A Glimmer of Dawn in Desperate Straits and the Final Gamble

Over the next two days, an invisible atmosphere of tension hung over the entire company.

Lin Chen could clearly tell that security had been tightened. Extra identity checks were required to enter or leave the office building.

Yan Qingyue had practically shut herself away in her office, receiving hardly any visitors apart from a handful of core executives. As a result, Lin Chen's workload had dropped sharply.

Most of the time, he could only sit at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen.

His anxiety and fear grew with each passing day.

The system's [Crisis Survival] mission hung over his head like a sword, while the countdown for the [The Foundation of a Business Empire] main mission ticked away, second by second. Fewer than fifty days remained.

He felt like a beast trapped in a cage, surrounded by enemies on all sides, yet unable to find a way out.

The trouble brought on by that mysterious chip was far beyond anything he had imagined. He no longer even dared to touch or study it without careful thought.

And the one-million-yuan profit target seemed so distant and unrealistic in the face of this enormous crisis.

I'm done for... This time I'm really dead...

If I can't complete the missions, my skills will be stripped away, and there's danger out there from who knows where...

Things are tense with President Yan too. Am I about to get fired?

He sank into an unprecedented state of despair and confusion. He could only force himself to respond halfheartedly to Little Moon's daily greetings, unable to muster any interest at all.

Just as he was about to give up hope and resign himself to fate, the system's familiar, icy notification sounded in his mind once more.

But this time, its contents were like a powerful beam of light piercing the darkness!

[Ding—Host detected in a predicament. Based on projections of the current world line and Information Insight (passive), the system offers an urgent investment recommendation.]

[Recommendation: Invest all available funds in the publicly traded shares of Xinghai Technology (stock code: XH30088).]

[Basis: In 48 hours (after the market closes this Friday), the government will issue a major announcement on support policies for "next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure."

These policies will focus on supporting companies that have made breakthroughs in core underlying algorithms.

Based on the technical fragments provided by the host, Yan Qingyue's company (a related party) has reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with the relevant authorities and will be designated a key recipient of support.

This news will trigger a frenzy of market interest in related concept stocks.]

[Risk warning: This recommendation is based on projections of highly probable events, but an extremely small risk of policy changes or unusual market fluctuations remains.

The host is advised to spread out purchases and control costs.]

[Expected returns: According to projections, the stock will hit its daily upper limit for consecutive trading days after the news is announced (estimated at 3–5 trading days), with a potential gain of 150%–300%.

If the host invests all 700,000 yuan, the estimated net profit will be 1.05 million to 2.1 million yuan, far exceeding the main mission's requirement.]

[Special notice: This is the final instance of emergency assistance provided by the system. The host is advised to seize this opportunity.

Upon completion of the mission, the [System Shop] function will officially become available.]

This succession of messages sounded like music from heaven, instantly pulling Lin Chen out of the abyss of despair!

He shot upright in his chair, his eyes wide and round, his heart pounding wildly with intense excitement and exhilaration!

Xinghai Technology?! Government support policies?! President Yan's company is a key recipient?!

The announcement is in 48 hours?! Consecutive limit-ups?! More than a million in net profit?!

Heaven never seals off every escape route! System bro! You finally did something decent!!!

A wave of overwhelming joy crashed through his mind, and he nearly cried out in celebration!

He hurriedly covered his mouth and forced himself to calm down, but he couldn't hide the rapture on his face or the light in his eyes.

Right! Xinghai Technology! I remember that company!

It's a small AI concept stock that's never really taken off!

Its share price has been hovering at a low level!

If the news is true... This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years!

Invest the entire 700,000 yuan! As long as it rises 150%, I'll make 1.05 million! More than enough to complete the mission!

He immediately opened his stock trading software and checked Xinghai Technology's real-time price and candlestick chart.

Sure enough, just as the system had said, the stock was at a historic low, with sluggish trading volume. It looked every bit like a penny stock that nobody cared about.

Who could have imagined that in 48 hours, it would soar into the sky!

Calm down! Calm down!

He took a few deep breaths, trying to settle his excitement. The system said there's an extremely small risk. And I need to spread out my purchases, so I don't attract attention.

He quickly began drawing up a trading plan.

He couldn't invest the entire 700,000 yuan in one go, or he might cause a small fluctuation or even be noticed by the major players.

He decided to start when the market opened the next day, buying quietly in batches of small orders at different times, keeping his costs as close to the current price as possible.

That's what I'll do! This is my last chance! I have to succeed!

The flame of hope blazed in his heart once more.

All the gloom and fear from before were swept away by this sudden glimmer of dawn.

He was once again filled with fighting spirit and drive.

Just then, the door to Yan Qingyue's office opened.

She walked out, her expression still grave, though there seemed to be a hint of resolve in her eyes.

She saw Lin Chen staring at his computer screen with an excited expression—still obvious despite his efforts to hide it—and frowned slightly. He had already quickly minimized the stock trading window.

"Assistant Lin, what are you so happy about?"

Her tone was neutral, with a hint of inquiry.

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. He quickly composed his expression, stood up, and answered respectfully:

"N-no, it's nothing, President Yan! I just... just suddenly thought of a... a good idea for work!"

He came up with an excuse on the spot.

Yan Qingyue gave him a long look but didn't press him. She simply said in a neutral tone:

"Get ready. You're coming with me to the technology center in half an hour. Director Li has some preliminary progress to report."

"Yes, President Yan!"

Lin Chen hurriedly agreed, but his heart was blooming with joy.

There's progress at the technology center? Does that mean the technical verification has produced results?

Looks like the system's information is true! President Yan's company really has established contact with the government!

He felt that his life had finally reached a turning point.

On the way to the technology center, Lin Chen sat beside Yan Qingyue. His mood was entirely different from the fear he had felt over the previous two days, though he still tried hard to remain respectful and keep a low profile.

But Yan Qingyue keenly picked up on the excitement and anticipation he couldn't quite suppress in his eyes and expression.

She watched the streetscape fly past the window, her doubts growing even stronger.

This guy... What exactly is he so happy about? Could it have something to do with that technology?

Or... Does he know something I don't?

She found that she understood this seemingly simple yet endlessly mysterious assistant less and less.

Lin Chen, meanwhile, was completely immersed in rosy visions of the future.

It was as though he could already see the wonderful sight of the stock hitting its upper limit day after day, the funds in his account doubling, the system mission being completed, and the shop function unlocking.

Come on, Lin Chen! One final gamble! Win, and the seas will be wide and the skies boundless!

He clenched his fists, a determined light shining in his eyes.

This sudden crisis seemed to be pushing him toward an unexpected turning point.

And the relationship between him and Yan Qingyue was becoming even more subtle and unpredictable amid this whirlpool of crisis and opportunity.