Chapter 430: Could it be Poison?

Although the people present didn’t know what the pill was for, since it was something the R-country people were so eager to get their hands on, they naturally couldn’t let them take it, even if it turned out to be poison. They wouldn’t give it to them.

Jiang Linglan, overjoyed, spun around twice on the spot. “Great, this is fantastic news. Comrade Li, continue your research, I’ll go call the higher-ups and report this good news.”

“Okay,” Li Yiyi nodded in agreement.

Though Jiang Linglan left, the experts surrounding Li Yiyi stayed, still curious.

“Comrade Li, can you tell what kind of illness this pill is supposed to treat?” one curious expert asked.

Before Li Yiyi could respond, another expert quickly spoke up, “Who cares what disease it’s for? Even if it can treat something, it’s definitely useless now. Didn’t Director Jiang say this pill was dug up from an ancient tomb? After all these years, it must have expired.”

“Do you think this could be an elixir for immortality? Ancient people were always in search of the secret to eternal life. Maybe this pill is one of those. Otherwise, why would the R-country be fighting so hard for it?” another expert voiced his thoughts.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward the pill.

“Ah, we’re not the ones studying medicine, Comrade Li is. We should just ask her,” Professor Huang said loudly.

Li Yiyi felt all eyes on her and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Comrade Li, what do you think this pill is? Could it really be like the expert said, an elixir for immortality?” Professor Huang asked with curiosity.

Li Yiyi smiled quietly, “I don’t know if it’s an immortality pill, but even if it is, it’s no longer usable. This pill is at least a hundred years old. Even the best medicine would just be poison now.”

Upon hearing this, the group’s curiosity about the pill diminished.

After a while of staring at the pill and finding nothing new, and with other research projects to continue, everyone gradually left the room.

Once she was alone, Li Yiyi began to focus on her research.

Fortunately, having been exposed to many rare herbs, she was able to identify most of the pill’s ingredients within a few hours by smelling and consulting references.

By the time Jiang Linglan returned with a sour expression, Li Yiyi was nearly done with her task.

“Comrade Li, how’s it going? Can you finish it before lunch?” Jiang Linglan asked as she entered, her face devoid of any smile, and she seemed a bit angry.

Li Yiyi, seeing her mood, answered carefully, “It should be fine.”

Jiang Linglan sighed, “Comrade Li, don’t misunderstand. I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with those shameless R-country people. They suggested that this afternoon, they’ll take the pill to their research institute and each of us will study it for half the day.”

Li Yiyi, hearing this, smiled slightly. She found the R-country’s shameless request acceptable. After all, they were capable of doing much worse.

“It’s okay, let them take it. I’ve almost finished my research anyway,” she said with a smile.

Jiang Linglan couldn’t believe it. She looked up at Li Yiyi with wide eyes, “Really? You’ve already figured it out?” She quickly walked over.

When Jiang Linglan arrived at the table, she looked around. Besides some reference books, there was nothing else.

Li Yiyi smiled and explained, “My research is all in my mind. To be cautious, I plan to write it down later, when the time is right.”

Understanding what Li Yiyi meant, Jiang Linglan gave a thumbs up and smiled. “Good job. The R-country people have been getting more adept at bribing people. As the person in charge here, I can’t guarantee that we haven’t had any spies from R-country.”

Li Yiyi nodded seriously. “That’s what I’m worried about. Although I trust the people here, I have to be cautious. Thank you, Director Jiang, for understanding.”

Jiang Linglan patted her shoulder. “What’s there to thank me for? If anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me, thanking you on behalf of everyone. You’ve helped us, and you’ve helped our country.”

Though this seemed like a small competition, Jiang Linglan knew it was the first challenge R-country had issued after their defeat. If they lost, R-country would only escalate their unreasonable behavior and might even try to claim things that didn’t belong to them.

---

Meanwhile, in a research institute located in the provincial capital,

Tanaka Ichiro was wheeled off the car.

The staff at the research institute rushed to greet him as he arrived.

“Mr. Tanaka,” the head of the institute greeted him respectfully.

Tanaka Ichiro scanned them with a stoic expression before signaling to his assistant behind him.

In a moment, Tanaka Ichiro was pushed into the research institute by his assistant.

The others waited until he entered before quietly following.

When they entered, they saw Tanaka Ichiro already seated in the middle of the room, waiting for them.

“Has the pill from the Chinese side arrived?” Tanaka Ichiro asked, his face dark as he looked at the people entering.

The others were visibly nervous.

“Yes, it’s arrived. It was just delivered,” the head of the institute answered cautiously.

Upon hearing this, Tanaka Ichiro’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked, “Where is it? Where is it now? Bring it to me.”

Ito Keisuke quickly led him into a nearby lab. This lab was equipped with advanced technology, some of which had been purchased from M-country. If Li Yiyi were to see these tools, she would be shocked by how advanced they were, even more so than the equipment used here many years later.