Chapter 8 7

Are you really going to have dinner with him tonight?Li Ke asked after Mary told him and Constantine about the inspection.There was suspicion in Constantine's eyes. Why not?It's clear to me that he wants us to be on his side.Of course he has the right to do so.I'd rather have a meal with him if I could get him to back us up and get us all the information we need. I don't trust him.Li Ke said. I think that African field station is weird.Konstantin said that last year, the experimental station spent nearly 400,000 euros on business trips. Not surprisingly, airfare to Africa must not be cheap.Mary said.

Maybe!But I still don't understand why Ofana chose to set up this experimental station in a primeval forest in Africa?If they were doing genetic research and needed to find some kind of exotic plant with medicinal properties in that kind of place, it would make sense.But olfactory compounds?Can't it be tested in the laboratory?You mentioned it yourself, there's a whole bunch of weird insects downstairs. It may be that Skoppa wants to use this method to fund his own happy private trip!Li Ke said sarcastically. Large-scale field odor testing could be done there, he said.Mary retorted that maybe there weren't too many people there to care about them!Try to do field experiments in Germany, and you're going to get in trouble with environmental groups.

I remember Ofana developed an ecological pest control, right?Li Ke asked. That's right.Still, problems can arise.You know German officials love to make trouble.Scoppa mentioned the matter of EU aid funds.He might be able to make a fortune out of it. Constantine nodded thoughtfully.Well, it's possible.But I think we should investigate further. good.Mary said, I will call him immediately and ask for some related materials. Scopa just had an appointment and was not available.At noon, Mary had a light meal with Li Ke and Constantine in the restaurant of the furniture mall next to Ofana Company.After returning, she finally found Scopa.

You are lucky.He said on the other end of the phone that Dr. Berg happened to be in Germany.He is the head of the field experiment station.However, I don't know if he has the time.Early tomorrow morning, he will go back again. Just talk for an hour, this is very important to us.Mary said eagerly. Understood.Let me see what I can do for you, Miss Ashe. Around five o'clock in the afternoon, Skoppa walked in with a man.In Mary's opinion, the man was not very handsome.He was of medium build, in his early thirties, with nervous eyes behind large lenses.Although he lived in Africa, he was extremely pale.This is Andre.Dr. Berg.Skoppa said, Dr. Berg, the task force from Copeland wanted to know what our Ugandan field station was doing.I ask you to answer all the questions of Miss Asher and her assistant.After that, he turned and left.

Berger stood hesitantly in the room for a moment, seemingly unsure of what he was here for. please sit down.Mary said, and gestured towards the small conference table.Want a cup of coffee? no thanks!Berg's voice was unnaturally high-pitched and as thin as his short blond hair.Unfortunately, I don't have much time and I'm going back tomorrow morning.Please keep the question short. Constantine and Li Ke also came to the small conference table.Mary wished they had stayed where they were, because they could hear it there too.Now in this way, a three-on-one has been formed, and Berg will be even more uncomfortable.

Mary quickly gave Li Ke a warning glance, with the most enthusiastic smile on her face.Thank you, Dr. Berg, for taking time out of our busy schedules.We were commissioned to assess the future potential of Offana Corporation.I believe that your field station is very important to your company.Can you briefly describe what's going on there? Well, that's right.There we test odor preparations against pests.Berger said. We know this.Li Ke said, but why do you have to set up an experimental station in Africa?Isn't it also possible to conduct odor tests on laboratory animals? Berg was silent for a moment.Mary took a deep breath.Dr. Berger, we are interested in the value of the Field Station to Offana Corporation.Is it because of the species richness in that area?Or is it because it is easier to conduct field experiments there?

Berg nodded.That's right. Or both?Constantine cut in and asked. Berg nodded again.It seems that even if you continue to ask, it is difficult to ask the answer.On the other hand, Mary really couldn't drive Li Ke and Constantine away. How many people are there in the experimental station?Li Ke asked.It's a good idea to ask easy-to-answer questions so Berg doesn't cringe. Just me and two assistants, Craig and Williams, plus some local staff. How many people are there? It depends.Two assistants are fixed to work in the station.Sometimes when conducting field experiments, more people are invited.

How do field experiments work?Constantine wondered. The German side sent us the most basic scent preparation and the carrier of the first scent (vector, translation note: generally refers to a piece of DNA or RNA that can carry genes).We took it out into the field to measure its effect on certain insects.Berg's habit of not looking the person he was talking to in the eye gradually irritated Mary with a mixture of sympathy and disgust for the man. How do you measure it?Li Ke asked, using a hidden camera to observe the beetle's reaction? Apparently, the scientist doesn't know much about humor.The eyes he cast on Li Ke were full of contempt.of course not.

what is that? Use numbers.A standard can be obtained by comparing the difference in the number of pests before and after the preparation is applied.The rate at which the drug wears off is then measured over a period of time. Mary nodded.She understood what Berg meant.He uses statistics, the only way that makes sense. How long will it take you to reach a conclusion?What are you going to do next?Constantine continued. Then we use a variety of different combinations and different carriers, and continue to do the next series of tests until we find the best combination. How long does this process take?

Berg watched his fingertips squeeze together.It depends.Mostly it takes months, sometimes years, he said. When was this experimental station established?Mary asked. about four years ago. Have you developed a market-ready product?Li Ke wanted to know. Berg checked his watch.Listen, it's getting late and I have work to do. Please answer my question!Li Ke's tone was calm, but it was not difficult to hear the potential threat.Although up to this point, Mary has a prejudice against Li Ke and is disgusted with his aggressive way, but at this moment she hopes that he will continue to ask.

Berg glanced at him quickly, his lips pursed, looking even paler.We don't produce there, that's for my colleagues in Germany.We just test and improve.I know, you don't want to know this.But what we, Ofana, are doing is the key technology to ensure human food supply in the 21st century and overcome several deadly diseases.We are approaching a decisive breakthrough point in the technology to combat Anopheles mosquitoes.Do you understand what that would mean? Dr. Berger, no one questions the importance of your work.Mary comforted him. The scientist looked at her bitterly.Don't think I'm being kept in the dark.I know your purpose.The company is not making money and has to cut spending.The experimental stations in Africa will then be included in the revocation list.But it's one of the few advantages we have, and it's a competitive side! Was it Dr. Scoppa's intention to establish this experimental station, or yours?Li Ke asked. Berg stared at him for a moment.Then, stand up.I don't need to argue in front of you.He said, I still have something to do.Bye now! Mary got up too.Dr. Berger, please But Berg was out of the room. you are great!Constantine said angrily, it's your good deed again! Li Ke met his gaze with aggressive eyes.What do you want to say? I want to say: you are a big idiot!Constantine replied calmly, your overly drastic means will ruin this project! Li Ke immediately jumped up, his face flushed red.Watch out for me when you talk! Constantine moves closer to him.Do you think I'm afraid of you? Constantine, Li Ke, can you all sit down and calm down! Constantine sat down immediately.Li Ke was still standing, looking at him with a gloomy face, and after a while, he followed Mary's instructions.Mary sat down too.The quarreling between us is really boring! Are you willing to let this kind of person ruin your project?Constantine avoided Li Ke and asked her. It's not my project, it's ours!Mary corrected him. That's even worse. The man must be hiding something.Li Ke insisted that this point could not be more clear.If I don't prod him Come on, that man is a scientist!He wants to be respected and treated with sincerity.In his eyes, we are just a few arrogant ignorant people who only know how to cut expenses.I couldn't understand half of what he said.Your actions further confirmed this to him!No wonder he would rush out the door angrily. If you know that well, just listen to him!Anyway, I stand by my opinion: this man has a lot to hide.Doing it in a polite way doesn't work at all.I think we should call Berlant and get some pressure from him. nonsense!Constantine said loudly. enough!Mary stepped between the two of them.I'm not going to call Berlant.I'll have dinner with Scoppa in a while, see if I can learn something about Berg's work from him, and then I'll say something else.Now I want you to focus on your work and stop arguing.do you understand? The two stared at Mary in surprise.Only then did they realize that their noise was abnormally loud. Constantine nodded.All right!You are right.sorry. Even Li Ke endured it and stopped making reckless assertions.I'll check the overhead part again.It is likely that Berg concealed some of the actual expenditures of the field experiment station and put them in other funds. OK, that's it.Mary said.Konstantin, please continue to list the high-efficiency compounds produced by this company and learn about their current research progress. Mary was relieved, if only temporarily, by the restored tranquility.She sat down again.Skoppa's secretary sent three folders this morning, containing a number of research projects.She pulled out one and looked through research applications, meeting minutes, and interim research reports full of biological vocabulary.She didn't want to understand the operations of Ofana Company, but just wanted to get a feel for the working methods of this company. Her first impression was that the company was well-run and professional, but she also noticed that many of the products were far from market-ready. At twenty past seven Scopa came in.I can see that you are still busy.He said, but may I remind you of my appointment tonight? certainly.Mary closed the laptop.She was suddenly uneasy, like a little girl being taken out by an admirer for the first time.Li Ke glanced at her sideways, with mockery in his eyes, but said nothing. Scoppa walks her to his sports car, a black Porsche 911.He opened the car door, and Mary couldn't help but panic even more with his air of dealing with women and his self-confidence. I know a small but nice country restaurant nearby.Where do you want to go? Of course, I would love to. He turns the handlebars, pulls the car out of the company parking lot, and snaps into gear.Mary nestled into the comfortable leather chair.There was a smell of leather and Scoppa's unique and soothing perfume in the car.Did Dr. Berger help?He asked Mary as the car sped along. He seems a little nervous about this.I think. Yes, he is a bit stubborn.As a scientist, you have to be careful with him.But he's been great, and trust me, he's the backbone of our company. certainly. Scopa turned his head and looked straight at her.Mary wished he could just look at the road ahead.Miss Ashe, your colleague is the one who interrupted your conversation at the end You mean Mr Kemper? Scopa's eyes turned to the front again, and he had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the truck he saw just around the corner. That's right, it's him.I don't want my team to be unsettled by him.You know what I mean?I know this kind of person.As long as there is a beautiful lady like you around, you will think you have to stand out.I don't allow anyone to put on airs in my place and run amok like an elephant in a china shop.The atmosphere was already tense enough, everyone knew we were losing money, and Oppenheim was pretty upset with us. Mary's face was flushed.Is it because of her that Li is like that?Of course, she murmured, I'll take care and tell him to be careful. Scopa slammed on the accelerator and overtook the van.he laughed.I can imagine his state of mind, you are such a wonderful lady!Still, I'm sure plenty of men have said the same thing. Mary is overwhelmed, uncomfortable with Scopa's compliment. However, after that, the feeling of unreliability in her heart gradually decreased, and finally she was completely happy.She hasn't felt like this for a long time.The dinner in the quiet and lovely country shop is exquisite and delicious.And Scoppa is a charming host, always finding ways to make her laugh.He was one of those old school gentlemen with a lot of wit.He told Mary many stories about his native Andalusia, and many anecdotes from his college days. After enjoying the exquisite creme brulee dessert, Mary suddenly realized that they had not mentioned anything about Ofana and the African field experiment station all night.At the same time, she realized that her head was starting to dizzy.Skoppa is definitely a thoughtful companion and always finds a way to fill her with red wine.She is usually very cautious about alcohol, but tonight, she drank far more than usual. After paying the bill, Skoppa took her to the sports car.Mary's knees were weak.Aware of her stagger, he politely supported her What a night.As the car pulled away from the gravel of the shop, Mary said, thank you! I want to thank you, Miss Ashe!It's been a long time since I've spent an evening with such a charming lady. He slammed on the accelerator and sped on the dark road.Mary looked at him from the side, and suddenly found that he was still very attractive even in his middle age.Perhaps it is because of entering middle age that it is so charming.Mary felt safe with his life experience, manner, and calm. She tried to get the feeling out of her mind.She does not allow personal judgment to be clouded by unprofessional emotions.