Chapter 1034: You Need to Get Serious

He Yuzhu spread his hands and said helplessly, "Why would I help her? It's simple—because your mother was capable."

Doctor Liu shook her head, looking unconvinced: "Is that really the only reason?"

He Yuzhu shot her an annoyed glance, his speech quickening: "That generation didn't have so many twists and hidden rules. Back then, leaders were almost all thirsty for talent," he said with a bitter smile, "but even if I told you this, you wouldn't believe it. I'd rather give you a reason you can understand—your mother wasn't bad-looking back then!"

Doctor Liu burst into a laugh, her eyes curving into crescents: "I knew it, you two definitely had something going on. And that auntie even said you gave her artificial respiration back then."

He Yuzhu rubbed his forehead, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "As a doctor, you don't think that's a big deal, do you?"

Doctor Liu waved her hands vigorously, laughing even louder: "Not at all. But there is one thing I find strange—my mother ended up finding a father who looks like you. I've never been able to figure that out, and it even reached me. My father doesn't care either, isn't that weird?"

He Yuzhu sighed heavily, looking helpless: "Your mother really does love a drink. Once she's had too much, she can't help but let things slip. It gets passed around, and that's how rumors start. Comrade Liu Aihong, tell me what's actually going on today. And if you run into Comrade Lv Hong, give her my regards. Come to think of it, we haven't been in touch for over a decade."

Doctor Liu nodded vigorously, but the smile on her face suddenly vanished as she changed the subject: "Old He, if you hadn't had a wife back then, would you have been with my mother?"

He Yuzhu didn't even think, nodding decisively: "Very likely."

The smile on Doctor Liu's face vanished completely; she stopped joking, her expression turning somber: "Old He, our progress is still too slow. The reason the epidemic in Hong Kong is more severe than in Europe or East Europe is... first, the virus's genetics are far more harmful to the yellow race than to white people. Although I can't get direct evidence at the genetic level, judging from clinical cases, that's how it is. Second, I highly suspect someone stole blood or genetic samples from our country's population and tried to specifically modify the virus sequence to target us, though I don't think they were very successful."

He Yuzhu raised his hand, cutting her off: "I don't have time for long-winded theories, and I don't want to know the technical details. I'll ask you one thing—can we produce an effective drug for this virus?"

Doctor Liu nodded first, then slowly shook her head: "We haven't fully cracked the true viral genome yet; it's not realistic to talk about effective treatment now. I'm working overtime, trying to use traditional herbs for experimental treatment. Combining a few herbs does indeed alleviate the patients' respiratory symptoms. But the most vicious part of this virus is that it replicates and mutates extremely fast. Even if we launch a vaccine, the virus will likely have already evolved."

As He Yuzhu listened, his brow furrowed tighter and his gaze sank—he suddenly realized this epidemic was far from as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Before the two had finished their meal, Deputy Minister Sun suddenly pushed the door open and entered.

He Yuzhu immediately stood up from his chair, looking surprised: "Minister, how did you know I was here?"

Deputy Minister Sun waved his hand, signaling him to sit: "Old He, don't be formal. I rushed over from the suburbs. I told Doctor Liu, no need to eat; I need to discuss something with you two."

He Yuzhu quickly replied: "What instructions do you have? Please, don't be formal, just say it."

Deputy Minister Sun got straight to the point: "I'll speak plainly. The Hong Kong epidemic has already spread; it's only a matter of time before it reaches us. I came here to hear your thoughts."

Doctor Liu turned to look at He Yuzhu and said: "I won't be modest—He Yuzhu and I have been preparing for this day for some time."

He Yuzhu quickly took over: "It was Doctor Liu who heard from her classmates in Europe that an epidemic had broken out there, so she went to collect samples herself. After returning, she began researching and discovered that these viruses are likely biological weapons developed by M Country. I was horrified when I heard that, thinking of the germ warfare the little devils waged, so I followed Doctor Liu's guidance and helped her set up a laboratory. I am, after all, a businessman; I don't get up early without profit..."

Doctor Liu listened from the side, feeling a secret sense of admiration—she had long heard from her mother that He Yuzhu was the type who loved to share credit with others, and seeing it today, it was indeed true. He was clearly the one providing the money and effort, yet he insisted on hiding his own contribution.

But she could also understand He Yuzhu; it's not good for one person's ability to be too heaven-defying.

Deputy Minister Sun waved his hand: "You two don't need to be modest. I'm here as a student today. Please, don't hesitate to enlighten me!"

He Yuzhu straightened his back: "If you want my opinion, we should control the source of infection. Wherever a case appears, we seal that place off..."

He poured out all the experience from later generations, even talking about how to build temporary hospitals, and expressed his willingness to provide temporary mobile housing and modular bathrooms, speaking with great logic.

Doctor Liu followed up, detailing the specific treatment methods.

Deputy Minister Sun took notes as he listened, his pen scratching across the notebook. Time flew by, and they chatted until four in the afternoon.

When He Yuzhu returned home and pushed open the living room door, he saw someone—someone he never dreamed could come.

In the living room, He Daqing was chatting with Secretary Liu; the two were laughing and talking, looking very close.

When He Yuzhu saw this scene, he thought he was dreaming. He froze for a moment, then grinned broadly: "Leader, you didn't even say a word when you returned to Si Jiu Cheng! I would have come to see you!"

Secretary Liu laughed heartily as he stood up, looking around: "It's been decades since I've been here. I really wanted to see what kind of charm this place has that kept you from ever moving. So, you've turned this place into a prince's mansion."

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hands to explain, looking wronged: "Leader, you're wronging me! Our courtyard is still a proper, bustling tenement. The old resident of our courtyard, First Uncle Yi Zhonghai, still lives here with us."

Secretary Liu looked around, a smile on his face and a tone of appreciation in his voice: "But the way you've renovated it is much better than it was decades ago. It really does have a sense of tranquility amidst the noise."

He Daqing had been sitting there for a while; being very perceptive, he knew the two had things to discuss, so he quickly found an excuse to step out.

Only then did He Yuzhu lower his voice, his expression turning serious: "Leader, did you come back because of the epidemic over there?"

Secretary Liu nodded, a hint of helplessness in his tone: "I didn't want to come back, but some old colleagues insisted. There was no choice; I had to listen."

He Yuzhu immediately told Secretary Liu about Doctor Liu's assessment of the epidemic, from beginning to end, without missing a single word or detail.

After listening, Secretary Liu didn't rush to reply. He pondered for a long time, his brows locking tighter and tighter, his entire face etched with gravity.

After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, his voice as heavy as a stone hitting the ground: "In your opinion, can this Doctor Liu... really develop an effective vaccine?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said truthfully: "It's hard to succeed without a few years. But it's not absolute—Doctor Liu is truly gifted. If we keep giving her the best laboratory and researchers, at least our vaccine development progress won't lag behind M Country. If that's the case, their plan to use the virus as a weapon is doomed to fail."

Secretary Liu didn't speak again. He lit a cigarette and took puff after puff. Amidst the swirling smoke, his eyes grew increasingly profound. He didn't say another word until the entire cigarette had burned down.

He Yuzhu poured him a cup of tea and handed it over with a smile: "Leader, try this tea again."

Secretary Liu took a sip, nodded, and his eyebrows twitched slightly: "Is this from that old tea garden of yours in Hangzhou?"

He Yuzhu grinned, proud wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes: "Yes, the very same old tea garden that swindled M Country out of hundreds of millions of dollars."

Secretary Liu said in a deep voice: "Zhuzi, I'm asking you this as a favor. You must spare no effort and take this seriously. In the future, if we fall behind in virus research, there is a possibility of national extinction."

"Don't worry, I will go all out!" He Yuzhu said earnestly.