One doesn't visit the temple without a reason.
Ji Nan was listening to her subordinate's report.
Upon hearing the news that "the accident was successful, but equipment was delayed, and Xinghuan was in chaos," she did not show much joy, as if this was just a natural part of the plan.
"Very good," she commented casually.
"They accepted the first 'gift.' Now it's time to send out the second one."
She picked up the internal phone and issued new instructions: "Notify the media outlets we're cooperating with that they can publish the news that 'chaotic management at the Xinghuan construction site has led to a major traffic accident, and the project may be severely delayed.' Note that the wording should be 'based on rumors' and 'quoting industry insiders,' but the dissemination must be fast and widespread."
She added, "In addition, have the project team prepare a document, stating that they are concerned about the risks of the core project in the North District, and submit it to several relevant departments. They know how to phrase it."
After doing all this, Ji Nan leaned back in her chair.
Public pressure coupled with administrative concern was enough to worsen Xinghuan's already dire situation. She didn't want a decisive blow, but rather to escalate the situation until her opponent revealed a fatal flaw.
...
At Xinghuan Group, just as Vice President Wang hung up the accountability call, Lin Xueyue and Zhao Lei received new bad news almost simultaneously.
"Director Meng! Director Cui! Several influential financial and local news platforms have suddenly been pushing out news about our construction site accident, exaggerating it and pointing directly to mismanagement and the risk of project delays!"
Lin Xueyue spoke urgently.
"Director Cui, I just received news that the Planning Bureau and the Housing and Construction Bureau have received anonymous reports about potential safety hazards and delays in our project, and they have indicated that they will pay close attention to it."
Zhao Lei's expression was also quite unpleasant.
The barrage of public criticism and the intense scrutiny from the administration followed in quick succession, clearly a combined attack.
Meng Yihe's eyes were icy as she spoke first: "Lin Xueyue, immediately issue a brief statement through the official account, with two key points: First, the cause of the accident has been determined to be intentional sabotage by a third party, and the evidence has been handed over to the police; second, emphasize that the overall progress of the project is under control, the risk of delay is being mitigated with all efforts, and the right to pursue legal action against those who maliciously spread rumors is reserved."
He chose to confront the issue head-on, directly pointing out "deliberate sabotage" to counter public opinion.
"Gao Yuan, work with Lin Xueyue to immediately create an infographic of the 'truth behind the accident,' highlighting the other side's tactics and our effective response. It should be visually appealing and simultaneously pushed out on all major platforms."
Then, he looked at Cui Yu.
Cui Yu understood and replied, "Zhao Lei, I'll handle the government relations. You continue to dig deeper into that shell company and its financial chain. The more evidence the better, and the faster the better."
He was responsible for stabilizing the official level and continuing to look for ammunition for a counterattack.
Lin Xueyue and Gao Yuan walked quickly to their workstations, the sound of keyboards clicking rapidly filling the air; Zhao Lei picked up the phone and started making calls; Wu Hao and Shen Xinyi were also engrossed in data and models.
Cui Yu picked up her phone, but didn't dial immediately.
He turned his head, his gaze falling on Meng Yihe's still tense profile. Faced with continuous high-pressure decision-making and the mudslinging from the outside world, even someone as strong as Meng Yihe couldn't help but show signs of fatigue between his brows.
"Are you alright?" Cui Yu's voice wasn't loud, just loud enough for Meng Yihe to hear. He noticed that Meng Yihe unconsciously placed her hand on her stomach, a subtle movement that didn't escape his notice.
Meng Yihe was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting Cui Yu to ask this at this crucial moment.
He instinctively wanted to reply coldly, "It's nothing." But when he turned his head and met Cui Yu's gaze, he saw the clear worry in the other's eyes, and the words circled around his lips.
In the end, she simply pursed her lips and replied somewhat stiffly, "...It's nothing."
However, he unconsciously released his hand from his stomach.
Cui Yu didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded slightly, as if confirming a fact. He then shook his phone, his tone returning to its usual cadence, but the warmth was different.
"I'm going to 'report' to a few leaders and maybe complain a bit. You here..."
His gaze swept meaningfully over Meng Yihe's coffee cup.
"Don't just drink that, let Lin Xueyue get you a cup of hot tea."
After saying that, he strode towards his office while flipping through his contacts.
Meng Yihe watched his retreating figure walk out of the glass door. The slight discomfort in her stomach caused by stress and excessive coffee seemed to have eased considerably because of that abrupt concern and the words, "Don't just drink that."
He looked away, suppressing the strange emotion, and refocused on the data on the screen. This time, however, he reached out and pressed the intercom button, saying to Lin Xueyue, "Lin Xueyue, bring me a cup of hot tea."
Lin Xueyue on the other end of the phone paused noticeably before quickly replying, "Okay, Director Meng!"
...
The approach combines public opinion mudslinging, equipment accidents, and administrative concerns.
The problem of the "unexpected" truck must be solved.
After Meng Yihe issued the counterattack order, the command center was once again engulfed in a high-speed, noisy operation. However, both he and Cui Yu knew that the most crucial step had to be taken by them personally.
Cui Yu picked up the preliminary report that recorded the flow of funds between the shell company and the "Dingsheng" related fund, and flicked his finger on the paper, making a crisp sound.
He looked at Meng Yihe.
"It's not enough to just issue statements and create graphics; the authorities need to get involved and make this issue definitively settled."
"Mm." Meng Yihe nodded.
"The chain of evidence still needs to be strengthened, but what we have is sufficient as a starting point for filing a police report."
"The focus is not on the traffic accident itself, but on the commercial conspiracy behind it and the potential public safety risks it may pose."
The two reached a consensus—the seriousness of the incident must be exaggerated.
“I’ll go.” Cui Yu picked up his coat and the documents. “I’m more suited to handle this than you.”
He is adept at dealing with all parties and knows how to convey demands in the most effective way.
Meng Yihe did not object, but added, "Have the head of the legal department go with you. Emphasize two points. First, the other party's methods are despicable and have seriously damaged the city's business environment; second, although no one was injured this time, we may not be so lucky next time, and the potential risks are enormous."
"Understood." Cui Yu smiled. "Don't worry, I'm a professional at 'causing trouble' for the leaders."
After seeing Cui Yu off, Meng Yihe immediately turned to the interior.
"Zhao Lei, keep digging!"
"The actual controller of the shell company, every step of that fund transfer, even the other party's driver's communication records and bank statements for the past three months—dig as deep as you can! Lin Xueyue, once Gao Yuan's 'truth map' comes out, immediately share it with all investors and core partners. It's not about asking for their understanding, it's about informing them that someone is trying to sabotage us, but we can control it."
It is no longer merely defensive, but carries a fierce offensive nature.
The atmosphere was serious in a municipal government office.
Cui Yu did not act like a victim, but instead calmly presented the evidence he had to the relevant department heads, acting as a responsible corporate manager.
"...Director Li, that's the situation." Cui Yu's tone was heavy and sincere.
"This is by no means a simple traffic accident, but a premeditated and organized act of commercial sabotage. The other party chose to target a key project, disregarding the potentially serious consequences. This behavior not only severely damaged our company's interests, but also undermined the fair competition environment in this city. Their audacity is shocking."
He tied the interests of "Star World" to the "city's business environment" and "public safety".
The legal director of Xinghuan, who was sitting next to him, added at the opportune moment: "Based on the funding clues we currently have, the source points to entities related to 'Dingsheng Capital'. We have prepared all the materials and formally requested an investigation to thoroughly investigate whether this matter involves unfair competition or other illegal activities."
The person in charge frowned deeply as he looked at the clearly laid-out chain of evidence and Cui Yu's calm yet resolute attitude. A key project had run into trouble, and it also involved vicious competition between well-known companies.
This is no longer a simple business dispute.
"Leave the materials here." The person in charge finally spoke, his tone serious. "We will take this matter very seriously and conduct an investigation in accordance with the law and regulations."
Upon hearing this, Cui Yu knew that the first step had been successful.
The pressure has been successfully transmitted.
Inside the director's office of "Dingsheng Capital".
Ji Nan looked at the message coming from inside and sneered.
High importance attached to it? Investigation?
She was prepared.
"Notify General Manager Zhang that it's time for him to pull some strings. Just show some 'appropriate concern' about the investigation team's progress, but don't go too deep." She calmly ordered the insider. "Also, have the media outlets we're cooperating with change their focus and start digging into 'minor issues' in Xinghuan's past projects. Also, publish a few articles titled 'Industry insiders question Xinghuan's use of the accident for publicity and to divert attention from its own management problems.'"
The counterattack came swiftly and deliberately.
Soon, Cui Yu felt the pressure.
The department that had previously expressed "high importance" to the matter has become somewhat ambiguous in its approach. When you call them, the responses are always "it's being processed according to procedure" or "it takes time."
The progress of the investigation has been deliberately slowed down.
Meanwhile, new voices began to emerge online.
They dug up an old issue concerning "Star World" and questioned its construction standards.
There are also so-called "experts" who analyzed and implied that the equipment accident may have been caused by Xinghuan's own management oversight, and that they are now "shifting the blame" to their competitors.
Even one or two core partners who had previously been appeased by Cui Yu called again, asking with concern, "President Cui, the public opinion is shifting again. Which one is true? Is there any progress in the investigation?"
The situation has become unpredictable once again.
There is an invisible net that is trying to cover up the truth again and drag "Starry Sky" into the quagmire.
In the command center, the team members' expressions, which had just eased, tensed up again. Wu Hao frowned as he looked at the fluctuating public opinion data, while Lin Xueyue received one probing call after another, exhausted from explaining.
"President Cui, the other party is stalling and trying to confuse the issue," Zhao Lei said gravely, summarizing feedback from all sides.
Cui Yu stood in front of the whiteboard, which was covered with relationship diagrams and chains of clues. He listened to the report, his face showing no emotion, only the marker at his fingertips tapping lightly on the whiteboard.
“As expected,” he said, showing no sign of frustration. “It would be strange if Ji Nan gave up so easily.”
He turned around and glanced at the slightly anxious team: "The more they act like this, the more it proves that we've hit their sore spot, and they're panicking."
His calmness acted like a stabilizing force, stabilizing the morale of the troops.
"Zhao Lei, the investigation team is making slow progress, so we'll send them 'express delivery' instead."
Cui Yu began a new round of deployments.
"Didn't you uncover that shell company had a hidden shareholder? Dig deeper into this line of investigation, compile a clear supplementary report, and deliver it directly to the head of the investigation team. This isn't about urging them, it's about 'assisting' them in their investigation."
"Understood!" Zhao Lei's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood.
This involves using newer and stronger evidence to continuously exert pressure, making it impossible for the other party to cover it up.
“Lin Xueyue,” Cui Yu continued, “those who bring up old grievances and impersonate experts, have our legal department send them lawyer’s letters and sue them for defamation.”
"Aren't you trying to confuse the issue? Then let's stir things up even more and see who can't hold on any longer."
"Yes, Director Cui!"
After making these arrangements, Cui Yu picked up her phone and walked into a relatively quiet glass-enclosed room.
We cannot allow "Dingsheng Capital" to act recklessly like this.
He needs to utilize deeper networks of relationships to counter the invisible resistance exerted by General Manager Zhang of "Dingsheng". This is no longer a business negotiation, but a contest of behind-the-scenes power and will.
He took a deep breath, found a number in his contacts labeled "Old Man," and dialed it.
The phone rang several times before being answered.
A robust, slightly lazy, and teasing old man's voice came from the other end: "Oh, has the sun risen in the west? Our Director Cui is actually thinking about his retired grandfather who grows flowers at this hour on a weekday? Did you get into trouble again and want me to plead with your dad for you?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Yu smiled helplessly: "Grandpa, what are you saying? Can't I just call to say hello because I miss you?"
"Come on, I know what kind of shit you're going to take just by sticking your butt out," the old man said with a laugh on the other end of the phone.
"You brat, you don't come here unless you need something. Tell me, what tough nut have you run into that you need this old man to swallow his pride and lend a hand?"
Cui Yu's smile faded, and his tone became serious as he briefly recounted the events. He emphasized the despicable nature of the other party's methods, the potential public safety risks, and the obstacles the investigation was currently facing.
“Grandpa, that’s roughly what happened. The other party has considerable influence and is trying to suppress this matter. We’re not trying to bully others; we just want a fair investigation environment so that those responsible will pay the price.” Cui Yu’s tone was firm.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. The previous lighthearted banter vanished, replaced by a calm composure born of years of experience: "Hmph, crooked methods! To do business like this is truly shameful! You dare to use something that almost resulted in a death as a means of manipulation? Alright, I understand. Which department is this Zhang XX from? I'll find an old buddy to 'ask' about the situation. Don't worry, as long as we're in the right and have solid evidence, no one can cover up the truth."
"Thank you, Grandpa." Cui Yu breathed a sigh of relief, a huge weight lifted from her heart.
"No need to thank me!" The old man's tone lightened again. "When you have time, bring a couple of bottles of good wine to visit me, that's what really matters! Don't just keep ordering your grandpa around!"
"Definitely, definitely, I guarantee it's good wine," Cui Yu assured with a smile.
"That's more like it. I'm hanging up now. Wait for my message." The old man was decisive and ended the call after saying that.
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