Jiang Shenghang’s inside contact was an asset the family had cultivated for many years. The man was the secretary to the top official, a connection the Jiang family had secured long ago through numerous favors and intermediaries. Over the years, they had maintained this relationship with the utmost care, using him to obtain advance internal information or favorable policy shifts. Ordinarily, definitive news about the vaccine could have been obtained through this man, but unfortunately, the secretary had accompanied the leadership to an out-of-town meeting. When Jiang Shenghang tried to contact him, his phone was off, which was why he had been forced to send Zhang Hesheng to test the waters first.
When Deng Dayu received the message from Jiang Shenghang, he was reviewing a report on the epidemic sent by Ren Lifei alongside the Minister. He glanced at the section in his hand, then at the message from Jiang Shenghang, and frowned slightly. The Minister had already finished half of the report and asked with a furrowed brow, "Where is Ren Lifei?"
"He didn't come. He's at the CDC; he’s been too busy to step away these past two days."
"Oh." The Minister seemed troubled. "There are quite a few cases in the neighboring city now. Since there’s a vaccine, why aren't we using it?" He held the report in one hand and couldn't help but rap his knuckles on the desk with the other. "What are they thinking?"
"Oh, it's written later in the report. Because it was developed on short notice, they’re afraid of potential issues, so they want to conduct clinical trials for a while longer to verify it."
The Minister slammed the table harder. "Nonsense! If that’s the case, why release the news? Is this a joke to them?"
"They probably feared public unrest. After all, a new outbreak was discovered. They couldn't keep it hidden forever, so they had to lead with some good news to stabilize people's hearts."
"Then what if people actually come for the vaccine? Do we give it to them, or do we tell them the vaccine hasn't been proven safe yet and ask them to wait?" The Minister was clearly incensed. "Ren Lifei has been doing this for so many years; I think he’s gone senile!"
"Don't blame him too much," Deng Dayu advised. "The major hospitals are all at capacity. Releasing this news to stabilize public emotion was a desperate move. Besides, the Gaimore vaccine went smoothly last time; it’s not strange for Ren Lifei to have this kind of confidence."
The Minister’s brow relaxed slightly as he looked at the report. He finished the second half in silence before saying with suppressed irritation, "Go find Ren Lifei. Bring him here. We need to talk about the vaccine first."
Deng Dayu made a move to leave, then turned back hesitantly. "Actually, regarding the vaccine, I have an idea."
"Speak."
"Doesn't Ren Lifei want to test the vaccine further? Originally, this should involve major hospitals in clinical trials, but they’re all overwhelmed right now; they might not be able to spare the personnel or equipment. I wonder if we should consider relevant biotech companies. Their equipment and manpower aren't necessarily inferior to Grade A tertiary hospitals. We could find a few to help look into it."
Seeing the Minister still hesitating, Deng Dayu continued, "The epidemic is so severe right now. The sooner the vaccine is completed, the sooner the crisis is resolved."
This sentence finally made the Minister nod. "Fine. Go screen them and find two suitable companies to join in. I want to see them in the conference room in one hour."
As soon as Ren Lifei saw the Minister, he was met with a barrage of harsh scolding. During the hour-long meeting, he remained withered and barely spoke, only lingering in the conference room for a while after the meeting ended. Everyone assumed he was embarrassed by the reprimand and intentionally avoided disturbing him. However, no one noticed the old man taking several cotton swabs from his briefcase and swabbing the rim of every teacup on the table.
By the time Ren Lifei returned to the CDC, drenched in sweat, Jiang Cheng and Lu Linjiang were already waiting for him in the office.
"Director Ren, thank you for your hard work," Jiang Cheng said politely as he took the swabs from Ren Lifei.
Ren Lifei pulled out a tissue to wipe his forehead. "To be honest, it’s been years since I’ve been scolded like that."
Jiang Cheng placed the seven or eight swabs into separate extraction buffers. Lu Linjiang watched him through the glass while chatting with Ren Lifei. "It’s fine. Once the Minister discovers the truth, he’ll surely credit you with a great service."
Ren Lifei glanced at him. "Captain Lu, why do I feel like you dug this hole specifically for me to jump into?"
Without even trying, Lu Linjiang maintained a perfectly serious face. "That is merely an illusion."
Ren Lifei had originally intended it as a joke, but as he observed Lu Linjiang’s demeanor, he realized that this young man had designed this series of traps and likely anticipated everything. As the most critical link in the plan, he had been the last to know, failing to realize it even while being scolded.
He wasn't angry, though; he simply shook his head helplessly. "You, truly!"
Lu Linjiang felt no guilt. "It wasn't that I intentionally didn't warn you; it’s just that a warning wouldn't have helped. Moreover, the other side likely has eyes and ears. It’s better if everyone treats it as an unavoidable mistake—it makes it look more authentic."
Ren Lifei thought about it and realized it was true. The outcome would have been the same regardless; it was unavoidable. He had no intention of dwelling on it, so while Jiang Cheng performed the tests, he said, "Two biotech companies came today. The CEO of one, Kangda Biotech, is also surnamed Jiang."
Lu Linjiang’s interest was piqued, and he finally managed to tear his gaze away from Jiang Cheng. "Oh? Tell me more."
"His name is Jiang Shenghang," Ren Lifei recalled. "He’s older, looks like he might even be a bit older than me. It seems he visits the Ministry often. I noticed that when he spoke about the vaccine, he had a bit of excitement he couldn't quite suppress."
"Jiang Shenghang... Jiang Langmin..." Lu Linjiang murmured the names. "Could it be a relative on Jiang Langmin’s father’s side?"
According to the records, Jiang Langmin’s father had passed away long ago. His mother was still alive but was in a nursing home abroad. There seemed to be no other relatives; at least from his household registration data, nothing else could be unearthed.
Ren Lifei said uncertainly, "It’s hard to say. It might be a coincidence. I looked closely, and the two of them don't share many similarities."
"By the way, you said the company name is Kangda Biotech?"
"Correct."
"That fits. At least the records for Zhang Hesheng, the one who came to fish for information, show that he once worked for that company." Lu Linjiang’s eyes lit up. "This is excellent. You see, your sacrifice was truly worth it. That scolding you took gave the other party a natural opportunity to appear—a textbook case of luring the snake out of its hole. I haven't exaggerated a single word!"
"..." Ren Lifei listened to the half-serious summary. He remembered the rumors that Lu Linjiang was a man of few words, someone you couldn't squeeze a sound out of even with eight strikes of a staff, a man who never showed emotion. Looking at the young man before him, the part about not showing emotion was somewhat true, but the rest was nowhere to be seen. It seemed rumors weren't entirely reliable.
Jiang Cheng had already placed the extraction liquid into the machine. He washed his hands and walked toward the two men waiting outside. "The results should be out by tomorrow. I don't know if we'll get a match."
Lu Linjiang, however, was now mostly at ease. "There will be one."
Jiang Cheng looked at him suspiciously. "You're that certain?"
Lu Linjiang pulled him close. "Of course. Just wait to be impressed by my brilliant foresight."
Ren Lifei watched Lu Linjiang, whose face was practically glowing, and then noted how his gaze constantly stuck to Jiang Cheng. A knowing smile slowly appeared on the old man's face. Jiang Cheng was using one hand to push Lu Linjiang away, and when he saw Ren Lifei’s look, his cheeks flushed as if they were on fire. Ren Lifei didn't even say goodbye; he just tucked his hands behind his back and strolled leisurely back to his office.
Jiang Cheng was no match for Lu Linjiang in terms of strength. Seeing Ren Lifei leave, he felt both relieved and embarrassed. "Can't you be a bit more careful?"
"I am being careful," Lu Linjiang said. Seeing Jiang Cheng looking at him with a face full of color, a sudden wicked thought arose. "I'll show you what 'not being careful' looks like later."
Jiang Cheng: "..."
As they drove out of the parking lot, Jiang Cheng realized this was the first time he had left the CDC in days. Lu Linjiang said with some resentment, "This CDC... once you come in, you never leave. Once this is over, it’s better to stay far away from here in the future."
Jiang Cheng looked at Lu Linjiang and stifled a laugh. He wondered how Lu Linjiang would react if he knew Ren Lifei still had thoughts of recruiting him.
Ren Lifei stayed in his office all night and went to the lab before dawn. Before long, the machine emitted a beeping sound, the printer started up, and a report was produced.
Ren Lifei picked it up and looked. Just as Lu Linjiang had predicted, among the seven DNA samples he had collected from the conference room, one was a perfect match for the DNA Jiang Cheng had discovered in the virus.
It belonged to Jiang Shenghang.
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Fatal Virus | Chapter 103 | A Calculated Match | Novela.app | Novela.app
