Chapter 58: The Press Conference Convenes

Today was a momentous day. Ever since Fantasy Technologies announced it would hold a press conference, the media had rushed to the city at the very first opportunity.

Upon arrival, most reporters attempted to interview someone from Fantasy Technologies, but not only were they unable to get past the gates, the company’s executives were virtually never seen. On the rare occasions they appeared, it was always with government officials by their side, police guarding the perimeter, and absolutely no chance for interviews.

But today was different. The mysterious owner of Fantasy Technologies was about to make a public appearance, and the many lingering questions could finally be answered.

The press conference was set on the bare ground of Building Four, where only the foundation had been completed. Construction had halted due to funding issues, leaving an open lot on which a series of large tents had been erected for the event.

The scheduled start was nine o’clock, but by just past eight, a flood of journalists and media representatives had already poured in.

This was another district owned by Fantasy Technologies, separate from the company’s research center, but still under the corporation’s domain. Everyone had to enter through the main gate, guided by security staff to the event site. Anyone attempting to go elsewhere was politely but firmly redirected by the guards.

The security department of Fantasy Technologies had grown from just over thirty members in the beginning to more than three hundred now. Security was divided into four major teams, each responsible for a different sector, with day and night shifts. The monthly expenditure on security alone now ran into the tens of millions.

For today’s event, the municipal government had been specially requested to deploy police to prevent any incidents. The police managed the outer perimeters, security staff handled internal checks, and a final line of defense was provided by military personnel to prevent anyone from sneaking in under the guise of a journalist to probe into the company’s secrets.

Top media outlets from Xinhua, Global, and Phoenix Asia attended, making it clear to all others that today’s conference was a major event.

At nine o’clock sharp, the crowd fell silent as Lan Tianxin, the general manager of Fantasy Technologies, appeared.

She was dressed in a sky-blue business suit, her long hair flowing, exuding the presence of a formidable businesswoman.

Taking the microphone from her assistant, Lan Tianxin ascended the stage.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to today’s press conference, held by Fantasy Technologies Co., Ltd. I am Lan Tianxin, the general manager of Fantasy Technologies!

“Today’s conference has two main points. First, to address the much-discussed Gene Optimization Serum. Second, to announce a brand new product from Fantasy Technologies.”

“Ms. Lan, is your company’s owner present today?”

“Ms. Lan, is the Gene Optimization Serum truly as powerful as the news claims?”

“Ms. Lan, is your so-called new product going to be another deception like the Gene Optimization Serum?”

“May I ask—”

“May I ask—”

The hall instantly descended into chaos.

Many journalists tried to get close to Lan Tianxin, but between the stage and the press stood a human barrier of more than thirty security guards, each over six feet tall, effectively blocking the reporters’ advance. Over fifty other guards in the vicinity watched the crowd of more than three hundred journalists, equipped for crowd control.

“Silence!”

Her commanding voice jolted the frenzied reporters back to order.

“I know you have many questions. Now, let me invite our company’s chairman, Mr. Zhu Lan, to provide you with answers.”

Today, Zhu Lan wore a hand-tailored suit, looking more energetic than ever. He did not take the microphone from Lan Tianxin but stood directly at the podium.

“My name is Zhu Lan. I am the chairman and founder of Fantasy Technologies.”

The moment these words were spoken, the hall erupted. Flashbulbs exploded in a blinding storm.

Ever since the Gene Optimization Serum had sparked heated debate, Fantasy Technologies had become the center of attention. Many people wanted to know who owned the company. But its registration information was classified, and few could discover the true founder. As soon as the Gene Enhancement Serum was handed over to the state, the authorities, determined to keep Zhu Lan’s identity secret, had elevated the company’s registration data to Class A confidentiality.

Class A secrecy meant only provincial-level officials had access to such information. Although some within the industry knew Zhu Lan was behind Fantasy Technologies, they each hoped to monopolize the advantage and certainly wouldn’t share it with the media.

Thus, the general public had no idea who truly owned Fantasy Technologies. Even within the city—indeed, within the company itself—eighty percent of employees didn’t know the identity of their boss.

Zhu Lan rarely appeared in public, limiting himself to meetings with company executives. He had never been formally introduced to the general staff. It was precisely this air of mystery that fueled the intrigue surrounding both the serum and the company.

Mystery inspires pursuit.

And now, at last, the enigmatic owner of Fantasy Technologies, Zhu Lan, had appeared.

How could the reporters not be excited? This alone guaranteed tomorrow’s headlines—their editors would have to reward them with a raise.

Zhu Lan faced the barrage of cameras with composure; he had long anticipated this day.

Five minutes later, he raised his hand to quiet the crowd.

The journalists, sensing they’d captured enough photos, paused to listen.

“Today, in convening this press conference, I hope everyone can behave with civility. Should anyone fail to abide by the rules, my staff will escort you out.

“And now, I officially announce: the Gene Optimization Serum is now on the market!”

Before Zhu Lan, a platform rose, bearing a spherical device. He pressed it, and several screens flickered to life, displaying data from some of the serum’s clinical trials.

“The Gene Optimization Serum—some claim it’s a fraud. What you see here are the before-and-after results for several critically ill patients who used our product.”

Everyone was stunned by this display.

The sun was blazing overhead, yet before their eyes was a virtual screen, playing video footage. Regardless of the content, the very existence of this virtual display—visible even in bright sunlight—was a technological marvel unseen anywhere else in the world.

Flashbulbs erupted again.

Zhu Lan regarded his masterpiece with satisfaction.

“Mr. Zhu—”

“Mr. Zhu—” Several reporters realized this was their chance to question him directly.

“You first,” Zhu Lan said, pointing to a blonde foreign woman.

“Hello, Mr. Zhu. I am a reporter from Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Germany. As I understand, the Gene Optimization Serum was first evaluated at the Maidebier Institute in Germany before being released in Germany, France, Italy, and other countries.”

Zhu Lan nodded. “That’s correct.”

“Then why did sales of the serum stop afterward?” she asked, finally voicing her real question.

“Oh, you’re referring to that.” Zhu Lan showed no surprise. It was only to be expected that, just as the serum was gaining momentum, its sudden withdrawal would provoke curiosity at today’s press conference.

“The truth is, I ran into some unexpected events and was absent from the company. One of our senior executives, seeing the serum’s potential, stole part of the source material. In order to track down these samples, I had to shut down the company and conduct an internal reorganization. Without sufficient personnel, we had to suspend sales of the serum.”

A bombshell.

This was major news. Zhu Lan’s statement gave the assembled media a headline scoop: Fantasy Technologies had suffered a technology breach? Would the serum’s theft lead to a rival manufacturer? Business competition is a global reality. But for the serum to be stolen internally before even hitting the market? That was truly headline news.

“All right, next,” Zhu Lan said, pointing to another reporter.

“Hello, Mr. Zhu. I’m Honda Ji from the Tokyo News. There are claims that the Gene Optimization Serum is a fraudulent product. How do you respond to that?”

“Fraud?” Zhu Lan sneered. “Let’s just say it’s a fraud, then. Fantasy Technologies has limited production capacity. Those who think it’s a scam can simply choose not to buy it. It doesn’t matter. We estimate it will take at least eight years to meet full demand. We have plenty of time for skeptics to become believers. Time will prove everything.”

“Mr. Zhu, are you admitting the serum is a scam? Is this a typical practice for people from your country—to deceive the world?”

“Remove this reporter,” Zhu Lan said instantly, instructing his staff to escort the Japanese journalist out.

“You can’t do this! I’m a reporter—I have the right to question you!”

“I’ll sue you! I’ll sue Fantasy Technologies for being a fraud!”

Several guards carried the Japanese reporter away.

No one objected.

“The press conference will continue. I do not wish to see anyone else act like this Japanese reporter, snapping at people like a mad dog. The serum was tested in Europe. If you have doubts, bring your evidence. Fantasy Technologies developed the Gene Optimization Serum to repair genetic defects in the human body—a great project for the benefit of all humanity. Though the serum cannot yet correct every defect, it is still a remarkable product.”

“Does this reporter have a question?”

“Mr. Zhu, I’m from the American Press Union. Many people don’t fully understand the Gene Optimization Serum. Could you explain the underlying principles for us?”

Zhu Lan gave a cold smile. “No problem.” With a wave of his hand, a virtual screen appeared behind him. The light in the area seemed to change, and if one looked up, the sun no longer felt so hot.

This place had been specially prepared, a thin membrane stretched above, though no one realized its purpose.

Now, as the sunlight dimmed, many guessed that this seemingly transparent membrane was responsible.