The night in Binhai was cozy and vibrant. Endless streams of traffic glided along the roads, while neon lights and flashing billboards lit up the streets like stars on earth. The commercial plazas, packed with weekend shoppers, were alive with relaxed chatter and smiling faces. The entire city pulsed with prosperity.
Xiao Yu held onto Chen Mo's arm, a sweet smile blossoming across her face as she looked around the bustling mall. It had been a long time since they last went shopping together, and now, finally freed from the confines of her usual routine, she felt like a bird set free.
Dressed in jeans and a turtleneck sweater, her blue-black hair flowing freely, Xiao Yu exuded an effortless charm—the elegant girl-next-door, with a perfect figure and gentle temperament that naturally drew attention. People couldn't help but glance twice when she passed.
As a couple, their return rate was off the charts. Many passersby shot Chen Mo envious looks.
After all, it wasn't every day you saw such a beautiful, elegant woman holding onto a man's arm with such joy in her eyes. To be loved by someone like her—just walking beside her—was enough to make anyone feel proud.
Chen Mo, however, was unaware of these looks. Given his public identity, he wore a face mask to stay low-profile. Not because he wanted to be mysterious, but because as the big boss behind the Marching Ant Company, his face had long since made headlines.
Whether it was for the seismograph, intelligent robots, or his tech summit appearances, Chen Mo had become one of the most recognized young faces in the country—and one of the most admired.
Even now, his name popped up in the media from time to time. Anyone who followed tech or business news had likely seen his photo at least once.
So when he went out with Xiao Yu, getting recognized was almost guaranteed. He'd become like a rare animal on display—constantly watched, photographed, and talked about.
To avoid all that unnecessary attention and simply enjoy some quiet time with Xiao Yu, Chen Mo made it a habit to wear a mask—or at the very least, sunglasses—whenever they went out together.
"Tonight, you're my wallet," Xiao Yu said with a grin. "I plan to buy until you're broke."
"Sounds great," Chen Mo chuckled, his gaze affectionate. "If you really manage to empty my pockets tonight, I'll consider it a win. Buy whatever you like."
"Tch, what a slick line. Girls these days are too easy to fool."
A woman passing nearby heard Chen Mo's words and scoffed aloud, shooting him a disapproving look.
Xiao Yu burst into laughter and glanced at Chen Mo teasingly.
"So? Am I that easy to trick?"
"Clearly," Chen Mo said with mock seriousness. "Otherwise, how could I have conned you into marrying me so easily?"
"You're impossible."
Xiao Yu gave his arm a playful pinch, her smile bright and sweet.
"Let's head over there. I want to buy you some clothes," Chen Mo said, pointing to a boutique nearby.
"Okay~"
Xiao Yu nodded and happily tugged him toward the shop. They blended in perfectly with the crowd—just another loving couple enjoying the night.
"Welcome, sir and madam," the sales assistant greeted with a professional smile as they entered.
Chen Mo returned a polite nod and began browsing with Xiao Yu. Before long, a delicate beige silk dress in the shop window caught her eye.
It was simple, elegant, with soft lines and a graceful cut—exactly Xiao Yu's style. Even Chen Mo's eyes lit up when he saw it.
"Can she try this on?" he asked the assistant.
"Of course, sir," she replied, casting a curious glance at the masked man. "This design is by one of our top designers. Every piece is unique."
"It's over ten thousand yuan. That's so expensive..." Xiao Yu murmured in surprise.
"It's fine."
Chen Mo chuckled and tapped her on the head.
Even though she had a supplementary bank card with no spending limit, Xiao Yu was always frugal when it came to herself. She rarely bought expensive clothes or cosmetics, and usually only spent freely when buying gifts for him.
"I just wasn't that interested," Xiao Yu said, touching her hair sheepishly and sticking out her tongue like a little girl being teased.
The sales assistant fetched the dress, and Chen Mo handed it to Xiao Yu to try on.
A few minutes later, she stepped out of the fitting room.
The moment she appeared, the store seemed to freeze.
Even other shoppers who had been casually browsing paused and turned to look.
After using the potential-enhancing drug, Xiao Yu had grown taller and more refined in figure. The dress hugged her just right, enhancing her soft, graceful curves without being revealing.
Her long hair cascaded down her back, her skin fair as jade peeking through the loose strands. A large, soft bow at her waist completed the ensemble, making her seem ethereal—like a painting come to life.
"Sir, your girlfriend is absolutely stunning," the sales assistant said sincerely, clearly envious. She found herself wondering what kind of man was hiding behind that mask to deserve someone like Xiao Yu.
Chen Mo simply smiled. Xiao Yu wasn't the kind of beauty who stunned with just her face, but her unique aura—the gentleness in her eyes, the kindness in her smile—was something no one could imitate.
"How do I look?" Xiao Yu asked, walking up to him.
"Gorgeous dress, but the person wearing it is even more beautiful," Chen Mo replied without hesitation. "Perfect fit, too. It really suits you."
Hearing that, Xiao Yu's eyes curved into crescents, happiness flooding her chest like warm honey.
"We'll take it," Chen Mo said to the assistant.
"Of course!" the assistant beamed. The commission from this dress alone would match a week's salary.
After buying the dress, Chen Mo encouraged Xiao Yu to try on a few more outfits. Eventually, they left the store, with Xiao Yu holding his arm and the sales assistant smiling brightly behind them.
Meanwhile – Roche International Headquarters
Back in his office, Alexander sat with a rare look of relief on his face.
After returning from China, he had immediately verified the drug's efficacy—privately, through trusted experts. The results were clear: it worked.
Next came the hard part: raising the necessary investment.
A billion dollars was no small sum, especially with the company currently facing turbulence. But Alexander had no plans to let this opportunity slip. And this time, he was determined not to let leaks derail his plans. The last exposure had cost him dearly—he wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
The cooperation between Roche and the Marching Ant Company in the medical field was a tightly held secret. Only a handful of trusted insiders knew the details.
Even within the Roche family, no one knew the specifics—only that Alexander had secured an international partnership. What they didn't realize was that this project could reshape their future.
Externally, Roche still looked troubled. Several recent investment withdrawals had caused industry whispers to grow louder.
Many believed Roche's alliance with Marching Ants had drawn the ire of certain powerful competitors. In their eyes, Roche had chosen the wrong side.
Some media outlets were already spinning the narrative: If Roche had avoided cooperating with Marching Ants, they wouldn't be in such a mess.
The resulting hesitation was understandable. Even companies that were originally interested in partnering with the Marching Ant Company were now backing off.
On the surface, Roche appeared to be retreating—quietly withdrawing investments, reducing its exposure.
But this was merely the calm before the storm.
"President, the first round of funding has been secured. The rest will be transferred shortly," Alice said, placing a document on his desk.
"Excellent," Alexander exhaled with a smile. "Notify the Marching Ant Company tomorrow morning. Let them know—we're ready."