After comprehensive data analysis, the laboratory finally selected 32 participants for the drug trial. Those who had applied but were not selected also received assistance based on their circumstances.
With yl as a backer, the laboratory was never short of funds. Following the previous incident, Zhu Yan ensured that every step was monitored, especially concerning the trial participants. Each individual was thoroughly vetted, leaving no room for them to retaliate.
They were also the first laboratory to openly publish their entire drug trial process.
Chong Yan initially opposed making the entire process public. Unexpectedly, when Zhu Yan proposed it, all the trial participants agreed, and their families also gave their consent. They wished to witness the drug administration process of their loved ones, even if it would be painful.
Although the drugs had undergone extensive experimentation and countless trials on mice before being administered to humans, they were almost non-lethal.
However, the participants were already critically ill patients. Within the first week of the trial, two individuals were sent to the emergency room due to adverse drug reactions. Although they were both saved, their families adamantly refused to allow further experimentation.
Among the remaining 30 participants, further complications arose during the ongoing trials. Some could not endure it after a phase of the experiment and left. Some never made it off the operating table. A few, however, persevered until the end.
Relatively public videos documented the entire process. The trial period was exceptionally long, with a complete phase requiring years or even decades. The most challenging part of the entire process was undoubtedly the beginning.
Due to participants succumbing to sudden stress reactions that could not be remedied, the drug trial was met with widespread public opposition. Despite all procedures being legal, the process transparent, and the agreements with "test subjects" and their relatives fair and just, life is invaluable.
Once someone died, others would perceive the act as brutality, shouting and protesting vociferously.
Even though their drugs showed significant efficacy and were undergoing trials and research observation in laboratories worldwide, potentially saving countless lives soon, aside from those clamoring for cessation and decrying inhumane human experimentation, numerous others eagerly awaited the emergence of the antidote.
Unfortunately, their current attempts to speak out were perceived by those individuals as onlookers shouting for someone to jump from a building. They were but a single snowflake in an avalanche, and in an avalanche, none are innocent.
To avoid becoming a sinner, they dared not speak.
This situation led to the laboratory's reputation deteriorating rapidly, eventually impacting yl. As a household name and a national brand, the company encompassed all aspects of people's lives. While mere public opinion could not shake their foundations, during this period, online discussions suggested they had committed a grave national taboo and were on the verge of collapse.
This caused widespread panic throughout the entire company, with many already preparing to resign. Only she remained unperturbed, showing no signs of worry.
The assistant entered with a stack of documents, placing them on the desk in front of her. Seeing her engrossed in her phone, the assistant felt like the emperor was unconcerned while the eunuch fretted.
"Director Zhou, these are the resignation applications submitted in the last three days, as tallied by HR. Would you like to see them?"
She repeated herself four times before Zhu Yan finally looked up and asked dismissively, "What is it?"
"Resignation applications." The assistant felt that she too should flee. At this time, her boss was still playing Candy Crush.
Zhu Yan pushed the documents over and glanced at them. Estimating at least two to three hundred, these were all from the headquarters. The number of people wanting to resign from external subsidiaries was even greater.
She casually skimmed them and pushed them back. "There's no need to formally submit resignation applications. A notification through the company software is sufficient. However, ensure a record is kept. Those who resign voluntarily will not be welcomed back."
The assistant thought that if this public relations crisis wasn't handled well, no one would likely want to return.
However, those resigning were still primarily mid-to-low-level management. The assistant had brought them to her attention to convey the current instability. As for senior management, they were all remarkably steadfast, showing no panic.
"Do we really not need to address the online public opinion?"
"Can you manage it?"
"I..." I can't manage it, but you can! Why not manage it?
"Alright, stop worrying about unnecessary things. I see everyone is quite idle lately. Bring the s32 plan forward by a month. No overtime for the next few days. Get some rest, and we'll start the new project next month."
Hearing her finally issue a proper directive, the assistant reflexively replied, "Yes!"
Her chairperson finally seemed to be acting sensibly.
The assistant happily carried the untouched documents back. As she reached the doorway, she heard a voice from behind exclaim, "Unbelievable!"
The assistant: "..."
Her desire to resign grew even stronger.
Zhu Yan truly disregarded the gossip. Having experienced so many worlds, she understood that most people in the world were swayed by the tide. They didn't know the truth and didn't want to contemplate it, but they stubbornly clung to their beliefs, even when those beliefs were inherently wrong.
Once the results were out, gradually, those voices would diminish.
However, Zhu Yan overlooked a segment of extremely fanatical individuals who were unwavering in their convictions and often took irredeemable actions because of them.
Just like some flawed individuals online, most people resorted to verbal attacks. But there would always be one or two who, for an unrelated matter, would harbor an intense hatred for another person and try every means to destroy them.
When she learned that Chong Yan had been hijacked on yl's company plane, the incident had already captured the attention of over a billion people worldwide. A so-called righteous individual recorded on camera the hijacking of yl's company plane, using a little girl's safety to gain leverage over Chong Yan, and forced the pilot to land the plane at an abandoned airstrip.
Besides the "righteous individual," a popular influencer on the plane was live-streaming, causing the incident to spread nationwide within half an hour and drawing global attention.
Zhu Yan's initial reaction upon hearing the news was anger. However, after calming down slightly, she was no longer as worried.
Chong Yan's soul had merged with that body for over twenty years; an ordinary mortal could not kill him.
This was the path he had chosen, and she had always supported all his choices. But sometimes, a journey that goes too smoothly can make one lose sight of their true self. If this incident could change his mindset, it might not be a bad thing.