The Giant Crocodile Appears and a Difficult Choice

Just as Yan Qingyue had expected, the real "giant crocodile" soon showed itself.

On Wednesday afternoon, a long-scheduled meeting was held in the VIP conference room on the company's top floor.

The visitors were from Huanyu Capital, a top investment group with an international reputation and a powerful backing, known for its tough approach and razor-sharp judgment.

Their representative was a middle-aged man named James Howard. He had blond hair and blue eyes, wore a tailored suit, and carried himself with elegance, but a sharp, shrewd look in the depths of his eyes brooked no doubt.

He was accompanied by two assistants and a technical adviser, a lineup that could only be called impressive.

Yan Qingyue received them in person, while Lin Chen attended the meeting as her assistant and took notes.

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn and serious.

"President Yan, I've long heard of you."

Howard spoke fluent Chinese, wearing a polite smile. "Your company's groundbreaking progress in AI infrastructure is impressive.

"Huanyu Capital has always been committed to investing in disruptive technologies that can lead the future. We believe the Alpha project is precisely such an opportunity."

"You flatter us, Mr. Howard."

Yan Qingyue responded with neither arrogance nor deference. "We've only made some preliminary progress in a particular direction."

"Preliminary progress?"

Howard smiled faintly and leaned forward, a note of unquestionable certainty in his voice. "According to the information we have, your company's technological vision has already far surpassed the industry's current understanding.

"We believe this is more than just 'progress.' It's a revolution on the horizon."

His words made Yan Qingyue's heart tighten. Their intelligence-gathering capabilities were clearly extraordinary.

Without pausing, Howard put their terms directly on the table:

"Huanyu Capital is willing to lead this round of financing, with an investment amount... that has no upper limit.

"We can accept a very high valuation, and we promise to bring in our top global technological resources, market channels, and... most importantly, security guarantees."

He placed particular emphasis on "security guarantees," his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Yan Qingyue and Lin Chen beside her.

Lin Chen was taking notes with his head lowered. At those words, the tip of his pen paused for a moment.

Security guarantees? What does he mean? Could they know about the attack on us?

Yan Qingyue's expression also grew a little grave.

Without betraying her thoughts, she asked:

"Mr. Howard, what do you mean by 'security guarantees'?"

Howard smiled, his tone relaxed but carrying an invisible pressure.

"President Yan, let's speak frankly. Core technology like Alpha is bound to attract attention from all sides, including some... less than friendly eyes.

"As we understand it, your company experienced a cyber incident of some consequence just a few days ago?"

He did know!

Yan Qingyue's heart sank.

Not only was their technical intelligence accurate, but they also knew every detail of such a confidential security incident. It gave her a glimpse of the extent of their influence.

"Huanyu Capital has top-tier cybersecurity teams and risk-control systems around the world."

Howard continued, "We can provide the highest level of protection for the Alpha project, ensuring that nothing goes wrong with its core technology.

"At the same time, our background and resources can help your company avoid a great deal of... unnecessary trouble and risk."

It sounded like a tempting offer, but on closer consideration, it carried a faint threat: if they refused their "protection," they might face more "trouble and risk."

"Of course,"

Howard shifted his tone, his gentle smile returning. "Cooperation goes both ways. To ensure the security and return of our investment, we need to conduct the most thorough due diligence on the Alpha project's core technical architecture, algorithm principles, and...

"the original source of the technology.

"Furthermore, on the future board of directors, we need to have... veto power over decisions concerning the core technology."

The map had unrolled to reveal the dagger!

A massive investment, top-tier resources, security guarantees... behind all these generous terms lay their demand for absolute control over the core technology and even the company's strategy!

It was almost the same as handing over the company's soul and future!

A brief silence fell over the conference room.

The air seemed to freeze.

Yan Qingyue's fingers tightened slightly beneath the table.

She had known Huanyu Capital's terms would be harsh, but she hadn't expected them to be so aggressive, demanding control of the company's lifeline outright.

If she agreed, the company would receive enormous funding and short-term security, but in the long run, it would completely lose its autonomy and become a pawn on their capital chessboard.

Lin Chen's heart pounded with alarm as he listened.

Veto power? Wouldn't that strip President Yan of her authority? These people are ruthless!

He stole a glance at Yan Qingyue. Her face was as still as water, her eyes sharp; she was clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

"Mr. Howard, your terms are indeed very attractive."

Yan Qingyue spoke slowly, her voice calm but carrying an unquestionable strength. "However, the Alpha project embodies the hard work of everyone at the company, and it is the foundation on which we'll build our future.

"Our authority and control over the core technology are our bottom line. They are not open to negotiation."

The smile on Howard's face faded somewhat, and his gaze grew inscrutable.

"President Yan, I understand your feelings toward the fruits of your hard work. But please understand that the nature of capital is to seek returns and avoid risk.

"Faced with such enormous potential value and equally enormous risks, we need sufficient control to ensure the security of our investment.

"This isn't merely our demand; it's also a matter of taking responsibility for the entire project."

He paused, then added, "Besides, as we understand it, we're not the only party interested in the Alpha project.

"Some investors with... complicated backgrounds may offer more flexible terms, but the risks that come with them may be more than your company can bear.

"Choosing Huanyu means choosing a steadier, brighter path."

His words combined persuasion and pressure, pointing out the fierce competition and potential dangers while implying that accepting them was the "wise" choice.

Yan Qingyue fell silent for a moment, then stood up and spoke firmly.

"Thank you for your candor and your generous interest, Mr. Howard. We need time to discuss and evaluate your terms internally. Let's end today's meeting here."

Howard stood as well, the professional smile still on his face, though his eyes had grown a few degrees colder.

"Of course. We look forward to good news from you. But President Yan, please remember that a window of opportunity doesn't stay open forever. I hope we can reach an agreement."

After seeing Howard and his party out, Yan Qingyue returned to her office and stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, silent for a long time.

Lin Chen followed her in. Looking at her upright figure from behind, tinged with a hint of weariness, he felt a swirl of conflicting emotions.

"President Yan..."

He spoke softly, but didn't know what to say.

Yan Qingyue turned around, a trace of fatigue on her face, but her eyes were still clear and sharp.

"Lin Chen, you heard it all. This is the reality we face.

"On one side is an enormous amount of capital that could cost us control; on the other, unknown eyes watching us like tigers stalking their prey, potentially even more dangerous."

She walked to her desk and picked up a letter of intent from another investment firm, her tone laced with irony.

"Although the other firms' terms aren't as harsh, the resources and security guarantees they offer can't compare to Huanyu's.

"If we reject Huanyu and choose another partner, we'll very likely be unable to weather the coming storm."

Looking at her, Lin Chen suddenly summoned his courage and said:

"President Yan, perhaps... we don't necessarily have to rely on outside capital? Could we develop slowly on our own?"

Yan Qingyue glanced at him and shook her head, a trace of helplessness in her voice.

"In technological competition, time is life. If we're one step behind, we may lose the chance to lead forever.

"Besides, the wolves coveting our technology won't give us a chance to develop slowly.

"Without sufficiently powerful allies and the ability to protect ourselves, we're like a child walking through a crowded market carrying a gold brick."

Lin Chen fell silent.

He knew Yan Qingyue was telling the truth.

The cruelty of reality far exceeded anything he had imagined.

"You can go out first."

Yan Qingyue waved a hand. "Let me have some quiet."

Lin Chen left the office, his heart heavy.

For the first time, he felt so keenly that the business world was a battlefield, even more treacherous and unpredictable than a real one.

And the pressure President Yan carried on her shoulders was far greater than he had imagined.

He returned to his desk and looked at his computer screen, but thoughts raced through his mind.

Isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds?

The system... is there anything in the System Shop that can help?

He opened the System Shop again and looked at the expensive skills and items. For the first time, he longed so intensely for greater power.

Meanwhile, Yan Qingyue picked up her phone in her office and dialed an encrypted number.

"Grandpa..."

Her voice carried a trace of barely perceptible weariness and dependence. "The people from Huanyu Capital came... Their terms are harsher than we imagined..."

Old Master Yan's steady voice came through the receiver.

"Qingyue, don't panic. Tell me exactly what happened..."

The real test had only just begun.

And every choice could determine the company's future, as well as the fate of each of them.