Chen Jinzhao sighed.
If he had another month, the outcome would be entirely different.
But—
He had to face the battle now, or the consequences would be even worse.
Chen Jinzhao dialed Xu Nianqing's number. Xu Nianqing immediately guessed Chen Jinzhao's thoughts, "That thing isn't finished developing yet, it's only a semi-finished product, and it will have significant side effects after use. If you could wait another month, it would be close to perfect."
"I don't have time," Chen Jinzhao said.
Xu Nianqing was silent for a moment, then said with a complicated tone, "Is there really no time at all?"
Chen Jinzhao hummed.
Xu Nianqing sighed, "Alright, I'll bring it to you now. But you need to think carefully, there's no turning back with this."
"I believe in you," Chen Jinzhao added.
Xu Nianqing was speechless.
"Where are you? I'll come find you," she asked after she reacted.
Chen Jinzhao thought for a moment and said, "In about half an hour, I should be at Gou Chen Group. Bring it over there."
"Okay!"
He hung up the phone.
Chen Jinzhao took Tai Sui from the study wall.
This was his old friend, and Chen Jinzhao's most loyal comrade!
Only it would not betray him.
He gently caressed Tai Sui's blade and murmured, "Old friend, we're going to the battlefield again. Are you ready?"
"After today, I think you'll need to find a new master."
"I wonder who will be so lucky?"
Chen Jinzhao smiled and hid Tai Sui.
After leaving home, he went to his mother and Shanli Qianhuo's residence. As soon as he entered, Xiao Sinian ran towards him with open arms, "Daddy, hug me..."
Chen Jinzhao picked up his daughter and asked with a smile, "Has Xiao Sinian listened to Grandma?"
"Daddy, I'm very well-behaved," Xiao Sinian said without much conviction.
Li Qiurong chuckled and chided, "This little one is too clever. There's never a moment she's still. I think only when she's home at night does she calm down. She almost wore me out."
"You must listen to Grandma and Mommy from now on, understand?" Chen Jinzhao said earnestly.
Although Xiao Sinian was young, she was very intelligent.
Hearing her father's words, she tilted her head and asked, "Daddy, where are you going?"
Chen Jinzhao rubbed his daughter's head and said gently, "Daddy isn't going anywhere. I'll always be with you."
Xiao Sinian said "oh."
Li Qiurong's smile gradually froze. From her understanding of her son, he wouldn't say such things without reason.
"Son, you..."
Chen Jinzhao did not directly respond to Li Qiurong. Instead, he handed his daughter to his mother and bid farewell to Shanli Qianhuo.
This meeting was likely a fight for survival.
Shanli Qianhuo did not try to keep Chen Jinzhao. She only knew that her husband was an extraordinary man, and she couldn't be tearful at this moment, lest Chen Jinzhao waver.
Shanli Qianhuo's farewell was simple. She smiled and said, "Go with peace of mind. I will raise our child to be a hero like you! And I will let the child know that you are a man of integrity!"
Chen Jinzhao's expression remained largely unchanged.
After bidding farewell to Shanli Qianhuo, she wisely took Xiao Sinian to the living room, leaving Chen Jinzhao and Li Qiurong alone.
Before Li Qiurong could speak, Chen Jinzhao knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing three times.
"Mom, I'm leaving."
"Please take care of yourself from now on!"
Li Qiurong quickly pulled Chen Jinzhao up, "Son, are you going to the Li family? Why don't you wait? I have a feeling your father is coming back soon. Once your father returns, things might turn around. Why go now?"
Chen Jinzhao had only one reply, "I can't wait anymore."
Li Qiurong was silent for a long time, then said, "You're just like your father. Once you've made up your mind, ten horses can't pull you back."
"Mom, I'm sorry," Chen Jinzhao said, blaming himself.
This engagement was more perilous than the last trip to the East Sea. Surviving was considered the best-case scenario.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm proud to have you as my son. Just go. I will help take care of all of them," Li Qiurong said.
Chen Jinzhao felt unbearable.
His mother's temples were already gray, and she still had to bear the pain of a parent outliving their child.
He wanted to say more, but Li Qiurong patted his shoulder and forced a smile, "Go. I know my son is brave. Don't be soft-hearted when dealing with enemies! And if you survive, never give up any opportunity."
Chen Jinzhao nodded heavily, then turned and left.
He drove to Gou Chen Group, trying his best to maintain a cold expression, not wanting them to see his vulnerable side.
More than ten minutes later.
Chen Jinzhao met Yu Mengzhi in the office.
Yu Mengzhi seemed to already know that Chen Jinzhao was going to the Li family. She had been waiting there for a long time.
"I have no other requests. I want to go with you," Yu Mengzhi said.
Three years ago, she didn't have the chance.
This time, the opportunity was presented to her, and she was unwilling to back down.
Chen Jinzhao shook his head, "No, I have to go alone."
Yu Mengzhi immediately became anxious, "Why? Do you see me as a burden?"
"No!" Chen Jinzhao shook his head again.
"I just want you to live. I can't watch Xiao Sinian grow up, and I hope you can do it in my place."
Yu Mengzhi ran her fingers through her hair, saying irritably, "Chen Jinzhao, do you know how selfish you are?"
"Are our mother and daughter being abandoned by you like this?"
Chen Jinzhao was speechless.
After speaking, Yu Mengzhi lowered her head and took Chen Jinzhao's hand, "I'm sorry. What I said just now was out of anger. I truly, truly want to help you. Can you give me a chance?"
"Your strength and survival are the greatest help to me," Chen Jinzhao said.
He paused.
He added, "If I really die, you can fully rely on Qin Fengwu in the future. Although this man has great ambitions, he is sincere towards you."
Yu Mengzhi choked back tears.
"Then, will you come back?" she asked.
Chen Jinzhao smiled, "I'll try."
Yu Mengzhi understood.
Not long after.
Xu Nianqing arrived at Gou Chen Group. Yu Mengzhi decided to give the two of them space to be alone and left the office.
"I couldn't see you off last time, I didn't expect there to be a next time like this," Xu Nianqing said with a wry smile, as if it wasn't a final farewell.
As she spoke, she opened the black box.
The box contained a bottle of pale blue liquid. Xu Nianqing held the bottle and shook it, saying as she shook it, "This is an enhanced gene potion. The dosage is ten times the normal amount. I think you need this very much right now."
"It takes effect immediately after injection, and the effect lasts for 24 hours."
"After 24 hours, you will suffer from very strong side effects."
"Remember..."
As she spoke.
Xu Nianqing couldn't continue.
She, who was pretending to be strong, could no longer maintain her facade.
She sniffled and spoke again.
"I..."
"I actually still love you."