Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Tong and others' comments on Xu Yun's proof spread rapidly.
• Wang Tong is accused of whitewashing for USTC.
• USTC analyzes Weibo data, finding an increase in 'allies'.
• Gregory Margulis tweets about Xu Yun's achievement.

Character Developments

• Wang Tong becomes more determined to clear Xu Yun's name.
• Zhang Ying shows concern and understanding towards Wang Tong's actions.
• Tian Liangwei remains composed and strategic in handling the situation.

Significant Themes

• The power of online mob mentality and the struggle against it.
• The importance of objective discussion and reason in the face of public opinion.
• The potential influence of professionals and enthusiasts in academic topics.

Character Interactions

• Wang Tong and Zhang Ying's relationship shows support and understanding.
• Wang Tong and USTC's cybersecurity department collaborate to analyze data.
• USTC and international mathematicians begin to engage in the matter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gregory Margulis, a renowned mathematician, endorses Xu Yun's work, leading to a shift in public opinion.
• USTC's plan to clear Xu Yun's name involves Margulis and Tuan Tuan, a domestic publisher.
• Seven foreign companies hold a meeting, celebrating their victory over Huadun Biotech and Xu Yun.

Character Developments

• Gregory Margulis: Maintains a youthful and active lifestyle despite his age, remains influential in the academic community.
• Tokuda Kyoichiro: President of Asahi Company, shows greed and satisfaction with his company's profits from the price war.
• Corinna Ascencio: Demonstrates her strategic mind and manipulative nature, leading the seven companies' plot against Huadun Biotech.

Significant Themes

• Academic Integrity: The importance of honesty and rigor in academic work, as seen through Margulis's endorsement of Xu Yun's work.
• Public Opinion and Manipulation: The power of public opinion and how it can be manipulated for personal gain, as shown by the seven foreign companies' plot.
• Greed and Ambition: The characters' desires for profit and success drive their actions, leading to conflict and competition.

Character Interactions

• Margulis and Zhang Rui: Their mentor-mentee relationship leads to Margulis's endorsement of Xu Yun's work.
• The seven foreign company heads: They collaborate to celebrate their victory over Huadun Biotech and Xu Yun, showing their unity in pursuing profit.
• Tokuda Kyoichiro and Nakajo Yukihiro: Their interaction highlights Tokuda's authority and Nakajo's eagerness to please, as Nakajo rushes in with an emergency update.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC announces a press conference to refute rumors about Xu Yun and Huadun Biotech.
• Netizens and the Net Explosion Party react with skepticism and criticism.
• USTC blocks the accounts of two 'victims' who had been publicly criticizing Xu Yun.
• The seven foreign companies increase their public opinion campaign against USTC.

Character Developments

• Tokuda Kyoichiro, the president of Asu Pharmaceutical, is surprised by USTC's press conference announcement but remains confident in the seven foreign companies' plan.
• Wang Qingchen, the head of USTC's cybersecurity, is determined to defend the university's network and prepare for the press conference.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between online mobs and institutions.
• The use of public opinion and media to influence public perception.
• The struggle between truth and deception in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Tokuda Kyoichiro interacts with his subordinate, Nakajo Yukihiro, discussing the press conference announcement and seeking intelligence on USTC's plans.
• Wang Qingchen interacts with Zhang Rui and Tian Liangwei, preparing for the cyberattacks and discussing the press conference strategy.
• The Net Explosion Party and various netizens interact, expressing their skepticism and criticism of USTC's press conference announcement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC holds a press conference to address cyberbullying and clear Xu Yun's name.
• The conference is attended by major media outlets and attracts significant online attention.
• Chen Shanshan, the "Cockroach Girl" from Sichuan Province Observation, live streams the event.
• Xu Yun appears at the press conference, causing an uproar online.

Character Developments

• Chen Shanshan remains neutral and rational despite online criticism, hoping for a fair judgment.
• Xu Yun maintains his composure amidst the online storm, ready to face the press conference.

Significant Themes

• The power of public opinion and online mob mentality.
• The importance of fairness and rationality in judgment.
• The impact of media attention on public events.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shanshan interacts with her live stream audience, defending her neutrality and hoping for a fair judgment.
• Xu Yun's presence at the press conference sparks a wave of criticism online, with viewers labeling him a "scumbag."

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC holds a public opinion press conference to address smears against Huadun Biotech and Xu Yun.
• Gu Qunqing, GM of Huadun Biotech, presents evidence that the blogger who claimed her cat died from Yi Ge Lang Mie did not cremate the cat at an official pet cremation center.

Character Developments

• Gu Qunqing demonstrates professionalism and composure in handling the press conference.
• Xu Yun remains calm and composed, despite the barrage of negative comments online.

Significant Themes

• The power of truth and evidence in countering smears and rumors.
• The importance of legal and compliant procedures in addressing accusations.

Character Interactions

• Gu Qunqing interacts with Shen Jianze, the host, and Yang Wenjuan, the director of the pet cremation center, to present evidence.
• Xu Yun interacts with Lu Chaoyang, his legal representative, and other USTC officials during the press conference.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC's press conference presents evidence to debunk the blogger's claims about 'Yi Ge Lang Mie' toxicity and 'Tiaotiao's' cremation.
• Surveillance footage shows the blogger abandoning 'Tiaotiao's' body in a trash can.
• The body is found by sanitation workers and sent to the Magic City Animal Harmless Treatment Center.

Character Developments

• Gu Qunqing, the USTC manager, strategically presents evidence to counter the blogger's narrative and clear the product's name.
• The blogger, 'Bao Bao,' is exposed for abandoning 'Tiaotiao's' body, contradicting her previous claims.

Significant Themes

• The power of evidence in shaping public opinion and perception.
• The consequences of deceit and the importance of honesty.
• The responsibility of pet ownership and the disposal of pet remains.

Character Interactions

• Gu Qunqing interacts with Yang Wenjuan, the director of the Magic City Animal Harmless Treatment Center, to present the evidence.
• The online audience reacts to the revelations, with some changing their stance on the issue.
• Chang Licheng and Ye Guohong discuss the strategic presentation of evidence by USTC.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC's press conference reveals that they have Jumping's corpse, proving that the cat was not cremated.
• An autopsy report from Huaxia Agricultural University confirms that Jumping died from poisoning, not from being cremated.
• Surveillance footage shows a box of Contac, a cold medicine fatal to cats, near Jumping's cage before her death.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun is cleared of all suspicions regarding Jumping's death.
• The blogger behind '[Tiao Tiao Wants to Eat Enough]' is exposed as the one who poisoned Jumping.

Significant Themes

• The power of evidence and the importance of thorough investigation.
• The consequences of online mobbing and the danger of believing rumors without verification.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and USTC work together to clear his name and expose the truth behind Jumping's death.
• The blogger behind '[Tiao Tiao Wants to Eat Enough]' is revealed to have a malicious intent towards Jumping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC's press conference exposes the truth about the pet blogger and the 'victim' blogger.
• USTC proves that Xu Yun was not involved in the abortion claims made by the 'victim' blogger using surveillance footage and DNA evidence.
• Corinna Ascencio, a foreign executive, is enraged by USTC's comeback and demands explanations from her subordinate, Carlot.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun remains calm and composed throughout the press conference.
• Zhang Rui, USTC's Executive Vice President, demonstrates his public speaking skills and composure.
• Corinna Ascencio shows her anger and frustration when her plan backfires.

Significant Themes

• Truth and Lies: USTC's press conference exposes the truth behind the false accusations, highlighting the theme of truth versus lies.
• Greed: Corinna's subordinate, Carlot, shows greed by trying to exploit the pet blogger further.
• Perseverance: USTC's determination to clear Xu Yun's name demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Rui interacts with Vice Director Huang from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to verify Xu Yun's alibi.
• Corinna Ascencio interacts with Carlot, demanding explanations and showing her frustration.
• Xu Yun interacts with Zhang Rui, following his instructions during the press conference.

Key Plot Points and Events

• USTC holds a press conference to clear Xu Yun's name.
• Zhang Rui announces a biological detection report proving Xu Yun's innocence, causing a wave of laughter and joy.
• The press conference successfully refutes rumors and clears Xu Yun's name.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun maintains his composure amidst the chaos and laughter.
• Zhang Rui shows a hint of emotion after the successful press conference.
• Shen Jianze remains professional throughout the event.

Significant Themes

• The power of truth and evidence in refuting rumors and misinformation.
• The impact of public opinion on personal and commercial reputations.
• The role of national pride in consumer behavior.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun interacts with Lu Chaoyang and Gu Qunqing backstage after the press conference.
• Xu Yun reads messages from friends and acquaintances on WeChat and Weibo, facing both congratulations and teasing.
• Xu Yun discusses product sales with Gu Qunqing, acknowledging the complexity of recovering sales momentum.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ding Xiaxia, a failed VLOGger, becomes an emotional influencer on Weibo, capitalizing on gender-based issues and trending topics.
• She is paid to write an extreme article about a stabbing incident, marking her first collaboration with a foreign NGO.
• Ding Xiaxia's team is hired to attack Xu Yun, but after evidence of his innocence is presented, they face severe backlash.
• Ding Xiaxia's main Weibo account starts losing followers and is eventually permanently frozen for violating community guidelines.
• Police arrive at Ding Xiaxia's home with a detention notice, suspecting her of colluding with foreign forces to spread illegal speech.

Character Developments

• Ding Xiaxia: Initially a struggling VLOGger, she transitions to emotional influencing and becomes increasingly extreme in her content. She gains a significant following and forms a team, but her actions lead to her account being banned and her arrest.
• Ding Xiaxia's Husband: He supports Ding Xiaxia's work and is also involved in the online attacks. He is present when the police arrive with the detention notice.

Significant Themes

• The power of online influencers and the impact of their content on public opinion.
• The manipulation of public sentiment for personal gain or political ends.
• The consequences of extreme rhetoric and the backlash that can follow.
• The role of foreign influence in domestic affairs.

Character Interactions

• Ding Xiaxia and her husband discuss the situation as her account is banned and the police arrive.
• Ding Xiaxia interacts with the police officer, Lin Ziming, who presents the detention notice.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ding Xiaxia, a notorious internet troll, is arrested by Lin Ziming for her cyberbullying activities.
• Meng Liang, a former computer science student whose life was ruined by cyberbullying, is visited by Wang Li, an officer from the Information Security Technology Department.
• Wang Li informs Meng Liang that the blogger who instigated the cyberbullying against him is part of a larger group of professional internet trolls being prosecuted. She asks Meng Liang to sue the blogger and appear in court as a witness.

Character Developments

• Ding Xiaxia: Despite her past actions, she begs for leniency when faced with arrest, highlighting her lack of remorse or understanding of the consequences of her actions.
• Meng Liang: Initially shocked and emotional upon learning about the reopening of his case, Meng Liang ultimately agrees to testify, showing resilience and a desire for justice.

Significant Themes

• Cyberbullying and its consequences: The chapter explores the real-life impact of cyberbullying on victims, their families, and the community.
• The pursuit of justice: Despite the passage of time and the challenges faced, Meng Liang's willingness to testify underscores the importance of seeking justice for past wrongs.

Character Interactions

• Lin Ziming and Ding Xiaxia: Lin Ziming's cold and dismissive attitude towards Ding Xiaxia's pleas for leniency highlights the stark contrast between their positions and Ding Xiaxia's lack of remorse.
• Meng Liang and Wang Li: Meng Liang's initial shock and subsequent agreement to testify showcase the emotional journey he undergoes upon learning about the reopening of his case, while Wang Li's professionalism and empathy help guide him through the process.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Liang and his son's incident was not isolated; similar notifications were sent across Huaxia.
• The Information Security Technology Department, a key network security hub, locked down over 36 million non-compliant accounts, including 20 million overseas bot accounts and 16 million domestic bot accounts.
• Around 6 million active human accounts and over 1.1 million individuals were identified as 'fanatics' who participated in cyberbullying at least three times.
• Over 2,000 verified accounts and 600 individuals were banned, with 95% of 'big Vs' located within China.
• Many arrested individuals were men posing as women online or married women with children.

Character Developments

• Wang Xiong, the director of the Information Security Technology Department, shows calm and concern when facing the scale of data and the presence of real people behind harmful accounts.
• Old Chen, a middle-aged man reporting to Wang Xiong, demonstrates seriousness and efficiency in handling the situation.

Significant Themes

• The scale and impact of online bot accounts and real people on public opinion.
• The complexity and challenges of regulating and enforcing online behavior within the legal framework.
• The personal lives and motivations of those manipulating public opinion.

Character Interactions

• Wang Xiong and Old Chen discuss the progress of account lockdowns, arrests, and interesting discoveries about the individuals involved.
• The conversation hints at the complex relationship between parallel departments and the challenges of enforcement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A meeting is held at Huadun Biotech to discuss the company's future after the successful USTC press conference.
• Xu Yun proposes building their own factory to control raw materials and prevent future supply cutoffs.
• The company discusses and votes on Xu Yun's proposal, with everyone agreeing to proceed.
• The next topic is the product's subsequent sales plan.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun: Shows strategic thinking and decisiveness in handling the raw material supply issue.
• Gu Qunqing: Supports Xu Yun's decisions and facilitates the meeting's proceedings.
• Tian Liangwei: Backs Xu Yun's ideas and contributes to the decision-making process.
• Zheng Zu: Initially favors continuing cooperation with suppliers but eventually supports Xu Yun's proposal.
• Qian Guanglin: Provides technical insights and agrees to take responsibility for the factory establishment.

Significant Themes

• Strategic decision-making and risk management (building their own factory to prevent future supply cutoffs).
• Collective decision-making and consensus-building within the company.
• The importance of controlling the supply chain for business stability and growth.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun, Gu Qunqing, and Tian Liangwei collaborate to make strategic decisions for the company.
• Zheng Zu and Qian Guanglin provide valuable insights and contribute to the decision-making process.
• The entire team works together to discuss and vote on the company's future direction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huadun Biotech's sales plummet due to the public opinion incident, and they decide to cut their losses and focus on rebuilding customer loyalty and preparing for a comeback in June.
• Tian Liangwei receives a call revealing that the mastermind behind the incident has been exposed, and the webex meeting records have been leaked.
• The attendees of the webex meeting are revealed to be representatives from various international companies, including Nutrien, which had previously refused to supply Huadun Biotech.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing work together to strategize Huadun Biotech's recovery and future plans.
• Tian Liangwei demonstrates his sharp memory and analytical skills in identifying the attendees of the webex meeting.
• Gu Qunqing shows his quick thinking and understanding of the corporate landscape in analyzing the situation and identifying the most likely leaker.

Significant Themes

• The theme of perseverance and resilience is highlighted as Huadun Biotech decides to cut their losses and focus on rebuilding rather than continuing a losing battle.
• The theme of international competition and cooperation is emphasized as the webex meeting attendees are revealed to be representatives from various international companies.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Gu Qunqing work closely together, demonstrating a strong partnership and mutual respect.
• Tian Liangwei and Zheng Zu work together to analyze the situation and provide valuable insights.
• Gu Qunqing and Xu Yun exchange ideas and strategies, showing a collaborative and strategic mindset.

• The Koreans' sense of justice is highlighted as they leak the webex meeting recording, exposing the seven foreign companies' plot against Huadun Biotech.
• The recording reveals the companies' plan to cut off supply to Huadun Biotech and their discussion of a poisonous scheme targeting pets.
• The leak ignites nationalistic sentiment among Chinese consumers, leading to a surge in sales of Yi Ge Lang Mie.
• On January 19th, Yi Ge Lang Mie's daily sales break 100,000 units for the first time, with sales exceeding 2 million Chinese yuan.
• The incident serves as a reminder of the historical bullying of China by foreign powers and the importance of national unity and self-reliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huadun Biotech becomes the biggest beneficiary of the webex meeting footage leak, with a significant increase in sales due to public opinion and the necessity of its product in daily life.
• Other companies involved in the smear campaign face severe backlash, with Asahi Company's sales declining by 46% domestically and 85% in China. The Japan Insecticide Association is preparing to revoke Asahi's market entry qualifications.
• Six of the seven foreign companies (excluding Asahi) hold a remote meeting to discuss their response to the situation. They decide to apologize and dismiss the employees involved to mitigate the damage.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun and his team at Huadun Biotech are happy with the increased sales and positive public opinion.
• Tokuda Kyoichiro, the president of Asahi Company, is furious and feels unjustly accused but faces severe criticism and backlash.
• The executives of the six foreign companies are concerned about the damage to their companies' reputations and market values, leading to a tense meeting to discuss their response.

Significant Themes

• The power of public opinion and its impact on businesses.
• The consequences of unethical business practices and the importance of corporate responsibility.
• The necessity of products in daily life and their impact on sales.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and his team celebrate their success, while Tokuda Kyoichiro faces the consequences of his actions.
• The executives of the six foreign companies hold a tense meeting to discuss their response to the situation, with some agreeing to apologize and others resisting.
• Gareth Thure of Valeni Company is relieved to have avoided being exposed as a traitor and attends the meeting as a victim.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Foreign companies swiftly remove and replace the employees involved in the smear campaign against Xu Yun and Huadun Biotech.
• Corinna Ascencio, the main culprit, is fired and leaves the company in disgrace, likely facing a tarnished reputation and limited job prospects in the future.
• Tian Liangwei informs Xu Yun about the true compensation from the foreign companies, which includes valuable technologies and equipment.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun shows concern for the company's interests and expects some compensation for their contributions.
• Tian Liangwei reveals his strategic thinking and understanding of the bigger picture, demonstrating his experience and influence.

Significant Themes

• Consequences and retribution for wrongdoings.
• The power dynamics between international corporations and governments.
• The struggle for market dominance and global influence.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Tian Liangwei discuss the compensation and its implications, showcasing their mutual respect and understanding.
• Xu Yun's eagerness for the compensation highlights his ambition and desire for success, while Tian Liangwei's calm demeanor suggests his experience and wisdom.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun learns about three forms of compensation for his actions.
• The second compensation is a chance to have his proposal considered at an A-level Hundred Talents Program meeting, which could lead to significant research funding and recognition.
• The third compensation involves a project called HealthTOHO, led by a Chinese alumnus of USTC named Lu Xiao, who is willing to return to China and work with Xu Yun.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun: He remains calm and collected upon learning about the significant opportunities and compensation, indicating his maturity and ambition.
• Tian Liangwei: He shows his trust in Xu Yun by revealing sensitive information about the negotiations with AstraZeneca and Microsoft.

Significant Themes

• Recognition and rewards for academic achievements.
• The importance of human relationships and networks in academia.
• The challenges and competition in the scientific research community.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Tian Liangwei: Their mentor-mentee relationship is strengthened as Tian Liangwei shares crucial information and expresses his confidence in Xu Yun's abilities.
• Xu Yun and Lu Xiao: Although they haven't met yet, their potential collaboration is hinted at, suggesting a future partnership in the field of bio-intelligence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun doesn't expect Lu Xiao to return immediately due to his departure procedures.
• New Year's Eve arrives, and Xu Yun and his friends celebrate together.
• Old Su expresses his impatience with adapting to the new era.
• Xu Yun shares the Biography of Su Song from the History of Song to help Old Su regain perspective.
• They have a New Year's Eve dinner with various dishes, including Gu Qunqing's *** chicken.
• They discuss their plans for 2023, with Xu Yun, Qiu Sheng, and Zhang Heguang planning to defend their doctoral theses in May.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun shows maturity and understanding by counseling Old Su and helping him see the bigger picture.
• Old Su expresses his impatience with adapting to the new era but gains perspective after reading about his past.
• Gu Qunqing shares his knowledge about foreign eating habits, contributing to the lively dinner atmosphere.
• Zhang Heguang expresses his concern about his upcoming thesis defense under academician Chang Jin's rigorous standards.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and the changes it brings.
• The struggle to adapt to new circumstances and maintain perspective.
• The importance of friendship and camaraderie, especially during festive occasions.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun and Old Su have a heart-to-heart conversation about Old Su's impatience and his past.
• Xu Yun, Gu Qunqing, Weng Yujing, Qiu Sheng, and Zhang Heguang enjoy a New Year's Eve dinner together, discussing their plans for the coming year.
• Gu Qunqing shares his knowledge about foreign eating habits, sparking curiosity and conversation among the group.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yun enters the Halo space and finds two Instance Gates open: 1665 (47/100) and a new gate (100/100).
• A floating exclamation mark appears, offering a choice between Instance A and B for the New Year's White Album event.
• Xu Yun chooses Instance B and receives a 'Mysterious Gift' bag that will contain an item upon entering the dungeon.
• Xu Yun decides to start the dungeon after handling his real-life matters in about a week.

Character Developments

• Xu Yun demonstrates strategic thinking in choosing the dungeon and preparing for it.

Significant Themes

• The influence of Xu Yun's actions in reality on the Halo's progress and dungeon choices.
• The importance of the Imperial Seal and its historical significance in the dungeons.

Character Interactions

• Xu Yun interacts with the Halo system, making choices and receiving information.
• Xu Yun reflects on his past experiences and prepares for the upcoming dungeon.