Chapter 452: Confrontation (Part 2)

Zhou Qi knew his grandson well; though usually flippant and lackadaisical, he was serious when it mattered. Thus, his words definitely held ground.

Facing Zhou Qi’s inquiry, Shi Su did not respond but instead turned to look at Han Yu in the crowd. Sensing her gaze, the latter subtly nodded. With Han Yu’s affirmation, Shi Su quickly composed herself, her expression turning cold: "Elder Zhou, your grandson is quite the storyteller. I hope he continues, as I am curious to see what ’evidence’ he plans to concoct to slander me."

"Fine. Since you are so deluded and still struggling at death’s door, don’t blame me for not giving you face," Zhou Qi sternly said. "Honestly, this wasn’t a big deal. If you had just told the truth, everyone could have shared the credit. But you, being narrow-minded, not only hid the truth but also monopolized all the credit for yourself. Shi Su, ask yourself, aren’t you ashamed?"

Pausing briefly, Zhou Jun looked around at the buzzing crowd and began, "Perhaps everyone isn’t quite clear about the situation. Here’s what happened..." He then recounted what Ling Chen had done.

After hearing this, everyone immediately understood why Zhou Jun was so furious. Ling Chen and his team, risking their lives to find data on the virus, rightfully deserved the credit, but instead, it was claimed by Shi Su and Han Yu.

This behavior was indeed despicable.

Feeling the scornful looks from everyone, Shi Su, losing her composure, snapped, "Nonsense! These are all lies you’ve concocted."

"I can prove he’s not lying," Zhou Qi interjected. "That day, Ling Chen sent me the data to show you, to ensure there was nothing wrong with the serum you produced."

Zhou Jun added, "You took a helicopter that day to the nearest city, where the experiments were conducted in a temporary laboratory set up by the Heavenly Mechanage Pavilion. All the information you obtained in the experiment was recorded on a computer, including the final serum formula."

Shi Su scoffed, "And then?"

"I guess you must have felt quite pleased with yourself," Zhou Jun continued. "Afraid of being discovered, you instructed someone to delete all the data stored on the computer. Unfortunately, you made a mistake because the person you enlisted was not proficient with computers. Although the data was deleted, it was not completely erased. For a top hacker, restoring the data is a simple task. The serum formula you developed is fundamentally different from the final one injected into everyone."

Top hacker?

Ling Chen’s mind stirred; Zhou Jun was referring to Fatty. No wonder Hu Fei was so mysteriously secretive today, not allowing him to see his computer. He was messing with those files.

"How interesting," Shi Su said emotionlessly. "Am I not allowed to adjust the formula last minute?"

"Of course you can. However, if you want to engage in nefarious deeds in the future, better choose a secluded place, and not do it publicly. Didn’t you realize, this luxury cruise ship is equipped with surveillance cameras everywhere to ensure everyone’s safety? That day, after reviewing the data sent by Ling Chen, you sent Zhu Xiaozhu away and then secretly whispered to Han Yu. What you discussed, you know best. After Han Yu left, he met with eight people, each of whom shares a common trait—they are skilled in medicine but have no significant backing. You probably didn’t anticipate that all this was recorded by the surveillance."

At this point, Zhou Jun looked at Shi Su and Han Yu, his tone mocking, "Do I need to keep going, or do you need me to present evidence and have Han Yu confront those people face-to-face before you admit your mistake? If you two have any shame left, just confess yourselves and don’t waste everyone’s time."

Hearing this, Shi Su and Han Yu’s faces drastically changed, their eyes reflecting a hint of hesitation and struggle.

Seeing their continued silence, Zhou Jun continued on his own, "Those who conspired with Han Yu, listen well. I know you are all here. Considering that you were unknowingly exploited, I’ll withhold your names for now. If you don’t want to end up disgraced like these two, here’s your chance to redeem yourselves. Just come forward and explain yourselves to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and I assure you, the Pavilion will not pursue your faults nor will it expose you. This is a rare opportunity; cherish it."

"Ms. Shi," Zhou Qi looked at Shi Su beside him, his voice deep. "Do you have anything to say now?"

Biting her lip, Shi Su defensively argued, "I didn’t do these things; this is slander. Zhou Qi, as a member of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, you even let your grandson tarnish my reputation. I will definitely take this up with the Pavilion Master."

"Master."

Suddenly, a voice from the crowd—Zhu Xiaozhu’s—rang out.

"Is what he said... all true?" Zhu Xiaozhu, looking up, her beautiful eyes twinkling, incredulously stared at Shi Su.

"No, it’s not!" Shi Su nearly hysterically yelled. "I never did such a thing." After speaking, she took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and gently said, "Xiaozhu, you’ve been with me for so many years, don’t you even believe in your master?"

"Master, I want to believe you. You taught me to always be fair. Since you insist it’s slander, let me clear your name." Saying that, Zhu Xiaozhu turned to Zhou Jun and said, "I was involved in the entire process of making the serum, and I know the original formula. Please give me the data, and I will compare both versions of the serum formulas."

Zhou Jun glanced at Ling Chen, who nodded, and he immediately had the data delivered to Zhu Xiaozhu.

Watching Zhu Xiaozhu earnestly comparing the data and formulas, Shi Su became visibly flustered, quickly interjecting, "Xiaozhu, you don’t need to get involved in this."

She knew her disciple’s character too well; that was why, initially, she had entrusted this task to Han Yu without telling Zhu Xiaozhu.

"Master, this concerns your reputation, and as your disciple, I cannot stand idly by." Zhu Xiaozhu locked eyes with Shi Su, each word deliberate, "Master, you don’t want me involved, unless it’s because..."

At this point, Zhu Xiaozhu stopped. She didn’t want to continue, nor could she believe it. In her eyes, Shi Su was not that kind of person.

However, as Zhu Xiaozhu finished reviewing the data and comparing the two serum formulas, her pretty face gradually turned pale, her lips devoid of any color.

"Master..."

Zhu Xiaozhu’s lips parted slightly, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with disappointment, pain, and a myriad of complex expressions intertwined in her gaze, converging into a single glistening tear.