The female manager dismissed the sales assistant and led Lin Xian into a room in the back.

This room was at the very rear of the store, very discreet, with no markings on the door.

"Mr. Lin, please come in."

After opening the combination lock, the female manager bowed, gesturing for Lin Xian to enter first.

Upon entering the room, Lin Xian found it brightly lit. The room was furnished with European-style wooden furniture, giving it a vintage feel.

In the center of the room were three glass cabinets, each displaying a well-tailored suit.

"Mr. Lin, these are the finest handmade suits in our store. Each one is handcrafted by more than 80 workers, going through over 200 steps."

"You're an expert, so I won't bore you with the craftsmanship details. Which of these three suits do you prefer? I can take it out for you to try on."

"I heard from President Zhao... that you'll be attending a gala with her tonight. If it's for a gala... I'd actually recommend the one on the left. It's less formal and has a more vibrant style."

Listening to the female manager's explanation, Lin Xian turned to look at the glass cabinet on the left.

It was a navy-black suit. Even though Lin Xian didn't know much about suits, he could tell at a glance... that this suit was a cut above the rest.

"Let's go with that one, I'll try it on."

Lin Xian had only worn a suit once in his life. Rather than choosing one himself, he trusted the expertise of others.

After trying it on, Lin Xian looked in the mirror.

Sure enough, clothes make the man... This top-notch suit really made a difference. Lin Xian had the illusion of stepping into high society, becoming a quasi-aristocrat.

"I'll take this one. Please wrap it up for me."

"Certainly, Mr. Lin! Would you like me to recommend a tie?"

"Yes, please coordinate one."

...

After a long while, Lin Xian walked out of the store carrying a suit box.

He realized for the first time that these top-tier suits were usually stored in boxes.

The female manager told him to take the suit out of the box and hang it up to prevent wrinkles when he got home. The purpose of the box was to protect the suit during transport.

"How delicate..."

Lin Xian felt like he was carrying a box of gold as he held the suit box.

He was curious about how much this so-called top-tier suit was worth... but the price wasn't listed on any of the three glass cabinets, and the female manager charged it directly to Zhao Yingjun's account, so Lin Xian never found out the price.

Since the "basic models" outside could sell for 96,000, the "premium models" inside would cost at least double, right?

7 PM.

Lin Xian took a taxi to the venue where the gala was being held.

This was the most luxurious mansion in the entire Donghai City. After the car stopped, a special greeter opened the car door, shielding the upper door frame with their hand.

"Sir, please be careful getting out."

Lin Xian walked towards the hall of the mansion. On the way, several approaching guests nodded and smiled at Lin Xian, and Lin Xian also smiled and nodded.

The entire mansion was decorated in a European style, and the bricks and tiles revealed elegance and solemnity.

Walking into the hall, the gala hadn't officially started yet.

The guests were all holding glasses, chatting in small groups, while a melodious violin and piano played on the second floor. This atmosphere... reminded Lin Xian of a scene from *Titanic*.

Lin Xian quickly found Zhao Yingjun.

She was wearing a dark red evening gown today, with her hair styled in a formal updo.

Lin Xian noticed that her earrings had also changed from silver in the morning to a crystalline red, which matched the evening gown very well.

Unlike Zhao Yingjun who usually wore formal attire, Zhao Yingjun today... appeared more feminine, possessing a beauty like a high-branch rose.

"Lin Xian, you're here."

Zhao Yingjun noticed Lin Xian and sized him up before nodding:

"Good taste, that outfit suits you very well."

She walked over and pinched Lin Xian's tie knot, tightening it:

"Lin Xian, a suit is a man's armor, and the tie is the sword in his hand. Remember to tie it tighter next time."

"Oh, okay..."

Lin Xian replied.

Patting Lin Xian's collar, Zhao Yingjun picked up her wine glass again and led Lin Xian inside:

"Tonight's science fundraising gala is organized by the president of the [Donghai Chamber of Commerce]... [Chu Shanhe]."

She pointed to the burly man who was chatting and laughing with a group of bigwigs under the long staircase in the hall:

"That's Chu Shanhe, the most famous figure in Donghai City."

"I've heard of him."

Lin Xian nodded.

The name Chu Shanhe could be said to be known by everyone in Donghai City. He was the most untouchable person in the entire Donghai City, and no one dared to provoke him.

As an international metropolis, Donghai City was complex and intricate both overtly and covertly. How could an ordinary person sit firmly in the position of president of the Chamber of Commerce, a position with such powerful influence and strength?

"When I was in college, I often heard legendary stories about Chu Shanhe. I don't know if they're true or not. There were also rumors... that he dotes on his daughter?"

Zhao Yingjun smiled lightly:

"That's not false."

"He dotes on his daughter very much?"

"It's not just ordinary doting... He holds her in his hands for fear of her falling, and keeps her in his mouth for fear of her melting."

Zhao Yingjun looked around and shook her head:

"Chu Shanhe used to bring his daughter to every banquet, but I don't see her today. She's a very beautiful little girl."

"Oh."

Lin Xian responded casually.

He didn't care about these gossips, as they were from a world he had no connection to.

"Lin Xian, look over there."

Zhao Yingjun pulled Lin Xian and pointed to the other side.

It was a man standing alone in the corner of the hall, out of sync with the entire gala.

He was wearing a casual shirt, had unshaven stubble on his face, and was wearing heavy square glasses that were now fogged up...

"That is Professor Xu Yun from Donghai University. Did you know him when you were in school?"

"I don't know him," Lin Xian said truthfully.

Donghai University was so big, with so many colleges and so many teachers... Lin Xian didn't even know all the teachers in his own college, let alone those in other colleges.

"Professor Xu Yun is the only scientist in the country who studies the [hibernation pod] project. He hasn't made any progress in his research, and hasn't even figured out the most basic theories, let alone any substantial progress."

"There are still people researching this in China? That's too sci-fi."

Zhao Yingjun chuckled:

"He's the only one."

"Because he's researching such an outlandish thing, no research institute wants him. His former teachers and students have also left him. Everyone thinks he's crazy."

"Over the years, he's only managed to get an associate professor title by seniority. He has no scientific research achievements and can only stay in the university, teaching classes while conducting research in the laboratory."

"But."

Zhao Yingjun stared at the swirling red wine in her glass and continued:

"Perhaps that's how people's lives are. When you're down to the extreme, you'll rebound."

"Some time ago, he failed again while researching the hibernation pod filling fluid, but he accidentally obtained a new chemical substance."

"When this substance combines with water molecules, it forms a monomolecular film that is breathable but completely isolates water molecules and is harmless to the skin."

Zhao Yingjun put her wine glass on the table and then took a new glass of red wine from a nearby waiter:

"This chemical substance is undoubtedly a failure for Professor Xu's hibernation research. But Lin Xian..."

"Do you know what this substance means in our skincare field?"