Mastering the Sword Manual, sweeping across the globe

"That makes sense..."

"Just wait and see, there's definitely more to come in the next few days."

……

Editorial department of a financial media outlet.

"Quick! The Ugly Group's announcement has been out for five minutes! Get a breaking news report right away!"

How to come up with a title?

Following Huangleme's collapse, ChouTuan launched a new, even more forceful policy to protect its riders late at night.

"It's too long."

"Ugly Group Takes Action! Rider Rights Protection Upgraded Again"

"Okay, this is it. Use a screenshot of the announcement as the accompanying image."

"Editor-in-chief, should we analyze the reasons?"

"Analyze what? Do you know the reason?"

"Then... we won't analyze it?"

"No need! Let's stick to the facts and break down the plan clearly; that's already big news!"

"Ok."

"By the way, keep a close eye on the Far East. If they also issue an announcement, follow up immediately."

……

Wall Street, a fund company.

Emergency meeting.

The large screen displayed the English translation of the group's announcement. As the page was turned line by line, the meeting room fell silent.

"...the insurance coverage has been expanded to include commuting."

"Extreme weather is 1.65 times more likely."

"Nighttime subsidy".

"Income security line".

The analyst finished reading the last point and looked up.

"This is the proposal they came up with in five hours."

The fund manager sat in the main seat, twirling a pen in his hand.

"So, what exactly happened?"

No one can answer that.

“Whatever happens,” the fund manager said, “Ugly Ducklings’ stock price is bound to fluctuate.”

"It's over, the Ugly Group... and the Far East too, nobody can escape!"

"Keep a close eye on this, a big deal is coming!"

--------

10:00 AM.

The online meeting room of the Ugly Group is still lit up.

There's really nothing left to discuss.

The plan was finalized, and each department received its task; the next step was execution.

But no one logged off.

No one suggested taking a break.

Everyone sat in their respective cubicles, some trying to sit up straight, some staring blankly at the screen, and some leaning back in their chairs with their eyes wide open.

Several others simply stood up and paced around the room, not daring to let their bodies show any sign of wanting to lie down.

Cigarettes, betel nuts, strong tea, coffee, ginseng soup... and several tables with multiple alarm clocks on them.

I'm afraid to sleep.

As soon as I fall asleep, I have to go deliver food.

Occasionally someone would say something in the meeting room, but it was always insignificant.

"Is the traffic starting to get congested outside?"

"almost."

"Ah."

Then silence returned.

Some people, out of sheer boredom, pulled up the list of attendees and glanced at it from top to bottom.

Of the 67 people on the list, only 23 are online.

The remaining forty-odd squares are grayed out.

He looked up and glanced at the others.

Everyone tacitly avoided touching on that topic.

Where did the remaining forty-odd people go?

The answer is obvious.

--------

airport.

Business class check-in counter.

The head of the strategic cooperation department handed over his ID card, his face showing the exhaustion of not having slept all night, and an inexplicable tension.

"Sir, what is your destination?"

Sanya.

"OK, wait."

The check-in clerk was typing on the keyboard when she glanced at the passenger out of the corner of her eye.

He was dressed in a suit and tie, with a first-class label on his suitcase, but there was something... off about him.

It's like they're hiding from something.

"Please keep your boarding pass safe. Gate B23. Boarding will begin in forty minutes."

"Thank you."

He took the boarding pass and strode towards the security checkpoint.

Once on the plane and leaving the capital, that person couldn't find themselves anymore...

Right?

……

High-speed rail station.

Business class waiting room.

The second person in charge of the marketing department sat on a sofa in the corner, with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him.

The phone screen was lit up, displaying the 12306 order page.

Destination: Chengdu.

Departure time: in fifteen minutes.

He kept checking the time and glancing at the door, his palms sweating profusely.

Someone walked over and sat down opposite him.

He looked up sharply.

It was an unfamiliar face, dressed casually, looking down at his phone.

He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back on the sofa.

almost.

In fifteen minutes, we'll be able to get on the bus.

……

Highway entrance.

A black minivan is queuing up to collect a card.

The second head of the data department was sitting in the passenger seat, and three other colleagues were squeezed into the back.

"What time is it?" someone asked.

10:20.

How much longer until we arrive?

"Let's get on the highway first and leave the Beijing area."

The driver stepped on the gas, and the car slowly drove into the ramp.

In the rearview mirror, the outline of the capital city grew farther and farther away.

The data department staff all leaned back in their seats and let out a long sigh of relief.

Once I leave this city, I should be safe...

Right?

……

International departures, check-in counter.

A passport was handed in.

Destination: Buenos Aires.

The check-in clerk glanced at the passenger, then at the middle-aged man in a suit, who looked unwell, as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Sir, your flight requires a layover in Frankfurt, and the entire journey takes approximately thirty hours."

"It's ok."

"Okay, would you like your luggage to be checked through?"

"Straight hang".

The check-in clerk typed on the keyboard, printing the boarding pass.

The man stood in front of the counter, constantly looking back at the arrival hall behind him.

They were afraid that some figure might suddenly appear.

The boarding pass was handed out.

He took it and strode towards the border inspection station.

阿根廷。

Thirty hours.

It goes around half the globe.

That person... surely wouldn't chase you halfway around the world...

Right?

--------

Since the announcement, the phone hasn't stopped ringing for the top executives of the group.

The first call came from the Far East Operations Director, surnamed Ma, in his early forties, a well-known figure in the industry known for his kiwifruit.