnamed birds flew past, faint car horns mingled with scattered human voices—this was his home, the one in the New York suburbs.

Time had swiftly reached the year 2001; Ye Nan was now seventeen, and today was his seventeenth birthday.

Thinking back on this period, Ye Nan felt a strange detachment, as if memories from his past life had descended again, though in truth he had gradually forgotten his former existence.

Over these six years, Ye Nan had lived a full life—studying while focusing entirely on developing ICQ Corporation, never pausing for a moment.

“Big Brother Ye Nan, what are you thinking about?” A projection, Smila patted Ye Nan’s shoulder, her ethereal little hand perfectly in place.

Ye Nan shook his head, clearing all memories from his mind—there was no going back, so there was no point in thinking about it.

“Nothing much, Smila. My birthday’s coming up soon—I hope you’ll sit down.” Ye Nan took Smila’s small hand; six years had made him accustomed to her phantom form and taught him how to handle her just right.

“Mm.” Smila nodded. She had already met Ye Nan’s parents, but this time not only his parents would be here—Jessica’s friends were coming too. Ye Nan himself had few friends at school.

“It’s a pity Sister can’t come.”

Angela had planned to come, but she suddenly fell ill; Dr. Axiford was caring for her. To think, Sister was truly pitiful.

“But Brother, something seems to have happened in Raccoon City,” Smila suddenly spoke. “Sister Angela is in Raccoon City—could she be in danger?”

“Don’t worry—it’s just a traitor. He’s already been dealt with. Come to think of it, Umbrella Corporation should thank me.”

Indeed, they owed Ye Nan thanks: the traitor Ryan had tried to seize the T-virus, but Ye Nan had ordered Fire Queen to eliminate him, successfully averting the biohazard crisis.

“What a terrifying virus,” Angela stuck out her tongue, knowing Ye Nan had long since discovered her secret internet intrusions.

Angela had long been forbidden by Dr. Axiford from accessing the internet, and Ye Nan had issued the same order—but she still sneaked off, not just online, but into numerous military bases. In short, anything she could hack, she hacked—quietly and secretly.

“It truly is terrifying,” Ye Nan nodded inwardly, thinking of the T-virus being studied by hundreds of experts in the lab—he felt a surge of satisfaction.

At William Douglas’s summons, thousands of researchers gathered at the Immortality Base; research on the T-virus had made tremendous progress. The Nemesis had evolved into its third generation, and the Terminator T-800 had become ICQ Underground Arms Company’s flagship product, squeezing Umbrella Corporation’s arms market share worldwide.

After all, compared to Umbrella’s virus weapons, ICQ Underground Arms’ Terminator T-800 was stronger and far safer.

“With these two weapons, plus the vaccine we’re about to develop—hmm, Umbrella Corporation, enjoy the bitter fruit you’ve brewed.”

Ye Nan felt a faint excitement. Since the Hive facility had leaked, he’d used it as an excuse to secretly push the Federal Government to sanction Umbrella Corporation. Through his efforts, the Federal Government ordered Umbrella to halt all commercial activities.

In short, Umbrella Corporation was now utterly finished in the United States—though what frustrated Ye Nan was that Umbrella had retreated into its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.…

“Wait. Damn Japanese—you’ll soon taste the bitter fruit you’ve brewed.” Ye Nan’s gaze turned cold and cruel. “The T-virus is so perfect—let you be the first to try it.”

“Jessica, today is your brother’s birthday—be good.”

“Mm, where have I been bad?”

Outside the door, faintly audible was Andy’s voice—and Jessica’s cooing.

“Brother!” The door opened; Jessica immediately spotted Ye Nan and dashed forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Brother, it’s your birthday—I brought my classmates. You don’t mind, right?”

“This is Peter, this is Mary, this is Connor—everyone knows each other.”

“Hello, I’m Peter.” The boy who once wore glasses had grown up, yet even today he still looked timid.

“I’m Mary. We met before at Jurassic Park.” Mary, dressed plainly, gripped Ye Nan’s hand and unconsciously trembled.

“Big Brother Ye Nan, I’m Connor—you don’t need to be introduced.” Connor made a familiar gesture, then hugged Ye Nan.

“I’m Harry, Jessica’s boyfriend.” Dressed in a black suit, Harry looked formal in this setting—his golden buzz cut, high nose bridge, and overall appearance made him strikingly handsome.

“I’m Norman Osborn, Harry’s father. I’ve long heard of your name, Mr. Ye Nan—I hope we can collaborate.” Norman’s golden hair was neatly combed, but his face betrayed unmistakable exhaustion from years of sleepless work.

Yet now Norman felt uneasy. Before him stood the famed CEO of ICQ Corporation, a company that in just seven years had grown from an ordinary small firm into a super-corporation worth hundreds of billions—truly extraordinary.

Not to mention ICQ Underground Arms Company, which generated billions in annual cash flow for ICQ; the Terminator T-800 had become a standard strategic weapon in military defenses worldwide.

“Harry, don’t let me down—if we can connect with ICQ Corporation, Osborn Industries will experience tremendous growth.” Norman thought to himself, his mind suddenly calming.

“I’ve always believed an entrepreneur shouldn’t overwork himself. Don’t you agree, Mr. Osborn?” Ye Nan extended his hand to shake Norman’s.

“Yes, Mr. Ye Nan is right,” Norman nodded, agreeing with his words—but inwardly, he paid them no mind.

While Ye Nan met Jessica’s friends, his parents surrounded Smila, overjoyed. They had long heard of Angela and Smila, and already regarded them as their future daughter-in-laws.

“Mom, I’m hungry—I want to eat.” Jessica saw her parents fussing over Smila, a pang of jealousy rising like a favorite toy stolen—she quickly spoke up, interrupting their conversation.

“You child, all you think about is eating—watch out for gaining weight.” Shilu turned around, scolded her, then walked into the kitchen and brought out all the dishes.

“I really am hungry!” Jessica pouted, pouting playfully.

“Simple home cooking—don’t mind it, treat it like your own home.”