Breathable, moisture-locking…Wasn't that essentially a moisturizer?
MX was, after all, a cosmetics company.Even though Lin Xian worked in the design department, he had a fair understanding of skincare basics.
For women, the three biggest skincare demands were:whitening, anti-aging, and moisturizing.
And as of now, no moisturizing product on the market could achieve absolute or long-lasting hydration.
When applying makeup, achieving proper moisturization typically required several layers: a toner, a lotion, a moisturizer...
Cumbersome, heavy, and not all that comfortable on the skin.
But Professor Xu's new chemical compound directly addressed many of the core issues with existing moisturizers.
In the skincare world, a next-generation moisturizer using this compound could absolutely dominate.
How could it not become a best-seller?
"I understand now,"Lin Xian said slowly.
"If we can obtain the usage rights to this compound and launch it as the flagship product of our new brand 'Rhein'—we might just revolutionize the entire skincare market. At the very least, we'd be unrivaled in the moisturizing category."
"Exactly."
Zhao Yingjun nodded.
"Right now, the world's top cosmetics companies have offered Professor Xu extremely generous deals—some are offering licensing fees in the millions of U.S. dollars."
Hiss…
Lin Xian took a sharp breath.
Millions in licensing fees alone? That was outrageous.Converted, it would be tens of millions in Dragon Yuan.
But as someone in the industry, Lin Xian understood—Professor Xu's discovery was worth every cent.
With exclusive rights, they could effectively pronounce a death sentence on every competing moisturizer brand.
It would mean monopoly-level dominance in the hydration market.
"Actually, MX offered an even higher bid."
Zhao Yingjun smiled bitterly.
"But Professor Xu ignores us completely… The good news is, he ignores everyone—so we still have a shot."
"Come on, Lin Xian. Let's go say hello."
…
Glass in hand, Lin Xian followed Zhao Yingjun into the corner of the hall.
Professor Xu Yun spotted her coming and instinctively turned to walk away—
"Professor Xu! Long time no see."
Zhao Yingjun smiled and called out warmly.
Xu Yun turned back with an awkward smile.
"Congratulations, Professor,"Zhao Yingjun lifted her wine glass to toast.
"Your research is a groundbreaking invention. I truly believe that, applied in the right field, it could bring out its full potential."
However…
Professor Xu did not return the toast.
He looked down and gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"You mean that ridiculous failure? I've already been mocked enough."
"No, Professor! I don't see it as a failure at all. You should treasure your resear—"
"Miss Zhao."
Professor Xu raised a hand to interrupt her.His face turned serious.
"Miss Zhao, I'm glad to see you here tonight."
"If you're here to support science and donate to research, I'll drink with you all night."
"But… if you're here for any other reason, then I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
…
Lin Xian narrowed his eyes.
It was clear that Professor Xu didn't welcome Zhao Yingjun, nor did he want anything to do with cosmetics companies.
"You're too kind, Professor. Business is business."
Zhao Yingjun maintained her smile.
"Tonight, I'm simply here to support science—no hidden agenda."
"In that case, on behalf of Donghai's researchers, I thank you, Miss Zhao."
Xu Yun clinked her glass.Zhao Yingjun politely lowered hers slightly.
Clink!
They both drained their drinks.
Setting his glass down, Professor Xu looked her in the eye.
"Miss Zhao, I hope the next time I see you is at a banquet like this, and not in my lab."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Zhao Yingjun took out a white handkerchief, dabbed the corner of her mouth to remove the red wine stain.
"See that, Lin Xian? That's his usual attitude toward us. And tonight… that was him being polite."
Lin Xian nodded.
He had barely interacted with Zhao Yingjun before—hadn't even spoken to her once.
He had assumed she was the kind of woman who always looked down from on high.
But now he saw…Even she had to put on a smile in front of Professor Xu.Even she had to lower her head and beg for a simple toast.
Then again, this was the way of things.
A company had to grow.
People had to eat.
Zhao Yingjun was only 23.Freshly returned from overseas, she had scaled the company to this level in under two years.She clearly came from a powerful background.
But then why…Why didn't she just enjoy the family business and wait to inherit?
Why go through the pain of building something from scratch?
Very few in the company knew the full story.Zhao Yingjun must have her own burdens—her own reasons.
"Professor Xu must lack research funds and lab equipment, right?Why wouldn't he exchange that failed compound for financial support?"
Lin Xian couldn't make sense of it.
"With enough funding, he could build his own lab, improve his research conditions… He might even finally make a breakthrough."
Zhao Yingjun set her handkerchief aside and smiled helplessly.
"I suppose that's just the pride and stubbornness of a true scientist.He's failed too many times, endured too much ridicule…Which makes it even harder for him to accept that his 'failure' might now be seen everywhere—mass-produced and commercialized."
"That compound we see as a treasure…He might see it as a scar of shame—One that stabs at him every time it's mentioned."
She set down her glass, crossed her arms, and looked at Lin Xian.
"You graduated from Donghai University too.Could you think of a way to help me?"
"Me?"
Lin Xian froze.
For a moment, all he could picture was a scene from the 1986 version of Journey to the West,where the demon ordered Bianbo Erba to "go kill Tang Sanzang and his disciples."
Why me?!
You powerful elites and business moguls can't even get a smile from Professor Xu—And I'm just a junior team leader, a nobody in his eyes.
What am I supposed to do, charm him into a deal?
"I'll… ask around, see what I can find."
It was all Lin Xian could say.
And now he understood the real reason Zhao Yingjun had brought him to the banquet—
She was hoping, perhaps, that being fellow alumni might give him a way to connect with Professor Xu someday.
But she had seriously overestimated him.
Maybe it was the Rhein Cat project that gave her a false impression of his abilities.
But that cat… was literally copied out of a dream.
What now?Should he try copying Professor Xu's research out of his dreams too?
(End of Chapter)