This time, there were other passengers in the elevator. Parker tried to speak several times, but Li Kang glared him into silence. They finally reached the seventy-seventh floor, where various biotechnology equipment, precision electronic instruments, and quantum centrifuges—the only things Li Kang recognized—were scattered around. He had learned about the latter from a magazine he read out of boredom in a bar, a magazine specifically introducing the latest and most fashionable contraceptive devices.
Scientists, in twos and threes, were conversing in low voices, their discussions filled with biological science jargon. Li Kang occasionally caught words like DNA, lizard, and spider, but when combined, these contents were like a magic book written in an alien language. Li Kang knew that those conversations contained infinite knowledge, but unfortunately, it was not meant for him.
Not far away, a gentle-voiced, bespectacled middle-aged man was explaining something to a group of interns. The middle-aged man's explanation captivated everyone's attention, and it seemed no one noticed that his right arm was empty; he was, in fact, disabled.
"That's Dr. Connors. Many years ago, he lost an arm in a research accident, but he bravely persevered and, through years of biological genomics and research, successfully cured many incurable diseases. He's my idol, and he used to be colleagues with my parents. I have so many questions I want to ask him," Parker said, gazing at Dr. Connors with fascination.
Dr. Connors was handsome, articulate, witty, and humorous, completely without airs. He looked like a high school biology teacher and indeed possessed an attractive charm. Parker couldn't help but take a few steps closer.
"First, on behalf of the Osborn Group, I welcome all of you. Today, I am your guide. Please don't mind my right hand. After so many years of training, my left hand is already more agile than my right, and it certainly won't waste your time," Dr. Connors said with a self-deprecating gesture toward his empty right arm. The interns all laughed appreciatively.
"Ladies and gentlemen, since you're here, I assume you're all interested in biotechnology. If your ambition is to be a mechanical engineer, please, you've come to the wrong company. You should go to Stark Industries and find Tony Stark. But I believe you are all idealistic young people who disdain associating with arms dealers, isn't that right?" Dr. Connors clearly had no fondness for Stark Industries.
This was understandable. Although the research fields of the Osborn Group and Stark Industries differed, the Osborn Group had always been a leader in the biomedical technology sector, while Stark Industries was merely an upstart arms dealer. There was a clear distinction in their standing.
In the past, Stark Industries was not even comparable to the Osborn Group. However, since Tony Stark took charge of Stark Industries, leveraging his superhuman intellect and infinite talent for weapons design, Stark Industries completely suppressed the Osborn Group in the arms sector, becoming a powerful company capable of rivaling the Osborn Group. Therefore, employees of the Osborn Group harbored some animosity toward Stark Industries.
Especially employees in the medical research field, they utterly despised Stark Industries, which profited from selling tools of death. Although Dr. Connors was very cultivated, he couldn't help but playfully mock Stark Industries.
"Hahaha… Yes!" This harmless jest completely relaxed everyone, and the atmosphere grew lively.
Dr. Connors then used himself as an example to guide everyone into a lively discussion. "My ultimate goal in research is to unlock the ultimate secrets of life itself, to mend all our own flaws, and to create a world without defects. These answers can only be found in biotechnology. For instance, I lost an arm in an accident. It would be easy for me to create a mechanical prosthetic, but I don't want to do that, because it's just a prosthetic, not my real arm.
So, if I truly want to heal myself, what should I do?"
Students offered various answers: some suggested stem cell embryonic technology, others genetic cloning technology, and each provided their explanations.
"Hmm, everyone's answers are very close, but unfortunately not perfect. Life itself is homologous. Can we explore this from that perspective?" Dr. Connors gently guided them.
"I think we should start from interspecies biological genetic genes," Parker said, not knowing what had gotten into him, as he unexpectedly stood up and offered his answer. This immediately drew everyone's attention, including Gwen Stacy.
Gwen was astonished to see Parker, and even more so when she saw his ID badge. She and Parker were classmates from the same high school. In fact, there was a subtle mutual attraction between them. Parker was often bullied at school, and Gwen had helped him many times.
Unfortunately, Gwen was beautiful and the daughter of the New York City Police Commissioner, making her a celebrity at school. Her status was far removed from the obscure Parker, and this disparity in status led to Parker's extreme inferiority complex, making him hesitant to make a move.
This visit for interns was a very important opportunity for Gwen. Dr. Connors had already promised Gwen's father to write a university recommendation letter for Gwen. With such a letter from an authoritative figure, Gwen was almost guaranteed to get into her desired university. So, despite her surprise, after much consideration, Gwen did not expose Parker on the spot.
"Oh? This student's approach is very unique. Could you give a few examples?" A meaningful smile played on Dr. Connors' lips. Anyone could see that he was very pleased with Parker's answer.
"For example… Parkinson's syndrome is a trauma caused by the stem cells in the human body stopping dopamine secretion. The DNA of a zebrafish can replace the function of stem cells in secreting dopamine. If a patient with Parkinson's syndrome could acquire this part of the gene from a black grouper, this incurable disease could be completely cured. And for example, your lost arm, because cold-blooded animals like lizards have powerful regenerative abilities, if you could acquire this part of the gene, the regeneration of your arm would not be impossible."
Parker didn't look at anyone else; his eyes were fixed on Dr. Connors, as if no one else existed. At first, he stammered a little, but as he concentrated, his intermittent stutter disappeared.
The smile on Dr. Connors' face grew wider, and Gwen, beside him, also watched Parker intently. This articulate Parker was truly radiant, completely different from the introverted, stammering Parker at school. Gwen was deeply captivated by Parker's way of discussing science.
"Miss Gwen, please record this student's information. I think that in the future, if possible, I will contact this student again. Perhaps we might even work together someday." Dr. Connors' words caused a stir among the interns.
Even Gwen couldn't help but turn to glance at Dr. Connors. It was well known that although Dr. Connors appeared very gentle, he was the most rigorous person when it came to science. She had never heard him openly praise anyone, let alone ask to record an intern's information, especially that phrase, "might even work together someday," which had a truly astonishing effect.
"Student, please leave your information," Gwen said, forcing herself to approach Parker.
"My name is Peter…" Parker became very nervous as soon as he saw Gwen.
"Mr. Mosby, it's truly a pleasure to have you join our internship." Gwen quickly interrupted Parker's next words. She nervously looked left and right, and seeing that the other interns hadn't noticed, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she caught sight of Li Kang beside Parker.
"Miss Gwen, we meet again." Li Kang wiggled his five fingers in the air, greeting her playfully.
"It's you? How did you get in?" Gwen felt a little breathless. This job was very important to her. She had initially thought it would just be about showing some interns around and taking notes, but first she ran into a high school classmate, and then Li Kang, this guy who was clearly not a high school student.
"He's an Osborn Group employee; he escorted me in." Parker didn't know the situation, so he volunteered to help Li Kang with this lie.
"He's an Osborn Group employee?!" Gwen finally couldn't hold back and said it very loudly, immediately causing several people to turn and look their way.
Li Kang sighed, pulled out his magic tarot cards, and casually flipped one over.
Parker couldn't help but roll his eyes. He had also suffered from this tarot card before. Although he didn't know how it worked, seeing his crush about to fall for it made him very annoyed.
"Osborn Group, warehouse department employee? So he's from the warehouse department. The warehouse is on the second basement floor. How did you two meet?" Gwen asked curiously.
The warehouse department was underground, Li Kang smacked his forehead, he was really stupid, all company warehouse departments should be underground.
"We just met by chance. I thought he was an intern, so I kindly brought him up. You two chat; I still have to go to work." Now that Li Kang knew the location of the warehouse department, he wished he could fly there immediately. All he needed was a small hard drive to download this month's shipping records, and his task would be complete.
"Wait, I'm coming with you," Parker suddenly said he wanted to go with Li Kang, making both Li Kang and Gwen stare at him strangely.
"Why do you want to follow me? I'm going to work. You should just do your internship. Aren't you and Miss Gwen mutually attracted to each other? Why don't you take this time to have a good chat? Young people need to seize opportunities, understand?" Li Kang said, a little exasperated.
"Mr. Li Kang, don't talk nonsense. Parker and I… there's nothing going on." Gwen's pretty face flushed crimson, and she avoided Parker's gaze, but then she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with one hand.
That's how girls are. If she truly has a crush on you, no matter how harshly she speaks or how cold her expression, if she just tucks her hair like that, it's a self-betrayal, indicating that she cares about you.
Unfortunately, Parker didn't understand this. "Miss Gwen is right, there's no such relationship between us as you say. I must go with you."
"Why?" This time, it was Gwen who asked.
"Because… Mr. Li Kang kindly took me upstairs, and I want to express my gratitude. I'd like to treat Mr. Li Kang to a cup of coffee," Parker replied, flustered.
"Do you have any money on you? The coffee shops around here are all very high-end," Gwen reminded him kindly, frowning.
"I have money on me, don't worry." Parker's face turned red with embarrassment, clearly indicating he hadn't brought any money.