Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 88 (Part 3)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 88.3 Extra [Sixteen years later III]
<Corporate Showdown: Immortal Science & Technology Sparks Feud, Best Partner IT’s Controlling Shareholder Responds with a Blowing Kiss!>
The situation flared up once more, with similar headlines dominating major media outlets the next day. Simultaneously, both companies launched a fresh round of promotional activities. Experts from prominent economic forums chimed in, making predictions about the ultimate winner in this corporate clash. Deng Mai scrolled through his phone, looking baffled as he messaged: {What's the game you two are playing?}
{Don't overthink it, everything is done at face value.} Lin Jingzhe responded on Best Partner MSG: {I'm swamped, no time for chit-chat. Let's switch to the Immortal accounts and use their voice messages. My private account is XXXXXX.}
"......" Deng Mai silently jotted down the numbers and commenced the download of the Immortal App. A sigh escaped him as he observed the progress bar filling up.
Mr. Lin, in this pivotal moment of survival, could you please show some awareness of your role as the controlling shareholder of Best Partner IT?
While waiting for Lin Jingzhe's Immortal account to accept his friend request, Deng Mai glanced at his friend and boss's username, 'Combing Baby Curls' Hair,' and his account avatar icon—an oil painting of a chubby white rabbit. Shifting his attention from the unwarranted display of affection, Deng Mai redirected his gaze to the computer screen. There, he coincidentally spotted an online news account publishing yet another analysis. The article earnestly explained how the personal conflict between Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe, now magnified into a struggle between two corporate giants, would exert an irreversible and significant impact on the domestic economy.
He couldn't help but typed——
— {Poor and Overworked Corporate Slave: Stop making these blind guesses about impact and whatnot. Those two are a loving family, to the point where it’s almost sickeningly sweet, while you guys are still out here digging at one another's eyes. Don’t you find it embarrassing?}
As soon as he hit send, a swift response came. The economic blogger, firm in his belief in foresight, retorted angrily, {No wonder your a loser stuck in overtime every day! Simple economic issues are beyond the grasp of illiterates like you!}
Deng Mai's brows twitched slightly. ‘your’...?
Being labeled as illiterate by someone equally lacking in literacy was simply unbearable. Contemplating his five houses, ten cars, and tens of millions in investment deposits, Deng Mai ultimately concluded he couldn't endure this.
Ready to launch into a heated argument, Deng Mai began typing, but to his surprise, a barrage of notification sounds erupted.
Clicking on his messages, he found a long queue already forming at the bottom——
— {xxx："+1"}
— {xxxxx：“+1”}
— {xxx: "I also..."}
— {xxxxx: "OP, it’s not just you..."}
"……"
The animated gif capturing Lin Jingzhe blowing a kiss to the screen swiftly found its place on the homepage of the Immortal Blog. In the animation, the effortlessly handsome Lin Jingzhe lounged on a sofa. His smile deviated from its usual formality, exuding a hint of carefree charm, and the casual wave of his fingers sent a palpable ripple through the onlookers.
Fans couldn't help but metaphorically bow down beneath his suit pants, their admiration palpable in excited exclamations. Amidst a chorus of ecstatic ‘ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh,’ a variety of unique voices gradually rose above the fan-induced clamor.
— {Don't u guys recall that this blown kiss was aimed at 192?}
As the situation evolved, the water army, initially orchestrating the chaos, no longer needed to exert themselves. After the troublemakers departed, while the fans on both sides still harbored a mutual dislike, the large-scale quarrels of yesteryear had significantly abated.
‘192’ served as Xiao Chi’s nickname, and another moniker was ‘Forbes #1’. Previously, whenever these names appeared in posts related to Lin Jingzhe, it was often laced with animosity. However, this time, the ensuing reply took an unexpectedly harmonious turn —
— {omg, what should I do if my male god blows a kiss to his opponent?}
— {Tonight we shall all be known as 192.}
— {Feeling a bit jealous here, though I think Mr. Lin might be at a disadvantage initiating this. I wish 192 would blow a kiss back.}
— {Upon some pondering, that scenario would be pretty interesting...}
This trend swiftly gained momentum within certain niche communities, giving rise to a plethora of lighthearted and sweet ideas. However, these delightful developments remained relatively unknown to the broader audience.
Many individuals, seemingly transformed into business analysts, fixated their attention on the enduring impact of this prolonged dispute. The rivalry between Immortal and Best Partner unfolded methodically, a wild competition that saw them splurging their promotional funds like a cascading waterfall. However, it must be acknowledged that both companies stumbled upon success by sheer chance. The outcome was a rapid surge in the popularity of their products within an exceptionally short timeframe, catapulting them leagues ahead of their competitors. While mobile communication software had been on the market for several years, the recent months witnessed an unprecedented exponential increase in new users. Beyond merely pitting two opponents against each other, this battle, akin to a typhoon in its intensity, exerted the most significant pressure on the other players in the field.
In contrast to well-established large enterprises, smaller companies initially held minimal advantages. Now, amid the escalating tit-for-tat between the two giants, the survival prospects for these smaller entities have grown even bleaker. In the pre-competition era, the customer bases of various mobile communication software platforms formed a diverse array, but in the current statistical landscape, only Immortal and Best Partner hold prominent positions. Many small companies that sought to carve a niche in the industry by capitalizing on its untapped potential have preemptively abandoned ship upon sensing the impending storm.
Within the conference room of Wenchong Technology, the presenter powered down the projector, summarizing the dynamics of this conflict from start to finish. As the final page of the presentation, displaying the recently announced list of registered active customers by Immortal Technology, vanished from the screen, Chen Wenchong nodded with satisfaction.
He had been anticipating this day for months. Ever since he instigated the Immortal and Best Partner conflict, he had drawn his bow but never released it, patiently awaiting this crucial data.
Best Partner and Immortal had amassed an impressive number of registered active users amid their intense competition, now dominating the peak of the market. The combined data from both parties almost enveloped the entire industry. To accrue enough influence, Wenchong Technology weathered the strain on their promotional funds, the steady depletion of their software customer base, and occasionally fueled the flames out of their own pocket. All the while, they continued lurking in the shadows like an invisible man.
Throughout this period, the outside world engaged in daily discussions about the ongoing battle between the two Internet giants. However, Chen Wenchong alone was privy to the fact that this was just a minor act. The preceding market competition between the two parties was merely a means to stretch their wings fully, and the true, intense battle wouldn't commence until there was no more room for expansion.
In the current scenario, winning meant absorbing the customer base of the other party. Yet, whether it was Best Partner or Immortal, neither could afford to sit idly and wait for their demise.
These two companies have been evolving since the 1990s, and their magnitude is well beyond what a nascent firm like Wenchong Technology can withstand. For others aiming to devise a game-changing strategy, their only option is to bide their time until the two titans engage in a battle to the bitter end.
The smaller players in the market have nearly all been intimidated away by the ongoing conflict, and the ultimate showdown between Best Partner and Immortal is on the brink of reaching its zenith. Chen Wenchong invested nearly 100 million U.S. dollars to amalgamate the software prowess of the two giants, creating a communication software poised to capitalize on the adversaries' last gasps.
Chen Wenchong gazed at the pristine white curtain, his satisfaction palpable. "Our moment has arrived."
"Mr. Chen, your brilliance knows no bounds." The seasoned employees in the boardroom showered him with admiration. "Your foresight is unmatched. Immortal Technology has announced an important decision to be made this afternoon, prior to eight o'clock. They are gearing up for another fierce clash with Best Partner. Meanwhile, our software will hit the market in three days at the latest."
Chen Wenchong erupted in laughter. Mobile communication software was destined to become a colossal profit goldmine in the future. He had essentially emptied his coffers to secure complete dominance. The astronomical sum he expended during this period to pave the way for his meteoric rise to stardom was staggering. Yet, he spared no expense to achieve this triumph. The total investment of 200 million US dollars might yield tenfold or even a hundredfold profits in the future. Perhaps, this opportunity could propel him to dethrone the two giants and emerge as the leading domestic Internet powerhouse.
After reveling in thoughts of a promising future for a moment, he snapped back to reality and queried his assistant with delight, "Has the allocated 30 million U.S. dollars for promotional funds been dispensed?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, everything is in order. We're just awaiting the opportune moment."
Thirty million U.S. dollars stood as the final component in his software promotion blueprint. Satisfied upon hearing that all was in order, he glanced at his watch. It was 7:59 pm, with less than fifty seconds before the triumphant announcement.
"Let's celebrate together tonight." Wenchong Technology had been tirelessly engrossed in orchestrating the clash between Best Partner and Immortal. Finally, the dawn of victory loomed near. In high spirits, he clapped his hands, displaying an uncharacteristic ease. "I'm treating all of you to commemorate your hard work during this period. Drink to your heart's content. Let's pick a venue everyone will enjoy."
The conference room instantly buzzed with excitement, and suggestions for popular clubs filled the air. Chen Wenchong picked a venue he favored, instructed his assistant to fetch his wallet from the office, and then rose along with the others, heading to the elevator in anticipation.
Amidst laughter and chatter by the elevator, the assistant tasked with retrieving the wallet hurriedly approached, his complexion drained of color.
"Why did it take so long?" Chen Wenchong scolded, his frown deepening. He then noticed the assistant's empty hands and demanded, "Where is my wallet?"
"Mr... Mr. Chen." The assistant gasped, shaking his head frantically. He was so agitated that he struggled to articulate his words. "Please... please, um, first, uh, turn on your phone and take a look."
A hush fell over the group for a brief moment. Chen Wenchong hastily retrieved his mobile phone and was met with a sudden shock.
The real-time headlines on a prominent portal website featured a captivating image—a photograph capturing two hands, fingers interlocked as they rested upon a table. The matching silver rings on the ring fingers emitted a brilliant gleam.
Chen Wenchong tapped on the image and found that it had been reposted by Best Partner IT on their Immortal Blog account. The previously muted status of this account had evidently been lifted as they reshared a post from the official verified account of New Beginnings Conglomerate.
The original post from New Beginnings Conglomerate had originated from Lin Jingzhe's personal account, accompanied by a single-word caption for the intertwined hands: {Ours}.
The post also included @Xiao Chi.
The official account of New Beginnings Conglomerate enthusiastically reposted the image with an applauding emoji, while Best Partner IT not only shared the post but also tagged Immortal Science and Technology’s account, adding the playful caption {hehehe cheers}.
In less than ten minutes, this original post garnered over 500,000 shares, with the comment section flooded with bewildered expressions and inquiries like {What is going on?!}
Even Immortal Science and Technology joined in, reposting the image with an added smiling dog head emoji. Trembling, Chen Wenchong clicked on the account, but the latest post from Immortal Technology was no longer the repost from Lin Jingzhe's account.
On Xiao Chi's account, he shared a photo of the same clasped hands, captured from a slightly different angle, and tagged @Lin Jingzhe, with the caption {Ours}.
Flux Realty couldn't resist chiming in, forwarding the post with the comment: {Okay, okay, you guys settle down.}
"..." The identical hands, the matching rings. Chen Wenchong was stunned by the revelation, his mind going blank for a few moments. Then he lifted his head in bewilderment, staring at the equally perplexed assistant in front of him, and asked, "What's going on?"
Then, a notification arrived, and at five minutes past eight, the 'important news' from Immortal Science and Technology finally surfaced belatedly.
Immortal Science and Technology: {[@Best Partner IT] I really can’t stand it, so let’s give ‘ours’ a try.}
Beneath this statement was an announcement declaring that the two companies would cease their rivalry, opting for a formal merger of their mobile communication software projects. They intended to collaborate, sharing their customer base and the functions of their respective software.
Best Partner IT quickly re-shared the post, offering no additional words but including three emojis: {🤗 😍 😘}
The succession of shocking news left Chen Wenchong, along with numerous netizens who commented below, initially considering it a mere hoax.
As he stared at the succinct cooperation notice, a sudden realization hit him: Wenchong Technology's $200 million in promotion fees had likely gone to waste.
Confused, Chen Wenchong took a few steps back, only to trip over a trash can and tumble into the stairwell. Staggering and losing balance, he inadvertently rolled down the stairs.
Everyone present: "..."
"Mr. Chen!"
The majority of people rushed to his aid, resulting in a series of screams and clattering sounds as a considerable number of individuals tumbled down the stairs.
"Ahhhhh——"
Chen Wenchong, wracked with severe pain after the fall, found himself further burdened by the weight of his employees totaling 200 kilograms: "…………"
"Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen!" The assistant rushed down, his shock intensifying as he observed, "Why are your eyes rolling back!"
