"Enough! How long are you going to argue?" Xu Shiming's commanding voice cut through the heated debate in the room.
The people in charge immediately fell silent, all too familiar with the weight of his words.
Everyone present knew that in 2050, under Xu Shiming's leadership, Kangtao had undergone a swift modernization. The company had shed its debts and rebranded itself. That year, Kangtao had launched their new generation A-22B Super "smart" pistol to the market. Thanks to the government's substantial support, the company had heavily invested in high-tech research facilities, swiftly expanding into the smart weapon market.
In just two decades, former competitors like Nokota and Techtronica, major players in the high-tech military industry, had been left far behind.
This elderly man, who had steered Kangtao to the pinnacle of the global market, commanded respect. Even though the power within Kangtao had been spread across various departments, no one dared challenge his authority.
Much like Arama Saburo, who had passed on the Araba company to Arama Laixuan and Arama Hanako, some people were the soul of an organization, irreplaceable regardless of who took charge.
Once the room fell silent, every pair of eyes turned to Xu Shiming, waiting for his next words.
Their unease was not unwarranted. They had all heard of Peter—how he had become a major concern. The risks of body prosthetics were well-known within the company. Despite the undeniable power these enhancements granted, the consequences of installing too many prosthetics, especially those too advanced, could lead to cyber-psychosis.
Take David, for example. With his basic first-order Sianvestein prosthetic, he had been transformed from a street kid into a formidable mercenary in Night City. But even he had nearly been driven to the brink of madness by his extensive prosthetic use.
Peter, however, was different. If the rumors were true, and he possessed a powerful prosthetic body that Kangtao had not yet seen, that could be a game-changer. The potential benefits were immense. If Kangtao could get its hands on this new type of equipment, they could easily become the true masters of the world, supported by both the company's strength and China's backing.
But there was more. If Peter could achieve such extraordinary feats with just his human body, then he was akin to a monk embarking on a journey to unlock the deepest secrets of human biology. With access to just a small sample of his DNA, the secrets of the human body could be revealed. And who knew? It could even lead to a form of immortality.
The very thought of it drove everyone present into a frenzy.
"We have no other choice in this matter," Xu Shiming said, his voice calm but filled with resolve. "Our only option is to find this person, and if possible, bring him back to China."
Xu Shiming's words hung in the air like a promise. "If we can win him over, China will rise!"
His mind was already racing back to the days when he had first joined the army, the dangers he had faced, and the responsibility he had been given to reform the company and establish Kangtao. The weight of those memories fueled his determination now.
All the people present in the room had their eyes fixed on Xu Shiming. Every one of them dreamed of a world where Kangtao ruled supreme, with them at the helm.
"Ling Xiaohan," Xu Shiming called.
"Chairman Xu, just say it," Ling Xiaohan responded quickly, her voice firm.
Ling Xiaohan's rank was equivalent to Xu Shiming's, but she still treated him with the respect due to the man who had built Kangtao from the ground up.
"I've tracked down Peter," Xu Shiming continued. "I've gathered some information that says he is of Chinese descent. Though he didn't grow up here, I believe this is where we can make our move."
Xu Shiming looked at her, his expression serious. "Remember, we must approach him carefully. Don't provoke him or make him feel repelled by Kangtao."
Ling Xiaohan nodded in agreement, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
"That will be all for this meeting," Xu Shiming concluded, his voice firm.
The others in the room, though reluctantly, began disconnecting, returning to their own territories and duties.
"Try, if possible, to obtain DNA from Peter," Xu Shiming added quietly before the line went silent.
Ling Xiaohan's brow furrowed slightly. "Chairman, I understand, but finding someone to do this will be difficult."
She paused for a moment, considering her options. "Who do you think could be the best person for this mission?"
Xu Shiming sighed, his tone reflecting his deep thought. "I have a granddaughter who's studying with you."
Ling Xiaohan's eyes widened in realization. "But Chairman, I don't think Xinyue would go along with this. She's already hurt five or six boys who tried to get close to her in school."
Xu Shiming's granddaughter, Xu Xinyue, was a brilliant young woman studying in the United States. He had intended for her to join Kangtao from the ground up next year, but now it seemed he had another plan in mind.
Ling Xiaohan, knowing Xu Xinyue's reputation, didn't believe that the girl would agree to approach Peter. She was strong-willed and had no patience for anyone she saw as less than impressive.
Xu Shiming's face darkened. "That little girl calls me every day, asking to find someone stronger and smarter than her. How many men in the world meet that standard?"
Ling Xiaohan couldn't help but chuckle at Xu Shiming's frustration. Despite his strict demeanor, it was clear he cared deeply for his granddaughter. However, she knew that Xu Xinyue's stubborn nature made her a poor candidate for this task.
Xu Shiming had hoped to use his granddaughter's position to gain Peter's trust, but the complications were growing. If word of this leaked, the repercussions for Kangtao could be severe. It would appear as though Xu Shiming was using his personal connections for corporate gain, which could spark a scandal.
"If I don't try this approach, I can't think of anyone else," Xu Shiming said with a sigh, clearly distressed. "I've already run out of options."
Ling Xiaohan gave him a sympathetic look. "It's a risky move, Chairman, but I understand."
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.
"Ah! Who's talking about me?"
The voice came from a well-known college in America, where Xu Xinyue had been studying. She sneezed, frowning slightly as she wiped her nose.
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