857: Chapter 852 was earned by myself.

"Suit yourself."

Shen Yan spoke the two words indifferently, casually putting the small blue bottle back into his pocket.

"Guang Ke, see our guest out."

"Since President Li thinks we're scammers, then I'm sure your arch-rival—Chairman Zhang of Kangmei Pharmaceutical, for instance—would be very interested in this bottle of 'Blue Blood'."

"I heard Chairman Zhang has been looking for anti-aging projects lately. If this falls into his hands..."

Shen Yan didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already crystal clear.

If this went to a competitor, not only would Tiannuo Biology lose its chairman, but its entire market share would be uprooted.

This was a killing blow.

Li Kai's psychological defenses collapsed instantly.

Just as Shen Yan turned to leave, there was a heavy thud.

Li Kai fell to his knees.

This young master, who called the shots in the Jinghai pharmaceutical circles, was now kneeling before the man he once viewed as trash, looking like a dog with a broken spine.

"Don't... don't go..."

Li Kai clutched Lin Zhiyuan's trouser leg, his voice trembling with a sob.

"Mr. Lin... no, Dr. Lin! I was blind! I'm a beast! I was a snob looking down on you!"

"Please, save my father... Tiannuo can't survive without him..."

"As long as you give me the medicine, I'll give you whatever you want! Even my shares!"

Dead silence filled the private booth.

Only Li Kai's stifled sobs could be heard.

Lin Zhiyuan looked down at Li Kai kneeling at his feet.

A few days ago, he had almost knelt to this man for half a box of spoiled rice.

And now, the roles were reversed.

The thrill of revenge surged through his body like an electric current, making every pore relax with relief.

But he didn't smile.

Because Shen Yan had said that those truly at the top don't deign to show emotion to ants.

"President Li, since this is business, we have to follow the rules."

Lin Zhiyuan leaned down and picked up a grape from the fruit platter on the table.

He didn't hand the grape to Li Kai; instead, he let go, allowing the grape to roll onto the dusty carpet.

Then, he lifted his foot and crushed the grape under his heel.

The purple juice seeped into the carpet, just like the rice mixed with muddy water that day.

"Back then, I was starving. Even rice on the ground smelled delicious to me."

"Now, I see President Li is also in quite a hurry."

"Consider this grape my treat for your afternoon tea."

"Eat it, and I'll give you a chance to trial this medicine."

Li Kai froze.

He stared at the crushed grape, covered in dust and grime from the sole of a shoe.

To a pampered rich heir, this was a humiliation worse than death.

"What? Does President Li think it's dirty?"

Shen Yan added another blow at the perfect time.

"It seems your father's life isn't worth as much as your pride, President Li."

"No! It's not dirty! Not dirty at all!"

Li Kai shrieked as if his tail had been stepped on.

Trembling, he reached out, grabbed the mangled fruit pulp, closed his eyes, and shoved it into his mouth.

He didn't chew; he swallowed it whole.

At that moment, Li Kai's dignity as a human being was completely shattered along with that filthy grape.

Watching this scene, the resentment in Lin Zhiyuan's heart finally dissipated.

He even felt it was somewhat dull.

It turned out these so-called great figures, once stripped of their cloak of money and power, were spineless—softer than a beggar's bones.

"Very good."

Shen Yan stood up and straightened his collar.

He tossed the small blue bottle into Li Kai's arms, like throwing a bone to a dog.

"This is a three-day supply. In three days, come find us with a transfer agreement for 1% of Tiannuo Biology's equity."

"We won't wait past the deadline."

Having said that, Shen Yan walked out of the private booth without looking back.

Chen Guangke followed closely behind, making a throat-slitting gesture to the two bodyguards who didn't dare to move before he left.

Lin Zhiyuan took one last look at Li Kai, who was still kneeling on the ground.

He didn't even bother to say another harsh word.

Because he knew that from today on, he and Li Kai were already two different species.

Walking out of the Yunting Club.

The cold late autumn wind blew against his face, but Lin Zhiyuan felt a heat coursing through his body.

He looked up at the gloomy Jinghai sky, his eyes unexpectedly moistening.

"Boss, thank you."

He spoke these words with absolute sincerity.

"Don't thank me. You earned this yourself."

The black rolls-royce phantom glided into the late autumn night of Jinghai like a silent ghost.

The cabin was so quiet that only the faint friction of the leather seats could be heard.

Lin Zhiyuan held a cup of Evian water that had already gone cold, staring blankly out the window at the passing neon lights.

Just two hours ago, he still felt like a rat in a gutter, liable to be stepped on at any moment.

And now, the image of the arrogant Li Kai kneeling before him like a dog played repeatedly in his mind like a slideshow.

The thrill of holding someone else's life and death in his hands was more intoxicating than alcohol, and more terrifying.

"Feels surreal?"

Shen Yan's voice broke the dead silence in the car.

He was looking down at the stock market on his tablet, the screen's eerie glow reflecting on his sharp profile, hiding any emotion.

Lin Zhiyuan withdrew his gaze and gripped the water cup tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"It's hard to believe."

"I spent my whole life researching technology, toiling day and night in the lab, only to be kicked out in the end."

"But today, simply because I have the backing you gave me, I can trample those capitalists under my feet."

Lin Zhiyuan gave a self-deprecating laugh, took off his glasses, and rubbed his aching eyes.

"Boss, do you think this world is about ability or about methods?"

Shen Yan's finger paused on the screen.

He turned off the tablet, looked over, and calmly observed the scientist who hadn't yet fully adapted to his new identity.

"Ability is your sword; methods are the hand that holds it."

"Without a sword, you're just meat for the slaughter; without a hand, the sword is just a pile of scrap metal."

"Before, you were a legendary sword dropped in the mud, where anyone could step on you."

Shen Yan took a bottle of whiskey from the car fridge, poured two glasses, and pushed one toward Lin Zhiyuan.

"Now, I've picked up this sword."

"From now on, all you need to do is sharpen your blade. As for where to strike and how deep to pierce, I will decide."

Lin Zhiyuan looked at the amber liquid, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He picked up the glass and, without a toast, downed it in one gulp.

The pungent liquid burned down his throat, as if burning away all the cowardice and frustration of his past life.

"Understood, Boss."

"As long as you let me continue my research, I will be the sharpest blade in your hand."

Shen Yan nodded slightly and said no more.

The car drove smoothly into the Jinghai. When they passed the landmark building of Tiannuo Biology, Shen Yan lowered the window and took a deep look at the giant glowing logo.

The light was dazzling.

But in Shen Yan's eyes, it was already a ruin on the verge of collapse.