Chapter 151: Shrimp with Pig Heart? How Terrifying! - It’s the Cyber Age—Still Playing a Traditional Villain?

Chapter 151: Shrimp with Pig Heart? How Terrifying! Su Lin's report came as no surprise to Xu Shi. After all, it was the company's main focus recently—well, except for the development of special weapons, but if it were that issue, it wouldn't be Su Lin reporting, Jiang Cheng Cheng would come herself. "What's the specific situation?" He even felt slightly relieved, thinking, finally, there's a conclusion. Perhaps he had become so accustomed to the busy period earlier that a long vacation felt somewhat unsettling... “It went differently than you expected.” Su Lin's tone held a bit of difficulty, "Because Lin Wen Hua didn't fail; instead, he... succeeded." "Is that so?" Xu Shi raised an eyebrow and then smiled, "Alright, I got it. Fill me in when I get back." "Your smile is so sneaky." Xie Qing Yan couldn't hear what was being said over the communication, but she saw Xu Shi's expression clearly. She immediately suspected he must be up to something mischievous again. "Is it?" Xu Shi ended the call and gently patted his face. "That's definitely the case." His fiancée rolled her eyes at him, "I'm curious, care to share?" "Not a problem." Xu Shi thought it over and decided not to keep it from her, explaining his earlier arrangements to her. “You’re willing to spend so much on this?” Xie Qing Yan looked as if she had seen a ghost, "Using the second phase of Project 'Overlimit' with 'Serpent Ring' as a price, just to eliminate dissent?" Admittedly, the move seemed bold to her, knowing it would definitely incur losses, enough to make anyone's heart ache at the thought... "You're tearing flesh to heal wounds." With a rare warning, the usually indifferent young woman said, "Be careful not to overplay your hand." "But it's rotten flesh." Xu Shi didn't feel any pain at the concern, "I just know that an abscess has to be lanced, or the pus will never come out. Besides, you've also experienced leadership changes; you shouldn't be so surprised, should you?" “...You’ve got a point.” Xie Qing Yan paused, then had no comment, "If that's the case, better get going, alright? If you need help... just say the word." "Much appreciated." Xu Shi waved his hand and strode out of the office. Sitting back at her desk, Xie Qing Yan was left in thought. Xu Shi wasn't wrong; she had undergone power transitions herself. Yet the situation between her and this troublesome man couldn't be generalized. In truth, the transition in "Prism" was quite smooth. She had always been regarded as a high-end talent in the company. While her fiancé partied, she was interning at the grassroots level; thus, before her father's death, he didn’t even have to instruct. The heads of various departments already backed her. Those few who disobeyed didn’t even need her intervention to be dealt with collectively. So, she never had to really "remove internal threats" before... which explains her surprise at Xu Shi's actions. This man truly knows when to hold and when to fold. His words aren’t baseless either; Lin Wen Hua being a chronic thorn would always be trouble, so some extra cost might be understandable. But on the topic, so "Serpent Ring" is also in the second phase of the "Overlimit Project," right? Don't pretend there's another reason; if you did, you did... or maybe Xu Shi was prepared all along, secretly finding someone else to genuinely research... “Gosh, Xu Shi, you deceptive fool!” Xie Qing Yan playfully cursed. This guy was utterly hateful. While speaking as if his intentions were noble, wasn’t he still scheming behind her back? Yet, thinking about it, isn’t it strange? If he were really scheming, he wouldn’t explain it in such detail to her, would he? Xu Shi kept the secret well; if he truly held his tongue, she might never have known until too late. So was he preemptively warning her then? You now know the situation, so avoid doing anything that might harm cooperation, or face the consequences. Makes sense when considered. If he truly fell out with Lin Wen Hua, the latter approaching "Prism" wasn't out of the question; thus, blocking paths and squashing ambitions preemptively was somewhat necessary. Particularly given her record, she needed to be extra careful. Understanding the context thoroughly, Xie Qing Yan sank into her chair, letting out a resigned sigh. Months ago, she might have wavered, but not now. She clearly knew what was more important. Still, the feeling of being held under scrutiny by him didn’t sit well. Honestly, she didn’t dare say she harbored no intentions towards Xu Shi, but she had just saved someone for him! Acting so ungrateful was a bit much! For some reason, such sentiments made her increasingly irritable, sparking a desire to smash things to vent. Ultimately, she restrained herself, taking up pen and paper to sketch a caricature of Xu Shi, adding a pig nose before crumpling and tossing it into the trash. “Whatever, being a spectator isn’t so bad after all.” ... Meanwhile, back at the company, Xu Shi naturally sought out Su Lin first. “No matter how I called you, you didn’t respond, but the moment something concerning Lin Wen Hua comes up, you’re back.” Su Lin teased, “If you have some special emotions toward him, you could just tell me.” “Isn’t it exactly a special emotion? The feeling of wanting to chop a senior into eight pieces.” Xu Shi joked, “Besides, think about it, I came back looking for you first, by your logic, doesn’t this mean I have deeper feelings for you?” Su Lin thought to herself, who else would you find first upon returning? She wore a façade of deep sentiment, realizing his words were more amusing than sincere... If he truly cared deeply, would he have stayed at the hospital with Xia Wu You for over two weeks without returning? Let’s not argue further here. Not dragging the banter on, though, there were serious matters to discuss. And there’d be plenty of time to spar with the young master later. “This is the chip sample Lin Wen Hua wanted me to pass to you.” She handed over a small box along with some documents, “There are also parameter reports and clinical records.” “Can’t be bothered, not in the mood.” Xu Shi took it, only opening the box for a glance, “Just tell me how effective it is.” “More efficient than the first phase of ‘Gemini’.” Su Lin hesitated before saying, “Although it’s slightly below what we discussed, as a new product entering the market, there are no issues.” “And, he also avoided the traps Jiang Cheng Cheng set for him, seemingly... not very effective?” From a corporate standpoint, such a result isn’t bad at all. But the issue was this served as Xu Shi's pretext to eliminate Lin Wen Hua, and it’s turning out not as they wanted. "Wow, impressive." Hearing this, Xu Shi couldn't help but murmur in praise, as it was truly an achievement, wasn't it? Tasked last minute, with a cobbled-together team and incorrect reference materials... Lin Wen Hua still managed to deliver a passing grade. One must admit, he has genuine talent and isn't like Jiang Feng Shan, who deteriorated with age. “Uncle Lin must be very busy lately, huh?” And so he asked. “He truly is.” Su Lin nodded, “Haven’t seen him dedicate himself so much to technology in years, often going days without rest... last time it was when you were thirteen, during the joint development of city defense cannons with the master.” “Oh, is that so.” Xu Shi chuckled warmly, “It’s no small feat... then, arrange for a commendation meeting.” “Hmm?” Su Lin was momentarily caught off guard; weren’t you planning to remove him? So, why the praise now? “What’s with that look?” Xu Shi glanced at her, “What’s wrong with holding a commendation meeting?” “I didn’t say we’re commending anyone specific, did I?” ... In this fast-paced era, many things move with fierce urgency. Early the next morning, the commendation for the new product commenced. Unlike standard company meetings, this affected a wider range, including not just department heads but a vast majority of ordinary employees as well. There was widespread enthusiasm about it. Of course, for most, it wasn’t about pride in the new product, but more because Xu Shi announced that after the morning meeting, there’d be an afternoon off... A half-day of paid leave is rare and enough to fill the hearts of jaded workers with a sense of harvest joy. Xu Shi was equally pleased, watching Lin Wen Hua sitting beside him with a broad smile. The elder clearly appeared fatigued and worn-out. It was evident that Su Lin's intel was accurate—Lin Wen Hua truly had been burning the midnight oil for a significant period to develop the second-generation chip, and at his age, it wasn't easy. But seeing Xu Shi's smug demeanor and the lively atmosphere of the venue, Lin Wen Hua felt a bit better. After all, he was well aware that Xu Shi's appointment of him in charge was a way to create trouble for him—In the adult world, indirect tactics are common. If there's no evident fault with Lin Wen Hua, then faults would be manufactured to take him down. Fortunately, he wasn't a simpleton, and in the end, he succeeded in developing the chip. Did Xu Shi think he wouldn't notice the gaps in the given information? When he was younger, he was at least a skilled technician; such traps couldn't stump him. Now, he wished to see how Xu Shi would respond. Under such scrutiny, would he dare to stir up trouble? That wouldn't sit well with anyone. With this thought, a smirk appeared on his face. In this delicate atmosphere, the commendation meeting began. Long-winded introductions are never absent at such events, and Xu Shi handled it with ease. An hour-long speech, summarized as: "Since I’ve been asked to say a few words, here they are. I've pondered for a while, and these are the words I’ve chosen to say. I believe these words are better than others; so for today, I'll just say these few. If anyone feels these few words are insufficient, I can add a few more." Crafting rounds of meaningless words requires skill, Xu Shi truly understood this firsthand. Not only was everyone exhausted listening, but he was just as tired saying them... "…In essence, that's about it." Xu Shi cleared his throat, "As for the latest second-generation augmentation chip, its tested effectiveness far surpasses 'Gemini.'" "This marks a significant step for Night Sin City and 'Serpent Ring,' so everyone involved in its development deserves recognition." He smiled warmly, "Firstly, worthy of applause is Jiang Cheng Cheng, the head of the Engineering Department." "Clearly, since taking over the Engineering Department, Supervisor Jiang has been remarkably effective, with new products launched in succession being the best testament." "You're too kind, Chairman Xu." Jiang Cheng Cheng stood up bashfully, "This is merely my duty, and I will continue to strive moving forward." "Great, I'm rooting for you." Xu Shi exchanged a glance from afar with her, "Also, members under the Engineering Department, especially the 'Forgotten Ones' who recently joined our group, have shown impressive contributions. Keep it up, and raises and promotions are just around the corner." This particularly thrilled the group known as the 'Forgotten Ones'—honestly, Xu Shi treated them well, arguably better than their past harsh days outside the city. They were gradually finding a sense of belonging. Promotions and raises weren't just empty promises; they were indeed being realized… Oh, the sweetness of it all. "Additionally, today I also wish to thank Mr. Du Wei, the head of Field Operations." After finishing the handshake acknowledgement segment, Xu Shi shifted gears, "Head Du has worked tirelessly for 'Serpent Ring' for thirty years, his steadfast efforts indispensable." "Sadly, due to his age, he's submitted a retirement application recently. This is regrettable, but for the sake of his health, I reluctantly had to approve it." "In recognition of Head Du's outstanding service, the board has decided to grant an additional 13 million credit points on top of his pension, and award him a proposed seaside property in Zone 17 as commendation." "…I'm overwhelmed." Clearly, this decision caught Du Wei by surprise, and it took him a moment to process it before excitedly coming forward to receive the credit card and house keys with trembling hands. "This is what you deserve." Xu Shi said warmly, "For all you've done for the company, I still feel we owe you." "As for the new head of Field Operations, recommended by Head Du and approved by the board, the position will be assumed by Xia Wu You, current leader of Field Group Three." "…” Xia Wu You stepped forward quickly, accepting the symbolic small pistol representing authority from Du Wei in front of everyone. "Do your best from now on." Xu Shi smiled encouragingly. "Mm." Xia Wu You nodded back with a smile, "I will work hard to become... the sharpest sword in your hand." "I look forward to it." The decision had been discussed with her long before, so it wasn’t surprising to Xia Wu You; however, considering recent events at the hospital, this arrangement felt like it added another layer of trust. Xu Shi was equally pleased, mainly because Xia Wu You's statement was unexpected. Those words were originally meant for Shen He... Now that the subject was himself... oh well, wasn't this a form of affection? Their eyes met, brimming with warmth. Had they not been surrounded by so many people, it felt like the next instant, they might have embraced passionately. The room erupted in thunderous applause. For most, the clapping wasn't perfunctory. Du Wei’s situation sent a strong message: 'Serpent Ring' wouldn’t let down those who contribute significantly. In this respect, Xu Shi’s generosity even slightly surpassed that of the late director Xu Cheng. To be fair, this was partly due to Du Wei’s high status... so it's important to work harder to climb higher; strive today to enjoy tomorrow. This lesson resonated especially with those who harbored similar aspirations or were minor departmental leaders, feeling the urgency to advance. However. Amid the jovial assembly, Lin Wen Hua found their cheer irksome. It seemed the purpose of the commendation had shifted... Wasn't this meant to recognize the research on the second-generation chip? Yet, it was glossed over with a few cursory remarks, and the praise for Jiang Cheng Cheng seemed merely obligatory—goodness, without debating her capabilities, what did she have to do with this project? Wasn't I in charge? Obviously, Xu Shi was doing this to deliberately provoke him... but a non-response wasn't an option, right? Doesn’t seem justified, does it? “Certainly, there’s more that must be addressed.” Xu Shi voiced his opinion quickly, "The person responsible for this chip development is the esteemed Uncle Lin." “However, his performance… left me somewhat disappointed.” “!” “I personally have great faith in Uncle Lin’s abilities, yet numerous errors persist in the submitted report.” “For instance, team member Li Gan frequently absented himself, Ren Chong caused a minor fire due to improper operations, and Zhang Shunfei filed non-compliant material expenses… Related penalties have been set by the Human Resources department, as a project’s success shouldn’t overlook these minor issues, a dam is breached by an ant’s nest, every detail matters.” “Now, many might say these are the result of oversight by the one in charge, yet I understand; after all, Uncle Lin is getting on in years, inevitable limitations are to be expected.” “So, Uncle Lin, do take extra care from now on, wouldn't you agree?” “…” Lin Wen Hua was at a loss for words. This wasn’t just provocation anymore, it was like shoving flies into his mouth, without even adding salt. From start to finish, he hadn’t heard a single word of praise, as if the entire credit belonged to others, overshadowed even by the personnel changes in the Field Department. If that were the extent, fine, but Xu Shi started faulting him for trivial issues! To be fair, the matters Xu Shi mentioned were far from critical; every project had its share of small issues over the years... as long as the product was delivered, it was fine. Especially given the excellent outcome of the second-generation chip, such minor issues could’ve been easily overlooked. Therefore, he grasped Xu Shi's intent to deliberately find fault. Although there wasn’t a direct rebuke, those named were all from his team, hitting him through the backdoor. Lin Wen Hua hadn’t been entirely unprepared, yet faced with the reality, anger surged. Especially as his tireless efforts seemed appropriated by others... who could remain calm at such injustice?! In the past, we always took credit for others' work, but not the other way around! Worse yet, despite Xu Shi’s words, no one else seemed stirred—Du Wei’s scenario set a precedent, effectively diluting the drama of scapegoating. The attendees weren’t fools; many knew of the friction between Xu Shi and Lin Wen Hua, so they weren't overly shocked. In contrast, this comparison served as a wake-up call to many within the company. They had to decide whether they wanted to end up like Lin Wen Hua or Du Wei. Clearly, the latter was more appealing. Despite his years of power struggles, it seemed Lin Wen Hua never prevailed against Xu Shi… It was a clear indicator to not antagonize Xu Shi, lest they find themselves in dire straits. “Uncle Lin?” Seeing that Lin Wen Hua remained silent, Xu Shi playfully prompted him. “…Chairman Xu is right; I have indeed been lax over the years. Thank you for the reminder.” Lin Wen Hua's response was almost through gritted teeth. Xu Shi noted this, and internally, he couldn’t help but smirk. This was exactly the reaction he was aiming for. It was part of his plan all along; whether Lin Wen Hua succeeded or not didn't matter to him—this wasn't about capability. No matter how competent, Lin Wen Hua's rebellious nature made him unwelcome. He had even once sent an assassin after Xu Shi. Such a deep-seated conflict wasn’t something a mere chip success would resolve, but rather a fight to the bitter end. In fact, Xu Shi preferred to see Lin Wen Hua succeed, as it provided the opportunity to strip him of his triumph. Imagine the frustration: tirelessly resolving a complex issue, only for the credit to be taken and to be so openly critiqued—the indignation was understandable. Shrimp with pig heart has its own dark humor. And essentially, this was Xu Shi laying his cards on the table with Lin Wen Hua, making it clear that he intended to make things difficult. Such instances would continue; even without a real problem, he would create one. So Lin Wen Hua now had to decide: remain at the company to keep clashing with Xu Shi? Or take the hint and leave with tail tucked between his legs? The choice was his to make. With that, the commendation event drew to a close. "Old Lin, if you ask me, Xu Shi is just bullying you!" After the meeting, Lin Wen Hua’s few remaining supporters were naturally indignant. To be honest, his loyalists weren’t numerous, always walking on eggshells. They had hoped to find some redemption in this situation, only to realize Xu Shi intended to target them from the start. This was beyond cutting ties; it was treating them like playthings. Had they known the outcome would be the same regardless, they might have chosen to do nothing instead. “Rubbish, what nonsense are you spouting?” Lin Wen Hua glared, “If you really handled things perfunctorily, it wouldn't just be a matter of being criticized.” Given Xu Shi's propensity for escalation, it could very well cost lives. So Lin Wen Hua needed to decide. He couldn’t out-argue Xu Shi or shake off his managerial duties, and even successful projects were subject to nitpicking, which was becoming intolerable. It seemed he was left with only two paths. Either sit back and await his doom, metaphorically handing his head to Xu Shi to kick around. Or, he had to prepare his countermeasures before Xu Shi fully struck back. There wasn’t much to hesitate over in Lin Wen Hua's mind. “You brat, you want to fight with me, then let’s fight to the end!” Laments about unfavorable game draws aside, Lin Wen Hua resolved to confront Xu Shi head-on. (End of Chapter)