Chapter 142: Searching for Zhang Yanhong!

Research and Development Department.

After rummaging through drawers and cabinets, no trace of the so-called core data was found.

This left Ye Wushang perplexed.

The core data contained not only market prospects and clinical practice analyses but also detailed reports on Blue Corporation’s recent new drug developments. Only by combining past practices and cases could they tailor reasonable new drugs.

“This is tricky,” Ye Wushang muttered, furrowing his brow. “Without the core data, we can’t rely on past cases to develop new drugs.”

“Logically, every company should have such data. Why doesn’t Blue Corporation?”

“President Lan, could it be that your company stores this kind of data somewhere else?”

He looked up at Lan Ruoxue.

Lan Ruoxue instinctively shook her head and was about to speak when an employee timidly raised a hand.

“President Lan, I remember Minister Zhang didn’t take anything when she left the office, but she did operate the computer and seemed to have unplugged a USB drive…”

“What?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Wushang felt a bad premonition.

He instinctively opened the computer. It hadn’t been shut down, and the screen was still on the page for the core data.

However, it was now completely empty. After being copied, the data had been formatted and was no longer retrievable.

“Bang!”

Ye Wushang slammed the desk in fury. “It was Zhang Yanhong who took it!”

“This is the company’s core secret. She took it without anyone’s consent—it’s a case of corporate espionage!”

An Lan’s face darkened as he looked at Lan Ruoxue. “President Lan, what are you waiting for? Call the police immediately and have the patrol officers apprehend Zhang Yanhong…”

“Ah.”

Lan Ruoxue sighed inexplicably and shook her head. “It’s useless.”

“When we invited her to join, we signed a relatively lenient employment agreement.”

“She is free to resign at will, without interference.”

“As long as the data she developed remains hers to take, it doesn’t constitute corporate espionage.”

“Our company’s growth so far is largely thanks to her; most of the materials were developed by her.”

“So…”

“So because she stole the core data, we are powerless?”

An Lan’s expression darkened, and he sneered, “A company should use some means to retain talent.”

“But for matters involving the company’s future development, it’s better to lose the talent than to abandon principles.”

“Looks like President Lan not only failed in staff oversight but also lacks rigor in company management.”

“To allow someone to freely take core secrets and then be unable to retrieve them—I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lan Ruoxue’s face flushed with shame and embarrassment.

She never imagined it would come to this.

When she took over the company, it was in ruins, and she urgently needed top talent like Zhang Yanhong.

She thought that once the company was back on track, she could fix these loopholes later.

But who knew that halfway through development, such a problem would arise.

This was indeed a lapse in her judgment.

Now, with An Lan mentioning it, especially in front of so many people, she felt utterly humiliated, wishing she could just disappear.

“So what do we do now? Without the core data, this new drug can’t be developed.”

“No new drug means not only paying breach of contract penalties but also facing severe market trust issues.”

“Our group has fought hard to get listed, and now it’s all for nothing.”

The reality was brutal.

Employees and executives alike were anxious.

They worried about the company’s collapse, which threatened their own interests.

They also feared the crisis might escalate, affecting their careers.

Though they appeared concerned about the company’s future, many were quietly planning their own escape routes.

“Enough, stop talking,” Ye Wushang said solemnly, taking a deep breath.

“What’s done is done. Self-pity is pointless.”

“The urgent task is to retrieve the core data.”

“As long as we get it back, the new drug development can proceed as planned…”

“Easier said than done. Didn’t you see Zhang Yanhong’s attitude?”

An employee sneered. “If she truly cared, she wouldn’t have left so abruptly and decisively.”

“Besides, even if we find her, convincing her to hand it over is like waiting for the sun to rise in the west…”

“We have to try!”

Ye Wushang’s voice was low but unwavering, his icy demeanor commanding silence among the staff.

He took a deep breath and looked at Lan Ruoxue. “President Lan, leave Zhang Yanhong’s matter to me. You stay at the company and continue preparing the equipment for new drug development. Once I have the core data, we’ll start research immediately.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to prepare, it’s just pointless…”

“Since Wushang said so, just do as told. No need for so much talk.”

Lan Ruoxue, disheartened, was about to refuse, but An Lan spoke seriously.

“Though this problem is with your company, President Lan, you represent Anjia’s market sales rights. This matter affects Anjia even more.”

“If there’s any hope, I won’t give up.”

“Besides, this is Wushang’s promise. I believe he will handle this properly!”

Hearing this, Ye Wushang felt moved.

No matter the time or place, she was his steadfast support and trusted him without reservation.

He was determined not to betray that trust.

“Alright, I’ll start preparing.”

Under pressure, Lan Ruoxue nodded helplessly.

Afterward, Ye Wushang and An Lan left the R&D department to find Zhang Yanhong and recover the core data.

As they departed, Lan Ruoxue ordered, “I hereby suspend all new drug development in the R&D department. Focus all efforts on strengthening Blue Corporation’s main pharmaceutical business…”

“President Lan, what do you mean by this?”

“An General and that useless person just said they were going to find Zhang Yanhong for the core data and asked you to prepare for new drug research. Why suddenly suspend all work?”

The employees exchanged confused glances.

Lan Ruoxue sighed bitterly. “There’s no hope for new drug development anymore, but we can’t lose the main business.”

“Even if they can find Zhang Yanhong, would she be willing to hand over the data?”

“Even if she did, it’s impossible for Wushang to develop a suitable new drug.”

“Therefore, the strategy for representing Anjia’s sales rights must be revised.”

“No more selling new drugs, we’ll find another approach.”

She looked up at the Planning Department. “You have one day. By tomorrow, present me with a second feasible plan.”

“As for the new drug pre-sales, the PR Department must immediately draft a plan. Pay the necessary compensation and settle disputes quietly.”

“Above all, minimize the impact as much as possible.”

“Yes, President Lan!”

...

After leaving Blue Corporation, Ye Wushang followed An Lan to a nearby café.

Earlier, he had called Rabbit Master, instructing him to locate Zhang Yanhong as quickly as possible.

As for how to retrieve the core data, he hadn’t yet devised a plan. He would assess the situation after meeting her.

“You’re impressive, Wushang.”

An Lan swirled his coffee cup teasingly. “Remember when you first met Rabbit Master? He was so arrogant.”

“But now, only a short time later, he’s your subordinate, obeying your every command as if your words were decree.”

“Lanlan, you’re exaggerating.”

Ye Wushang waved his hand calmly. “Rabbit Master is a man of the streets, but he’s decent by nature.”

“We’re not boss and underling, just friends with mutual benefit. That’s all—nothing as dramatic as you say…”

“What about Huang Pianruo?”

Before he could finish, An Lan’s tone shifted, growing serious.

“You didn’t return home all night. Wuyou is very worried.”

“I told her you were busy with work, but you actually spent the night at the Huang family estate. What exactly happened between you two?”

Ye Wushang shook his head helplessly. “Lanlan, you’re overthinking.”

“Huang Miss and I are just ordinary friends. I went to the Huang estate yesterday to ask Huang Yuanxiang for a small favor.”

“There were some pharmaceutical issues to resolve in their medicinal fields…”

“Ding-ling-ling.”

At that moment, his phone suddenly rang.

He thought it was Rabbit Master’s message, but when he picked it up, it was Huang Pianruo!

The phone was on the table, so An Lan saw it too.

“Wushang, I’m asking because I care as a friend and on behalf of your sister. She’s worried about you.”

“If what you say is true and there’s really nothing between you two, then hand the phone over. Let me talk to her, alright?”

...