Zhang had a medicated patch on his face, and the bruising around his nose was already almost gone.
"Mr. Oaks, you're also skilled in pharmacology!"
Zhang watched Oaks organize the medicine box with admiration. He was not the kind of bookworm who knew nothing but studying, and he recognized common medicines:
"A miracle drug like yours would cause a sensation in the medical world!"
"Well, biological research. In fact, my research into botany goes a little deeper than my research into zoology."
Oaks put away the medicine box, then turned and glanced at the patch on Zhang's face.
"You can remove that tomorrow morning. If you don't want to end up in a delightful news story titled, 'Government-Sponsored International Student Gets His Face Scratched While Hitting on People Off Campus to Prove He Isn't Gay,' I suggest you wait until tomorrow to go back to school for your luggage."
"..."
Zhang clutched his chest tightly.
"Mr. Oaks, do Americans all love exaggerating this much?!"
"There will probably be three to five different versions. Even at a university, teasing Asian students is one of their favorite pastimes."
"Ah, I have two feet. One foot doesn't want to go to school, and the other foot doesn't want to go to school either."
"..."
"Ah, sorry, Mr. Oaks. Although I major in environmental science, Mr. Zhou is my faith."
"Heh, are you sure that isn't blasphemy..."
After mercilessly roasting him, Oaks walked over to a cabinet, opened it, and took out several small bottles. They contained a beautiful emerald-green liquid.
"This is the same kind of fast-acting wound-healing agent I used on you just now. It's the result of my personal research, but no one has tried it yet... You're the first."
Seeing Zhang's complexion starting to turn green, Oaks chuckled.
"I'm kidding. I was the first test subject... It's extracted from pure plant essence—green, eco-friendly, healthy, and completely safe."
Zhang's face returned to normal. He curiously accepted the small bottle Oaks handed him.
"Pure plant essence? Is this Chinese medicine? You know traditional Chinese medicine too?"
"It has some things in common with traditional Chinese medicine, but it's still different. If I had to put it in more mysterious terms... you could call it alchemy."
Oaks shrugged and sat down across from Zhang. Goose ran over, curled up in his lap, and began to purr.
"You should know that the alchemy of ancient legends, whether Eastern or Western, is simply chemistry under modern scientific systems. So this is an attempt in the field of biochemistry."
"You really are a genius!"
Zhang genuinely admired him, then suddenly realized something.
"Are you planning to make this product public?"
"Small-scale testing. I only made a post on a small forum yesterday, just testing the waters, so people will probably come to buy it over the next few days.
Over the next few days, I'll familiarize you with the shop. I plan to go out next month on the first, for about a week. When you don't have classes, you can help me watch the place. Three to five hours a day will do."
Zhang nodded in understanding. He was not surprised that Oaks trusted him enough to leave his shop in the care of an international student he had only met today.
Not to mention that big orange cat, the Recovery Serum alone had already made him curious to death!
Besides, his major overlapped heavily with Dr. Lin's field of biological research—was there any better off-campus job than this?
It was like gaining an off-campus mentor who was a total big shot!
Of course, all that depended on whether he performed to Oaks's satisfaction.
For now, though, he seemed to be off to a good start.
"No problem, Mr. Oaks. Don't worry!"
Zhang immediately pounded his chest in assurance.
"I'll take proper care of the customers, and I'm pretty good at math, so I won't mess up the accounts!"
"..."
Oaks found himself unable to roast him any further, but Zhang was clearly starting to loosen up—which was a good thing.
If he could maintain that mindset, he would gain even more.
Oaks could not work alone forever, and perhaps this young man he had met by chance could be cultivated.
The plan only needed a few slight adjustments.
"Since you're in the Environmental Science Department, you should know that pollution of the atmosphere, land, and water, desertification, soil erosion, and a whole series of other problems are no longer merely threats to humanity's survival."
Oaks placed the remaining small bottles on the table before him and looked at the attentive Zhang.
"They've now become disasters... natural disasters caused by human activity, nature's backlash."
Zhang nodded gravely.
"Yes, Mr. Oaks... That's why I chose to study environmental science. The environmental situation back home is currently extremely severe.
During the years of fully preparing for this year's Olympics, the country came to deeply recognize this problem.
The Olympics were a great success. After this, a surging wave of environmental protection will sweep across the entire country.
But the enormous gap in environmental knowledge and trained personnel is a problem we have no choice but to face."
"Indeed. New York was also promoting the PlaNYC2007 plan last year to improve the city's green environment, and the world is rapidly awakening to environmental awareness—
I've already joined the 1KP project, which begins this November.
Speaking of which, although the project was initiated by Canadian scientists, the gene sequencing is being done by BGI in Shenzhen, China, and the data is also stored on the National GeneBank's life science data platform in Shenzhen.
Next month, I'll be heading to the South American rainforest for preliminary fieldwork."
Zhang had clearly heard of this project. It was a world-class scientific initiative that would benefit multiple disciplines.
His gaze toward Oaks became even more reverent.
"You actually chose sample collection?"
"Science comes from practice, so I'll probably be going out from time to time in the future. As the project progresses, I'll also begin my own research.
From my professional perspective, plant improvement is precisely the safest, most efficient, least costly, and most economically beneficial way to solve the environmental problems mentioned above."
"So your research is aimed at environmental protection?"
Zhang suddenly understood. Indeed, the root cause of all these environmental problems was human activity encroaching upon vegetation. Solve the vegetation problem, and more than half the environmental problems could be solved.
"That's right... I told you, my research into botany goes a little deeper than my research into zoology."
With a mysterious smile, Oaks gently set the sleeping Goose aside. She yawned and continued sleeping.
"The greenery in my shop isn't made up of ordinary varieties either—want to see?"
"It would be my honor!"
Amid his excitement, Zhang finally realized something he had been overlooking.
"I used to have a bit of rhinitis, but I can't feel it at all now... Does the shop have an air purifier? But the windows are open!"
"There's no such thing."
Oaks stood up, thought for a moment, then smiled again.
"Though I suppose you could say there is... It's just completely natural and doesn't use electricity."
Leading Zhang from the break room to the display shelves at the front counter, Oaks showed him his products.
"New York's air isn't sweet at all. Its pollution is also very serious."
"But the air in my shop is comparable to that of the Alps!"
Oaks's expression turned strange.
"In a few more years, air of this quality will sell for over a hundred dollars a liter!"
Before you continue