Chapter 552 - 552: Handing Over the Formula

Meanwhile, in the car, Zhao Yuan called Fang Yi and asked him to investigate Sun Xin.

Too many celebrities these days get caught up in scandals. Zhao Yuan didn't want the brand ambassador he hired to be one of them, as it would have a major negative impact on the product's image.

"Investigate Sun Xin? Which one?" The call left Fang Yi a bit confused.

Zhao Yuan said, "The actress, Sun Xin. She recently played a brilliant role in a hit historical drama."

It dawned on Fang Yi. "Oh, her! I know who you mean. Sun Xin is a pretty good actress; she's considered one of the more talented ones of the younger generation. But why the sudden decision to investigate her?"

Zhao Yuan replied, "You were the one who suggested we hire a celebrity to advertise our products, right? Someone recommended Sun Xin to me today as the spokesperson for the Beauty Pill. I don't know much about her, so I'm having you look into her character and see if she's up to the task."

Fang Yi immediately replied, "Understood. I'll have someone look into it right away."

Zhao Yuan then brought up another matter. "By the way, I was busy compounding medicine this morning and forgot to ask. How is the factory expansion coming along?"

Fang Yi answered, "It's going very smoothly. The new factory area and production lines will be operational after the New Year. We'll also be hiring more staff then, and I'll make sure everything gets up and running without a hitch."

"I really appreciate all your hard work," Zhao Yuan said sincerely.

When it came to the factory's production and development, Zhao Yuan had always been a hands-off boss, leaving everything to Fang Yi. And Fang Yi had proven himself more than capable, never disappointing him. He handled everything from production to expansion with perfect organization, leaving Zhao Yuan with nothing to worry about. 'Otherwise,' he thought, 'if I were bogged down by these trivialities, where would I find the time to study medicine or practice my Cultivation?'

Fang Yi laughed. "It's not that I'm working hard. I just hope you can come to the factory to compound the medicines more often. Especially after the New Year, when the new production lines are operational, our output will increase dramatically! If you keep coming in to mix a batch only once every week or two, it will be nowhere near enough."

Zhao Yuan said, "I've thought about that, which is why I've decided to give you the formulas for the Soul-Stabilizing Incense, Beauty Pill, and Vitality Pills after the New Year. From then on, you'll be in charge of all the compounding!"

Fang Yi was stunned. "What? You're going to give me the formulas? I don't think that's appropriate!"

Zhao Yuan smiled. "There's nothing inappropriate about it. I'll have a lot more to deal with after the New Year, and I'm afraid I won't have much time to visit the factory. If we keep relying on me to do the compounding, we'll be lucky to operate for four or five days a month."

Fang Yi was overcome with excitement. This was partly because he would finally see the formulas for the Soul-Stabilizing Incense, Beauty Pill, and Vitality Pills, but also because of Zhao Yuan's trust!

It was no exaggeration to say these three formulas were priceless. The fact that Zhao Yuan was willing to entrust them to him spoke volumes about the immense faith he had in him.

In his excitement, Fang Yi couldn't help but ask, "Chairman Zhao, aren't you afraid I'll run off with the formulas?"

He used to call Zhao Yuan "Little Brother Zhao," but as the factory grew, his form of address had become more formal, and now he called him "Chairman Zhao."

Zhao Yuan replied, "If you trust someone, you don't doubt them; if you doubt them, you don't use them. I'm giving you the formulas because I trust you."

'Of course,' he thought, 'in addition to trusting Fang Yi, I've also taken plenty of precautions.'

'First, I've already successfully patented the formulas for the Soul-Stabilizing Incense, Beauty Pill, and Vitality Pills. Second, in the Ying Family Library, I learned a Curse Technique from the Witch and Priest School. I'll apply this Curse Technique to the formulas. If anyone develops malicious intent toward them, the curse will activate and make that person's life a living hell!'

'Besides, I also have the Enchanting Talisman, which can place a lock on Fang Yi's consciousness and prevent him from developing any greedy thoughts about the formulas. On top of that, I have the Divine Skill, Tracking Technique. Even if someone really did steal the formulas, I could pinpoint their location instantly. It would be useless even if they fled to the ends of the earth!'

It was precisely because he had all these safeguards in place that Zhao Yuan had made the decision to hand the formulas over to Fang Yi and give him full responsibility.

Still, a warning was necessary, so he added, "Of course, I've also taken some precautions. If the formulas are ever leaked, the person who leaks them will be punished severely!"

Hearing this, Fang Yi shuddered involuntarily and replied, "Rest assured, Chairman Zhao. I will absolutely not betray your trust. I will guard these formulas with my life to prevent them from ever being leaked!"

Zhao Yuan chuckled, momentarily at a loss for words. "There's no need for that. Your life is more important than the formulas. If they're lost, I can get them back and punish the thief. But if your life is lost, then everything is truly gone!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Yuan opened his Information Leaf, pulled up the textbook for *Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine*, and began to study.

Bone Woman's driving was excellent, both fast and smooth, allowing Zhao Yuan to read and study completely undisturbed.

White Cat was curled up in the passenger seat, napping with its eyes narrowed to slits.

The two Little Dang Kangs, meanwhile, were pressed against the window, craning their necks to see the view outside. Although it wasn't their first car ride, they were still incredibly curious. Their short legs kicked about, landing several blows on White Cat. Annoyed, the cat let out a few huffs, but the two little brats completely ignored it.

Resigned, White Cat gave up the passenger seat to them, leaping into the back to sleep beside Zhao Yuan.

Because they had started late, it was already past nine p.m. when they arrived in Chuncheng County. A torrential downpour was hammering down. The mountain roads were treacherous enough at night, let alone in a storm, when they would be muddy and slick. One small mistake could result in a fatal crash.

For safety's sake, Zhao Yuan decided to rest for the night in Chuncheng County and set off again the next morning.

While checking into their hotel, Zhao Yuan got a call from Song Ming informing him that the file on Sun Xin had been sent to his email. After a few brief words, he hung up, opened his email on his phone, and began reviewing the information Song Ming had provided.

Based on the file, Sun Xin seemed like a very suitable candidate to endorse the Beauty Pill. However, the final decision would hinge on the results of Fang Yi's background check.

The night passed without incident. The next day, Zhao Yuan woke up early to find the downpour had stopped and quickly told Bone Woman it was time to get going.

Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and Zhao Yuan was anxious to get home.