(AN: RottenPotatom, Uhn, Check your messages under notifications in your profile page. and also chatgpt memory feature is trash, also, i dont get paid to translate this novel, am just doing it for fun, so its not my job to correct every single mistake. You can go to wtr-lab.com to read a proper ai translation, the Real book title name is Science and Technology Library.)
The Rothschild Bank executive's suicide—and the leak of their investment plan—continued to ripple across the internet and major media platforms.
The business world was a battlefield of information. When the opponent knows your cards, and you're still in the dark, the outcome is often disastrous. For an investment institution, having its entire plan exposed was catastrophic—like being stripped bare in front of rivals.
Following the leak, several companies included in the plan saw noticeable changes in their market valuations. Some experienced sharp declines, while others surged as investors, confident in Rothschild's eye for opportunity, flocked in.
The Marching Ant Company, however, remained unaffected. As a private company, not publicly traded, the leak had no financial impact on them.
Still, several companies publicly announced they were cutting ties with Rothschild Bank and switching to other financial institutions. The blow to Rothschild's credibility within the industry was significant.
But for onlookers, the drama was like watching a thrilling show.
This centuries-old, secretive family had always operated in the shadows, and now, thanks to this scandal, they were front and center for the world to see.
And with an executive's suspicious "suicide" tied into the leak, the incident had all the makings of a spy thriller. Few believed it was that simple. Many suspected there were darker forces at play.
Because the leaked plan involved the Marching Ant Company, domestic headlines exploded. The company was always a hot topic, and now its link to the mysterious Roche family only added fuel to the fire.
The Marching Ant PR team issued a single, vague statement and otherwise remained silent. After all, they weren't the main actors in this debacle. They simply stayed the course—business as usual.
Compared to past smear campaigns and cyberattacks, this drama was just a light drizzle.
Chen Mo was back in his office, working on the miniature holographic projector design. The medium-sized version was still being revised, with the second sample pending. While waiting, he focused on the miniature version instead.
"Brother Mo, Mr. Li is here with Wang Hai," Mo Nu announced.
"Oh?"
Chen Mo immediately paused his work.
Wang Hai and the others had left with Li Chengzhi over half a month ago. It seemed they were finally back.
"Bring them up directly."
Moments later, the graceful Enchantress robot led Li Chengzhi and his group into the office. Alongside him were eight others—Wang Hai, Yang Ge, Luo Yong, and five more.
The team was all here.
"Boss." Wang Hai stepped forward and saluted.
"No need to be so formal," Chen Mo replied with a smile, eyeing the four enhanced operatives. "How are you feeling?"
"Excellent," Wang Hai replied confidently.
The others nodded in agreement.
They had been shocked by the effects of the enhancement serum. At first, there was hesitation and unease, but once they experienced it firsthand, they realized how powerful it was.
Now, they all felt stronger than they were at the peak of their military careers.
"Good." Chen Mo nodded, then turned to Li Chengzhi. "You guys can go. I'd like a private word with Instructor Li."
The others understood and promptly excused themselves, leaving Chen Mo and Li Chengzhi alone in the office.
Li Chengzhi sat down with a serious expression.
"The test results on the drug were very successful. Beyond the expected enhancement of potential, we discovered it also boosts immunity and overall vitality."
Seeing his expression, Chen Mo sat upright. He had developed the serum himself, so Li Chengzhi's intensity suggested something unexpected had come up.
"It may extend life," Li Chengzhi said bluntly.
Chen Mo blinked. "Really?"
That caught him by surprise. The Technology Library's documentation hadn't mentioned any life-extending properties.
"A few days ago, we used the serum on an elderly retired general who was on his deathbed," Li Chengzhi said in a lowered voice. "Last year, he was bedridden. Doctors said he had only a week left.
He and his son agreed he would become a volunteer for the trial.
After using the drug, he was able to get out of bed and function normally. Doctors now estimate he can live another year or two, barring any complications."
"That's pretty impressive." Chen Mo nodded.
It wasn't the kind of miracle that added centuries to someone's life, but even a one-to-two-year extension was a significant breakthrough. Since the drug could only be used once per person, it wouldn't create immortals, but the added benefit was still unexpected.
Chen Mo knew the Technology Library did contain life-extension tech and medicine—he just hadn't unlocked those yet.
"There are countless medical technologies in the world aiming to slightly extend average life expectancy," Li Chengzhi said. "Then you show up with a drug that actually works—and you call that 'not bad'? You've just shaken up the entire field."
"So… why tell me all this?" Chen Mo asked casually.
Li Chengzhi chuckled. "You're the creator of the drug. You deserve to know. If further research is required, your input will be critical. It's only fair you're in the loop."
"Well, just to be clear—I'm swamped with work. The last time I helped explain tech in the capital, I barely had time to breathe. I'm juggling multiple R&D projects now. If you want my help again, I might not have the time," Chen Mo warned.
"I get it. No pressure," Li Chengzhi said. "Worst case, we just ask you a few questions."
He waved it off, not taking offense.
"There's one more thing," he continued. "Because of your unique status and the recent threats you've faced, we've made some arrangements. Wang Hai is being assigned as your dedicated security officer."
He made a gun gesture with his fingers—no explanation needed.
"That's great." Chen Mo grinned. "If possible, I'd love to keep all four of them. They're exceptional."
"They can't stay," Li Chengzhi said firmly. "They're part of the first batch of super soldiers. We're still in the exploratory stage. They'll return to training and missions to fully assess the potential of this new system. When that phase ends, if any of them choose to retire, I'll recommend them to you. Otherwise, they've got promising futures in the military."
"Fair enough," Chen Mo said, slightly disappointed.
After seeing them off, he called Wang Hai into the office once more.
"I've already spoken with Li Instructor. Starting today, your salary goes up 50%. Your job remains the same—but I want you to start scouting and training new recruits for the company's internal security team," Chen Mo instructed.
He'd experienced enough close calls to know how crucial security was. The first attack nearly cost him his life.
"Understood," Wang Hai nodded firmly.
He and his team knew how much Chen Mo trusted them. The fact that they'd been allowed access to the enhancement serum said everything.
Without Chen Mo, they'd just be ex-soldiers living quiet civilian lives. Maybe they'd get married, raise families, and live ordinary lives. But now, they had something bigger.
The best way to repay Chen Mo was to ensure his safety.
After their conversation, Chen Mo returned to work—but he didn't get far before Mo Nu interrupted.
"Brother Mo, Alexander is calling."