Chapter 318 The Clown is You!
Zhao Lichun felt a tightness in his chest and subconsciously took two steps back, almost bumping into Wu Yong behind him.
He looked up and met Gu Beichen's sharp, hawk-like eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.
"What...what do you want to do? This is the Beijing Hotel! I am a state cadre!" Zhao Lichun shouted, his voice trembling with fear.
Gu Beichen reached out and very slowly straightened Su Yue's collar before turning his head and staring coldly at Zhao Lichun.
"Anyone who dares to touch my wife's things will have to ask the gun in my hand first."
Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a bloody stench.
Zhao Lichun's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled twice, and he couldn't utter a single word.
The researchers behind him were even more terrified, each of them shrinking their necks and not daring to breathe.
Su Yue peeked out from behind Gu Beichen and smiled at Zhao Lichun.
"Director Zhao, see you tomorrow."
After saying that, the two walked away.
Zhao Lichun stood there for a long time before he recovered.
He spat fiercely.
"Bah! What a bunch of trash! Tomorrow I'll ruin your reputation!"
...
The following day, a conference was held to report on the scientific and technological achievements of the entire military.
The auditorium was solemn and dignified, with a huge national emblem hanging in the center of the rostrum.
The audience was filled with high-ranking officials and experts from various research institutes.
A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.
Su Yue and Gu Beichen sat in the corner.
Gu Beichen, dressed in military uniform, sat upright, his hand always holding Su Yue's hand.
Su Yue wore a simple business suit today, which made her look capable and composed.
On the dais, in the center of the judges' panel sat a dignified elderly man, none other than Vice Minister Li. He flipped through the documents in his hands, occasionally whispering a few words to the experts beside him.
"That Vice Minister Li has been watching Zhao Lichun the whole time," Gu Beichen said in a low voice.
Su Yue nodded. "As expected. Zhao Lichun is his pawn. If he can take down the 'Bacteriophage Project' this time, his influence in the Central Military Commission will be even greater."
Are you nervous?
"Nervous?" Su Yue turned her head to look at Gu Beichen, a sly glint in her eyes. "I'm just afraid Zhao Lichun's performance won't be good enough."
The briefing officially began at 9:00 AM.
After the host finished reading the opening remarks, the first name he called was Zhao Lichun.
"Next, please welcome Comrade Zhao Lichun, Director of Huakang Biotechnology Research Institute, to report on the research results on 'novel biological antibacterial agents'."
Thunderous applause erupted.
Zhao Lichun straightened his collar and walked confidently onto the stage. He held a thick stack of documents in his hand, his face radiating confidence.
He first bowed to the podium, then opened the slideshow.
"Distinguished leaders and experts, as we all know, antibiotic resistance has become a global medical challenge. Our Huakang Research Institute, through tireless efforts day and night, has finally achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in this field!"
A complex molecular structure diagram appeared on the screen.
It was the "strain number three" data that Su Yue deliberately leaked.
Pointing to the diagram, Zhao Lichun spoke eloquently. "Through unique gene-editing techniques, we successfully induced this super phage, codenamed 'HK-01.' Its activity is one hundred times that of the strongest known antibiotics! Moreover, it has extremely broad-spectrum activity, and it has a devastating effect on the vast majority of drug-resistant bacteria!"
The audience erupted in uproar.
One hundred times!
What does this mean? It means that the nightmare of superbugs that has plagued the medical community for years will finally come to an end!
Vice Minister Li nodded frequently, a satisfied smile on his face.
Zhao Lichun became increasingly excited as he spoke, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Moreover, we discovered in animal experiments that 'HK-01' takes effect extremely quickly, clearing 90% of bacteria from the body within two hours of injection! This is a great invention that could change the nature of warfare! If it were equipped by the troops, it would greatly reduce battlefield casualties!"
He switched between slides, displaying a series of astonishing data.
Control group, experimental group, activity curve, bactericidal efficiency...
Every single data point is flawless.
"This is the answer sheet that our Huakang Research Institute has submitted to the Party and the people!" Zhao Lichun waved his arms and gave his final summary.
Thunderous applause erupted again and lasted for a long time.
Several senior experts in the front row stood up excitedly, taking off their glasses and wiping their eyes.
"Excellent! Excellent! This is a national treasure!"
Vice Minister Li picked up the microphone and cleared his throat. "Director Zhao, you've worked hard. This achievement is of great significance. I think it's entirely possible to make it a key project this year and apply directly to the Central Military Commission for special approval!"
Zhao Lichun was so excited that his face turned red, and he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, sir! Thank you for the organization's trust! We will definitely continue our efforts and strive to achieve mass production as soon as possible!"
He stood under the spotlight, basking in the thrill of being the center of attention. It felt wonderful, like crushing all his competitors beneath his feet.
His gaze swept across the entire room like a searchlight, finally settling on the quiet figure in the corner with undisguised malice.
Su Yue was peeling a mint candy that Gu Beichen handed her, seemingly uninterested in the excitement on stage.
Zhao Lichun's smile instantly turned cold. He cleared his throat, changed the subject, and his voice suddenly rose.
"Of course, while celebrating the victory, we should also reflect on it. There is no room for falsehood on the path of science, let alone for charlatans."
He pressed the remote control, and a comparison image appeared on the screen. On the left was Huakang Institute's "perfect data," while on the right was a rough and rudimentary experimental record—a draft submitted by Su Yue in her early days.
"Comrade Su Yue," Zhao Lichun said into the microphone, his voice echoing throughout the auditorium with a playful, cat-and-mouse tone, "what do you have to say about the results of our Huakang Institute's optimization? Or, in front of so many leaders and experts, do you dare to admit that your original plan had major safety hazards, and might even have led to a serious hemolytic reaction?"
All eyes in the room instantly turned like searchlights, focusing on the corner.
The air seemed to freeze.
Everyone stared at that corner.
Su Yue unwrapped the mint and put it in her mouth.
The refreshing taste explodes on the tip of your tongue.
She clapped her hands, the applause sounding particularly abrupt in the deathly silent hall.
"Slap, slap, slap."
There are only three sounds.
Su Yue stood up, straightened her unwrinkled skirt, and walked step by step toward the podium in her high heels.
The sound of high heels clicking on the ground was like a countdown.
Gu Beichen remained seated, his right hand resting on his knee, his index finger tapping idly, a posture that suggested he was ready to suddenly attack someone at any moment.
Zhao Lichun felt a sudden unease as he watched Su Yue approach.
This woman is so calm.
She was so calm that she didn't seem like someone about to be disgraced; she seemed more like a queen about to ascend the throne.
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