Shangguan Bei smiled slightly, not answering Uncle Gu immediately, but turning to Lu Chen to introduce him.
"Uncle Gu, this is Gu Youfang. As I just introduced, he's a doctoral graduate from Shenzhou Medical University, one of the top three medical schools in China. He's also worked at several renowned medical institutions in the country, has extensive experience, and is a very good assistant."
Lu Chen nodded, then smiled slightly at Gu Youfang.
Shangguan Bei then looked at Uncle Gu and said calmly, "The prescription was written by Director Lu. He just came with me to check the herbs and was very satisfied, finding no problems. This is all thanks to you, Uncle Gu, and I thank you. If you'd like to consult Director Lu anytime, he'll definitely be happy to discuss things with you."
Although everyone present had already guessed most of what was going on from Shangguan Bei's previous words, they were still very surprised to hear her say this. The disdain in their gazes towards Lu Chen lessened considerably.
It's important to understand that almost everyone present was a biomedical expert, yet they were all at a loss regarding Shangguan Bei's leg ailment. The fact that Lu Chen could cure it was astonishing!
Ouyang Bihua's expression, never one to improve, only grew increasingly grim.
Gu Youfang, however, looked at Lu Chen with fervent, even excited, gaze. He said, "Director Lu, then I really need your guidance in the future. There are many issues I need your advice on."
Gu Youfang had personally handled those thirty-odd kinds of Chinese herbal medicines and deeply appreciated their profound complexity. Therefore, knowing that Lu Chen had proposed these herbs, his perception of him immediately changed.
Then, Shangguan Bei turned her gaze to Ouyang Bihua and asked casually, "Dr. Ouyang, regarding the improvement and upgrade of the Gold-Grade Vitality Dragon Liquid, you should have made further progress these past few days, right?"
This statement not only shocked Ouyang Bihua but also everyone around them.
This shock was even stronger than before.
On the surface, Shangguan Bei was only asking about Ouyang Bihua's work, but wasn't she now introducing Lu Chen's abilities?
As everyone knows, not long ago, Shangguan Bei announced some exciting news at a company management meeting. This exciting news was that the Gold-level Vitality Dragon Liquid, still in clinical trials, had achieved a major breakthrough, obtaining a more perfect set of data, allowing for further development.
If a completely new Gold-level Vitality Dragon Liquid is developed based on this data, it might exceed the originally set efficacy standards.
Everyone knows what that means: it means the Gold-level Vitality Dragon Liquid is no longer just Gold-level, but a higher level! What's higher than Gold-level? Platinum Vitality Dragon Liquid? Diamond Vitality Dragon Liquid?
And this data came out so suddenly, even Ouyang Bihua was completely unaware.
Everyone thought it was Shangguan Bei's research, but this was too sudden, and some speculated whether a master was secretly guiding them. Now, hearing this, could that master be Lu Chen?
Ouyang Bihua was undoubtedly the most shocked. If that data was truly provided, how could he possibly accept this?
He tried to appear calm and said, "We've integrated that data into our current Golden Dragon Elixir production technology, and the information we've obtained indicates that it can indeed exceed the expected efficacy target for the Gold grade, exceeding it by about 27%..."
These words caused an uproar throughout the room!
Laymen see the spectacle, experts see the details. Although the twenty-odd people present came from different projects, they all exchanged information, especially regarding Dragon Elixir, a highly profitable health product!
The company's efficacy standard for Dragon Elixir was that any newly developed product exceeding the efficacy of an existing product by more than 15% could be upgraded to the next grade.
For example, the Silver Dragon Elixir was 17% more effective than the Bronze Dragon Elixir, and the previously developed Golden Dragon Elixir was 16% more effective than the Bronze Dragon Elixir.
But the Golden Dragon Elixir, with the latest data added, could actually be 27% more effective than the previously developed one—that was simply astonishing! "Twenty-seven percent! Just three percentage points more and you could advance two levels!"
"That's astonishing! Absolutely unbelievable! Twenty-seven percent higher!"
"Then, can our Golden Dragon Elixir be called a celestial medicine?"
"It's definitely a celestial medicine, but it's definitely not Golden Dragon Elixir anymore; it's Diamond Dragon Elixir, Super Dragon Elixir!"
"The original pre-sale price for Golden Dragon Elixir was seventy to eighty thousand yuan per bottle. So, with this twenty-seven percent increase, how much will it sell for?"
"I think at least two hundred thousand yuan per bottle!"
...
The situation changed abruptly; now everyone was discussing the latest results of the Dragon Elixir.
Lu Chen was also somewhat stunned. He certainly knew that the so-called latest data was the improvement he had proposed to Shangguan Bei after drinking the experimental Golden Dragon Elixir in the hospital.
Unexpectedly, it could achieve a twenty-seven percent increase in efficacy!
Each bottle could sell for at least two hundred thousand yuan? Lu Chen felt a little dizzy.
"This is amazing, I can't believe it!"
Amidst the clamor of whispers like wasps emerging from their burrow, Shangguan Bei nodded to Ouyang Bihua. Her voice, though not loud, silenced the surroundings the moment it rang out.
She said, "Very good. So, Dr. Ouyang, your next step is to control the efficacy standards of the Vitality Dragon Liquid. The Gold-grade Vitality Dragon Liquid can have its efficacy increased by seven percent; this can be used as a promotional slogan for our product launch. As for the additional twenty percent, that will be available a year later..."
She glanced around, and gradually, a powerful, assertive aura appeared in her expression.
She said, enunciating each word clearly, "A year later, what we'll launch will be the Diamond-grade Vitality Dragon Liquid!"
Immediately, thunderous applause erupted.
It was like a former pole vaulting master who could have exceeded the world record by several centimeters, but instead of doing so all at once, he increased it centimeter by centimeter, constantly breaking the world record himself.
This approach earned him greater fame and more money.
This is a business strategy; from a business perspective, while it may smack of misleading the public, it's understandable.
After the applause subsided, Shangguan Bei changed the subject, her tone even more composed:
"Dr. Ouyang, that set of data was provided by Director Lu. It's his valuable feedback after tasting our Golden Dragon Elixir. This is also the main reason I invited him to be the research director. If you have any questions about controlling the efficacy and development of the Golden Dragon Elixir, feel free to consult him!"
Although everyone already had a general idea, these words still caused a huge stir.
Although Shangguan Bei was ostensibly speaking to Ouyang Bihua, she was actually addressing everyone.
Ouyang Bihua's face had completely turned pale.
Everyone's faces were no better.
The data on the improved Golden Dragon Elixir that they all genuinely admired, the perfect data that could bring the company countless riches, was actually provided by the person they had just mocked!
Let alone the more than thirty kinds of traditional Chinese herbs that could cure Shangguan Bei's legs, that alone is enough to solidify Lu Chen's position as the research director at Flying Eagle Biotechnology Research Company!
Forget research director, even at other biotechnology research companies, with that kind of data, he could probably be the general manager.
Shangguan Bei coldly looked at the silent Ouyang Bihua and coldly asked, "Dr. Ouyang, did you hear me?"
Ouyang Bihua's face darkened; he was almost about to explode, but he held back. Exploding now would only make him seem incompetent and petty.
He let out a deep breath and said, "I heard you."
Lu Chen smiled broadly, "Dr. Ouyang, and everyone else, actually I didn't want to be the research director. I prefer being my head pastry chef. But Xiao Bei is so insistent, and she relies on me a lot; she only feels at ease when I'm here. So, I took the job. Please continue to support me!"
Shangguan Bei also said, "Please continue to support Director Lu."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Bihua almost vomited blood.
Shangguan Bei continued, "By the way, Director Lu just provided me with two secret formulas, one called 'Bone-Changing Pill' and the other 'Great Tonifying and Rejuvenating Pill,' both with great market value. I've decided to establish two research project teams based on these. I will discuss the specific personnel with Director Lu further, and he will determine the team members. I hope everyone will perform well!"
At this, many people looked at Lu Chen.
However, his gaze was no longer mocking, but burning with a hint of ingratiation.
Everyone knew the weight of Shangguan Bei's words.
If he could lead this project, according to company rules, the lead researcher would receive a share of the profits after the product hit the market. For example, if they developed a pill that sold for 100 yuan per pill, the lead researcher would receive one yuan.
Don't underestimate one yuan; if they sold 100,000 or a million pills, that would be an astonishing income!
Moreover, Flying Eagle Company's supplements and health products were high-end consumer goods with a considerable market reputation.
Thus, Lu Chen not only secured his position as director at Flying Eagle Biotechnology Research Company, but also instantly became the object of fawning from most people.
A personnel appointment meeting, from its initial mockery to its final obsequiousness, was truly revolutionary. After the meeting, many people stopped Lu Chen to chat, their greetings filled with warmth and respect.
Even a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in his sixties or seventies kept praising Lu Chen.
Lu Chen couldn't help but sigh: Life, you are a drama!
Of course, for Lu Chen, it was also a comedy.
He also sensed, somewhere, a pair of eyes filled with venom and hatred watching him. They stared for a long time before disappearing. Lu Chen knew who it was, but he didn't care; in fact, after deciding to become the director here, he felt a little excited.
If trouble couldn't be eliminated, then let the slap in the face come more readily!
Shangguan Bei, seeing how popular Lu Chen was, was also happy and left cheerfully.
She wouldn't stop those guys from currying favor with their sweethearts.
Lu Chen finally escaped the encirclement. Thinking that Shangguan Bei should be in her office, he headed there.
Suddenly, a very fiery figure flashed out from a corner.