Before the crowd could process Boss Zhang’s words, a single "but"—an unexpected turn—forced everyone to perk up their ears and listen closely.
But what? What’s there to ’but’ about? If we’re going by the rules, what’s left to ’but’? Seriously.
Nobody dared to speak these words aloud, but those from the Yunzhou dicine Association thought them, all the while nodding and smiling. "Please, do tell," one said. "Whatever it is, as long as it’s within the rules, we’re open to discussion." The Chief Referee had given them a way out; they couldn’t very well ignore the gesture, could they?
Victory seed within their grasp. Anything was acceptable as long as it didn’t affect the outco.
mbers of the other dicine Associations looked on with unpleasant expressions. They had heard that if the inhibition rate was the deciding factor, then the 99.9% figure would likely clinch the victory. Even if the Chief Referee had additional demands, it seed too late for them to turn the tide.
Is the Chief Referee also biased? everyone wondered. They all knew this drug had been developed with a massive amount of money. Using it was frankly out of the question—not to ntion its lethal side effects, especially considering the precious red energy source was rarer even than Bodhi.
At that mont, all eyes turned to the Chief Referee.
Elder Zhang continued, "However, since this result has been obtained, we will record your data on the competition’s score sheet. You may conclude your participation now. As Old Zhao ntioned, this drug isn’t suitable for mass production. Even continuing trials for this formulation is unnecessary, given the waste of human and material resources... Let’s stop here."
The faces of those from the Yunzhou dicine Association flickered with indiscernible emotions. Although their data had been acknowledged, and they might end up champions, the inability to mass-produce or even continue research left them with a hollow victory. Won’t we beco the subject of ridicule once we return?
Boss Zhang coughed a few tis, waved his hand, and began walking away. As he walked, he said firmly, "Rest assured, the results will be based on the inhibition rate. If yours remains the highest, then the championship is yours." His deanor brooked no further argunt, showcasing the Chief Referee’s decisiveness.
"Good! Then, we will take our leave."
"Wait. That child will be your responsibility. If you can’t cure him, his life from here on out is in your hands. I will send people to check in regularly."
The person in charge from the Yunzhou dicine Association lowered his head. When he raised it again, his eyes were filled with joy and smiles. "Of course, it is our responsibility."
The delegation from the Yunzhou dicine Association quickly left the scene, taking all their belongings and leaving behind only a ssenger. The competition continued; this was but a minor episode. Despite the 99.9% figure looming over them, other dicine Associations did not give up. Fighting for second or third place was still worthwhile, as it could lead to good resources for the following year.
「Yet, another wave arose before the first had settled.」
The drug testing stage had just begun. They hadn’t even had the chance to administer the injections when the competition venue beca noisy again. The sight of children lying neatly on the ground, apparently unconscious from the anesthesia, was sowhat unsettling.
"One hundred percent!"
"It’s one hundred percent!"
Each shout was more excited and louder than the last.
"What one hundred percent? One hundred percent what?"
"Who knows? Let’s go see. Could it be a one hundred percent inhibition rate?"
"Are you crazy? What was the highest the Epidemic Prevention Departnt achieved after months of research? Today, a drug with a 99.9% rate, developed with sheer money, has been shocking enough. And its side effects are so severe it could practically turn people into imbeciles. How could there possibly be one hundred percent? That would be a huge slap in the face for the Epidemic Prevention Departnt!"
As they talked, the growing excitent and impassioned cries drew the others back in. Of course, so diligent participants continued to focus on the competition. They did not join the commotion. As everyone knows, those who rely watch the drama unfold and gossip never accomplish great things.
"Ahem, wait a mont, let’s pause the competition," Minister Zhao announced through a gaphone, but he didn’t expect Boss Zhang to snatch it from him. Boss Zhang then declared, "What competition are you talking about? The competition is over; there’s no need to continue! Whether you’ve yet to start, are halfway through the drug trial, or are about to begin, please stop all actions. I now announce the competition is over!"
Everyone was bewildered. What in the world is going on? Had the competition even properly started? We went to see what the commotion was about after that sudden announcent of a 99.9% inhibition rate. We just got back to the competition area, not even ward up yet, and now they’re declaring it over?
"But so of us haven’t even started... Why is it over?"
"What happened?"
"Why stop the competition?"
Overco with excitent, Boss Zhang spoke through the gaphone, "What is the purpose of hosting this competition? It’s to find a complete cure for the parasite! Now that we have found it, the competition must end! Just monts ago, we discovered a drug that has no side effects, an inhibitory and kill rate of 100%, and can be mass-produced! This horrific parasite infection will soon be over!"
"Really? Is it true?"
"Quick, look! Wu City! Their data just updated on the big screen!"
"Wu City? The one with a huge supply of Bodhi? But... how could the rate be that high?"
"It’s real! Truly real! This is so unexpected!"
The lab results were in. Although the two children were very weak, with their organs damaged to varying degrees, and would need further treatnt, the conclusion was undeniable: the parasites had vanished completely, eradicated without a trace!
"Quick! This drug needs at least five hundred clinical trials! Start treating these children now! I ask the other dicine Associations to stop their work and clear the premises!" Minister Zhao urged. He sounded much like an exam proctor announcing the end of an exam when the bell rings, shouting, "Alright, pens down! Leave the classroom!" afraid soone might write an extra word.
This was undeniably real. The people of Wu City had actually produced a cost-free drug with a 100% efficacy rate!
Was this competition so kind of farce from beginning to end? What had we actually accomplished, if not just playing a supporting role? they thought.
"So, even if the first-place winner is decided, and second place too, shouldn’t we at least determine third and fourth place?" soone asked.
"Exactly! We should have a proper ranking, right? You can’t just stop the competition halfway through!" another added. How will we explain this when we get back? What about the resources?
Boss Zhang waved his hand dismissively and said authoritatively, "Apart from the data just recorded, all other dicine Associations will score Zero for this round. We’ll then determine rankings based on the combined scores from the first and second rounds." That was quite generous of him, so thought.
Fine, so everyone scored Zero this round—what a frustrating ss, they grumbled inwardly. But at least there will be a third place.
People started to trickle out. Now, the delegation from the Wu City dicine Association really had to scramble. They, too, were still bewildered by the outco.
Reviews
All reviews (0)