"Manager, what do we do now?"
A young employee asked anxiously, "Should we issue another statement?"
"Issue a statement? What statement?"
The public relations manager scratched his head in frustration.
"Are we going to release Mr. Lin's medical records? What privacy would that leave!"
"But if no measures are taken, public opinion will get increasingly out of control..." an employee said worriedly.
"well……"
The public relations manager sighed, rubbed his throbbing temples, and felt utterly overwhelmed.
The CEO's office on the top floor of Qihang Technology's headquarters building.
Lin Fan stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city.
The streets were bustling with traffic and brightly lit, a scene of prosperity.
However, his mood at this moment was as heavy and oppressive as the night outside the window.
"Mr. Lin, this is the latest financial statement." CFO Li Ming handed a document to Lin Fan, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Our cash flow... is already very tight."
Lin Fan took the report and quickly scanned it. Each line of alarming numbers felt like a sharp knife, piercing his nerves.
"Any progress on financing?" Lin Fan put down the report and rubbed his throbbing temples.
"We have contacted more than a dozen investment institutions, but... the results are not ideal."
Li Ming shook his head. "They all expressed concern about our current situation, worried that our 'Morning Star' chip project might not be completed on time."
"Worried? What are they worried about!" Lin Fan slammed his hand on the table, his eyes burning with fury.
“When our ‘Morning Star’ project was first launched, they were all like cats smelling fish, eager to stuff money into our hands! Now that we've encountered even the slightest difficulty, they all run away!”
Li Ming remained silent. He knew Lin Fan was telling the truth. These investment institutions were always more inclined to add to someone's success than to offer help in times of need.
"What about within the company? Where else can we cut costs?" Lin Fan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
“We’ve already cut back on everything we could…” Li Ming’s voice trailed off. “The R&D department’s budget is absolutely non-negotiable; it’s our lifeline! Marketing expenses have also been reduced to the bare minimum; any further reduction will have no effect…”
"I know, I know..." Lin Fan paced back and forth in his office in frustration, "But if we can't even get through this month, what future are we talking about?"
"Mr. Lin, how about... we try communicating with the Ye family again? "Let's see if they can offer any assistance?" Li Ming asked tentatively.
"No!" Lin Fan refused decisively. "This is our own matter, and we can't trouble the Ye family any further!"
Since the incident at the engagement banquet, Lin Fan has been deliberately avoiding any involvement with the Ye family. He doesn't want Ye Yuyan and the Ye family to suffer any harm or criticism because of him.
“But…” Li Ming wanted to persuade him again.
"No buts!" Lin Fan interrupted him. "Go tell those investment institutions that Qihang Technology will definitely make the 'Morning Star' chip, even if it means selling everything we own! Let them wait and see!"
Looking into Lin Fan's determined eyes, Li Ming felt a surge of inexplicable strength. He nodded: "Okay! I'll get on it right away!"
...
A competitor to the "Morning Star" chip has emerged; it's called "Polaris".
Phytium Technology, Qihang Technology's biggest competitor, launched its own "Polaris" chip at its new product launch event.
The launch event for the Polaris chip was decorated like a dazzling starry sky, with twinkling stars on a huge screen, like beacons in the night sky, attracting everyone's attention.
Zhao Fei, CEO of Phytium Technology, stood on the stage, full of vigor and confidence.
"Distinguished guests and friends from the media, today we are very honored to introduce Phytium Technology's latest research and development achievement - the 'Polaris' chip!"
Zhao Fei's voice was loud and confident, each word like a bullet, aimed at everyone present.
"The 'Polaris' chip is the culmination of three years of painstaking effort by hundreds of engineers at Phytium Technology!"
It utilizes the most advanced manufacturing process and boasts the most powerful performance, bringing users an unprecedented experience!
The audience erupted in applause and flashes of light from cameras.
"As we all know, the chip industry is the core of the technology field and an important manifestation of a country's competitiveness."
For a long time, my country's chip industry has been subject to foreign control, with core technologies monopolized by foreign countries.
But today, we want to tell you that this situation is about to change!
Zhao Fei's voice grew increasingly impassioned: "The birth of the 'Polaris' chip signifies that my country's chip industry has the strength to compete with international giants!"
We will use our own technology and our own products to break the monopoly and win the future!
The atmosphere in the venue reached a climax.
"Polaris and Morning Star, they only differ by one character, hahaha!"
"Judging from its functions and description, it's similar to Qimingxing!"
"Feiteng is moving really fast; they're going to go against Qihang!"
Privately, some people were already whispering among themselves.
Zhao Fei seemed not to hear him and continued his speech.
"The 'Polaris' chip has not only achieved a huge breakthrough in performance, but also reached an industry-leading level in power consumption control."
We've adopted a brand-new energy-saving technology that allows the 'Polaris' chip to significantly reduce power consumption and extend device battery life while maintaining high performance..."
"Is this just bragging? This is exactly the same as the advertising for Morning Star!"
"Yeah, who knows if it's true?"
"Feiteng is trying to seize the market share of Qihang!"
"This is going to be good!"
The murmurs below grew louder.
"We believe that the launch of the 'Polaris' chip will bring about a revolution in the entire industry!"
Together with our partners, we will create a smarter, more convenient, and better future!
Zhao Fei opened his arms as if to embrace the whole world, "Let us witness the shining of the 'North Star' together!"
Applause rang out again, but it was mixed with some doubt and ridicule.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Qihang Technology's R&D department was unusually tense.
"This...how is this possible?" A young engineer stared wide-eyed at the parameters of the "Polaris" chip on the computer screen, his face full of disbelief. "Their parameters are almost exactly the same as our 'Morning Star'!"
"Impossible! They must have stolen our technology!" another engineer slammed his fist on the table in anger. "Those shameless bastards!"
"Quiet!" Wang, the head of the R&D department, shouted in a deep voice, "Now is not the time to argue! We must find out what's going on with the 'Polaris' chip as soon as possible!"
"Do we even need to investigate? It must have been that bastard Zhao Fei who did it!" a hot-tempered engineer roared. "He's been sending people to poach our people for a while now, and now he's pulled this stunt. It's obvious he's after us!"
"Poaching people?" Lin Fan's face darkened instantly upon hearing this. "When did this happen?"
"Just... just recently," Engineer Wang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "a few core technical personnel were poached by Phytium Technology."
"Damn it!" Lin Fan slammed his fist on the table, the loud noise startling everyone. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
“I…I thought…” Engineer Wang lowered his head, “I thought they wouldn’t have a significant impact on our research and development…”
"Thought? What did you think?" Lin Fan's voice was as cold as a knife.
"Do you know that what they took away might be the core technology of our 'Morning Star'?"
"Mr. Lin, what do we do now?"
An engineer asked anxiously, "Will our 'Morning Star' still be released on time?"
"Send it! Of course we'll send it!" Lin Fan said through gritted teeth.
"And we have to be faster and better than them! We want everyone to know who the real chip king is!"
“But…” Engineer Wang hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
"There are no buts!" Lin Fan interrupted him.
"From this moment forward, everyone, cancel your vacations, work overtime, and give it your all!"
We must develop the 'Morning Star' chip in the shortest possible time!
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit.
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