"Four messages."
Zhao Min handed a document to Chen Mo and casually dropped onto the sofa.
Chen Mo didn't manage day-to-day operations at Marching Ant Company, but he still needed to be kept informed. Usually, Xiao Yu passed along routine updates, but when something important came up, Zhao Min came in person.
"So many?" Chen Mo set down the book in his hand, passed her a glass of water, and took the document. "Good news or bad?"
"All good," Zhao Min replied. "First—our production line for holographic projectors is ready to begin construction. Parts and components have already been ordered from suppliers. We're processing the patent applications and production licenses in parallel. Once the line is up, we can start small-batch production. It might take a few months to get there."
Chen Mo nodded in satisfaction. Zhao Min always worked efficiently—one of the many reasons he trusted her so much.
"What's the second piece of news?"
Zhao Min gave him a strange look, clearly holding back a grin.
"Jianghe Pharmaceutical reports that the breast enhancement drug you developed has completed clinical trials. The trials were a success, and drug registration is currently underway."
"…Uh."
Chen Mo's face twitched.
Zhao Min couldn't help teasing him. "Also, the aphrodisiac drug's trials are progressing smoothly. One's already succeeded, and the other is basically there. Nice job."
Chen Mo gave a dry smile, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Those two formulas had come from the Science and Technology Library during a random draw. He'd passed them to the pharmaceutical team to earn some early profits while laying the foundation for the company's medical branch. He hadn't expected them to actually work so fast—or to come back and haunt him like this.
"Little brother…"
Oh no. Chen Mo's expression stiffened.
Zhao Min, clearly in a playful mood today, was gearing up to roast him alive. Their relationship was close, so she didn't hold back—especially when she found something amusing.
"Drop the 'little' or I'll deduct your bonus," Chen Mo warned.
"Don't sweat the details," Zhao Min smirked. "I'm just curious… Were you seriously bored enough to research breast enhancement and aphrodisiac drugs? Or do you have a hidden… quirk?"
She gave him a side-eye.
Chen Mo instantly cut her off. "No! I'm perfectly normal."
He couldn't exactly tell her those formulas had been generated by an alien knowledge system.
"Relax," Zhao Min said, laughing. "I've heard geniuses all have eccentricities. I was just wondering if you're one of those mad scientist types—like in movies—who quietly collects… interests."
Chen Mo rolled his eyes. "The only one with a quirk here is you."
"Anyway, speaking of body types…" Zhao Min leaned forward conspiratorially. "I noticed something weird recently. Xiao Yu's figure suddenly became amazing. Skin's glowing too. I've been jealous ever since. Be honest—did you use some secret trick to turn her into that? Share the goods, boss. I've been slaving in this office helping you rake in billions, and my figure's going to waste."
Chen Mo sighed. This woman had no brakes when she started teasing him.
"It was a special method," he said seriously. "Potential-enhancing medicine. It sculpts the body, burns fat, and optimizes muscle-to-fat ratio. Your immunity goes up too. If you use it, you'll look better and feel better."
"Wait—so fat people can get slim overnight?" she asked, eyes lighting up.
"Are you saying you're fat?" Chen Mo shot back.
"Wanna come verify it for yourself?" she grinned.
Chen Mo's temple twitched. Whenever Zhao Min roasted him, her conversations always derailed into pure chaos.
"Yes," he said, regaining composure. "Fat people can use a single dose. Dosage varies per person. Overdosing won't cause harm, just no extra effect. You want to use it, I'll get you some—but it's confidential. Don't tell anyone."
"Absolutely. Just listening to you, it already sounds way better than taking vaccines."
"Alright, back on topic," Chen Mo said. "What's the third message?"
Zhao Min chuckled, but reined herself in.
"The third and fourth messages are both related to Roche. First, Alexander's no longer hesitant about our cooperation. He's expanding his operations in Europe. Yesterday, he added an order for ten million mobile phones."
"That's a big move," Chen Mo said, eyebrows lifting.
"Very bold," Zhao Min agreed. "There were rumors his family pressured him to cut ties with us. He refused—and ended up making a bet with them. Now he's free to act as he wants. The details of that bet aren't public, but…"
"What's the guess?"
"They say he wagered his position as the banking group's successor."
Chen Mo nodded slightly. Even if the rumor was only partially true, it showed Alexander was all-in.
"And the fourth message?"
"He's withdrawn from several ongoing investments and redirected funds toward our cooperation. He's expanding the telecom company and our regional distribution network in Europe."
Chen Mo's brow furrowed. "That's… extreme. Is he going all in?"
"Looks like it," Zhao Min said. "It's basically like turning his back to us on a battlefield—betting everything that we'll protect him. If we stay allies, he wins. If we ever turn on him, he's finished. It's a gamble. A big one."
"He's got guts," Chen Mo muttered.
They'd interacted with Alexander before, but he hadn't expected the man to be this daring. He'd taken multiple steps now that made retreat impossible.
Even Walid—who was one of the strongest contacts they'd made—only dared cooperate in robotics. Beyond that, he hesitated. Politics and economics were too tightly interwoven. Deep waters. And the U.S. had kept Hua Wei locked out for years using those same complex blockades.
But Alexander? He was the first one bold enough to eat the crab.
"What are you planning?" Chen Mo asked.
"He's the only partner brave enough to gamble on us. That shows he sees the same future we do," Zhao Min said seriously. "Right now, he's taking the heat for us. If we lose him, it might take years to enter the international market again.
"And if we abandon him now, who else will ever trust us enough to bet everything?"
Chen Mo nodded slowly. Her words made sense.
If Alexander pulled it off, he'd be the first to enjoy the spoils—and others would soon follow. Capital is heartless, but the moment it smells profit, even the strictest blockade becomes a joke.
"Help him," Chen Mo said decisively. "This is the best way forward. There's no reason to give up on a partner like that."
Zhao Min smiled faintly. Then, after a pause, she gave him a sidelong glance.
"Now—back to the breast enhancement drug. Since it's about to hit the market, do you have any ideas?"
Chen Mo frowned. "Isn't this your job? Why'd you suddenly circle back to that?"
"I'm thinking… since Alexander is betting so heavily on us, let's give him an exclusive opportunity. That product's going international. He might be the perfect agent to launch it."