Chà Chà Novel

Ji Shileng sat up straight, reached for his communicator, and searched for Gaopei Laboratory.

Just as Su Ke had said, in recent years the laboratory had focused on complex, difficult-to-treat genetic diseases.

Su Ke scratched his head.

“It looks perfectly respectable. It’s practically an unofficial Federation laboratory, and they’re doing this behind the scenes?”

Gaopei Laboratory had achieved considerable breakthroughs in genetic diseases.

As a result, the Federation government had entrusted it with certain national-level projects involving classified work.

“If they really are doing this, it can’t have started overnight”

Ji Shileng picked up his tablet again, his expression darkening.

Gaopei Laboratory had been established roughly ten years ago.

If something as sensitive as surrogacy had only begun recently, surely they would have heard at least a whisper.

The implications grew more disturbing the longer they considered them. Su Ke cut off his train of thought.

“Holy shit. What now?”

Goose bumps rose all over him.

“Let’s sound him out first”

Maintaining his role as “Brother Coldhearted,” Ji Shileng continued talking to A-Kuan.

[Coldhearted]: From what you’re saying, your laboratory sounds very professional.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Of course. We’ve had a monopoly on this market for almost ten years. Leave it to us. Nothing will go wrong.

Su Ke rubbed the lingering goose bumps on his arms.

“Listen… would Gaopei Laboratory really employ someone this stupid?”

If they had monopolized the market for almost ten years, admitting it so openly meant he was either a fool or far too confident.

“Agent A-Kuan. He’s probably an agent,” Ji Shileng said thoughtfully. “Their agents’ abilities will vary. Having a few idiots is normal”

“True. He doesn’t seem like a regular employee”

[Coldhearted]: Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell someone when you’re being this open about it?

The chat displayed “Typing.” After a long while, A-Kuan sent a lengthy message.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Brother Leng, I’d advise against that. Nothing’s happened here in the Federation so far, but over in Stegala, I remember a married couple getting into trouble investigating this more than ten years ago. They were pretty important people too.

[Agent A-Kuan]: The forces behind the laboratory are incredibly complicated. I’m just a small-time agent making a little money to get by. You’re a rich heir who can pay for a descendant. Isn’t that a nice arrangement?

[Agent A-Kuan]: Don’t even think about reporting us. You could end up dead without knowing what hit you.

Ji Shileng pretended to comply, presenting himself as an incompetent, timid young heir.

[Coldhearted]: Haha, I was joking. I’m pretty cowardly. I’ve followed the law my whole life. It’s my first time hearing about surrogacy, so naturally I’m a little scared.

[Agent A-Kuan]: It’s fine. Asking questions because you’re unsure is normal. The suspicious ones are those who don’t ask anything and immediately want me to take them to the laboratory.

[Coldhearted]: I was worried, yes. Hearing your explanation has reassured me a little.

[Coldhearted]: One more question. Didn’t you say you’ve monopolized the market for almost ten years? How did that couple get into trouble more than ten years ago?

[Agent A-Kuan]: I only joined recently. I heard all this from the people who’ve been around longer.

[Agent A-Kuan]: More than ten years ago, our laboratory wasn’t as famous, though its backers were already powerful. That couple tried to take it down, so they got killed.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Others who found out later had that example to warn them off. No one dared interfere, and our laboratory just kept growing.

Understanding dawned on Ji Shileng and Su Ke.

“I was wondering why no one had gone after them,” Su Ke said.

All the profitable trades were written into the criminal code. If someone dared take the lead and make that money, others were bound to grow envious.

The bolder ones would join in for a share of the profits. The more cautious would find ways to report it, earning themselves a good reputation.

So it was not that no one had tried. The people who had gone after the laboratory had been dealt with first. Everyone else saw the warning and lost their nerve.

“Are their backers really that powerful?” Ji Shileng asked slowly.

“Business and government colluding? Officials protecting each other?”

Su Ke immediately dismissed the thought.

“But we know practically everyone in the Federation’s political and business circles…”

They all moved in the same circles. If someone were involved in something so sordid and disgraceful, the wealthy ladies’ teatime gossip alone could drown them.

“Let’s see how it goes and adapt”

“Shileng, are you planning to get involved?”

The more Su Ke thought about it, the more uneasy he became.

“This feels dangerous. Let’s stop here and report it to the proper people”

He was afraid something might happen to Ji Shileng. He was less concerned about himself.

Ji Shileng had only just escaped the wolf’s den that was the Empire. He had barely enjoyed a few peaceful days, and now there was Gaopei Laboratory.

Ji Shileng glanced up at him.

“Don’t you want to make a move?”

Su Ke hesitated.

He was interested, truthfully.

“It’s too dangerous. What if something happens to you?”

“It hasn’t come to that. We’ll just probe a little first”

Ji Shileng spoke as he typed.

“All we have is a few unsubstantiated claims. Let’s find out what’s really going on before drawing conclusions”

Su Ke admitted that A-Kuan’s words had frightened him.

“They are just unsubstantiated claims”

Then he said, “All right, let’s investigate a little. If it really is like he says, we’ll tell your sister”

To Su Ke and Ji Shileng, Ji Shiyun was practically capable of anything.

With their minds made up, they gave A-Kuan their full attention.

Ji Shileng diligently continued playing his downtrodden character.

[Coldhearted]: Sounds impressive. Brother Kuan, honestly, if you get investigated, you won’t give me up, will you? I’m my family’s only heir.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Relax. Even if something happens to us, we would never let anything happen to our clients.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Our laboratory has operated for all these years without a single incident.

[Coldhearted]: All right. I’ll trust you.

[Agent A-Kuan]: Absolutely. Trust me, and you’ll be fine.

[Coldhearted]: What happens now? Do I visit your laboratory to choose a product?

[Agent A-Kuan]: We can do it online or in person. Whatever is most convenient for you.

Without much hesitation, Ji Shileng said calmly, “In person”

If they wanted to establish the truth, they were unlikely to discover much online.

The concern was that an in-person visit could go wrong.

“In person is fine. Shall I contact a security company and bring a team of bodyguards?”

Ji Shileng pictured the scene.

“Wouldn’t a whole team be too many? Do we need that much of a production?”

Su Ke nodded as though it were obvious.

“Of course. You just told him you’re worried and scared. Going in alone would be far too bold”

For once, his intelligence was fully engaged.

“Bringing a team of bodyguards shows you have money and fits the character you’re playing”