The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Heartbeat Progress 0.6%
Boss, Aren’t You Going to Do Something?

“What’s there to panic about?” The entire Phantom team was in chaos after such a huge incident, yet the boss calmly said this. Meng Yue really couldn’t understand it.

Fortunately, Zhang Rui spoke up in time: “Don’t worry. The boss already knew about this yesterday, and Xiao Gong (Xiao Yang) has already prepared a response. Just don’t be anxious.”

Hearing this, Meng Yue’s heart, still pounding from the shock, finally calmed down a bit. Curiously, she asked, “Xiao Gong, what did you do?”

Xiao Yang’s eyes remained fixed on the screen, showing none of his usual playful grin. “You’ll know soon enough,” he replied.

Meng Yue didn’t understand the technical details, so since they already had a plan, she could only wait and see.

The Jixing Technology press conference proceeded quickly. At exactly 10:20 a.m., the download officially opened.

The moment Zhou Huai announced the start of the download, Xiao Yang hit the Enter key to execute a command. He finally broke out of his focused state, his expression suddenly changing.

“Meng Jie was right. It’s bad enough that they stole the source code, but they even stole my technology. That’s really going too far,” Xiao Yang said, turning around and pointing at the TV screen, indignantly.

“Boss, aren’t you going to do something? Do you have any idea how many hairs I lost researching this?” he continued.

“Ever since I joined Team One, I’ve been working day and night. Look at these dark circles under my eyes—they still haven’t faded…”

As he spoke, he pretended to wipe away bitter tears, looking very pitiful.

Even though it was mostly an act, Gu Che still frowned and took out his phone to call the legal department. “After the Miss launch finishes, send Jixing and Tao Hong a lawyer’s letter and hold them accountable for stealing research results.”

Zhang Rui glanced at the boss through the rearview mirror, then quickly looked away and focused on driving.

Yesterday, Gu Che had already ordered not to pursue Tao Hong and company further. But they had still stolen Phantom’s new technology and even publicly released it ahead of Phantom at the conference, causing incalculable losses.

Fortunately, the code Xiao Yang embedded ran successfully: the moment Jixing opened the download link, the software source code was immediately destroyed on site, and the download redirected to a promotional video for Phantom’s Miss app.

Within a minute, netizens noticed something was wrong, and reporters at the press conference began questioning.

“Mr. Zhou, could you explain why the download link your company provided leads to the promotional video of the Miss app?”

“As far as we know, the software your company just released is almost identical to Phantom’s Miss app, which Phantom has been promoting for a long time. Moreover, you held your launch on the same day, even an hour earlier than Phantom. Is there any particular reason for this?”

“Mr. Zhou, we’ve heard that Mr. Tao Hong, who just presented the technical briefing, was still working at Phantom yesterday. Why is he here at Jixing’s launch today?”

“Mr. Zhou, please clarify.”

The questions came fast and hard, obviously pre-arranged and targeting Zhou Huai directly.

Under the cameras, Zhou was caught off guard.

Someone quickly whispered into his ear, and his expression instantly darkened. He forced a smile, speaking hollowly: “You guessed correctly.”

He took a deep breath, looking into the camera: “Today’s launch is a joint event between Jixing and Phantom, arranged to stir up attention for Miss’s official release.”

“That’s why Mr. Tao Hong appears here.”

Zhou nodded slightly. “Alright everyone, I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye.”

Reporters tried to follow him, but were blocked by staff. Seconds later, the live stream ended abruptly amid chaos.

“Seriously?” Xiao Yang was speechless and stunned. “Everyone knows Jixing and Phantom are sworn enemies. How could he say such nonsense? Who would believe it?”

Such a major crisis was diffused by the enemy in just a few words. He was extremely frustrated.

In the front row, Meng Yue clapped happily, very satisfied. “Did you see that? She’s really getting under Zhou Huai’s skin—he almost bit his tongue off.”

“Xiao Gong’s move was brilliant, well done.”

They had tried to corner Phantom and throw dirt on them for plagiarism. But Xiao Yang’s move not only turned the hundreds of millions spent on marketing into Phantom’s free advertising but also made Jixing lose face publicly. Zhou must be fuming.

Gu Che had just turned off the TV when his phone rang. Caller ID showed Zhou Huai.

He didn’t answer immediately. After the third call, when the other side clearly wouldn’t give up, he put on his earphones and picked up. “Mr. Zhou, what’s the matter?”

“Gu Che, you bastard, you’re playing dirty,” Zhou shouted angrily.

“I was already in this industry when you were still playing in the mud. How dare you use tricks like this on me? You’re far from being my match.”

“They say to leave some room when dealing with others so you can meet again in the future. Did you ever think that pushing me too hard wouldn’t benefit you?”

Since Zhou was calling, it was definitely bad news. Xiao Yang and Meng Yue looked at Gu Che nervously, waiting to see how he would respond.

The car slowed and stopped. Zhang Rui adjusted the wheel and parked.

“Mr. Zhou, if you hadn’t attacked Miss first, none of this would have happened,” Gu Che said, tilting his head slightly with a cold smile. “If you had any urgency, you wouldn’t be calling me now.”

Zhou was indeed anxious. If this couldn’t be resolved properly, Jixing would be branded as a thief and plagiarist.

Despite Gu Che’s blunt tone, Zhou couldn’t just hang up.

He forced down his anger and took on an air of superiority. “Since it’s come to this, let’s both take a step back. I won’t pursue the millions you wasted on marketing, and you keep a consistent story, don’t cause more trouble.”

After parking, Zhang Rui reminded, “Boss, time is running out.”

Gu Che tapped his chin, and Meng Yue and Xiao Yang quickly packed their things to get out.

Zhang Rui got out and opened the door for Gu Che.

The call continued, and Gu Che leaned forward to exit but refused to back down. “Why should I?”

The victim shouldn’t be told not to stir up trouble—it was absurd.

He started walking toward the elevator, Xiao Yang quickly followed, trying to eavesdrop.

Unfortunately, the Bluetooth headset was good quality—no words leaked out.

Both sides fell into silent negotiation.

Zhou was no fool. He knew Gu Che’s timely counterattack meant he was already aware of everything and likely had evidence. If Gu Che refused to compromise, it would be a huge threat to Jixing.

Zhou sighed deeply and made a proposal: “I’ll give you advertising on commercial screens in ten major cities.”

Originally meant for his own company, he was now making gifts for his rival.

The elevator dinged as it arrived. Gu Che walked in casually. “Fifteen,” he said.

Zhou wanted to get angry but held it back. “Deal. But you must give me the evidence.”

“Fine.” Gu Che hung up and looked refreshed.

“How did it go?” Xiao Yang approached, blinking curiously. “What did that old crook say?”

Gu Che glanced at him and shook his head, saying nothing.

After leaving the elevator, Gu Che stepped aside to make another call. Zhang Rui, sensing it, led Xiao Yang and Meng Yue away to wait.

Meng Yue glanced over and murmured, “They must have made a deal. The boss looks pretty happy.”

“A deal?” Xiao Yang frowned, confused. “We’ve got their evidence. Why not sue them? Just let it go?”

Meng Yue shrugged, giving a ‘you’re still young’ expression. “Xiao Gong, you’re too naive. If it were so easy to take down a top player in the industry just with evidence, it’d be way too simple.”

“Even if we sue, they’ll find a scapegoat and claim it was an individual’s actions, not the company’s. Then it all gets downplayed, and Jixing’s position won’t be shaken.”

Seeing Xiao Yang’s disappointed face, she comforted him: “Come on, Gu Che built Phantom from scratch over more than ten years. Getting it this far is already amazing. He’s in a tough spot too.”

Xiao Yang was silent and turned away.

This wasn’t the ending he expected. When he coded yesterday, he was eager to expose Jixing’s ugly face to everyone, make them trip on their own stones, and let the villains get what they deserved.

But when the big stone hit down, only a few drops splashed. It was frustrating.

There was no time to watch the Miss launch. Gu Che led them into the venue for the smart assistive glasses bidding meeting.

The project was initiated by the National Blind Association, jointly sponsored by several charity organizations, and was more public welfare-oriented. Big companies didn’t care, so mostly those seeking public relations came.

Applications had been submitted long ago. Companies took turns presenting demos and animations by lottery order.

Phantom was sixth. Xiao Yang quickly spotted the seat with Phantom’s logo and sat down. Zhang Rui and Meng Yue followed, leaving the middle seat empty.

“Gu CEO, long time no see.”

Hearing this, Gu Che turned, recognized the familiar face, and extended his hand. “Mr. Zhang, hope all is well.”

Zhang Wei smiled kindly and shook his hand, lowering his voice to praise him: “Well done.”

Both smiled knowingly and let go.

Xiao Yang yawned. The car ride was too long; his body felt limp. He stretched lazily.

A few seconds later, Gu Che finished chatting and turned, accidentally tripping on something and “crashing” into the seat in front, attracting everyone’s attention.