Chapter 310: Philanthropist

Just as Su Hao was pondering how to phrase his explanation of the impending catastrophe,
Wu Jianlin gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled nonchalantly.
“Heh, look at me, asking such a stupid question.
Fanghuan Investment is a place that creates miracles out of nothing, isn't it?
I guess I was being nosy.”
He paused, then changed the subject,
“By the way, if everything goes smoothly, after the success of our ‘Pangu’ project, the subsequent management team, looking across the entire country, must be Mr. Su’s team.
This isn't based on my personal trust, but on the only choice based on reality.
However, Fanghuan needs a more professional and compliant legal entity to take on this—a world-class asset management company!
If Mr. Su has absolute confidence in this operation, I suggest we start preparing in advance.”
Wu Jianlin picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
His expression held a hint of… a detached acceptance, as if entrusting his affairs to someone.
"…!"
In that instant, a vision flashed through Su Hao's mind!
In his eyes, Wu Jianlin's figure shimmered with a deep, eerie blue light!
This scene… was exactly the same as what he had seen when he interviewed the company's core personnel!
Could it be…
A thought instantly popped into Su Hao's mind:
'Our company… seems to be lacking a chief consultant who can command respect?'
***
Meanwhile, in distant Europe.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, this former industry giant, was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.
Its predecessor was a century-old company jointly managed by all shareholders.
But not long ago, a "conqueror" from the East, with overwhelming force, shattered the financial defenses of the British Empire, conveniently taking the company as spoils of war.
From that day on, eeriness became the company's dominant theme.
The conquerors known as "Fanghuan Investment" were like a greedy glutton.
They frantically and forcibly swallowed up several pharmaceutical companies across Europe, brutally cramming them into AstraZeneca's system, turning its once well-organized business operations upside down.
"But... this is fucking bizarre!"
AstraZeneca's CEO, Luke Wayne, scratched his head in frustration in the conference room.
"Logically speaking, any company that's been through this should have had its system paralyzed by now!
Just streamlining processes and restoring normal operations would take at least a year and a half!
But here... they got it all sorted out in just a few days?!"
When those "barbarians" from Fanghuan Investment launched their attack without warning, turning the company upside down and carrying out what could only be described as a devastating merger, Luke Wayne thought this century-old institution was utterly finished.
The strange thing was, instead of sensing the company was about to collapse, he actually felt... it was running even more smoothly than before?
This eerie feeling sent chills down his spine.
"This must be the power of 'surgical restructuring'," an executive said with lingering fear.
"I don't know who's giving orders within Fanghuan Investment, but he... he's like a devil!"
He understands our company, and all the companies we've acquired, better than we understand ourselves—he knows us inside and out!
The core issue is that sweeping restructuring.
It wasn't the bloody, indiscriminate layoffs people imagine.
On the contrary, departments that truly needed talent were quickly replenished with top-notch personnel;
while those bloated, corrupt departments were ruthlessly eliminated.
This operation even uprooted AstraZeneca's deep-seated problems that had accumulated for over a decade!
That's precisely what makes it so chilling.
Just how long has Fanghuan Investment been secretly observing AstraZeneca?
If not, how could they so precisely prune all the rotten branches and graft new shoots the instant the acquisition was completed?
The only explanation is: they've been plotting to take down AstraZeneca for far too long!
"Okay, even if we can accept all that. But the issue now is profit! Profit, gentlemen!"
Luke Wayne slammed his fist on the table.
"They're spending all their money on the most pointless things! What are the people at Fanghuan thinking?"
Fanghuan Investment immediately injected a massive amount of additional investment through a share issuance after completing the acquisition.
Initially, everyone thought this was just a routine operation by the new owner to increase their controlling stake.
But who could have imagined that this astronomical sum of money would be poured entirely into the research and development of a technology called "mRNA"!
More precisely, three core technologies:
1. Antigen and mRNA synthesis and injection technology.
II. Nanoparticle delivery technology.
III. Technology for suppressing excessive immune responses.
Theoretically, if these three technologies could be pushed to their limits and perfectly integrated, it would be possible to create an extremely stable and highly effective vaccine in a very short time.
“But besides this, there are so many other profitable projects, and they’re completely ignoring them!
Isn’t this inefficiency just too low?
mRNA technology is still a long way from truly mature!”
Another executive complained.
This is too abnormal.
Once this technology succeeds, its future is limitless; it could even conquer genetic diseases—everyone knows that.
But as a profit-driven company, there are many more pressing things to do right now!
Several blockbuster drugs whose patents are about to expire urgently need alternatives to maintain cash flow!
But Fang Huan is turning a blind eye to all of this, like a determined gambler, bombarding only mRNA.
“And they don’t seem like the kind of people who have a long-term vision or plan for the distant future,” Luke frowned.
“Their pace is frighteningly fast, like… like something is chasing them!”
“The strangest thing is, they never put any revenue pressure on us.”
“Can we really… just sit in the office drinking coffee all day and do nothing?
Several of our blockbuster drug patents are about to expire, and we urgently need to develop new drugs to fill the market gaps!”
No one could understand Fanghuan Investment’s thought process.
Rumors circulated that they were ruthless capitalists chasing maximum profits.
What are they now? Philanthropists?
This "work-is-a-vacation" lifestyle left all the executives feeling unreal.
They felt like they were sitting on a luxury cruise ship piloted by a blindfolded madman, enjoying a Michelin-starred meal while trembling, unsure if they'd crash into an iceberg at any moment.
"Never mind that for now. We'll just do our best to cooperate with whatever they tell us to do."
Luke Wayne finally waved his hand helplessly.
"Anyway, this company isn't where we call the shots anymore.
To be honest, no performance pressure, less work, more money, it's pretty good..."
"That's true, but what if... they just ruin the company like this?"
This feeling of exhilaration mixed with fear was deeply ingrained in everyone's hearts.
After all, even the seemingly impregnable AstraZeneca castle was breached overnight by Fang Huan Investment; what else was impossible?
“So, we need to meet privately and think of a solution.
Even if all the R&D funding is withdrawn, we must find a way to utilize the resources we have… to continue the research…”
“Mr. Luke!”
Suddenly, an assistant rushed into the conference room, handing over a document.
“What is this?”
“An urgent document just sent by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“WHO?” Luke was stunned. “Why are they sending us this document?”
“Not just us, it’s said that all the world’s top pharmaceutical companies have received this document!”
The next second…
“!?!”
The moment Luke Wayne saw the contents of the document, his expression changed drastically!