She rubbed her temples; her eyes were sore from staring at the computer screen for so long.

Jiang Tingchen knocked on the door gently and walked in with two cups of coffee in his hands: "Are you hungry? I bought some midnight snacks."

"I have no appetite." Ning Nanxue continued to look through the documents without raising her head. "There's something wrong with this data. I need to check it again."

Jiang Tingchen put down his coffee, stood behind her, and gently massaged her tense shoulders: "Xue'er, it's already one in the morning, take a rest."

"There's no time to rest now." Ning Nanxue shook off his hand, her tone tinged with irritation. "Hongtai is being aggressive, and the board of directors is putting pressure on me. I have to find a solution as soon as possible."

Jiang Tingchen sighed and took a step back: "I understand your pressure, but overdrawing your health will not solve the problem."

"Tingchen!" Ning Nanxue suddenly raised her voice and turned to face him. "This company is everything to me! If I can't even keep it, what else do I have left?"

The room fell silent. Jiang Tingchen stared at her quietly for a moment before softly saying, "You still have me. No matter what happens, you still have me."

Ning Nanxue was stunned, then drooped her shoulders, fatigue flooding her face: "I'm sorry, I'm too tired... I couldn't control my emotions well."

"I'm just worried about you." Jiang Tingchen leaned against the table. "We've been spending less and less time together lately."

Ning Nanxue turned her head away, avoiding his gaze: "If I can't even keep the company, what's the point of talking about the future?"

"You're always like this." Jiang Tingchen said with a disappointed tone, "You carry everything on your shoulders and never let others share the burden."

Ning Nanxue was silent for a long time, and finally said softly: "I'm used to facing it alone."

"That was in the past." Jiang Tingchen took her hand, "Now you have me, Xue'er. I'm not here to distract you, but to be your support."

Ning Nanxue looked at his determined expression and suddenly felt a pang of bitterness: "I'm afraid of relying on others. Every time I trust someone, I end up being disappointed."

"Including me?"

"You...are different." Ning Nanxue shook her head gently. "It is precisely because you are different that I am more afraid of losing you."

Jiang Tingchen held her face in his hands: "Xue'er, love is not a business, there is no need to calculate gains and losses. Sometimes, relying on others is also a kind of courage."

Ning Nanxue suddenly laughed, with a hint of self-mockery: "I'm actually afraid of relying on someone."

"That's not a weakness." Jiang Tingchen said gently, "That's the softest part of your heart, and I'm honored to see this side of you."

Ning Nanxue leaned into his arms, letting down her guard for the first time. "Sometimes I wonder, if there were no Fu Group, how would I define myself?"

Jiang Tingchen stroked her long hair: "You are Ning Nanxue first, and then the president of Fu Corporation. The company is only a part of you, not everything."

"I've never thought of it that way." Ning Nanxue said softly, "Over the years, I've put all my energy into my career and seem to have forgotten that I have other identities."

"Then we can find it slowly." Jiang Tingchen smiled, "We can do it together."

"I love you." Jiang Tingchen responded, "Not only do I love the resolute and strong CEO, but I also love the vulnerable and doubtful Ning Nanxue at this moment."

"Thank you for not giving up on me." Ning Nanxue gently held his hand, "Forgive me for my recent neglect and emotionality."

Jiang Tingchen gently stroked the back of Ning Nanxue's hand, feeling a surge of pity in his heart.

Just as the two of them were snuggling together, Ning Nanxue's phone suddenly rang. She frowned as she answered the call, her expression immediately becoming serious.

"What? Director Su has also resigned?" She stood up suddenly. "This is the third core technical staff member to leave this week!"

Jiang Tingchen noticed something was wrong and took the document from her hand and quickly scanned it. "Zhou Lei, Zhang Hua, and now Director Su, they are all the backbone of the R&D department."

"The conditions offered by Hongtai are too tempting. They say the salary has tripled." Ning Nanxue said with a complicated expression, "They also promised equity incentives and management positions."

Jiang Tingchen frowned. "This isn't just about poaching people. They're targeting the core members of our ongoing new energy project."

Ning Nanxue sneered: "Hongtai has never understood technological innovation, they only know how to imitate and steal."

"The question is, why are they targeting new energy projects?" Jiang Tingchen pondered. "This information shouldn't be leaked."

Ning Nanxue walked to the window and looked down at the city at night: "There's a traitor."

"Who do you suspect?"

"The scope has been narrowed down." Ning Nanxue turned around, her expression sharp. "There are only five senior executives who can access this project—me, Fu Chen, the technical director, the head of R&D, and the financial director."

Jiang Tingchen pondered for a moment: "Fu Chen is the most suspicious."

"But there's no evidence." Ning Nanxue shook her head. "I need solid evidence to deal with him at the board meeting."

Jiang Tingchen picked up the phone: "I can contact Huayun Group to see if we can provide you with technical support."

"No." Ning Nanxue flatly refused, "This is a crisis for the Fu family. I must solve it in my own way."

"Xue'er, this is not the time to be arrogant." Jiang Tingchen said firmly, "Huayun has sufficient technical reserves and can temporarily fill the gap."

The room fell silent.

"I have a compromise plan." Jiang Tingchen suddenly said, "Not in the name of Huayun Group, but to bring in talents as technical consultants, while tapping into the technical strength of Ning Group."

Ning Nanxue thought for a moment and said, "That's feasible. Ning's technical team is complementary to Fu's."

"More importantly, we need to retain our existing team," Jiang Tingchen added. "Raising salaries is only a temporary solution. We need to let them see the project's prospects and the space for personal development."

Ning Nanxue nodded: "Tomorrow I will gather the core team for a frank discussion."

"At this time, we need people who truly understand technology." Jiang Tingchen turned the pen in his hand and said in a deep voice.

"There are indeed several master-level figures in the industry, but they all have their own jobs. Who would take the risk of jumping to a company that is in crisis?" Ning Nanxue smiled bitterly.

"How is Qiu Mingsong?" Jiang Tingchen put down his pen and said calmly.

"Qiu Mingsong? The Qiu Mingsong from the new energy sector?" Ning Nanxue was slightly stunned. "Didn't he retire?"

"On the surface, yes. Actually, he's doing private research." Jiang Tingchen picked up his phone from the coffee table. "I have some connections with him, so maybe it's worth a try."

The next morning, Jiang Tingchen stood in front of a villa in the suburbs.

"Boss Jiang, what a surprise." Qiu Mingsong wore a casual shirt, his graying hair meticulously combed. "I haven't seen you for years, and you're still as charming as ever."

"Professor Qiu, I'm sorry to bother you." Jiang Tingchen bowed slightly, "I have something I would like to ask for your help."

"Come in, I've just made tea."

In the study, the two sat opposite each other. Jiang Tingchen briefly outlined the predicament facing the Fu Group.