Chapter 61: Going Back on One’s Word

Old Madam Su stopped in her tracks, her expression lighting up with joy. She turned back, brought Liu Fajung with her, and returned to her seat. Waving her hand, she said, “Then bring out the project contract and make the necessary amendments.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Su Qingxue was out of options. Under her grandmother’s coercion, she dared not take any risks, as it would put the company in a dire predicament.

She quickly fetched the contract and, at the bottom where the second party was listed, added Su Shifeng’s name. She then had someone deliver the revised contract to Liran Group.

Seeing her plan succeed, Old Madam Su’s smile grew even more radiant. Liu Fajung, too, was brimming with delight. She hadn’t expected the plan to unfold so smoothly.

This way, not only could her son return to the Su family, but he would also become the lead on a major project—truly killing two birds with one stone.

“Grandmother, I’ve already signed the contract. Now, can you give me the project funds?” Su Qingxue set down her pen and looked at her grandmother intently.

“Well…” The smile faded from Old Madam Su’s face. She exchanged a glance with Liu Fajung, coughed lightly, and said, “Qingxue, I’m not one to go back on my word. However, I don’t have much cash on hand. It’ll take some time to gather thirty billion. How about you give me two months? Once I’ve raised the money, I’ll bring it to you. What do you think?”

“Grandmother, two months? That won’t work.” Su Qingxue’s eyes widened in panic. “Liran Group won’t wait two months. At most, they’ll give me a week before urging me for payment. If I can’t pay by then, we’ll be in breach of contract.”

“Please, Grandmother, you must find a way to raise the money within a week.”

“How dare you!” Liu Fajung glared at Su Qingxue, displeased. “Qingxue, are you giving orders to your grandmother? Have you forgotten how well she’s always treated you? Now she only asks for a slight extension on the payment, and you can’t even agree to that?”

“Mother, am I still your daughter? You can’t push me into the fire like this. I’ve already risked so much by agreeing to help Grandmother. Now I truly have no way to come up with the funds,” Su Qingxue replied, her face full of sorrow.

Tears welled up in her anxious eyes.

But neither Liu Fajung nor Old Madam Su showed a shred of sympathy. After a few seconds, Old Madam Su spoke: “Enough. You’re an adult. No need for tears. The matter is settled.”

“I have other things to attend to. Fajung, let’s go.”

“Yes, Mother.” Liu Fajung agreed, got up, and helped Old Madam Su to leave.

Su Qingxue watched them walk away without a backward glance. For a moment, her vision went white, and she collapsed into her chair.

Her heart was filled with disappointment. She hadn't expected her mother and grandmother to scheme against her so thoroughly.

Today, their visit was clearly premeditated. Now, with such a huge debt owed to the bank, how was she supposed to fill the gap?

“President Su, someone is here to see you,” a voice suddenly announced. An assistant entered respectfully to report.

“Who is it?” Su Qingxue wiped her tears, regaining her composure.

“He said his name is Wang Kuan, your former high school classmate.”

“Wang Kuan?” Su Qingxue frowned, gradually recalling his face. He was indeed an old classmate—her desk mate for three years. His family had been wealthy, and he was known as the rich kid in high school.

He had even pursued her back then, but she had turned him down. After graduation, he went abroad to study, and she hadn’t seen him in five years.

“So it’s him. What could he want with me?” Su Qingxue wondered. After a moment’s thought, she told the assistant, “Let him in.”

“Yes, President Su.” The assistant nodded and left to fetch Wang Kuan from the waiting area.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng was at Liran Group, using a medicinal furnace to concoct a new remedy for Zhou Liran. It was a health-preserving pill, designed to strengthen the body, combat aging, and prolong life.

With sub-health issues becoming more common, there was urgent demand for such miraculous medicine to restore people’s health and improve their constitution. Many pharmaceutical companies in Jiangcheng had tried to develop similar products but failed. Now, with Liran Group’s breakthrough, the future looked bright.

“Chairman Zhou, the pill is almost ready. Please have your team prepare accordingly,” Lin Feng called out as the refining process neared completion.

“Very well! Someone, prepare to open the furnace!” Zhou Liran was full of anticipation. This pill was of vital importance to him.

If this succeeded, it would be groundbreaking news in Jiangcheng’s pharmaceutical industry, and Liran Group’s reputation would soar to new heights.

Everyone gathered around the furnace, eyes wide with expectation.

With a click, the iron clasps on both sides of the furnace were unfastened, and the round lid was lifted.

Inside was a pile of pitch-black charcoal, and in the center, a red-hot titanium steel mold used for refining the medicine.

A pharmacist carefully took a pair of tongs, retrieved the mold, and plunged it into a nearby bucket of warm water.

With a sizzle, white steam shot up to the ceiling, and water droplets splashed about like waves.

As the mold cooled, the pharmacist retrieved it, donned gloves, and gently opened it. Within lay a golden, round pill.

The pharmacist placed the pill gingerly in his palm, brought it close to his nose, and inhaled—his face immediately filled with astonishment.

Everyone’s heart leapt into their throats at the sight.

“It’s a success! Truly a success! Mr. Lin, you’re a master of medicine. I can’t believe you’ve actually created such a miraculous remedy!” The pharmacist, after a brief daze, cried out in excitement.

Zhou Liran was overjoyed. He rushed forward, took the pill, and examined it with tears glistening in his eyes.

He had waited eight long years for this day, researching this miraculous medicine without success. Today, at last, it was complete. The years of investment had finally paid off.

All this success was due to Lin Feng.

Turning around, Zhou Liran gave a fervent order: “Arrange a banquet immediately. I want to honor Mr. Lin with Jiangcheng’s highest ceremony to express my gratitude.”

“Chairman Zhou, you’re too kind. This was a minor task; there’s no need for a banquet,” Lin Feng replied with a modest smile. To him, the health-preserving pill was nothing special; he could make thousands of better remedies.

Zhou Liran was astonished by Lin Feng’s composure and his remark that such a pill was a small matter. Could it be that he possessed even more secrets of medicinal refinement?

If so, Mr. Lin truly was a gift from the heavens.

“Mr. Lin, there’s no need for modesty. You deserve every honor. Please allow me to host you at the banquet,” Zhou Liran insisted. Lin Feng, seeing his sincerity, could not refuse.

As they stepped out of the refining chamber, ready to head to the banquet hall, a project manager hurried over to Zhou Liran and respectfully reported, “Chairman Zhou, Miss Su Qingxue has just sent a new contract for your review.”