Preliminary Exploration

Mo Corporation, National Key Laboratory of Battery Safety.

The atmosphere was even more tense than the sterile experimental environment.

Behind the massive explosion-proof glass, a brand-new "Polaris" series battery pack lay quietly in the climate-controlled test chamber.

On the main screen of the control console, countless data streams flashed by rapidly, yet everyone's eyes were fixed on the steadily rising red temperature curve.

"Ambient temperature at 37°C, preset value reached."

"Full-power continuous discharge test of the battery pack—begin!"

At the technical director's command, the power curve on the screen instantly maxed out, and the red line representing the battery's internal temperature began climbing at a visibly steep slope.

Time passed minute by minute.

The meeting room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

When the timer hit "73:14," a piercing alarm suddenly blared through the entire lab.

On the screen, the red curve breached the preset safety threshold, and a massive "Thermal Runaway Warning" pop-up dominated the center of the display.

"Stop!!" The technical director practically roared the word.

Everyone exhaled deeply, as if they had just narrowly escaped death, their foreheads slick with cold sweat.

The technical director removed his glasses, wiping them repeatedly with a lint-free cloth before turning to the elegant figure at the head of the table. His voice carried an unmistakable mix of lingering fear and relief:

"President Mo... the test results are in. They match exactly what was warned in that note. At 37°C, if we don’t reduce capacity by 15%, our battery pack has an extremely high probability of thermal runaway after one hour of full-load operation—meaning spontaneous combustion or explosion."

A collective gasp filled the meeting room.

Everyone present was a core technical expert at Mo Corporation, and they understood better than anyone what this meant.

It meant their flagship product—the one they took such pride in, the one about to go into mass production—had a fatal flaw.

If released to the market, under extreme summer heat, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Massive vehicle fires, astronomical recall costs, the complete collapse of their brand reputation, and—worst of all—irreversible human casualties.

"The person who sent that note... is practically a god!" another engineer muttered.

"He not only pinpointed 37°C as the critical temperature but even provided the 15% capacity reduction as the solution. Just how terrifyingly deep is his understanding of battery materials and thermal management?"

Mo Qingli sat quietly at the head of the table, her tailored white suit accentuating her cool, composed demeanor.

Her slender, pale fingers tightened unconsciously, the tips whitening from the pressure.

In her striking eyes, beyond the lingering fear, was a deep sense of contemplation and curiosity.

During the new energy project's press conference, a staff member had handed her a note.

Written in bold, powerful strokes was a single line:

"At 37°C, reduce capacity by 15%—life-saving advice."

At first, she dismissed it as malicious harassment from a competitor.

But the exceptional handwriting and the unshakable certainty in those words—"life-saving advice"—had inexplicably made her take it seriously. She ordered a halt to mass production and initiated this extreme stress test.

And now, they had uncovered a landmine capable of shaking the very foundation of the corporation.

"How did the staff describe the person who delivered the note?" Mo Qingli's cool voice broke the silence.

The secretary in charge of follow-up quickly responded, "According to the staff, he was tall and carried himself... unusually well. Though just a guest, his eyes were incredibly penetrating—the kind you can’t forget after just one glance."

Young, distinguished bearing, profound eyes...

A figure flashed through Mo Qingli’s mind.

Could it be a coincidence?

Recently, the biggest variable in Jingzhou’s business world had been him.

He had taken down Sheng Tian Real Estate with lightning speed and stirred up turmoil within his own family—each move defying conventional logic.

Outsiders called him impulsive and domineering, but Mo Qingli sensed something far more calculated beneath his seemingly reckless actions.

What was he after? And why help her?

A bold plan quietly took shape in Mo Qingli’s mind.

"Make arrangements. Send out invitations—next Friday, I’ll be hosting a birthday gala at 'Cloud Haven Manor.'"

......

Lu Corporation, CEO’s office.

Lu Chenyuan stared at the gilded invitation on his desk, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Mo Qingli’s birthday gala?

In the original storyline, this woman was a relentless workaholic—low-key, pragmatic, never known for throwing public birthday parties.

Unusual actions meant hidden motives.

He was almost certain this gala was a trap set specifically for him.

It seemed his earlier warning had taken effect.

Mo Qingli must have heeded his advice and verified the results.

That warning had been nothing more than a casual gesture, not part of his original plans.

After all, Lu Chenyuan was still reluctant to engage with Mo Qingli.

The original owner of this body seemed to carry deep guilt toward her.

But Lu Chenyuan did need a powerful, neutral ally—someone who could counter the Li family from the outside when the Lu family faced turmoil in the future.

And the Mo family was the perfect candidate.

Offering her a favor in advance not only prevented the Mo family’s crisis (as in the original plot) but also laid the groundwork for future cooperation.

Still, he hadn’t expected Mo Qingli to react so swiftly and directly.

Go, or not?

Attending would inevitably deepen his entanglement with her.

Instinctively, he felt wary of this woman—someone he had wronged in the original storyline, someone who ultimately turned ruthless.

But refusing to go would make him seem guilty, confirming her suspicions and needlessly alienating Mo Corporation’s future leader.

After careful consideration, Lu Chenyuan made his decision.

He would go.

But strictly as the CEO of Lu Corporation, attending a formal business event—nothing more.

Friday evening, Cloud Haven Manor.

Unlike the extravagant estates of Jingzhou’s other elite families, this place resembled a modern art gallery—minimalist yet sophisticated, every detail reflecting the host’s refined taste.

The gala lacked loud music or flashy decorations. Well-dressed guests mingled in small groups, speaking in hushed tones, the atmosphere closer to a high-end business summit.

Lu Chenyuan’s arrival caused a noticeable stir.

After all, he was currently the most controversial figure in Jingzhou’s business world.

At the entrance, a server politely guided him to a large white canvas.

"President Lu, President Mo mentioned that the best gifts are handwritten wishes from friends. Would you kindly write a birthday message for her here?"