Chapter 119: Liu Shiyin

In Luocheng, the city's lights flickered on; the top-floor revolving restaurant of Qin Feng's hotel, known as "Angel's Eye," was one of the city's most prestigious dining venues. Tonight, it had been entirely reserved for a private dinner.

Inside the restaurant, the lighting was soft, and smooth jazz drifted lazily through the air; beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched a dazzling, endless cityscape. Yet, incongruous with this romantic atmosphere, an invisible current of tension and scrutiny flowed through the air.

Qin Feng sat at the head of the table, relaxed, gently swirling pure water in his glass. Lei Zhan stood silently not far behind him, like his most loyal shadow, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings.

As the appointed time arrived, a faint commotion arose at the restaurant's entrance.

The guest of the evening arrived, flanked by several sharp-eyed attendants.

But the woman who walked in was not the middle-aged CEO of "Chuangsheng Technology."

She was a woman one could not forget after seeing.

She appeared to be in her late twenties, dressed in a perfectly tailored champagne-colored business suit—efficient yet undeniably feminine. Her chestnut hair was meticulously pinned back, revealing a smooth forehead and elegant neck. Her features were exquisitely refined, yet together they radiated a cold, detached air; especially her eyes, like ink jade submerged in a frigid pool—deep, calm, as if they could pierce through the soul.

She walked straight toward Qin Feng, her steps unhurried, the click of her high heels echoing clearly in the silent restaurant.

"Mr. Qin, good evening. I am Liu Shiyin, current CEO of Chuangsheng Technology." She stopped before him, extending her right hand; her voice, like her gaze, was crisp and steady, revealing little emotion.

Liu Shiyin?

A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Feng's eyes. The information he had received named Liu Shiyin, a Chinese-American woman, as CEO of Chuangsheng Technology—but rumors claimed she was extremely reclusive, rarely appearing in public, and even more rarely attending such business engagements. He had not expected that his impromptu invitation would draw her out in person.

And yet… for some reason, the moment Qin Feng saw this woman, a peculiar sensation stirred within him—not due to her astonishing beauty, but a strange intuition… like repulsion between kindred spirits, or perhaps, attraction?

He rose and shook her hand lightly. Her hand was cool, her grip firm yet brief, releasing immediately.

"Ms. Liu, a pleasure. Please sit." Qin Feng gestured toward the seat.

The two sat down, and waiters began serving the courses.

"I never expected Ms. Liu would come in person—I am deeply honored," Qin Feng said, his tone neutral, wrapped in customary social pleasantries.

Liu Shiyin picked up her napkin with elegant motions, then lifted her eyes to Qin Feng; her ink-jade gaze seemed to pierce through all pretense: "Mr. Qin has swept across Eurasia, rising to fame. Now that you've come to Luocheng and issued an invitation, how could I not attend, lest I appear utterly disrespectful?"

Her words were equally courteous, but Qin Feng keenly sensed a barely perceptible… scrutiny, a probing edge.

"Ms. Liu flatters me. These are merely minor endeavors, nothing compared to Chuangsheng Technology's deep roots in biotechnology." Qin Feng smiled faintly, steering the conversation toward substance: "Especially your company's breakthroughs in gene editing—impressive indeed."

"Mr. Qin has studied gene editing as well?" Liu Shiyin cut a small piece of pan-seared goose liver with refined motions, her tone carrying a subtle sharpness.

"A passing interest," Qin Feng replied, still casual. "After all, Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' core focus lies here too. But our direction may differ somewhat from yours."

"Oh? I'd be glad to hear your thoughts." Liu Shiyin set down her knife and fork, fixing her gaze fully on Qin Feng—as if genuinely intrigued.

For the next while, the two engaged in deep discussion on the frontiers of biotechnology—from CRISPR optimization to novel viral vector development, from tumor gene therapy to the boundaries of human potential enhancement…

Liu Shiyin's knowledge and insights surprised Qin Feng silently; this woman was no ordinary figure. Her depth of technical understanding and foresight surpassed even many leading laboratory directors. Meanwhile, Qin Feng's occasional remarks—drawn from his system's knowledge base (disguised)—also caused Liu Shiyin's eyes to flicker with fleeting astonishment.

This felt less like a business dinner and more like an academic exchange between top scholars.

Yet beneath this seemingly harmonious technical discourse, both were quietly probing each other's limits and true intentions.

"…Thus, I believe the future of biotechnology lies not merely in treating disease, but in 'defining' life itself," Qin Feng concluded, his gaze calm as he looked at Liu Shiyin.

Liu Shiyin fell silent for a moment, lifted her water glass, took a small sip, then spoke slowly: "Defining life… Mr. Qin, your ambition is indeed great. But this path is fraught with unknowns and risks—misstep, and you may open Pandora's box."

Pandora…

The word stirred something faintly within Qin Feng. Coincidence?

His expression remained unchanged; he smiled: "Risk and opportunity coexist. The key lies in who controls the power."

Liu Shiyin studied Qin Feng deeply, as if trying to read something in his eyes. After a long pause, she gave a slight nod: "Mr. Qin is right. The one who controls the power matters profoundly."

The dinner drew to a close under an atmosphere that seemed cordial, yet concealed hidden currents.

Waiters cleared the dessert and brought after-dinner drinks.

Liu Shiyin picked up her handbag, withdrew a pure white business card bearing no title—only a name and a private phone number—and extended it to Qin Feng.

"Mr. Qin, I am pleased with tonight's conversation. This is my personal contact." Her tone remained cool, but her eyes held a subtle new nuance: "Perhaps, in certain… specific fields, we may find opportunities for collaboration."

Qin Feng accepted the card; its texture was unusual, cool to the touch. He retrieved his own personal card and offered it in return.

"I look forward to our next exchange, Ms. Liu."

Liu Shiyin took the card, glanced at it not at all, and slipped it directly into her handbag, then rose.

"It's late—I won't overstay. Mr. Qin, Luocheng… is fascinating. I hope you enjoy your stay." She gave a slight nod to Qin Feng, then turned and departed, flanked by her attendants.

Her back was straight, her steps still unhurried, soon vanishing at the restaurant entrance.

Qin Feng rubbed the pure white card in his hand, gazing out at Luocheng's night skyline, his eyes deep.

Liu Shiyin…

"Chuangsheng Technology"…

"Prometheus Foundation"…

And that veiled reference to "Pandora's box" and "specific fields"…

This woman was no ordinary figure.

Was her appearance tonight an overture? A test? Or… another form of warning?

Qin Feng felt the waters of Luocheng ran deeper than he'd imagined.

And this suddenly appeared, beautiful yet dangerous "mermaid"—would she be ally or enemy?

He gently tucked the card away.

Regardless, the game had become far more interesting.

He would see what secrets lay behind this card.