58: Qingluan Medical Company

Emerald gazed into Ma Wentao's eyes, her fingertip gently tapping the red wine glass. The amber liquid in the glass swayed slightly, reflecting her pensive expression.

"Minister Ma," she began suddenly, her voice no longer as sharp as during negotiations, but rather with a hint of softness, "You are right, people's health should not be a luxury."

Ma Wentao was stunned. He noticed that Emerald's gaze had changed; it was no longer the shrewd calculation of a businesswoman, but rather... an emotion akin to relief?

"The boss said, if you can maintain this stance," Emerald gently put down her wine glass, and the contract terms on the holographic projection suddenly reorganized, with the production capacity limit clause completely deleted, "Titan can reconsider the cooperation method."

Ma Wentao's pupils constricted: "What do you mean?"

Emerald smiled slightly, bringing up an encrypted file: "Project Azure Phoenix."

"A few months from now, the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences will announce successful reverse engineering, having developed a nano-agent belonging to the Eastern Federation." Her fingertip glided across the projection, and a brand new technology transfer agreement appeared, "Although its efficacy is only 80% of Titan's, its public 'cost' is only 60% of Titan's."

Ma Wentao's breath hitched: "You... had this planned all along?"

Emerald didn't answer directly, only saying softly: "The boss said that the land of the Eastern Federation has an unknown characteristic: it always holds a unique romance in inconspicuous places, and there are always some people who prefer to describe a great virtue as a mere transaction that should be so."

"These people have overcome many human weaknesses. Even including the selfishness etched into the very instincts of life."

"Initially, I didn't believe it, but now... you are indeed different."

Outside the window, a nightingale aircraft swept across the clouds, the sunlight reflected by its wings casting a golden sliver, shaped like an auspicious cloud, on the conference room floor.

Four months later, Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences, Bioengineering Laboratory.

"Success!" Lin Yanqing, a double doctor in biology and materials science and the youngest Scholar of Qingjiang, suddenly tore off her goggles, and deafening cheers erupted in the laboratory.

On the holographic screen, the 3D model of the nanobots was self-constructing; their structure was almost identical to the original version provided by Titan. The only difference was that the core molecular formula had been replaced with a version independently developed by the Eastern Federation.

"What's the cost been pushed down to?" Academician Academician Xu Qingshan, Lin Yanqing's mentor, hurried into the lab, his white coat still damp with rain from outside.

"The production cost per unit," Lin Yanqing's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "is 487 yuan!"

The laboratory instantly fell silent, everyone's eyes wide. This figure was less than one-tenth of Titan's current external quoted price.

"Good! Good! Good!" Academician Xu Qingshan said "good" three times, patting Lin Yanqing's shoulder forcefully, "According to the higher-ups, immediately establish Azure Phoenix Medical Company, and start mass production next week!"

Lin Yanqing, however, suddenly hesitated: "Teacher, can we... really do this? Will Titan..."

"Don't worry," Academician Xu Qingshan showed a meaningful smile, "They agreed to this."

"Ah?"

Two weeks later, Magic City First Hospital.

The LOGO of Azure Phoenix Medical, a soaring azure mechanical bird, shone brightly at the hospital entrance. The queue of people stretched from the lobby all the way to the street, but hope was etched on every face.

"For the basic treatment, the out-of-pocket cost after medical insurance reimbursement is 240 yuan," the staff member behind the counter smiled as she handed over a medical card, "Please queue at window 3."

A girl in a faded school uniform clutched her medical slip tightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "Auntie... I, I only have 200 yuan..."

The staff member paused, then took out a golden card from the drawer: "Little one, Azure Phoenix has a special fund for impoverished families. Your treatment is free."

Tears instantly welled up in the girl's eyes. What she didn't know was that on the back of this "special fund card" was a line of small print: Anonymously donated by a company.

In the special care ward of Hospital 301, the scent of disinfectant was somewhat diluted by the osmanthus fragrance wafting in from outside the window.

Sun Zhiguo, an 89-year-old veteran of the War of Resistance, lay on the hospital bed, his branch-like fingers clutching a yellowed military medal. On the bedside table was an old photo of him in military uniform; the young man in the photo had sharp eyes, a stark contrast to the emaciated old man on the bed now.

"Doctor..." The old man trembled as he stretched out a hand, grasping the sleeve of the white coat like a drowning man clutching a straw, "Can this old bone of mine... really get better?" His voice was hoarse like sandpaper, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes still held traces of un-dried tears.

Young Doctor Li knelt beside the bed, gently holding the old man's veined hand. He noticed the dark brown age spots on the back of the old man's hand, and the grotesque bullet scar on his ring finger—a memento from Shangganling.

"Grandpa Sun, look at this." Doctor Li brought up a tablet, where countless nanoscale mechanical units were simulating the process of repairing fractures and osteoporosis. "Azure Phoenix No. 3 is specially designed for old warriors; it can not only repair bones, but also..." His voice suddenly choked, "It can also remove the bullet fragments from your lungs."

The ward's television was broadcasting a news conference from the National Health Commission. When he heard "The basic treatment's out-of-pocket portion will not exceed 300 yuan," the old man suddenly coughed violently, startling Doctor Li, who quickly pressed the call bell.

"No... no need." The old man waved his hand, pointing at the official speaking on the TV, "Little comrade, pinch me. This old man, I'm not dreaming, am I?" Murky tears rolled down his deeply lined cheeks. "Back in North Korea, my instructor, he died for a single aspirin..."

A chorus of exclamations suddenly erupted in the corridor. Interns at the nurses' station crowded in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, their phone cameras aimed at the plaza below, where hundreds of patients in wheelchairs had spontaneously arranged themselves to spell out the two characters for "Thank you."

A little girl wearing a ventilator was held high by her father, her sunflower dazzling brightly in the autumn sun.

"Xiao Li, good news, all third-batch clinical volunteers have recovered." Chief Physician Professor Wang pushed open the door, his white coat rustling. "Including 27 cases of late-stage cancer. Although the dosage is nearly half more than Titan's original version, fortunately, the price is still acceptable." He leaned over to check Old Zhang's monitor, then suddenly smiled: "Oh, old man, your heart rate is much stronger than yesterday. Good news, good news!"

The cheers from outside surged in like waves. Old Sun shakily took off his reading glasses, suddenly realizing that the lenses were stained with water.

He remembered that snowy night in 1950, when he was wading through an icy river carrying a dying comrade, and the last words the other man said: "Zhigguo... if in the future... the common people can eat their fill, wear... clothes, and seeing a doctor isn't... difficult... then we... people... haven't lived in vain..."

"Good, truly good!" The old man pressed the military medal tightly to his chest, tears wetting the faded red silk. "Old company commander, instructor, do you see? Our children, they've made something of themselves! Old squad leader, Old Zhao, Old Liu... It's worth it, we're worth it! Do you see!"

Doctor Li quietly exited the ward, wiping his face in the corridor corner. His phone vibrated; it was a message from his medical school classmates' group: The first list of participants for advanced studies in Mandala has been announced.

He was the first in the entire hospital to sign up. He believed that Titan, capable of developing nano-medical capsules, definitely possessed even more advanced medical technology and ideas. He wanted to go and learn, to learn like a sponge, and then return.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, making the red-gold emblem on his white coat sparkle.

Federal Center, Roman Palace War Room.

The President's fist slammed onto the conference table, knocking over a coffee cup, and brown liquid splashed onto the front page of the latest "Golden Snake Street Daily"—"Eastern Federation Nano Medical Revolution: Azure Phoenix Company Prices at Just 60% of Titan's."

"This is impossible!" The President's voice was almost a roar, "What are our intelligence agencies doing?! How could the Golden Serpent Street people crack nano-technology so quickly? Why did our researchers tell me they still needed three years!?"

SIA Director Robert Hayes's forehead beaded with cold sweat: "Mr. President, the technical analysis report shows that Azure Phoenix's nano-agent is indeed different from Titan's; they replaced the core molecular formula..."

"Bullshit!" Minister of Defense Grayson Mitchell suddenly stood up, "This is Titan playing tricks behind the scenes! They deliberately leaked the technology to the Golden Serpent Street people!"

National Security Advisor Mark Reynolds brought up a promotional video, a panoramic view of the Golden Serpent Street Azure Phoenix Medical factory.

"This is unlikely; Titan is, after all, just a commercial company, prioritizing profit." He pointed at the shimmering azure LOGO on the production line, "But these production facilities do look very similar to what Titan has showcased."

The room fell into a dead silence.

The President slowly looked up, dangerous light flickering in his eyes: "Contact Titan immediately. I want an explanation."

Mandala, Titan Group Headquarters News Conference.

Emerald stood in front of Titan's holographic projection, wearing a rare tricolor violet qipao, the jade earrings on her ears gleaming with a cold luster under the spotlights. The hall was packed with reporters from various countries, their cameras and microphones aimed at her.

"Regarding the recent doubts from certain countries," her voice was calm and clear, "Titan Group formally states the following."

The holographic screen expanded, showing footage of Azure Phoenix Medical's production line.

"First, Azure Phoenix Company did not use Titan's patented technology. Their molecular formula was indeed independently developed, running parallel to Titan's technological route. Although its effect is only 80% of Titan's, it does possess strong clinical value."

The screen switched, displaying two different molecular structure diagrams, with the differences in the core catalyst highlighted.

"Second, Titan has always upheld the philosophy of open competition and has no intention of delving into commercial law." Emerald smiled slightly, "As long as they don't directly copy our core patented technology, any company can develop its own nano-medical alternative solution."

The audience burst into an uproar.

A BCC reporter suddenly stood up: "But Azure Phoenix's equipment clearly comes from Titan! Isn't this a technology transfer?"

Emerald's fingertip gently tapped the podium, and the holographic projection immediately switched to a contract clause.

"Equipment sales and technology licensing are two different things," her tone suddenly turned cold, "just like your country's alliance sells lithography machines, but not lithography machine technology."

A UNN reporter from the New Union was not to be outdone: "So Titan admits to favoring the Eastern Federation?"

Emerald suddenly laughed, a smile that sent a chill down everyone's spines.

"Sir," she slowly adjusted her cuff, "if your country's companies can reduce their price from 6,000 eagle dollars to 1,200, Titan would be very happy to 'favor' you."

"In Titan's business world, distributors are never allowed to capture the most profit."

The entire room was silent.

Sena Mirror City, Iris Emblem Institute Emergency Meeting.

Prime Minister Macaron stared at the tablet in his hand, which displayed Azure Phoenix Medical's price list—Basic Treatment: 500 Euros.

"Gentlemen," he looked around at the room full of European Continental Union representatives, "how much longer must we be held hostage by the Nova United States?"

Prime Minister Scholde of the In Empire had a gloomy expression: "Roman Palace just sent a warning that any country cooperating with Azure Phoenix will face sanctions."

"Sanctions?" The Seven Hills Federation representative sneered, "They can't even control their own pharmaceutical groups!"

The large screen in the conference room lit up, displaying images of protest waves across Europa. In the streets of Stone Sword City, crowds held signs saying "We want Azure Phoenix"; in front of the Twin Iron City Parliament building, wheelchair formations blocked traffic; in Madrid Square, patient families were burning pharmaceutical company logos.

Macaron sighed, finally putting down the tablet: "Let's wait and see."

New Village, Gray Rui Headquarters Top Floor.

Richard Anderson stared at the plummeting stock price curve, and the whiskey glass in his hand shattered with a crunch.

"Send people immediately!" he roared at the lobbying team on the other end of the screen, "I want Congress to pass the 'Nano-Medical Safety Act' tomorrow!"

Three hours later, FOXS News headline: Eastern Federation Nanobots Exposed for Having a "Backdoor," Capable of Stealing Patient DNA Data.

But this time, the comment section's tone suddenly shifted:

[User "Cancer Patient"]: So that's your reason for selling it for $6,000?

[User "Single Mom"]: I'd rather let the Eastern Federation people steal my DNA than watch my daughter die!

[User "Retired Veteran"]: A Purple Star Medal can't buy a life-saving medicine. To hell with the New Union dream!