Who wants to be a male model after being reborn? I want to be a male god.

Chapter 425 Perhaps the ship is going to sink
At six o'clock in the morning, the lights were already on in the conference room at Flash City headquarters.

Everyone got into work mode.

Since FlashCity decided to expand nationwide, working overtime has become the norm.

Working overtime and staying up all night is not uncommon.

Xu Wen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the sun slowly rise from the distance, gradually illuminating the entire conference room.

He was holding a cup of black coffee in his hand, steam rising from the cup.

He slept for less than three hours after returning from Black Cat Tarot last night, but his mind is unusually clear right now.

"Mr. Xu, everyone's here." Wan Zhi pushed open the door and came in, carrying a stack of documents.

Xu Wen nodded and turned to walk towards the conference table.

The heads of various departments of Flash City sat on both sides of the long table, each with a notebook and data reports spread out in front of them.

A tense atmosphere filled the air, and everyone was on edge.

"Let's begin." Xu Wen sat down and placed his coffee cup aside.

Marketing Manager Wang Lei stood up first and brought up the projector: "According to the latest data, Meituan's subsidies in seven cities including Jiangcheng and Xingsha are twice as much as ours. Ele.me is also following suit. In the past week, our market share has dropped by an average of seven percentage points."

The red line graph on the slide gave Xu Wen a headache.

He stared at the numbers, feeling slightly irritated.

As expected, these kinds of things eventually turn into a money-burning endeavor.

“What about the university market?” he asked, looking up.

“Universities are relatively stable, but Meituan is contacting student unions at various universities, offering sponsorships in exchange for exclusive partnerships.” Wang Lei wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Xu Wen recalled the list of merchants that Lan Qiusheng had sent him.

All those merchants have the same investor behind them.

Now he knows that this company is connected to Li Qingyun.

"Universities are our foundation, and we must protect them. Starting today, all university delivery personnel will wear uniforms to increase brand recognition. In addition, we will launch a senior student referral program, where existing users who refer new users will receive extra discounts." Xu Wen's voice was not loud, but it silenced the entire conference room.

Because of the persona he established online.

Flash City is especially popular among young people, especially college students.

All other food delivery platforms are "evil capitalists," while he is "gentle and kind Teacher Xu."

CFO Zhang Ming hesitated, then said, "Mr. Xu, this will increase marketing costs by at least 15%, which will impact our cash flow."

“Money is not a problem; Hong Jing’s funds will arrive soon,” Xu Wen interrupted him.

Since Gu Xingruo left, speculation about the relationship between Hong Jing and Shancheng has never stopped within the company.

But now is not the time to explain.

"Technology Department, how's the new merchant rating system progressing?" Xu Wen turned to Jia Mingliang.

Zhang Wei pushed up his glasses: "The core functionality is complete, but testing will take another three days."

"I want to see the test version online by this time tomorrow, compressed into one day." Xu Wen said decisively.

Jia Mingliang's expression changed: "Okay, let's try again."

“I know everyone is working very hard, but Meituan won’t give us a break. This system is crucial for us to fight back against the rumors,” Xu Wen said, softening his tone.

Jia Mingliang remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

The meeting lasted until 8:30.

After everyone else left, Wan Zhi closed the door and lowered his voice: "President Xu, I just confirmed that Meituan did indeed contact Wang Lei, and their offer is three times the current price."

Xu Wen's finger stopped in mid-air.

Since the last time, Meituan has continued to poach people from him.

They tried to recruit people like Jiang Xiaqing and Jia Mingliang, but they couldn't find anyone.

So they began to select from the options below.

Xu Wen stood up: "Have the HR department prepare a new equity incentive plan that covers all department heads."

Wan Zhi quickly jotted down: "Should we notify General Manager Gu?"

“No need, this is my company, I can handle it,” Xu Wen said calmly.

Wan Zhi wisely shut his mouth and turned to leave.

Xu Wen walked to the window; the sunlight had already bathed half the city.

He remembered what Gu Hong had said last night.

"You have a better business sense than I thought."

Is this a compliment?
Or is it just another form of contempt?

Xu Wen shook his head, banishing these distracting thoughts from his mind.

He opened the latest email, which was from Lan Qiusheng.

The email mentioned that the merchants who withdrew from the FlashCity platform had recently been meeting frequently with a person named "Zhou Zhengwei".

Lan Qiusheng attached several blurry candid photos. The man in the photos was in his early forties, dressed in a suit and tie, and looked like a professional manager.

Xu Wen zoomed in on the photo and felt that the person looked somewhat familiar.

He opened a search engine, typed in "Zhou Zhengwei," and the results made him frown.

In a report three years ago, Zhou Zhengwei was interviewed as a city manager for Meituan.

"Just as I expected." Xu Wen sneered.

Meituan's use of shell companies to bribe merchants goes beyond the scope of normal business competition.

Just as I was about to reply to Lan Qiusheng's email, there was a sudden knock on the office door.

"Please come in."

The door opened, and Xia Ning stood in the doorway, holding a paper bag in her hand.

She wore a light purple dress today, and her hair was loosely tied back. She looked much more energetic than yesterday.

"I bet you haven't had breakfast yet. Here are some pork buns and soy milk from the steamed bun shop at the end of the alley." She walked in and placed the paper bag on the coffee table.

The aroma wafted out of the paper bag, and Xu Wen realized that he was indeed hungry.

He got up and walked to the coffee table: "Thank you for bringing it over."

Xia Ning smiled but didn't reply.

She skillfully took out disposable tableware, inserted a straw into the soy milk, and pushed it in front of him: "Eat it while it's hot."

Xu Wen took a bite of the steamed bun, and the familiar taste reminded him of the past.

Back then, he and Xia Ning frequented this shop, and the owner even joked that they were "the most eye-catching couple."

"How is your father doing lately?" Xu Wen suddenly asked.

Xia Ning paused for a moment: "He's very busy and often comes home very late."

After hesitating for a moment, she lowered her voice and said, "Xu Wen, my dad may have been summoned for questioning by the investigation team."

Xu Wen suddenly looked up: "When did this happen?"

“Last night, he received a phone call and rushed out. He only came back this morning, and he looked terrible.” Xia Ning bit her lip.

Xu Wen quickly considered the current situation.

Everything happened faster than he had anticipated.

Although he had expected it, he still felt somewhat surprised.

This is not good news.

“Did your father say anything?” he pressed.

Xia Ning shook her head: "He told me not to ask about these things, but..."

She hesitated for a moment: "This morning he suddenly asked me how my company is doing."

Xu Wen's heart sank.

Xia Hai's question was clearly not out of concern for his daughter, but rather to inquire about the situation of Shan Cheng and Hong Jing.

"How did you answer?"

“I told him everything was normal, and he told me to come to the company less often,” Xia Ning replied. Xu Wen put down his soy milk, suddenly losing his appetite.

The situation was more complicated than he had imagined.

“Xia Ning, your father is right. You’d better come to the company less often during this period.” He looked at her seriously.

"Why? Is it because of those investigations, or because..." Xia Ning's eyes widened.

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Or is it because of Gu Xingruo?
Xu Wen shook his head: "No, it's just that the situation is complicated right now, and I don't want you to get involved in unnecessary trouble."

“But I’m not afraid of trouble! Xu Wen, I know I’ve done wrong, but for the past year or so, I’ve been making up for it every day. Now that you’re in trouble, how can I run away from you?” Xia Ning’s voice suddenly rose.

Her eyes reddened, and her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly.

Xu Wen recalled the lunchbox she had spilled yesterday, the new book she had secretly placed on the bookshelf, and the silent care she had shown.

Xia Ning seems to have really changed; she's no longer that willful and capricious girl.

“I understand, but some things can’t be solved with courage alone. Your father has worked for many years, and he knows the dangers better than you do,” Xu Wen said softly.

Xia Ning stubbornly raised her head: "And what about you? Aren't you in danger?"

Xu Wen suddenly noticed that Xia Ning still had faint dark circles under her eyes.

“I’m used to it,” he finally said, his voice carrying a weariness he himself didn’t realize.

The office fell silent.

Xia Ning stood up and walked to the window.

From this angle, you can see the bustling commercial district along the river, with its skyscrapers gleaming in the sunlight.

“You know what? Sometimes I think about what we would be like now if that incident hadn’t happened,” she said with her back to Xu Wen.

Xu Wen did not answer.

This assumption is meaningless; time cannot be reversed, and mistakes cannot be erased.

But looking at Xia Ning's slender back, he suddenly felt a pang of pity.

“At least, at least we can still chat like friends now,” he said slowly, choosing his words carefully.

Xia Ning turned around, a forced smile on her face: "Yeah, at least we can still be friends."

She picked up the empty paper bag: "I should go now, I won't disturb your work."

Xu Wen nodded, watching her walk towards the door.

Just as Xia Ning opened the door, he suddenly called out to her, "Wait."

Xia Ning turned around, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

"Thank you for breakfast today, and please be careful," Xu Wen reminded him.

Xia Ning's eyes lit up, and she nodded slightly before leaving.

After the door closed, Xu Wen let out a long sigh of relief and rubbed his temples.

Every meeting with Xia Ning felt like walking a tightrope.

He returned to his computer and continued processing emails.

Time passed minute by minute, and in the blink of an eye it was noon.

Xu Wen was about to leave for his appointment when there was another knock on his office door.

"Mr. Xu, Miss Yang is here. She says it's urgent." Wan Zhi's voice came from outside the door.

"Let her in."

The door opened, and Yang Yiyao hurriedly walked in.

She wasn't wearing her usual Lolita or JK style today, but rather a simple T-shirt and jeans.

Her hair was casually tied into a ponytail, making it seem like she had rushed over.

"What happened?" Xu Wen asked, noticing the fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

Yang Yiyao closed the door and whispered, "Li Qingyun has been taken away!"

Xu Wen suddenly stood up: "When?"

"Just now! My dad just called me and said that his workplace is in an uproar, and he heard that the other side is of a particularly high rank!" Yang Yiyao walked quickly to Xu Wen.

Xu Wen understood.

The people Gu Hong mentioned still came.

"Did they say what the specific reason was?" Xu Wen asked quickly.

Yang Yiyao shook her head: "I only know that it is related to some project. My dad said that Li Qingyun's office and home were searched and all the computers and documents were taken away."

Xu Wen recalled the documents Gu Hong had given him last night.

If the authorities have already taken action against Li Qingyun, then Gu Hong and Xia Hai are also in grave danger.

"And there's more shocking news. It's said that the other side has solid evidence proving that Li Qingyun committed serious crimes, and some of the money may have come from Hongjing Industry." Yang Yiyao leaned closer and lowered her voice.

Xu Wen's heart sank.

This matches the contents of his USB drive, but Li Qingyun insists that he did not give him the USB drive.

Now the question is.

Who provided this evidence to the investigation team?
Since the higher-ups have already decided to take action, it means they have a lot of evidence in their hands.

Now we just wait to take them down one by one.

He dared not underestimate this speed.

It's estimated to happen sometime in the near future.

"Xu Wen, are you alright?" Yang Yiyao asked, looking at him with concern.

Xu Wen then realized that his hands were trembling slightly.

Things took a turn for the better than he had anticipated.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself to calm down: "I'm fine. This news is very important. Thank you for letting me know in time."

"I knew you'd say that. What are you planning to do next?" Yang Yiyao pouted.

Xu Wen glanced at his watch; he had to reassess the situation and adjust his plans.

“First, Shancheng needs to sever ties with Hong Jing, at least on the surface. Second, I need to see Gu Hong, the sooner the better.” After a brief hesitation, he said quickly.

Yang Yiyao frowned: "See him now? It's too dangerous, isn't it? The investigation team must already be watching him."

“That’s why we need to hurry; some things can’t be explained over the phone.” Xu Wen picked up his suit jacket.

He was about to leave when his phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed an unknown number.

Xu Wen hesitated for a moment, but still answered the call.

"Hey?"

"Mr. Xu, I've heard so much about you. I'm Zhou Zhengwei. I heard you've been inquiring about me lately?" A strange male voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with a hint of mockery.

"What brings you here, Mr. Zhou?" Xu Wen asked calmly, while gesturing for Yang Yiyao to remain quiet.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to invite you to dinner and have a chat. Meituan is very interested in Flash City, especially in a young talent like you." Zhou Zhengwei's voice was relaxed.

Xu Wen sneered: "If it's about an acquisition, then there's no need for that."

"Don't be so quick to refuse. President Xu, you must have heard about Director Li's matter, right? This is just the beginning. Hong Jing's big ship is about to sink, and smart people will find lifeboats in advance," Zhou Zhengwei said with a smile.

Xu Wen gripped his phone tightly: "Mr. Zhou, are you threatening me?"

“No, no, no, it’s just a friendly reminder, Mr. Xu. You’re still young and have a bright future. Why should you be buried with Gu Hong? Meituan can provide you with a better platform and resources than you have now.” Zhou Zhengwei’s voice suddenly turned serious.

Xu Wen suddenly understood.

This is not just a commercial poaching, but also an attempt to exert pressure by using the investigation controversy.

The people behind Meituan are well aware of the relationship between Hong Jing and Shancheng, and now they want to take this opportunity to sever this bond.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Zhou, but I have a problem with not liking others making decisions for me," Xu Wen replied with a smile.

(End of this chapter)