Chapter 17

On the third day of Chu Xiaoche's hospitalization, Song Mingye convened an emergency meeting at the company. On the projector, the latest product introduction page from a competitor shone brightly, its core technical parameters almost identical to the confidential proposal submitted by the Song Group six months prior.

"It's them again." The marketing manager clenched his fists, his voice trembling. "The matter of Zhang Qiming leaking information has just subsided, and now they're clearly trying to wipe us out!"

Song Mingye tapped his fingertips on the table, his gaze as deep and cold as a still pool. After Zhang Qiming was arrested last time, he thought the mastermind would back down, but he didn't expect that the other party would not only not stop, but would intensify their efforts. Clearly, they had figured out the Song family's weakness and wanted to take advantage of Chu Xiaoche's accident and the team's unrest to completely destroy them.

"Investigate immediately and thoroughly investigate the channels through which this technology was leaked." Song Mingye's voice was as cold as ice. "In addition, notify the technology department to come up with a response plan within 24 hours. Our upgraded version must be released before the other party's products are launched on a large scale."

After the meeting, Song Mingye had just stepped out of the conference room when he received a call from Song Linchuan. The boy's voice was filled with anxiety: "Brother, come to the hospital quickly, something happened to Qi Zihao."

When they arrived at the hospital, the corridor outside the ward was in chaos. Qi Zihao, with red eyes, was arguing with two strange men, while Mu Nanjin and Jiang Ziyu stood in front of him, their expressions serious.

"Why are you taking Chu Xiaoche's things?" Qi Zihao's voice was choked with sobs as he clutched a camera bag tightly in his hands, the one Chu Xiaoche had with him when the accident happened.

“We are acting on orders from our superiors. Chu Xiaoche is suspected of leaking commercial secrets, and all his belongings need to be sealed and investigated.” One of the men showed his identification, his tone forceful.

Song Mingye quickly stepped forward, shielding Qi Zihao behind him: "Business leak? What evidence do you have?"

The man glanced at him arrogantly: "This is confidential, I can't tell you. If you know what's good for you, hand it over now, or we won't be polite."

"You're welcome?" Song Mingye sneered, his eyes sharp as knives. "Chu Xiaoche is a photographer working with the Song Group. We at the Song Group will take full responsibility for his personal safety and reputation. Without a court warrant, no one can touch his things."

The man's expression changed, and he wanted to say something, but Song Mingye's cold gaze forced him back. "Let's go." He glared at Qi Zihao and led his men away dejectedly.

"Mingye-ge, thank you." Qi Zihao breathed a sigh of relief, but his tears fell even harder. "They went too far. Xiaoche is clearly the victim, yet he is being slandered like this."

Song Mingye patted his shoulder and gently comforted him, "Don't worry, we're here. We won't let Chu Xiaoche suffer any injustice."

Entering the ward, Chu Xiaoche was leaning against the headboard, his face pale. Seeing everyone come in, he forced a smile: "I heard all the commotion outside just now."

"Xiao Che, don't overthink it. Those people are just deliberately causing trouble." Qi Zihao walked to the bedside and held his hand. "We will definitely find out the truth and clear your name."

Chu Xiaoche nodded, but his eyes were somewhat serious: "Actually, my trip to the suburbs to shoot on location this time wasn't just for research." He paused and slowly said, "I received an anonymous message saying that someone was secretly replicating our Song family's core technology equipment in an abandoned factory in the suburbs. I originally wanted to take some evidence, but I didn't expect to encounter a landslide."

Everyone was shocked. Song Mingye frowned: "So, the landslide wasn't an accident?"

“Very likely.” Chu Xiaoche sighed. “Before I left, I sent you a location, which was the location of that abandoned factory. Unfortunately, my phone and camera were damaged in the accident, and the photos inside are gone.”

“I received the location.” Song Mingye immediately took out his phone and pulled up the location information. “I’ll send someone to investigate right now.”

Mu Nanjin suddenly spoke up: "I know some media friends, we can ask them to help pay attention to this matter and put pressure on the other side."

Jiang Ziyu nodded: "I can go and take a look around that abandoned factory. Maybe I can find some clues. I've been painting for many years, so I'm quite sensitive to environmental details."

Looking at the determined eyes of everyone, Song Mingye felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Alright, let's divide the work." He said in a deep voice, "I'll be responsible for sending people to investigate the factory, Mu Nanjin will contact the media, Jiang Ziyu will go to the site for investigation, and Achuan and Qi Zihao will stay at the hospital to take care of Chu Xiaoche, while also keeping an eye out for any suspicious persons."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination.

Over the next few days, everyone was busy. Song Mingye's men discovered a large number of residual electronic components near the abandoned factory; after technical analysis, they were confirmed to be parts of Song's core equipment. The media contacted by Mu Nanjin quickly exposed the matter, causing a public uproar and a sharp drop in the stock prices of competitors. Jiang Ziyu, meanwhile, found a peculiar badge in the bushes outside the factory, engraved with an unfamiliar symbol.

“This badge... I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.” Chu Xiaoche looked at the badge, his brows furrowed. “That’s right, there’s an identical badge hanging in Zhang Qiming’s office!”

Song Mingye immediately sent someone to verify, and it was confirmed that the badge belonged to a mysterious business alliance, and Zhang Qiming and the CEO of his competitor were both members of this alliance.

"I see." Song Mingye suddenly realized, "Zhang Qiming is just a pawn. This business alliance is the real mastermind. First, they framed my father, then they leaked company information, and now they want to slander Chu Xiaoche. Their goal is to completely destroy the Song family."

"What should we do now?" Qi Zihao asked anxiously.

“We have almost enough evidence.” Song Mingye’s eyes were firm. “We’ll call the police immediately and hold a press conference to expose this business alliance’s conspiracy to the public.”

On the day of the press conference, Song Mingye presented all the evidence to the public, including Zhang Qiming's confession, photos of the abandoned factory, the authentication report of the badge, and evidence of competitors' involvement in the business alliance. Public opinion was outraged, with many condemning the business alliance's unfair competition.

Police quickly intervened and arrested members of the business alliance. The CEO of a competitor was taken in for questioning, and the company was paralyzed. The Song Group's reputation was not only restored; in fact, the incident earned it more consumer trust, and its stock price soared.

Chu Xiaoche's name was cleared, and the day he was discharged from the hospital was sunny and bright. Qi Zihao pushed the wheelchair, and Chu Xiaoche sat in it, a long-lost smile on his face. Song Mingye, Song Linchuan, Mu Nanjin, and Jiang Ziyu accompanied them, and the six of them walked side by side in the hospital corridor, the sunlight shining on them, warm and bright.

"It's finally over." Qi Zihao breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile.

Chu Xiaoche held his hand, her eyes gentle: "Yes, it's over. From now on, we won't have to be bothered by these things anymore."

Looking at the people around him, Song Mingye was filled with emotion. Having weathered so many storms, they hadn't been defeated; instead, they were more united, their bond even stronger. He turned to look at Song Linchuan, the young man smiling at him, the beauty mark under his eye shining brightly. Song Mingye reached out and took his hand, silently vowing to protect those around him and to safeguard this hard-won happiness.