41: App launch!

6:30 AM

"Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~"

The noisy alarm clock shattered the morning silence.

After the meeting last night, the Second Brother insisted on playing games. With four noobs in the dorm plus Lin Shuyi, it's no surprise they didn't even get their first win.

Lin Jincheng started with all sorts of bold declarations, then descended into foul language in the mid-game, followed by nonsensical rambling in the late game, and finally fell into complete silence.

Everyone blamed each other, each thinking the other was the biggest noob, and ultimately pinned the blame on Lin Jincheng's 0/11 Yasuo.

Jiang Chuan looked at his own 0/7 Vayne and went to sleep satisfied.

Shaking his groggy head, he sat up, pulled open the curtains, and saw that outside, the rain had cleared, and bright sunlight streamed into the room.

Looking at the bright sun outside, he washed up and headed to the gym. After running for this period of time,

his body had already adapted to the rhythm of working out.

He did a few sets of basic exercises like seated chest presses and rows, then jogged on the treadmill for half an hour.

Only then did he head to the shower. Afterward, he put on his gold-rimmed glasses, changed into formal attire, and examined himself in the mirror.

"The title of Falling City's Andy Lau is well-deserved!"

Jiang Chuan admired himself for a while before taking his room key and heading downstairs for breakfast.

Based on his understanding of Shen Qingning, there was absolutely no way she would bring him breakfast today.

He ate a few meat buns and drank a bowl of porridge before leisurely getting up. He didn't like Western breakfasts; Chinese food was the best!

He stood up, ready to head to the company. He was eager to see how the other side would deal with him.

But it didn't matter. He was only taking it seriously out of habit. In reality, no matter what tricks they pulled, they couldn't escape his grasp.

"Founder of the renowned investment company Starlight! A rising star in national entrepreneurship! I have at least that much confidence!"

Jiang Chuan got into the Mercedes-Benz business car, opened his phone, and found that Lin Shuyi had sent him many messages.

She probably didn't want to disturb his rest, so she chose not to call.

[Xiao Yi: Jiang Chuan! You were so right! Sunset really called me, wanting me to stream there. I recorded everything as you said! Thumbs up.jpg]

Jiang Chuan replied with a head-patting emoji, looked out the car window, and said:

"Old Sun, Old Sun, put some effort into it! This level of effort isn't even enough to scratch an itch for me!"

Uncle Li couldn't help but chime in:

"You never even took him seriously in the first place. Isn't this exactly what you expected?"

Jiang Chuan adjusted his glasses, shook his head, and said:

"Uncle Li, Old Sun is just bait. If he had some ability, he might even hook a big fish."

Uncle Li was startled, as if he had thought of something, and hesitantly said: "You mean they'll make a move?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Chuan's mouth. His gaze turned toward the north, deep and profound:

"They'll take the bait. I just don't know which of the two families it will be. Starlight isn't qualified to clash with them head-on yet, but if they dare come to Falling City, I'll show them what a Local Dragon is!"

In his past life, the Four Major Investment Companies had industries all over the country, but they didn't dare touch the industries in Falling City, even if it was a surefire profitable deal.

The car slowly pulled up to the company and stopped at the entrance. Uncle Li skillfully opened the door for his boss.

Jiang Chuan saw the media and reporters gathered around but showed no surprise. He confidently walked into the company.

What surprised him was that Shen Qingning was sitting at the bar counter, with the familiar sandwich and milk.

Hearing the noise, she looked up, pushed the breakfast toward him with her small hand, signaling him to eat, and said in her usual cool voice:

"The reporters outside were probably sent by the other side. Should we kick them out?"

Jiang Chuan sat down beside her. He had eaten too much this morning and really couldn't eat anymore.

But he didn't want to reject her gesture of goodwill, so he took small bites and mumbled:

"Don't worry about them. It might even be a good thing. Have the company staff come in through the back door."

Shen Qingning nodded, took out her phone, and notified everyone in the company's main group chat. After seeing the replies, she put down her phone and said gravely:

"Currently, the total investment in the entire streaming industry is only around 800 million. With such a big move from you, it will likely provoke a reaction from the top."

Jiang Chuan struggled to finish the breakfast she had lovingly prepared, looked at her in surprise, and said:

"Sister Ning investigated this thoroughly. Indeed, they must know our campaign has some padding, but they'll still make a move."

Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Shen Qingning breathed a sigh of relief and asked: "Do you already have a plan?"

Jiang Chuan smiled and said: "I did this on purpose. I want them to make a move."

Shen Qingning's pupils contracted. She wasn't like Uncle Li. After cramming on the streaming industry during this period, she had a preliminary understanding of the risks involved.

She was shocked by Jiang Chuan's boldness. After all, the other side wasn't just a giant in the streaming industry.

They also had an investment company behind them, with funds that could crush Starlight into the ground.

"Isn't that... too dangerous?"

Jiang Chuan nodded and said seriously:

"Indeed, they probably think the same way. Coming after me is too risky."

Shen Qingning: ???

Not long after, Lin Shuyi, Lin Jincheng, and the others all entered the company through the back door, their expressions serious.

It was clear they knew why the reporters were at the entrance, but they didn't ask about it in front of the employees.

They couldn't stir up internal unease on such an important day.

Even Tang Ke, who usually had ADHD, behaved herself, sitting quietly on the sofa, waiting for the boss to speak.

Lin Wanjie, however, looked quite relaxed. He had never been optimistic about Starlight, and this situation was exactly what he had expected.

Another ten minutes passed, and Streamers who had come to Falling City from out of town or were local to Falling City arrived at the company unhurriedly.

Jiang Chuan leaned back on the sofa expressionlessly, glanced at his watch, and ordered:

"Huaze, take a headcount. For those who didn't show up, prepare the contracts and get the penalty fees back!"

Xu Huaze clenched his fist tightly, stood up with the list, and called out: "Lin Shuyi!"

"Here!"

"Tan Jing!"

Jiang Chuan interrupted: "She's streaming from home. She told me in advance."

Xu Huaze nodded, crossed her name off the list, and continued calling:

"Liu Jiayi!"

"Here!"

...

"Report! 34 expected, 29 present!"

Jiang Chuan nodded, his expression still calm. He looked at Tang Ke and asked: "Xiao Ke, report the number of out-of-town Streamers."

Tang Ke stood up with her notebook and said seriously:

"The company has signed 136 people in total. Excluding Falling City, there are 102 left. 102 expected, 79 present."

Jiang Chuan smiled and said: "Not bad. The penalty fees from these people are enough to buy a luxury apartment. Notify them to pay the penalty fees. For those who don't, hire the best lawyer in Falling City and take the lawsuit to the end!"

Even though the boss said it with a smile, no one dared to laugh along. They all replied seriously in unison: "Yes!"

Seeing how tense everyone was, Jiang Chuan ordered: "Xiao Ke! Test the equipment! Launch the app!"

"Yes, boss!"

Tang Ke led everyone from the Technical Department to the sixth floor to test the equipment.

Finding no issues, they returned to the first-floor Technical Department, ready to launch the app!

8:30 AM

Aside from the Publicity Department and Technical Department, all seventy-plus employees of Starlight gathered on the sixth floor, ready to follow Jiang Chuan's orders at any moment!

Jiang Chuan sat in front of the computer and said slowly: "Launch it!"

At the same time, Sunset made its move!