Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

"My cell phone suddenly lost signal! I was in a video conference with a client, and it was abruptly cut off, resulting in the loss of a million-dollar order!" (New York)

"My photos and contacts have all ended up on my colleague's phone! My privacy has been completely compromised!"

"My phone got so hot and spontaneously combusted after just ten minutes of charging, it almost burned down my apartment!"

Similar situations have broken out simultaneously around the world.

On a London street, a woman held up her charred mobile phone and wept in front of a Western Communications Union store.

"My daughter was using this phone when it suddenly caught fire. Luckily, she reacted quickly, otherwise something terrible would have happened!"

Business people in Paris surrounded the operator's store, demanding refunds and compensation.

Users in Los Angeles spontaneously organized a protest march, holding signs that read "junk cell phone" and "safety hazard," and the scene was chaotic.

These issues are precisely the chip vulnerability program that Li Yu initiated.

Li Yu chose to launch the program at the moment when the Western alliance's 4G R&D investment was at its most critical and their funding was at its tightest, in order to deliver a fatal blow to them.

Negative news spread like a virus, prompting major Western media outlets to speak out.

The member companies of the Western Communications Alliance were in complete panic.

The conference room at the headquarters of the Western Communications Union in New York was deathly silent.

Alexander looked at the public opinion report and financial statements on the table.

User complaints have exceeded one million, operators are demanding compensation of up to tens of billions of US dollars, and the media's condemnation has completely destroyed the brand image.

Even more devastatingly, the stock hit its daily limit down for three consecutive trading days, wiping out over $400 billion in market value.

"We must recall all the cell phones immediately!" said Rockefeller Sr.

"If this drags on any longer, we'll not only suffer financial losses, but we'll also face investigations from global regulatory bodies, and we might even have our operating license revoked!"

Alexander slumped into his chair. Recall?

This means that all the production and marketing funds invested previously have gone down the drain. In addition to the losses from compensation and the stock price crash, the total cost will exceed 600 billion US dollars!

But now, he has no choice.

"Notify all member companies to initiate a global recall program," Alexander said in a hoarse voice.

After the recall plan was launched, the Western Communications Alliance's funding chain was completely strained, and internal conflicts intensified once again.

"It's all Alexander's fault! He insisted on skipping technical testing and forcing production, and now this huge blunder has made us pay the price!"

"The Rockefeller family only knows how to leech off us; they don't care about our lives at all! If this continues, we'll have no choice but to file for bankruptcy!"

Accusations from member companies flooded Alexander, and his frantic efforts to mediate were to no avail.

At this time, the Western Communications Alliance was like a giant ship riddled with holes, teetering on the brink of collapse in a storm.

With no other options, Alexander thought of Li Yu.

Late at night, Li Yu's encrypted phone rang again, the caller ID showing Alexander as the caller ID.

This time, the anger on the other end of the phone was gone, replaced only by exhaustion and pleading.

"Li Yu...could you help us solve the technical problems with our phones?"

"We have initiated a global recall. Users are very agitated. If this continues, the alliance will have to disband completely."

Li Yu leaned back in his chair, his tone calm and even: "Mr. Alexander, I reminded you before that technological research and development needs to be carried out step by step, and we cannot rush it."

"These problems are your own fault for skipping the testing process and having substandard manufacturing procedures. What does it have to do with me?"

"Yes, yes, it's all our fault."

"But only you can help us now. We're willing to pay any price to provide a solution that restores the phones to normal."

Li Yu sighed and said, "I can help you, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. I need a technical service fee of 50 billion US dollars, payable in one lump sum, otherwise forget it."

"50 billion?!"

Alexander's voice suddenly rose, "This is extortion! We've already paid for the previous technical cooperation. This is just fixing a vulnerability, how can you ask for so much?"

"blackmail?"

"Mr. Alexander, you need to understand, it is you who are begging me now."

"These vulnerabilities are not simple technical flaws, but fundamental defects in the core chip. Fixing them is equivalent to redesigning half of the chip architecture."

"50 billion US dollars to buy the life of your Western communications alliance, it's a good deal."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, in your current situation, there is absolutely no room for negotiation."

"If I don't help, your recall plan will only drag on longer and longer, the compensation amount will become higher and higher, the stock will continue to plummet, and what awaits you in the end is bankruptcy liquidation."

"At that time, let alone 50 billion, you won't even be able to keep a single penny."

Alexander remained silent.

Li Yu's words hit the nail on the head.

Alexander said weakly, "I need time to discuss this with the member companies."

Li Yu casually said, "Then I'll give you 24 hours."

"Either $50 billion arrives in your account within 24 hours, and I'll provide you with a solution."

"Or, you can figure it out yourselves."

After hanging up the phone, he immediately convened an emergency video conference to inform all member companies of Li Yu's demands. The representatives of the member companies were in an uproar during the meeting.

"50 billion? Li Yu is going too far! This is clearly profiting from someone's misfortune!"

"We've already lost 600 billion. If we come up with another 50 billion, our cash flow will be completely cut off!"

"But what will we do if we don't take it? Are we really going to go bankrupt?"

Arguments and complaints rose and fell, but no one could offer a better solution.

Finally, the representative sent by old Rockefeller sighed and said, "Zhangji is now in dire straits due to stock market collapse, and a ransom of five billion is needed to break the deadlock."

Late the next night, Alexander dialed Li Yu's number again.

"Li Yu, we've agreed to the $50 billion."

"readily."

"Once the funds arrive, I will have Zhou Qiming deliver the repair procedures and technical guidance to you."

"We will transfer the money to your designated account as soon as possible."

"It's a pleasure working with you." Li Yu said before hanging up the phone.

In the command center of Longxing Factory, Lou Zhenhua looked at Li Yu and said with a smile, "Chief Engineer Li, this 50 billion US dollars came too easily! It's like picking up a huge sum of money for free!"

After taking a sip of strong tea, Li Yu said, "This is just interest."

"The $1500 billion they invested will soon be gone."

"Once they fix the phone vulnerabilities and stabilize the situation, we will launch the ultimate trap of 4G research and development to completely destroy them."