Double evil in the business district

Detective Luo pointed excitedly at the screen. "I've tracked down the email address of the man behind Xingyao Technology! Even though he used multiple layers of encryption, I still managed to find some clues. This email address is associated with an IP address on an overseas server, and it's been in contact with... the cyber-troll leader Hong Tao!"

Xiao Yue's heart trembled. Hong Tao, the name was familiar to her. He was the man Detective Luo had previously uncovered, the mastermind behind the online troll attacks on the Xiao family. She hadn't been able to find any trace of Hong Tao before, but now she hadn't expected him to be linked to Xingyao Technology.

"What does this mean?" Shen Ting's voice was low, with a hint of suppressed anger.

"It's highly likely that Mingxingyao Technology is behind this incident!" Detective Luo said confidently. "I'll contact the police immediately and submit this evidence to them."

However, just as Detective Luo was about to contact the police, online public opinion shifted dramatically again. The online troll army, seemingly on the receiving end of some kind of command, suddenly launched an even more ferocious attack.

Previously, the only concerns were about the quality of Xiao's products, but now, all sorts of trumped-up charges have been hurled at the company. Allegations of tax evasion, employee exploitation, and illegal fundraising have spread like wildfire online.

Public Relations Officer Lin rushed into the office. "Boss Xiao, this is terrible! The internet is full of negative news about our company, and it's completely out of control! Many partners have called to inquire about the situation, and some have even unilaterally terminated their partnerships!"

Xiao Yue's face paled, but she forced herself to remain calm. "PR Lin, contact all major media platforms immediately and demand they remove these false reports. Also, prepare a press conference; I want to personally address these rumors!"

"But Mr. Xiao, public opinion is very unfavorable to us now. Holding a press conference may backfire..." Public Relations Officer Lin said worriedly.

"It must be held!" Shen Ting stood firmly beside Xiao Yue. "Instead of passively taking a beating, it's better to take the initiative. I believe the truth will eventually come out."

At the same time, Hong Tao, the leader of the water army, who was hiding in a dim room, was looking at the rising number of negative news on the computer screen with pride.

"Boss, we've invested a lot of money this time and mobilized almost all our resources," said one of his men.

"Hmph, you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child." Hong Tao sneered, "This time I'm going to completely destroy the Xiao family! Let that Xiao Yue also have a taste of disgrace!"

He picked up his phone and dialed a mysterious number. "Hello, blogger Zhang? Everything's going according to plan. Last step, your turn..." Zhang, a prominent online influencer in the financial field, sat before the camera, a serious expression on his face. Behind him sat several so-called "experts," each wearing thick glasses and looking serious.

"Hello everyone, I'm blogger Zhang. Today, we've invited several experts to analyze the current predicament of Xiao Enterprises." Blogger Zhang pointed to the people behind him and introduced them. "This is Professor Li, a renowned economist, and this is Mr. Wang, a senior financial analyst..."

The camera cuts to the "experts," who take turns citing classics and using a variety of professional terms to analyze Xiao's enterprise's "inevitable situation." They discuss broken capital chains, shrinking market share, and management missteps in their explanations, as if Xiao's enterprise is doomed to collapse tomorrow.

"According to our analysis, Xiao's enterprise is currently in an extremely dangerous situation, and it may be difficult for it to recover." Professor Li pushed his glasses and spoke in a heavy tone.

"That's right. Xiao's enterprise is facing a crisis not simply due to product quality issues, but rather deep-seated structural problems," Mr. Wang added. "The conflicts that have accumulated over the years have erupted, and now they're like a dangerous building that could collapse at any moment."

Blogger Zhang's livestream undoubtedly exacerbated the already precarious situation at Xiao's Enterprise. Online opinion intensified, with voices decrying Xiao's decline. Netizen Feng sat at his computer, watching the livestream with a frown on his face. "It looks like Xiao's Enterprise is truly doomed. Fortunately, I withdrew my investment in time," he muttered, thankful he hadn't been caught up in the storm.

A heavy mood hangs over Xiao's company. Public Relations Officer Lin falls ill under immense pressure, leaving the Publicity Department leaderless and in disarray. Xiao Yue is forced to juggle her duties with investigating the mastermind and the Publicity Department, leaving her exhausted both physically and mentally.

"Mr. Xiao, what should we do now? Many media outlets are unwilling to publish our clarification statement. Some media outlets even took advantage of the situation and reprinted the content of blogger Zhang's live broadcast." A publicity department employee reported anxiously.

Xiao Yue rubbed his temples, forcing himself to cheer up. "Continue contacting other media outlets. We must find an opportunity for us to speak out. Also, prepare a more detailed clarification document, laying out all the evidence, so the public can see the truth."

"But Mr. Xiao, the internet is full of negative news right now. Even if we issue a clarification statement, it may be difficult to reverse the situation..." the employee said worriedly.

Xiao Yue took a deep breath. "I know, but we must try our best. Especially at times like this, we must not give up hope."

It was late at night, and Xiao Yue was still busy in the office. She looked at the news headlines flashing on the computer screen, feeling powerless. Just then, Shen Ting walked in, holding a cup of hot milk.

"Drink some milk and go to bed early." Shen Ting put the milk on the table and gently put his arm around Xiao Yue's shoulders.

Xiao Yue leaned in Shen Ting's arms, feeling his warmth, her tired body and mind finding some comfort. "Shen Ting, can we really make it through this?"

Shen Ting nodded firmly, "Believe me, I will definitely protect you and the Xiao family." He picked up the phone and dialed a number, "Hello, it's me... I need some funds as soon as possible..." Shen Ting hung up the phone, a trace of fatigue flashed in his deep eyes, but he could not hide his determination.

Xiao Yue held his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm, and felt a mixture of emotions. She knew that Shen Ting had sacrificed so much for her and for the Xiao family.

The next morning, Shen Ting's actions caused a stir within the family. News of his mortgage of some personal assets spread, immediately drawing suspicion and dissatisfaction from the family elders.

"Shen Ting, you are kidding! You are putting all your assets into it for a woman. Have you ever considered the interests of the family?" Shen Ting's uncle, one of the directors of Shen Group, questioned him angrily.

Shen Ting's expression was calm, but his tone left no room for doubt: "I believe the Xiao family's situation will improve soon, and my assets will be redeemed soon. This will not affect the interests of the family."

"Improved? What guarantee can you give? Xiao's stock is about to hit the limit down now. You are throwing your money away!" Another elder also echoed.

Shen Ting ignored their questions. He knew that no matter how much he explained, it would be useless. Only by taking concrete actions could he prove that his choice was correct. He turned and left the meeting room, leaving a group of people behind him discussing it.

Meanwhile, the online storm of public opinion intensified. Instigated by online trolls, a user named Feng created an online group called "Boycott Xiao's." Within a few hours, the group's membership exceeded thousands. They launched a campaign to boycott Xiao's products on major e-commerce platforms and social media platforms, and some even protested at Xiao's physical stores.

Xiao's sales channels were practically paralyzed, orders plummeted, and warehouses were piled high with goods. Public Relations Officer Lin returned to work as soon as her health improved, but she felt helpless in the face of such a torrent of public opinion.

"Mr. Xiao, what should we do now? We can't sell our products at all!" a sales manager reported anxiously.

Xiao Yue looked at the negative comments that kept refreshing on the computer screen, her face pale. She knew that if she didn't find a way to turn the situation around, Xiao Group might not be able to hold on any longer.

Detective Luo's investigation also made some progress. He traced the funding source of the online troll army and discovered that they were all hired by the same company. This company happened to have close ties with Shen's competitor, Shengshi Group, which had been eyeing the Xiao family.

"Mr. Xiao, I have found out that these internet trolls were hired by Shengshi Group." Detective Luo reported the results of the investigation to Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue frowned. Shengshi Group, it turned out to be them! But she knew that simply finding the mastermind behind the water army was not enough. She needed more solid evidence to bring them to justice.

"Detective Luo, we need to investigate this company in depth and find evidence that they are manipulating public opinion." Xiao Yue said in a firm tone.

Detective Luo nodded, knowing that this would be a tough battle. He began to prepare for an in-depth investigation, but found that the company was surrounded by spies and was heavily guarded.

Detective Luo called Xiao Yue, "Mr. Xiao, we're in trouble..." His voice was low and solemn. Xiao Yue held the phone, his heart tightening. "What's wrong?"

"That company is like an iron barrel," Detective Luo's voice came from the other end of the phone, with a hint of "frustration." "There are surveillance cameras and security guards everywhere. Our people can't even get close, let alone get in to obtain evidence."

Xiao Yue's heart sank. Was this going to end in vain? No, she wouldn't accept that. For the Xiao family, to prove her innocence, she had to find solid evidence.

"Is there any other way?" Xiao Yue's voice was tired but still firm.

Detective Luo was silent for a moment, as if pondering. "A brute force attack won't work. We'll have to outsmart them," he said slowly. "I've observed that their scrutiny of food delivery and express delivery is relatively lax..."

Xiao Yue immediately understood what he meant. "You mean, we go in disguised as delivery people?"

"That's right," Detective Luo said with a touch of certainty in his voice. "This is the only viable solution at the moment. But the risks are also huge. If we're discovered, the consequences will be disastrous."

Xiao Yue took a deep breath, weighing the pros and cons. The risk was indeed great, but if she could get evidence, she could completely turn the situation around. She had no way out.

"Okay, let's do it." Xiao Yue said in a firm tone without any hesitation.

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Yue immediately began to prepare. She found two sets of deliveryman's uniforms, contacted a food delivery platform, and forged several orders destined for that company.

In the evening, Xiao Yue and Detective Luo changed into their delivery uniforms, donned hats and masks, and rode their electric scooters to the vicinity of the target company. From a distance, the company building was brightly lit, and the security guards at the door vigilantly watched the passersby.

"It seems they've stepped up their security," Detective Luo said in a low voice. "We have to be careful."

Xiao Yue nodded, her heart pounding. She tried to remain calm and followed the route she had planned, slowly approaching the company gate.

The security guard at the door stopped them. "What are you doing?"

"Delivery man," Xiao Yue tried his best to imitate the delivery man's tone and handed the order information on his phone to the security guard. "Two orders for the 30th and 32nd floors."

The security guard took the phone, carefully checked the order information, and looked them up and down with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

Time seemed to freeze, and Xiao Yue felt her breathing quicken. She gripped the takeout box tightly, her palms sweaty.

At this moment, a man in a suit and tie walked out of the company. He seemed to be a senior executive of the company. "What's going on?" he asked impatiently.

The security guard quickly explained: "There were two deliverymen who said they were delivering food."

The man glanced at Xiao Yue and Detective Luo and waved his hand, "Let them in, don't waste time."

The security guard then let them in. Xiao Yue and Detective Luo felt relieved and pushed the electric bike into the company building.

After entering the elevator, Xiao Yue and Detective Luo looked at each other and saw tension and anticipation in each other's eyes.

"We've arrived at the 30th floor." The elevator door slowly opened. Xiao Yue took a deep breath and walked out... At the end of the corridor, a figure flashed by.