Rong City CBD, Yunlan Building, top floor.
Although the 8 a.m. sunlight wasn't yet scorching, it still carried a hint of dryness as it spilled through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
The conference room, which usually wouldn't be in use before office hours, was already packed with people.
"CEO Mu, this is the emergency plan just drafted by the PR Department."
The PR Director was a woman in her thirties. She was currently handing over a document with trembling hands, her voice shaking.
"If any... accidents occur during today's live-streamed testing, we will immediately cut the signal and announce a technical failure to the public..."
Today, Mu Qingxue wore a French-style white silk shirt. The collar was slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbones and a glimpse of her cool, pale skin.
Below, she wore a black pencil skirt that outlined her breathtaking waist-to-hip curve.
Currently, she sat at the head of the table, her stunning face covered in a layer of impenetrable frost.
"Cut the signal?"
Mu Qingxue's voice was cold and clear. "Tens of millions of people across the internet are watching this live stream, and our competitors are even fanning the flames."
"Once we cut the signal, it's as good as a confession. We'd be admitting our products have issues, and by then, Yunlan International will truly be finished."
The PR Director's face turned pale, and the document in her hand almost fell to the floor. "But CEO Mu, the public backlash this time is overwhelming. What if..."
"There are no 'what ifs'."
Mu Qingxue rubbed her throbbing temples, her eyes showing a hint of exhaustion.
"Our products have no quality issues. That is our bottom line and the truth. A straight tree fears no crooked shadow; as long as the testing process is open and transparent, no one can smear us."
The conference room fell into a dead silence. Everyone knew CEO Mu was right, but their hearts were all pounding with anxiety.
The public opinion offensive over the past two days had been so fierce that even these battle-hardened executives felt their hearts racing in fear.
Anyone with eyes could see that someone was intentionally manipulating the narrative.
Once they started the live stream, would the hidden hand behind the scenes really let them finish it smoothly?
Buzz!!!
Just as everyone was lost in thought, Mu Qingxue's phone on the conference table suddenly vibrated. In the pin-drop silence of the room, the sound was exceptionally clear.
Mu Qingxue frowned slightly, initially not wanting to pay it any mind.
This was a life-or-death moment for the company; she didn't want to look at any irrelevant messages.
But when her peripheral vision caught the lit screen and the sender's ID, her entire body froze. Her pupils constricted sharply, and her heart skipped a beat.
The ID was simple, consisting of only a single punctuation mark: [.]
The profile picture was pure black. It was this mysterious person who, during Yunlan International's last raw material crisis, had descended like a god from the heavens.
Not only did they provide her with an improved formula to resolve the crisis, but they also boosted the product's effectiveness by a whole level.
Afterward, she had desperately tried to contact them, wanting to repay them, hire them for a massive sum, or even... just say thank you.
However, the other party had coldly blocked her.
Like a nameless hero who does a good deed and vanishes, they waved their sleeve and left without taking even a wisp of a cloud.
And now, at this moment when Yunlan International was once again facing a desperate situation.
He... had appeared again?
Mu Qingxue picked up her phone with trembling hands, her fingerprint unlocking it even faster than usual.
Opening WeChat, the interface was simple, with only one sentence.
[.]: "Are you starting a live stream this afternoon?"
Looking at these words, Mu Qingxue felt a sudden sting in her nose.
It felt like a drowning person suddenly grabbing onto a piece of driftwood, or seeing a beam of light in the endless darkness.
She took a deep breath, suppressed her inner excitement, and replied quickly.
[Mu Qingxue]: "Yes! Senior, you're finally willing to talk to me? Why did you block me before?"
After sending the message, Mu Qingxue realized she had lost her composure. A female CEO worth billions was now acting like a wronged little girl.
The reply came quickly, still in that cold and efficient style.
[.]: "Cut the nonsense."
[.]: "Check if there's anyone around you. If you're in a meeting or have others nearby, have them leave first. What I say next is for your eyes only."
Seeing this message, Mu Qingxue's heart tightened.
Without any hesitation, she immediately looked up, regaining her resolute, ice-queen CEO persona.
"The meeting is suspended for ten minutes. Everyone, get out now."
"Huh?"
The secretary taking notes was stunned, and the executives looked at each other in confusion.
"CEO Mu, the live stream starts in a few hours, and the process hasn't been..."
"Get out!"
Mu Qingxue's voice turned icy, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "Now. Immediately. Right away."
Rustle, rustle.
When the boss got angry, it was no small matter.
In less than ten seconds, the large conference room was completely empty, and even the door was considerately shut tight.
Mu Qingxue walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and after ensuring the surroundings were absolutely secure, she held her phone and replied.
[Mu Qingxue]: "The room is empty, it's just me. Senior, has something happened?"
[.]: "What position does Liu Changqing hold in your company?"
Seeing those three words, Mu Qingxue was stunned for a moment.
Uncle Liu?
She thought they might ask about the formula or the PR strategy, but never did she expect them to ask about Uncle Liu.
[Mu Qingxue]: "Uncle Liu is the Chief Formulator for Yunlan International and the soul of the R&D Department. Senior, why do you mention him all of a sudden?"
[.]: "What do you think?"
Seeing this reply, Mu Qingxue reacted instantly.
[Mu Qingxue]: "Are you saying that Uncle Liu will betray the company?"
[.]: "Not too stupid."
[Mu Qingxue]: "That... how is that possible? Uncle Liu was not only sponsored by my grandfather, but he's also my father's peer and close friend. He watched me grow up. He's been at Yunlan for thirty years and even turned down high-salary offers from foreign companies. He would never do such a thing!"
Fang Ming sighed. This woman had business talent, but she was still too idealistic.
He didn't explain much, simply replying plainly.
[.]: "Nothing is impossible. Loyalty only exists because the stakes for betrayal aren't high enough. Besides, Qin Xiao might have other tricks up his sleeve aside from him."
After sending this, Fang Ming didn't want to say anything more.
He was currently just a kidnapper, and the help he could provide was limited. If she wasn't willing to believe him, no amount of talking would help.
Would Mu Qingxue believe it? Normally, she shouldn't.
Given Liu Changqing's relationship with the Mu Family, saying he would betray them? Any normal person would find it impossible.
But Fang Ming's previous appearance had been so shocking; with just a casual move, he had brought Yunlan International back from the dead.
Therefore, she had to take Fang Ming's words seriously.
[Mu Qingxue]: "Then do you know... the specific reason for Uncle Liu's betrayal?"
After sending this, Mu Qingxue bit her lip and clenched her fists, unsure if she was afraid that Fang Ming didn't know the truth or that the truth would be too cruel.
Fang Ming naturally knew why Mu Qingxue was asking and replied casually.
[.]: "I didn't say he definitely would betray you, just that it's a strong possibility. After all, any normal person might make decisions against their own will when the lives of their loved ones are threatened."