Volume One, Chapter 17: The True Objective

“Do you want the formula for the Youth Restoring Elixir?”

Li Qingcheng’s voice carried a sharp chill. Her gaze gradually turned icy, as if the very air around them had frozen. The assembled guests dared not make a sound, seemingly subdued by her imposing presence.

Li Qingcheng pondered silently. At last, the truth was laid bare. Captain Fu’s true intentions had become unmistakably clear. The alleged poisoning of the test subjects, the supposed safety concerns about the Youth Restoring Elixir— all of it was nothing but a carefully crafted excuse. What he truly coveted was this priceless formula worth billions.

Of course, Li Qingcheng knew well that neither Captain Fu nor the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Bureau had the courage or power to possess such a fortune, nor could they bear or control its immense value. So who was the mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes?

A faint, cold smile curled on Li Qingcheng’s lips, full of scorn and disdain. Fixing her gaze on Captain Fu, she said coldly, “Are you sure you want the Li family to hand over the formula for the Youth Restoring Elixir?”

“Do you even understand how immense its value is? It is the culmination of Mr. Ye’s dedication and the result of countless days and nights of research by the Li Group’s scientists.”

“Do you think we would so easily surrender the formula to you?”

“What position do you hold? How dare you?”

“Do you comprehend the chain reaction that would be triggered if this formula were leaked?”

“Do you realize the extent of the damage it would inflict on the Li Group and even the entire economic landscape of this city?”

“Are you truly confident enough to entrust us with handing over the formula to you?”

“Can you bear the immeasurable consequences and responsibilities that would follow?”

This barrage of piercing questions immediately weighed heavily on Captain Fu. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes but was soon replaced by resolve.

He pressed on, “None of what you mentioned falls within my jurisdiction.”

“I am a law enforcer; I only care about fulfilling my duties.”

“My responsibility is to thoroughly investigate whether the Youth Restoring Elixir is safe and free from toxic risks.”

“Since you refuse to let Ye Tian accompany us for the investigation, I have no choice but to start by examining your formula.”

“As for any impact this scrutiny might have on you—sorry, that is not the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Bureau’s primary concern.”

“In short, you have two options: either hand over Ye Tian to come with us or surrender the formula and cooperate with our investigation.”

“Otherwise, I will have to exercise our compulsory enforcement powers.”

At this, Captain Fu’s tone hardened again, bolstered by his authority as an enforcer.

This was his confidence.

“We will neither hand over Mr. Ye nor the formula,” Li Qingcheng stood her ground firmly. Ye Tian was the Li Group’s most crucial partner, the very source of its wealth. How could she possibly surrender him? No member of the Li family would agree.

Moreover, Ye Tian held more than just the Youth Restoring Elixir. To Li Qingcheng’s knowledge, he also possessed the Youth Preserving Elixir and many other miraculous formulas unknown to the common world. His value was immense.

Furthermore, the Youth Restoring Elixir represented a market worth billions. The Li Group would never hand over its formula. After all, it originally belonged to Ye Tian, so they had no right to dispose of it without his consent.

Both sides understood these truths perfectly. Everyone present could see the situation clearly.

The surrounding guests finally began whispering among themselves.

“The Pharmaceutical Regulatory Bureau is actually demanding the Youth Restoring Elixir formula now? Interesting…”

“Such disregard for their position—how shameless.”

“This poisoning incident might even be a set-up.”

“Something’s definitely fishy…”

“No matter what, the Li Group is in big trouble. If they hand over the formula, their future in this industry will be bleak.”

“If they don’t comply, can the Li family withstand the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Bureau’s pressure?”

“Better to hand over Ye Tian…”

“Hmph, if this formula truly comes from Ye Tian’s hands, handing him over won’t protect the formula.”

At this point, Li Dingguo grew restless.

“Mr. Ye, look at our situation…”

He could only seek Ye Tian’s opinion. After all, the Youth Restoring Elixir belonged to Ye Tian; perhaps he had a suitable way to handle this.

Ye Tian’s expression remained calm and composed, as if the dire circumstances before him were of no concern.

It was just a Youth Restoring Elixir, nothing extraordinary. As for how ugly the situation looked? He had thousands of such formulas. Any one of them could be a powerful bomb to obliterate the mastermind behind the scenes utterly.

Ye Tian smiled nonchalantly.

“I have some medical knowledge, and since this formula is my creation, I understand its properties and potential reactions best. Perhaps I can examine the patient’s specific condition first, to uncover any clues and determine whether the Youth Restoring Elixir truly caused this.”

His confident tone reassured Li Dingguo and the others considerably.

Indeed! Letting Ye Tian check the patient first might expose this so-called poisoning as a ruse.

Captain Fu was momentarily stunned. He was about to refuse when a sharp voice suddenly pierced through the crowd.

“Hmph! You’re a recently released convict from a labor camp, and you dare shamelessly claim some medical expertise? Do you think you can fool everyone?”

The speaker was none other than Shen Yuwei, who had once again jumped out to provoke Ye Tian.

But Ye Tian didn’t even glance her way, completely indifferent.

Li Qingcheng, already agitated, saw Shen Yuwei’s provocation and felt her anger erupt like a volcano. She spun around swiftly and strode up to Shen Yuwei.

Then, with an elegant hand raised, she drew a fierce arc through the air.

A crisp slap resounded.

The sharp smack landed squarely on Shen Yuwei’s cheek, leaving a clear palm print. Shen staggered back several steps, nearly falling.

Holding her face, her eyes filled with grievance and disbelief.

She widened her eyes. “I was helping the Li family expose this fraud. Why did you hit me?”

She couldn’t understand Li Qingcheng’s actions, her resentment and unwillingness growing stronger.

Li Qingcheng’s eyes glinted coldly.

“Narrow-minded and ignorant…”

“I don’t care what personal grudges you have with Ye Tian. Today, at the Li family’s press conference, people like you have no right to spout nonsense!”

“Security, escort her out!”

Shen Yuwei was stunned. She was actually going to be thrown out? How humiliating! She wanted to argue, to explain further, to say more slanderous things about Ye Tian…

But the Li family’s security was not to be trifled with.

Since Li Qingcheng had given the order, the guards sprang into action like wolves, swiftly grabbing Shen Yuwei and dragging her toward the exit without hesitation.

Shen Yuwei struggled desperately, kicking and flailing wildly, trying to break free.

Yet before the trained security team, her strength as a woman was utterly insignificant.

Her resistance was futile.

“Let her go… ow!”

Su Baitao, flushed with urgency, waved his hands, attempting to intervene, but was grabbed by the collar by the security captain and tossed outside the banquet hall.

“You, Ye Tian, you shameless fraud! Sooner or later, you’ll be thrown back in prison!”

“If the Li Group doesn’t see reason and continues to be blinded by Ye Tian, they too will be swindled into ruin!”

Shen Yuwei’s curses echoed down the corridor, full of venom and bitterness.

But soon, all fell silent.