191: Chapter 191 "Private Revenge for Public Debt"

Xue Rui finally made it through to the end of class, and without a moment's delay, she rushed home.

When she arrived home, her mother was surprised, wondering if the child had undergone a change in character today.

"Mom, has Dad not come back yet?"

"No, he should be back soon. Usually, you're the last one back, but have you taken the wrong medicine today? You're the first one home."

Xue Rui didn't answer and ran upstairs to her room with a thudding sound. She still needed to consider how to bring it up with her father in a moment.

While Xue Rui was thinking, a commotion came from downstairs. Knowing her father was back, she hurriedly got up and walked downstairs.

Xue Di was the Chairman of Dirui Group, which owned four or five subsidiaries involved in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, real estate, retail chains, and retail. The parent company, Dirui Pharmaceutical, was a listed company with a net worth of nearly 300 billion.

"Dad, you're back!"

"Oh? Rui'er, why are you back so early today?" Xue Di was sitting on the sofa drinking tea. He raised his hand to pour another cup and signaled for Xue Rui to sit down.

"There was an activity at school today, so the course schedule was light."

"What kind of activity?"

"Academician Chu came to give a lecture!"

"Academician Chu? You mean Chu Ge, Academician Chu?" Xue Di sat up straight.

"Yes, is there a second Academician Chu in this world?"

"That's great. I heard from your grandfather that this man is extraordinary, a remarkable figure. Most importantly, he seems to have some involvement in the biomedical field as well. I originally intended to have your grandfather establish a connection."

"But your grandfather rebuffed me, saying that Academician Chu is too busy with national research to have time for us. The old man had a point, so I let the matter drop..."

As Xue Di spoke, Xue Rui, who was sitting nearby, felt increasingly uneasy. "Dad, I think I've caused trouble. I offended Academician Chu!"

"Academician Chu... what? What did you just say?"

Xue Rui repeated herself in a small voice, and Xue Di's face immediately darkened.

"How could you offend him? You two are worlds apart. Explain yourself clearly."

So, Xue Rui told Xue Di everything that had happened today in detail. Xue Di frowned and considered it for a long time, feeling a bit uncertain.

"Let's go to your grandfather's. He knows more about Academician Chu than we do. This matter could be big or small! We can't be careless. Let's go now."

Xue Di made a prompt decision and pulled his precious daughter out the door. He ignored Xue Rui's mother calling out from behind them, and after summoning the driver, the two of them got into the car.

When they arrived, the elder of the Xue family was eating. Seeing the two of them rush in, he couldn't help but laugh.

"You two certainly know how to time your arrival for dinner. I was just about to eat when you showed up. Come, sit down."

"Dad, something has happened."

Old Mr. Xue's smile instantly froze on his face. He looked up at Xue Di, and after composing himself, said,

"Speak!"

"Xue Rui, you caused this. Recount everything in detail again in front of your grandfather!"

Xue Rui didn't dare to delay and hurriedly told the story of the day's events again, omitting no detail. As Xue Rui finished her narration, the chopsticks in Xue Dingbang's hand clattered to the floor...

After a long while,

"Dad, you're familiar with Academician Chu. Is this... is it going to be a problem?"

Xue Di was pacing anxiously nearby, finally unable to contain himself as he asked.

"The main thing is that Academician Chu is a low-key person who spends most of his time doing research at the Research Institute. He rarely has conflicts with others, so it's hard to judge. Except for one incident."

"The Cao family of Magic City!"

"The Cao family? Didn't the Cao family collapse? They said it was a chain reaction caused by a broken capital chain; it was all over the news."

Xue Dingbang waved his hand.

"There is another legend that Cao Bo of the Cao family was going to move against Academician Chu. Then, the higher-ups struck with thunderous methods, and the Cao family disintegrated. Only the person involved, Cao Bo, remains missing to this day with no news whatsoever, so the matter cannot be verified."

"This legend is only known to a few top-tier families. I only learned of it from Old Mr. Zheng in Yanjing."

"This... then we... Dad, you have to think of something." After hearing Old Mr. Xue finish, Xue Di's back was already chilled to the bone, and he looked at Old Mr. Xue while trembling.

"It shouldn't be that serious. I've met Academician Chu once; he looked kind and didn't seem like the type to be ruthless. Xiao Rui was just a bit loose-tongued, and fortunately, she didn't touch that girl."

"That's good then, that's good." Xue Di finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, I still need to go to the Research Institute tomorrow. This mistake is ours, so we must show a proper attitude. The rest is up to Academician Chu. Xue Di, Xiao Rui, to be honest, I'm also uncertain about this."

"You two... you need to be psychologically prepared. Sigh, things have come to this, we can only try our best to make amends. If Academician Chu insists on pursuing it, then we... we can only endure it. Don't think about resisting. There are some things you will understand later. Sigh..."

With Old Mr. Xue's long sigh, the nerves Xue Di had just relaxed instantly tightened again.

"Then... then Dad, what do you think the worst-case scenario would be?"

"The Cao family was no smaller than us in scale. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Di slumped back onto the sofa, while Xue Rui began to cry softly to the side.

"Alright, it hasn't come to that yet. What are you crying for? Go back, and wait for my news tomorrow."

After Xue Dingbang finished speaking, he shook his head helplessly. He made up his mind to go to the Research Institute first thing tomorrow morning. At this point, looking for anyone else would be useless; he could only go to Academician Chu.

...

The next day,

Chu Ge was in his office organizing data programming when a knock came at the door. After Chu Ge gave his permission, Captain Gong walked in.

"Academician Chu, Xue Dingbang is here."

"Who?"

"Xue Rui's grandfather, the Director of the External Incubation Agency under the Biological Research Institute."

"Oh, please invite him in."

Chu Ge shot a glare at Captain Gong and began to tidy up the documents on his desk. Halfway through tidying up, Old Mr. Xue entered. After Captain Gong brought him in, he turned and closed the door, leaving only Chu Ge and Xue Dingbang in the enormous office.

"Academician Chu, we meet again. Last time, you entrusted us with experimenting on several compounds. You probably don't even remember me, haha."

"Director Xue, how could I not remember? Come, sit down."

"Academician Chu, I wouldn't come to you without a reason. I know all about what happened with Xiao Rui yesterday. I've come specifically to apologize today."

As Xue Dingbang spoke, he stood up again. Chu Ge didn't say anything, but turned to pour a glass of water for the old man.

"A bit of bickering between classmates is normal. I didn't take it to heart. You're overreacting, Director Xue."

Hearing this, Xue Dingbang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that since Academician Chu said this, the Xue family was essentially saved.

"Director Xue, I recall that Dirui Group's annual net profit should be around 50 billion, right? Of which Dirui Pharmaceutical contributes nearly 90%? It seems the profits in pharmaceuticals are indeed quite large."

"Ah? Yes, I suppose so." Xue Dingbang was a bit dazed by what he heard; he didn't know what Academician Chu meant by this.

"The construction of the Interstellar Fleet requires strong support from pharmaceutical companies. This involves biotechnology, genetic modification, radiation resistance, and so on."

"You know, the military has already invested a lot in hardware equipment like aerospace carriers, so the research and production for those other areas have been pushed back. Sigh..."

"Roughly... how much is needed?"

"Not much, 150 billion."

"..."