Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Academician Pan Jianwei unexpectedly visits the office, revealing his interest in Xu Yun's research.
• Pan Jianwei claims that Xu Yun's discovery of 5-epoxy-1-hexadecyne's temperature-dependent activity has significant implications for physics research.
• Pan Jianwei presents documents to Zheng Zu, arguing for the Physics School's involvement in Xu Yun's startup due to the potential collaborative research.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun is surprised by Pan Jianwei's appearance and the potential implications for his research.
• Zheng Zu initially opposes Pan Jianwei's claims but eventually yields, considering the potential benefits for USTC and his own position.
• Pan Jianwei demonstrates his influence and knowledge, effectively advocating for the Physics School's involvement.
• Tian Liangwei remains supportive of Xu Yun but stays mostly silent during the meeting.

Significant Themes

• Collaboration and competition among different schools and research fields within USTC.
• The potential value of interdisciplinary research and its implications for funding and support.
• The influence of high-ranking individuals (like Pan Jianwei and Tian Liangwei) in academic and institutional decision-making.

Character Interactions

• Pan Jianwei and Zheng Zu engage in a tense discussion, with Pan Jianwei ultimately convincing Zheng Zu to support the Physics School's involvement.
• Xu Yun and Tian Liangwei exchange subtle glances, hinting at their understanding and agreement regarding the situation.
• Pan Jianwei, Zheng Zu, and Tian Liangwei collaborate to secure funding and support for Xu Yun's startup, demonstrating their shared interest in the project's success.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Academician Pan reveals two application forms, indicating pre-arranged plans with Tian Liangwei.
• Xu Yun's company is valued at around 18 million by the venture capital fund, with a 43% stake offered.
• Academician Pan and Tian Liangwei offer 500,000 each as startup support, with USTC academy approval for Xu Yun.
• Share allocation discussion: USTC's School of Physical Sciences demands equal share to the School of Life Sciences.
• Xu Yun's cash investment valued at 5.6%, but he insists on a minimum 40% total stake.
• Compromise reached: Xu Yun gets 38% with Class A and Class B shares.
• Company name discussion: Xu Yun suggests "Lang Mie" (mantis), causing a strong reaction.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates negotiation skills and determination in protecting his interests.
• Academician Pan shows support and care for Xu Yun, using his influence to secure better terms.
• Tian Liangwei acts as a mediator and supports Xu Yun's stance.
• Zheng Zu, initially reluctant, compromises due to external constraints and internal pressure.

Significant Themes

• Negotiation and compromise in business dealings.
• The influence of external factors (like the Mu family incident) on business decisions.
• The importance of maintaining control and decision-making power in a company.

Character Interactions

• Academician Pan and Tian Liangwei work together to support Xu Yun, using their influence to secure better terms.
• Zheng Zu, initially resistant, eventually compromises due to pressure from the others and external constraints.
• Xu Yun stands his ground in negotiations, demonstrating determination and self-awareness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group discusses naming Xu Yun's new company.
• 'Exterminator' is rejected, and Xu Yun is excluded from future naming decisions.
• 'Yun Chuang Technology' is proposed but rejected due to overuse of 'Yun' in company names.
• 'Guo Guang Pharmaceutical' is suggested but dismissed due to existing patents.
• Tian Liangwei proposes 'Huadun Biotech', symbolizing resistance against foreign competitors in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun remains mostly silent during the naming discussion.
• Tian Liangwei reveals his emotional connection to the biopharmaceutical industry and his hopes for Xu Yun's company.
• Academician Pan shows his lack of knowledge about company registrations compared to Zheng Zu.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of domestic biopharmaceutical companies against foreign competitors.
• The importance of company names and their impact on perception and success.
• The role of technology in business competition.

Character Interactions

• Tian Liangwei and Academician Pan work together to find a suitable company name.
• Zheng Zu provides legal insights regarding company names and patents.
• Xu Yun's preference for the name 'Huadun Biotech' is revealed, showing his agreement with Tian Liangwei's vision.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huadun Biotech's name is officially approved and chosen for the joint venture company.
• The equity distribution plan is approved, and the contract is signed on the spot.
• The Agreement outlines the company's structure, investment, and equity distribution.
• Xu Yun signs the Agreement, securing a 38% stake with 90.1% voting power.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates his seriousness and responsibility by outlining a concrete plan for the company's future.
• Academician Pan shows his support and mentorship by offering to help with patent approval and providing potential candidates for the management team.

Significant Themes

• The establishment of Huadun Biotech marks the beginning of Xu Yun's entrepreneurial journey.
• The company's structure and equity distribution reflect the balance of power and interests among the investors.
• The challenges ahead, such as company registration, production setup, patent approval, and personnel selection, highlight the complexities and responsibilities of running a business.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun interacts with Academician Pan, seeking his advice and support for the company's future.
• Tian Liangwei and Academician Pan exchange a look, indicating their approval of Xu Yun's seriousness and responsibility.
• Zheng Zu offers the New Venture Fund's assistance with company registration, easing Xu Yun's concerns.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun interviews Gu Qunqing, a potential COO for Huadun Biotech.
• Gu Qunqing shares his experience of facing discrimination in his previous job at Sanofi.
• Xu Yun provides Gu Qunqing with a partial efficacy report of the fifth-generation Imidacloprid.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun: Shows maturity and professionalism in the interview, displays a strong sense of kinship with Gu Qunqing regarding their shared dislike for cockroaches.
• Gu Qunqing: Initially reserved, opens up about his experiences and shows his dedication to his principles. He demonstrates his analytical skills by carefully reviewing the report.

Significant Themes

• Discrimination: Gu Qunqing's experience highlights the theme of racial discrimination in the workplace.
• Kindred Spirits: Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing bond over their shared dislike for cockroaches, showing the power of shared experiences and values.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing: Their interaction is professional yet cordial, with both parties showing respect and openness. They bond over their shared experiences and values, leading to a potential business partnership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing reach a preliminary agreement for the COO position.
• Xu Yun completes his paper on Imidacloprid research and submits it to NUCLEIC ACIDS RES (NAR) following an invitation.
• The paper is reviewed by Tian Liangwei, who finds no major issues, and sends it for external review by Morten L. Grobe, a Lasker Award winner.
• Xu Yun submits the paper, and it is accepted by the journal.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates his professionalism and efficiency in completing and submitting the paper.
• Tian Liangwei shows his support and influence by arranging for a prominent external reviewer.

Significant Themes

• The importance of academic publications and the rigorous process involved.
• The role of mentors and their influence in advancing a student's career.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun interacts with Tian Liangwei, seeking his advice and approval for the paper.
• Xu Yun receives a WeChat friend request from Lin Zhennan, a reporter from USTC's publicity department.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun meets Lin Zhennan, a reporter, to discuss the upcoming cockroach extermination in USTC's East Campus.
• The extermination plan involves four points: the sports field, Guo Moruo Plaza, the basketball court, and Glasses Lake.
• The eradication will be broadcast live to the entire internet, with USTC deploying multiple cameras and drones.
• The school requests Xu Yun to devise a route plan for the eradication.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun shows discomfort in social situations, unlike his previous life's business acumen.
• Lin Zhennan is professional and serious about his work, showing concern for historical significance.

Significant Themes

• The complex history and significance of USTC's East Campus.
• The pressure and potential benefits of the live cockroach eradication event for USTC.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Lin Zhennan initially have an awkward conversation but eventually find common ground in their shared interest in anime characters.
• They discuss the extermination plan and Xu Yun agrees to help with the route plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Morten L. Grobe, a renowned Swedish scientist, returns to his hometown due to health reasons and agrees to review a paper for an old friend.
• The paper, titled "Common Pheromone Binding Proteins," discusses the synthesis of fourth-generation Imidacloprid and involves cyclization using transition metals.
• Morten becomes engrossed in the paper, appreciating its innovative ideas and potential impact on the industry.

Character Developments

• Morten L. Grobe is portrayed as a distinguished scientist with a keen interest in his field, despite his health issues. He is also shown to have a fondness for Sichuan cuisine.
• Xu Yun, the first author of the paper, is introduced as a promising researcher, though not much is revealed about their character yet.

Significant Themes

• The theme of scientific innovation and its potential impact on industry is prominent. The paper's ideas could disrupt ongoing research by major pharmaceutical companies.
• The practice of keeping core technological information confidential while publishing research papers is discussed.

Character Interactions

• Morten interacts with an old friend who asks him to review a paper. Their conversation hints at Morten's reputation and the value he places on the quality of research.
• Morten's engagement with the paper suggests a potential future interaction with the author, Xu Yun.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun receives a quick response from the external reviewer, Mr. Morton, who suggests minor revisions to his paper.
• Tian Liangwei informs Xu Yun that Principal Hou, now Dean Hou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is personally assisting with his patent application, expediting the process to within half a month.
• Tian Liangwei asks Xu Yun about the progress of finding a factory building for their company.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates professionalism and responsibility in handling the revisions to his paper.
• Tian Liangwei shows concern and support for Xu Yun's work, both academic and entrepreneurial.
• Principal Hou is portrayed as a capable and influential figure, willing to help USTC and take note of promising individuals like Xu Yun.

Significant Themes

• The theme of academic rigor is highlighted through Mr. Morton's careful review of Xu Yun's paper.
• The importance of connections and recognition in the academic and business worlds is emphasized through Principal Hou's involvement in Xu Yun's patent application.
• The rapid development and growth of USTC under Principal Hou's leadership are mentioned, reflecting the theme of progress and change.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Tian Liangwei have a mentor-disciple conversation, with Tian Liangwei providing guidance and support to Xu Yun.
• The conversation between Tian Liangwei and Xu Yun about Principal Hou reveals the respect and admiration they have for him.
• The interaction between Xu Yun and Mr. Morton, though not directly shown, is implied to be professional and cordial.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun, Gu Qunqing, and Tang Yiqiu visit the Luzhou City High-tech Zone Management Committee in a Volvo sedan.
• They meet with Yang Hongzhi, the Director of the High-tech Zone Management Committee, to discuss factory premises for Huadun Biotech.
• Yang Hongzhi presents twenty-three factory options that meet Gu Qunqing's specified requirements.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun: Shows his understanding of business etiquette by offering cigarettes to the driver, Brother Lin.
• Gu Qunqing: Demonstrates his professionalism and deep knowledge of biopharmaceuticals, impressing Yang Hongzhi.
• Tang Yiqiu: Acts as Xu Yun's temporary aide due to the company's current staffing situation.

Significant Themes

• The importance of professionalism in business, as exemplified by Gu Qunqing's expertise.
• The role of connections and networks in facilitating business, seen in the call from Zheng Zu to Yang Hongzhi.
• The challenges and complexities of starting a new business, such as the need for a suitable factory and the potential costs of construction.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Brother Lin: Their interaction shows Xu Yun's understanding of business norms and the value of maintaining good relations with those around him.
• Xu Yun, Gu Qunqing, and Yang Hongzhi: Their discussion highlights the importance of clear communication and mutual respect between business partners.
• Gu Qunqing and Yang Hongzhi: Gu Qunqing's professionalism earns him Yang Hongzhi's respect and admiration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun and his team use a tablet to browse factory options in the High-tech Zone.
• They find a suitable factory, previously used by Novartis, near Jinyong Road with a land area of 2400 sq.m and usable area of 1777 sq.m.
• The factory has a Class 10 laboratory, high anti-corrosion system, and is near employee dormitories and main roads.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates his quick thinking and decision-making skills in choosing the factory.
• Gu Qunqing shows his expertise in verifying the hardware and equipment of the factory.
• Yang Hongzhi, the director, provides detailed information about the factory and its surroundings.

Significant Themes

• The importance of location and hardware specifications in choosing a factory.
• The role of government subsidies in attracting high-quality enterprises.
• The competition among cities for resources and development.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun, Gu Qunqing, and Tang Yiqiu work together to analyze and choose a suitable factory.
• Xu Yun and Yang Hongzhi discuss the factory and its surroundings, with Yang Hongzhi providing valuable insights.
• Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing make a decision about the factory based on Gu Qunqing's verification of the hardware.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun negotiates the rent for the factory building with Yang Hongzhi.
• Xu Yun uses Keda's upcoming live broadcast for pest control to propose a banner advertisement for the High-tech Zone.
• Yang Hongzhi agrees to Xu Yun's proposal, leading to a rent reduction.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates his bargaining skills and understanding of business opportunities.
• Yang Hongzhi shows his willingness to adapt and make decisions based on new opportunities.

Significant Themes

• The power of marketing and advertising in business.
• The importance of seizing opportunities in business.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Yang Hongzhi engage in a negotiation, with Xu Yun using his knowledge of Keda's live broadcast to persuade Yang Hongzhi.
• Xu Yun mentions Qiu Sheng, his friend, to suggest a rent price of 91 yuan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun signs letters of intent for factory and dormitory leases with Yang Hongzhi.
• Xu Yun plans to delegate production line customization to New Venture Fund and worker recruitment to Gu Qunqing (future COO).
• Xu Yun prepares 23.4 kilograms of bait for the cockroach extermination, 34 times the dosage used in Building 14.
• Tian Liangwei informs Xu Yun that some people have started inquiring about the bait, and students have been approached by foreign companies.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun shows responsibility and delegation in managing the factory setup and recruitment.
• Tian Liangwei demonstrates concern for the project's security and progress.

Significant Themes

• Delegation and trust in business operations.
• The importance of intellectual property protection and security.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Yang Hongzhi sign lease agreements, showcasing their professional relationship.
• Xu Yun and Tian Liangwei discuss the bait preparation and extermination plan, highlighting their collaboration and mutual respect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC prepares for a live broadcasted cockroach extermination event, attracting various media outlets, including the Red Star News crew led by Supervisor Zheng.
• USTC staff, under Director Lin's supervision, apply insecticide gel bait across designated zones on campus, with security personnel maintaining safety measures.
• A temporary command center is established, led by Dean Tian Liangwei and Xu Yun, to oversee the extermination process.

Character Developments

• Supervisor Zheng: Exhibits concern about the potential impact of a failed extermination on domestic universities' reputation in scientific research.
• Director Lin: Shows confidence in USTC's capabilities and is proactive in ensuring the live broadcast's success.
• Xu Yun: Acknowledges the uncertainties involved in the extermination process, displaying a serious and responsible attitude.

Significant Themes

• Public perception and criticism of domestic scientific research and universities.
• The pressure and responsibility faced by USTC in conducting a successful cockroach extermination live broadcast.
• The complexity of relationships and hidden reasons behind news events.

Character Interactions

• Supervisor Zheng and the Red Star News crew discuss the potential consequences of a failed extermination and USTC's confidence in the event.
• Director Lin interacts with Supervisor Zheng, ensuring the live broadcast's success and requesting the inclusion of USTC's industry banners in the shot.
• Dean Tian Liangwei and Xu Yun exchange a look, signaling the start of the extermination process, demonstrating their mutual understanding and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC allows live-streaming of the campus disinfection process, leading to massive online viewership.
• Bilibili's live-streaming rooms gain significant traction, with one individual user, 'We Arsenal Are Invincible' (Wang Muyi), unexpectedly becoming the fourth most popular stream due to his proximity to the disinfection site.
• Wang Muyi, a USTC mathematics student, experiences a surge in followers and viewers, with his live stream reaching over 27 million viewers.
• USTC's cybersecurity department monitors and guides student broadcasters, ensuring they don't make negative comments about the university.

Character Developments

• Wang Muyi: Initially nervous, he adapts to his newfound popularity and starts engaging with his viewers, discussing his experiences and thoughts about USTC.
• Other USTC students: Some are broadcasting live, each with different experiences and viewership numbers.

Significant Themes

• Fame and Opportunity: The chapter explores the sudden fame that can come from being in the right place at the right time, referencing Andy Warhol's quote about everyone being famous for 15 minutes.
• Adaptation: Wang Muyi's ability to adapt to his new circumstances and engage with his audience showcases his resilience and resourcefulness.
• Institutional Control: USTC's monitoring and guidance of student broadcasters highlight the institution's efforts to maintain a positive image during the crisis.

Character Interactions

• Wang Muyi interacts with his viewers through bullet comments, expressing gratitude and answering questions.
• Wang Muyi's roommate alerts him to the start of the disinfection process, leading to Wang Muyi rushing to the window to capture the moment.
• USTC's cybersecurity department interacts with student broadcasters through their class representatives, guiding them on what to discuss and avoid during their live streams.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC begins cockroach disinfection using Imidacloprid, with a thousand cockroaches released at the disinfection point.
• After 10 minutes, some cockroaches start exhibiting abnormal behavior, marking the beginning of the disinfection process.
• Over time, more cockroaches are attracted to the disinfection point, including those from sewer openings and a massive underground nest.
• The disinfection process reaches its peak around 12:30 PM, with millions of cockroaches affected.

Character Developments

• No significant character developments in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• The power of technology and innovation in solving real-world problems (USTC's cockroach disinfection method).
• The impact of public opinion and media coverage on public perception (the live stream's popularity and viewer reactions).

Character Interactions

• No significant character interactions in this chapter. Most interactions occur through online comments and discussions related to the live stream.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A massive cockroach swarm is discovered in the eastern district's core sewage pipeline, with over 200,000 cockroaches visible on camera.
• The swarm emerges from a diversionary drainage outlet on Chunyuan Path, heading towards Guo Moruo Plaza.
• Several pest control cameras are overrun by cockroaches, affecting their footage but increasing viewership due to morbid curiosity.

Character Developments

• Guo Hongshun, a vocational high school student from Fujian, is the first to witness the massive cockroach swarm on camera.
• Director Guan, in charge of general affairs and dispatch at USTC, identifies the swarm as the main force of campus cockroaches and tracks its movement.
• Zhang Xiaojie, the team leader of Sichuan Province Observation, struggles to find a solution to capture the scene as their cameras are affected by cockroaches.

Significant Themes

• The sheer scale and terrifying nature of the cockroach infestation.
• Morbid curiosity and the public's fascination with the unusual and horrifying.
• The challenge of media coverage in extraordinary situations.

Character Interactions

• Guo Hongshun's terrified reaction to the cockroach swarm sets the stage for the chapter's events.
• Director Guan briefs Dean Tian Liangwei on the cockroach situation and tracks the swarm's movement.
• Zhang Xiaojie and his team discuss potential solutions to capture the scene, with Chen Shanshan suggesting a daring approach.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shanshan volunteers to enter the cockroach nest for a live broadcast, as it's the only way to get a ground-level perspective.
• The cockroach army, led by the mutated 'pseudo-queen' Caicaizi, advances towards Chen Shanshan.
• The live broadcast gains massive attention, with viewers discussing the cockroach population in their own schools.

Character Developments

• Chen Shanshan demonstrates courage, initiative, and strategic thinking by volunteering for the live broadcast.
• Caicaizi, the mutated cockroach, shows leadership and increased aggression under the influence of pheromones.

Significant Themes

• Courage and initiative in the face of danger (Chen Shanshan).
• The power of leadership and influence (Caicaizi).
• The impact of fear and anxiety on individuals and society (viewers discussing cockroaches in their schools).

Character Interactions

• Chen Shanshan convinces Director Zhang to let her enter the cockroach nest for the live broadcast.
• Caicaizi leads the cockroach army towards Chen Shanshan, symbolizing the impending confrontation.
• Viewers worldwide react to the live broadcast, feeling anxiety and fear about the cockroach population in their own schools.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shanshan, a reporter for Sichuan Province Observation, seizes an opportunity to gain fame by broadcasting live amidst a massive cockroach infestation in USTC's east district.
• She follows the cockroach army led by Caicaizi, the pseudo-queen, into Guo Moruo Plaza, where the final battle between the cockroaches and the extermination team takes place.
• The cockroaches, driven by primal urges, engage in a feeding frenzy and procreation, leading to their eventual demise due to the neurotoxin in the bait.
• Caicaizi, despite its powerful resistance, succumbs to the neurotoxin and falls to the ground, coincidentally landing under Chen Shanshan's foot.

Character Developments

• Chen Shanshan: Initially a frontline commentary reporter, she takes a significant risk by entering the cockroach nest to gain attention and potentially advance her career. Her gamble pays off as she becomes an overnight sensation.
• Caicaizi: The pseudo-queen cockroach, driven by instinct and the neurotoxin, leads the cockroach army to their final stand. Despite its powerful resistance, it ultimately succumbs to the neurotoxin.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and risk-taking: Chen Shanshan's decision to enter the cockroach nest highlights her ambition and willingness to take risks to advance her career.
• The cycle of life and death: The cockroaches' feeding frenzy and procreation, followed by their eventual demise, emphasizes the cycle of life and death in nature.
• The power of instinct: Caicaizi's actions are driven by its instinctual responses to the neurotoxin, highlighting the powerful influence of primal urges.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shanshan interacts with her audience through her live broadcast, engaging them with her calm demeanor and witty commentary amidst the chaos.
• Caicaizi interacts with its fellow cockroaches, leading them to their final stand and ultimately succumbing to the neurotoxin alongside them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC successfully exterminates over 1.8 million cockroaches in the East District, with the live stream reaching 43.96 million viewers, the second-highest all-platform viewership record.
• USTC holds a press conference, announcing the success of the operation and the upcoming launch of the insecticidal bait gel, developed by Dr. Xu Yun, within two weeks for trial sales and a month for official sales.

Character Developments

• Director Guan leads the cleanup operation, using a modified 'worm sucker' connected to a garbage truck to efficiently remove cockroach corpses.
• Dr. Xu Yun, the inventor of the insecticidal bait gel, gives a confident and composed presentation at the press conference, demonstrating his big heart and potential for success.

Significant Themes

• The power of collective effort and modern technology in solving large-scale pest problems.
• The potential impact of scientific research and innovation on public health and well-being.
• The importance of transparency and communication in maintaining public trust and support.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Rui, USTC's Executive Vice President, acts as the spokesperson for the press conference, presenting the school's achievements and addressing media questions.
• Tian Liangwei, the dean of USTC's School of Life Sciences, collaborates with Zhang Rui in managing the press conference and supporting Xu Yun.
• Xu Yun interacts with the media, answering questions about the insecticidal bait gel's production, pricing, and safety, showcasing his expertise and composure.