The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 165

Li Rong had expected Jiang Weide to feel ashamed, angry, or embarrassed when confronted with the truth. 

After all, Jiang Weide had once insisted that it was the Hongsuo Research Institute that submitted Li Qingli’s paper. The eventual revelation of the truth had always been a stain on Jiang Weide’s reputation.

Those who knew the details might not mention it to his face, but they undoubtedly mocked him behind his back for his hypocritical façade.

Li Baishou and his ilk had taken full advantage of the incident to undermine Jiang Weide’s credibility, which had suffered greatly.

But instead of shame or rage, Jiang Weide, after his initial shock, suddenly leaned forward and tightly grasped Li Rong’s arms. His aged hands trembled as he asked incredulously, “You compiled it? How could it be you? Did your father teach you beforehand? Did he leave you something? How could a high school student at the time possibly compile that paper? How did you get it through From Zero’s review process?”

He bombarded Li Rong with a slew of questions, nearly running out of breath himself.

Back then, during the graduate student hard drive theft incident that implicated Xu Wei, Jiang Weide had suspected someone was guiding events behind the scenes. Still, he had leaned toward believing that Xu Wei had compiled the hypothesis and, fearing backlash, fled abroad.

Xu Wei, of course, had defended himself through video statements, asserting his innocence. But in the prevailing environment, no one believed him. After all, no one else had both the access to the drafts and the expertise to submit them.

Li Rong winced slightly from Jiang Weide’s tight grip, frowning as he raised his gaze to meet Jiang Weide’s eyes.

His expression was calm, devoid even of the faint traces of mockery from earlier. This made Jiang Weide’s accusations seem all the more powerless.

The truth was plain to see. There was no other explanation. Any refusal to believe it was simply a subconscious unwillingness to accept the reality.

After his initial outburst, Jiang Weide’s grip softened, eventually becoming almost a caress.

Was this logical?

Yes, it was the most plausible explanation. Otherwise, how could a simple missing hard drive incident end up implicating Li Rong and driving Xu Wei away?

The reason Jiang Weide had hesitated to believe it before was that it seemed impossible for someone as young as Li Rong to accomplish such a feat. The field of biochemistry was profoundly intricate.

But now, confirming this one point dispelled all doubt: Li Rong wasn’t just talented—he was a prodigy. A once-in-a-lifetime genius, even more remarkable than Li Qingli and Gu Nong.

Li Rong had long demonstrated extraordinary intellect. Even after the devastating loss of his family, he had still managed to secure guaranteed admission to A University. Even though he skipped so many classes he nearly signed waivers for all his courses, he still ranked first in his year.

Jiang Weide’s face displayed a complex mixture of emotions—relief, bitterness, and deep worry.

“Those who shine too brightly burn out too quickly” is no empty phrase.

For the first time in a while, Li Rong felt perplexed.

In his heart, Jiang Weide had long ceased to be the kind and compassionate mentor he once admired. Jiang Weide undoubtedly knew more than he let on, but he had chosen not to stand with Li Rong’s parents.

This point has always been a stumbling block for him.

However, he couldn’t quite grasp what Jiang Weide’s current attitude meant.

Jiang Weide sighed, “I believe you.” Despite asking a barrage of questions earlier, Jiang Weide no longer needed answers from Li Rong, who hadn’t explained a single word.

But his tone quickly turned tense, as if afraid Li Rong might not hear him clearly. He enunciated each word carefully: “But this matter, you absolutely must not tell anyone else.”

Jiang Weide wasn’t sure if Li Rong could still trust him, but he had to make the effort.

Even if Li Rong was extraordinarily gifted, restarting Luyinxu was still far too early—far too early.

Li Rong replied coolly, “I have no habit of flaunting. I only want you to hand over Luyinxu to me.”

Jiang Weide sensed Li Rong’s detachment. All along, Li Rong had pretended to be so innocent and naive in front of him that he was unaccustomed to the sharp-edged version standing before him now.

Jiang Weide shook his head, replying firmly, “No.”

Li Rong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You won’t?”

In his mind, he was already weighing methods to pressure Jiang Weide.

Jiang Weide sighed, “It’s not that I won’t. I can’t.”

Li Rong let out a cold chuckle, his laughter tinged with frost. “The next director of Hongsuo Research Institute—renowned and respected Professor Jiang—you don’t even have the power to submit an application? In the entire biochemical field, there’s no one more qualified than you to restart Luyinxu.”

The wrinkles on Jiang Weide’s face seemed to deepen with worry. He took a deep breath and said earnestly, “Li Rong, have you cleared away all your obstacles? If you restart Luyinxu now, how would you be any different from your parents? When I say I can’t do it, it’s not because I’m cowardly or hesitant—it’s because it’s truly impossible. Right now, no one can apply for its restart because what seals it away is not bureaucracy but the voices of the masses, misled public opinion!”

Li Rong clenched his teeth, his face growing paler as bloodshot veins surfaced in his eyes. “And yet you acknowledge it’s misled public opinion!”

Jiang Weide sighed heavily, worry clouding his face. “I know you’re deeply angry. I understand your anger, but anger will only push someone toward extremism, cause them to lose their way, and do nothing for the future. You might see me as weak, as evasive, as someone who avoids trouble, but you must understand—not everyone who takes a different path toward justice is your enemy.”

Li Rong remained silent.

Of course, he knew he was sometimes extreme—too radical at times. Like today, charging over to confront Jiang Weide without even knowing his stance, revealing part of his hand in the process.

He should have been more composed, more rational—if one opportunity failed, he should regroup and wait for the next.

This was the greatest cruelty the world imposed on victims.

But he could wait no longer.

Suhe Biotech’s launch of Suyinxu was clearly a calculated move to capitalize on Luyinxu’s notoriety, using the innocent blood of the past to pave the way for their own riches.

Their brazenness stemmed from a certainty that Luyinxu would never see the light of day again, giving them license to trample over and exploit it.

Suhe Biotech was positioning itself as a moral authority, leveraging Luyinxu’s “infamy.” No one would listen to Li Rong’s clarifications or defenses. His efforts would crumble under the weight of irrational public outrage.

Changing people’s biases was extraordinarily difficult—unless Luyinxu genuinely cured someone.

That was the strongest, and currently the only, feasible countermeasure.

Yet Jiang Weide said they were on different paths.

Li Rong’s vision darkened, and his legs wobbled. He gripped Jiang Weide’s desk for support, covering his mouth as he coughed low and hard.

A few harsh coughs later, a twisting pain surged in his stomach. His brows knit tightly, his lips devoid of any color.

Jiang Weide panicked. “What’s wrong with you? You were fine just a few days ago!”

The Li Rong standing before him now was like a candle burning to its end, its flame so weak that even the faintest breeze might extinguish it.

Li Rong barely swallowed the discomfort. He closed his eyes briefly, waiting for the dizziness to subside, then stood upright.

Without bidding farewell to Jiang Weide, he turned and walked out.

It didn’t matter. No matter the circumstances, no matter how deep the abyss, he would climb back up—he had to climb back up.

There were hypocritical “truths” waiting for him to challenge and innocent souls awaiting his vindication.

Night descended, mist rose, and the sky, shrouded in haze, obscured the stars and moon.

Standing on the street, Li Rong took a deep breath of the cool mist, a dull ache spreading through his lungs.

In a low voice, he said to Cen Xiao, “Let’s go. Lin Zhen’s final match is tomorrow. Things have to unfold one step at a time.”

Seeing Li Rong’s expression, Cen Xiao immediately knew Jiang Weide hadn’t agreed.

At this moment, Li Rong’s spirit was already at its limit. Cen Xiao still couldn’t bring himself to share what Zhai Ning had just relayed over the phone.

Tomorrow evening, Zheng Zhupan had invited Zhai Ning to attend Suhe Biotech’s high-level banquet.

Reportedly, the banquet would formally mark the signing of a collaboration contract with Jiajia Central Hospital—a contract involving the imminent launch of Suyinxu.

Zheng Zhupan was still envious of the fame and profits Li Rong’s father had garnered from Luyinxu. Filled with both resentment and jealousy, he planned to “retain the essence while discarding the dregs,” manipulating public opinion to maximize profits.

The virtuous reputation of Zhai Ning as a benevolent physician made her the ideal partner for this collaboration.

Zhai Ning had said, “Zheng Zhupan has already prepared media drafts and bribed prominent figures in the fields of medicine, pharmacology, and parenting. During the official announcement of the Jiajia collaboration, he’ll push the hashtag #ScientificResearchFallsAndRisesAgain# to launch a new wave of public criticism against Li Rong’s parents.”

Cen Xiao replied, “I’ll inform the Blue Pivot District to prepare and make sure this topic doesn’t gain traction.”

Zhai Ning smiled bitterly. “I didn’t understand these tactics before. Now I just find them disgusting. There’s a quote in Meditations: ‘Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.’ When I came to understand it, it marked the beginning of my suffering.”

Cen Xiao said, “Thank you for letting me know.”

He wrapped his arms around Li Rong, gently patting his back. Pressing his lips against Li Rong’s cold ear, he whispered, “I found a nice comedy movie. Let’s watch it together tonight.”

Li Rong leaned against Cen Xiao and nodded.

He didn’t really want to watch a comedy, but he needed to find ways to heal.

The large outdoor screen at Hongsuo Research Institute displayed the current time—it was 8 PM sharp.

There were just 22 hours left until the finale of the variety show.