After Rebirth, Married to a Deadly Enemy - Chapter 28

After a night of fermenting, the news about New Shi’s development of a new inhibitor had spread throughout the Alliance. Countless Alphas who couldn’t bear their desires were leaving comments on New Shi’s official account, asking New Shi to come forward and confirm the authenticity of the drug’s effects. Faced with this “pressure,” New Shi had no choice but to release the official test results of the new drug.

 

As soon as this news broke, StarNet exploded with questions about when the new drug would be available on the market and how much it would cost. New Shi promptly answered, stating that they currently had only one set of production equipment, which could produce a limited quantity of the drug. Because they had signed an order contract with Changsheng Group, the first batch of drugs would be prioritized for supply to Changsheng. New Shi also indicated that if anyone wanted to try the new drug, they could purchase it from Changsheng’s drugstores and hospitals.

 

“Besides the initial few trends we paid for, the rest of the trends have naturally formed. Our publicity campaign this time has been very successful,” Wan Tong reported on his progress to Bai Xiangxing.

 

“Well done,” Bai Xiangxing praised. “But you can’t be on the trends all the time; it looks too deliberate.”

 

“I understand,” Wan Tong nodded and handed over a list of drugstores and hospitals that had called wanting to collaborate.

 

“What’s this?” Bai Xiangxing looked at it and then handed another list to Wan Tong. “Try to secure contracts with these companies.”

 

Wan Tong took a look and asked curiously, “What’s this?”

 

“These are long-term partners of Bai Enterprises,” Bai Xiangxing explained.

 

Wan Tong quickly caught on, “I know what to do.”

 

Bai Xiangxing was aware of Bai Enterprises’ intention to bankrupt Bai Enterprises when he left the Bai family. What he was doing now was not surprising. Although Bai Enterprises had more than just a pharmaceutical factory under its umbrella, the pharmaceutical factory was the department where capital flowed the fastest. By strangling the pharmaceutical factory, he was cutting off Bai Enterprises’ cash flow. No matter how massive and glamorous a company appeared, if its cash flow was cut off, it was only a matter of time before it collapsed.

 

Not long after Wan Tong left, Bai Xiangxing received an unexpected call from Ming Cheng, the CEO of Changsheng Group.

 

“CEO Ming, how come you have time to call me?”

 

“You’ve done us a massive favor with the advertisement on StarNet. You’ve saved us a significant amount in advertising costs, so I, as a CEO, should personally thank you.” New Shi had publicly announced that the new drug was currently only available to Changsheng Group, which had brought considerable traffic their way.

 

“Ming CEO, you’re too polite. It’s just a minor effort. If you really want to thank me, why don’t you give us all of Changsheng’s orders for inhibitors? We offer excellent products at a reasonable price,” Bai Xiangxing replied with a sly smile.

 

Ming Cheng’en also smiled, “They’re all yours. Can New Shi handle it?”

 

“As soon as the bank’s loan is approved, we’ll expand the production facility quickly.”

 

“As far as I know, the bank hasn’t approved your loan yet,” Ming Cheng’en remarked.

 

“Consider helping me out with that,” Bai Xiangxing suggested.

 

The bank was hesitant to grant New Shi a loan because they were concerned about New Shi’s ability to repay, given the company’s financial situation just a week ago. However, with the signed contract from Changsheng, New Shi’s potential for significant growth became evident. This contract was substantial proof of New Shi’s ability to repay.

 

“Mr. Bai is quite candid,” Ming Cheng’en commented. Having been in the business world for many years, he had seen many young talents, but someone like Bai Xiangxing, who was relatively new to the professional world but exhibited such skill and confidence, was rare.

 

“You might consider that our cooperation wouldn’t be a loss for you,” Bai Xiangxing said sincerely.

 

“Send some of the drugs over; if they’re truly of good quality and reasonably priced, I’ll make sure to take the next quarter’s contract back with me,” Ming Cheng was also decisive.

 

“I’ve just produced ten thousand doses here; they’re all yours.”

 

The Changsheng Group had branches in the capital as well. Bai Xiangxing had the security department deliver the drugs to the Changsheng Group’s branch shortly after the phone call. He didn’t give it much thought afterward, believing that Ming Cheng, based on his character, would know what to do after examining the drug.

 

Bai Xiangxing had already applied for a patent for the drug formula. It would be difficult for anyone to reverse-engineer the precise formula proportions in the short term. So, for at least two to three years, only New Shi could produce this new type of inhibitor. Cooperation with New Shi would be mutually beneficial.

 

As expected, Ming Cheng agreed to cooperate and also threw in a personal favor. On the third day after the drugs were sent over, while finalizing the order contract with New Shi, the Changsheng Group officially announced its cooperation with New Shi.

 

Changsheng’s official statement acknowledged that presenting the contract to others as proof of cooperation between Changsheng and New Shi carried more weight than merely mentioning a connection. On the same day of Changsheng’s announcement, Mr. Yang, the CEO of Huahai Bank, initiated contact with Bai Xiangxing. He was enthusiastic and stated that the bank, after careful consideration, believed in New Shi’s future and was willing to grant them a six-billion-starcoin loan.

 

Bai Xiangxing naturally went to meet with him. Accompanied by Wang Ping, he went to Mr. Yang’s office. After a cup of tea, some chatting, and a bit of socializing, Bai Xiangxing secured the six billion dollars. Wang Ping, witnessing this, was deeply impressed.

 

“I wonder when this money will be transferred to New Shi’s account,” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“It will be in New Shi’s account first thing in the morning tomorrow,” Mr. Yang assured.

 

“Thank you very much, Mr. Yang.”

 

“Mr. Bai, you’re too polite. From now on, we are friends.”

 

In the business world, those who can make money are friends, and those who can’t are not. Although Bai Xiangxing didn’t like these insincere social interactions, he handled them with composure.

 

After sipping his coffee, Bai Xiangxing thought of another purpose for his visit. He casually asked, “Since we’re friends now, I think it’s necessary to remind Mr. Yang of something.”

 

“Please go ahead,” Mr. Yang replied, somewhat surprised, but he kept a composed demeanor.

 

“Last time I was here, I ran into people from the Bai Group.”

 

Mr. Yang hesitated briefly. He had heard of Bai Xiangxing’s connection with the Bai Group, and he wasn’t sure what Bai Xiangxing was trying to achieve with this direct question. He smiled and gave a vague answer, “Yes, the Bai Group also has some business with our bank.”

 

“Loans?” Bai Xiangxing inquired.

 

“I’m afraid I can’t discuss that,” Mr. Yang said with an embarrassed smile.

 

“I may have overstepped,” Bai Xiangxing replied with a smile. “In fact, I don’t care whether the Bai Group gets a loan or not. What concerns me is you, Mr. Yang.”

 

Mr. Yang looked at Bai Xiangxing with some confusion, waiting for the rest of the statement.

 

“You’re aware that I came from the Bai Group, and the Bai Group has a pharmaceutical factory. If I want to expand New Shi, it naturally means I’ll be competing for business with the Bai Group.”

 

This seemingly ordinary statement carried significant implications. With numerous pharmaceutical factories in the Alliance, it wasn’t necessary to target the Bai Group specifically. However, Bai Xiangxing was doing so because of his familiarity with the Bai Group and the fact that his roots lay there. The desire to poach customers from the Bai Group came naturally. Given the elimination of old inhibitors by the new one, Bai Group couldn’t compete with New Shi.

 

“Huahai Bank would be better off recalling loans given to the Bai Group, or else it might be difficult to recover them. As for providing loans, you should be cautious,” Bai Xiangxing added as a piece of advice before he left the bank.

 

While Bai Xiangxing didn’t explicitly state his intention, the message was clear: he hoped that the bank would not grant any more loans to the Bai Group. After all, the Bai Group had limited liquidity, and if their loans were recalled, it would be challenging for them to secure more. Although Mr. Yang might not follow through with this, simply planting the seed would make it more challenging for the Bai Group to secure loans in the future.

 

All these arrangements would take some time to show results.

 

The next day, as the six billion-dollar loan from the bank entered the company’s account, Bai Xiangxing announced a salary increase for all employees at New Shi. Everyone’s salaries would see a 20% raise on their existing pay, and this raise would be retroactively applied from three months ago. In other words, when the next month’s payroll was issued, nearly everyone at New Shi would receive almost twice their usual salary.

 

In this day and age, getting a raise was akin to celebrating a holiday. On that day, New Shi felt like a different place, with employees full of energy, enthusiasm, and increased productivity. Even this news reached the Storm Legion.

 

“Did you hear? The boss increased everyone’s salaries at New Shi,” a few members of the Blaze Team whispered.

 

“I heard, they say that old Du’s salary doubled instantly. He even got a bonus of a hundred thousand credits.”

 

“That much? It was just a small-time pirate gang, right? I bet I could have taken them down too.”

 

“I heard of it; I might just go work for New Shi as security.”

 

“Then you can claim injury and retire, too.”

 

They all laughed heartily, expressing both envy and contentment. Most of their comrades who had joined New Shi’s security were retired due to injuries, with some carrying more or less old wounds that required continuous treatment. They had relied on New Shi’s medical benefits in the past. Now that those benefits were gone, they could only depend on their salaries. So, they genuinely felt happy for their comrades while also gaining more confidence in their own future.

 

After all, once they retired, it was highly likely they would find work at New Shi.

 

“Liang Chen,” Captain Shizhen’s voice came from the doorway.

 

The few people looked up, saw Shizhen, and stood up to greet him. “Captain.”

 

“Boss.”

 

Shizhen walked up to Liang Chen and said, “Arrange for a trip with Bai Xiangxing to the Cancer Constellation tomorrow.”

 

Shizhen had informed Liang Chen about this matter long ago, so as soon as he mentioned it, Liang Chen knew what was going on.

 

“Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Liang Chen replied.

 

Lin Qing saw Shizhen was done discussing work and couldn’t help but ask, “Captain, when can we expect the new drugs?”

 

“What new drugs?” Shizhen was puzzled.

 

“The new drugs produced by New Shi? We have a mission coming up, and we’re waiting to try out the new drugs,” the Storm Legion was currently the only unit under the Military Department still using the drugs produced by New Shi. So, they naturally assumed they would be the first to test the new drugs.

 

“Don’t the military doctors have some stock left?” Shizhen asked.

 

“Stock is stock, but the new drugs are the new drugs,” Longfei replied. “Boss, other units are waiting for the results of our trial, too.”

 

“Why are they waiting for our trial?” Shizhen was perplexed.

 

“They’re curious to see if the new drugs can genuinely…” Longfei was cut off mid-sentence by the guy next to him, who urgently covered his mouth and hurriedly said, “We’re just curious if the new drugs can genuinely extend the effect and reduce side effects. If it’s true, our future missions will be much easier.”

 

“Right, it’s all for the sake of our missions,” everyone nodded in agreement.

 

Shizhen didn’t doubt them and nodded, saying, “I’ll go ask.”

 

“Sure, go ask and tell the boss to prepare more for our Blaze Team,” they urged as he left.

 

Shizhen raised an eyebrow when he heard the term “boss” and said, “Haven’t I told you not to call him that?”

 

“What’s wrong with calling him that behind him back? Captain, is your wife really that strict?” they teased.

 

Shizhen sighed, “…”

 

Returning home in the evening, Shizhen informed Bai Xiangxing that he had arranged for Liang Chen to take him and Xiang Rong to the Cancer Constellation the next day. He also briefly mentioned the interest of other members of their team regarding the new medication.

 

“You mean, not just your Storm Legion, but other units are also inquiring about it?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“That’s right,” Shizhen nodded.

 

“In that case, have someone from your team come to the factory tomorrow, and I’ll provide you with ten thousand doses,” ten thousand doses were New Shi’s daily production, and they already owed the Storm Legion a batch of medication. “However, I have one condition.”

 

“A condition?” Shizhen frowned.

 

“This batch of ten thousand doses, you find a way to distribute some to other units so they can also try it,” Bai Xiangxing had initially planned to re-establish their connections with the military, thinking it would require some time for the new medication to have an impact on the market before seeking Shizhen’s assistance as an intermediary to recommend New Shi’s products to various legion procurement personnel. However, now it seemed there was no need for such complexities.

 

It wasn’t a difficult task for Shizhen to accomplish, and he readily agreed. After all, members of other units had already been discreetly inquiring. So, it wouldn’t be a problem to provide them with some medication.

 

“Good job. I’ll give you a commission for this,” Bai Xiangxing was quite pleased.

 

“No need,” a commission? Bai Xiangxing wouldn’t consider him one of his salespeople, would he?

 

“First, check your own account before saying that,” bringing up the accounts, Bai Xiangxing couldn’t help but ask, “I remember you had several hundred thousand in your account, but how is it now almost empty?”

 

Shizhen replied, “I wasn’t the only one who accepted missions previously; I shared the remaining money with the team members who participated in the missions.”

 

Shizhen had taken ten million, spent nearly two hundred thousand on medical expenses, and didn’t feel right holding onto the rest.

 

“You didn’t mention it, but I almost forgot about this,” Bai Xiangxing said. “This money is considered a loan from New Shi to you all. Tomorrow, I’ll have the finance department transfer one point five million to you, including the money and interest that New Shi owes you.”

 

“No need to do this, they won’t mind,” Shizhen comforted.

 

Among comrades, if someone needed money urgently for family reasons and had to take missions to earn rewards, they would help each other out, so they didn’t separate things so clearly between themselves.

 

“This money must be repaid. I don’t know how you handle things among yourselves, but I do know that when others assist us, we can’t let them take a loss,” Bai Xiangxing emphasized.

 

Shizhen calmly gazed at Bai Xiangxing, a faint smile on his lips, and nodded, saying, “I’ll follow your lead.”