Just as Xia Zhining was about to express her gratitude, the voice on the other end of the phone suddenly paused. Then, within that official solemnity, there was a barely perceptible hint of excitement unique to scientists:
"In fact, Expert Xia, just before you contacted us, our internal meeting passed a resolution and we were trying our best to invite you to come!"
The other person lowered their voice, but it sounded even more earnest: "The Xinglan incident is a heavy blow to all of us scientific researchers who adhere to the rules in Antarctica."
"We desperately need an animal communication expert like you to clear our names and seek justice for the dead polar animals!"
Xia Zhining felt a warmth in her heart and solemnly replied, "I will definitely do my best."
"That's great!" The other party visibly breathed a sigh of relief, then switched back to the official tone from before, "In addition, your specific travel arrangements will be fully handled by our expedition team's long-term medical and logistical partner—Gu's Medical Group."
"They have extensive experience in polar support and their equipment is top-notch; you can completely trust them."
Xia Zhining held the phone, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. The morning light outside the window shone brightly in her eyes.
"The Gu Group..."
She drawled out her words, her voice brimming with laughter, "I believe you, of course I believe you. I've always had... complete trust in their service."
On the same day that Xia Zhining set off for Antarctica.
Xia Zhuangya saw the news about the "Xinglan Incident" while in her luxurious office.
At first, she was just browsing casually, but when keywords such as "shrimp food raw material ship" and "Antarctic krill supply disruption crisis" caught her eye.
Xia Zhuangya's fingers tightened suddenly as she gripped the porcelain cup, and then an uncontrollable surge of joy burst forth from her eyes.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
She almost burst out laughing, turning the tablet towards her assistant and tapping the screen hard with her fingertip. "See? What goes around comes around, Xia Zhining! You've finally met your match!"
"It's time you tasted what it's like to have your raw material supply cut off!"
She pressed on almost impatiently, "Quick, check it out! With this kind of negative news, has Xia Zhi Ning Xia Le dog food's reputation and stock price collapsed? Have the distributors complained?"
The assistant, head bowed, face more grim than if she were crying, her voice barely audible, "Mr. Xia... the sales of Xia Le dog food... have not decreased but increased! Today, the online flagship store's sales have... have already surged by 300%..."
"What?!" Xia Zhuangya's smile froze on her face.
“Because…” The assistant reluctantly handed over the phone, which displayed the trending topics page of China’s largest social media platform, “When news from foreign websites reached China, everyone unanimously believed it was a frame-up, which angered the entire internet…”
On the screen, the comments section was already buzzing with excitement:
[Damn! Could this mudslinging be any more blatant? Do they think we're idiots?]
[Are Chinese fishing vessels violating regulations? We have surplus fishing quotas every year, and our technology is the most environmentally friendly in the world. Don't they have any self-awareness?]
[Getting desperate, getting desperate! They've been caught poaching and killing indiscriminately, and now they want to drag us down with them? Pah!]
Breaking news! The government has sent experts! Guess who they are? (doge)
[It's Xia Zhining! That animal communication expert who can talk to animals! Ahhh, sister, go to Antarctica and slap them in the face with the facts!]
[I've already ordered ten bags of Xia Le to support domestic products! Xia, fly with confidence, we'll always be there for you!]
This isn't just business competition; it's a battle for national honor! Supporting XiaLe is supporting ourselves!
Each comment was like a resounding slap across Xia Zhuangya's smug face.
Looking at the data showing a "300% surge in sales" and the screen filled with calls for "Expert Xia" and "National Honor," she felt a surge of anger that almost suffocated her.
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