Chapter 1032: Generously Opening the Purse

Doctor Liu leaned in toward He Yuzhu and said, "Elder He, I would like to have a meal with you alone. Do you have time?"

He Yuzhu was taken aback, then grinned, "Sure, I'll risk my life to accompany a gentleman! You pick the place."

Doctor Liu laughed, "Look how scared you are, as if you're heading to the execution ground. I have serious business I want to discuss with you."

He Yuzhu waved his hand carelessly: "No matter what it is, I'll go with you!"

Before the words had even landed, a group of leaders suddenly surged over from the other end of the corridor, led by the Deputy Director of Doctor Liu's department, insisting that she immediately hold an experience-sharing meeting.

Doctor Liu frowned slightly, but her face wore a polite yet distant smile: "Director Ma, I am currently on vacation. Once my leave is over, I will certainly hold the meeting; I will not refuse."

Deputy Dean Li, who was nearby, hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over: "Yes, yes, it's not easy for Doctor Liu to get a couple of days of rest, so everyone shouldn't be too anxious. Let's wait until she returns to talk about it."

But before the leaders had even fully dispersed, a group of doctoral students swarmed over, chattering and asking questions, wishing they could crack her head open to see just how much knowledge was stored inside.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Ma Rui quietly sidled up to He Yuzhu, tugged on his sleeve, and lowered his voice: "Uncle, shouldn't we give Doctor Liu a red envelope to show our appreciation?"

He Yuzhu narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly: "No rush, let's see how big this red envelope needs to be first!"

"What? How big could a red envelope be?" Ma Rui asked curiously.

"You're still green, kid. Take it one step at a time. In my opinion, it won't be settled without a few hundred million," He Yuzhu said, shaking his head.

Ma Rui was momentarily stunned, and He Yuzhu patted him and said, "Leave this to me."

Doctor Liu finally managed to send away the leaders, the junior students, and her colleagues, then quietly leaned in toward He Yuzhu and said in a low voice: "Elder He, let's go, let's go eat."

He Yuzhu squinted at her and teased with a smile: "Miss Liu, which restaurant do you want to go to today?"

Doctor Liu tilted her head and pondered for a long time, but in the end, she couldn't think of a specific place, so she simply waved her hand: "Anywhere is fine, as long as there's a private room."

He Yuzhu felt a bit suspicious, unable to guess what medicine was in the Gourd this girl was selling, but he readily agreed: "Then let's go to Hongbin Building. I'm familiar with it; I can book a private room with a phone call."

Doctor Liu nodded and said nothing more.

At this moment, Fang Deng strolled over, looked at He Yuzhu, then glanced at Doctor Liu, and spoke with a half-smile: "Dad, are you going out to eat with Senior Sister? Ma Rui still has to go home to celebrate! Aren't you going?"

He Yuzhu shook his head, "Doctor Liu has a major matter to discuss with me."

Fang Deng responded, and just before turning away, she winked at Doctor Liu, her expression both playful and ambiguous, as if she loved watching the drama unfold.

Doctor Liu glared at her indignantly and spat out, pretending to be annoyed: "Stinky girl, don't let your imagination run wild, it's real business."

Fang Deng leaned close to her ear and added a playful jab: "So you like older men?" After saying this, she skipped away.

Doctor Liu chased after her to hit her.

In the private room at Hongbin Building, as soon as the two sat down, He Yuzhu straightened his face and became serious: "Miss Liu, I'm an impatient person. You should state your business first; otherwise, I won't be able to eat in peace."

"Look how nervous you are. You've walked over more bridges than I've walked paths, what are you nervous about?" Doctor Liu teased with a smile.

He Yuzhu also laughed: "But the bridges I've walked were all single-plank bridges; each one was different, and the bridges have only become harder to walk."

"I think you're scared of me, always thinking I'm going to eat you. You used to be someone who flew among the flowers, how did you become so timid as you got older?" Doctor Liu joked.

He Yuzhu stiffened his face again, his tone turning serious: "Miss, I am very busy, tell me what you need quickly."

Doctor Liu finally put away her playful expression and said solemnly: "Elder He, I didn't go to Switzerland for a vacation at all. I asked a friend there to help me take virus samples."

He Yuzhu's pupils shrank sharply, and his eyes widened: "Miss Liu, what virus? What kind of samples?"

Doctor Liu took a deep breath and said slowly: "You really are a noble person who forgets things easily. Have you forgotten about the time you blew up that laboratory? The virus in that laboratory has already begun to spread quietly across East Europe and Europe..."

He Yuzhu was stunned. He was too busy with work; he had indeed heard of that matter, but he hadn't taken it seriously at the time. Later, he didn't see any reports in the news, so it gradually slipped his mind.

"Why are you so concerned about this?"

"I remember you once predicted that a strange, deadly virus would become prevalent in two years. I've kept those words in my heart. Many of my friends and classmates are doing research in Europe, and they have been giving me feedback, so I became increasingly worried... I have always been particularly interested in gene therapy, so I really wanted to figure out—is this virus man-made, or did it emerge from nature on its own?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu stared intently at Doctor Liu, his tone filled with obvious concern: "When you were researching these viruses, how were your protective measures?"

Doctor Liu nodded, her tone calm but firm: "You told me before that this virus is terrifying, so I wore a full set of protective gear, layer upon layer, without any negligence."

He Yuzhu breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked again: "Then what new things have you discovered?"

Doctor Liu pondered for a moment and said: "I borrowed the laboratory from Doctor Lin's side, and the preliminary results are quite strange—although the virus is spreading fiercely in Europe, its lethality doesn't seem to be very high. Many people just have a fever and cough after being infected, similar to a bad cold, and they get over it after a few days of enduring it. Of course, there are cases of death among the elderly with weak constitutions or underlying conditions, but the proportion is not high. Currently, there are no cases discovered domestically, but with such high global human mobility, what if this virus spreads to us?"

He Yuzhu sighed deeply, his expression grave: "Miss, perhaps M Country has already started researching genetic weapons. You are a hero for discovering this and following up on it. I promise you, from now on, if you need money for this, I will provide it; if you need effort, I will provide it."

When Doctor Liu heard He Yuzhu agree so readily, she slapped her thigh in excitement and called out crisply: "Elder He, then I won't be polite—I want to ask you to sponsor a virus laboratory, the most advanced, top-tier kind!"

He Yuzhu didn't even blink, waving his hand immediately: "It is my duty. Not just for you, but for the country and the common people, I am willing to pay this money."

Doctor Liu's eyes lit up, and she struck while the iron was hot, adding: "And that 'Immortal Water' of yours, could you contribute some more? I want to increase the resistance of the researchers..."

This time, He Yuzhu didn't even hesitate and nodded directly: "As long as you don't empty out my golden fortune, I'm happy to help. I'll give you five bottles, see if that's enough?"

Upon hearing this, Doctor Liu's eyes brightened, and she nodded repeatedly: "That's great! I thought you would be reluctant to take it out!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "I'm not a stingy person, but it costs money to make this stuff. Fortunately, I earned a bit from shorting the Nasdaq and the Dow Jones indices, so I can manage."

Seeing that he was in a good mood, Doctor Liu changed the subject and reminded him: "Elder He, I don't want to make a profit from my own laboratory, but once research results are produced, it could also make money for you. Shouldn't you plan ahead and set up a pharmaceutical factory?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment and nodded: "Your reminder is good. Not only will I set up a pharmaceutical factory, but I will also stock up on a batch of protective supplies, medicines, and that kind of mobile housing that can be quickly assembled, all stored in advance."

Hearing this, Doctor Liu winked at He Yuzhu and smiled: "Look, I've given you so many ideas, I haven't wasted your sponsorship, right?"

He Yuzhu was amused by her, the corners of his mouth curling up, and he said: "Miss Liu, I always feel that your cleverness is a bit like an old friend I once knew."

Doctor Liu smiled noncommittally and replied lightly: "Perhaps I just have a common face that looks familiar to everyone."

When the meal ended, He Yuzhu didn't say a word, took a check out of his pocket, filled in a number with a few quick strokes, and pushed it toward Doctor Liu.

"Take it, and get that laboratory built for me."

Doctor Liu took the check, her eyes reddening slightly, but she didn't say anything more, only nodding heavily.