Rebirth 04: Starting from Taking an Unconventional Approach

Chapter 154 Gentle Touch

Ding Lei frowned, looked at Wang Yu, and leaned over to support himself on the desk.

"You're going to hold a salon in Shanghai?" Ding Lei said.

"This is the only way to reduce Han Fei's participation costs," Wang Yu said. "Qingniao is currently in a critical period of business growth. If the salon is held in Guangzhou, Han Fei will be too busy to attend in person and will likely send someone else or not come at all. If we don't see Han Fei, the salon will become just an ordinary gathering of peers and lose its strategic value."

"Are you planning to open a branch in Shanghai?"

"I prefer to choose a quiet tea room or hotel conference room to avoid the oppressive feeling of NetEase's office environment, which is more conducive to frank communication. This aligns with our principle of not making enemies but only observing. I only need to go there a day or two in advance, rent the venue for half a day, and keep the total budget within a few thousand yuan. Even if the results are not as expected, we will hardly suffer any losses."

"In what capacity will you participate? As an individual or as a NetEase representative? If Han Fei asks NetEase about its true thoughts on the content industry, how will you answer?"

"I have a dual identity," Wang Yu said. "The first is my role as the opening speaker, that is, the head of content innovation in NetEase's strategic development department. In the opening introduction and the overall positioning of the salon, I will clearly state that this is an industry exchange initiated by NetEase. There is nothing to hide; on the contrary, it reflects our open attitude. The second is my identity as an industry observer who has long focused on the content sector, for in-depth exchanges. If asked more specific questions, I will answer from the perspective of personal observation and research, rather than using official statements."

Ding Lei rubbed his neck: "What if Han Fei mentions that Chen Zhengyuan is working on a self-built project? How are you going to explain that?"

Wang Yu pinched her lower lip between her thumb and forefinger: "I've considered this issue. If Han Fei really mentioned it, it means he's very well-informed, or he's testing our true intentions. If I deny it, it will make us seem guilty, which will only make Han Fei more wary. So I will admit it and make a strategic separation, telling him that it's normal for a company as large as NetEase to have different directions of exploration. Chen Zhengyuan's team is indeed trying some things, but it's an independent, small-scale experimental project that doesn't overlap with the work of our strategic development department. I'm not very clear about their specific situation, just as they're not very clear about what I'm doing."

"Hmm. If he keeps pressing you with his questions, will we start fighting amongst ourselves?"

"I understand what you mean. You're worried that if Han Fei finds out about Chen Zhengyuan's project, and I can't explain it reasonably, Han Fei might become hostile towards the entire NetEase, rendering my contact meaningless and even being seen as espionage, making NetEase seem two-faced. But based on my observation and judgment, Han Fei is a very clear-headed and pragmatic person. He won't hold a grudge against one team because of the actions of another. He hasn't had any direct conflict with Chen Zhengyuan before, and Chen Zhengyuan hasn't made any substantial attacks on Qingniao. So, Han Fei most likely won't treat Chen Zhengyuan's matter as my matter when he asks me. If he does ask, my answer will be sufficient."

"Um."

"Let me handle it," Wang Yu said. "Anyway, I will personally control the boundaries of the entire exchange, only discussing industry trends and content creation, and absolutely not involving company secrets or sensitive data. After the salon, I will compile a 'Qingniao Core Team Style Assessment and Follow-up Contact Suggestions' for you. If the atmosphere is good, this can serve as a gentle starting point for us to enter this field at the right time in the future."

Ding Lei stared at Wang Yu, lost in thought.

"Boss," Wang Yu added.

Yang Zheng spent over an hour driving along winding rural roads to Beizhuqiao Village, located at the border of Songjiang and Minhang Development Zones. That afternoon, he pieced together a rough map from clues provided by Han Fei, and the map ultimately pointed to this place. Information he gathered online indicated that the area consisted mostly of abandoned factories and idle warehouses, ideal for hiding illicit activities, so he knew he wasn't far from that hideout.

The car stopped under a crooked locust tree at the village entrance. He picked up a flashlight and camera and walked along a dirt road into the village.

The moonlight was hazy, and the sky was dark, but he didn't turn on his flashlight; he didn't want to be seen from afar. A few scattered barks of dogs could be heard in the distance. Even though the car lights were off, the light seemed to linger in the air for a moment. But gradually, the surroundings quieted down and darkened, then became even quieter, until silence filled the entire village. Darkness crept out from the woods, and Beizhuqiao Village seemed to transform into a completely different place, as if it were a strange planet, desolate and uninhabited.

Because of the dim light, he had to rely on his sense of touch to step, anticipating the undulating terrain beneath his feet. When he left the newspaper office, the editor-in-chief joked with him, saying, "At your age, still trying to do undercover work? Be careful you don't get thrown into the Huangpu River." Yang Zheng didn't reply. So what? To produce more sensational exclusive reports, one must dare to venture into the lion's den.

Shortly after, he came to an intersection and passed a silver-gray van parked on the side of the road, not noticing two men sitting inside. He turned into the intersection.

They waited a moment before sitting up straight in their seats, only to hear their own breathing echoing in the dark car.

"Damn it, who is that?" Ah Shan cursed under his breath.

"I don't know," Ah Yong said. "Could it be someone from the other side?"

"Doesn't seem like it. If someone were coming, they would have driven straight into the yard. This person is acting suspiciously, and that thing around their neck... could it be a camera?"

"A camera? It looks a bit like one. Is that a reporter? What would a reporter be doing here in the middle of the night?"

"It was all over the newspapers during the day," Ah Shan said. "It's normal for reporters to come and scout the location. But it's also possible they were sent by the other side to check if anyone is watching."

"So what do we do?"

"report."

Ah Shan took out his phone and dialed the elephant's number.

"Brother Elephant, there's trouble at the hideout."

"explain."

"A guy just crept over from the intersection, acting suspiciously. We thought he looked like a reporter. He walked towards the courtyard and didn't notice us."

"The newspaper just published it during the day, and they came to scout the location at night. They're quick."

"Brother Elephant, should we stop him? What if he goes into the yard and gets spotted by the people inside..."

'

"We can't stop him," Elephant said. "President Han is worried that the public pressure isn't strong enough, and it's a good thing that reporters are coming to him. But we can't let anything actually happen to him. Let A-Yong stay in the car and be ready to provide backup at any time. A-Shan, you sneak over there."

"How close?"

"Don't go into the yard, don't go on the gravel road, just make sure you can see the gate. If you see anything or hear shouting inside, run back immediately, ignore the reporters. You're just eyes, not fists. Then find a public phone at the village entrance and anonymously call the police, then immediately retreat."

"Understood, Brother Elephant." Ah Shan hung up the phone, took a deep breath, opened the door, and got out of the car.