21st Century Necromancer

Chapter 81 Beef

In front of a sizzling hot griddle, the chef was swiftly flipping ingredients with two spatulas in hand, their clanking against the hotplate created a harmonious melody, which, along with the mouthwatering food, composed a delightful scene that uplifted the spirits of the diners seated at the counter.

Dipping a piece of tenderly seared beef into soy sauce with wasabi, he then placed it in his mouth where the juicy beef seemed to melt on the tongue. The juices were squeezed out by his teeth, mixing with the wasabi soy sauce, the savory flavor filling his taste buds and making him chew involuntarily until the beef was thoroughly broken down before he reluctantly swallowed.

"Indeed, it's A5-grade Wagyu, truly delicious!" Putting down his chopsticks, Chen Yu couldn't help but sigh with appreciation.

Teppanyaki is a very popular high-end cuisine in Japan with a history stretching back half a century. It uses top-quality ingredients and avoids marinating to preserve the original flavors, making it a luxury dining experience. Being treated to teppanyaki is a significant gesture of hospitality.

Of course, Chen Yu wasn't the one hosting today; he had been invited, so he could freely enjoy the delicacies without worrying about the bill. After all, a serving of A5 Wagyu isn't cheap, and the restaurant chooses Kobe beef. Even on a Vice Professor's salary like Chen Yu's, it wasn't something he could afford to enjoy regularly.

"Professor Chen, are you satisfied with the skills of this restaurant? The taste at Sukiyabashi Main Store simply can't be compared to its branches," a benevolent-looking, affluent-faced old man with glasses and a walking stick sat next to Chen Yu, chatting with him as he appeared quite pleased with the food.

"With A5 Kobe Wagyu and a famous chef handling it, if I'm still not satisfied, I'm afraid the chef here might have to take issue with me, right?" Chen Yu joked, looking at the chef who was currently grilling the squid he'd ordered.

"Hahaha, Professor Chen, you really have a sense of humor, much more than this old man," the old man beamed with an even kinder face at Chen Yu's joke, looking like a kindly grandfather one might see on the street.

However, the old man's eyes, brighter than those of the younger generation, were shielded by his glasses, but they were clear enough for anyone to realize that he wasn't as harmless as he appeared.

"Director Kazama, inviting me, a surgeon, to such a fantastic meal, surely it's not just because you think I'm humorous and want to treat me to dinner, is it?" Chen Yu picked up the glass of water on the table, took a sip to moisten his throat, then turned to the elder sitting beside him, "I'm not one to beat around the bush.

If there's something you'd like to discuss, please feel free to speak directly."

Hearing Chen Yu's straightforward approach, the muscles on the old man's face, whom he called Director Kazama, twitched unnaturally for a moment, but he quickly smiled again, "Since Professor Chen is forthright, I won't beat around the bush either.

Apart from wanting to treat you to some delicious meat, I arranged with Director Yamamoto to invite you out because I wanted to discuss the development of a broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug with you."

"So, Professor Chen, is it possible to let our Kazama Pharmaceuticals handle the development of the broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug you're working on? Of course, the patent of the drug would still belong to you, Professor Chen. You just need to grant us an exclusive license! As for the licensing fee, Kazama Pharmaceuticals won't shortchange you by a single yen."

Director Kazama's words caused Chen Yu to pause for a moment. He turned his head and looked seriously at the always smiling elderly gentleman. After a deep gaze, Chen Yu spoke, "The drug is still in the development stage; clinical trials haven't even begun. Director Kazama, don't you think it's a bit early to be discussing patent licensing?"

"Eh, it's not too early, not too early at all. How can you say it's early for such a thing! If we had known earlier about your research on this kind of broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug, Kazama Pharmaceuticals would have collaborated with you long ago. For a drug of this caliber, we could be looking at an annual profit of tens of billions of yen once it's on the market.

Securing the patent license earlier means the profits are safe and sound, haha!" Director Kazama laughed, his tone as if he were chatting with Chen Yu about family matters rather than discussing business involving tens of billions of yen in profit.

In fact, saying tens of billions of yen was an understatement. A broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug like this, once it hits the market, would undoubtedly bring staggering profits, given the number of cancer patients worldwide and the market potential for such a drug.

However, upon hearing Director Kazama's words, Chen Yu appeared to be considerably less enthusiastic: "Clinical trials have not started yet, and the prospects for the drug are still not clear. So let's wait until the clinical trials are completed. Moreover, I can't file for a patent without the completion of clinical trials, can I?

So, Director Kazama, it might be best to consider this matter more carefully."

"I understand! I understand! The patent licensing for such a drug indeed requires careful consideration." Director Kazama's eyes narrowed a bit, but he quickly resumed his smile, seemingly undisturbed by Chen Yu's comments, and continued with a warm smile, "Come on, Professor Chen, let's not just talk. This Kobe beef needs to be eaten while it's hot; it loses a lot of flavor once it cools down."

"Hehe, it seems Director Kazama has a good appetite!" Chen Yu also laughed and picked up another piece of beef to eat, "Earlier, Director Kazama mentioned wanting an exclusive license... Although the meat is delicious, monopolizing it isn't an easy task, is it? You need not only a big enough appetite but also a way to prevent others from snatching it, right?"

"Hahaha, Professor Chen, you're really amusing!" After hearing Chen Yu's words, Director Kazama burst into a hearty laugh, as if Chen Yu had told a funny joke: "Arnone, we at Kazama Pharmaceuticals may not be an internationally renowned large pharmaceutical conglomerate, but we still carry some weight in Japan.

We might not be able to swallow the overseas market, but I'm confident about getting a piece of the juicy domestic market."

"Is that so? Then, when the meat is ready, I'll be watching with eager anticipation," Chen Yu said, his lips curling up as he placed the last piece of beef from the plate into his mouth.

At that moment, the chef happened to spritz some alcohol on the griddle, making the flames surge instantly. The orange-red firelight cast flickering shadows on the faces of Director Kazama and Chen Yu at the counter, just as unpredictable as their current moods.