Let her "get" what she wants.

“She’s getting impatient.” Once they were alone, Cui Yu released her hand and whispered to Meng Yihe, “Using such underhanded tactics means she hasn’t found a better way to break through. Or, she’s preparing an even bigger ‘surprise’ for us.”

Meng Yihe straightened her cuffs, her face still icy: "That Chen Huan's academic background is questionable, and the duplication of several key papers is doubtful. Ji Nan bringing him here is just making us laugh."

Cui Yu chuckled: "Director Meng really has a keen eye. However, this also reminds us that we need to speed things up. Ji Nan can find an 'expert' to annoy us today, and tomorrow he might actually contact those core technical personnel we've been eyeing."

His gaze swept over Ji Nan, who was chatting and laughing with someone at the other end of the venue, and his eyes sharpened.

"It seems that Xinghai is a bigger mess than we thought, attracting more flies."

Meng Yihe followed his gaze and said in a low voice, "Then kill them."

In the days following the summit, the pace within Xinghai Technology did not slow down; on the contrary, it accelerated.

Ji Nan and Chen Siyang's provocation was like a thorn. Although it failed to cause any real harm, it clearly reminded Cui Yu and Meng Yihe that the covetous eyes of the outside world had never left them, and their time was running out.

Cui Yu strengthened her attention to information and humanistic care for core technical personnel.

He skillfully raised the confidentiality level of key projects and accelerated the promotion of promising but previously suppressed technical talents.

Meng Yihe practically lived in the lab and surrounded by project documents. He became more decisive, even somewhat domineering, in his decisions regarding technical paths. But his accurate judgment and efficient execution gradually won over the initially hesitant technical team.

Even after it was past closing time, Meng Yihe was still frowning at a complex materials performance test report in her office.

The office door was knocked twice and then pushed open.

Cui Yu walked in, not carrying any documents, but instead carrying a simple paper bag.

"Still looking?" Cui Yu walked to his desk, placed the paper bag on it, and smelled the aroma of food wafting out. It contained a bowl of light vegetable porridge and a small portion of easily digestible snacks.

"Eat this first. If you have a bad stomach, don't force yourself. No one will give you a medal for working while sick."

"……eventful."

Meng Yihe said something in a low voice, but put down the mouse and silently accepted the spoon that Cui Yu handed her.

Cui Yu pulled up a chair and sat down, not even watching him eat, and picked up another project progress sheet on the table to look through it.

The office was quiet.

The only sounds were the occasional soft tapping of Meng Yihe's spoon against the bowl and the sound of Cui Yu turning the pages of a paper.

"Regarding Chen Siyang," Cui Yu suddenly spoke, his eyes still fixed on the progress chart, "I had Zhao Lei do a little research. Ji Nan wasn't wrong; he was indeed a classmate of one of the core members of Xinghai's previous polymer project team. That person left last year and went overseas."

Meng Yihe stopped drinking her porridge and looked at him.

"Don't be nervous." Cui Yu put down the progress chart and met his gaze.

"That person went to a research institution abroad, in a different field from Chen Siyang, and there's no direct connection to them yet. Ji Nan bringing this up is most likely just a bluff to confuse us, or to pave the way for her to contact people we might have later."

“We can’t rule out the possibility.” Meng Yihe put down her spoon, her expression serious. “The engineer who left was named Zhang Heng. Although the experimental data he took didn’t involve the core formula, the process details and some failure parameters are very valuable. If Chen Siyang could obtain…”

“Then Ji Nan can more precisely target our troubles, or try to prove that our new route is wrong,” Cui Yu continued.

"So we have to be faster than them."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice: "I received information that Ji Nan will be leaving the country for a few days next week, ostensibly to inspect overseas projects. I suspect she may be personally contacting Zhang Heng, or she may have other motives."

Meng Yihe immediately understood what he meant.

"We must make a breakthrough in the 'Galaxy' project before she gains anything, or at least a convincing milestone. Even if she gets the old data, it will be worthless."

“That’s right.” Cui Yu nodded. “Moreover, this might also be an opportunity.” A calculating smile appeared on his lips. “With her out of the country, it will be easier for her to make some small moves.”

"what you up to?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I have to prepare a 'return gift' for her." Cui Yu smiled like a fox.

"It is impolite not to reciprocate."

Seeing his scheming expression, Meng Yihe didn't say anything, but simply picked up the spoon again and finished the last bit of porridge.

He pushed the empty bowl aside, looked back at the computer screen, and his tone regained its usual calm: "The results of the third synthesis experiment for the new composite material of the 'Galaxy' project will be available tomorrow morning. If the performance parameters meet expectations, I can start the small-scale trial production process evaluation ahead of schedule."

Cui Yu's eyes lit up: "Success rate?"

"Seventy percent," Meng Yihe answered conservatively.

“That’s enough.” Cui Yu stood up and patted him on the shoulder. “Then I won’t disturb Director Meng while he waits for the experiment results. Remember, once the trial production evaluation is passed, the operations team will immediately follow up and will not hold you back.”

He walked to the door, then turned back and added, "Tomorrow morning, I want to see your breakfast check-in. Don't make me 'make trouble' by coming back again."

The door closed gently.

Meng Yihe stared at the door for a long time before letting out a barely perceptible sigh. The corners of her mouth curved upwards very slightly, and then she turned all her attention back to the data on the screen.

As night deepened, the research and development laboratory of Xinghai Technology remained brightly lit.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Ji Nan's flight was gliding through the night sky, heading towards an unknown destination.

The next morning.

Cui Yu finished the last sip of coffee and precisely tossed the paper cup into the trash can in the distance.

"Ji Nan wants to play the intelligence war game and stir up trouble with Chen Siyang and Zhang Heng's old stories. Then we'll play along with her and play something even bigger."

He walked up to Meng Yihe's desk.

"Isn't she interested in the failed parameters and outdated processes that Zhang Heng took away? We'll let her 'get' what she wants."

Meng Yihe immediately looked up at him, her eyes questioning.

Cui Yu's smile held a hint of cold cunning: "When Zhao Lei was sorting through Liu Ye's mess, he discovered something interesting."

"That guy Liu Ye, in order to exaggerate the progress of research and development and burn money, instructed his subordinates to create a lot of impressive fake data, including several reports on the 'optimized' process parameters and 'breakthrough' experiments of the original 'Galaxy'—no, the original failed project. They were written in flowery language, but in reality they were worthless and even contained directional errors."

Meng Yihe instantly understood his intention.

"You want to 'feed' Ji Nan that garbage data?"

"We didn't feed her; she dug up the treasure herself through 'hard work'," Cui Yu corrected.

"Although Liu Ye has fallen, his trusted project manager who was in charge of writing the fake report is still under our surveillance. This man is timid, greedy, and resentful of Liu Ye's attempt to shift the blame to him. It's perfectly reasonable for him to 'accidentally' leak some 'treasured' 'core technical information' to Dingsheng in exchange for some 'getaway fees'."

Cui Yu paused, then added, "Of course, what we'll give him will be a manipulated version, a mix of truth and falsehood, enough to fool the eye and point to a seemingly wonderful but actually deadly research and development trap."

"When Dingsheng takes these 'treasures' as if they've found a priceless gem, and might even invest resources to follow up..."

Cui Yu didn't say anything more, but the meaning was self-evident.

This would be a huge waste of Dingsheng's time and money, and could even mislead its research and development direction.

Meng Yihe remained silent for a moment.

This wasn't a fair and square approach, but it seemed particularly effective against an opponent like Dingsheng Capital, which repeatedly resorted to underhanded tactics. He finally nodded in agreement.

"We must be absolutely cautious in our operations and leave no trace that could implicate us."

"Don't worry, Zhao Lei and the legal experts will handle everything perfectly, it will be completely 'natural'." Cui Yu was confident. "This 'return gift' will keep Ji Nan busy for a while. It will buy us some time for the trial production and subsequent promotion of our 'Galaxy' project."

Just then, Cui Yu's phone vibrated.

He glanced at it.

It was an encrypted message from an unknown number, containing only a short sentence: "Target has arrived at its destination, as expected."

Cui Yu's eyes flickered slightly as she turned her phone screen toward Meng Yihe.

"Look, Ji Nan has landed, and the person who met with her is indeed Zhang Heng's former classmate, Chen Siyang."

Attached to the message is a somewhat blurry photo taken at a distance.

The background is a parking lot at an airport abroad, where Ji Nan is shaking hands with a man wearing a trench coat and glasses. That man is Chen Siyang.

"They're really quick," Meng Yihe said coldly.

“Perfect.” Cui Yu put his phone away, his face showing no surprise. “Our ‘gift’ can be sent out now. Let them revel on their wrong path.”

He looked at Meng Yihe.

"How about it, Director Meng? The trial production simulation of 'Galaxy' and the 'gift-giving' matters are progressing on two fronts at the same time. Do you dare to take another gamble with me and see who wins the next round first?"

Meng Yihe did not answer "dare" or "dare not," but turned around, sat back down in front of the computer, and rapidly typed on the keyboard, bringing up the preparatory interface for the trial production simulation of the "Galaxy" project.

Their actions provided the most direct answer.

Cui Yu looked at his focused profile, chuckled softly, and took out his phone to give Zhao Lei a series of clear yet discreet instructions.

...

The atmosphere on the floor where the "Galaxy" project team was located was as tense as a bowstring.

Meng Yihe was stationed at the command center.

The multiple screens in front of them displayed real-time metabolic data streams, 3D simulation renderings, and video windows of the persons in charge of each stage.

"The simulated flow velocity fluctuation in the B-zone delivery pipeline is too large. Recalibrate the fluid dynamics parameters. I need to see a stable curve within three minutes."

"Verify the material purity simulation data again, to four decimal places, with no rounding errors allowed."

Forcibly pulling the deviated steps back onto the right track.

The engineers on the project team were sweating profusely, but none of them dared to slack off in the slightest. They knew that the strictness of this cold-faced director was the only hope for the "Galaxy" project to be brought back to life.

In his temporary office, Cui Yu was talking to Zhao Lei via an encrypted line.

"Have you arranged everything?" Cui Yu asked in a low voice, glancing around the door to make sure no one was approaching.

“It’s all arranged, Mr. Cui.” Zhao Lei’s voice was equally cautious.

"We've already 'gone a shot' at Liu Ye's old subordinate. He's very 'savvy' and said that as long as the money is right, he'd be happy to give Dingsheng a 'big gift'. The information we gave him has been processed and will definitely not be traced back to us. It looks like he secretly backed it up to sell for money."

"Method of contact?"

“Through an anonymous information relay platform registered overseas, and through multiple layers of redirection, it will eventually be ‘accidentally’ leaked to a tech headhunter who has an indirect connection with Dingsheng. Dingsheng will only think that they were lucky to have uncovered inside information.”

“Very good.” Cui Yu’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Keep an eye on it and make sure the ‘gift’ is delivered smoothly without any mishaps.”

"clear."

I had just ended the call with Zhao Lei when the internal phone rang.

The receptionist, her tone hesitant, said, "Mr. Cui, there's a lady who hasn't made an appointment but insists on seeing you. She says she's Director Meng's mother..."

"Please invite her up."

A few minutes later, the office door was pushed open.

A middle-aged woman, elegantly dressed and with a dignified air, but bearing a hint of anger, walked in. She was Meng Yihe's mother.

"Director Cui, I apologize for disturbing you."

Ye Chunhan wore a polite smile, but his eyes were unabashedly scanning Cui Yu and his office.

"I didn't expect that the young talents of Xinghuan Group would have such a simple working environment."

Cui Yu stood up, a smile quickly appearing on his face.

"Auntie, you're joking. It's just a temporary office. Why did you come here so suddenly without telling me beforehand? Does Yihe know?"

"I just don't want him to know." Ye Chunhan sat down on the sofa with an elegant posture.

"I heard that Xiaohe has been so busy lately that he hasn't even come home and has been giving perfunctory answers on the phone, all because of this... Xinghai Technology? And that 'Galaxy' project?"

Ye Chunhan gave a soft hum: "Director Cui, I know you young people are career-oriented. But shouldn't some things be left at an appropriate time? Xiaohe is not young anymore, and some more important things shouldn't be postponed indefinitely." Her words were pointed, clearly referring to marriage.

Cui Yu understood in his heart, but pretended not to understand on the surface.

"Auntie, what do you mean? The 'Galaxy' project is the group's current priority. Yihe is outstanding and shoulders heavy responsibilities. This is also the group's recognition and trust in his abilities."

"Approval? Trust?" Ye Chunhan asked, as if he had heard a joke, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Director Cui, we're all sensible people. You're making him work day and night on this mess. Do you really value him, or do you want to use him as a pawn to plug this hole? When the project starts to improve, or when other problems arise, who will get the credit, and who will take the blame?"

She stared at Cui Yu.

"Xiaohe is my only son. His future isn't just about working for Xinghuan. I hope he can focus his energy on things that are more worthwhile. For example, his marriage to the Chen family's daughter is the most beneficial choice for him and for our Meng family, instead of staying here and taking risks with you!"

It was as if if Cui Yu didn't give a satisfactory answer, she could immediately make Meng Yihe quit.

The smile on Cui Yu's face faded.

He understood Ye Chunhan's subtext: either Meng Yihe should extricate herself from Xinghai, this "quagmire," or she might use her influence to cause trouble for the project.