Chapter 78 Striving for Survival Lin Yuwei immediately took over the conversation, her heart pounding...

Lin Yuwei took a deep breath and wrote the word "evidence" on the paper.

The third step was for her to gather the entire "Shiguang" team. At this point, going it alone wouldn't work; she needed the team members' keen eyes and their ability to organize their thoughts logically.

Gu Qingyan's subordinates are all elites, and the fact that they have been unable to break the deadlock despite their efforts shows how deeply the evidence is buried and how cunning the opponent's plan is. However, "Shiguang," as an observer, may be able to capture the details that they have overlooked precisely because they are not in the middle of the game, and find the hidden key that can unlock the knot from the mess of data.

The final step is the war of public opinion.

Since the other side can throw mud at them out of thin air, why can't they fight back in kind? They must launch a fierce counterattack on this battlefield without gunpowder, and they must not allow the smear to spread unchecked and completely destroy Qichen's reputation.

The weapon of retaliation, based on the evidence found in the third step, involves carefully preparing some well-reasoned and compelling materials, posting them online, and gradually guiding public attention from the pre-set trap of passively questioning "whether Venucia Technology committed a crime" to actively pursuing the truth of "who framed Venucia" and "why the frame was made".

The four plans, like four steel pillars, stood tall in her mind, firmly supporting a world of desperate counterattack.

Lin Yuwei checked the plan on the paper several times, and then acted swiftly and decisively.

She contacted a real estate agent and listed her downtown apartment for urgent sale, with only one requirement: speed. As for her own accommodation, there were many rental units in the same building; she only needed to rent an apartment, hire a packing team to move her personal belongings there and put them back in place, and the transition could be completed within a day.

Good news soon came from Zhou Xubai's side as well. As soon as he spread the word that Lin Yuwei intended to sell some of her treasured exhibits, several wealthy friends in the industry who loved her style of art immediately started bidding, with the initial budget even exceeding Lin Yuwei's estimate.

Lin Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief and replied: Xu Bai, thank you. Please help me prioritize buyers who can complete the cash transaction within two days.

Zhou Xubai's reply was concise: I know.

Having completed these two crucial funding arrangements, Lin Yuwei felt even more confident in her chances of success. She immediately seized the opportunity and convened an emergency meeting of all members of the "Shiguang" studio in Conference Room No. 1.

She went to the meeting room first and waited. She saw the team members walk in one after another with puzzled and nervous expressions. Soon everyone had arrived.

Lin Yuwei stood up, straightened her clothes, and glanced at every familiar face. She got straight to the point, asking if everyone had seen the news about Qichen Technology. Everyone looked regretful and nodded.

“In the past, Venucia Technology provided us with almost free assistance for the Cultural Corridor project, and subsequently introduced many high-quality projects to our studio,” Lin Yuwei said firmly. “I have deep faith in Mr. Gu’s character, and I also believe in the strength and integrity of the Venucia team. Therefore, as a partner, I decided to do something for them, and today’s meeting is for this purpose. Partners who are willing to join, please stay. If you have any concerns, I completely understand, and you can leave now to continue your work.”

Lin Yuwei's gaze, filled with trust and entrustment, slowly swept over the crowd.

Not a single person moved.

Xiao Li was the first to step forward: "Sister Weiwei, we saw the news this morning and we feel the same way as you, but we don't know how to help. Since you have an idea, we will definitely follow your lead!"

Li Xiao immediately chimed in, "Yes, we can't let them wrong innocent people like this! If we encourage this kind of unhealthy trend, Qichen Technology will be the first victim, and maybe our Shiguang Studio will be next."

Everyone responded enthusiastically, their spirits high.

"Okay!" Lin Yuwei said no more and immediately projected the counterattack steps, assigning tasks as quickly as possible: "Xiao Li, you take your people and start screening the entire network of information immediately, focusing on the timeline and logical loopholes of the so-called 'evidence'. Li Xiao, you are familiar with the data module, so you are responsible for data visualization. Turn the suspicious points you find into the most intuitive charts. Everyone else, work with me to sort out the customer network and find all the partners who may be related to the Qichen project!"

With everyone working together, they quickly compiled a list of clients who had connections with Shiguang but were also likely to terminate their projects with Qichen Technology. The most crucial and toughest nut to crack was that of Li Dan, the CEO of Kexin Group.

"Kexin" is the core hardware supplier for Qichen Technology's smart city project. If they cut off the supply, the project will be paralyzed immediately. More importantly, President Li was an early customer of "Shiguang" and greatly appreciated Lin Yuwei's talent and character. The two had a good personal relationship.

Given the gravity of the matter, Lin Yuwei did not choose to make a phone call, as the weight of such a call would be too light to persuade the other party. Instead, she instructed her team members to continue screening for evidence favorable to Qichen, while she herself took the preliminary compiled clues pointing to manipulation of public opinion and drove directly to Kexin Group.

In President Li's spacious yet somber office, the shrewd and pragmatic middle-aged man frowned as he looked at the uninvited Lin Yuwei.

“President Lin, I think I understand why you’ve come.” He sighed and pointed to the pile of documents on the table. “We’re acquaintances now, so I’ll be frank with you. The situation is pressing, and the board’s intention is very clear: we need to sever ties with Qichen as soon as possible to avoid getting burned.”

Lin Yuwei did not rush to argue, but gently pushed the clue map in her hand in front of President Li.

"President Li, I understand your concerns. I am here not as a lobbyist for Venucia, but as Lin Yuwei of 'Shiguang'. Based on our understanding of the industry and the trust we have built through past cooperation, I would like to offer you a perspective that may have been overlooked."

She pointed to the clear connections on the diagram: "You see, the speed and pace of this media storm are completely out of step with the normal laws of information dissemination. It's more like a carefully planned targeted attack. Its purpose is probably not just to attack Venucia, but also to reshape the entire market landscape and terminate projects with important clients. This is also a crucial decision for Kexin. Mr. Li might want to reconsider."

Li Dan stared silently at the charts, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, clearly weighing her options intensely.

Lin Yuwei knew that mere "possibility" wasn't enough to convince a businessman, so she changed the subject, offering a bargaining chip that combined personal relationships and mutual benefits: "President Li, you are my senior. In the early days of 'Shiguang,' you gave us the opportunity, and I have never forgotten that kindness." Her tone was sincere, then became extremely solemn: "Today, I also earnestly request that you trust me one more time, not Gu Qingyan, but my judgment, Lin Yuwei's judgment."

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze intense: "Please, you and Kexin, postpone your decision, even if only for a week. Give me, and Qichen Technology, a week to prove our innocence. If the situation worsens after a week, all additional losses that may result from this 'delayed separation' will be borne by me, Lin Yuwei, and my 'Shiguang' studio!"

His words were firm and resolute.

Li Dan looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock. He hadn't expected that this young woman would dare to stake her entire reputation and future on Qichen Technology.

A long silence fell over the office, the air seemed to freeze. Finally, Li Dan let out a long breath, as if to release all the turmoil and weighing of her thoughts.

In fact, as a seasoned businessman who has been navigating the business world for decades, he had considered getting involved in this mess at Venucia. High risk often comes with high reward, but he lacked a compelling reason to convince the board and himself to take the risk.

At this moment, Lin Yuwei's resolute decision became the most compelling reason.

“President Lin…” Li Dan shook her head, but her tone softened considerably: “You really have given me a huge problem.”

He stood up, walked to the window, and remained silent for a full minute with his back to her. When President Li turned back, his eyes were resolute: "Fine! I'll trust you this time, just because of your name, 'Lin Yuwei'! As for Kexin, I can withstand the pressure and suspend the process of terminating the cooperation." He held up one finger, his expression serious, "But only for one week! After one week, if there's no change..."

“That’s enough! Thank you, President Li!” Lin Yuwei immediately replied, her anxiety temporarily relieved. “There will definitely be a turning point within a week. Otherwise, I will bear all the consequences.”

Leaving the Kexin Building, Lin Yuwei didn't realize her back was already soaked with cold sweat until she sat in the driver's seat. Her composure and assertiveness in the office were nothing more than a desperate performance. She knew better than anyone that, facing a seasoned businessman like Li Dan, who had navigated the business world for decades, only by fusing precise profit analysis, past favors, and her unwavering determination could she secure this precious respite.

She calmed her rapid breathing, gripped the steering wheel, and her gaze hardened again. Now, she had to seize every second and turn this gained week into a crucial turning point in the battle.

Lin Yuwei calmed her breathing, started the car, and dialed the studio's number: "Li Xiao, things are temporarily stable at Kexin. How's your evidence sorting going? We don't have much time; we must find a decisive breakthrough within this week!"

Li Xiao: "Sister Weiwei, there's no progress yet, but we'll speed things up."

Subsequently, Lin Yuwei visited several of Qichen's partners who had a relationship with "Shiguang". Of the eight partners, six were willing to temporarily suspend their cooperation with Qichen out of consideration for their past relationship with Shiguang.

When Lin Yuwei returned to the "Shiguang" studio after running around to the client's office, it was already late the next night. She got out of the car and looked up. Most of the lights in the building were off, but the "Shiguang" studio on the fifth floor was still as bright as day. She couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

She quickly went upstairs, and as soon as she entered, she heard the sound of keyboards being typed and hushed discussions. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee that made people tense.

"Sister Weiwei!" As soon as she stepped through the door, Li Xiao, with dark circles under her eyes but a face radiant with excitement, exclaimed, "We've made a major discovery! We may have found irrefutable evidence that they falsified data!"

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Author's Note: The next chapter will feature the heroine's shining moment—so exciting! A beauty saves the hero! [doge head with rose in hand]