Various Parties Make Moves

Xiao Ke's spread was accelerating. Its cute appearance, seamless human-computer dialogue, and god-tier virus scanning effectiveness, all for a minimum monthly membership fee of ten yuan, propelled Xiao Ke to legendary status.

However, the market was only so big. While Xiao Ke's arrival delighted the public, it sent some companies into a panic.

361 Company Headquarters, Conference Room.

Within half an hour of Xiao Ke's release, all the executives and shareholders had arrived.

This abruptly shifted the company's atmosphere. Everyone was walking on eggshells, terrified of being singled out and made an example of.

The roars echoing from the conference room also left the company on edge.

"What good are you people to me? Huh? A whole month, and you're telling me now that you don't even have a basic direction for cracking it?" Zhou Hongwei, the chairman of 361 Company, was speaking.

It had been a month since the Origin Accelerator was first released. He had noticed the software and wanted to acquire it. However, the developer of the Origin Accelerator had refused without even discussing the price, leaving him with no options. Upon learning that the Origin Accelerator hadn't registered a patent, he assumed it was an oversight by the Origin company. He then instructed his company's programmers to try and crack it, to see if there were any aspects they could "borrow."

From once every three days, to once a day, and now with the release of Xiao Ke and its terrifying performance, the sharp-witted Zhou Hongwei began to panic.

"I apologize, Chairman. Many people are trying to crack the Origin Accelerator. It's said that hacker alliances abroad have even posted bounties for its cracking, but to this day, aside from fake accelerator software, nothing has been cracked. The technical methods of the Origin Accelerator are simply too superb!" The department manager of the technical department, also a programmer, held a degree of admiration for the person who developed the software.

Hearing his own technician unable to understand the rival software, and even showing some admiration, ignited Zhou Hongwei's temper further.

"Alright, Xiao Zhao, you can sit down for now. Old Zhou, please calm down. We'll always find a way. Let's brainstorm together and discuss it."

The speaker was Tang Xingsheng, who had started the company with Zhou Hongwei and was his old friend.

Hearing his old friend's words, Zhou Hongwei gave a somewhat dejected smile.

"Old Tang, you don't need to try and cheer me up. You know the situation now. The company is at a point of life or death."

Zhou Hongwei slumped back into his chair, sighing.

Tang Xingsheng had never seen his old friend so despondent. Even during the major battle with Penguin Company, Zhou Hongwei had remained calm and composed, directing operations with an air of serene confidence. He had never appeared so utterly defeated.

"Old Zhou, our 361 Company was founded in September 2005. We've grown to become one of China's largest internet security companies, boasting a leading high-level security technology team in the country. Our product lines, including 361 Security Guard, 361 Antivirus, 361 Security Browser, 361 Security Desktop, and 361 Mobile Guard, are highly praised by users, making us the undisputed leader in network security."

Seeing Zhou Hongwei's spirits lift slightly.

Tang Xingsheng took the opportunity to stand up and continue, "As of September 2012, our PC products and services had 442 million monthly active users, with a user penetration rate of 95%, making us one of the largest internet security companies in China today.

Furthermore, our 361 mobile security products and services have reached approximately 149 million smartphone users, accounting for about 70% of the market share for smartphone security products in China.

The monthly active users for the 361 browser reached 303 million, with a user penetration rate exceeding 65%.

The daily average independent visitors to 361's personalized homepage and its sub-pages were 89 million, with an average daily click volume of approximately 451 million.

In August 2012, we at 361 launched our proprietary search engine service, consistently holding over 25% market share. The Guangnian Accelerator, at most, has only been out for a month, and Guangnian is a paid service, while ours is free. Even if customers are poached, we still have the advantage!"

Hearing his old friend's words, Zhou Hongwei's mood remained heavy.

"Old Li, I understand what you're saying."

Rubbing his tired brow, Zhou Hongwei explained, "Old Tang, you've tried Xiao Ke too. Would you abandon it for ten yuan a month?"

Tang Xingsheng was momentarily stunned into silence. He had fought alongside Zhou Hongwei for so long; how could he not understand?

Ten yuan could boost computer and phone performance tenfold, reduce consumption, scan and eliminate viruses, free up your hands, and act as your personal assistant, even engaging in real-time chat.

Many people nowadays were busy and lacked genuine friends. Finding a true friend was incredibly difficult, and Xiao Ke solved this problem, essentially ushering in a new era for the internet.

The alternation of capital was always accompanied by the downfall of old capital. Wasn't 361 itself built on the ruins of others?

What market share did Kingsoft and Rising, and even others now, possess?

And this Origin company was like a fierce tiger that had entered the internet's territory. He was like the other antivirus software companies back then, unstoppable. Although he could abandon antivirus software, would 361 still be 361 without it?

The conference room fell into an eerie silence once more.

"We can't just wait like this any longer. Waiting will only lead to a dead end. Since we can't compete, we must cooperate!"

Zhou Hongwei made the decisive call, and Tang Xingsheng agreed.

With the first and second largest shareholders in agreement, no one else raised any objections. Everyone clearly understood that 361 was at a crossroads, and a single misstep could lead to ruin.

At this moment, Zhou Hongwei's personal secretary rushed in.

"Chairman, this is bad! The company's stock price has hit the daily limit down since the opening!"

"What?" Everyone's hearts leaped. Stock prices were directly related to their personal wealth; without them, their fortunes would be worthless.

Seeing everyone looking crestfallen, the stock prices of all antivirus software companies had hit the daily limit, and the entire technology sector was painted green.

"No, we can't wait any longer. Get the word out. The heads of the company's legal department and technical department will all come with me to Origin Company. We're going to meet this Origin Company!"

As Zhou Hongwei eagerly prepared to go to Origin Company, many other companies elsewhere were also making their decisions.

Some, like Zhou Hongwei, decided to cooperate, while others intended to break the pot and fight to the death.

The chairmen or presidents of a series of antivirus software companies, including Penguin, Huorong, Kingsoft, Rising, and Cheetah, led their elite teams towards Origin Company.

Meanwhile, some international companies like Kaspersky, BitDefender, Norton, and Avira also sent their Asian regional presidents or senior executives, leading their teams to Origin Company.

Suddenly, to the dumbfounded expressions of the reception staff at Origin Company, they accepted visit invitations from over thirty world-leading antivirus companies. The company also officially announced its schedule for visiting Origin Company through its official channels.

The media, upon receiving the news, also submitted interview requests. The initial number of interview units exceeded three hundred, including prominent domestic media like CTV and Renren Daily, and even international media such as Reuters, AP, and CNN.

Origin Company, along with Chu Feng, accepted the requests on its official website and Weibo, expressing their welcome.

This news delighted the citizens of China.

When did a company become this amazing? The list here includes top antivirus companies and news media from both China and abroad. Chu Feng and Origin Company's official Weibo accounts even had over 999+ comments.

Zheng Yun was so excited that he personally came to discuss with Chu Feng how to receive these domestic and international guests.

"Don't get too worked up. They're coming to us for help. Just make sure our reception is good and we don't embarrass ourselves."

Chu Feng wasn't surprised at all. If they didn't come, he would have looked down on them. In an era where technology reigns supreme, if they couldn't see the advantage of technology that was so far ahead of them, what was the point of their existence?

Chu Feng directly instructed the company to arrange the reception for clients at the renowned Haiyan Grand Hotel in Hailing District. It had both guest rooms and a large conference hall, perfect for hosting clients.

Upon learning that Origin Company would be holding its conference and reception there, the Haiyan Grand Hotel immediately began preparations for the event.

This was an opportunity for the Haiyan Grand Hotel, as such chances were rare in Hailing. The hotel even reciprocated by gifting Chu Feng a platinum card, granting him complimentary stays in their presidential suite.

I've been quite busy lately and don't know if anyone is reading this. If you have any recommendation tickets, I hope you'll cast them. Your humble narrator thanks you.