Chapter 12

I apologize, but I need to take my son to the hospital, so I can't make deposits. For now, I can only update once a day.

Under normal circumstances, I will resume two updates starting Tuesday, plus the updates I owe from before, so starting next Tuesday, there will be three updates every day.

Also, this book has been signed, and the contract has already been sent out. Please rest assured and dive in; there will definitely be no sudden discontinuation!

...

The topic of the gene optimization fluid naturally caught the intense attention of Phil Coulson, a senior agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

There was no way he could ignore it. Although seventy years had passed, the last bottle of "Super Soldier Serum" had been destroyed by a Hydra agent, "Uncle Wolf."

Over the years, research on the "Super Soldier Serum" had not been entirely fruitless; otherwise, characters like Black Widow wouldn't exist. However, in terms of effectiveness, it was far from the original used by Captain America.

Seeing that someone had already developed a similar product to what S.H.I.E.L.D. had been researching, Phil Coulson, as a senior agent, couldn't help but pay attention.

When the two arrived at someone's office, Liu Rui gestured to the high-end sofa used for receiving guests and smiled, saying, "Please sit, Agent Coulson. Tea or coffee? Or perhaps some red wine?"

"Thank you, just coffee," Phil Coulson said with a smile after glancing at the luxurious decor of the office and sitting down.

Soon, a cup of coffee and a cup of premium Longjing tea were brought in by a secretary who was stunning in appearance, figure, and demeanor, especially in her well-fitted and fashionable OL uniform, which made her even more alluring.

Although Liu Rui didn't spend much time on the company's operations in his normal state, in the "Overclock" state, he had complete control over the entire company.

As for finding a secretary who was beautiful, well-figured, and had excellent temperament and skills, the reason was self-evident.

For a shut-in, the idea of "having a secretary do the work when there's something to do, and doing the secretary when there's nothing to do" was something he couldn't experience if he didn't have the conditions, but now that he did, there was no reason not to.

Since he didn't spend much time on the company's operations, Liu Rui decided to have a team of secretaries.

While it was hard to say how capable this team was, their appearance, figure, temperament, and skills were undoubtedly top-notch.

If there was any downside to these beautiful secretaries, it was that their work abilities still needed improvement, and the cost was quite high.

Fortunately, for Liu Rui, who had just made a hundred billion dollars from Tony Stark, this cost was negligible.

As the charming secretary swayed her slender waist and full hips to close the office door and threw a flirtatious glance, Phil Coulson had a bad feeling that he might be dealing with another Tony Stark.

Noticing the change in Coulson's expression, Liu Rui didn't hide anything and said frankly with a smile, "I apologize, Agent Coulson. I'm sure you understand that research work can be very tedious."

"To maintain a good mental state at all times without causing any trouble, I have to do this."

Phil Coulson, who understood what Liu Rui meant, was somewhat concerned about the possibility of another Tony Stark, but in terms of just a preference for women, it wasn't that serious.

After all, this was a personal matter, and S.H.I.E.L.D. had no authority to interfere, at least not overtly.

Even Tony Stark, who was notoriously womanizing and even more rebellious, didn't face any extreme actions from S.H.I.E.L.D.

S.H.I.E.L.D. even cleaned up the mess Tony Stark caused.

Of course, Liu Rui's current value and strength couldn't be compared to the century-old Stark Industries.

But the appearance of the gene optimization fluid was enough to draw S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention.

As for the authenticity of this product, Phil Coulson didn't doubt it too much.

After all, Liu Rui had already done things that were truly surprising, such as knowing that Howard Stark was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. and had left behind relics.

Not only that, but he had even used these relics to guide Tony Stark in creating a new element. This alone was enough to make S.H.I.E.L.D. take him seriously.

Moreover, from the options he gave Tony Stark, it was clear that he knew more than just a little.

In such a situation, it was hard for Phil Coulson to imagine why Liu Rui would lie about something so easily verifiable.

Therefore, Phil Coulson was more concerned about how many secrets Liu Rui knew and what exactly the gene optimization fluid was.

"I can understand that, but I'm more interested in the details of the gene optimization fluid you mentioned."

"Of course, if it's inconvenient to discuss, I can refrain from asking," Phil Coulson said, deciding to report this preference to S.H.I.E.L.D.

Seeing that the fish was already on the hook, Liu Rui didn't hesitate to bait it and said with a smile, "What's inconvenient about it?"

Soon, a file about the gene optimization fluid was brought in by another secretary who had different hair and a different demeanor but was equally beautiful.

"These are the various data and metrics related to the gene optimization fluid, and even the formula, I apologize," Liu Rui said, handing over the file.

Phil Coulson, who had not expected to easily obtain the formula for the gene optimization fluid, was already surprised by how cooperative this mysterious individual was.

Joking aside, if this gene optimization fluid was real and effective, its value would be extremely high, even if it was only one-tenth as effective as the "Super Soldier Serum."

Especially when Phil Coulson carefully read the file and found that the gene optimization fluid had a much higher普及性 than the "Super Soldier Serum," his level of concern increased significantly.

There was no way not to take it seriously. If the uniqueness of Captain America was due to external factors, why was there only one Black Widow, who used a weakened version of the "Super Soldier Serum"?

The answer to this question could be one of two things: either the weakened version of the "Super Soldier Serum" had higher requirements for the user, not just anyone could use it, or the quantity was limited, though the latter was less likely.

Before Captain America's return, it was understandable, but after his return, S.H.I.E.L.D. would certainly have extracted more blood from him to develop the "Super Soldier Serum."

However, throughout the development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there has only been one Black Widow.

Otherwise, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't have to go through so much trouble. Even if they couldn't produce thousands of Black Widows, at least the elite agents led by Nick Fury could use it.

"Mr. Liu, I apologize, but may I ask a question?" Phil Coulson, who had carefully read the documents, looked up and said seriously.

"As long as it doesn't involve the core of the research, please go ahead," Liu Rui nodded and replied.

"Do you confirm that the data and metrics in this file about the gene optimization fluid are correct?" Phil Coulson asked, clearly understanding the implications of the file.

Seeing that the prey had fallen into the "pit" he had dug, Liu Rui answered seriously, "Apart from the lack of large-scale clinical trials, the data and metrics you see are indeed correct."

"So, this gene optimization fluid has already undergone clinical trials on a small scale?" Phil Coulson, who immediately grasped the key point, asked.

Liu Rui, who was not surprised by this question, smiled and said, "I see, Agent Coulson, you're worried I might have conducted inhumane experiments in violation of U.S. law."

"However, please rest assured, this gene optimization fluid has not been tested on anyone in this world."

"Then, were these data and metrics obtained from animal testing?" Phil Coulson, tapping the file with human-based data and metrics, asked seriously.

Liu Rui, who wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal that the gene optimization fluid's testing was completed in "Elysium," shrugged and said, "Good question, Agent Coulson. However, this involves the core of my research, so I cannot disclose it."

"Mr. Liu, you should know that conducting such experiments on humans without authorization violates U.S. law."

Phil Coulson's words were clear, even though he only said one sentence.

Faced with this somewhat threatening statement, Liu Rui's response was unusually direct.

A test tube containing ten milliliters of light blue liquid was soon placed in front of Phil Coulson.

"This is..." Phil Coulson, who had intended to extract more information through debate, looked at the test tube and asked, somewhat stunned.

"Ten milliliters of gene optimization fluid may not have a significant effect, but it is enough for your colleagues to conduct a preliminary analysis."

"This is my sincerity. Agent Coulson can take it back, and we can discuss further once the analysis results are out," Liu Rui said, lifting his teacup.

Although the ancient custom of offering tea to signal the end of a meeting might be unfamiliar to foreigners like Phil Coulson, and even to many Chinese, Liu Rui's gesture and words were clear.

Faced with this unexpected situation, Phil Coulson hesitated for only a few seconds before decisively taking the test tube.

Then, as if the previous questioning had never happened, he ignored the hint to leave and changed the subject, "I heard your company is looking for a new office location?"