A spark can start a prairie fire
The sudden attack on Zhao Zhen's "Project Starlight" by foreign forces was like a stone thrown into a chaotic chessboard, creating ripples that made the already complex situation even more unpredictable. Li Ming made no comment or took any action, simply instructing Wang Hao to closely monitor and record every detail. He couldn't determine whether it was aid or a trap, but at least it bought him a precious respite and diverted some of Zhang Lei and Zhao Zhen's attention.
He must seize this opportunity to make the "Spark Program" truly demonstrate its irreplaceable value.
The inspection team left Jinyang with complex assessment results, without immediately providing a clear conclusion. This brief silence was the window of opportunity Li Ming needed. He no longer devoted too much energy to dealing with the power struggles between various parties, but instead focused entirely on the implementation and deepening of the "Spark Program."
He led his team, working day and night to optimize the user experience of the "Spark" platform, simplifying the process of merchant onboarding and data management, making it easy for artisans and small shop owners who were not technically proficient to get started. He personally participated in community operations, engaging in in-depth exchanges with early users, listening to their needs and concerns, and quickly transforming feedback into the driving force for product iteration.
Li Ziqing leveraged her strengths in communication and resource integration, successfully stabilizing "Shanye Qingfeng" and attracting a group of small and micro-sized businesses that also value brand image and long-term value to join the "Spark" ecosystem. Her online events, such as the "Spark Market" and "Craftsman Storytelling Sessions," imbued the cold, technical platform with warmth and humanity, greatly enhancing community cohesion.
Wang Hao focused on ensuring the stability and transparency of the underlying technology. Following Li Ming's instruction to "operate in the sunlight," he gradually released the non-sensitive code of the "Spark" core modules to the open-source community and established detailed technical documentation and a problem feedback mechanism. This open attitude unexpectedly attracted the attention of some external developers and technology enthusiasts interested in the "Internet of Value" concept, and some even proactively submitted code optimization suggestions, injecting unexpected vitality into "Spark."
Sweat and dedication finally nurtured the seedlings of hope.
A month later, the "Spark Program" delivered results that exceeded everyone's expectations:
The first batch of fifty merchants participating in the internal testing saw an average sales increase of over 40% month-on-month, with a stable user repurchase rate of 35%. Even more encouragingly, the "mutual aid alliance" spontaneously formed among these merchants has begun to spawn innovative collaborative models beyond the platform's initial plans, such as joint procurement, cross-promotion, and skills sharing. The growth flywheel inherent in the "Spark" ecosystem, based on trust and value exchange, has begun to slowly turn.
This solid data and vivid case studies are more convincing than any fancy PowerPoint presentation.
Zhang Lei, who had remained silent, finally contacted Li Ming again. This time, it wasn't in a formal setting, nor through his assistant, but a direct call to Li Ming's personal cell phone.
“Li Ming, I’ve seen the data for ‘Spark.’” Zhang Lei’s voice was unreadable, but it was less condescending and more realistically scrutinizing than usual. “You have indeed done something… different.”
"Thank you for your affirmation, Mr. Zhang. We are still exploring," Li Ming responded cautiously.
“The direction we’re exploring is correct.” Zhang Lei changed the subject, “However, relying solely on Mingyu’s own resources to cultivate Xinghuo, this seedling, into a towering tree, is very difficult and too slow.”
Li Ming's heart skipped a beat; he knew the real topic was coming.
“Leiyao can increase its investment in ‘Spark’,” Zhang Lei said slowly. “It’s not just about resources, but also about integrating the ‘Spark’ model into Leiyao’s larger ecosystem. We can provide a larger user base, a more powerful technology platform, and… a broader international perspective.”
The conditions were extremely tempting, but Li Ming instantly sensed the danger within. Integrating into the Lei Yao ecosystem? That would mean that "Spark" would completely lose its independence, becoming a component of the Lei Yao behemoth, and its development path and soul would no longer be under his control.
“Mr. Zhang, thank you for your high regard.” Li Ming did not refuse immediately, but tentatively asked, “May I ask what the specific integration method is?”
“It’s very simple.” Zhang Lei’s tone was decisive and left no room for argument. “Lei Yao will invest in and take a controlling stake in the ‘Spark’ project team, separating it from ‘Mingyu Technology’ and establishing it as an independent subsidiary. You and your core team can hold a portion of the equity and continue to be responsible for operations. However, the strategic direction and technical roadmap need to be incorporated into Lei Yao’s unified plan.”
As expected! They're going to take "Spark," the goose that lays the golden eggs, directly away from "Mingyu"!
Li Ming's heart sank. He knew that if he agreed, all his previous efforts and his dream of finding a real way out for "Mingyu" would vanish. "Mingyu" would be reduced to an insignificant appendage under Lei Yao's ecosystem, and "Spark" would lose its most precious uniqueness and original aspiration.
“Mr. Zhang, the roots of ‘Spark’ are in the soil of ‘Mingyu’, in our understanding of micro-enterprises and the warmth of the community. If we were to separate them, I’m afraid…” Li Ming tried to persuade them tactfully.
“Li Ming!” Zhang Lei interrupted him, his tone suddenly turning cold and hard. “You need to see the situation clearly. Without Lei Yao’s resources and backing, how far can ‘Spark’ go? Zhao Zhen’s ‘Starry Sky’ may be rough, but relying on ‘Zhenhua’s’ scale, it will soon achieve economies of scale. Will those overseas forces that are eyeing you so 'politely' to you? Handing ‘Spark’ over to Lei Yao is the best protection for it and the only way to maximize its value!”
Using both soft and hard tactics, the true intentions were revealed.
Li Ming held his phone, silent. He could feel the undeniable pressure in Zhang Lei's words, and he knew that some of what he said was indeed reality. The consequences of refusal could be "Spark" being crushed by "Stars," overseas forces losing patience, or Zhang Lei completely abandoning his "protection" of "Mingyu"...
In the midst of this suffocating standoff, Li Ming's other cell phone, the one he used to contact his parents, suddenly rang urgently. He glanced at the caller ID; it was his mother, Wang Xiuqin.
An ominous premonition instantly gripped him.
"Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry, I have an urgent call at home and may need to get back to you later," Li Ming said quickly, his tone emphasizing his unquestionable urgency.
Zhang Lei paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, seemingly somewhat displeased, but still said, "Give me an answer as soon as possible," and then hung up.
Li Ming immediately answered his mother's call, and Wang Xiuqin's voice came through the phone, trembling with tears and panic:
"Mingming! Come back quickly! Your dad... your dad suddenly fainted! We can't wake him up no matter what we do! We've already called an ambulance!"
Boom! It was like being struck by lightning!
Li Ming felt a sudden darkness engulf him, and his phone nearly slipped from his hand. His father! His father, whose injuries had just begun to heal!
"Mom! Don't panic! I'm coming right back! Which hospital?!" he shouted hoarsely, his body almost limp.
After getting the address, he didn't even have time to explain in detail to Li Ziqing and Wang Hao in the office. He just yelled, "My dad's in the hospital. You guys keep an eye on the company!" and rushed out of the office like a madman, heading towards the garage.
The car weaved wildly through the city traffic, Li Ming's mind a complete mess. His father's illness, Zhang Lei's ultimatum, the threats from overseas forces, Zhao Zhen's competition... all the pressure converged into a destructive torrent at this moment, almost completely overwhelming him.
He rushed into the hospital emergency room and saw his mother standing helplessly outside the resuscitation room, her face pale. The doctor's initial diagnosis was a sudden cerebral hemorrhage; her condition was extremely critical, and they were doing everything they could to save her.
Supporting his mother, who was barely able to stand, Li Ming stared at the glaring red light above the emergency room door, feeling his world crumbling bit by bit. Since his rebirth, all his efforts, all his struggles, had been for the sake of giving his parents a stable and happy life. But now…
At this moment of despair, his work phone vibrated again; it was an encrypted message from Wang Hao:
"Li Ming, we just detected that the overseas IP address has stopped attacking 'Fanxing'. At the same time, we detected a new, extremely stealthy data stream attempting to infiltrate the medical record system of the First People's Hospital of the city... The search keywords are related to your uncle's name and medical records."
Li Ming's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!
The other party... how did they even get hold of his father's hospitalization so quickly?! And they even tried to hack into the hospital's system?!
What are they trying to do? Verify the illness? Or... do they have a more sinister purpose?!
Zhang Lei's coercion, his father's critical illness, and the ever-present spying of foreign forces...
Li Ming leaned against the cold wall, staring at the door of the emergency room, then at the chilling message on his phone. His eyes were bloodshot, and a mixture of extreme pain, anger, and icy resolve surged wildly within him.
He slowly raised his head and looked out at the dark night sky, as if he could see through the heavy darkness and see the hidden forces controlling his fate.
His fist clenched tighter and tighter, his nails digging deep into his palms, drawing blood.
If there's nowhere left to retreat, then... there's no need to retreat any further!
He took out his phone, found Zhang Lei's number, and with all his might, typed a short but incredibly weighty message:
"Mr. Zhang, I agree to the integration. But I have one condition."
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