New Chess Game
Li Jianhua, the father, battled death in the ICU for three days and three nights, during which his condition fluctuated several times, causing Li Ming and his mother, Wang Xiuqin, to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Li Ming stayed by his side at the hospital almost every minute, leaving all company affairs to Li Ziqing and Wang Hao. He was unshaven, his eyes were sunken, and he had lost a lot of weight, but the cold flame deep in his eyes burned even more calmly and resolutely under the tempering of worry and exhaustion.
On the morning of the fourth day, his father's vital signs finally stabilized, and he was transferred to a regular ward. Although he was still weak and needed a long recovery, at least the most dangerous stage had passed. Li Ming held his father's slightly trembling but responsive hand, and the huge weight that had been hanging over his throat finally lifted.
On the afternoon of the same day his father's condition stabilized, Zhang Lei's legal team appeared in a private room of a high-end coffee shop near the hospital, carrying a thick stack of draft agreements. Li Ming had no choice but to quickly review the main terms—Lei Yao Capital would invest 500 million yuan to acquire a 51% controlling stake in the newly established "Spark Technology," with Li Ming and his team holding 29%, and the remaining 20% as an option pool; Li Ming would serve as CEO, retaining daily operational decision-making power, but strategic planning, budget approval, and changes to core technology routes would require approval from the directors appointed by Lei Yao—and then he picked up a pen and signed his name on the last page.
The sound of the pen nib gliding across the paper was soft, yet it seemed to leave a deep imprint on his heart. He knew that from this moment on, "Spark," the small boat he had poured his heart and soul into building and which carried his hopes for the future, although temporarily spared from capsizing, had already handed over more than half of its rudder to someone else.
After signing the papers and seeing the lawyer off, Li Ming sat alone in the coffee shop for a long time. Outside, the sun shone brightly, cars streamed by, and everything seemed vibrant, yet he felt tightly bound by an invisible constraint. He took out his phone and looked at the still-active data curves on the "Spark Program" test backend screen. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him—a sense of relief, heartache, and a heavy sense of responsibility.
He must ensure that "Spark" survives within this limited space of autonomy, and thrives well enough that Zhang Lei feels the controlling stake is worthwhile, and that he himself has more bargaining power in the future.
Back at the company, Li Ming immediately convened the first core team meeting of "Spark Technology". In addition to Li Ziqing, Wang Hao, and Liu Qiang, the attendees included two expressionless "special advisors" dispatched by Lei Yao Capital - one in charge of finance and the other in charge of strategic compliance.
The atmosphere at the meeting was heavier than ever before. Li Ming didn't shy away from reality, frankly informing the old team members about the equity change and the new management structure. Liu Qiang looked indignant, hesitant to speak. Wang Hao, on the other hand, kept his head down, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, lost in thought. Li Ziqing looked at Li Ming, her eyes filled with worry and understanding.
“I know everyone is feeling bad.” Li Ming’s voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable strength. “But this is reality. What we need to do now is not to wallow in our emotions, but to figure out how to make ‘Spark’ even better under the new rules and prove our worth!”
He quickly outlined the next key tasks: First, to fully cooperate with Leiyao's technology and finance teams to complete the initial integration and data migration of the "Spark" platform with the Leiyao ecosystem, ensuring a smooth transition; Second, to accelerate the development of the "Craftsman Digital ID Card" and "Community Mutual Aid Alliance" projects, which are already in internal testing, and to produce quantifiable commercial results as soon as possible; Third, led by Li Ziqing, to begin planning the prototype of "Spark 2.0," which is aimed at a broader market and in line with Leiyao's ecosystem strategy, based on the existing "Spark" model.
His instructions were clear and his goals were well-defined. He not only met Lei Yao's requirements for "integration" and "growth" but also carefully protected the core community genes and values of "Spark".
The two consultants, Lei Yao, took notes throughout the process, occasionally raising questions about "risk assessment" and "return on investment." Li Ming answered them all calmly and cooperatively, while adhering to the bottom line of operational decision-making.
After the meeting, Li Ming kept Wang Hao behind alone.
“Wang Hao,” Li Ming said, closing the door behind him. “Under the new architecture, our technological autonomy will be compressed. I need you to, while ensuring the platform is absolutely stable and meets all compliance requirements, reserve some… ‘technological possibilities’ for ourselves.”
Wang Hao adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharpening behind the lenses: "I understand. I'll make the key parameter adjustment modules of the core algorithm configurable, with the permissions remaining in our hands. I'll make two sets of the underlying data processing log system, one for the 'advisor' to see, and one... for us to see ourselves."
Li Ming nodded without saying anything more. Some things don't need to be said. He knew Wang Hao understood what he meant. Under absolute surveillance, they needed a higher level of "compliance disguise," to preserve some "secret compartments" within the seemingly transparent system that only they could access.
In the days that followed, "Spark Technology" operated in an atmosphere of outward harmony but inward tension. Lei Yao's funds and resources began to flow in, and after the platform connected to Lei Yao's traffic portal, user and merchant data began to grow rapidly. Several online and offline joint activities planned by Li Ziqing also yielded remarkable results, and "Spark's" voice and social influence increased day by day.
Everything seemed to be developing in the direction Zhang Lei had hoped for. The reports submitted to headquarters by the two dispatched consultants were also mostly positive.
However, Li Ming dared not relax in the slightest. He knew clearly that this "harmony" was built on the foundation of "Spark's" continued value creation. Once growth slowed down, or if he showed any signs of "non-cooperation," Lei Yao could tighten the reins at any time, or even replace him directly.
He must plan ahead.
Using his CEO authority, he consciously began to strengthen personal relationships with a group of core "super node" merchants on the platform who shared the most valuable values. These relationships went beyond mere business collaborations; they were more about building emotional bonds based on shared ideals. He also cleverly incorporated some of his initial ideas about "data cooperatives" and "user-governed communities" into Lei Yao's "Spark 2.0" blueprint. Although these ideas were currently shrouded in thick "business model justifications" and "risk assessments," they hadn't yet aroused much suspicion from the advisors.
He's playing a bigger game, one that requires extreme patience and forbearance.
That day, Li Ming was reviewing the first data report after "Spark" was connected to Lei Yao's advertising system when Zhang Lei called.
“Li Ming, you’ve done a good job lately.” Zhang Lei’s tone sounded calm, even with a hint of appreciation. “The growth data for ‘Spark’ is better than we expected.”
"Thank you, Mr. Zhang. It's thanks to Lei Yao's excellent resource support that things have gone so well," Li Ming replied modestly.
“Well,” Zhang Lei changed the subject, “with this foundation, we can consider the next step. Lei Yao is currently promoting a ‘Digital Silk Road’ initiative, which aims to export successful domestic digital business models to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia. I think the ‘Spark’ model, which empowers micro and small enterprises, has great potential.”
Li Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly became alert. "Digital Silk Road"? Going global?
"What does Mr. Zhang mean?"
“We’ll set up an overseas business division, modeled after ‘Spark,’ and adapt it to local conditions, initially piloting it in Vietnam and Indonesia. This requires someone with vision and business acumen to lead it.” Zhang Lei’s tone carried an undeniable air of authority. “I’ve considered it, and Li Ziqing is perfect. She’s capable and has an international perspective. What do you think?”
Li Ming's heart sank!
Transferring Li Ziqing?! At this sensitive moment when "Spark" has just completed its integration and its internal structure is not yet fully stable?
This is absolutely not a simple business expansion! It's a demotion in disguise, a diversionary tactic! Li Ziqing is his most capable right-hand woman and one of the people he trusts most within the company. Once she's removed from her core position, his control over "Spark" will be significantly weakened!
Zhang Lei finally made his move. He used a seemingly legitimate reason to cut off his most important right-hand men.
Li Ming gripped his phone, feeling a chill instantly spread through his body. He knew that his next answer would be crucial.
Should we argue our case forcefully and refuse firmly? Or should we temporarily endure and devise another plan?
Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on his face. His mind raced, calculating all possible responses and consequences.
After a few seconds of silence, Li Ming slowly spoke, his voice completely devoid of emotion:
“Mr. Zhang has considered everything very thoroughly. Ziqing’s abilities are indeed outstanding, and overseas expansion is also an important direction for 'Spark' in the future. I will communicate with her and fully support the company’s decision.”
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