Business was business. As a law-abiding citizen, Xia Xu naturally had no intention of profiting through illegal means.
Since ancient times, even rebels had needed a pretext, all for the sake of claiming legitimacy. Even if he brought Jiang Hai around through threats now, it would be no different from planting a huge hidden danger for the future.
Besides, he placed considerable value on Jiang Hai's three-star pharmaceutical talent.
The Superbrain Drug was also a chemical drug. Pharmaceutical talent was, in fact, hardly less valuable than talent in biology or genetics. A three-star pharmaceutical talent already qualified someone as an exceptionally rare, high-end professional.
After all, even Griffin Jones, the illustrious Plot Protagonist of "Superbrain," actually had only a three-star pharmaceutical talent.
As the saying went, first suppress, then praise; pair the stick with the carrot. He had merely adapted to the situation and happened to show the "stick" just now. Next came the carrot.
"It was just a little joke. Please don't take offense, Mr. Jiang."
Xia Xu suddenly smiled, and the tense atmosphere around them instantly dissipated.
Like hell I'd believe you...
The explanation made the corner of Jiang Hai's mouth twitch.
But those conciliatory words proved that there was still room for discussion, so both sides tacitly let the matter drop.
Negotiations continued, but the two sides had now exchanged offensive and defensive positions.
Originally, Jiang Hai had been the one unwilling to negotiate, while Xia Xu and his people had needed to work to persuade him. Now, however, Jiang Hai himself had no choice but to find a suitable compromise to keep the new drug development project going.
Moreover, he seemed to have little room left to maneuver. For the moment, he could not even think of a way out of his predicament.
"Mr. Jiang, profit