Living in a county town, starting as a stock market maker...

"Thanks for your hard work."

Gu Ming pulled out a chair, sat down, and calmly picked up the list.

The operation began.

He didn't know if Wang Tianqi could withstand it.

His finger traced the densely packed company names on the list, each one a former supplier to Apocalypse Entertainment, ranging from hardware manufacturers to property management companies.

Now, they have new creditors.

Star Media.

The company's creditor is a shell company established by Shen Lian in her own name.

"The timing is perfect." Gu Ming flipped through the documents. "Wang Tianqi should be looking for money right now to fill the holes in the stock price and server costs."

Su Qingying pushed up her glasses, her eyes calm.

He can't be found.

She handed me a tablet computer, which displayed an announcement from a foreign financial regulatory agency.

"In my personal capacity, I have submitted evidence to the Monetary Authority of the Cayman Islands and FINMA in Switzerland regarding Wang Tianqi's alleged illegal leverage operations using offshore trusts. His family trust fund, which he used for emergency risk aversion, has been frozen indefinitely pending investigation."

Gu Ming thought to himself, "That's ruthless enough. I admire him."

Gu Ming's lips curled up: "Professional."

Su Qingying's face was expressionless; she simply stated the facts calmly: "He tried to threaten us by maliciously shorting Shengshi Huacai, but he should have known that I could use the same methods. Moreover, I would use them even more thoroughly than he could."

She paused, then added, "This is my professional ethics as a compliance officer."

Gu Ming thought to himself, "She is very principled in her actions."

He picked up the internal phone on the table.

"Chen Mo, bring in Shen Lian'an's signal. I want to see how things are going on her end."

"Yes."

A few seconds later, the image on the office's surveillance video wall changed.

The entrance to Tianqi Entertainment headquarters.

The scene was even more chaotic than when there was the technical problem earlier.

Company employees walked around bewildered, carrying cardboard boxes. Some suppliers owed money blocked the entrance, arguing with security guards.

At this time.

squeak--

A screeching sound of brakes rang out.

Five black Mercedes-Maybachs with consecutive license plates were parked in front of the Tianqi Entertainment Building, blocking the way.

The chaotic crowd quieted down.

Everyone's attention was drawn to these cars.

The driver, wearing white gloves, opened the back door.

A foot wearing a black Jimmy Choo high heel peeked out first.

Then, Shen Lian got out of the car.

Today she wore a sharp-tailored black women's suit, her long hair was tied up, and she wore large sunglasses, revealing her lips painted with bright red lipstick.

Behind her, twelve men and women got out of four other cars.

They were all dressed in black suits, expressionless, and each carried a heavy briefcase. They looked like a professional elite team.

They are a team from four of the top law firms in China.

Gu Ming looked at Shen Lian on the screen and nodded.

Shen Li'an is very good at using funds to create momentum.

Ignoring the stares of those around her, Shen Lian walked toward the building entrance. Two security guards instinctively reached out to stop her.

A lead lawyer beside her stepped forward, pulled a document from his briefcase, and spoke in a cold voice.

"Tianqi Entertainment owes a total of RMB 1.17 billion in overdue payments to 127 of our clients' suppliers. We have acquired all the debts and obtained a property preservation order issued by the court. Now, we are formally informing you to immediately repay all debts. Otherwise, we will initiate bankruptcy liquidation proceedings one hour from now."

The lawyer's words put pressure on every Apocalypse Entertainment employee present.

What?

All the suppliers' claims have been bought out?

1.1 billion?

The scene was quiet for a moment, then the crowd became even more agitated.

The technical problem earlier plunged the company into crisis, and now this debt of 1.1 billion yuan is putting the company in dire straits.

Shen Lian didn't react to any of this. She simply took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of cold eyes, and said to the girl at the front desk.

Tell Wang Tianqi that I have arrived.

……

Meanwhile, new developments have emerged online.

Su Qingying dialed a phone number in front of Gu Ming.

On the other end of the phone was the president of the domestic MCN industry association.

"President Liu, it's me, Su Qingying." Her tone returned to professionalism and politeness. "Regarding the abnormal fluctuations in the stock price of Shengshi Huacai Group some time ago, I have found some evidence proving that Wang Tianqi of Tianqi Entertainment was behind it, engaging in illegal and malicious short selling. I have sent the relevant evidence chain to your email."

Chairman Liu on the other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds.

Maliciously shorting competitors is a serious violation of industry regulations.

"Qingying, are you sure? This is no small matter."

"I vouch for it with my professional reputation," Su Qingying said firmly.

"Okay, I understand."

The phone hangs up.

Less than ten minutes.

The official website of the MCN industry association published a strongly worded official document announcement.

[A proposal for a joint industry-wide boycott of Wang Tianqi, founder of Tianqi Entertainment]

The announcement sent shockwaves through the entire industry.

Those companies that were still observing immediately issued statements to distance themselves from Apocalypse Entertainment.

Many companies have begun attacking Apocalypse Entertainment, fearing they will fall behind.

Within an hour, Wang Tianqi lost all support and became isolated.

Looking at all this, Gu Ming felt that one final step was still needed.

He opened an encrypted chat application containing a small group chat. The group consisted of investors who had initially invested in Apocalypse Entertainment and were now stuck with their investments.

These people were Wang Tianqi's last source of funding.

Gu Ming did not send any text.

He simply and slowly sent a document to the group chat.

The file name is very simple.

Digital Life Project, Series A+ Funding Business Plan

On the last page of this business plan, there was a clause that no investor could refuse: any investor who suffered losses due to the collapse of Apocalypse Entertainment's stock price could exchange their discounted shares for a new round of initial public offering (IPO) shares in the Digital Life project at an 80% discount.

After the file was sent out, the group was quiet for three minutes.

Three minutes later.

Then, message notification sounds rang out one after another.

The first investor announced its withdrawal from the performance-based agreement with Apocalypse Entertainment.

The message notification sounds went off in rapid succession.

In less than ten minutes, all the investors who had previously supported Wang Tianqi switched sides.

They knew how to choose; Apocalypse Entertainment's failure was a foregone conclusion, while the Digital Life project had a bright future.

Gu Ming closed the chat software, picked up the coffee on the table, and took a small sip.

It's almost done.

Just then, his personal cell phone vibrated.

It was an encrypted message from Chen Mo.

The message is very short.

"Boss, Wang Tianqi just received a call from Beijing. The caller ID showed Shen Guodong. The call lasted five seconds."

Five seconds.

Gu Ming smiled.

He could even guess what was being said on the phone.

He guessed that Shen Guodong must have said the simplest thing to Wang Tianqi on the other end of the phone in a calm tone.

"You chose the wrong opponent."

This statement is more impactful than insults.

This is Shen Guodong's final assessment of Wang Tianqi's failure.

……

Tianqi Entertainment, CEO's office.

Wang Tianqi slumped into the Italian leather boss's chair.

The phone slipped from his limp hand, the screen still displaying his call history with Shen Guodong.

"You chose the wrong opponent..."

That sentence kept echoing in his mind.

He lost.

Everything he owned was destroyed by Gu Ming within hours.

He couldn't figure it out.

He couldn't understand how he could lose to a young man from Hegang.

He imagined his own bankruptcy, debt, and disgrace.

He absolutely refused to accept such an ending.

Wang Tianqi stood up, staggered towards the private balcony of the office, and pushed open the door leading to the rooftop.

The cold wind from high above blew on his face.

He stood on the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the city below, and an idea came to him.

Jump down.

Once you jump, it will all be over.

All debts, all humiliation, will vanish.

He closed his eyes and opened his arms.

Just as his body leaned forward.

Ring ring—

A cell phone rang urgently.

It was his personal cell phone.

This number is known only to a very close group of people.

Wang Tianqi stood frozen in place.

He took out his phone.

On the screen was an unfamiliar number with no registered address.

His hands were trembling as he pressed the answer button.

On the other end of the phone came a calm voice that he would never forget.

"Mr. Wang, do you want to live?"