Tit for Tat

Li Xiujian hung up the last confirmation call.

His financial operator had delivered the news in the most despairing tone—the cash flow in the "Celestial Secret" account had been under full surveillance before reaching its intended destination.

The other side might have even obtained the account's digital protocols.

This meant one of his most covert financial channels had been completely exposed, tearing open a deep, bone-chilling gash in decades of meticulous effort.

For the first time, an expression of mingled fury and icy calm surfaced on Li Xiujian's face.

He had underestimated Lu Chenyuan—and even more so, the combined force of Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli.

The computational power of Abyss Dragon Technologies, paired with the intelligence network the Mo family had cultivated over three generations.

This alliance wasn’t a simple case of one plus one equals two.

It was a net capable of covering every shadowy corner of the globe.

In a head-on financial battle, Li Xiujian had already lost the initiative.

Using any other secret accounts now would be tantamount to walking into a trap.

"Good. Very good..."

Li Xiujian muttered to himself, his voice rasping like rusted metal scraping together.

He slowly closed his eyes, rapidly mapping out a new strategy in his mind.

If a breach had been made in the fortress walls, then he would shift the battlefield beyond them—to a domain where Lu Chenyuan couldn’t wield technology and capital with absolute control.

Public opinion.

The hearts and minds of people.

These were his most formidable weapons.

Li Xiujian picked up a phone he had never used before and dialed an encrypted number.

The call connected.

"It's me," he said, uttering just two words.

On the other end, a steady middle-aged voice responded, "Boss, you’ve finally reached out."

"Gao Yuan, I’ve nurtured you for twenty-five years," Li Xiujian said, his tone devoid of warmth.

"From a lowly intern reporter to the editor-in-chief of Global Finance. Now is the time for you to repay me."

The man named Gao Yuan replied with utmost deference, "At your command, Boss. I’ll spare no effort."

"Abyss Dragon Technologies," Li Xiujian slowly enunciated the four words.

"I want their new energy technology to become, overnight, nothing but trash in the eyes of the public—a dangerous weapon everyone fears."

"Understood," Gao Yuan answered without hesitation. "Consider it done. By tomorrow morning, you’ll witness quite the spectacle."

Li Xiujian ended the call.

He knew this strike might not destroy Abyss Dragon Technologies outright.

But it would be enough to throw Lu Chenyuan into chaos, to crack the first fissure in his rapidly expanding empire.

He wanted market panic, investor doubt, and public skepticism.

He wanted Lu Chenyuan to taste what it felt like to have an invisible hand tightening around his throat.

...

The next morning, at dawn.

A storm of public opinion swept across the internet without warning.

The front page of Global Finance bore a headline in bold, black letters that struck like a thunderbolt:

Behind the "Myth" of Abyss Dragon Technologies: A New Energy Scandal Woven from Theft and Lies?

The article was incendiary.

It "quoted" unnamed "industry experts" who insinuated that Abyss Dragon’s new energy battery technology bore an uncanny resemblance to an unpublished patent stolen months earlier from a top European laboratory.

In an instant, dozens of online media outlets and countless influencers swarmed like sharks scenting blood.

They amplified the report with even more exaggerated, sensational headlines, furiously reposting, dissecting, and expanding upon it.

...

Negative news spread like wildfire.

Carefully orchestrated troll armies fanned the flames, rapidly igniting public outrage.

Doubt, anger, panic—

A deluge of comments flooded Abyss Dragon Technologies’ official accounts.

The company’s hard-earned reputation crumbled in an instant.

Partners who had pre-ordered their technology began calling for explanations.

The capital market reacted even more directly.

Though Abyss Dragon itself wasn’t publicly traded, stocks across the new energy sector plummeted at opening.

A flawless execution of a public opinion siege.

Abyss Dragon Technologies, executive conference room.

Lin Yuan and Ren Qian were in Lu Chenyuan’s office, yet neither showed a trace of tension despite the external turmoil.

Everyone carried on with their work methodically.

Once all tasks were settled, Zhang Qi briefly summarized the media frenzy.

Lu Chenyuan responded with calm certainty,

"Exactly as we anticipated."

He lifted his gaze, scanning the room, his voice clear and steady:

"Everyone, our opponent has played his final card. All we need to do is follow the plan."

He turned to the PR director. "Maintain silence externally. No response, no explanation, no argument."

"Wait—what?" The PR director was stunned. "CEO Lu, silence now will make the public think we’re admitting guilt..."

"Let them speculate," Lu Chenyuan cut in. "Let the fire of public opinion burn even fiercer. The brighter the flames, the more dazzling our countermove will be when we step into the light."

He then turned to Zhang Qi: "Legal department, continue gathering evidence. Make a detailed list of every media outlet and individual spreading rumors. Hold off on sending the cease-and-desist letters for now—wait for my instructions."

"Understood!"

"Everyone, get back to work." Lu Chenyuan waved his hand. "Remember, stay composed. The real show hasn't even started yet."

Though the team still harbored some doubts, seeing Lu Chenyuan's calm and confident demeanor inexplicably steadied them. They dispersed to carry out their tasks.

The conference room was now empty except for Lu Chenyuan.

He took out his phone and dialed his younger brother Lu Chenjin's overseas number.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Big brother!" Lu Chenjin's voice brimmed with barely contained excitement.

"I saw it." Lu Chenyuan's tone carried a hint of amusement.

Just an hour earlier, at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, the World Endurance Championship's qualifying round had concluded.

A dark horse from the East had stunned the racing world.

The "Flame Dragon" team, with Lu Chenjin as its lead driver, had piloted an unheralded domestic prototype car to a stunning second-place finish—defying the dominance of Europe's established racing giants.

It was the best result ever achieved by a Xia Country team and driver in this elite competition.

But even more attention-grabbing than the podium finish was the car's jaw-dropping performance: unprecedented range, mind-bending energy recovery efficiency, and—most remarkably—a battery temperature that remained stable throughout the grueling seven-hour race.

"Big brother, I did it!" Lu Chenjin's voice cracked with emotion. "I didn't let you down!"

"This isn't about letting anyone down—it's about bringing honor," Lu Chenyuan replied. "I'm proud of you."

From a rebellious teenager drowning in underground gambling rings to a professional racer standing on the podium of the world's most prestigious racing stage—Lu Chenjin had been reborn through months of hellish training.

"Have you seen the domestic media coverage?" Lu Chenyuan shifted the topic.

"Seen it!" Lu Chenjin's voice turned furious. "Those bastards! They have no idea how groundbreaking our tech is! Big brother, let me come back—I'll hold a press conference and shove the race data right in their faces!"

"Not yet." Lu Chenyuan chuckled. "Your mission isn't over. Prepare to return—with your car, your trophy, and your team. Our real battleground is here."

"Got it! I'll arrange it immediately!"

After hanging up, Lu Chenyuan's gaze drifted to the window.