“Uh huh. I happened to see the Chinese herb in his quarters. It looks just like the one the client wants.” Deputy Chairman Qin didn’t bother to deny it.

He paused before he continued. “I have already sent a picture to the client’s secretary. I’m sure I’ll hear back from them soon.”

Chairman Wang frowned upon hearing this.

Mi Wei had mentioned that the herb had very little medical application. Since he took great care of the Chinese herb, it was clearly an unusual plant.

Deputy Chairman Qin had entered Mi Wei’s compound without permission and even taken a picture. If Mi Wei found out about this, he might get upset.

“You should have asked me before doing this. The herb is Mr. Mi’s private property, after all.” Chairman Wang clearly sounded upset. This was no different from stealing.

When Deputy Chairman Qin heard what Chairman Wang said, he pursed his lips and said nonchalantly, “The herbs on the Chinese herb farm are not anyone’s private property. Moreover, the association paid him to work for us.”

It was just one herb. Did the chairman have to react so strongly?

Chairman Wang clearly did not know what was at stake here.

He could not be bothered arguing with the chairman and simply said, “Since we pay him, it is his job to work for us. Why don’t you call him and tell him to get back immediately?”

Chairman Wang felt annoyed, but he simply replied. “Mr. Mi has gone back to his hometown and won’t be returning anytime soon.”

Deputy Chairman Qin frowned. “The client can’t wait.”

“I know. I will try calling him.” Chairman Wang hung up when he was done talking.

Deputy Chairman Qin scoffed the moment he heard Chairman Wang hanging up. He contemplated briefly before he swiped down his phone book to a number and made a call.

…

Chairman Wang was very angry. He squeezed his phone tightly for a few moments before he finally called Mi Wei.

However, Mi Wei’s phone was out of service.

After trying a few times, nothing changed.

Mi Wei resided in a rural village, so it was normal for him to have a bad signal. Chairman Wang hung up the phone and sent Mi Wei a few text messages, explaining the situation to him.

When he finally heard back from Mi Wei, it was late at night. Also, it came as a text message.

[I’m not selling the plant. It is impossible to cultivate the plant using the soil at the Chinese herb farm.]

Chairman Wang instantly heard his phone chime immediately since he had his eye on the phone. He read the text message instantly and called Mi Wei. Unfortunately, there was still no signal.

He sent Mi Wei a few audio messages, but he did not hear back from Mi Wei either.

*

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Huo Yao did not have classes in the afternoon, so she spent the day in the laboratory with Dai Jie and the others. The research project had gone into its second phase.

Yuan Huan had been coming to the laboratory daily. Huo Yao was now accustomed to it and had stopped hiding in the bathroom.

Yuan Huan would come over and watch her work every now and then. Each time, he was clearly and deeply impressed by her work.

“Something is up with the way Mr. Yuan looks at you. There is hunger in his eyes.” After Yuan Huan had left the laboratory, Wang Jing rolled her chair over beside Huo Yao and shared her observations softly.

Huo Yao’s fingers paused. She raised her head and looked at Wang Jing. “Is it that obvious?”