133: Chapter 133 The Roar of Basel

Over the past two days, the citizens of Basel in Switzerland noticed renewed activity at the large exhibition center in the city center.

This massive exhibition center has an irregular geometric shape. It is a three-story architectural complex, 230 meters long, 158 meters wide, and 45 meters high. The upper two floors of the structure appear slightly offset from each other, enveloped by undulating metal bands composed of 25,000 individually molded aluminum panels, creating a sense of fluidity.

Its largest hall can accommodate 6,000 people and features a multi-functional diamond-shaped display stage. Above the stage are four massive 8K screens, each measuring 10,000mm by 18,000mm, ensuring perfect visibility of the stage's content for everyone.

Staff were already bustling in and out, moving the necessary equipment and decorations for the press conference inside. The reason for this flurry of activity was a globally anticipated press conference set to take place here.

A beacon of hope eagerly awaited by tens of millions of patients!

Even as the weather grew cooler, hovering around 10 degrees Celsius, a massive influx of patients and tourists had flooded the city in recent days. This led to hotels across southern Switzerland being fully booked, with no rooms available. Some people even resorted to setting up tents on the streets or by grassy areas.

As the date arrived on September 1st, the streets around the Basel Exhibition Center were already teeming with traffic and crowds.

Third-Party Technology had invited dozens of renowned global media outlets and prominent figures from the medical field to attend this press conference. However, the number of uninvited media and other personnel was countless, causing traffic on several streets near the Basel Exhibition Center to grind to a halt by mid-morning.

The Switzerland authorities had no choice but to dispatch hundreds of additional police officers to intervene. They set up cordons along main thoroughfares to manage the crowds. Some media reporters, witnessing the spectacle, simply began their broadcasts from the roadside:

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! This is the American Associated Press, and I'm your friend, Leora," a blonde, blue-eyed female reporter spoke rapidly into the camera, with a bustling crowd and the Third-Party Technology logo in the background:

"I'm currently outside the Basel Exhibition Center in Switzerland! As you can see, the atmosphere here is electric! An unbelievable influx of people has arrived from all corners of the globe, solely to await the press conference in a few hours that is destined to go down in history. Reliable sources indicate that Third-Party Technology will unveil over a dozen anti-cancer drugs today, all of which have passed clinical trials flawlessly. It's truly unbelievable—this is the future!"

"You might be unfamiliar with this company, but you've definitely heard of another one of its products. The Metabolix Diet Pills, which have become utterly indispensable in our lives, come from this very company. At least I can't live without them; I'd go crazy if my weight went up!"

Leora's expression was exaggerated, her mouth seemingly wide enough to fit the microphone in front of her: "The leap from diet pills to cancer drugs—how has this miraculous company managed it? Everyone wants to know, including me. Let's wait and see!"

Next to this female reporter, a male reporter was also speaking confidently into his camera lens.

"Viewers, this is Euronews Live!" the male reporter said loudly, holding the microphone to his mouth. "Just moments ago, we interviewed a lady from Australia. Her husband is in the late stages of lung cancer. To receive treatment at the earliest opportunity, she and her family sold their house to come here. We sincerely hope her wish is granted, and the same for all those suffering from cancer."

The camera panned across the surroundings, showing crowds unable to enter the venue holding signs with words like "Thank You," "Hope," and "Freedom from Illness."

The male reporter suddenly gestured to his companion to point the camera in another direction. "My goodness! Viewers, that's Professor Marku! Just yesterday he was attending the Geneva Medical Summit, and now he's here at the press conference. That alone speaks volumes about the significance of this event!"

As he spoke, the male reporter pushed through the crowd with his companion. As the press conference drew nearer, more and more heavyweight figures made their appearances, creating new waves of excitement.

It's fair to say that today, this place is the focal point of the world.

——

Watching the press conference preparations on the screen, Lin Fang had no intention of joining the excitement. At that moment, he was still at the Third-Party Technology campus, meeting with someone. Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the campus's relatively pleasant landscape, with several photinia shrubs thriving.

"It's been a long time, Minister Pellegrini. How have you been lately?" Lin Fang said amiably.

Pellegrini, who had been fidgeting nervously, was startled. As a national minister, he now dared not meet the young man's gaze—a fact that would likely astonish the outside world.

He simply couldn't forget that night when he was forced to bark like a dog.

"Mast..." Pellegrini's lips trembled, the humiliating address almost slipping out.

"Just address me normally," Lin Fang said. "Our current cooperative relationship is quite pleasant, isn't it?"

"You're right, Mr. Lin," Pellegrini sighed with relief, his expression easing slightly. "Since our last meeting, we've opened green channels for most of Third-Party Technology's products. The policy support is also unprecedented."

"Hmm, I've seen that,"

Lin Fang rested his chin on his hand, seemingly deep in thought. "But from what I understand, Minister, you've recently encountered some trouble?"

How did he know? Pellegrini was startled inwardly, then smiled wryly. "Mr. Lin is correct. I am indeed facing a thorny issue. In the committee elections starting next month, my position will be challenged, and it's highly likely I won't be re-elected."

"Let me guess,"

Lin Fang sneered. "It's because your frequent assistance to a Central Continent company has displeased those parliamentarians? Even though my company has conquered cancer, it hasn't changed their views?"

Switzerland is a federal state. Its highest executive authority is the Federal Council, composed of seven members who each head one of the seven major departments, overseeing national civil and military affairs. Below it is the Federal Assembly, consisting of 246 parliamentarians, whose functions include electing Council members and supervising the executive branch.

"Mr. Lin, this..." Pellegrini was at a loss, unsure whether to nod or shake his head, caught in a dilemma.

In the end, Pellegrini simply gave up and spoke frankly: "You're right. Those parliamentarians are indeed using my excessive favoritism towards Central Continent enterprises against me. Some have even banded together, claiming I'm harming the interests of other Switzerland businesses. Even within the Council, some are tacitly approving their actions. I've tried to smooth things over and improve relations, but these people are very firm in their stance. With the elections approaching..."