Let's go, go, go on a bay vacation!

Another day has passed.

As the sun set again, the latest progress data was compiled onto Meng Yihe's tablet. He looked at it for a long time before handing it to Cui Yu next to him.

The lost time has been recovered by a full three days.

Although we are still a little short of completely eliminating the impact, this was a huge victory achieved in a nearly impossible task, and the team's full potential was unleashed.

Looking at the data, Cui Yu finally revealed a smile that was both exhausting and full of a sense of accomplishment: "These guys are really something."

Meng Yihe didn't speak. But the jawline that had been tense all day finally softened, and a hint of relief flashed in her eyes.

"Pass the word down: there's no rush to work tonight. Everyone, finish your shifts as usual and get some rest," Meng Yihe said, her voice hoarse but firm.

The order was relayed.

Heartfelt cheers echoed from all parts of the construction site.

The intense work that had lasted for dozens of hours has come to a temporary end, giving them a crucial respite and allowing them to regain control of the project's ultimate success.

...

When Cui Yu and Meng Yihe returned to the office, they were so exhausted that they barely had the energy to speak. They slumped into their chairs, intending to force themselves to stay awake with caffeine and deal with the backlog of other tasks. However, before they could even finish their cups of coffee, the internal phone rang.

It is Lin Xueyue.

"Director Meng, Director Cui." Lin Xueyue's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "General Manager Li from Blue Ocean Technology just called personally!" These words were like a shot in the arm, instantly dispelling much of their fatigue.

They exchanged a glance, and Meng Yihe pressed the speakerphone button.

"Speak," Meng Yihe said succinctly.

"President Li said that their board of directors had held emergency consultations and, based on the detailed cooperation plan and project prospect assessment we provided," Lin Xueyue reported clearly, speaking at a faster pace.

"We have agreed in principle to the framework we proposed for in-depth technical cooperation based on international open-source standards!"

The good news came unexpectedly, yet it was also perfectly reasonable.

"He invited our teams to hold a final round of negotiations tomorrow morning to finalize technical details, team formation, intellectual property ownership, and the final offer. He said he hoped this would be a 'milestone collaboration'."

Lin Xueyue repeated President Li's words, his tone barely concealing his excitement.

A landmark collaboration.

The word carried immense weight coming from the mouth of that rigorous, even stubborn, technical authority.

"Reply to them that we will be there promptly at 10:00 AM tomorrow in the Xinghuan Conference Room," Cui Yu replied immediately, his voice weary but resolute.

"Yes, Director Cui!"

The call ended.

The fatigue of the past few days seemed to be largely washed away by this good news. The cooperation with Blue Ocean is far more significant than simply saving a few days of construction time; it concerns the future technological foundation and innovative potential of the project.

“It seems that the terms ‘stage’ and ‘standard’ have resonated with him,” Meng Yihe said, a slight smile playing on her lips, a sign of extreme satisfaction and relaxation.

“It’s not just that.” Cui Yu leaned back in his chair, rubbed his temples, and gave a knowing smile.

"We've been working like crazy these past few days to meet the deadline, proving our execution and determination. His technical obsession means he values ​​not only the concept but also whether his partners can bring it to fruition. We've proven that we have that capability."

A crisis, ironically, became their strongest guarantee of strength.

"Tomorrow is the final battle." Meng Yihe's eyes sharpened again. "We must win."

“Of course.” Cui Yu stood up and stretched his stiff neck.

"Let's go back to sleep. Get plenty of rest so we can bring this long negotiation to a perfect close tomorrow."

...

The following morning at 10:00 AM, in the largest conference room of Xinghuan Group.

The negotiation teams from Xinghuan and Blue Ocean Technology sat on either side of the long conference table. Unlike the tense atmosphere of previous negotiations, the air today, while still serious, carried a hint of anticipation that the matter was about to be settled.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe sat in the main seats.

The two had rested overnight, and although not fully recovered, their spirits were high. Across from them, Mr. Li, the general manager of Blue Ocean Technology, sat upright as always, his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses still serious, but the stubbornness in his brows had lessened.

"President Cui, President Meng," President Li spoke first, his tone steady.

“Following a comprehensive evaluation by our board of directors and technical team, your vision of ‘technological cooperation and joint standard setting’ and your demonstrated outstanding execution capabilities are quite attractive. Today, we would like to finalize the specific details of the cooperation.”

“This is exactly what we’ve been hoping for, Mr. Li.” Cui Yu smiled and nodded, his demeanor composed. “Xinghuan is committed to the utmost sincerity and believes that we can embark on a new chapter of cooperation together.”

The two teams reviewed and confirmed each specific clause, including previously disputed technical interface standards, the organizational structure and decision-making process of the joint team, the ownership and sharing of intellectual property rights, and the final cooperation price.

The process remained intense.

In particular, Blue Ocean's technical team is meticulous about details. However, after Mr. Li clarified the general direction of the cooperation, many previous points of contention became negotiable technical issues.

Meng Yihe was in charge of the technical terms and intellectual property. His logic was extremely meticulous, and he scrutinized every word to ensure that his side's interests and future flexibility were not compromised. Cui Yu led the negotiations on commercial terms and team collaboration models. He skillfully switched between principles and flexibility, upholding the bottom line while showing appropriate concessions on issues of concern to the other party, thus ensuring the smooth progress of the negotiations.

This is no longer a confrontation.

It was more like a meticulous collaboration to refine a perfect cooperation agreement.

"...Therefore, based on the above consensus, Article 7 is amended to read: 'For patents jointly owned by both parties, any party must obtain the other party's written consent before licensing them to any third party, and the licensing revenue shall be distributed according to the proportion of investment by both parties.'"

Meng Yihe made the final revision.

Blue Ocean's technical director glanced at President Li, who nodded slightly, and replied, "Acceptable."

"Regarding the final quote, based on the collaborative model of joint investment in R&D and sharing of intellectual property rights, we agree to increase the collaboration incentive by 5% on the original basis, but the payment schedule must be strictly tied to project milestones."

Cui Yu proposed the final solution.

Mr. Li exchanged a few words with the finance manager beside him in a low voice. After a moment, he looked up and said, "Okay, but the final payment will be based on the system running stably and passing the final acceptance test."

“Deal.” Cui Yu readily extended his hand.

Mr. Li also stood up and shook hands with him tightly.

At this moment, all the tension in the conference room finally eased completely.

Both teams wore relieved and triumphant smiles, the sounds of papers turning, soft conversations, and relaxed sighs mingling together.

The thick cooperation agreement was taken by the secretaries for final printing and binding.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe exchanged a glance.

They both saw the same thing in each other's eyes—a victory after a hard-fought battle, and the anticipation of a fresh start.

"Mr. Li," Meng Yihe extended her hand to Mr. Li. "Looking forward to cooperating."

"President Meng, President Cui." President Li shook hands with them again, his tone filled with rare and sincere emotion: "I hope that 'Beichen Light' can truly become the benchmark we wish it to be."

"Definitely." Cui Yu said firmly.

The cooperation agreement was presented, and representatives from both sides solemnly signed their names at the end of the document. The scratching sound of pens on paper marked a perfect end to this long and arduous negotiation, and also laid a solid foundation for the technological cornerstone of the "North Star Light" project.

After the cooperation agreement was signed.

The "Beichen Light" project seems to have been freed from its heaviest shackles and entered the fast lane, with its in-depth cooperation with Blue Ocean Technology quickly getting on track.

The joint technical team demonstrated remarkable efficiency, resolving the intelligent system integration issues that had previously plagued the project with even greater foresight than originally planned. Under the continued supervision of Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, and through the team's collective efforts, the remaining timeframe was effectively recovered.

The project miraculously returned to its original schedule, and even slightly exceeded expectations in some aspects.

Perhaps impressed by Xinghuan's strong execution and problem-solving capabilities, or perhaps seeing the project's bright prospects for success, cooperation among the various departments within the group became exceptionally smooth, and the approval process for funds and resources was significantly accelerated.

After its previous setback, Dingsheng Capital seems to have temporarily toned down its aggressive stance and has not launched another attack of the same scale. Although undercurrents may still be surging, at least the projects themselves are no longer subject to fatal direct impacts.

In the following months, the project continued to move forward in a busy but constructive atmosphere with clear goals.

The core building structure rose from the ground at an astonishing speed.

The massive glass curtain wall began installation, gleaming in the sunlight. The unique design of "Floating Island Ecological Living Room" has transformed from blueprints into reality, becoming a focal point for citizens and the media alike.

News of major high-end brands vying to move in has begun to circulate, further confirming the project's immense appeal.

...

On the eve of the completion date.

"North Star Light" stands quietly in the heart of the city, like a meticulously dressed superstar awaiting its debut. Its grandeur, exquisite details, and futuristic and artistic flair far surpass the initial renderings.

The group's board of directors organized a final pre-completion inspection.

Vice President Wang accompanied several directors through the spotless lobby. Looking at the near-perfect scene around them, his face was filled with undisguised satisfaction and pride.

"Well done, very well!" Vice President Wang nodded repeatedly to Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, who were accompanying him. "The board of directors is extremely satisfied! You two are Xinghuan's greatest contributors!"

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe stood side by side, receiving the praise.

Looking at this building, into which countless efforts had been poured and numerous difficulties had been overcome, the sense of accomplishment they felt was beyond words.

The inspection concluded, and everyone departed.

In the spacious main atrium, only Cui Yu and Meng Yihe remained. The golden rays of the setting sun streamed through the massive arched glass dome, rendering the entire space as magnificent and serene as a palace.

"It's finally over." Meng Yihe said softly, his voice carrying a calmness that came from the relief of a heavy burden. He tilted his head slightly, looking at the intricate structure of the dome, his profile appearing much softer in the halo of light.

Cui Yu didn't look at the building, but turned his head to look at Meng Yihe beside him. He looked at Meng Yihe's relaxed brows and eyes, his slightly raised chin, and how he was bathed in golden light.

"Yes, it's over." Cui Yu's voice was unusually gentle. "But perhaps, it will be a new beginning."

...

The morning after the completion inspection.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe were then invited to the top-floor office by the CEO's chief secretary.

Behind the large desk, the CEO looked at his two trusted lieutenants with undisguised admiration and satisfaction.

"The achievements of 'North Star Light' are evident to all. The board of directors and I are very satisfied." The CEO's voice was calm and powerful.

"You not only completed a project, but also withstood the pressure, won a reputation for the group, and trained an iron army capable of fighting tough battles." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two men's faces, which, though tidied up, could not hide their exhaustion. His tone softened, losing its previous irritability.

“I know you and the entire project team have worked very hard during this time. You’ve been under a lot of pressure and need to relax.”

The CEO pushed two elegant envelopes off the table toward them.

"With special approval from the group, all members of the 'North Star Light' core project team are entitled to a seven-day paid leave. The destination is the 'Gulf Resort Island' in the south, and the group will cover all airfare, accommodation, and reasonable expenses."

This unexpected commendation surprised both Cui Yu and Meng Yihe.

"Gulf Resort Island" is famous for its sunny beaches, blue sea and sky and complete resort facilities, making it a dream leisure destination for many people.

"This is what you deserve," the CEO smiled. "Go back and tell your team. Relax, you'll have even more important responsibilities waiting for you when you get back."

When the message was relayed back to the joint command.

The office was bustling with the usual activity of a project wrapping up. When Cui Yu and Meng Yihe walked in side by side and announced the CEO's special leave and the all-inclusive trip to "Gulf Resort Island," the entire office fell into a deathly silence for three seconds.

Like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, the command center erupted into chaos the next second.

"Ahhh—! Really?! A bay resort island?! Seven days?! All-inclusive by the company?!" Xu Rui was the first to jump up from his chair, his shock instantly turning into ecstasy.

He suddenly grabbed Wu Hao's shoulder, who was still in a daze, and shook him violently, almost shouting, "Busy work? No, no, no! Gulf vacation? Go, go, go!"

"Haozi! Did you hear that? It's the beach! It's sunshine!"

Wu Hao was dizzy from being shaken, but the overwhelming joy also made him grin. For once, he didn't push Xu Rui away, but instead grinned foolishly, "I heard you, I heard you! Be gentle! My neck is going to break!"

"That's awesome!" Lin Xueyue covered her mouth excitedly, her eyes sparkling. She immediately turned around and excitedly discussed with Shen Xinyi beside her, "Quick, quick, let's see what dresses to bring! And sunscreen! The sun there must be amazing!"

Zhao Lei slammed his hand on the table and jumped up: "Amazing!" He looked at Gao Yuan, "Brother Yuan, we absolutely have to bring a drone! The footage from that place will be absolutely stunning!"

Gao Yuan, unusually excited, nodded emphatically: "Absolutely! I need to go back and check the equipment right away!"

Even Shen Xinyi, who is usually the calmest and most composed, couldn't help but push up her glasses, revealing a bright smile on her face, and began to silently make a packing list in her mind.

Cheers, clapping, and excited discussions filled the air.

Xu Rui finally released Wu Hao, who was almost suffocating from being strangled, and excitedly turned his gaze to the two directors. He boldly said, "Director Meng! This time you can't keep a straight face like you do in the office! You have to come and have fun with us! Otherwise, your bonus will be docked!"

After he finished speaking, he quickly hid behind Wu Hao, fearing that he would be killed by Wu Hao's glare.

Wu Hao quickly pulled him out and tried to smooth things over with a laugh: "Director Meng, don't listen to his nonsense, he's just overjoyed!"

Looking at his subordinates who had instantly revealed their true colors, Cui Yu couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You brats, it seems you're still not doing enough work, you still have the energy to talk nonsense." His face was full of relaxed smiles, with no intention of blaming them at all.

Meng Yihe stood to one side.

Looking at the bustling yet vibrant and joyful scene before him, even his usually stern lips couldn't help but curl into a slight smile. He cleared his throat, trying to restore some order, but his voice carried a rare gentleness: "Alright, Lin Xueyue and Zhao Lei will send everyone the detailed itinerary and precautions later. Now, pack your things and go home."

"yeah!!!"

"Long live Director Meng! Long live Director Cui!"

"Off work! Time for vacation!"

Cheers erupted once again throughout the building.

Everyone practically jumped as they shut down their computers and packed up their files, their faces beaming with radiant smiles. The tension and pressure that had lasted for so long were finally washed away by their anticipation of the azure sea and sky.