"Is that Mr. Yan?"
Tang Xiaomin shook her head.
"It's not."
"If it's not Mr. Yan, then who else could it be, for our Sister Min to favor so much? The side profile just resembled him, and you made him so popular."
Tang Xiaomin just smiled, never saying a word.
That person had long ceased to exist, living only in her memory.
...
By the time the recording of the show ended, it was already eight in the evening.
Tang Ye patted Sheng Mo heartily on the shoulder.
"Hey, you did a fantastic job today."
"I believe from today onwards, you'll be invincible in the entertainment industry."
"Think about it, someone who blackens themselves, who else can possibly hurt them later on."
Sheng Mo had a look of relief on his face, as if he had become immune to it all.
To put it bluntly, his skin had grown thicker; a dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water.
"In this business, people only care about the result. How the process goes, is irrelevant."
"The haters hate me, and at the same time, the haters made me. Everything I have today, every single hater has contributed to it."
"I've decided, I'm going to coexist peacefully with them."
Before, he feared being slandered because his interests weren't significant enough.
Now that he's being slandered, not only has he not faded, but he's become incredibly popular, so why should he care about being slandered or not.
"Right, right, it's truly wonderful that you can think this way."
"You've worked hard too. Come on, let me take you out for a big meal."
Back when Tang Ye was an artist himself, he worked long hours and barely made much money.
Now that Sheng Mo was popular, the money was pouring in like a river.
Tang Ye finally understood the joy of being a capitalist.
He treated Sheng Mo better and better, hoping this cash cow would diligently make him money.
Just as they were about to go for dinner, Pan Jian suddenly appeared.
"Impressive, you guys. To actually come up with such a marketing strategy."
Pan Jie's words were laced with a hint of jealousy and unwillingness.
Tang Ye had flatly refused Pan Jie's investment proposal, giving her no chance to join them.
"How we manage our company is our business. It doesn't seem to concern you," Shu Ya said impolitely.
Her words carried a clear hostility towards Pan Jie.
Anyone would be like this if someone was interested in their boyfriend.
"Don't look at me like that, as if I've stolen your man."
"Tang Xiaomin, you'd best watch yourself."
After saying something cryptic, Pan Jie left.
It felt like a sort of warning.
Tang Xiaomin thought she was just complaining because she was unhappy about being rejected.
She didn't take it to heart.
A few months later, she received a call from President Pan.
"Miss Tang, our research on nuclear batteries has shown some results. Three days from now, I will arrange for the shareholders to visit and see the progress. During that time, Miss Tang and Mr. Yan must not be absent."
"I believe this research will definitely satisfy all the shareholders."
Upon receiving this news, Tang Xiaomin was shocked.
"What, your company actually made it?"
"It's only shown some progress for now, but I believe the results will definitely be worth the money the shareholders have invested."
President Pan was not someone who spoke without basis. The fact that someone of his stature found the results noteworthy, meant they were undoubtedly extraordinary.
Nuclear batteries, what kind of concept was that?
For batteries of the same volume, nuclear batteries had a million times more power than ordinary batteries.
For example, an ordinary missile could easily destroy a building.
But a missile of the same volume could destroy a city.
Furthermore, military strategists once said that not every country was qualified to engage in nuclear warfare, as their territory was not large enough to support it.
At this moment, Tang Xiaomin's expression was unreadable, neither happy nor worried.
"Minmin, what's wrong?"
Yan Jue had been watching Tang Xiaomin for no less than thirty seconds, and she hadn't noticed.
"President Pan invited us to see the research results."
"It's just seeing research results."
"He said, nuclear batteries have been developed."
Yan Jue couldn't help but be surprised.
He hadn't personally experienced the power of nuclear batteries, but he had read many reports on the subject.
They were indeed very dangerous items.
"It's just talk for now. What the research has actually achieved, we'll know only after we see it."
Even so, Tang Xiaomin had a sense of foreboding.
Three days later, at President Pan's invitation, a large number of shareholders from various technology companies gathered at his technology company to witness the progress.
With the advent of nuclear batteries, the immense temptation of such a business opportunity caused shareholders to cancel their other engagements and attend.
The crowd was much larger than expected. To showcase the technology, President Pan had even organized a small exhibition within the company.
...
"Xiao Min, come quickly."
Qian Lili greeted her enthusiastically.
Beside her were Liu Feng and Ye Lingyun.
Sometimes, she lamented how small a city truly was, always encountering these familiar faces unexpectedly.
"What a coincidence, you guys are here too."
Liu Feng said with a cold laugh, "Coincidence? President Pan invited everyone of any standing in Modu. Who wouldn't give him face?"
After finding seats, they chatted idly.
Soon, the indoor lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the stage. President Pan walked up with energetic strides.
"Welcome, everyone, for taking time out of your busy schedules to observe our company's latest research achievements. I believe you are all eager to see the nuclear batteries, so let's get straight to it. Everyone, please watch."
President Pan wasted no time with lengthy speeches.
Shortly after, on the large screen behind him, a wondrous scene unfolded.
It showed a small nuclear battery being installed in an electric car. The electric car then sped off at an astonishing speed.
Finally, with a bang, it exploded.
What was going on?
President Pan smiled and explained to everyone.
"The power generated by the nuclear battery is too immense. The current automotive materials cannot withstand it. As you saw, when the speed reaches a certain level, there is a risk of explosion for the car."
"Nuclear batteries are a new and highly efficient energy source. To utilize nuclear batteries, many things in the future will need to undergo significant changes based on their characteristics."
"I believe there's no need for me to elaborate on the vast business opportunities contained within this; you all know it in your hearts."
Everyone understood the new business opportunities.
If one could seize this opportunity first, even a pig could make money.
Many people's faces showed eager anticipation.
However, most people still maintained a skeptical attitude.
"President Pan, will the demonstration of the nuclear battery only be that video?"
"We all came here in person hoping to see it live."
President Pan nodded confidently.
"Of course, the live demonstration will begin shortly. Everyone, please stay tuned."