Inheritance of Two Trillion

Chapter 2112: Chapter 1610: Bai Xiaosheng’s ”Arabian Nights” (Part 2)

The one who spoke was naturally Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled at the people across from him and put down his coffee cup.

”Actually, Mr. Ma’s remarks on the costs and benefits of pharmaceutical research and development do have some validity.” Bai Xiaosheng said.

Upon hearing that someone agreed with him, Ma Weiqian immediately smiled at Bai Xiaosheng and pointed at him with his finger, saying, ”Tsk tsk, you see, there are rational people everywhere.”

Cui Chen and Cui Xuexue couldn’t help but scrutinize Bai Xiaosheng, though there was a bit of coldness in their eyes.

Although Ma Weiqian’s words had some reason, the siblings still did not agree.

Doctors have a parental heart, and those from a family of pharmaceutical research and development have an innate ideal of helping the world, hoping that their lives will be meaningful by saving more people.

This kind of thinking might be thought of as unrealistic by many today, or that such noble people do not exist.

But this society is indeed not lacking in unsung, willing-to-contribute noble individuals. Thanks to them, humanity has gradually escaped hunger, poverty, and hardship, and things are getting better.

Bai Xiaosheng’s agreement with Ma Weiqian’s words naturally made them feel resistant.

”It’s understandable for companies to consider efficiency, profit, and cost recovery.” Bai Xiaosheng continued, ignoring the cousins’ disapproval.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weiqian was almost ready to applaud Bai Xiaosheng, his face full of smiles.

”However, I am referring to most companies in the world.” Bai Xiaosheng said, ”Pharmaceutical companies, due to their unique nature, must balance profit with conscience!”

Bai Xiaosheng’s shift in conversation stunned Ma Weiqian.

Cui Chen and Cui Xuexue’s expressions also changed somewhat.

Bai Xiaosheng continued, ”There is always money to be made, but life is singular. As humans, everyone understands the value of their own life, and this should extend to others. Respecting life is what makes a person qualified! Pharmaceutical companies should also share this humanistic aspect.”

These words made Cui Chen’s eyes light up a bit.

Cui Xuexue also looked at Bai Xiaosheng with much more friendly eyes.

Ma Weiqian looked Bai Xiaosheng up and down, retracting his praise, and sneered slightly, ”This gentleman is quite altruistic, having a bit of a saint’s heart. It’s easy to speak when you don’t feel the pain! If your family made medicine, would you give it away for free?”

Ma Weiqian had a mocking expression.

Beside him, Xu also looked at Bai Xiaosheng with a sneer.

Faced with such contemptuous glances from the two, Bai Xiaosheng paid them no mind and smiled, ”Mr. Ma may not have understood my meaning. I was talking about compatibilizing profit with conscience!”

”Then I’d like to hear how you propose to balance the two!” Ma Weiqian snorted coldly.

The Cui siblings were also listening.

Bai Xiaosheng said calmly, ”Indeed, the cost of developing a new drug is extremely high, and there is a limited patent protection period. Once expired, generic drugs may rush to seize the market like mushrooms after a rain. However, with high initial prices, can profits really be recouped? If patients can’t afford the drugs and even watch life slip away, don’t you think the company suffers no loss?”

Bai Xiaosheng said deeply, ”If there are no people, then whom are you going to sell the drugs to!”

Facing this question, Ma Weiqian narrowed his eyes slightly and frowned, ”So according to you, should we price drugs so that everyone can afford them, even if it means we won’t recoup costs?”

To Ma Weiqian, this topic seemed to be going in circles, pointless.

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head, ”What I mean is, companies can creatively come up with ways to both survive and maximize drug availability for patients. For example, pharmaceutical companies can collaborate with insurance companies to offer relevant insurance coverage. They could work with banks to loan funds for R&D, reducing costs, and sell drugs through installments or loans to ensure patients’ basic livelihood. They could also liaise with the government for support, to extend patent duration and protection, thus reducing pricing costs. Of course, these are some divergent thoughts.”

Bai Xiaosheng’s words left Ma Weiqian and the Cui siblings stunned.

This young man indeed had quite the imagination.

”Unrealistic, fantasy! We can make money easily, why bother with such trouble!” Ma Weiqian directly scoffed, ”It’s not our role to think about these things; there are officials for that.”

Bai Xiaosheng sighed.

It’s not a matter of whether it’s possible, but whether there’s a willingness.

”Recently, I’ve often thought about the establishment of a broad Global Business Alliance. In the pharmaceutical field, I wonder if we can have pharmaceutical companies from different countries exchange their unique drug patents within a trustworthy alliance, cooperate to lessen the impact of drug pricing on a single company, and even engage in joint research and development to reduce costs, thus maximizing the potential to lower drug prices while ensuring more patients can afford medication.” Bai Xiaosheng said thoughtfully.

These were the thoughts that arose from the discussion before him, and he couldn’t help but voice them.

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying naturally knew that Bai Xiaosheng had this ability and mindset, and they looked at him with admiration.

On the other side, Ma Weiqian and Xu were directly stunned.

Cui Chen and Cui Xuexue were also extremely astonished.

This young man, despite his young age, initially had some surprising insights, though there were some points worth discussing.

Listening to him talk about this, it sounds so nebulous, and the Global Business Alliance, my goodness...

Isn’t he too young, who does he think he is, what’s the use of thinking about these things, isn’t this craziness?

Ma Weiqian was stunned for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily, bending over backwards with laughter.

”Well, well, this young man truly dares to dream. Then go on, keep dreaming. By the time you become the UN President, maybe these things won’t be a problem at all. War, disasters, disease, you’ll solve them all single-handedly. I have faith in you!” Ma Weiqian said, wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes.

”I thought he had some thoughts at first, turns out he just loves to brag unrealistically...” Cui Xuexue was also deeply disappointed, muttering to herself.

Cui Chen was also a bit disappointed.

However, he admired Bai Xiaosheng’s concern for those who suffer and therefore said nothing, even smiled at Bai Xiaosheng.

People, after all, should have some ideals, because what if they come true.

But in this case, even a ’what if’ seems too slim, it’s more like one in a million...

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying saw the expressions opposite them, naturally knowing that no one took Bai Xiaosheng seriously, but they also couldn’t reveal Bai Xiaosheng’s identity to force them to believe.

Neither of them had the heart for that.

After some thought and coming back to his senses, Bai Xiaosheng saw the reactions opposite and just smiled, saying, ”Sorry, I said a bit too much.”

Cui Chen smiled and said, ”This young gentleman is young but extraordinary in bearing. Surely, he is not an ordinary person, and having such a heart to serve the world is always good!”

This was the first time Dr. Cui spoke in praise.

Even Ma Weiqian couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous.

This kid who talks off the cuff, is actually more appreciated by Cui Chen than I am, what’s the reason!

I’ve said nothing but good things and came with mountains of gold and silver, yet I’m not favored...

I don’t know how the Cui siblings think, isn’t having money good, living life freely with gold and silver mountains?

Other people’s suffering, is it really that important?

While feeling frustrated, Ma Weiqian heard Bai Xiaosheng and Cui Chen laughing, ”I have friends in this industry too, so I have some insights.”

”Is that so!” Cui Chen praised, ”Seeing your perspective, your friend must also have a compassionate heart.”

Hearing this, Ma Weiqian suddenly became wary, raising his eyes to reexamine Bai Xiaosheng.

Isn’t this just a fellow competitor!

Could it be that he heard our conversation and is interested in Dr. Cui’s research results as well?

Just then, the VIP room broadcast sounded, announcing security check and boarding.

Cui Chen smiled with Bai Xiaosheng and stood up.

As a result, he was surprised to find Bai Xiaosheng standing up as well.

”Young brother, are you on this flight too?” Cui Chen exclaimed in surprise.

”Yes, my seat is...” Bai Xiaosheng glanced at his boarding pass, smiling as he told the others.

Cui Xuexue beside Cui Chen immediately exclaimed, ”Isn’t that right next to us?”

”Haha, great, I was worried about the lonely journey.” Cui Chen laughed.

He had a great impression of Bai Xiaosheng and felt they could chat together.

”What a coincidence indeed.” Bai Xiaosheng smiled as well.

Similarly, he found Cui Chen to be quite a person.

The two hit it off right away.

Lin Weiwei, Lei Ying, and even Cui Xuexue felt it was great.

Only Ma Weiqian looked especially wary, watching Bai Xiaosheng with a guarded expression.

”I must be on guard against this Asian kid, he might really be here to steal business!”