Chapter 67: Kanyue Pharmaceuticals
The day before National Day, an inconspicuous piece of news appeared online:
Zhong’s Pharmaceuticals and Japan’s Kanyue Pharmaceuticals will jointly establish a new production line in Huaguo, producing various internationally acclaimed anti-tumor drugs, as well as some anti-aging health products and top-quality cosmetic ingredients. The approval work by relevant departments in Huaguo is already underway.
It’s possible that after the holidays, the pharmaceutical, health product, and cosmetics sectors in the Huaguo stock market will see a surge in market activity based on this news, while the Japanese stock market has already staged a preview.
Everyone believes that the vast market in Huaguo will yield even more considerable economic benefits with local production support.
During the National Day holiday, not all production lines halted work, at least not for Zhong’s Pharmaceuticals.
Today, Zhong Hai accompanied representatives from the strategic investment partner, the Kuremi Consortium, and manufacturers from Kanyue Pharmaceuticals on a tour of the various production lines and workshops.
The aircraft industrial park in S District of City C, a large-scale production base for Zhong’s Pharmaceuticals, features garden-like facilities, bright and clean workshops, as well as highly automated production equipment, leading to exaggerated expressions of admiration from the Japanese visitors.
Unlike the other manufacturer representatives involved in specific business operations, Kuremi Haruka, who holds a special status, currently resembles a decorative vase, surrounded by both Huaguo and Japanese personnel, strolling in the bright and clean corridors outside the workshops, occasionally exchanging a laugh.
“So, Jingjun, what noticeable impact will the new production line have on the public?”
Kuremi Haruka, like a bird following Zhong Jing, curiously looked at the fully automated production workshop behind the glass wall, her face adorned with an innocent smile.
Meanwhile, one of her hands casually hooked onto Zhong Jing’s arm, creating an appearance of intimacy. Behind her, the Japanese manufacturer representatives exchanged surprised yet knowing smiles.
“Perhaps you should ask my father or the marketing director to get the correct answer.”
Slightly tilting his head to glance at the “intruding” hand on his arm, Zhong Jing smiled awkwardly, feeling utterly bored, but due to the presence of some media, he could only respond politely.
To cooperate with his father’s visit, Zhong Jing behaved like a puppet being manipulated, inexplicably appearing alongside Kuremi Haruka in a seemingly intimate relationship.
“Indeed, some outpatient waiting times for anti-tumor drugs will be reduced from the previous three to four weeks to now two weeks, or even one week. This is already a significant improvement.”
Having spent only a few brief encounters, Zhong Jing and Kuremi Haruka had already developed a level of physical contact; Zhong Hai also wore a look of parental satisfaction, but the unease in his eyes was becoming increasingly evident.
Mr. Zhong, Kanyue Pharmaceuticals is willing to increase collaboration efforts, aiming to establish production lines in several regions of Huaguo.
A senior executive from Kanyue Pharmaceuticals seemingly understood the relationship between Kuremi Haruka and Zhong Jing and immediately altered the initial cooperation plan.
Kanyue Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan and even globally, with its controlling stakeholder being an investment company under the Kuremi Consortium. Thus, fundamentally, the Kuremi Consortium behind Kuremi Haruka is the largest orchestrator of this cooperation between Huaguo and Japan’s pharmaceutical companies.
“Well, that’s great! Next month at the group board meeting, we will discuss Mr. Akiyama’s proposal in detail. But for now, let’s focus on ensuring the first stage of cooperation is implemented; everything is difficult at the beginning.”
A glimpse of resignation crossed Zhong Jing’s face for a fleeting moment, then he maskingly smiled, neither agreeing nor objecting.
“Uncle, are you suggesting that the other shareholders of Zhong’s Pharmaceuticals will obstruct further cooperation? Maybe my grandfather can intervene!”
Kuremi Haruka suddenly turned her head, her eyes glinting with an ambiguous expression.
“Miss Kuremi is quite perceptive about business matters. I look forward to seeing what good ideas your grandfather will propose to promote our cooperation!”
Zhong Jing maintained his composed demeanor, turning to walk outside, signaling that today’s tour activity was coming to a close.
At some point, Kuremi Haruka and Zhong Jing found themselves alone, as though they were lost together, having wandered into a small garden within the pharmaceutical base.
Finding the area unbothered, Zhong Jing cleverly freed himself from her grip, turning to smile and say, “Miss Kuremi, are you very concerned about the scale of cooperation between Kanyue Pharmaceuticals and Zhong’s Group? However, we must consider the will of the other shareholders, after all, this will change the entire allocation of the group’s operational resources.”
Kuremi Haruka quietly gazed at the handsome young man from Huaguo before her, a growing smile on her lips: “Isn’t that the shared desire of both your uncle and my grandfather? If the other shareholders have objections, I can have my grandfather directly increase strategic investments into your uncle’s group to adjust the shareholding ratio. Also, just call me Haruka, please, Jingjun.”
“I’m not sure if your grandfather authorized you to make such statements today, but your remarks are already publically challenging some interests. Miss Kuremi, matters in the business world aren’t that simple or pure, especially in Huaguo.”
Zhong Jing had anticipated that this seemingly harmless young lady from a prestigious Japanese family possessed more influence with her power and resources than her identity and appearance suggested.
“So, my grandfather hopes I can become your future wife, so that this sacred partnership can become more beautiful, closer, and warmer. In that case, half of Kanyue Pharmaceuticals would serve as my dowry!”
Kuremi Haruka, seemingly psychologically prepared, gracefully curtsied toward Zhong Jing, a blush appearing on her neck.
What the… why does it feel like this Japanese woman is even better at acting than me? Zhong Jing gasped internally, feeling an odd sense that this Japanese girl had a discrepancy between her superficial age and her mental maturity, completely unlike a student under twenty.
While mentally criticizing her, Zhong Jing maintained a facade of surprise for a few seconds before continuing to adopt a noncommittal attitude, allowing her to hold onto his arm once again.
A pair of international golden boy and girl leisurely wandered through Zhong’s Pharmaceutical Group’s production base, attracting envy from the occasionally passing employees of the group.
The Golden River Club also stopped operations during the National Day holiday, but some members of the Hyacinth remained in the club as usual, relaxing and waiting.
As night fell in the empty golden hall, a massive screen displayed news from Huaguo CCTV’s overseas channel.
India continued its usual bizarre incidents—either trains derailing or bridges collapsing; Africa faced its customary rise of warlords, with famine spreading and unrelenting conflict; Europe saw the persistent hegemony of the so-called liberal elite, with virtue-signalers everywhere; North America dealt with daily gunfights, with freedom akin to divine intervention.
Now, Jiang Yao has been able to read some hidden stories behind seemingly ordinary news. Just like at home, disasters and human tragedies expose some shadows under the macro narrative of peace and prosperity.
“The secret forces in India are definitely in trouble again; haha, the newly repaired dam collapsed… I wonder what happened this time under the local Black Blood clan’s scheme.”
On the big screen, groups of excited Indian men were shouting, and the accident scene was baffling. Zhao Peng rarely chuckled.
“Xiao Yao, did you know? The place where the most blood clan births occur in the world is in India.”
Zhao Peng pointed at the screen with a smile, then turned to Jiang Yao, who looked surprised: “Simultaneously, India is also the largest source of underground blood smuggling globally. The rare blood your sister received a few days ago was at least half from India.”
Jiang Yao was taken aback and immediately expressed discomfort: “Ew, why do I feel so nauseous… Is the blood from India clean?”
“That’s the only reputation they have left; isn’t everyone’s blood just blood?”
Zhao Peng shook his head dismissively, “The truly disgusting part is the Ganges blood clan… We’ll see if there’s a chance to encounter them in the future.”
“You mean those blood clans that raise worms within their bodies? Oh my god, I can’t even imagine!”
Jiang Yao was covered in goosebumps, having grown up without fear until now but developing a significant aversion to soft-bodied creatures like earthworms and maggots. When Zhao Peng mentioned the Ganges blood clan, she suddenly felt uncomfortable, experiencing several layers of goosebumps.
“There are a small number of stray blood clans that come from the southwestern border. They don’t cause significant unrest but are quite skilled at smuggling… The Ganges blood clan’s lineage is inherently peculiar; even their legitimate blood clan family is quite odd.”
Perhaps feeling interested, Zhao Peng began to delve into the knowledge of the Ganges blood clan, completely ignoring the increasingly sour expressions of a few Hyacinth girls nearby.
“I just remembered, I need to change clothes for Xiao Yan!”
“I also need to check the blood transfusion equipment.”
“I… I’m going to the kitchen to see?”
Several girls stood up, finding excuses to leave, while Jiang Yao, after the initial disgust had faded, showed curiosity. After all, Zhao Peng was knowledgeable, and learning more about blood clan knowledge could only be beneficial, at least more so than the highly classified information in the arrow’s tip.
The door swung open as Zhong Jing entered, a fatigued expression on his face, causing the conversations in the hall to cease.
“Did you not have any plans for the holiday? Wan Jie isn’t here; what are you doing here?” Zhao Peng stepped forward, while also beckoning to Jiang Yao, “Xiao Yao, go to the bar and prepare some drinks.”
After glancing at Jiang Yao’s literary and artistic dress, Zhong Jing, for once, refrained from commenting on her appearance, merely nodding indifferently.
Two glasses of whiskey were served at the table, and Jiang Yao sat not far from the bar, looking towards Zhong Jing. She noticed that his emotional state was clearly poor today, especially since entering; aside from the initial glance, he hadn’t shown any sign of expression.
“I can’t get through to several of my master’s numbers… Zhao Ge, could you help me check on something? I know you have some intelligence resources.”
Zhong Jing downed half a glass of whiskey at once, slightly frowning as he resisted the burning sensation of the liquor entering his stomach.
Zhao Peng was noncommittal, but he found Zhong Jing’s performance today strange. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and took a sip of his drink: “What’s the matter? Who’s the target?”
“First, the background of the top twenty shareholders of my father’s company. Second, the Kuremi Consortium. Third, Kanyue Pharmaceuticals.”
Zhong Jing finished the glass in his hand, exhaling a breath of alcohol fumes, glaring fiercely at his glimmering empty glass: “Zhao Ge, I have a premonition that my family will either be the first to ascend to heaven in this world or the first to descend into hell…”
“Before the holiday, I asked my master about this. She didn’t care and ignored me, just told me to wait and see.”
Zhao Peng wore a look of skepticism, glancing at the carefree young man, unsure of what trouble he might be facing now.
Having listened to the three investigation requests, Zhao Peng hesitated briefly in his heart, but his face still maintained a calm smile: “These aren’t small fries. But since Wan Jie doesn’t intend for you to know, it means, from a bigger picture perspective, there’s nothing bad—not wanting to distract you.”
“Could there actually be benefits?”
Zhong Jing couldn’t help but sigh, his expression becoming even more uncomfortable, “She mentioned before that my dad is a broker, but she didn’t say how deep it goes. The Kuremi Consortium is also one of the major shareholders; I know a bit about their situation, but I didn’t expect them to be so direct with my family this time.”
Zhao Peng pondered for a moment and nodded gently: “People like your father are actually quite precious; no one will easily disturb him. You should know that a broker’s key to remaining stable is betting on multiple sides, even three at once; and it must involve significant power.”
While speaking, Zhao Peng pointed upward, then downward, and finally gestured towards the door.
Zhao Peng’s implication was that the operations of the old man’s company were influenced or even supported by three parties. The upward reference indicated the state? The downward reference involved domestic blood clan forces? The direction of the door referred to overseas blood clan influence?
Zhong Jing suddenly rose, almost knocking over a high stool, and seeing Jiang Yao curiously watching him from afar, quickly sat back down, his expression darkening further: “Domestically, it’s the Wang family, and behind the Kuremi Consortium… it really is the Japanese blood clan, the Fujiwara clan?”
“What you’ve said, I’ll pay attention to, but ultimately I still need Wan Jie’s approval before I can share the results with you. Don’t worry, the more your father’s situation stands out, the more closely the state will scrutinize it, even those old tortoises domestically will be more concerned than you…”
Zhao Peng patted his back and pushed over a glass of wine: “As for your safety, it’s even less of a problem; as long as Zhong’s Group is around, you’re probably one of the safest people in this world, second only to your father. That’s also the reason Wan Jie has never arranged for security around you.”
Zhong Jing’s expression gradually softened, but his brows showed no signs of relaxing: “No, I don’t think it’s that simple… Zhao Ge, the person from the Kuremi Consortium who came to my house is Kuremi Haruka; I feel something is off with her and the people around her.”
“Didn’t Master say a while back that a significant figure from the Engel family in Europe is now in Huaguo? Since the Kuremi Consortium is backed by people like that, I suspect they aren’t necessarily targeting my family; it might also involve the Tang family…”
“Be careful with your words; Wan Jie should have a sense of discretion!”
Zhao Peng immediately understood and grew serious.
