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Suning sat alone behind the counter of the "Prince Indian God Oil" store, his fingertips swiping across the calculator screen one last time, the number finally settling at 280 million.

He stared at the encouraging number for a good ten seconds, but there was no joy or excitement on his face. Instead, it was as if he was being suffocated by the weight of the number.

He silently took out a cigarette case from the table, shook out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The pungent smoke filled my lungs, slightly dispelling the heavy sense of oppression in my heart.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the harrowing scenes of the past month flashed before my eyes like a silent film: a brief, dark silhouette in a deserted orchard on a muddy, rainy night; a fleeting stop in an abandoned parking lot with an engine still running; hurried footsteps echoing the sound of waves at the dock in the early morning…

Every transaction is like dancing a tango precisely on the edge of death; the slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin.

Every penny of this 2.8 million was imbued with extreme caution and trepidation; it was not profit, but survival funds obtained by risking one's life.

He stubbed out his cigarette, got up, and went into the inner room.

Opening the old leather suitcase hidden deep inside the wardrobe, eighteen boxes of Gleevec were neatly stacked inside...

This was specially reserved from the previous shipment.

Nine boxes were given to Liu Sihui, and nine boxes were given to Lü Shouyi.

During the past month, the two of them were exhausted from screening patients, arranging transactions, and acting as intermediaries, but they never asked for any compensation.

Suning will remember this kindness.

When he handed the nine boxes of medicine to Liu Sihui, who was helping to organize the shelves in the store, Liu Sihui's fingers suddenly stopped the moment they touched the familiar medicine boxes.

She looked up, her eyes visibly reddening, tears welling up, but she stubbornly held them back.

She opened her mouth, but her throat tightened, and she couldn't say a word.

"Also, this is what you two deserve for this period of time." Su Ning took out another thick brown paper bag and pushed it in front of them. "150,000 yuan, exactly 75,000 yuan each. It's not much money, but it's a token of appreciation."

"Boss Su, this...we can't accept this! You've already done us a huge favor by giving us the medicine!" Liu Sihui hurriedly refused, her voice trembling with tears.

"Take it." Su Ning's tone was unquestionable, calm yet carrying immense power. "There are still many things I need to trouble you with. Having more money in hand will make things easier. Buy the kids some nice things, and don't go back to work at the bar."

Liu Sihui looked at the heavy paper bag and the nine boxes of life-saving medicine...

Finally, with trembling hands, he accepted it.

Tears finally burst forth, and she could only nod heavily, swallowing all her gratitude.

When Lü Shouyi came to collect the medicine and money, the reaction became even more severe.

His withered hands clutched the nine boxes of medicine as if they were the most precious treasures in the world, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

He looked at the medicine, then at Su Ning, his lips trembling for a long time before he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, his voice hoarse and devout: "Boss Su, you are the benefactor of our whole family, the benefactor of everyone."

Su Ning simply waved her hand, interrupting his even more overwhelming words of gratitude: "Don't thank me yet. The previous medication has been completely used up, and I must go to India again immediately."

"Okay! Okay! Boss Su, you must be careful! You must pay attention to safety!" Lu Shouyi repeatedly instructed, his eyes filled with concern and worry.

……

The next day, Suning embarked on his journey again.

He handed the shop keys to the owner of the convenience store next door, only vaguely saying that he was going to another city to get some "new stock" and would be back in a few days.

The boss was already used to his elusive nature and didn't ask any questions, only habitually reminding him to be careful on the road.

The plane landed at Mumbai airport in the morning light.

Suning easily took a taxi to the maze-like old town.

The alley was still noisy and chaotic, filled with the familiar, strong aroma of spices and the everyday life of the place, as if time had not passed here.

He found the same gold-rimmed glasses-wearing pharmacist from last time. The moment the man saw him, his eyes lit up with surprise, and he enthusiastically pulled him into a noisy little teahouse next door.

"Mr. Su! You've finally arrived! Did you sell that batch of goods so quickly?" The drug dealer's tone was full of disbelief and uncertainty.

Suning nodded, skipped the pleasantries, and went straight to the point: "This time the quantity is much larger. Three million RMB worth of goods."

The pharmaceutical merchant was clearly stunned by the number. After a few seconds of stunned silence, a more eager smile quickly spread across his face: "Mr. Su is indeed very powerful! However..."

He lowered his voice and leaned forward, “There’s an even better opportunity. Our boss would love to meet you and invite you to visit our pharmaceutical factory directly. Getting goods directly from the factory will cost you a much lower price than here.”

Go to the pharmaceutical factory?
Suning's heart skipped a beat.

This means that the deeper you get involved in this network and the more people you come into contact with, the greater the risk becomes.

But another voice echoed in his mind: a lower purchase price meant he could help more patients, or have more "start-up capital" for his next project.

After a brief deliberation, the desire for "more medicine" outweighed the fear.

He nodded. "Okay. Let's go take a look."

……

The pharmaceutical company took Suning on a bumpy three-hour car ride to the pharmaceutical factory located in the suburban industrial park.

The factory area is not large, the exterior walls are somewhat mottled, and a sign that reads "Mumbai Sunny Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd." hangs at the entrance. It looks no different from other small factories in the surrounding area.

But once inside, the scene is completely different: the production workshop is filled with the roar of machines, workers in sterile suits are busy on the assembly line, the air is filled with a faint chemical smell, and boxes of "Gleevec" are piled up in the warehouse area, waiting to be shipped to unknown places.

The pharmaceutical company owner, Sunny, was an Indian man in his fifties with a meticulously trimmed beard and a well-tailored suit. His warm smile couldn't hide his shrewdness as a businessman.

"Mr. Su, it's an honor to meet you! Welcome to my factory!" Sonny shook Suning's hand firmly. "The quality here is exactly the same as what you get in the city, but I can lower the price to... four hundred RMB per box. How about it?"

Four hundred RMB!
The price has been reduced by 20% compared to the previous purchase price!

Su Ning's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm expression.

Sonny continued to offer enticing bait: "Furthermore, if you're willing, we can sign an exclusive agency agreement. You'll gain exclusive sales rights in mainland China, and we can further negotiate the price to make you even more competitive."

Exclusive agency rights?
Written agreement?

Suning's nerves tightened instantly.

This is undoubtedly a huge temptation, but it could also be the most deadly trap.

The agreement in black and white will become the most irrefutable evidence that may point to him in the future.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table a few times, his brain working at a rapid pace.

Finally, he raised his head, looking at his boss with a frank and firm gaze: "Mr. Sonny, thank you very much for your appreciation and generosity. However, I cannot sign the exclusive agency agreement."

Sonny's smile froze slightly.

Su Ning continued, “You and I both understand the unique nature of this medicine in the Chinese market. I hope our cooperation will be long-term and secure. A written agreement would be an unnecessary risk for both of us. I have more faith in transactions based on trust and cash. Four hundred RMB per box, three million worth of goods—I can pay in full right now. That way, neither of us will face any risk.”

Sonny stared at Suning for a long time, seemingly assessing the young man's determination and courage.

Finally, a smile returned to his face, tinged with a hint of helpless appreciation: "Alright! Mr. Su! You're a very cautious partner. I respect your decision. It'll be as you said, four hundred RMB for three million worth of goods! I'll arrange loading immediately!" ...

The next day, Gleevec, worth three million RMB, was loaded onto a truck temporarily rented by Suning and transported to a remote warehouse outside the city.

After confirming that the quantity and quality of all medicines were correct, Suning paid the balance on the spot.

As the warehouse shutters slowly closed, confirming there were no surveillance cameras or surveillance devices and blocking outside view, Su Ning's mind raced...

In an instant, the mountain of medicine boxes in the warehouse vanished without a trace, as if by magic, and were all safely incorporated into the system's "storage and portability" space.

After dealing with all of this, Suning didn't stop for a moment and immediately went to the airport to board the earliest flight back to Shanghai.

As the plane soared into the sky and Mumbai outside the window gradually shrank into a blur of lights, Su Ning leaned back in her seat, but was wide awake.

Instead of the initial sense of accomplishment I felt on my previous return journey, I was replaced by an even heavier sense of pressure.

Three million worth of medicines means greater responsibility, and it also means that if something goes wrong, it will be a devastating disaster.

His mind flashed before his eyes Liu Sihui's red-rimmed eyes, Lü Shouyi's trembling hands, and those unfamiliar faces filled with longing and gratitude that he caught a glimpse of at the secret trading point.

This also seems to be a righteous act.

The plane pierced through the clouds and flew steadily eastward.

Su Ning closed his eyes, not to rest, but to meticulously plan his next move in his mind:
Stricter screening mechanisms, more varied trading locations, a more reliable pool of intermediaries, and how to use this ever-flowing capital to reach more dark corners.

There are many stories similar to leukemia and Gleevec, just like the classic line, there is only one disease in this world: "poverty".

Therefore, he knew that he was not just selling medicine, but also glimmers of hope that continued amidst despair.

He has become the most crucial and dangerous link in this chain of hope.

Even if there is a bottomless abyss beneath his feet, he must continue walking.

……

Just as Suning boarded the plane.

In Mumbai, on a humid and sweltering afternoon, the sun beat down on the street outside the office of "Mumbai Sunny Pharmaceutical Trading Company".

Boss Sonny leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers twirling a crisp new banknote, his brow furrowed.

Three million RMB is an exceptionally large sum for his small pharmaceutical company, which is hidden in the old city and mainly serves a few "international clients".

What unsettled him even more was this young Chinese man named "Suning".

“Su… Ning…” Sonny repeated the name in broken Chinese, as if trying to glean something from the syllables.

He recalled their first meeting: so young, wearing a simple white shirt, yet with an unusually calm gaze, lacking the greed or anxiety of ordinary buyers, only an almost cold tranquility.

The first time, he asked for four hundred boxes, cash, without leaving any receipt, as decisive and efficient as a novice.

How long has it been?

A month?

He actually came back, and he immediately placed an order for three million, his appetite has increased by more than ten times.
This is so unreasonable.

Sonny pressed the intercom button: "Raj, come in for a moment."

Soon, a capable-looking young man pushed open the door and entered.

"boss?"

“Remember that young Chinese man, Su Ning?” Sonny pushed the transfer receipt over. “Investigate him. What exactly did he do after the first transaction? So many drugs couldn’t just disappear into thin air. Find out where he came from and which smuggling route he used.”

"Understood, boss." Raj picked up the receipt and quickly left.

Sonny stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the noisy and chaotic street scene.

He has been in this business for over a decade and has seen all sorts of buyers: some are crying and begging for medicine for their families, some are middlemen looking to make a quick buck, and some are even local bullies trying to extort money by lowering prices.

But he really couldn't see through this Suning.

He was too calm, so calm that it didn't seem like he was making a deal that could be punishable by a heavy sentence.

He showed no interest in finding lower prices or demanding agency rights, seemingly uninterested in establishing long-term channels, and simply focused on efficient "procurement."

The feeling wasn't like that of a drug dealer, but more like that of a machine completing a task?

A few days later, Raj brought the results of his investigation, which only confused Sonny more.

“Boss, this is very strange.” Raj’s expression was somewhat incredulous. “We asked around through our friends in Shanghai. This Suning has almost no assets, no registered company, and no criminal record. It seems he just runs a small, nearly bankrupt roadside shop selling adult products like Indian herbal oil?”

Raj's tone became somewhat uncertain towards the end.

“An adult products store?” Sonny turned around abruptly, his eyes wide with astonishment. “Are you sure? Where did he get millions in cash? What about those drugs? Where did they go? Which smuggling route did they use?”

“That’s the strangest thing,” Raj said in a low voice. “The medicine seems to have ‘disappeared.’ There’s absolutely no trace of its distribution or smuggling. There’s no word of a black market, no unusual purchases by hospitals or pharmacies, and not even any rumors about large quantities of Indian Gleevec. It’s as if his hundreds of boxes of medicine simply evaporated after being shipped back to China.”

The office fell silent, with only the creaking of the old ceiling fan.

Evaporation? How could hundreds of boxes of medicine possibly evaporate?

unless……

Sonny's pupils contracted slightly.

Unless, behind him lies an extremely large, secretive, and well-organized network capable of completely disposing of these drugs without leaving a trace.

Or perhaps he wasn't serving the ordinary black market channels at all?
Some vague guesses flashed through Sonny's mind: a secret charity? A front man for some big shot?
Or perhaps some departments are making unspoken tests?

Each possibility sent a chill down his spine.

He looked at the note on the table with the name "Suning" written on it, and for the first time felt that these two Chinese characters were full of mystery and danger.

Behind this young man lies a story and power far beyond his imagination.

“Keep an eye on him,” Sonny finally instructed in a deep voice, his tone more serious than ever before. “Next time he comes, be even more polite. Also, try to fulfill all his requests, as long as they aren’t excessive. Don’t ask any questions.”

"Yes, boss."

After Raj left, Sonny picked up that attractive RMB note again.

He suddenly felt that this light-looking piece of paper seemed to weigh a ton.

He may have inadvertently stumbled into a vortex far deeper and more dangerous than smuggling drugs.

And that young Chinese man named Su Ning is the most unsettling center of this fog.

...(End of chapter)