Chapter 22: Experiment Complete

Lu Yu arrived at the house he had rented in the suburbs. After checking all the equipment, he immediately began his experiment.

According to the elementary technology materials, synthesizing a stimulant to promote cellular absorption of water wasn’t particularly difficult. The basic elements also existed on Blue Star, so Lu Yu completed this part with little trouble.

However, the substance was far too irritating, causing some damage to skin cells. Lu Yu found himself stymied as he tried to solve this issue.

He tested numerous compounds but made no real progress, which left him scratching his head in frustration.

Another three or four days passed, with Lu Yu eating and sleeping in the lab.

He tried every drug and compound he had purchased, but none proved effective.

Pacing back and forth in the laboratory, Lu Yu pondered the properties of the substance, searching for some subtlety he might have overlooked.

In the end, he had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that he had missed nothing.

Distressed, he ordered takeout, slumped against his lab equipment as he ate, and decided to try synthesizing a pigment-absorbing compound instead.

Perhaps a change in approach would spark some sudden inspiration.

…

As he ate, Lu Yu habitually picked out the condiments from his food.

Halfway through, he froze. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind, and he almost wanted to slap himself.

All along, he’d been using only synthetic pharmaceuticals—Western medicine compounds—relying fundamentally on chemical neutralization.

He’d completely forgotten about natural ingredients.

What does traditional medicine rely on to heal? Isn’t it the use of natural substances?

Some medicinal herbs are not only used in remedies but also as seasoning in cooking!

And traditional medicine emphasizes the roles of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy—an approach precisely about harmonizing properties!

In a flash, Lu Yu understood. He grabbed his phone and began searching through medical classics.

From The Compendium of Materia Medica to Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases, to Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold, and many others—he pored over every ancient text he could find.

He meticulously looked up the properties and uses of each herb, seeking those that might have a neutralizing effect.

During this process, his resentment toward the search engine company QianDu deepened. No matter what herb he searched for, all he got were endless advertisements! Some hospitals’ ads were so obviously untrustworthy. Truly, the company had no sense of social responsibility or moral bottom line! He resolved to destroy it someday.

…

After reviewing many classics and herbal references, Lu Yu narrowed down a list of over forty herbs to try first. He immediately set out by taxi to two large herbal pharmacies and bought them all.

Excited, he returned to the lab and began a new round of experiments.

Perseverance paid off. After testing all forty-plus herbs, Lu Yu finally found an ideal method of neutralization.

Ironically, the key herb was hawthorn, usually used as a sweetener.

By adding bai ji, wood fern, and twinflower, he achieved the perfect neutralizing effect.

Combined, these four herbs completely counteracted the irritant’s side effects on the skin, allowing the substance to gently stimulate the cells’ absorption of water without causing harm.

Having finally solved the problem, Lu Yu couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Gratitude welled up in his heart for the ancestors who contributed to traditional medicine, especially those who wrote the ancient medical texts.

Rather than stop there, Lu Yu decided to add several harmless herbal ingredients as well. This would help confuse competitors once the product launched, and it was also his way of supporting traditional medicine.

After all, including these herbs would draw more attention to traditional medicine, increase public understanding, and benefit the herb growers—contributing to the entire industry in an indirect way.

Having finished, Lu Yu even gave himself a thumbs-up.

…

With one problem solved, his spirits soared. He pressed on, diving into the task of synthesizing a pigment-absorbing compound.

This time, the process was much more difficult than synthesizing the irritant. Some necessary elements did not exist on Blue Star, or if they did, they hadn’t been discovered.

This multiplied the difficulty of his work.

He could only search for substitutes among known elements or compounds on Blue Star by analyzing the properties of the elements or the compounds he needed to synthesize.

According to the elementary technology materials, there were many substances capable of absorbing pigments.

Fortunately, from his previous reading, Lu Yu had already identified a few promising candidates for synthesis. Otherwise, the workload would have been overwhelming.

At times like these, Lu Yu appreciated the advantages of artificial intelligence even more.

He vowed to figure out how to get his hands on an AI as soon as possible, even a basic one.

Otherwise, with such a vast sea of knowledge, he could never hope to learn, let alone research, everything in a lifetime.

…

This round of synthesis was even more arduous.

Lu Yu faced countless failures, trying many Blue Star elements and substances as substitutes before finally achieving a barely satisfactory result.

Though not perfect, it would suffice for cosmetics manufacturing.

According to his calculations, using the product daily for half a month would yield visible results. For more pronounced effects, continued use would be necessary.

Again, he planned to add a number of harmless herbal ingredients so the whitening mechanism would remain a mystery.

Lu Yu truly had a knack for cunning business.

Having finally completed the synthesis of both substances, he ended his experiments in high spirits.

Stepping out of the lab, he realized he’d lost all track of how many days he’d been there.

…

He’d considered developing an anti-aging compound, but after reviewing the elementary technology materials, he abandoned the idea.

With his current knowledge and rudimentary equipment, his chances of success were slim.

Fortunately, the irritant not only stimulated cells to absorb water but also promoted the growth of active factors, providing a minor anti-aging effect.

It wasn’t much, but better than nothing.

In the meantime, his company had finalized the acquisition of another business, located in the outskirts of Shu City.

They had already visited the site, negotiated the price, and agreed to purchase all the assets, including licenses and the production line, for a little over twenty-four million.

The company had previously manufactured cosmetics mainly sold in small fourth-tier cities or rural towns, with little market potential or prospects.

The owner was so eager to sell that he agreed at once, and the deal was closed pending Lu Yu’s confirmation and signature.

But Lu Yu had immersed himself in his experiments and put off the formalities until now.

Chen Xiaofei had come looking for him several times, but Lu Yu refused each visit, claiming he was in seclusion.

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian had also called him repeatedly, but every time he said only a few words before hanging up.

This left the two ladies complaining incessantly, wondering if their charm had faded in Lu Yu’s eyes.

They often sent him flirtatious photos, but Lu Yu, preoccupied with his experiments, barely noticed.

…

Having tidied up the lab, safely disposed of leftover materials, and thrown away the mountain of accumulated takeout containers, Lu Yu looked down at his wrinkled clothes—now exuding a strange odor.

His hair was wild, stubble thick on his chin. Even he was disgusted by his own appearance.

He called Qin Xiaomian and the others, telling them he’d be home soon, then took a taxi to the duplex apartment.

When the elevator arrived, he rang the doorbell. Shi Zixuan, opening the door, was dumbfounded by his appearance.

If not for the fact that he was still more or less clean, she might have thought he was a beggar.

Shi Zixuan pinched her nose. “Where have you been this past week—scavenging for trash?”

Ignoring her, Lu Yu stepped inside and stripped off his clothes right at the entryway, heading straight for the upstairs bathroom. “Just toss my clothes in the washing machine,” he said as he walked away, not looking back, leaving Shi Zixuan wearing a look of utter distaste.

As he reached the stairs, Qin Xiaomian, who was on the living room sofa playing a mobile game, finally noticed the naked figure. She glanced at him calmly, then looked down, curling her lip in contempt.

Lu Yu couldn’t be bothered to argue. After more than a week locked in the lab, doing nothing but experimenting, eating, and sleeping, he was utterly exhausted.

All he wanted now was a hot shower and a good, long sleep. Nothing else in the world mattered.

After bathing and drying his hair, Lu Yu collapsed into bed and was fast asleep in less than a minute.

Shi Zixuan, having finished washing and hanging his clothes, came upstairs to find Lu Yu hugging his blanket in a deep, dreamless slumber.

She walked over, turned up the air conditioning, tucked him in, and quietly left to continue her drama downstairs.