The rainstorm is like a note.
Qi Hao put one foot on the ground, parked the electric car under the eaves in front of the "Jindingxuan" door, and wiped the rain on his face. The glass door of the high-end restaurant reflected his embarrassed appearance - his hair was wet in front of his forehead, the blue takeaway uniform was soaked into dark by the rain, and his trouser legs were splashed with mud.
He glanced at his mobile phone: 18:47, and the order had been over timed for 17 minutes.
"Damn it." Qi Hao gritted his teeth. If it hadn't been for the car accident on the way that blocked the main road, he wouldn't have come across the heavy rain.
The door of the restaurant opened, and a well-dressed middle-aged man came out with a frown: "Where's my takeaway? Do you know how long I have been waiting for you?"
"I'm very sorry, sir." Qi Hao quickly took out the beautifully packaged lunch box from the insulated box and handed it over with both hands. "It's raining too much today. On the road..."
"Don't make excuses!" The man grabbed the lunch box, opened the lid and took a look. "It's cold! Do you takeaway delivery people have any professional literacy?"
Qi Hao lowered his head, and the rain dripped down his chin: "I'm really sorry. If you want, I can contact the merchant to re-..."
"Bang!"
The lunch box was dropped heavily into the puddle at Qi Hao's feet, and the oil stains and food were instantly stunned in the rain.
"Waste! I will complain about you to the platform. Wait for your account to be blocked!" The man left this sentence and turned back to the restaurant.
Qi Hao squatted down, silently picked up the scattered meal boxes and food, and threw them into the trash can. His fingers trembled slightly, not knowing whether it was because of cold or anger.
The electric car rushed into the rain again, and Qi Hao's vision was blurred by the rain. This is the third complaint this week. If it goes on like this, he will really lose his job. Mother's medical expenses, rent, living expenses... All the numbers hovered in his mind, like a sword hanging above his head.
When turning a corner, Qi Hao suddenly saw a man lying on the sidewalk. He braked in a hurry and almost slipped.
It was a gray-haired old man who fell motionless in the rain.
Qi Hao ran over in three steps and two steps: "Old sir! Are you all right?"
The old man's face was pale, his lips were purple, and he did not respond to the call. Qi Hao touched the old man's forehead - hot. He didn't hesitate to call 120, and then took off his coat to cover the old man's head to block the rain.
"The ambulance said it would take at least twenty minutes to arrive..." Qi Hao looked at the old man's painful expression and gritted his teeth, "No, I can't wait that long."
He carefully carried the old man up and put him in the back seat of the electric car. He helped the old man with one hand and controlled the handlebars with the other hand, and drove to the nearest hospital with difficulty.
The rain hit his face and it hurt, but Qi Hao didn't feel cold. He kept talking to the old man on his back: "Hold on, I'll be at the hospital soon... Don't sleep..."
The light in the emergency room is dazzling and cold.
"The preliminary diagnosis is acute pneumonia and mild stroke, which needs immediate treatment." The doctor said quickly, "Are you a family member? Pay a deposit of 5,000 yuan first."
Qi Hao was stunned: "I... I don't know this old man. I found him fainting on the way..."
The doctor frowned and said, "Then do you have the contact information of his family?"
Qi Hao shook his head, but when he was helping the old man change his hospital uniform, he found a wallet in the inner pocket of his suit. In addition to a thick stack of cash, there is also a business card: Lin Zhiyuan, chairman of Lin's Group.
His hand trembled. Lin's Group - one of the largest commercial empires in the city, a leading enterprise with a market value of tens of billions.
"Doctor, let's treat it first. I'll pay the deposit." Qi Hao took out the money from the old man's wallet and made up for the salary he had just received this month.
Three hours later, when Qi Hao was leaning on the bench outside the ward to take a nap, a sudden sound of footsteps woke him up.
"Dad!" A middle-aged man in a high-end suit rushed over with a few bodyguard-like people. When he saw Qi Hao, he stopped, "Did you send the old man to the hospital?"
Qi Hao nodded and briefly explained the situation.
The middle-aged man held Qi Hao's hand and said, "Thank you so much. I'm Lin Zhengguo, the current CEO of Lin's Group. If it weren't for you, the old man would be in this weather..." He didn't say any more. He took out one from the business card holder and handed it to Qi Hao. "If you need anything, feel free to contact me."
Just as Qi Hao was about to say goodbye, a weak but majestic voice came from the ward: "Is it that young man? Let him in."
Although Lin Zhiyuan's face on the hospital bed was still pale, his eyes were as sharp as eagles. He looked up and down at Qi Hao: "What's your name?"
"Qi Hao, sir."
"What do you do?"
"The delivery man." Qi Hao answered calmly, without hiding the conspicuous logo on his wet work clothes.
A trace of surprise flashed in Lin Zhiyuan's eyes: "I know who I am, but I didn't run away with my money, and I paid the medical expenses in advance... Interesting." The old man suddenly asked, "Would you like to come to Lin's to work?"
Qi Hao stared wide-eyed: "I... I have no relevant experience, and I didn't graduate from a famous school..."
"I started as a dock porter." Lin Zhiyuan interrupted him, "Experience can be accumulated and ability can be cultivated, but character... It's rare."
Three days later, Qi Hao stood in front of the headquarters building of Lin's Group, looked up at the glass and steel skyscraper, and took a deep breath.
The personnel department placed him in the logistics department, and the position was the most basic administrative assistant - to put it bluntly, he was a handyman.
"Newcomer?" A middle-aged man with oily head and pink face sat on the office chair with his legs crossed and slanted his eyes at Qi Hao. "Zhao Tianming, the head of the logistics department. I heard that you were specially approved by the old man?" He sneered, "There is no special treatment here. Go and take stock of the inventory in the warehouse."
When Qi Hao was busy with mountains of goods until late at night, he realized that this may be an opportunity, but the road ahead will never be easier than the rainstorm when delivering takeaways.
chapter twoAnonymous suggestion
Qi Hao stared at the computer screen and his eyes were sore. After joining Lin's Group for two weeks, his work content can be basically summarized as: printing, copying, sorting documents, sering tea and pouring water, and enduring Zhao Tianming's occasional difficulties.
"Xiao Qi, send this document to the marketing department on the 16th floor, and then go to the cafe downstairs to buy me a cup of American coffee without sugar." Zhao Tianming threw over a folder without raising his head.
"Okay, Supervisor Zhao." Qi Hao took the document and walked quickly to the elevator.
The 16th floor is the territory of the marketing department, and the decoration is obviously several levels higher than that of the logistics department. In the open office area, the brightly dressed elites pointed at the Apple computer, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance.
"Excuse me, is Supervisor Su Ya here?" Qi Hao stopped a female employee who hurried by.
The female employee looked up and down at Qi Hao's cheap suit and slightly old leather shoes, and pointed to the innermost independent office: "Supervisor Su is in a meeting. Just put the documents on the assistant's desk outside."
As soon as Qi Hao turned around and was about to leave, the office door suddenly opened, and a cold female voice came: "When will the market analysis report be good? Chen's Group is one step faster than us, and the chairman is very dissatisfied--"
Qi Hao subconsciously turned around and saw a tall young woman standing at the door. She was wearing a neatly cut dark blue suit, her black hair was tied into a meticulous bun, her skin was white and almost transparent, and her apricot eyes were bright and sharp.
"Are you?" The woman noticed Qi Hao.
"Qi Hao of the Logistics Department, I'm here to deliver the documents." Qi Hao quickly lifted the folder.
The woman - obviously Su Ya - frowned slightly: "Zhao Tianming let the newcomer run errands again?" She took the document and looked through it quickly. "This material should have been delivered yesterday."
"Sorry, I just took over this job yesterday." Qi Hao said.
Su Ya looked up at him, and her eyes penetrated like an X-ray: "The newcomer is not an excuse. In Lin's, efficiency is life." She turned back to the office and left a sentence, "Tell Zhao Tianming that if the report is delayed next time, I will report directly to Director Lin."
Qi Hao stood in place, feeling like he was being blown by a cold wind. He has heard of Su Ya, Harvard MBA, Lin's youngest supervisor, who is notoriously strict. Now it seems that the rumor is not trued.
On the way back to the office after buying coffee, Qi Hao passed by the conference room, and the sound of discussion inside caught his attention.
"... The location of the new retail center must be re-evaluated. The rent of the original business district has risen by 30%, and the budget has seriously exceeded the standard..."
Through the half-open door, Qi Hao saw several executives sitting around the conference table. A city map was displayed on the projection screen, and one of the areas was marked with a red circle - the central business district he was most familiar with when delivering takeaways.
"We can consider the emerging business district in the East District..." Someone proposed.
"But the passenger flow density there is not enough, and it will take at least two years to cultivate the market..." Another person refuted.
Qi Hao stopped involuntarily. In the past two years, he has shuttled through the streets and alleys of the city every day, which street has a large flow of people, which shopping mall is full on weekends, and which office building has strong white-collar spending power - these data are engraved in his mind.
"What are you doing here?" Zhao Tianming suddenly appeared from behind with a cold voice, "Eavesdropping on the high-level meeting?"
"No, I just passed by..." Qi Hao quickly explained.
"Go back to your seat." Zhao Tianming lowered his voice, "Don't think that the old man asked you to come in, and you can do whatever you want here."
That night, Qi Hao tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. The question of site selection at the meeting lingered in his mind. He knows an excellent location - Universal Plaza at the junction of the old city and the new business district. The rent there is moderate. There are more than 30 high-end residences and more than a dozen office buildings within five kilometers, and Metro Line 7 is about to be opened, which has great potential.
More importantly, there is a large supermarket that is about to be relocated. The site is ready and can be used with a little renovation. He accidentally heard this news from the supermarket manager when he was delivering takeaways last week, and it has not been made public yet.
Early the next morning, Qi Hao did something that might make him lose his job. He anonymously sent a detailed site selection analysis report to the company's comment box, focusing on Global Plaza, and attaching traffic statistics, consumption level analysis and traffic planning maps.
The report was completed by him overnight, and the data came from the city statistical yearbook and his own field observations. He didn't sign it and didn't dare to expect that someone would care about the opinion of a small employee of the logistics department. He just couldn't bear to see that the company might make a wrong decision.
Three days later, Qi Hao was taking an inventory of office supplies in the warehouse when the internal phone suddenly rang.
"Qi Hao, come to the chairman's office immediately." Zhao Tianming's voice was strange, as if he had been strangled.
Qi Hao's heart sank. Was the anonymous report discovered? Is he going to be fired for his slif-level suggestion?
The chairman's office on the top floor is spacious and bright, and the panoramic view of the whole city is outside the floor-to-ceiling window. Lin Zhiyuan sat behind a huge solid wood desk, in high spirits. He couldn't see that he was lying in the hospital not long ago.
"Xiao Qi, come and sit down." Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand kindly.
Only then did Qi Hao notice that there were still a few people standing in the office: the pale Zhao Tianming, several executives he didn't know, and Su Ya. She leaned against the window with her hands around her chest, and her eyes fell on Qi Hao inquiringly.
"Do you know why I asked you to come?" Lin Zhiyuan asked.
Qi Hao's palms were sweating: "No... I don't know, Lin Dong."
Lin Zhiyuan picked up a document from the table - Qi Hao recognized it as his anonymous report at a glance.
"You wrote this site selection analysis, right?"
Qi Hao's throat tightened. Deny it or admit it? He took a deep breath: "Yes, Lin Dong."
Zhao Tianming immediately jumped out: "Chairman, Qi Hao skipped the report without permission, which seriously violated the company's regulations! And how can he, an employee of the logistics department, understand market analysis? The data must be made up!"
"Shut up." Lin Zhiyuan's lightly written words made Zhao Tianming silent in an instant. The old man turned to Qi Hao, "Ten me, why did you choose Universal Plaza?"
Qi Hao stabilized his mind and began to explain his views clearly. He talked about the changes in the flow of people in various business districts observed when delivering takeaways, the consumption habits of surrounding residential areas, and even compared the usage rate of parking lots at different times in detail.
"... The most important thing is that the Baijia supermarket there is about to be relocated. We can directly take over their site, saving a lot of decoration costs and investment time. Qi Hao finally said.
The conference room was silent. Su Ya suddenly said, "Even our marketing department doesn't know the news of the relocation of Baijia Supermarket. How did you know?"
Qi Hao replied truthfully, "When I delivered takeaway to the purchasing manager of Baijia last week, I heard him and his colleagues say. They have rented a new site in Longhu Business Circle.
A trace of appreciation flashed in Lin Zhiyuan's eyes: "Observe with your eyes, listen with your ears, and think with your brain - this is the most essential ability of business." He looked around the crowd and said, "I decided to adopt this suggestion, and the new retail center will be set in Universal Plaza."
Zhao Tianming's face was extremely ugly.
"In addition," Lin Zhiyuan continued, "from today, Qi Hao will be transferred to the project coordinator of the new retail center and report directly to Su Ya."
Qi Hao couldn't believe his ears. Project coordinator - this is at least three levels higher than his original position!
Su Ya was obviously also surprised: "Chairman, Qi Hao lacks professional training and marketing experience..."
"He has practical observation and business intuition, which is exactly what our academy lacks." Lin Zhiyuan interrupted her, "You two complement each other. Su Ya, take him with you."
After the meeting, Qi Hao was still immersed in a trance. Su Ya stopped him at the elevator entrance: "Don't be happy too early. In my team, no one can live by luck." She handed over a stack of materials, "Memorize these tonight. Tomorrow's project launch meeting, I want you to put forward a specific investment strategy."
Qi Hao took the information of at least 200 pages and nodded, "I will do it, Supervisor Su."
When he returned to the logistics department to pack up his personal belongings, Zhao Tianming came over with gloomy and said, "Boy, don't think you're climbing a high branch. Su Ya is a famous 'iceberg witch', and there are many newcomers who can't survive for three months under her. He lowered his voice, "Remember, the logistics department will always be your 'home'. You are welcome to come back at any time."
The threatening meaning in that tone made Qi Hao's back chill. But he just replied calmly, "Thank you, Supervisor Zhao, for your care during this period."
When he walked out of the logistics department with a carton in his arms, Qi Hao looked back at the small office where he had stayed for two weeks. He knew that the real challenge had just begun.
That night, Qi Hao studied the information given by Su Ya in the rented small apartment until three o'clock in the morning. One of the reports on the competitive trend of Chen's Group caught his attention. This competitor, which has risen rapidly in recent years, seems to be deliberately imitating every major business decision of Lin's, including this new retail center.
What's more strange is that Chen can always take the lead, as if he knew Lin's plan in advance.
Qi Hao rubbed his swollen eyes and wrote down this doubt in the notebook. Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe... No.
Outside the window, the lights of the city are still bright. Qi Hao remembered what Lin Zhiyuan said in the hospital: "I started as a dock porter back then."
He clenched his fists. No matter how many difficulties ahead, this is an opportunity to change fate. He will never give up easily.
# Chapter 3 Crisis and Opportunity
Two weeks after the launch of the new retail center project, Qi Hao has adapted to the fast-paced working environment of the marketing department. Although Su Ya was almost harsh on him, he had to admit that the young supervisor's professional ability was admirable.
At the regular meeting on Monday morning, the atmosphere was unusually solemn.
"I just got the news that Director Liu and his whole team went to Chen's Group." Suya's voice was calm, but the rhythm of the knucks tapping on the table exposed her anxiety. "Along with what they took away, all our marketing plans and customer information for the next quarter."
There was an uproar in the conference room. Director Liu is a core figure in the marketing department and holds a large number of Lin's business secrets.
"This is obviously a premeditated cornering!" A project manager patted the table and said, "Mr. Chen, this is a naked commercial espionage!"
"The Legal Department is already preparing the litigation materials, but it will take time." Su Ya looked around the crowd, "The problem now is that there are only three weeks left before the 'City Shopping Festival', and we have lost the entire planning team. Who is willing to take over this mess?"
The conference room was silent. This project is of great importance. Failure means that Lin will be absent from the biggest promotional campaign of the year, losing hundreds of millions.
Qi Hao looked at the semi-finished plan left by Director Liu's team on the projection screen and suddenly raised his hand: "I can try it."
Everyone's eyes turned to him, surprised, doubtful, and more joking eyes.
"You?" A senior manager sneered, "A former delivery man who has just joined the company for two months?"
Su Ya raised her hand to stop more discussion and looked straight at Qi Hao: "Tels up what you think."
Qi Hao stood up and his heart beat like a drum: "I have no professional planning experience, but I have been delivering takeaways in every corner of the city for two years. I know which community has more white-collar workers, which area home users are concentrated, and which young people like to stay up late to have a late-night snack. He paused, "The essence of the shopping festival is to understand the needs of consumers and meet them. I may have a different perspective on this aspect."
Su Yaruo thought, "What kind of support do you need?"
"Three days, with a small temporary team." Qi Hao said, "I don't need the elite of the marketing department. I want a few front-line employees who understand grass-roots sales."
This request made everyone present uproar again. Don't use professional talents, but go to the front-line sales? It's just nonsense!
Unexpectedly, Su Ya nodded and said, "Here are three days. But the ugly words are ahead. If the plan is not qualified, you will bear full responsibility.
After the meeting, Su Ya left Qi Hao: "I don't know why Lin Dong values you so much, but this time you put yourself on the edge of the cliff. I hope your confidence is not fake."
Qi Hao smiled and said, "Supervisor Su, do you know why my takeaway distribution score has always been in the top three in the region? Because I know my 'customers', not only the address and orders, but also their habits and needs. The essence of business may not be so complicated."
That afternoon, Qi Hao formed his "miscellaneous army" - two mall promoters, a customer service representative, and Xiao Li, the only IT technician in the logistics department who is friendly to him.
"We need to reposition the target customer group." Qi Hao drew a mind map on the whiteboard. "Director Liu's plan is aimed at high-end consumer groups, but the main force of the urban shopping festival is ordinary families and low- and middle-income young people."
"That's right!" Xiao Wang, a mall promoter, said excitedly, "Last year, we prepared a large number of luxury discounts, and the best-selling products were household appliances and daily necessities."
Qi Hao nodded: "So we need to adjust the product structure and promotion methods. Xiao Li, can you help me contact a few takeaway riders? I need them to push the ground."
"Takeaway riders do ground push?" Xiao Li's eyes widened.
"They are the people who know the community best and know the consumption habits of each family." Qi Hao explained, "And they need a chance to make extra money."
For the next three days, Qi Hao's team almost lived in the office. They analyzed thousands of takeaway order data, interviewed hundreds of consumers, and even sneaked into competitors' promotional meetings to conduct field research.
Su Ya occasionally appeared at the door of the office, watching the group of people working passionately, and then left without saying a word.
Late at night on the third day, when everyone else was so tired that they fell asleep on the table, Qi Hao was still improving the last details of the plan. A cup of coffee was suddenly placed in front of him.
"There are two hours left before the debriefing." Su Ya stood behind him at some point, "Are you sure you want to do this? The people in the traditional market department will tear you apart."
Qi Hao looked up and looked at Su Ya's tired but still bright eyes: "Supervisor Su didn't come home either?"
"It is my duty to supervise the project." Suya pulled the chair and sat down. "Tell me about your core ideas."
Qi Hao took a deep breath: "We give up the head-to-head competition with Chen in the high-end market and turn to the neglected community economy and night economy." He called up a set of data, "Build a community group purchase group through the takeaway rider network, and use their distribution ability to achieve 'one-hour delivery'; at the same time, launch 'midnight special offer' for night owls to cover the consumption needs after the closure of traditional shopping malls."
Su Ya's eyebrows gradually stretched: "It's unconventional, but... Be creative. Do you know what the biggest risk is?"
"Trust." Qi Hao thoughtlessly, "Let the company believe that takeaway riders are qualified for this job, let consumers believe in this new model, and let merchants believe in the sales volume of this non-traditional channel."
Su Ya nodded gently: "Prepare your presentation. I will sit in the first row."
At the briefing, Qi Hao's plan was indeed fiercely criticized by the elders of the marketing department.
"Absurd! Tie the company's image with the delivery man?"
"Night economy? That little sales volume is not worth investing in at all!"
"This completely decays from Lin's high-end positioning!"
Qi Hao unhurriedly displayed the research data and pilot results: "Yesterday, we tested it in three communities. Through the WeChat group established by riders, we brought a pre-sale amount of 50,000 yuan, and the conversion rate was eight times that of the traditional promotion."
When the argument became more and more intense, the door of the conference room suddenly opened, and Lin Zhiyuan came in with the help of the secretary.
"I heard that there is an interesting discussion here. Let me listen to it." The old man sat in the back row.
The audience suddenly became quiet. Qi Hao felt a chill in his back - the chairman came to listen to the report of a junior employee in person? This is too much pressure.
"Continue." Lin Zhiyuan nodded to Qi Hao.
Qi Hao took a deep breath, simply put aside the PPT, and began to tell the various people and stories he met when delivering takeaways - white-collar workers who worked overtime until late at night needed a cup of hot coffee but couldn't find an open store, mothers with children alone urgently needed to pee but couldn't leave home, and the old man living alone wanted to buy rice noodle oil but couldn't...
"The essence of business is to meet people's needs, not just beautiful sales figures." Qi Hao concluded, "This plan may not be exquisite enough, but it comes from the real consumer pain points."
The conference room was silent. Lin Zhiyuan slowly stood up and said, "When I was young, I carried bags at the dock. I hated those managers who wore suits but never carried a bag of rice. Commerce is not an air pavilion, it is rooted in the dirt. He looked around at the crowd and said, "I support this plan."
In this way, Qi Hao's plan was approved. In the next two weeks, he and his team almost endlessly implemented the details. Su Ya went from the cold-eyed to the gradual participation at the beginning, and finally even personally came forward to coordinate the cooperation of several important businesses.
On the eve of the shopping festival, all the preparations were ready. Qi Hao and Su Ya stood on the roof of the company and looked at the bright city.
"Tomorrow is the time for inspection." Su Ya rarely said calmly, "No matter what the result is, you have proved yourself."
Qi Hao shook his head: "No, it is 'we' that proves the value of the team. Thank you for taking the risk to support me."
Su Ya's side face became much softer in the night: "Do you know? What I hate about you most is that you can always solve the most complex problems in the simplest way. This makes my years of professional training seem ridiculous.
Qi Hao smiled and said, "That's called complementarity. Without your professional control, my wild ideas can only be ideas forever."
On the day of the shopping festival, Lin's new model went popular. The community group was full, and the midnight special products were sold out in an hour, and the sales on that day were three times that of the same period last year. What's more surprising to the senior management is that this innovative model has attracted a large number of media reports, and Lin has won the reputation of "the most down-to-earth business group".
At the celebration, Lin Zhiyuan personally presented awards to Qi Hao's team. When Qi Hao took over the trophy, the old man whispered in his ear, "This is just the beginning, kid."
Zhao Tianming stood in the corner, looking at Qi Hao, who was supported by the stars, and a trace of gloom flashed in his eyes. He quietly took out his mobile phone and sent a message: "The plan has changed, and we need to speed up the progress."
Recipient: Chen Yuanxiang - President of Chen's Group.
At the same time, when Su Ya was sorting out the documents, she accidentally found an abnormal report - the key data of the company's recent projects seemed to have been touched. She frowned and stuffed the document into her briefcase.
---
## Chapter 4 Undercurrents Surging
On Monday after the success of the shopping festival, Qi Hao was officially transferred to the marketing department and became a member of Su Ya's team. At the same time as the personnel transfer email was sent, some gossip began to circulate in the company's internal communication group.
"Have you heard about it? The delivery man was promoted by pleasing the chairman.
"My cousin said in the logistics department that he often peeks at confidential documents."
"Supervisor Su hated him so much, why did he suddenly accept it? Could it be..."
When Qi Hao sat down in the staff dining room with a dinner plate, the conversation of the tables around him immediately lowered, and several colleagues even got up and left directly. He clenched his chopsticks and forced himself to focus on the food instead of those piercing eyes.
"Never mind, they are just jealous of your grades." Xiao Li sat opposite with a dinner plate and lowered his voice, "Zhao Tianming has been spreading your rumors these days."
Qi Hao smiled bitterly: "I'm used to it. When delivering takeaways, some high-end community security guards look at me like criminals.
"This time is different." Xiao Li looked around and said, "Some people said that you stole the company's secrets and sold them to competitors, and even hinted that you had a connection with Chen's Group."
Qi Hao's chopsticks stopped in mid-air: "This is ridiculous!"
"Of course it's absurd, but the rumor is like this. The more outrageous it is, the more people believe it." Xiao Li sighed, "Be careful. Zhao Tianming has been in the logistics department for many years and has a deep network."
Qi Hao attended the department meeting in the afternoon as an employee of the marketing department for the first time. He chose the corner seat, but found that Su Ya directly called him to sit in the front row.
"From today on, Qi Hao is responsible for the community development part of the new retail project." Su Ya publicly announced, "If you have any questions, please report to him directly."
After the meeting, a colleague "accidentally" spilled coffee on Qi Hao's suit.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." The other party apologized falsely, but with sneer in his eyes, "Anyway, your dress is not worth much money, right?"
Qi Hao was about to respond when Su Ya's voice came from behind: "Manager Zhang, I remember that the report of the South District you are responsible for has been delayed for two days. Instead of performing here, why don't you go back to work?"
Manager Zhang's face changed and he left in a hurry.
"Thank you." Qi Hao whispered.
Su Ya handed him a pack of tissues: "I'm not helping you, I just can't tolerate such childish behavior in the team." She paused, "However, you should really buy a decent suit. There is an important customer dinner on Friday, and you can attend with me."
Qi Hao looked up in surprise: "Me?"
"They are very interested in the community model you designed." Su Ya has turned around and walked away. "Don't embarrass me."
After work, Qi Hao decided to work overtime to sort out the information of the new retail project. At eleven o'clock in the middle of the night, he was the only one left in the office. Just as he was about to leave, there was a slight noise from the finance department next door.
There should be no one in the finance department at this time. Qi Hao walked over gently and saw Zhao Tianming operating something in front of a computer through the crack of the door, looking nervous.
"Supervisor Zhao?" Qi Hao pushed the door open.
Zhao Tianming turned around suddenly, and his face changed a few times in an instant: "Qi Hao? What are you doing here?"
"I just finished working overtime. You are..."
"If there is a problem with the monthly statement, I will correct it." Zhao Tianming quickly turned off the computer screen, "It's you, an employee of the marketing department, wandering around the finance department late at night, which is very suspicious."
Qi Hao noticed that Zhao Tianming had a USB flash drive with the logo of Chen's Group printed on it. He pretended not to see it: "Then I'll go first. You go ahead."
Walking out of the company building, Qi Hao immediately sent a text message to Su Ya: "I just saw Zhao Tianming using a computer in the finance department late at night, and there was a USB flash drive of Chen's Group on the table."
Su Ya's reply was unexpectedly fast: "Don't make a sound. I have also found some abnormalities recently. See you at the cafe next to the company at seven o'clock tomorrow morning."
Early the next morning, as soon as the cafe opened, Qi Hao saw Su Ya with dark circles under her eyes. Several documents were spread out in front of her.
"I noticed something abnormal last week." Su Ya directly cut into the topic, "The cost data of the company's last three projects has been artificially raised, and profits have been reduced." She pointed to the form and said, "The technique is very professional, which is not what a layman can do."
Qi Hao remembered the scene last night: "Do you think Zhao Tianming is tampering with financial data? Why?"
"Not sure. But what's more strange is that "Suya turned to another page," these projects that have been touched on happen to be the areas that Chen's Group is also following up. Just like... Someone is providing internal information for the Chen family to help them hit us accurately.
The two looked at each other and thought of a terrible possibility at the same time: commercial espionage.
"We need more evidence." Qi Hao said, "If Zhao Tianming really has a problem, there will not be only one person."
Su Ya nodded: "I have asked my friends in the IT department to monitor abnormal data access, but it will take time. You should continue to observe Zhao Tianming's movements, but be careful not to scare the snake."
Just as the conversation was deep, Su Ya's mobile phone suddenly rang. After answering the phone, her face turned pale: "My father is hospitalized with acute pancreatitis. I have to go to the hospital right away."
"Do you need any help?" Qi Hao asked with concern.
Su Ya shook her head and said, "You go to the company first. Remember, don't tell anyone what we talked about today."
However, that afternoon, Qi Hao still found an excuse to get off work early and went straight to the hospital in the city center. In the corridor of the inpatient department, he saw a completely different Suya - no longer the fierce workplace elite, but a tired daughter, busy alone.
"Supervisor Su." Qi Hao called softly.
Su Ya turned around, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she was annoyed: "I said I don't need help!"
"My mother just had surgery for pancreatitis last year." Qi Hao raised the insulated bucket in his hand and said, "I know that the patient can only eat specific food after the operation, so I made some light porridge and side dishes."
Su Ya was stunned, and her anger gradually dissipated: "You... Can you cook?"
"The survival skills of bachelors." Qi Hao smiled and said, "In addition, the most important thing in the first three days after the operation is that someone needs to observe the body temperature and urine output at any time. If you can trust me, I can stay up all night for you tonight, and you go back to rest."
Su Ya hesitated, "Why help me?"
"Because I know what it's like to take care of patients alone." Qi Hao's eyes were sincere, "When my mother was sick, there was no one to change hands."
In the end, Su Ya accepted this kindness. That night, Qi Hao stayed outside the ward and recorded Su's father's symptoms every hour. At three o'clock in the morning, Su Ya suddenly appeared at the end of the corridor, holding two cups of hot coffee in her hand.
"I can't sleep." She sat down next to Qi Hao, "Dad said the porridge was delicious, thank you."
The two talked softly in the dim corridor. Qi Hao talked about how he gave up college for his mother's medical expenses and began to deliver takeaways; Su Ya talked about the past when she and her father depended on each other after her mother's early death.
"So you went to Harvard to fulfill your father's wish?" Qi Hao asked.
Su Ya shook her head: "It's to prove myself. In the Lin family, everyone said that I rose so quickly because of my father's relationship. She smiled bitterly, "I didn't expect that the 'iceberg witch' also had this kind of trouble."
At this moment, the workplace gap between the two seemed to have dissipated a lot.
The next morning, Su's father's condition stabilized a lot. The doctor repeatedly praised the good nursing during the examination. Su Ya couldn't help but take a few more glances at Qi Hao.
On the way back to the company, Su Ya suddenly said, "Friday's dinner has been canceled, and the client is on a temporary business trip."
"Oh." Qi Hao was a little lost.
"However," Su Ya added, "Lin's annual innovation competition will start next Monday, and each department will form a team to participate. You... Would you like to team with me?"
Qi Hao looked at her in surprise: "I thought you would choose those MBA students."
"They already have a fixed team." Su Ya's tone was flat, but the corners of her mouth rose slightly. "Moreover, your 'wild road' can sometimes bring surprises."
In this way, an unexpected alliance was formed. And they don't know that this innovation competition will be the beginning of a bigger storm.
When Qi Hao returned to the office, Xiao Li came over mysteriously: "Do you know? The IT Department found that someone used Zhao Tianming's account to access a large number of confidential files during non-working hours. What's more strange is that these access records were later deleted and found by chance on the backup server.
"When did it happen?" Qi Hao's heart tightened.
"Last night, when you saw him in the finance department."
Qi Hao immediately realized the seriousness of the matter. He needs to tell Su Ya as soon as possible, but first of all, they need solid evidence to prove Zhao Tianming's connection with Chen's Group.
At this time, Zhao Tianming was talking in a hidden cafe with a middle-aged man in a straight suit.
"I have got the data, but Qi Hao may be suspicious." Zhao Tianming looked nervous, "If it is found..."
The middle-aged man - Ma Guoming, vice president of Chen's Group, pushed over a thick envelope: "Don't worry, even if you are found out, Chen will always protect you. It's that Qi Hao... It's really a trouble. Mr. Chen specifically mentioned that he should 'focus on taking care of' him.
Zhao Tianming showed a sinister smile: "Give it to me. In this innovation competition, I will make him lose his reputation."
---
## Chapter 5 Innovation Competition
The posters of Lin's Group's annual innovation competition are posted in every corner of the company. This year's theme is "Future Retail", and the winning team will receive a bonus of 500,000 yuan and the opportunity to report directly to the board of directors.
During the lunch break, Qi Hao and Xiao Li were studying the registration rules.
"I heard that Chen's Group will send someone to watch the finals this year," Xiao Li said mysteriously, "it seems to be to find opportunities for cooperation."
Qi Hao frowned: "Competitors came to watch our internal game? This is unreasonable."
"It is said that it is Lin Dong's meaning, advocating 'open innovation'." Xiao Li shrugged his shoulders and said, "By the way, have you teamed up with Supervisor Su? That's the 'Death Group'. The teams she led in the first two years were all brushed down in the preliminary round.
Qi Hao was surprised: "How is it possible? She is so excellent."
"It's just too good to compromise." Xiao Li lowered her voice, "Her plan is always too forward for the judges to accept."
While talking, Su Ya's voice came from behind: "Qi Hao, conference room, now. We need to determine the direction of the program."
In the conference room, Su Ya threw a stack of information on the table: "I have listed three directions: smart retail, immersive experience and social e-commerce. You choose one."
Qi Hao looked through it carefully and shook his head: "It's all great, but it's missing a little... Temperature."
"'Temperature'?" Su Ya raised her eyebrows, "This is not a cooking competition."
"The essence of retail is the connection between people." Qi Hao said seriously, "I have an idea - 'community is a store'. Turn each community into a small retail center and achieve five-minute express delivery through our distribution network.
Su Ya didn't take it seriously at first, but with Qi Hao's detailed explanation, her expression gradually changed. This plan cleverly combines online convenience and offline experience, using Lin's existing property and Qi Hao's takeaway distribution network to create a decentralized retail ecology.
"It's kind of interesting..." Su Ya opened the notebook, "but it requires strong data support and logistics algorithms."
"I have the data." Qi Hao said, "These are the consumption habits of various communities that I recorded when I delivered takeaways. As for the algorithm..." He smiled shyly, "I learned a little programming by myself in my spare time."
The more they discussed, the more dedicated they became, working from the afternoon to late at night. When the security guards came to urge them to leave, the preliminary plan had already taken shape.
"The detailed design will start tomorrow." Su Ya rarely showed a tired but satisfied smile, "This time... It may be different."
In the next two weeks, Qi Hao and Su Ya were almost inseparable. They drew mind maps on the whiteboard in the conference room, argued about technical details in the cafe, and even soaked in the company's test algorithm models on weekends. Colleagues were surprised to find that the "Iceberg Witch" would actually purse her lips and smile because of Qi Hao's joke, and the always gentle and polite takeaway brother would also give in in the plan argument.
On the day of the preliminary round, their "community is a store" program advanced without any suspense. The judges especially praised its "perfect combination of innovation and down-to-earthness".
"Do you know what the key to our success is?" In the elevator back to the office, Su Ya suddenly asked.
Qi Hao thought for a sim, "Your major and my experience?"
"No, it's you who dare to challenge me." Su Ya looked straight at him, "I used to lead the team, and no one dared to refute my opinion. As a result, there was always something missing in the plan. You are the first person to say to my face that I 'think too complicated'.
Qi Hao's heartbeat missed a beat. At this moment, Su Ya took off her workplace armor, and her eyes flashed with a sincere light that he had never seen before.
On the eve of the semi-finals, Qi Hao worked overtime until the early morning to prepare the final presentation. When he was about to leave, he found that the light in Suya's office was still on. Pushing the door in, I saw that she fell asleep in front of the computer with her glasses tilted to one side.
Qi Hao gently took off his coat and put it on her shoulder. Just as he was about to leave, an email on Su Ya's computer attracted his attention - the sender was "Chen Yuanxiang", and the subject was "About Cooperation Matters".
He froze in place. Chen Yuanxiang? President of Chen's Group? How could Su Ya have contact with him?
Qi Hao told himself not to doubt Su Ya, but his fingers moved the mouse disobediently. The content of the email is only one line: "The conditions have been negotiated, and the competition will proceed according to the plan."
What's the plan? Why is it after the competition? Qi Hao's heart sank to the bottom. Is Su Ya also a person of the Chen family like Zhao Tianming?
At this moment, Su Ya moved, and Qi Hao quickly exited the mailbox interface. He quietly left the office, tossing and turning all night, unable to understand everything he saw.
In the semi-finals, Qi Hao was restless and stumbled several times when answering the judges' questions. Su Ya was keenly aware of the abnormality, but had to save the scene frequently. In the end, they still advanced to the finals with the excellent performance of the plan, but the atmosphere has changed.
"What's the matter with you?" After finishing, Su Ya pulled Qi Hao aside, "Last night was fine, but today it's like losing my soul!"
Qi Hao hesitated again and again, and finally said, "I saw that you have Chen Yuanxiang's email on your computer... Say, 'It will be carried out as planned after the competition'."
Su Ya's face suddenly changed: "Are you peeping at my email?"
"I just... Worried." Qi Hao said with difficulty, "Recently, it was found that Zhao Tianming had a connection with Chen, and then you..."
"Do you think I'm a commercial spy?" Su Ya's voice was as cold as ice, "Two years of colleagues, do you look at me like this?"
"I don't know what to think!" Qi Hao said painfully, "The email is there, and you don't say a word about it..."
Su Ya took a deep breath: "That's my father's personal relationship with Chen Yuanxiang, which has nothing to do with the company. I can't say the specific content, but it's definitely not what you think." She turned around and said, "There are still three days left in the finals. If you decide to trust me, see you in the conference room at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. If not... It's up to you."
Qi Hao has been thinking all night. At five o'clock in the morning, he made a decision - to trust Su Ya. No matter what the email meant, he chose to trust her, whom he had known each other for two months.
At 7:45 a.m., Qi Hao was already waiting in the conference room with two cups of coffee and a newly revised plan. When Su Ya showed up on time, the two looked at each other and tacitly chose to temporarily put aside the controversy and focus on preparing for the finals.
On the last day before the finals, their plan has been polished almost perfectly. Just as the two were about to go home to rest, Xiao Li ran over in a panic: "What's wrong! Your plan has been leaked! Chen's Group has just released almost the same plan!"
Qi Hao and Su Ya looked at each other in shock and immediately turned on the computer to check. Sure enough, the "Community Retail Network" plan on Chen's official website is surprisingly similar to the core idea of their competition plan, but the name has been changed.
"It's impossible!" Qi Hao checked the release time of the web page, "24 hours ago... At that time, only the review committee had seen our complete plan!"
Su Ya's face was like ashes: "We're finished. Take this to the stage tomorrow, and everyone will think that we have copied Chen's.
Qi Hao forced himself to calm down: "Wait, what Chen's release is just a framework, without technical details and implementation steps. If we can redesign the core algorithm and business model overnight..."
"That's impossible!" Su Ya interrupted him, "It took us three weeks to achieve this step!"
Qi Hao suddenly remembered something: "Wait... When we first discussed it, did we have a backup idea? The combination of AR virtual fitting and instant delivery..."
"But that's just a rough idea, not developed at all!" Su Ya shook her head.
"It's better than nothing." Qi Hao has turned on the computer. "I know a few friends who do AR development, and you can ask for help overnight."
Su Ya looked at Qi Hao's firm side face and finally nodded: "Otay, let's try it."
That night was crazy. Qi Hao gathered his takeaway rider friends to provide community data, and Su Ya used all contacts to contact technical experts. At three o'clock in the morning, when the others left one after another, Qi Hao and Su Ya were still struggling to redesign the whole plan.
"You know," Su Ya suddenly said, "that email... It's my father who wants to talk about reconciliation with Chen Yuanxiang. They were partners when they were young, and then they made a fuss.
Qi Hao looked up and looked at Su Ya's tired but frank eyes: "You don't have to tell me this."
"I need you to trust me, just like I trust you." Su Ya said softly, "After tonight, no matter what the result is, I want you to know... You are the most special person I have ever met, Qi Hao."
This sentence was like a warm current injected into Qi Hao's heart. They looked at each other and smiled, and then continued to work.
On the day of the finals, while other teams were showing carefully prepared plans, Qi Hao and Su Ya brought up a new demonstration system. The judges were surprised to find that the program called "Virtual Community Mall" was more innovative and complete than the one that was leaked before.
"As you can see," Su Ya opened confidently. "Some people want us to withdraw from the competition due to the leakage of the plan. But we choose to respond with better creativity."
Qi Hao continued: "Real innovation is not a document or an ide, but the ability to solve problems continuously. Last night, we completely remade the plan, and the current display is only 30% similar to the previous one.
Their presentation amazed the audience. When Qi Hao demonstrated how to "try on" clothes through AR technology and place an order with one click, which was delivered by the rider within 15 minutes, the judges even applauded.
Lin Zhiyuan finally spoke as a special guest judge: "What I saw today is not only an excellent retail plan, but also Lin's most precious quality - the ability to cope in the face of danger and the spirit of never giving up. This is exactly the essence of business.
Without any suspense, Qi Hao and Su Ya's team won the championship. When receiving the award, Su Ya unexpectedly asked Qi Hao to speak on behalf of the team.
"Three months ago, I was still a delivery man." Qi Hao's voice echoed in the venue, "Lin gave me an opportunity to prove that innovation not only comes from the ivory tower, but also from the real needs of the streets. Thank you Su Ya for being willing to listen to the perspective of a delivery man, which may be the reason for our success - the integration of different perspectives.
At the celebration banquet, Lin Zhiyuan called Qi Hao aside: "I heard that the plan was leaked. Is there any suspicious object?"
Qi Hao hesitated for a moment: "At present, there is only indirect evidence... Point to Zhao Tianming."
Lin Lao nodded: "Continue the investigation, but be careful. The internal problems of the company are much more complicated than those seen on the surface. He coughed a few times, and his face suddenly turned pale.
"Lin Dong? Qi Hao quickly helped the old man.
"It's an old problem." Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand, but suddenly lowered his voice, "Qi Hao, no matter what happens, remember - the mall is like a battlefield, but never lose humanity. That's why I chose you."
This meaningful sentence made Qi Hao's heart tighten. Lin Lao's assistant had already come to help the old man away without waiting for him to ask.
Qi Hao turned around to look for Su Ya, but found that she was answering the phone with a solemn expression. After hanging up, she walked quickly: "My father's condition has worsened. I have to go to the hospital immediately."
"I'll go with you." Qi Hao said without thinking.
Su Ya shook her head: " No, you stay here. Zhao Tianming just left the scene secretly. I doubt what he is going to do. Staring at him."
Qi Hao nodded and agreed. When the banquet was over and he was about to leave, he received an anonymous text message on his mobile phone: "Server room, now. The evidence is here."
After hesitating again and again, Qi Hao still decided to take a risk to explore. When he sneaked into the usually locked server room, he found that a computer was open with a series of encrypted files displayed on the screen. The last open document is a detailed analysis of Lin's internal structure, marked with the "post-acquisition restructuring plan".
And the author column in the document attributes says: Zhao Tianming.
Just then, the light suddenly went out. Qi Hao heard the sound of the door being locked, and then smoke poured in through the vent. He rushed to the door, but found that it had been locked.
"Is there anyone? Open the door!" He hit the door hard, but only heard a sneer in the distance.
The thick smoke became heavier and heavier, and Qi Hao's vision began to blur. At the last moment, he sent a text message asking for help with his mobile phone, and the recipient was Su Ya.
Then, the world fell into darkness.
## Chapter 6 Crisis lurks everywhere
The pungent smell of disinfectant woke Qi Hao up from his coma. He opened his heavy eyelids, and his blurred eyes gradually focused on the snow-white ceiling.
"Are you awake?" A familiar female voice came from the right.
Qi Hao turned his head with difficulty and saw Su Ya sitting by the hospital bed, with thick dark circles under her eyes, and her face was particularly tired. It was already sunny outside the window, and it was obviously a whole night.
"I... What's the matter?" Qi Hao's throat was hot, as if it had been polished by sandpaper.
"Inhalation smoke damage is not too serious." Su Ya handed him a glass of water, "But the doctor said that if you were rescued ten minutes later, you might have a brain injury."
Qi Hao tried to recall the scene last night: "The server room... Someone locked the door and released the smoke... Documents left by Zhao Tianming..."
"When the fire brigade broke the door, the computer was already burned." Su Ya's voice was low, "There is no evidence left."
Qi Hao clenched the water cup: "But I saw it! The author of that acquisition and restructuring plan is Zhao Tianming!"
"I believe you." Su Ya sighed, "But the board of directors will not accuse a senior supervisor based on your words alone. Especially..." She hesitated for a moment, "In particular, Lin Dong was hospitalized this morning, and his condition is not very good."
Qi Hao sat up suddenly, and then held the head of the bed because of dizziness: "What's wrong with Lin Dong?"
"The doctor said that the heart problem was caused by long-term fatigue." Su Ya bit her lower lip, "What's more troublesome is that he signed a personnel appointment before he was hospitalized - you were promoted to the chairman's special assistant and reported directly to him."
Qi Hao's eyes widened: "Me? Why?"
"I don't understand either." Su Ya shook her head, "But this appointment triggered a high-level earthquake. Zhao Tianming's faction directly questioned Director Lin's judgment, and even proposed to temporarily replace the chairman.
Qi Hao felt a chill: "This is premeditated... They framed me first, then questioned Director Lin's decision, and took control step by step.
The door of the ward was pushed open, and Xiao Li hurried in: "Supervisor Su, the board of directors has been convened in advance! Zhao Tianming is promoting an emergency motion to call for the establishment of a 'provisional management committee'.
Su Ya immediately stood up and said, "I have to go to the scene. Qi Hao, have a good rest..."
"No, I'll go too." Qi Hao pulled out the infusion needle on the back of his hand and stood up. "If this is a conspiracy against Director Lin and the company, I can't lie here."
Half an hour later, Qi Hao and Su Ya, who barely changed into formal clothes, rushed to the headquarters of Lin's Group. Many executives have gathered in the corridor outside the board meeting room, and the atmosphere is as solemn as facing a great enemy.
Through the half-open door, they saw Zhao Tianming giving a generous speech: "... Director Lin's health has deteriorated, and the company is facing unprecedented internal and external problems. Chen's Group is staring at it, the internal management is chaotic, and there is even an arson incident in the server room..."
"That's a lie!" Qi Hao couldn't help pushing the door in. "I was locked in the computer room and almost died of smoke!"
The conference room was quiet in an instant, and more than a dozen pairs of eyes looked at him together. A trace of panic flashed on Zhao Tianming's face, and then he regained his composity: "Qi Hao, you're just right. The board of directors is discussing your qualifications as a special assistant.
A director frowned: "Are you the former delivery man promoted by Director Lin? I heard that you broke into the restricted area without permission last night and caused a fire alarm.
"I didn't start a fire alarm, I was designed!" Qi Hao looked around at the crowd, "Zhao Tianming has a secret contact with Chen's Group. He leaked the company's secrets and tried to..."
"Absurd!" Zhao Tianming interrupted sternly, "Do you have any evidence?"
Qi Hao was speech-string. The evidence has been destroyed.
"Did you see it?" Zhao Tianming turned to the board of directors and said, "This is the result of Director Lin's blindness. A young man with no background, relying on the chairman's favor, now even slanders senior executives!"
There was a lot of discussion in the conference room, and the expressions of most directors showed that they were more inclined to Zhao Tianming's rhetoric.
Just when the situation fell, Su Ya stood up and said, "Directors, I'm Su Ya, the head of the marketing department. Regarding Qi Hao's qualifications, I would like to ask you to take a look at this.
She took out a document from her briefcase: "In the past three months, the projects Qi Hao participated in have brought a 12% revenue growth to the company. The community retail model he designed is being imitated by the industry. As for the qualifications..." She took out another stack of paper, "This is the online business school certificate and programming certification obtained by Qi Hao in his spare time. A delivery man can still be so enterprising. What reason do we have to question his ability and potential?"
Qi Hao looked at Su Ya in surprise. He never told her about the lessons he had studied late at night.
Zhao Tianming sneered: "It's a touching defense. But what the company needs now is not inspirational stories, but strong leaders! I propose..."
"The proposal is invalid." A weak but majestic voice came from the door.
Everyone turned their heads and saw Lin Zhiyuan sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed into the conference room by his assistant. The old man's face was pale, but his eyes were still as sharp as eagles.
"Chairman! You should not be discharged from the hospital..." Several directors got up quickly.
Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand: "If you don't leave the hospital, your house will be stolen." He looked straight at Zhao Tianming and said, "The appointment of Qi Hao is my deliberate decision. Those who have opinions can now raise them in person."
The conference room was silent. Zhao Tianming's face was pale, but he did not dare to refute the chairman directly.
"Very good." Lin Zhiyuan nodded, "Next, I want to announce several decisions. First, set up a special investigation team to thoroughly investigate the server room incident and program leakage incident. Second, suspend all Zhao Tianming's duties and cooperate with the investigation.
Zhao Tianming stood up suddenly: "This makes no sense! I want to protest!"
"Third," Lin Zhiyuan didn't seem to hear his protest. "In view of my health condition, CEO Lin Zhengguo will temporarily replace the chairman from now on. As my special assistant, Qi Hao is responsible for supervising the work of the investigation team and reports directly to me.
After announcing these decisions, Lin Zhiyuan seemed to have exhausted his strength and leaned on the wheelchair to breathe. But he still insisted on adding: "Lin's was founded by me, and I won't let it be destroyed by insiders. Disperse the meeting."
After returning to the office, Qi Hao and Su Ya finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought we were finished." Qi Hao sat on the chair and said, "Thank you for speaking for me."
Su Ya shook her head: "I'm just stating the facts. But..." She hesitated for a moment, "Lin Dong's trust in you is really extraordinary. The position of special assistant is usually held by senior executives.
Qi Hao thoughtfully: "He seems to... What are you preparing? It's like making arrangements for the worst."
After the investigation was established, the progress was not smooth. The key evidence was missing, the witness's memory was vague, and Zhao Tianming bit to death and did not recognize it. The only valuable clue is some of the email records restored by the IT Department, which show that Zhao Tianming does have regular contact with an executive of Chen's Group, but the content is obscure and cannot directly prove commercial espionage.
Three days later, Qi Hao received a call from the hospital, and Lin Zhiyuan wanted to see him alone.
In the ward, the old man looked more haggard than last time, but his spirit was not bad. He signaled Qi Hao to close the door, and then took out an old-fashioned key from the bedside table.
"I have a safe in the Swiss bank." Lin Zhiyuan's voice was hoarse, "There is something you need in it."
Qi Hao took the key and was puzzled: "Dong Lin, I don't understand..."
"Zhao Tianming is just a pawn." The old man coughed a few times, "The real opponent is Chen Yuanxiang. Twenty years ago, he was my most trusted partner and the person who betrayed me the most deeply.
Qi Hao was shocked to listen to Lin Zhiyuan's story about the past: Chen Yuanxiang used to be the co-founder of the Lin family, but he went into hiding at the moment of the company's crisis, which almost led to the bankruptcy of the Lin family. Now he has come back with the Chen group, with an obvious purpose - revenge and seize control of the Lin family.
"I thought I could hold on for a few more years and watch you grow up..." Lin Zhiyuan smiled bitterly, "But time waits for no one. Qi Hao, if something is wrong with me, you should protect Lin with the things in this safe."
Qi Hao's throat tightened: "Lin Dong, you will definitely get better..."
"The mall is like a battlefield, and life and death are fateful." Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. Remember, no matter what happens, keep your heart."
When he left the hospital, Qi Hao was extremely heavy. He vaguely felt that he was being involved in a storm that was much bigger than he imagined.
Back to the company, he found that Su Ya was waiting in her office with an unusually solemn face.
"What's the matter?" Qi Hao closed the door and asked.
Su Ya turned on her laptop and said, "I have been analyzing Zhao Tianming's email exchange pattern. A strange phenomenon was found - every time he contacted Chen, he would immediately send an email to another internal mailbox.
"Another internal mailbox? Whose?"
"The problem is here." Su Ya sent out a list, "This mailbox is not clearly affiliated, but the login IP shows... From the chairman's office area."
Qi Hao took a breath of cold air: "You mean, there are more advanced insiders than Zhao Tianming in the Lin family?"
"And it is likely that he is a very close person around Lin Dong." Su Ya nodded, "What's more terrible is that I tracked other activity records in this mysterious mailbox..." She opened another document, "In the past six months, all the company's major decisions and confidential projects have been informed in advance by this mailbox."
Qi Hao felt dizzy. If this is true, then Lin's core secrets have already been infiltrated. And does Lin Zhiyuan know about this? Is his special appointment related to this?
Just as the two were lost in thought, Qi Hao's mobile phone suddenly rang. It's from the hospital.
"Mr. Qi, please come to the hospital immediately. Mr. Lin Zhiyuan's condition suddenly deteriorated and he is being rescued..."
The voice on the other end of the phone seemed to come from far away. Qi Hao only felt a bone-chilling chill from his spine to the back of his head. He hung up the phone mechanically and looked at Su Ya: "Lin Dong has an accident. I have to go to the hospital right away."
Suya immediately got up and said, "I'll be with you."
"No." Qi Hao held her hand, "You stay here and continue to investigate the mysterious mailbox. If... If something goes wrong with Director Lin, the company may be in chaos immediately. We need to prepare in advance."
Su Ya hesitated for a moment and finally nodded: "Keep in touch. Let me know immediately if there is any situation."
Rushing to the taxi to the hospital, Qi Hao held the Swiss Bank key tightly and thought a lot. In just half a year, he changed from a delivery man to a special assistant to the chairman of a listed company, and now he may face a business war. The turning point of fate is so sudden and so cruel.
The red light outside the emergency room is still on. Lin Zhengguo and several company executives have been waiting in the corridor with solemn faces. Seeing Qi Haoaloof and indifferent
### Chapter 7: Jedi Counterattack
For the next two weeks, Qi Hao was almost sleepless. During the day, he stabilizes the company's operation as a temporary person in charge, and meets with various "non-traditional" resources at night: the technical supervisor of the takeaway platform, the founder of the crowdfunding platform, and even the owner of the underground money store...
Su Ya uses her professional knowledge and connections to ensure that every step is legal and compliant. The two cooperated tacitly, one outside and the other inside.
However, Chen's counterattack came quickly and fiercely. First, the media suddenly broke the negative news of Qi Hao's "falsification of academic qualifications" and "relying on connections", and then the Securities Regulatory Commission received a report to investigate the abnormal fluctuations of Lin's stock price.
The most fatal blow came at the critical moment - the private equity fund contacted by Qi Hao temporarily changed its fortune and withdrew its financial support.
"It's over..." In the office late at night, Su Ya sat on a chair and said, "We lost."
Qi Hao stared at the computer screen and suddenly smiled, "No, we just won."
"What?"
"Look at this!" Qi Hao announced a newly released industry news: the takeaway platform "Kuaida" announced the completion of the B round of financing, doubling the valuation.
"So what?"
"My college roommate is the co-founder of 'Kuada'." Qi Hao said excitedly, "They have been looking for offline partners and are very interested in our community retail plan!"
After a late-night phone call, an amazing cooperation plan was born: Kuaida will invest in Lin's as a strategic investor in exchange for 15% shares and exclusive distribution cooperation. This not only brings urgently needed funds, but also gives Lin's dream of instant distribution network.
At the opening of the stock market the next day, Lin's stock price rose sharply, and Chen's acquisition plan instantly became costly. At the same time, the employee shareholding plan received a warm response, further diluting Chen's share ratio.
The decisive battle took place at the special shareholders' meeting. When the vote count showed that Chen's acquisition attempt failed, Zhao Tianming collapsed on the spot. What's more shocking is that Lin Zhiyuan came to the scene in person in a wheelchair.
"I announce two decisions." The old man's voice was loud, and he couldn't see his illness at all. "First, appoint Qi Hao as the new CEO of Lin's Group; Second, Lin's will set up a joint venture with Kuida, and Qi Hao will be fully responsible."
The audience was in an uproar. From a delivery man to a CEO, Qi Hao has created a miracle in business history.
After the meeting, Lin Zhiyuan privately told Qi Hao: "My illness is pretending to lead the snake out of the hole. But your CEO position is real - prove to me that you deserve it."
Qi Hao bowed deeply: "I won't betray your trust."
### Chapter 8: A New Journey
On the first day of his tenure, Qi Hao did a shocking thing - he walked into the CEO's office in a takeaway uniform.
"This is my root and the direction of Lin's future." He announced at the general meeting, "Instant distribution, community retail, online and offline integration - these are not concepts, but real business models."
Su Ya was appointed as COO, and the two began a drastic reform: cutting down redundant departments, rebuilding the supply chain system, and in-depth cooperation with takeaway platforms... Of course, there is resistance, but the performance says it all - within three months, Lin's stock price rebounded to a historical high.
Zhao Tianming's end became a warning to the industry - he was sentenced to seven years in prison for commercial bribery and embezzlement.
On a rainy night, Qi Hao, who worked overtime until the early morning, found that Su Ya's office light was still on. Pushing the door in, I saw that she was sorting out the documents.
"Why don't you go back so late?" Qi Hao asked.
"It will be ready soon." Su Ya raised her head and smiled, "By the way, my father wants to invite you to dinner at home on the weekend, saying that he would personally thank you for taking him to the hospital that night."
Qi Hao's heartbeat suddenly accelerated: "It's... Just the three of us?"
"What, nervous?" Su Ya blinked mischievously, "The newcomer in the business world will always be nervous?"
"If it's to see my future father-in-law, of course I'm nervous." Qi Hao blurted out, and then realized that he said the wrong thing, "I'm sorry, I..."
Instead of getting angry, Su Ya took a step closer: "You know what? At first, I really looked down on you and thought you were just a lucky delivery man.
"What about now?"
"Now..." Su Ya gently held his hand and said, "I found that the difference between the delivery man and the CEO is only a suit."
Outside the window, the rain stopped and the starlight covered the night sky. Over the city that could only be looked up to, Qi Hao finally found his own position - not as a spectator, but as a person who wrote stories.