"What? I'm the new project leader? But the crystallization drug clearly failed!"
Feng Lin froze, putting on a flattered expression that looked genuine enough.
The R&D department staff watched this scene, their mouths falling open in genuine surprise. A newcomer who hadn't even been on the job a few days had first become a core member of the research team, and now was being promoted to team leader—the speed of this promotion was simply beyond imagination. Feng Lin's shocked voice echoed their own thoughts.
"Isn't this just one failed drug trial? Why make such a big deal out of it?"
"Promoting him straight to team leader? That's way too big a leap!"
"Team Leader Aike must be really bitter about this..."
They whispered among themselves, unable to understand Frank's decision.
Not just them—Aike's face was as dark as ice, his eyes fixed on Feng Lin. He had always been a harsh, cold person, only softening because Feng Lin had hypnotized him. But now, with Feng Lin's meteoric rise threatening his position and interests, no amount of hypnosis could reverse that. All goodwill toward Feng Lin had vanished, replaced by a surge of intense hostility.
Feng Lin's eyes flickered as he keenly sensed this, but he didn't care. Though he appeared shocked by Frank's words, wasn't this exactly what he had been aiming for? To showcase his abilities, gain the attention of Director Frank, and thus delve deeper into the core secrets of Giant Pharmaceuticals. If he truly became the new project leader, he should be able to achieve that, right? As for Aike's hostility, he couldn't care less—he would no longer be under Aike's thumb, free from his constraints, regardless of his attitude.
Seeing Feng Lin's confusion, Director Frank had no suspicions, thinking it was only natural. Anyone would be surprised to be suddenly elevated to such a high position as team leader.
Frank smiled, patting Feng Lin on the shoulder. "Although the crystallization drug failed, you're already on the path to success. Your approach is completely correct. After all, this was just the first trial, and you've already significantly reduced the drug's side effects—remarkable results! So I'm appointing you as the new project leader to fully crack the crystallization pharmaceutical technique."
He wore an expression of high regard, entrusting Feng Lin with a major responsibility.
Feng Lin showed just the right amount of surprise, feigning modesty. "You're too kind, Director! I just stumbled onto it by accident and happened to make it work."
"No need for modesty. Excessive modesty is arrogance!" Frank shook his head.
Hearing this, Feng Lin didn't refuse further, lest he arouse suspicion. He nodded in agreement, then asked with a puzzled look, "Since I'm now the team leader, what exactly is the gene serum I've been researching? Each gene serum has its own crystallization method. Shouldn't researching gene serums for ordinary people be Team Leader Aike's responsibility?"
"I knew you'd ask that! Don't worry, now that you're a team leader, we can share some of Giant Pharmaceuticals' core secrets with you!" Frank smiled, pleased that Feng Lin had accepted. Noticing the onlookers still around, he said flatly, "All of you, disperse!"
The researchers scattered.
Frank then glanced at Feng Lin and said calmly, "Follow me."
Feng Lin complied. Behind them, Aike gritted his teeth but dared not follow without the director's approval.
Leaving the R&D department, they headed deeper into Giant Pharmaceuticals, passing through three layers of heavy metal security doors until a ladder appeared before them, descending deep into the earth. Seeing Feng Lin's surprised expression, Frank shrugged. "Giant Pharmaceuticals has many internal secrets. We always have special methods, don't we?"
Feng Lin remained silent.
Frank's expression then turned serious, becoming extremely grave. "Feng Lin, now that you're appointed as project leader, you're a core member of Giant Pharmaceuticals. But our company is a tall tree that catches the wind. There are already lawless elements on Mars trying to spy on our company's secrets. As a member, you must not leak anything, or you know the consequences." His words were laden with warning, his eyes fixed on Feng Lin's reaction.
Feng Lin's heart tightened, realizing this was a test. It seemed the secrets he was about to encounter were extraordinary, warranting such scrutiny. If he answered poorly and aroused Frank's suspicion, everything might fall through. Those "lawless elements" were likely the Mars Revolutionary Army.
The thought flashed through his mind, but his face showed nothing unusual. "Of course. Since I've signed a contract with the company, it's only natural to protect its interests."
Frank nodded in response.
The ladder descended rapidly into the earth, taking an unexpectedly long time—a full hour. Feng Lin was secretly alarmed; such a duration meant they must have penetrated deep into Mars's core. As he suspected, despite the ladder's strong insulation, he could clearly feel the surrounding temperature gradually rising.
With a loud bang, the ladder finally stopped.
"What you're about to see is a grand undertaking, the true secret of Giant Pharmaceuticals. Keep your eyes wide open!" Frank's usual calm gave way to a slightly fervent tone.
Feng Lin nodded silently, his curiosity growing.
The ladder doors opened, and he followed Frank inside. Before them was a vast space; the floor was made of transparent alloy, revealing a massive fireball floating beneath—Mars's core. Magma churned, heat waves surged, and scorching air thick with sulfur and metallic fumes filled the core space. Fortunately, their sealed environment kept these toxic gases out.
On the smooth metal floor, intelligent robots moved about, surrounded by various high-tech instruments, creating a futuristic atmosphere. This was clearly a secret underground base built within Mars's core. Looking down through the transparent alloy, Feng Lin saw thick pillars extending into the core, drawing heat energy from it—a mind-boggling sight.
Frank, accustomed to this scene, walked straight ahead. A door slid open, and Feng Lin followed into a new space.
He was stunned to see countless glass chambers hanging everywhere, dense as a forest—thousands upon thousands, overwhelming the eye. Inside, red liquid held naked figures, all robust men with slender builds and strong muscles, exuding a sense of strength and beauty like living Greek sculptures.
Were these all test subjects? Such a massive number was chilling.
But after a closer look, Feng Lin thought otherwise. These individuals had sturdy bones, perfect physiques, and vibrant life force, completely unlike the listless lab rats. He wondered silently—where did Giant Pharmaceuticals get so many human bodies? The company was full of anomalies, making him increasingly wary. His face showed only surprise, hiding his true thoughts.
Frank had been covertly observing Feng Lin's expression. Seeing no unusual reaction, a smile crept onto his face.
Feng Lin played the part of a research fanatic, rushing forward to examine them closely, his gaze burning with feigned fervor, but his heart grew cold. He noticed that these bodies were nearly identical—all about 1.98 meters tall, with a height difference of no more than a centimeter, as if stamped from the same mold.
Realizing this, Feng Lin's heart skipped a beat. He observed more carefully, finding that their height, limb lengths, and features were all the same: white skin, bright golden hair, deep-set blue eyes, chiseled faces, and solid muscles, like ancient Greek statues come to life.
These were all clones!
His suspicion was confirmed, and he felt a thick fog of mystery closing in, filling him with boundless caution. What was this core laboratory doing? A massive cloning facility? Or perhaps...
A clone army!