You take charge of the overall situation, I'll clear the blockage.

The morning after the night at the bar, the joint command center was no longer as relaxed as it had been the previous night.

On the huge project progress chart, a red label reading "Equipment Delay 5-7 Days" serves as a reminder to everyone that the battle is far from over.

Meng Yihe arrived very early. He was standing in front of the progress chart, his gaze coldly scrutinizing all the affected subsequent steps. Wu Hao stood beside him, holding a tablet and quickly reporting the preliminary simulation results of the rescheduling.

“Director Meng, even if we immediately activate the backup supplier, it will take at least three days to complete the equipment testing and transportation, and that's assuming everything goes smoothly. This means that the critical path for the structural hoisting of the lakeside platform in the west area will be delayed by at least five days. Subsequent curtain wall installation, internal pipeline laying... will all be postponed.”

Wu Hao's voice was dry and strained from the pressure.

"It cannot be postponed." Meng Yihe's voice was firm. "The total project timeline cannot be delayed by even a day. We must reduce the float time of other non-critical paths, recalculate resources, and if necessary, apply for increased budget, deploy more work teams, and operate in three shifts to make up for the lost time."

"Yes!" Wu Hao felt a chill run down his spine, but immediately agreed and turned to frantically type on the keyboard.

At this moment, Cui Yu also arrived.

He looked like he had rested well, holding a cup of coffee in his hand, but his eyes were already fully focused on work. He walked straight to Meng Yihe's side, his gaze also falling on that glaring red area.

"Have you figured out the timeline issue?" Cui Yu asked, naturally handing another untouched cup of black coffee to Meng Yihe.

Meng Yihe took the coffee, but didn't drink it; he just held it in his hand, absorbing its warmth. "We're rearranging it, which requires more investment," he said succinctly.

“I’ll talk to Lao Wang about the money,” Cui Yu replied immediately, as if it were a matter of course. “But just throwing money at it isn’t enough; on-site coordination and efficiency are key. I’ll go to the construction site this afternoon to keep an eye on things.”

"Okay." Meng Yihe nodded.

The two didn't even need to communicate much before assigning tasks.

"Also, we can't delay any longer with the 'Blue Ocean' project." Meng Yihe changed the subject, her brows furrowing. "Without clear technical standards, all subsequent intelligent designs cannot be implemented in depth."

"I know." Cui Yu rubbed his temples.

"Old Li over there is always a technical fanatic, stubborn and obstinate. He seemed to soften his stance a bit regarding the open-source solution I hinted at last time, but he hasn't given his final approval yet. I need to give him another nudge."

"How do we tap it?" Meng Yihe asked him.

Cui Yu forced a cold smile: "What he cares about most isn't money, but the 'purity' of his technology and his industry standing. If we can make him feel that if he doesn't cooperate with us, his technology will miss an opportunity to define future industry standards, or even be marginalized by another standard... he'll be even more anxious than we are."

He took out his phone.

“I’ve scheduled a final negotiation with him tomorrow afternoon. This time, I’m bringing our latest complete solution and the detailed feasibility report for that ‘open-source adaptation layer,’ so he can see that we don’t only have him as an option.”

Meng Yihe added, "Bring the data on the attention and potential international influence that 'Beichen Light' received at the Asia-Pacific Summit. Tell him that this is not an ordinary project. It is a stage where his proud technology can truly reach the benchmark."

The next afternoon.

The atmosphere in the highest-level conference room of the Star World Group was so heavy it was almost palpable.

On one side of the long table sat the Xinghuan team, led by Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, with thick stacks of documents and tablets piled up in front of them. On the other side was the LanHai Technology negotiation team, led by CTO Li.

Mr. Li was around fifty years old. His hair was neatly combed, he wore gold-rimmed glasses, and his face was expressionless. He exuded the rigor and stubbornness inherent in technical authorities.

After exchanging pleasantries, the negotiations quickly got to the heart of the matter.

Mr. Li adjusted his glasses and got straight to the point: "Mr. Cui, Mr. Meng, our technical team has evaluated the 'open source adaptation layer' solution proposed by your company. It is theoretically feasible, but it introduces unnecessary complexity and compatibility risks, which deviates from the original intention of our system design—simplicity, efficiency, and stability. I believe that this is not the optimal solution."

Cui Yu had anticipated this opening. He leaned forward slightly, a calm smile on his face: "President Li, you're right. Simplicity and stability are always the top priorities. That's why we value long-term cooperation with a partner like Blue Ocean, who possesses cutting-edge technology."

His tone remained gentle, yet it concealed a sharp edge.

“But the goal of ‘Beichen Light’ is to create a city benchmark for the next decade. This means that our technical architecture must not only be stable, but also open and scalable for the future. We are concerned that overly closed protocols may become the ‘ceiling’ for future upgrades and iterations of the project, and may also limit the application potential of Blue Ocean Technology itself on a broader platform.”

Meng Yihe's cold voice rang out at the right moment, adding a crucial fact: "According to our calculations, although the initial investment in building an adaptation layer based on international open source standards increases by 5% to 7%, the premium can be recovered within three years through maintaining autonomy and optimizing the supply chain. The cumulative cost after five years will be lower than that of a closed solution. This is supported by detailed financial models and data."

He gestured, and Wu Hao immediately pushed several key data reports to the other party.

Mr. Li's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Clearly, the meticulously calculated data was different from what he had expected. He took the report and quickly flipped through it.

"This is merely a financial consideration, Mr. Meng."

Mr. Li put down the report, his gaze sharp. "What about the technical risks? What about talent reserves? What about the complexity of later maintenance? Have your models fully considered these hidden costs?"

“We acknowledge the challenges,” Cui Yu said frankly. “But Xinghuan is willing to invest resources to jointly build a technical team with Blue Ocean to overcome these difficulties. This is not just procurement, but a deep technical cooperation. ‘Beichen Zhiguang’ will become the best testing ground and showcase for Blue Ocean’s new technologies.”

He offered the enticing prospect of "cooperation" rather than "buying and selling".

Meng Yihe increased her bet again.

He had Gao Yuan display on the projector an analysis report on the international attention garnered by "Beichen Light" after the Asia-Pacific Summit, as well as the expected global impact of the project after its completion.

"Mr. Li, this is not just a project; it's a stage about to stand in the global spotlight. Technology that succeeds here will become the de facto industry standard. Does Blue Ocean want to be a participant in the rules, or... one of the rule-makers?"

He presented a vision far more enticing than money, defining future industry standards and a tremendous reputation.

Mr. Li remained silent.

The technical team members behind him also began exchanging opinions in hushed tones. What Xinghuan offered was no longer a simple either-or dilemma, but a more ambitious and riskier cooperation blueprint.

Cui Yu observed the other party's reaction and delivered the final blow, his tone relaxed yet weighty: "Of course, if Blue Ocean does have concerns about the prospects of such cooperation, we completely understand. Our Plan B, with a reserve team based on open-source standards, is already in place. Although it may start a little slower, we can still make it."

He used a strategic retreat to reiterate the bottom line of having "alternative options."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Mr. Li's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, clearly indicating that he was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

After a long silence, he slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, before finally speaking slowly, his tone much gentler than before: "President Cui, President Meng, what you proposed... is indeed a completely new idea. I need to internally assess the details and risks of the technical cooperation with the team."

He did not directly deny it again.

This means that the ice has begun to melt.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe exchanged a glance, knowing that they had seized the initiative in the first battle.

"Of course, we look forward to your good news." Cui Yu smiled, stood up, and extended his hand.

President Li also stood up and shook hands with him; this time, the support was truly substantial.

The negotiations have come to a temporary halt.

Although the agreement has not yet been finalized, the scales of victory have already begun to tip in Xinghuan's favor.

At the "North Star Light" construction site.

The deafening roar of the machines couldn't mask the chaotic atmosphere brought about by the sudden adjustment of the production process.

Meng Yihe stood on a slightly elevated platform. His face beneath his hard hat was stern, his gaze sweeping across the entire construction site like that of a hawk. Wu Hao stood beside him, a tablet displaying a constantly updated progress simulation.

"Manager Meng, the steel reinforcement team and the curtain wall pre-embedding team in Zone 3 have a conflict of work areas!"

"The installation of backup equipment is 15% slower than expected!"

"The safety training for the newly added night shift teams is not yet fully completed."

...

Problems kept coming in one after another.

Meng Yihe frowned, issuing instructions at breakneck speed: "Tell the person in charge of Zone 3 to execute Plan B. The steel reinforcement team should move two work units to the west to make room. The equipment installation team should add two technicians for on-site support. I want to see that equipment running by 8 p.m. tonight. No one is allowed to work until safety training is completed! Get the person in charge here!"

His voice was calm yet penetrating, each command clear and precise, attempting to suppress all chaos with absolute logic and efficiency. However, the noise on site and the difficulty of coordinating with multiple parties still made progress feel like it was stuck in a quagmire, making progress extremely difficult.

His lips were pressed into a straight line, displaying great patience and unquestionable authority, but his taut jawline also betrayed the immense pressure he was under.

Just then, a sharp screech of brakes sounded at the entrance of the construction site.

Cui Yu pushed open the car door and strode in.

He spotted Meng Yihe high up at a glance, and observed the busy yet somewhat chaotic scene. Cui Yu didn't immediately approach. He first quickly walked around a small portion of the construction site, keenly identifying several key points.

He walked over to Meng Yihe and handed her a bottle of ice water: "Is the situation more complicated than you thought?"

Meng Yihe took the water, but didn't drink it. She just pressed the cold bottle against her forehead and said briefly, "Hmm, messy."

"I saw it." Cui Yu nodded, his tone not showing nervousness, but rather a hint of eagerness.

"You take charge of the overall situation, I'll clear the blockages, the usual routine?"

This is a unique understanding between them. Meng Yihe excels at macro-level planning and issuing high-pressure directives, while Cui Yu is better at solving specific problems on-site and motivating staff.

“Okay.” Meng Yihe did not hesitate. He urgently needed someone to help him break the energy-draining deadlock at the scene.

Cui Yu immediately turned and threw himself into the fray. He didn't attempt the macro-level command of the tower cranes; instead, he plunged directly into the crowd. He walked over to the group of workers who had nearly gotten into an argument over the work area, quickly clarified the situation with a few words, and then waved his hand:

"Old Wang, your group, move two meters to the east!"

"Xiao Li, move your things back a bit! It's clearly marked on the blueprints; if they're all crammed together, nobody can get any work done! Clear them out in five minutes!"

He squatted down next to the worker installing the backup equipment, and after just one glance, he pointed out the key: "Give me the wrench. You can't force this torque; you have to use a fine touch. Watch this." He personally demonstrated, his movements smooth and precise, instantly impressing the technicians and workers nearby.

He discovered that a temporary power line was stretched too long and posed a safety hazard. He immediately frowned, called the safety officer over, and gave him a stern lecture, demanding immediate rectification. His harsh tone made everyone around him shrink back.

He also announced a special bonus incentive program to expedite the construction process, directly linked to efficiency, quality, and safety.

The message was quickly relayed throughout the construction site via walkie-talkie.

The workers, who were initially exhausted, were immediately invigorated.

Cui Yu is like a highly efficient whirlwind. Wherever he goes, blockages are cleared, friction is resolved, and efficiency is improved. He transforms Meng Yihe's macro-level instructions into smooth, actionable movements on the spot.

Meng Yihe remained standing at a high vantage point, overseeing the entire situation.

However, he found that since Cui Yu's arrival, the number of specific trivial matters that he needed to handle personally had greatly decreased, and the operation of the entire construction site seemed to have been injected with lubricant, becoming smoother. His instructions could be executed more quickly and effectively.

He watched Cui Yu busy at the construction site, saw his expensive shirt covered in dust, watched him communicate with the workers in fluent dialect, and watched him solve one problem after another with swift and decisive action...

Meng Yihe unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of ice water.

An indescribable sense of peace quietly replaced the previous anxiety.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them.

One commanded from the center, strategizing and planning; the other went to the front lines, overcoming difficulties. The lights on the construction site flickered on, and the roar of the machines seemed to grow stronger and more resolute. With the tacit cooperation of this pair, the battle to catch up on the construction schedule seemed to be seeing a glimmer of hope.

Night completely enveloped the construction site.

However, the construction site of "Beichen Light" was as bright as day, with searchlights illuminating every corner clearly.

The campaign to expedite construction has entered its most intense phase.

Meng Yihe and Cui Yu's teamwork was perfect.

Meng Yihe was stationed at the command center—a temporary prefabricated building filled with monitoring screens and blueprints. He constantly received reports from all sides via walkie-talkie and telephone, adjusting the overall allocation of resources, his tone always calm and collected, ensuring every instruction was precisely targeted to the most critical positions.

He is the brain, the central nervous system.

Cui Yu became completely immersed in the construction site. Under his hard hat, his forehead was covered in sweat, and the back of his shirt was soaked and dusty. He was almost constantly on the move, appearing wherever there was a problem, smoothing out each step in his own unique way.

Time flew by amidst the roar of engines and the bright lights.

Two o'clock in the morning.

The most crucial backup equipment was finally debugged and began to hum normally. When the news came through the walkie-talkie, a suppressed cheer erupted from the command center and several key locations on site.

This is a major breakthrough.

Cui Yu watched as the equipment operated normally, and breathed a long sigh of relief. Only then did he realize that his throat was parched. He walked back to the command building, grabbed a bottle of water, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

Meng Yihe was staring at an update progress node on the screen when she heard the voice and looked up at him: "Is there a problem with the equipment?"

"Yeah, it held up." Cui Yu wiped his mouth. "Now we'll see how effective it is."

"Go lie down on the folding bed in the back for an hour. I'll keep an eye on things here," Meng Yihe suddenly said.

Cui Yu wanted to argue, but the heavy fatigue of his body honestly came over him. He knew that in this high-intensity state, a short rest was for a longer battle. He didn't argue and nodded, "Okay, wake me up in an hour."

He walked to the simple folding bed in the corner of the prefab house and fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow; the noise from the construction site seemed to be his white noise.

Meng Yihe withdrew her gaze and continued to focus on the screen and data.

During this time, he went out to patrol and ensure that the night shift team was in good order.

An hour and a half later, he finally had a worker wake Cui Yu up.

The next morning, the sun shone on the construction site again.

The team, which had been working continuously for more than 20 hours, showed signs of fatigue, but their morale was exceptionally high. The delays on the critical path had been successfully made up for by a day and a half.

The efficiency-boosting incentive program began to take effect, and the workers, though exhausted, were full of energy.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe stood side by side on the scene again, both with bloodshot eyes.

"It's faster than expected," Cui Yu said, looking at the orderly construction site.

“Not enough.” Meng Yihe’s gaze swept over the progress chart. “We still need three and a half days to fully catch up on the delays. We must maintain this momentum today, or even faster.”

"Understood." Cui Yu stretched his stiff shoulders.

"Today we are focusing on the pre-laying of pipelines on the west side and the foundation reinforcement in the south area. If these two projects catch up, the overall progress will be accelerated again."

Cui Yu took out his phone: "I'll urge the building materials department again. The second batch of customized parts must arrive this afternoon. We can't afford to be held back."

The battle continued throughout the day. However, the pace had shifted from the "emergency chaos" of the previous night to a "highly efficient and orderly" offensive mode. The team adapted to the new rhythm, and their coordination became increasingly seamless.