Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 176：New Drug Molecule NM-9

Ren Dayuan, the owner of Huakang Pharmaceutical Company, convened an executive meeting shortly afterward. Several crucial decisions were made:

Seek investment by selling shares of Huakang Pharmaceutical. Mortgage the factory's fixed assets to secure a loan from the bank to repay previous debts. Negotiate with rival companies to halt malicious price competition.

All departments at Huakang Pharmaceutical began working frantically. However, two days later, Ren Dayuan received feedback from the various departments.

The marketing department had reached out to nearly 1,000 companies in two days, trying to secure investments. The marketing manager's legs were nearly worn out from running, but they only managed to secure an investment of 2 million yuan. This amount was insufficient to make any meaningful impact.

As for the mortgage loan, multiple banks rejected the request, citing the large outstanding loans they already had with other financial institutions. No bank was willing to take the risk. In those two days, they had not secured a single penny.

Regarding negotiations with industry peers, several companies simply ignored Huakang Pharmaceutical. From their perspective, Huakang's downfall would result in at least a 5% increase in their own market share.

Ren Dayuan felt helpless. It seemed inevitable that their company would face bankruptcy. Slowly, he took a box of cigarettes from his desk drawer. These were the same cigarettes he had placed there three years ago when he established the cancer research lab to symbolize his commitment to quitting smoking. After a moment of hesitation, he opened the box, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

He took a puff, only to cough twice. After three years of quitting, his body instinctively resisted the smoke. However, after two more puffs, the familiar sensation returned. He realized that quitting smoking was difficult, but restarting the habit required nothing more than a single thought.

By the time Ren Dayuan had nearly finished the cigarette, the actions—lighting, holding, tapping—became seamless. Indeed, smoking was a powerful escape, as the nicotine quickly numbed his senses, allowing him to forget his troubles, if only for a moment.

Just as he was savoring the quiet peace that the cigarette provided, someone knocked at his office door. Hurriedly, Ren Dayuan stubbed out the cigarette, tossing it into the trash can and opening the window. His reaction was akin to that of a child caught sneaking a smoke.

After completing his little ritual, he finally called out, "Come in."

The door opened, and Song Zhe walked in with a beaming smile.

"Good news, Mr. Ren!"

The absence of nicotine left Ren Dayuan's worries flooding back. However, he forced a smile and said, "Ah, Mr. Song, please have a seat."

Song Zhe sat down, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Mr. Ren, we've identified a new drug molecule, NM-9, which targets cancer. The data shows that NM-9 has incredibly strong therapeutic effects..."

Yet, Ren Dayuan didn't show the excitement one might expect at such news. He didn't interrupt Song Zhe's explanation, but his lack of enthusiasm was palpable.

"Mr. Ren, I believe this time we can finally develop an effective cancer drug that will surpass the American drug Lenvatinib!" Song Zhe continued, his eyes searching Ren Dayuan's face for a reaction.

But seeing Ren Dayuan's calm expression puzzled him. Normally, Ren Dayuan was extremely supportive of their lab's achievements, often visiting even for the smallest breakthroughs. Yet today, his demeanor was unusually cool, which made Song Zhe uneasy.

"Mr. Ren, have you been smoking?" Song Zhe asked, noticing the slight unease in Ren Dayuan's expression.

Ren Dayuan looked slightly uncomfortable. Three years ago, to show his commitment to the research, he had promised Song Zhe that he would not smoke until the cancer drug was developed. But now, having smoked half a cigarette, he was caught off guard by Song Zhe's question.

Ren Dayuan valued his promises deeply, seeing them as a measure of his integrity. But this time, he had broken that promise because he had already given up on both the lab and the company.

"Mr. Song," he sighed, "I have some bad news. Huakang Pharmaceutical is going to close down."

"Close down?" Song Zhe was stunned. In his mind, Huakang Pharmaceutical was a large company—how could it possibly go bankrupt? He remembered Liu Li mentioning the company's potential closure a few days ago, but at the time, he hadn't believed it. Now, hearing it from Ren Dayuan, he couldn't help but wonder if it was true.

"Mr. Ren, what about our lab?" Song Zhe asked, his voice filled with concern.

"The lab will have to shut down as well," Ren Dayuan said helplessly. "Huakang simply doesn't have the funds to continue research."

"But we've already identified the new drug molecule NM-9! With just another year of clinical trials, we might be able to develop a cancer drug for our country!" Song Zhe argued, unwilling to give up.

"I understand, Mr. Song," Ren Dayuan said, "but right now, the company has no money left to support the lab."

Song Zhe's resolve faltered as he saw the helplessness in Ren Dayuan's eyes.

"Mr. Song," Ren Dayuan continued, "you'd better start looking for another job. Our company will likely announce its closure within a week."

Walking out of the boss's office, Song Zhe felt a deep sense of loss. For the first time, he felt that success was so close, yet still out of reach.

On his way back to the lab, he received a call from a college roommate.

"Old Song, have you thought about coming to the Beautiful Country to work?"