Mastering the Sword Manual, sweeping across the globe

The follow-up plan has undergone three rounds of simulation.

The data model presented by the operations director shows that if the platform fully follows the "Huangleme" plan, it will directly increase its operating costs by at least 470 million yuan next year. This does not include the potential fluctuations in the entire network's price system and the chain reaction on the merchant side.

“But we have no choice.” The head of the strategic development department took over, displaying a forecast chart of rider mobility trends. “Once the ‘Huangleme’ pilot program in East China is implemented, according to the most conservative estimate, within three months, our rider inventory in East China will decrease by 18%. Within six months, this number will expand to more than 30%... The capacity gap caused by rider loss will directly impact user experience—delivery timeliness, order acceptance rate, customer complaint rate, all core indicators will decline.”

Discussions on public opinion contingency plans have intensified.

The public relations director suggested that instead of reacting passively, they should take the initiative to speak out: "We can't sit and wait for public opinion to ferment. Tomorrow morning, we must release an official statement to show that we also care about the rights of riders and are actively studying optimization solutions. We need to make our attitude clear first."

"And then?" the general counsel asked. "If the media... well, the legal department's budget for this quarter is quite sufficient. The main concern is, if the public keeps asking about specific measures, what will we use to respond?"

There was a few seconds of silence.

"The tech department should work overtime..." the CEO stated. "We need to calculate as soon as possible and come up with three follow-up plans—a conservative version, a balanced version, and an aggressive version. The finance department should simultaneously calculate the financial pressure and determine where the limits are. The public relations department should prepare several sets of corresponding statements. Once the plan is finalized, we need to complete the release preparations within 24 hours."

As he spoke, the CEO's gaze swept across each tired face on the screen.

"Remember, what we need is not the fastest, but the most stable. One wrong step and we'll be in debt for billions. But not taking a single step will lead to certain death."

At 2 a.m., the fund allocation plan was nearing completion.

The CFO broke down the funding sources for the radical plan in detail: reducing the Q4 marketing budget, postponing some technology project investments, and negotiating with banks to increase credit lines.

The numbers were read out one by one, accurate to the ten thousand.

The CEO nodded after listening.

"That's it. Cut the marketing budget a bit, squeeze out some public relations expenses, postpone a few technology projects, and I'll personally talk to the bank about the remaining shortfall tomorrow."

Next, the CEO agreed with the CFO's suggestion to "prioritize cash flow," but added: "But medical checkups and equipment are non-negotiable. These are the most obvious and noticeable aspects for riders. Everything else can be addressed gradually, but these two must be done right away."

The people on the screen nodded in agreement.

At this moment, due to fatigue, the CEO looked down and rubbed his eyes.

When the CEO looked up again, he was stunned.

On the screen, the colleague who had been listening attentively suddenly looked extremely surprised.

Some people's mouths were agape. Some people's pupils suddenly contracted. Some people's hands froze in mid-air, as if a pause button had been pressed.

"What's wrong?" Wang Xixue asked.

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.

It's very stable, neither too light nor too heavy, just resting there naturally, like an old friend greeting each other.

Wang Xixue's back tensed instantly.

He lives in a detached villa. His study is on the third floor, and the door to the study has a fingerprint lock that only he and his wife can open.

My daughter is studying in the United States, and my wife went shopping in Hong Kong the day before yesterday, saying she's going to stay for a week.

The nanny, workers, and driver live in the outbuildings on the first floor and will never come up at night without permission.

"Who?"

The CEO did not turn around.

Although his heart was in his throat, the CEO kept his voice steady.

"Wang Xixue?" A voice came from behind, sounding very young.

Wang Xixue slowly turned around.

The study was dimly lit, illuminating the silhouette of a young man.

He was in his early twenties, wearing a very ordinary coat, with a polite and relaxed smile on his face.

Just like walking into someone's villa late at night and standing behind them, it's a perfectly normal thing.

Wang Xixue looked at that face.

Having navigated the ups and downs of the business world for decades, he has seen far too many people—officials, rivals, partners, swindlers, and outlaws.

He can read a lot from a person's eyes.

But he couldn't read anything in the young man's eyes.

Only peace.

And one more thing... I'm curious?

“Young man,” Wang Xixue took a soft breath, “I think that with your abilities and intelligence, there are many more suitable channels for you to realize your self-worth.”

When he spoke, Wang Xixue's tone carried the composure unique to those in positions of power—a composure born from having weathered storms and knowing when to be assertive and when to maneuver. He even gave a slight smile.

"Breaking into private homes late at night is not a smart choice."

The young man laughed too.

That smile was more genuine and more casual than Wang Xixue's.

“Older sir,” the young man said, “I think that when someone stands next to you in the middle of the night, you should also think carefully and answer their questions properly first.”

Wang Xixue looked into those eyes.

I still can't read anything.

He paused for two seconds, then nodded.

"Yes, I am Wang Xixue."

"That's great, it saves everyone trouble." With that, the young man raised his right hand and lightly tapped Wang Xixue's forehead with his index finger.

Wang Xixue's heart skipped a beat, and her pupils contracted instinctively—

I didn't feel anything on my forehead.

There was no touch, no pain, not even a breeze.

It was as if the other party had simply made a meaningless gesture.

"Good night." The young man nodded politely, then turned and walked towards the French windows of the study.

Wang Xixue opened his mouth as if to say something, but saw the young man reach out and push open the window—the heavy floor-to-ceiling window, equipped with a triple anti-theft sensor, slid open silently.

A night breeze swept in, carrying the cool, damp air of early summer.

The young man walked unhurriedly to the window, stepped onto the windowsill, and disappeared.

Wang Xixue stood there, stunned, for a full three seconds.

A few seconds later, Wang Xixue quickly walked to the window, leaned out and looked down.

Third floor.

A height of twelve meters.

Below is a meticulously manicured lawn and a cobblestone path.

The moonlight shines on it, making the outline of each stone clearly visible.

No one is empty.

He looked up and gazed into the distance.

The roads in the villa area are lined with plane trees, the streetlights are softly lit, and security patrol cars occasionally drive by.

There were no abnormalities.

There were no running figures, no vehicles starting up, and no trace to explain how a person could disappear instantly after falling from a height of twelve meters.

Only the night wind rustled the leaves.

Wang Xixue closed the window and walked back to her desk.

The indicator light for the security system on the floor-to-ceiling window was still lit in green—the color for normal operation.

He reached out and pushed, but the window remained firmly locked.

He looked down at his hands.

It doesn't shake.

Strangely enough, my hands didn't shake at all.

Wang Xixue sat back in her chair and looked at the screen.

On the screen, everyone in the conference room remained silent, simply watching him.

Every face bore the same expression—shock and anticipation.

"You all saw it just now."

"We've already reported it to the authorities," the operations director said.

"The hospital has been notified," the CFO added.

"We've already notified the company's security department," the head of strategic development replied. "Is it convenient for us to go now?"

“I just contacted an acquaintance at the Municipal Public Security Bureau,” the legal director said. “He said that if needed, he could coordinate police forces to be stationed directly in the villa area.”

"Should we notify the property management? "And have them increase patrols?" the public relations director asked.

Wang Xixue was silent for two seconds, then shook his head.

“The doctor can come,” Wang Xixue said, “but the company security and express shifts… especially the express shifts, forget about them.”

The people on the screen were slightly stunned.

"Let's see how things go first," Wang Xixue explained. "Given the current situation, if we make too much noise, who knows how many interpretations will be made outside."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

The PR director spoke first: "Mr. Wang is right. At this critical juncture, any slight movement will be amplified."

“But your safety…” the CFO hesitated.

"The doctor will come first," Wang Xixue said. "He'll do a full check-up to see if there are any abnormalities... As for the rest, we'll talk about it when it's light."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Some people remarked, "President Wang's vision is truly remarkable... even at a time like this, he's still thinking about the group's stability."

"If it were anyone else, things would have been in chaos long ago."

"To be honest, I'm still a little scared..." Wang Xixue smiled, trying her best to remain calm: "It's so late at night..."

Just then, the online meeting room fell silent again.

Wang Xixue looked up and found that everyone's eyes were fixed on a corner of the screen—the screen of the public relations director.

The background is a hotel.

A warm yellow bedside lamp, dark curtains, and a half-full glass of water and an open document on the bedside table.

In the footage, the PR director's face froze.

His gaze drifted towards a certain direction at the edge of the frame—where the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows were located.

Immediately afterwards, a young woman's voice, short, suppressed, and filled with fear, came from the PR director's microphone.

The next moment, a figure appeared on the screen.

Enter the camera's field of view from the direction of the floor-to-ceiling window.

In his early twenties, wearing an ordinary coat, unhurried and unhurried.

He wore a polite smile.

"Zhang Weian?" The young man bowed slightly as he walked behind the public relations director.

The PR director turned his head abruptly.

"Report to the authorities!" he roared, grabbing the metal-based lamp from the bedside table with his right hand, turning around and swinging it fiercely towards the young man.

The microphones were synchronized, faithfully transmitting the young woman's gasp.

The desk lamp missed its target.

The young man tilted his head slightly and took a very small half-step back—the movement was so small that it was almost imperceptible, but it was just enough for the lamp to pass by him with a whoosh, without even touching the hem of his clothes.

The PR director lost his balance due to excessive force and stumbled.

The young man thoughtfully raised his arm and gently helped the public relations director steady himself.

When I let go, the young man is still standing there, at the exact same distance as before, with that polite smile on his face.