First Negotiation

Zhou Wen had just sent Ye Ziyao on her way when someone called him on his phone. 

It was a woman who claimed to be the vice president of the marketing department of Rolyan Agricultural Chemical Group from the Jiangdu District. 

Zhou Wen saw the name 'Rolyan Agricultural Chemical on the internet when he was selling his chemical formula some time ago. He was well aware that this was a mighty agricultural chemical company group. 

The vice president of a company group of this rank called him personally! Zhou Wen felt rather anxious in his heart. 

He spoke in a calm voice, "Hello, President Zhao. May I inquire why you are calling me?"

"Heh-heh. I wish to invite you to lunch today, Doctor Zhou. Will you be so kind as to accept my invitation?"

Zhou Wen figured out why the person would want to see him, but he was not planning to get involved with these agricultural chemical companies for the time being. 

"I'm sorry to tell you that I'm unable to leave the hospital because I'm swamped with work at the moment, President Zhao."

It was apparent that Zhao Yixin was not planning to give in so easily, either. She chuckled and said, "Then I shall wait until you get off work. May I inquire what time you get off work, Doctor Zhou?"

Zhou Wen answered, "I don't know."

Zhao Yixin replied, "Alright then. I shall call you again later…"

Zhou Wen turned on silent mode for his phone after he hung up the call. Then, he stuffed his phone into the locker in the changing room before he turned around and entered the laboratory. 

In a luxury guesthouse less than 200 meters away from First People's Hospital, Zhao Yixin frowned and pondered as she looked at the recently hung up call. She did not expect that the young doctor would be so stubborn to the point that he refused to show even the slightest respect to her…

Just as Zhao Yixin was thinking about her next step, her phone rang. 

She picked up her phone and noticed that it was from the professor who took part in the oral examination event and was performing the genetic experiment to test its validity. 

Zhao Yixin picked up the call immediately. "Hello, Professor He."

"President Zhao, I have good news for you. Fudan University has already completed the rice root aphid's experiment and also carried out the observation for hereditary traits. The result showed that the rice root aphid's genetic modification technique is very successful…"

Upon hearing that, Zhao Yixin furrowed her brows immediately. 

How was that good news when it was obviously the worst information possible for her company? 

As soon as the call was hung up, another call came in. It was the vice president of an agricultural chemical leading enterprise in the country. 

"Hello, President Zhao, did you hear the news of…"

…

Following the genetic modification formula of rice root aphid being verified in succession, it felt as if a powerful bomb was dropped on the calm Biology field in the country. Countless moguls in the Biology academic community were voicing their opinion on this matter. 

Some were elated. 

Some were bickering and querying. 

Some were making taunting remarks. 

All sorts of responses were received. 

However, the vast majority of the biology practitioners expressed that the success in rice root aphid's genetic modification would strengthen the biotechnology profession of the country that was gradually being sidelined. 

It was an event worthy of being recognized. 

Relying on the trending Jiangzhou Post's article 'Who's Carrying The Burden Of Life For Us?', the rice root aphid's genetic modification technique had actually turned into the trending topic of a few main web portals in the country on the morning of the 27th, Sunday, despite being a topic of relatively low awareness. 

What a waste that it lasted for a very short period of time. 

It had just gotten into the top 10 trending list before it was immediately removed soon afterward. 

In the Maple Leaf housing estate, Zhou Wen watched helplessly as the genetic modification technique topic vanished from the trending list and felt rather piteous in his heart. 

However, he was well aware that the reduction of rice root aphid's reproduction rate had implicated the profit of some capitalists in the country. Therefore, it was impossible for him to be able to market the technique smoothly.

Moreover, he could imagine that it was highly possible for 'rice root aphid's genetic modification technique' to encounter some form of attack too. 

For example, the reduction of rice root aphids would cause disruption to biological diversity, which would possibly lead to even more catastrophic results. 

Other than that, the genetically modified rice root aphid could possibly contaminate the paddy when it feeds on the paddy leaves. 

Additionally, someone could associate genetic modification to genetically modified food and tarnish the reputation of the rice root aphid's genetic modification technique. 

All in all, the goal was to ensure that the rice root aphid's genetic modification technique would not come to fruition smoothly. 

He was not too concerned about this, of course. 

Now that the public did not think that he was a liar, everyone could determine if something was good or bad. 

The act of reducing the reproduction rate of rice root aphids would indirectly increase the production of agricultural products such as rice and wheat. He believed that anyone could see that capitalism's power could not contain the public's opinion so easily just based on the simple logic and sequence. 

Moreover, the vast majority of the academic community were yea-sayers in this aphid's genetic modification technique. 

That was enough for Zhou Wen. 

As he was going to head to the conference in Nanjing City tomorrow that would last for three days, Zhou Wen packed up after lunch and brought along two sets of clothes. 

Zhou Wen was preparing to head out for a stroll at 1:30 in the afternoon. 

However, he heard sounds coming from upstairs. He looked up to see Shen Xue stretching herself with her long arms with snowy-white complexion. 

She was dressed in a loose, gray, short-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of black shorts. When she stretched herself, her chubby tummy and cute belly button were revealed. 

Her curvy waist and hips were truly enticing. 

Shen Xue had only realized that Zhou Wen was standing in the living room downstairs when she was done stretching herself. 

"Oh… You're home, too, huh?" Shen Xue remarked shyly as she stretched out her hand to pull down the hem of her t-shirt.

Zhou Wen knew that Shen Xue had a long night shift yesterday. He nodded and said smilingly, "I'm just about to head out."

Shen Xue combed through her messy hair with a hand and asked, "Where are you going?"

Zhou Wen replied, "No idea. I'm just going to stroll around casually."

"Will you wait for me for a while? I shall join you to head out for a stroll."

"Hmm… Alright, then."

Shen Xue immediately turned around and entered the room to change and wash up upon hearing that. 

She was different from the rest of the ordinary females that needed to spend an hour putting on makeup. As a gynecology doctor, she was accustomed to not having makeup and not donning accessories. She would only need to apply some moisturizer before she went out, at most. 

As a result, Shen Xue had already gone downstairs in less than ten minutes. 

"Let's go."

She had just arrived downstairs when Zhou Wen's phone rang. He took it out and took a glance to see it was still the same female president from before. 

He picked up the call. Zhao Yixin still wanted to ask him out for a meetup to discuss the genetic modification technique's formula. Moreover, she was in the First People's Hospital now. 

Zhou Wen considered for a moment before he agreed. 

He could not keep avoiding her like this. Moreover, he wanted to find out what these agricultural chemical enterprises were planning to do now. 

They agreed on a meetup location, which was at a luxurious cafe located in the shopping mall on the east side of the housing estate. 

Shen Xue waited for him to hang up the call and then asked, "What's going on?"

Zhou Wen laughed and said, "The vice president of a company asked me out to discuss something."

Shen Xue knew about Zhou Wen's genetic modification technique and that it was causing a great stir on the internet. If someone were to look for him, it was certainly related to this matter too. 

She chuckled and said, "You should go ahead then. I'm going to the underground shopping mall on the south side."

"Hmm, alright! I'll call you later."

Both of them parted ways at the entrance of the shopping mall. Zhou Wen turned around and headed to the cafe. 

He had just arrived at the door of the cafe when the waitress asked him with a joyful smile on her face, "May I inquire if you are Mr. Zhou Wen?"

"Mmhmm, I am."

"Hello, Mr. Zhou Wen. Ms. Zhao is waiting for you inside; please follow me."

Zhou Wen followed behind the waitress and entered the cafe. 

The cafe was decorated in a rich European Baroque style with grand and majestic finishing. The floor was tiled with milky white natural marble while an elegant chandelier hung down from the ceiling. There were also all sorts of branded furniture, tables, and chairs that expressed the elegance of the cafe. 

Of course, it also signified that the beverages here cost a lot too. 

Under the waitress's guidance, Zhou Wen met Zhao Yixin - a 35-to-36-year-old woman with a short bob haircut. She was dressed in a formal black suit that made her look wise and capable. 

"Hello, President Zhao…"

"It's a pleasure to meet you…"

They shook each other's hands and engaged in small talk before Zhao Yixin extended a hand and beckoned him to take a seat.

"What would you like to have?"

"A latte will do."

"Waitress, please serve us two lattes."

"Alright, please hold on for a moment, sir and madam."

After the waitress left, Zhao Yixin smiled and said, "Doctor Zhou, you're from Jiangdu City, right?"

Zhou Wen nodded smilingly. "Yes."

"I suppose you can say that we come from the same hometown!" Zhao Yixin pursed her lips and smiled. Then, she asked, "Which part of Jiangdu are you from then?"

"Uh, the Baisha County…"

They chatted casually for a while more. 

When the coffees were served, Zhao Yixin stirred the coffee with a spoon and said, "You're a busy man, Doctor Zhou. So, I won't beat about the bush anymore. Our company is offering a price of 2,000,000 RMB to purchase your genetic modification formula; what do you think?"

"2,000,000 RMB…"

Zhou Wen felt as if his heart was tightly clenched by a huge invisible hand to the point where he was breathing rather rapidly. 

An ordinary person would not feel anything at all for this number. 

It was nothing but 2,000,000 RMB…

It sounded very easy and casual. 

That was because these people were well aware that the money had nothing to do with them regardless of how much there was. 

Whether it was 2,000,000 RMB, 20,000,000, or 200 million, it was all a trifle matter. 

Yet, it was different for him now. As long as he agreed, the 2,000,000 RMB would be his. It was a completely different feeling that made one's heart race and mouth parched. 

Zhou Wen picked up the coffee and took a sip. He lowered his head and answered, "I'm sorry; I'm not selling it."

Zhao Yixin chuckled gracefully and said, "Don't be in such a rush to reject, Doctor Zhou. We can still discuss further on the price."

Zhou Wen tried his best to calm himself and told himself that 2,000,000 RMB was nothing for a man bestowed with a system like him. He would end up a billionaire sooner or later. 

He placed down the coffee and asked, "I'm not in a rush to talk about the price. I would like to ask what is your company's plan after purchasing the genetic modification technique's formula?"

Zhao Yixin answered, "We're going to manufacture it and sell it, of course."

Zhou Wen said, "Are you sure?"

Zhao Yixin said with certainty, "I'm very sure."

Zhou Wen stood up and said, "If that is the case, I think that there's no need for us to continue with this discussion anymore, President Zhao."

Zhao Yixin was stunned. She had no idea that she had answered him incorrectly. 

"Uh… Doctor Zhou, we can still discuss further about your requests."

Zhou Wen looked at her and said, "President Zhao, a straightforward person does not resort to insinuations. You should know better what your company will do after you've purchased the formula. I can tell you precisely that it is going to be impossible!"

Zhao Yixin continued, "Doctor Zhou, please stay calm. Let's take a seat and talk more."

"That's all for today. We shall talk more when you're sincere about this." Upon saying that, Zhou Wen turned around and left the cafe. 

He had yet to figure out the best usage for the rice root aphid's genetic modification formula. However, the formula must be marketed openly; only then would it not go against his original intention...