Fatal Virus | Chapter 104 | A Flaw in the Report | Novela.app

Jiang Shenghang stared at the report before him, feeling as though it were a cruel, ironic joke. He remained silent, leaving his lawyer, Jin Hezhong, to deal with Lu Linjiang. "I could produce dozens of DNA identification reports like this at any time; they are utterly meaningless," Jin Hezhong argued. "Officer Lu, you summoned my client based on nothing but this? Do you have any idea how busy my client is? This is far too frivolous for the police!" Lu Linjiang looked at him, pulled a report back from across the table, searched for a specific line, and then pushed it back. "Lawyer Jin, I suspect you read that a bit too quickly. Second paragraph, first line: 'Extraction site: Virus culture dish in the infusion room.' I would like to ask how you explain that?" Jin Hezhong took a sip of water from the bottle on the table, then poured the remaining water into the cup in front of Lu Linjiang. "DNA contamination is a very common occurrence. Officer Lu, you likely haven't received much education in this field, so it’s natural you wouldn't know. For instance, right now, even though I haven't touched your cup, a test would likely show that both cups belong to me." He made a helpless gesture. "It’s impossible to guard against." The man’s provocative actions and words had no effect. Lu Linjiang looked at his cup of water and suddenly let out a yawn. "Mr. Jiang, I’m not sure if you noticed, but this report actually came out this morning." Jiang Shenghang sat with his arms crossed, ignoring Lu Linjiang with the practiced arrogance of a superior. Lu Linjiang continued calmly, "As for why we waited until after work to invite you here, it was primarily because we needed to gather a bit more evidence." Lu Linjiang opened the manila envelope beneath his hand and pulled out the documents inside. "For example, this one: Kangda Biotech’s financial statements for the past two years. The annual profits are quite distressing." Jiang Shenghang’s expression darkened. Jin Hezhong immediately countered, "Is the profitability of my client's company any of your business to critique?" "Don't be in such a hurry," Lu Linjiang said. "Lawyer Jin, you should at least wait for me to finish before you object, shouldn't you?" He pulled out another document. "This is a file Kangda Biotech submitted to the Ministry of Health today. It contains a research paper regarding the vaccine for the recent influenza virus." Jin Hezhong watched as Jiang Shenghang impatiently tugged at his collar. He quickly spoke up, "Officer Lu, what exactly are you trying to prove? This report was organized by Mr. Jiang’s company, Kangda Biotech, to assist the CDC in controlling this flu epidemic. Are you suggesting there is something wrong with that as well?" "That depends on how we analyze the problem," Lu Linjiang replied. "I happen to have the minutes from the meeting the Minister held with Mr. Jiang yesterday. It’s recorded very clearly: 'Summary of Discussions with Kangda Biotechnology and Mingrui Biotechnology regarding the Control of the Influenza Epidemic.'" Jin Hezhong stared at Lu Linjiang, unsure of what trick the man was trying to play. Lu Linjiang flipped through the report. "The entire agenda revolved around how to help the CDC confirm whether the newly developed vaccine is safe and effective. However, we should pay attention to this part." Lu Linjiang looked directly at Jiang Shenghang. "During the meeting, Mr. Jiang Shenghang of Kangda Biotech offered a very constructive suggestion. He stated that Kangda Biotech had already collected and purified the viral strains at the start of the outbreak and conducted preliminary research. At this stage, Kangda Biotech has already achieved initial results with a vaccine, which could perhaps be compared with the CDC’s vaccine to quickly determine efficacy and side effects." "Consequently, Kangda Biotech submitted a report today. This report is extremely detailed; it’s clear that Kangda Biotech is very concerned about this epidemic. After performing a thorough analysis of the H1N1 virus, Kangda Biotech also conducted a very important study on secondary epidemic disasters. Regarding symptoms like respiratory hemorrhaging and pulmonary cell destruction that appear during a secondary outbreak, the vaccine reportedly has an excellent preventative effect in these two areas." After Lu Linjiang finished reading, he looked at Jiang Shenghang with a rare, slight smile. Initially, Jiang Shenghang looked back in confusion, but then a flash of realization struck him. The color drained from his face instantly, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. Lu Linjiang took it all in. "It seems Mr. Jiang has finally realized where the problem lies." The meeting minutes only mentioned that a secondary outbreak had occurred; they did not mention the symptoms. Yet, in the report submitted by Jiang Shenghang, the secondary outbreak was listed as a key prevention project, with the symptoms and the potential progression of the epidemic described in meticulous detail. Lu Linjiang watched Jiang Shenghang with composed leisure. "So, Mr. Jiang, where did you learn all of this?" Though he was a step behind, Jin Hezhong finally realized the issue. He immediately began to defend his client. "Perhaps the Minister mentioned it verbally, and it simply wasn't recorded in the minutes. The person taking the minutes is only human, and humans make mistakes. Such things are quite common, aren't they?" Lu Linjiang nodded. "Indeed. It’s not strange for a recorder to get distracted during a meeting and forget to write something down." Jin Hezhong and Jiang Shenghang did not relax at these words; instead, they watched Lu Linjiang with even greater vigilance. "But what if even the Minister who held the meeting didn't know about these symptoms?" Lu Linjiang countered. "After all, Director Ren was quite rushed when he wrote the epidemic report. For reasons we all understand, it was natural to be a bit vague where vagueness was required." He glanced at the final report inside the manila envelope. "Do you need me to read this report to you?" Jiang Shenghang’s face was now ashen. Seeing his terrible complexion, Lu Linjiang added, "Mr. Jiang probably doesn't know that there is a genetic sequence within this H1N1 virus that increases its drug resistance. This is the main culprit behind why this epidemic has been so difficult to control. And as it happens, that specific sequence was written for research by someone I know. He hasn't even had time to organize it into a paper for publication; only a handful of people know about it. Yet, the strains extracted this time carry that very sequence. Mr. Jiang, you are an expert in the field—where do you think the crux of the matter lies?" The veins on the back of Jiang Shenghang’s hands bulged, but Lu Linjiang didn't wait for an answer. "I can offer a line of reasoning for you, Mr. Jiang. Someone attempted to release a virus in the city hospital's infusion room. Naturally, we have studied this virus; if a human were infected, they would show the exact symptoms described in your report. And in that viral solution, by some coincidence, was Mr. Jiang’s DNA." "Of course, Lawyer Jin just demonstrated for me how DNA can be contaminated; I understood that perfectly. But the question is, who exactly contaminated that strain? Was it you, Mr. Jiang?" Jiang Shenghang was now caught between a rock and a hard place. To speak was to tacitly admit that the epidemic was related to him; to remain silent was even worse. Given the current situation, the flaws in his plan would become the most damning evidence against him. Regardless of the circumstances, the DNA test report on the table was something he could not circumvent! Jiang Shenghang turned his head; Jin Hezhong was looking at him with a deep frown. "I wish to speak with my lawyer in private." Lu Linjiang shifted slightly as if considering the request, then stood up. "Then you two had better be quick." Lu Linjiang waited for half an hour before Jiang Shenghang and Jin Hezhong finally finished their discussion. The well-maintained Jiang Shenghang seemed to have aged ten years in that half hour. He wiped his face and said, "I suspect I am being framed. I did not release any virus, but I believe there is one person who could have done all of this. His name is Jiang Langmin."