The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 169

Zheng Zhupan, unconscious, was rushed to Jiajia Central Hospital for emergency treatment.

With Suhe Biotech left leaderless, the company descended into chaos. Yet, the public showed no patience for their turmoil—the revelations in He Dayong’s exposé were simply too explosive.

Even the marketing accounts Suhe had bribed into spreading disinformation found themselves paralyzed. 

The real-name accusation had gone viral, linking to their posts, leaving them stunned. Should they delete their sponsored posts now? Deleting them might appear like an admission of guilt, while leaving them up made them look like fools. They were trapped, unable to retreat or advance.

“An earth-shattering scandal! If He Dayong’s claims are true, then Suhe Biotech is utterly monstrous!”

“Does anyone remember how Jiang Zui previously revealed that at a dinner party, Zheng Zhupan cursed He Dayong, calling him an idiot and saying, ‘If it weren’t for that incident, he wouldn’t have been protected?’ Friends, this matches up perfectly now!”

“So, that incident refers to the substandard Jiaketing capsules, doesn’t it?”

“After the scandal at Meijiang Pharmaceuticals, He Dayong was sentenced to prison. It’s obvious Suhe didn’t protect him, and now he’s turned on them. Neither side is clean!”

“But if he hadn’t defected, how would we ever have learned the truth about Luyinxu?”

“Am I the only one in anguish? If what He Dayong said is true, Professors Li Qingli and Gu Nong were so innocent! And yet, they were driven to their deaths!”

“This is exactly what Suhe Biotech wanted—to manipulate public emotions and eliminate their competitors!”

“Are there more solid proofs? The truth is too hard to accept; I want to resist a bit, though I feel like I’ve already started to believe it in my heart…”

…

Once public opinion begins to shift, rational and thoughtful voices will emerge.

It’s like a single spark on a vast grassland. Feeling the change in wind direction, it comes alive, eagerly embracing the flow, spreading its warmth across the entire expanse.

[@RootlessOldTree: Li Qingli was a true genius scientist. Even the hypothesis he published posthumously is still being studied by many research institutions. If he hadn’t died, perhaps…]

[@BiochemBeginner: I’ve spent years in the lab. Though I don’t work in the same field as Li and Gu, our paths overlap. I’ve read their paper on Luyinxu, and I found no flaws. I don’t understand why it caused such a frenzy of online attacks back then.]

[@TerrifiedShoal: As a member of the logistics department at Jiajia Central Hospital, I personally witnessed the destruction of the raw materials for Luyinxu. It was devastating. Back then, I was powerless to intervene, but at least I never participated in that inhumane spectacle. Not for a single moment.]

[@Seaweed: There were dissenting voices back then, but they were drowned out by the tsunami of insults. No one could endure such overwhelming abuse, so many chose to withdraw.]

[@LycheeHoney: I’m sorry. I was one of those who hurled insults. I didn’t actually understand the field of biochemistry, but so many influential bloggers were condemning them at the time, and I believed them. Seeing all the marketing accounts spamming the topic now, I finally understand how those emotions were manufactured. I’ve completely lost faith in so-called authority.]

As more bloggers shared their reflections, those silenced by the outrage remembered the event, listing the inconsistencies they had observed.

Li Rong realized that Zheng Zhupan’s methods were not as flawless as he had imagined. The crucial individuals and evidence Zheng had sought to suppress were incomplete fragments. Countless eyes had glimpsed the truth, but these witnesses had been scattered, unable to find a platform to speak out, and thus forced into silence.

For instance, a logistics worker at Jiajia Central Hospital had accidentally witnessed a batch of drugs being burned. Through a torn plastic bag, he had glimpsed packaging faintly bearing the name “Luyinxu.”

Although he hadn’t had the chance to take photos, he remembered clearly where the drugs had been destroyed.

Even though two years had passed, the remnants of the drugs would have seeped into the soil from rain. A simple chemical analysis could reveal the truth.

[@HongxingPrivateHospital: Let me say something as well. As a partner of Nongan Medical Devices, I can attest to the quality and affordability of their products. When the scandal broke, many of us terminated our contracts to protect our hospitals’ reputations. This led to Nongan’s financial collapse. The rumors about Nongan going bankrupt due to poor management and Professors Li and Gu using research funds to cover losses were completely fabricated.]

[@A A Cityutomobile Museum: Let me clear up some misconceptions. The luxury car rumored to have been flaunted by Li Qingli back in the day was actually a prized exhibit in our museum, a vehicle over a hundred years old. It’s baffling how anyone believed such a baseless claim.]

[@Zhang Tianzhao, Qinghe Biochemistry Institute: I was one of Li Qingli’s students. My teacher and his wife shared a deeply loving relationship, and there was absolutely no impropriety with any female student. When we heard those rumors, our entire group was furious.]

….

As more and more people stepped forward to refute the falsehoods, a shocking realization dawned: not a single one of the slanderous rumors surrounding Li Qingli and Gu Nong was true.

Yet back then, so many had believed them without question.

When the public finally understood that Li Qingli had not only spoken the truth but had worked tirelessly and selflessly to save lives, it was already too late for redemption.

The internet exploded with waves of regret, mourning, and self-reproach.

This justice—delayed for nearly two years—offered a sliver of solace to the souls who had departed too soon.

“If Luyinxu had been released normally, perhaps my child would still be alive today.”

“I couldn’t afford Jiaketin, so I had to give my child away. I hate Suhe Biotech with every fiber of my being.”

“How many families did Suhe Biotech destroy? Their crimes are beyond reckoning.”

“Scientists who genuinely care about ordinary people’s suffering were ruined by vile schemes. Anyone who shamed and cursed them back then is complicit.”

“If they hadn’t tried to develop this medicine, maybe they’d still be alive and well. Why is it so hard to be a good person in this world?”

“Funny, isn’t it? If Zheng Zhupan hadn’t offended a minor celebrity, none of this would’ve ever come to light. I guess there is justice in the end.”

“Exposing corruption always requires infighting—if He Dayong hadn’t turned against him, we’d never know the truth behind this mess.”

“Suhe Biotech is disgusting. Zheng Zhupan’s death won’t be enough to appease public outrage!”
“Someone should erect a statue of Zheng Zhupan, but place it kneeling at Li Qingli and Gu Nong’s graves to atone for his sins!”

….

The comment about “giving a child away” had actually been inspired by a suggestion from Shen Gui. 

While he wasn’t certain how common such tragic situations were in real life, the statement hit a nerve with the public.

As anticipated, public opinion no longer needed any guiding hand. Netizens independently began peeling back the layers of Suhe Biotech’s facade, from exposure to critique to condemnation.

No one of prominence in the company would escape unscathed.

Li Rong stood before the bathroom sink, gazing at his reflection.

Dark circles, faint but present, underscored his eyes—a product of insufficient sleep—but his gaze remained sharp and luminous.

For others, two years had passed. For him, it had been eight long years.

Eight years of planning and persistence had finally stirred a tsunami that would drag Suhe Biotech’s massive ship into the sunless depths of an uncharted abyss.

In that abyss burned lava—a seething rage and hatred that would reduce his enemies to nothing but ash.

This was the sole purpose of his survival.

Li Rong rolled up his sleeves, turned on the faucet, and splashed his face with water.

He methodically washed his face, dried it with a towel, and brushed back his damp hair. Then, gazing at the clear, ruddy reflection of himself, he smoothed the edges of his sleeves.

Walking out of the bathroom, he stopped at the door, his tone calm and casual. “Let’s go to Jiajia Central Hospital. Time to pay Zheng Zhupan a visit.”

Outside Jiajia Central Hospital, a swarm of reporters had completely blockaded the main entrance. The hospital’s entire security team had been deployed to maintain order.

Inside, Zhou Hong was like an ant trapped on a scorching pan.

Zheng Zhupan had been resuscitated but was still unconscious in his ward. Outside the ward, a group of Suhe Biotech’s top executives argued heatedly, unable to reach any agreement. It was as if Zheng Zhupan’s failure to wake up would immediately trigger the company’s collapse.

Meanwhile, Song Yanyi had vanished entirely, realizing that no one cared about his crumbling entertainment company anymore. He had come to a bitter conclusion: just as Wajing could serve as a distraction for Suhe Biotech, Suhe Biotech could be a distraction for Wajing.

Song Yanyi wished he could erase his existence—eyes, mouth, and all—cutting off all contact with the world. To anyone who tried to reach him, he played dead.

Having learned from Zheng Zhupan’s fate, he realized that playing dead worked far better than fighting back. Suhe Biotech’s downfall wouldn’t have been so swift if not for their combative approach.

What he had conveniently forgotten was that the aggressive PR strategy had originally been his suggestion to Zheng Zhupan.

Zhou Hong left the ward area, striding down the hallway with urgency, heading straight for Director Zhai Ning’s office. Along the way, many hospital colleagues shot him strange looks.

Everyone’s phones had been flooded with the breaking news, and He Dayong’s whistleblowing had directly implicated Zhou Hong by name.

Under the weight of those piercing stares, Zhou Hong gritted his teeth and pressed forward, finally reaching Zhai Ning’s office door.

He barged in without knocking, only to find Zhai Ning quietly flipping through a photo album.

It was the album from Xiaochengxiang Orphanage. Every year, Sui Wanjun had taken the children there for a group photo.

The faces in the photos changed over time, but to Zhai Ning, they were all her brothers and sisters.

Zhai Ning’s hand gently brushed over the youthful faces in the pictures, her fingers pausing as if trying to recall. She realized she couldn’t clearly remember the appearances of the children who were gone.

Perhaps they had once affectionately called her “big sister.” Perhaps she had once held them in her arms. Perhaps they had cherished dreams yet unfulfilled. Perhaps they had loved this world even from the depths of remote mountains.

Two years had passed, but she had finally mustered the courage to face these faces, knowing she had at last done the right thing.

Zhou Hong stormed up to her, slamming the album shut and roughly tossing it aside. “Do you have time for this?!”

Zhai Ning stared at her empty hands, her expression numb as she raised her eyes to look at Zhou Hong, whose jaw was twitching nervously. “What time is it?”

Zhou Hong clutched his head with both hands, pacing irritably back and forth in the room. “Suhe Biotech is finished! We’re all in this mess together!”

Zhai Ning asked calmly, “Don’t you have a surgery scheduled today?”

Zhou Hong furrowed his brows, glaring at her in disbelief. “Surgery? Are you kidding me? I could be arrested by tomorrow!”

He thought Zhai Ning might have been scared senseless by the situation, which was why she seemed so indifferent to Zheng Zhupan’s predicament.

But Zhou Hong had no time to argue with her. His name had been called out, and the netizens had already dug up everything about him.

“I’m not going to argue with you. We need to come up with a plan! There’s no way we can admit to swapping the drugs. Maybe we could say… the logistics department framed us, that they were trying to extort us, and they planted the fake drugs!”

Zhai Ning frowned at him but remained silent.

Zhou Hong, grasping at straws, slapped his forehead. “No, wait, it would be too hard for a logistics worker to get hold of such drugs, and we can’t fake the timeline. What if we bribe He Dayong? Get him to retract his statement? He’s greedy and timid—maybe we can coerce or tempt him!”

Zhai Ning was about to reply when her phone suddenly vibrated. She glanced at it, paused briefly, and then looked at Zhou Hong warily before putting on her headphones and answering the call.

Zhai Ning: “Hello.”

Zhai Ning: “He hasn’t woken up yet.”

Zhai Ning: “Alright, come over. I’ll take you to him.”

Zhou Hong’s heart leaped into his throat. “Who was that?” he asked urgently.

Zhai Ning smiled faintly. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

She walked past Zhou Hong and headed straight for Zheng Zhupan’s hospital room.

Zhou Hong, at a loss and slightly panicked, had no choice but to follow her. Seeing Zhai Ning’s calm demeanor, he clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe… things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

After all, Jia Keting was currently irreplaceable. As long as Suhe Biotech didn’t collapse, the parasites clinging to the big ship—like him—might still have a chance to make a comeback.

At the door to Zheng Zhupan’s room, Zhai Ning ordered security to clear out the gathered Suhe executives without hesitation.

As the head of the hospital, Zhai Ning’s authority still held sway, even over these normally arrogant executives.

Once the area was cleared, Zhai Ning checked her watch.

Zhou Hong whispered, “Sis, what are you planning to do?”

Zhai Ning frowned impatiently. “He’s only got bronchiectasis. How much longer is he planning to sleep?”

Zhou Hong replied reflexively, “Maybe his subconscious doesn’t want to wake up, given what’s happened with the company…”

Zhai Ning glanced at him coldly. “Why are you still here? Didn’t I tell you to clear the area?”

Zhou Hong looked bewildered. “What did you say?”

“I wasn’t clear enough?” Zhai Ning’s tone grew icier.

Zhou Hong, now enraged, snapped, “Do you realize what’s happening right now—”

Zhai Ning cut him off. “I’m the head of this hospital. Do I need to call security to throw you out?”

Zhou Hong was stunned into silence. He suddenly realized that Zhai Ning didn’t share the same fear and anxiety as he did. After all, He Dayong’s public accusation hadn’t mentioned her name at all!

By 4 p.m., despite his reluctance, Zheng Zhupan slowly regained consciousness.

His mouth felt parched. With bloodshot eyes, he squinted at the room’s unfamiliar layout, struggling to lift his head and look around.

His family was all abroad and wouldn’t be able to return quickly. To his dismay, not a single person was at his bedside.

With a hoarse voice, he called out, “Someone! Bring me some water!”

The door to the room opened.

But the person who entered wasn’t there to bring him water.

Li Rong stepped in, holding a cup of coffee. Dressed in a clean and casual student outfit, his delicate and youthful face made it clear he couldn’t be more than twenty.

He looked innocent, fresh-faced, and almost childlike.

Raising his cup, he smiled warmly at Zheng Zhupan and greeted him. “President Zheng, how have you been?”

Zhai Ning stood silently at his side, gazing coldly at the weak and pallid Zheng Zhupan.

Li Rong turned to Zhai Ning with a playful grin. “Don’t let Cen Xiao know I’m drinking espresso right after stopping my meds.”

Zheng Zhupan stared at him for a long time, his aching eyes gradually piecing together the image in his memory.

This was the ornamental celebrity who had been dragged to a dinner party, only to vanish afterward.

And now he realized—this was the son of Li Qingli and Gu Nong, the two people he had long cast aside and forgotten!

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