Chapter 912: Chapter 912

In the next several minutes, Mao Zhen showed no sign of improvement.

The onlookers began whispering among themselves. To them, it seemed unlikely that this experiment would succeed.

"I told you, curing cancer isn't that easy. Even The Stars and Stripes Country hasn't developed a cure. How could Huaxia possibly do it?"

"This is nothing but a publicity stunt. If cancer were so easily treated, how could so many people die from it every year?"

... ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩

Amidst a growing chorus of doubt, Ding Fan remained calm and composed.

Ding Fan had unwavering confidence in his medicine. Although Mao Zhen's condition showed no improvement just yet, everyone present seemed to overlook one key point.

That was, while Mao Zhen's condition hadn't improved, it also hadn't worsened.

In other words, the medicine was fighting hard to inhibit the cancer cells in Mao Zhen's body.

Fifteen minutes later, it was time for the fifth round of tests.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the medical staff concluded their examination and stepped forward again. "The patient's condition is showing signs of improvement..."

Few in the crowd had any confidence left in Ding Fan, but at that moment, the medical staff reported that the condition had improved.

The doctors then shared the test results with everyone present. Sure enough, many of the data points had noticeably rebounded.

At this moment, Elder Du, who had been silently brooding in the corner with a furrowed brow, appeared visibly relieved and even stood up from his seat.

Soon, in accordance with the standard of conducting tests every three minutes, it was time for the eighteen-minute mark, and the doctors conducted another round of examinations on Mao Zhen.

Everyone fell completely silent. All eyes were on the medical staff, awaiting the report.

The first signs of improvement could be attributed to fluctuations in the patient's unstable condition. Therefore, the second test carried significant weight in reflecting the patient's actual progress.

When the results came in, the medical staff stepped forward once again. After reporting various data points, they finally declared, "The patient's condition has improved!"

Boom... The crowd erupted into chatter once again.

Although it was still too early to confirm that Ding Fan's medicine could cure cancer, two rounds of improvement had already sparked a glimmer of hope in everyone.

Even Old Master Qin couldn't sit still any longer. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching intently from afar.

Qin Manshu, on the other hand, clenched her fists tightly...

In the next five rounds of examinations, the patient's condition continued to improve with each test. After one hour, the patient not only regained consciousness, but the various data indicated that the cancer cells in his body were disappearing at an accelerating rate.

Another hour later, the patient's condition had stabilized. At that point, the medical staff conducted a full-body examination on Mao Zhen once again.

Everyone held their breath, their attention laser-focused on this examination.

Would Ding Fan's restorative pill prove effective? Could it truly cure cancer? All questions hinged on the results of this moment.

The examination process felt agonizingly slow. Despite the room being packed with people, an eerie silence prevailed.

It was so quiet that one could hear the proverbial pin drop.

Everyone present understood that if this experiment succeeded, they would bear witness to a truly historic moment.

If it succeeded, cancer would be struck off the list of terminal diseases, and this long-unsolvable world problem would soon be a topic of the past...

Around ten minutes later, the examination was finally completed. Mao Zhen stepped off the equipment, his face still a little pale but his spirits visibly better than before.

Soon after, the medical staff finished compiling their report.

When the medical staff walked to the front of the crowd, every camera, every recording device, and every lens turned to catch this moment.

Perhaps the next second would usher in a historic moment!

The medical staff, following the standard reporting procedure, detailed Mao Zhen's examination results...

"...Based on all the tests conducted, we can confirm that no cancer cells were detected. We are certain that all the cancer cells in the patient's body have been eradicated. The patient is now in a healthy state. Through this experiment, Huaxia Group's Revitalizing Pill has been proven to have the efficacy to treat cancer. Thus, the results of this experiment..."

The medical staff paused, swept their gaze across the room, and then declared forcefully, "This experiment... is a success!"

Boom... As soon as the announcement was made, thunderous applause erupted from everyone present.

"It worked! This is truly a historic moment!"

"The Huaxia Group is incredible. It only took two hours—just two hours—to cure the patient's condition. Amazing... simply amazing..."

"The Huaxia Group has really brought honor to the Huaxia people..."

The applause was interspersed with whistles and cheers, creating a scene of utter exhilaration.

At that moment, a rousing piece of music played, and Ding Fan, holding Qin Manshu's hand, slowly walked to the center of the crowd.

The applause intensified as the two of them stepped forward, heartfelt appreciation pouring from the crowd for Ding Fan and Qin Manshu.

After all, cancer claims millions of lives each year. Ding Fan and the Huaxia Group, by any measure, had saved tens of millions—hundreds of millions—of lives!

Meanwhile, Mao Zhen had come down from the testing equipment.

His face, however, was ashen pale.

Originally, he had volunteered for this trial with the intent of causing harm—to drag the Huaxia Group down with him.

Previously, Mao Zhen had schemed to frame Ding Fan, but instead, he ended up imprisoned for his troubles. This time, he'd resolved that even if he couldn't succeed himself, he would ensure Ding Fan's failure.

He had decided to use his own body for the experiment, banking on the cancer cells spreading throughout. Once the cancer spread, not even a god descending to earth could save him.

Though Mao Zhen was risking his life, he planned to leave 30% of Sophie Group's shares to his descendants and, at the same time, drag Ding Fan and his team into ruin...

Mao Zhen thought he had it all figured out. But reality turned out to be merciless. He hadn't anticipated this outcome.

He had unwittingly used his own body to pave the way for Ding Fan's success.

Now, Ding Fan and his team were hailed as heroes worldwide, while he looked like a fool, a clown, standing near them, serving as a mere backdrop.

Even now, Mao Zhen struggled to comprehend how Ding Fan had managed to develop a cancer-treatment drug in just one month.

After all, his team had spent countless years only to develop an incomplete prototype.

But Ding Fan's solution was far more formidable—even advanced-stage cancer was treatable for them...

How did they pull it off?

To make matters worse for Mao Zhen, though his cancer was gone, the damage it had done to his internal organs would require a lengthy recovery.

In essence, Mao Zhen had made a fool of himself while helping Ding Fan achieve epic success...

At that moment, Elder Du and Old Master Qin stepped forward to join Ding Fan.

"Mr. Mao, it seems Huaxia can indeed develop a drug to treat cancer cells," Elder Du remarked to Mao Zhen.

Mao Zhen shot Elder Du a glare but said nothing. Faced with the undeniable facts, he had no rebuttal. All he could do was lower his head in silence.

Seeing Mao Zhen in this state, Elder Du felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him.

After all, Mao Zhen had always been insufferably arrogant, constantly looking down on them and repeating, "Huaxia could never accomplish that," as if it were a mantra.

If it weren't for Mao Zhen being part of a key pharmaceutical entity that the state wanted to attract, Elder Du wouldn't have put up with his arrogance.

Now that the Huaxia Group had genuinely developed a cancer-treatment drug, Elder Du couldn't suppress his overwhelming pride—pride born from being a Huaxia citizen!

"Mao Zhen, what about your bet with Ding Fan?" Old Master Qin stepped forward.

Mao Zhen's face turned beet red.

He had been so confident when he proclaimed the terms of the bet in front of all the media. At the time, he hadn't imagined that Ding Fan could genuinely succeed in developing a cancer-treatment drug.

Now, he had dug a hole for himself and jumped straight in...

With the cameras of every major news outlet in Huaxia Country, Yahuan State, and even the Western world trained on him, what could Mao Zhen do? There was no way to backtrack now!

Mao Zhen hesitated for a while before finally stepping up to Ding Fan. "Ding Fan, I admit I've lost, but... but can I substitute the 30% of my shares with money instead? I'm willing to give you twenty billion! I'll give it to you unconditionally!"

The shares of Sophie Group weren't something easily parted with. Money could be earned again, but those shares were irreplaceable assets. That's why Mao Zhen preferred to offer cash to safeguard his holdings.

Elder Du and Old Master Qin both shook their heads upon hearing this. Mao Zhen had truly cornered himself into the "no pain, no gain" proverb's perfect example.

Ding Fan hadn't even brought up the bet before, but Mao Zhen had insisted. Now he had thoroughly embarrassed himself.

Ding Fan responded calmly, "I won't take anything for free. I'll abide by the bet and acquire 30% of your shares..."

Mao Zhen's face turned utterly pale.

That 30% stake had cost him years of effort, countless schemes, and endless machinations to secure. And now, it was slipping out of his hands.

Ding Fan turned to Qin Manshu and said, "Manshu, allocate twenty billion to Mr. Mao and proceed with the equity transfer as soon as possible."

Qin Manshu nodded. "Understood!"

Mao Zhen had previously stated that he wanted to purchase Ding Fan's Huaxia Company for twenty billion. So, as per the bet, Ding Fan was now acquiring Mao Zhen's shares for the same amount—fair and square.

Mao Zhen collapsed to the ground in utter defeat.

That 30% stake had a real market value closer to thirty billion. Yet now Ding Fan was acquiring it for twenty billion, meaning Mao Zhen had lost ten billion outright.

At that moment, Mao Zhen felt like crying but had no tears left. If only he had known Ding Fan's tenacity, he would have never provoked him...