As they neared the center of the garage, Guo Xiaopeng said, "You should enjoy the last of my drugs, my life's work and your final dose." Lin Xiaoqiang scratched at the persistent itch under his skin, "What do you mean?" Guo Xiaopeng suddenly turned, his face twisted with malice, "Because you're about to die!" Lin Xiaoqiang gritted his teeth, "If anyone's dying, it's you first!" He pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed loudly in the garage, but Guo Xiaopeng stood unharmed. Guo Xiaopeng spat at him before turning and running. Furious, Lin Xiaoqiang chased after him, firing wildly.
Hidden policemen, fearing for Guo Xiaopeng's safety, were ordered by Li Xinjian, "Shoot! Aim for the target!"
A barrage of gunfire filled the garage. Lin Xiaoqiang convulsed and jerked, then fell lifeless. The officers surrounded him. Li Xinjian took Lin Xiaoqiang's gun from a fellow officer, checked the chamber, and found only one bullet left. He weighed it in his hand and cursed, "Damn, it's a blank!"
The officers exchanged confused looks.
Li Xinjian, holding a submachine gun in his left hand and Lin Xiaoqiang's pistol in his right, walked towards Guo Xiaopeng. "Did you do this?" he asked, raising the pistol. Guo Xiaopeng's face was emotionless, giving nothing away.
In the basement, Guo Xiaopeng pointed to rows of equipment and bottles of crystals, "My amphetamines and derivatives are different. Unlike heroin's severe side effects, LSD's shallowness, or PCP's harshness, mine are mild and progressive. They combine the best features of popular drugs. I believe they will dominate the global market." Wang Jingfei listened intently, despite feeling nauseated.
Guo Xiaopeng, enraptured, admired a bottle as if it were a masterpiece. "I've spent years perfecting this, like Edison, through countless experiments." He turned to Wang Jingfei, "Do you know how painful it is to invent a new drug and not immediately test it on humans?"
Wang Jingfei suppressed her disgust and asked, "How did you solve that problem? Animal testing?"
Guo Xiaopeng shook his head, "Psychedelics affect the mind; human subjects are necessary."
"Where did you find so many people?"
"Through various channels, I provided them to users and painstakingly collected data to refine the chemical structure." Guo Xiaopeng set the bottle down, "Persistence conquers all!"
"Most drug dealers trade in popular substances. Why go to such lengths?" Wang Jingfei shrugged as if she didn't understand.
"To become world-class, one must innovate. My drugs—" he shook the vial in his hand, "—don't incapacitate users entirely. The market must be cultivated. It's costly to nurture a user; if your product fails within a few years, how can you maintain your market?" Wang Jingfei quickly adjusted her thinking to align with his, "Your invention could set a trend."
"Not could, it already has!" Guo Xiaopeng corrected her. Wang Jingfei asked, "How do you know?"
Guo Xiaopeng replied, "Otherwise, Mr. G wouldn't risk coming to the mainland for mere millions in profit."
"Mr. G?" Wang Jingfei was surprised, then annoyed, "You've kept many secrets from me! At least tell me his age so I can share in the pride of being 'in the know.'"
"You misunderstand me. I've kept nothing from you," Guo Xiaopeng spread his hands sincerely, "Honestly, I've never met him. We only communicate via email." Wang Jingfei cautioned, "He could be setting a trap."
"Absolutely not!" Guo Xiaopeng confidently rubbed his hands together, "I've thoroughly vetted him." He reached to turn off the lights, "Let's continue in the living room. The chemicals here could harm your beautiful skin, and I wouldn't want that."
Wang Jingfei smiled gratefully and followed him out.
The living room was indeed fresher, with the morning sunlight filtering through the large windows, casting a transparent sheen like gossamer wings on the walls, sofa, and blood-red carpet. Guo Xiaopeng handed Wang Jingfei a cup of instant coffee and sat across from her. "We reached a preliminary understanding here recently. Now let's discuss specifics. Over the years, I've quietly transferred funds overseas. Haizhou Pharmaceuticals' capital structure is complex, involving bank money, collective funds, and some corporate investments. Unlike Hong Kong, the mainland has many regulatory bodies overseeing money transfers."
"How did you bypass the regulations?" Wang Jingfei asked casually.
"These are technical details, not important," Guo Xiaopeng dismissed the matter lightly, "The key is, Haizhou Pharmaceuticals is now an empty shell."
"On the surface, it seems quite prosperous," Wang Jingfei feigned surprise. Guo Xiaopeng patted his knee, "It's a façade. This transaction's funds will drain it completely. It won't last two months."
Wang Jingfei felt a pang of anxiety but showed no emotion, "Are you saying you'll leave with the goods?"
"I've fully considered your interests. Once the overseas company is established, you'll have a ten percent stake."
"How much is ten percent worth?" Wang Jingfei asked seriously.
"At least ten million dollars."
Wang Jingfei's eyes widened in feigned excitement, "That's quite an enticing number."
Guo Xiaopeng, noting every nuance of her expression, felt assured that she was on his side. He said, "You can fully engage in company activities from now on."
Wang Jingfei, elated but composed, asked, "What activities?"
"This afternoon, join me in Shenzhen for a high-level meeting."
"With whom?"
Guo Xiaopeng leaned in mysteriously, "You'll find out when we get there."