Reunion with Helen Zhao

Hong Fei held the saber, observing. The blade had four gaps of varying sizes, and extremely fine cracks could be seen near the chips.

Seeing him shake his head in disappointment, Frank couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so fixated on cold weapons?"

"Because in the future, cold weapons will be more prominent than firearms."

Frank was immediately dumbfounded.

Hong Fei turned and thrust the saber into the snow.

"The quality of this saber isn't much better than the last one. It's passable for now, but I'm sure I'll find better metal in the future. You might also face stronger creatures later on, creatures that bullets or even missiles might not be able to harm. But a better saber could."

Frank frowned deeply as he listened.

Even with Hong Fei's serious and earnest expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you kidding me?"

Hong Fei chuckled, "You'll understand later."

The eighteen gunshots had alerted the manor's visible and hidden security forces. Over twenty people, positioned in different spots, simultaneously cast shocked glances at Hong Fei.

Seeing this, Frank immediately yelled sternly, "What are you looking at? You can't even handle this little commotion? Are you too idle!?"

Within seconds, everyone returned to their posts, and the manor became quiet and empty once more.

Returning indoors, the two sat by the fireplace, listening to the crackling firewood and enjoying the light and warmth it provided.

Frank poured a glass of brandy and looked up at Hong Fei.

Sensing his gaze, Hong Fei said without turning his head, "Thanks, I don't drink."

Frank withdrew his gaze and drank by himself.

After a moment, he put down his glass, took out his cigarette case, and looked at Hong Fei again.

"Thanks, I don't smoke."

A crease formed between Frank's brows. "Do you have any hobbies?"

Hong Fei nodded.

"Then what do you like?"

Hong Fei glanced at him sideways. "I like quiet."

Frank's face twitched slightly.

Outside, snow was falling heavily, while inside, the temperature was pleasant. In contrast, Hong Fei found it wonderful just sitting by the fireplace, watching the flames dance.

It was like how, on a stormy night, people nestled in warm beds felt a greater sense of security and comfort.

A moment later, Frank stubbed out his cigarette and said, "You should hire a professional housekeeper."

Hong Fei's brow twitched.

"This manor is too big. Our twenty-odd people can barely manage the security work. For a place like this, you should have professionals providing services for you."

"It's inconvenient."

"It's even more inconvenient now. We have to drive to the city every day to buy food. Never mind the waste, it's just unnecessary."

Hong Fei thought for a moment. "Alright, find someone for the job. Don't rush, they must be trustworthy."

Frank readily agreed.

He then leaned back, sighing with emotion, "I never thought I'd live to see a day like this."

Hong Fei couldn't help but laugh, "You're so sentimental, it seems you're really getting old."

"Heh, forty years old. I am indeed getting old."

Hong Fei's eyes shifted. "How about that Claire?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think?"

"She doesn't want to join us."

"That's not what I'm asking."

"Then there's nothing else."

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. Christmas was approaching. After receiving a text from Peter, Hong Fei decided to drive to the city at noon.

As soon as he got out of the car at his building, Peter ran out from the bookstore.

"Sir! You're here!"

Hong Fei bent down and picked him up, laughing, "You seem a bit heavier. You're growing fast."

Peter wrapped his arms around Hong Fei's neck, smiling happily.

Entering the bookstore, May had already gotten up and was waiting at the entrance. Hong Fei's gaze was immediately drawn to the customers coming and going inside.

The store's furnishings and decor had been completely changed, and several new categorized areas had been added. New staff members were also seen moving among the bookshelves. A quick scan revealed quite a few lingering customers, a far cry from the quiet emptiness when Hong Fei was here.

"You've done a great job. It seems my choice was the right one."

Mei smiled faintly.

Seeing customers coming and going, Hong Fei turned and walked out, standing on the street and saying, "Christmas is coming soon. I'd like to invite you and Peter to my place to celebrate."

Hong Fei wasn't particularly sentimental about Christmas, but Peter looked forward to the holiday.

Upon hearing this, Peter's eyes instantly lit up with intense hope. He stared at Mei without blinking, his small face full of pleading.

Mei hesitated at first, but under the bombardment of Peter's shining eyes, she quickly let go of her reservations and nodded slightly.

"Yay! That's great!" Peter immediately waved his fists in excitement.

Hong Fei also said with a smile, "That would be wonderful. I'll have quite a few people over, but none of them can cook. I might have to trouble you to help prepare dinner then. I've tasted your cooking, and it's excellent."

"It's alright, this is probably the only thing I can do."

"Tomorrow is the 20th. Let's close up tonight. You can come over early tomorrow morning, and we can prepare anything we need in advance."

Mei nodded.

After a brief chat, Hong Fei said goodbye and drove away.

Although Peter felt reluctant, Mei didn't allow him to stay out overnight, so his plan to go play with Hong Fei was also dashed.

More than twenty minutes later, Hong Fei drove into a hotel parking lot, took the elevator up, and skillfully arrived outside a certain room.

After knocking and waiting a few seconds, the door opened, revealing a beautiful figure.

Helen Zhao smiled and said, "Mr. Hong, welcome. Please come in."

After entering the suite and taking their seats, Hong Fei asked, "Dr. Zhao, did you invite me because your matters are almost settled?"

"That's right. It's in the final stages, but with Christmas coming up, some things can only be postponed for now. However, I believe everything will be completed by mid-January."

Hong Fei burst into laughter, "Excellent, I'm very much looking forward to your joining us."

Helen Zhao tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a smile, "I'm also very much looking forward to our future collaboration. If it's alright with you, I think we can now discuss the specific cooperation plan in depth."

"No problem."

The two then talked from noon until dusk.

The deeper they delved, the more excited Helen Zhao became.

This was because Hong Fei had granted her a great deal of autonomy, much of which would have been impossible to achieve elsewhere.

The reason for this was that Hong Fei knew she would undoubtedly succeed.

The Regeneration Cradle project was a self-manufacturing technology that integrated regeneration and self-generation.

It was based on the user's own tissue cells, fused with cutting-edge technologies such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, and applied comprehensively in the medical field.

Its direct effect was to repair wounds, regenerate tissues and organs, and even recreate the human body.

From a certain perspective, the Regeneration Cradle was equivalent to giving a person an extra life.

However, such a top-tier scientific research institute also required immense funding.

Hong Fei's five hundred million dollars was only enough to transition the project from theoretical concepts to practical research, for example, to build laboratories, purchase various instruments and equipment, and conduct preliminary research.

What Helen Zhao was primarily worried about was the subsequent funding.

Scientific research was a money pit.

Hong Fei simply waved his hand and confidently guaranteed it.

On one hand, they had discussed it before; Helen Zhao's theoretical research was complete, and all that remained was practical implementation. By thinking backward from future reality, Hong Fei believed she would quickly complete this project.

On the other hand, he had already secured her. Could he let it fall apart over money?

Master Hong absolutely refused!