Shadow of The Past

With the success of the Lu-Tianhe partnership launch fresh in everyone's minds, Jiang Yuyan's career had reached new heights. Her name was now frequently mentioned in company meetings, and her work had become the standard others aspired to. However, as she gained recognition, she also drew the attention of those outside the company—both admirers and enemies alike.

Yuyan knew she couldn't relax. Her ambitions required her to remain vigilant and relentless. Yet, even as she planned her next moves, the shadows of her past began to creep into her present.

A Mysterious Message

One evening, as Yuyan was reviewing reports in her apartment, her phone buzzed with a notification. It wasn't from the system but from an unknown number.

The message read:

"Jiang Yuyan, do you think you can bury the past forever? Sooner or later, the truth will surface."

Her heart skipped a beat. The message was vague but menacing. Yuyan immediately deleted it, unwilling to let her focus waver. Yet the words lingered in her mind, echoing like a distant warning.

The system, sensing her unease, chimed in.

[Tip: External threats can be neutralized with careful preparation. Maintain composure and gather information before acting.]

The Lu Group's Expansion Plans

The next morning, Lu Zhen convened a high-level meeting with the company's top executives. Yuyan was among the select few invited to attend.

"The Lu-Tianhe partnership was only the first step," Lu Zhen announced, his deep voice resonating through the conference room. "Our next goal is to expand into the European market. This will require careful planning and strategic alliances."

He glanced at Yuyan. "Miss Jiang, your work on the Tianhe project has proven your capabilities. I'm assigning you to lead the initial feasibility study for our European expansion."

Yuyan nodded, her expression composed despite the excitement bubbling within her. "I'll begin immediately, Mr. Lu."

[Ding! New Task Assigned: Conduct a feasibility study for the Lu Group's European expansion. Reward: Strategic Analysis Skill Boost (Level 2) and ¥100,000. Deadline: Two months.]

A New Rival Emerges

As Yuyan delved into the new task, she encountered a new figure in the company: Zhou Ling, a senior manager in the international business department.

Zhou Ling had been with the Lu Group for over a decade and was known for her sharp intellect and no-nonsense demeanor. She was also ambitious and saw Yuyan's rapid rise as a threat.

During their first meeting, Zhou Ling didn't bother to hide her skepticism.

"I've read your report on the Tianhe project," Zhou said, her tone neutral but her eyes sharp. "It's impressive, but expanding into Europe is an entirely different challenge. This isn't a regional partnership—we're talking about competing with global giants."

Yuyan smiled politely. "I'm aware of the scale of the challenge, Miss Zhou. That's why I intend to approach it with thorough research and a clear strategy."

Zhou raised an eyebrow. "We'll see if your 'strategy' holds up."

It was clear that Zhou Ling would not make things easy for Yuyan.

Digging Deep

Yuyan threw herself into the feasibility study, analyzing market trends, regulatory environments, and potential competitors in Europe. She also reached out to international experts and scheduled consultations with industry leaders.

One evening, while working late in the office, Xu Wen stopped by with coffee.

"You've been at this for days," Xu said, placing the cup on Yuyan's desk. "You should take a break."

Yuyan gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, but there's no time to rest. This project could define the next phase of the Lu Group's growth."

Xu hesitated before speaking again. "You know, Zhou Ling has been questioning your appointment to this task. She's been telling people you lack the experience for a project of this scale."

Yuyan's smile faded slightly. "Let her talk. I'll prove her wrong with results."

Uncovering a Plot

As Yuyan progressed with her research, the system alerted her to something unusual.

[Warning: External interference detected. Unverified sources are attempting to manipulate market data in your report.]

Yuyan immediately launched an internal investigation. After several hours of digging, she discovered that someone had fed false data into her analysis. The discrepancies would have led to incorrect conclusions about the European market's potential—potentially derailing the entire project.

Her suspicions turned to Zhou Ling, but she had no concrete proof.

"Why does it feel like every step forward is met with another obstacle?" Yuyan muttered to herself.

[Tip: Persistence and vigilance will overcome all challenges. Focus on solutions, not setbacks.]

Taking the system's advice, Yuyan revised the report with verified data and implemented stricter protocols to prevent further interference.

A Showdown with Zhou Ling

During the next project meeting, Zhou Ling didn't hold back her criticism.

"This report seems overly optimistic," Zhou said, flipping through the pages. "Are you sure the data is accurate, Miss Jiang?"

Yuyan met her gaze evenly. "I've cross-verified all data with multiple sources. If you have concerns, feel free to point them out specifically."

Zhou smirked slightly. "I just hope you're not underestimating the risks."

Yuyan didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she calmly presented her findings, addressing each point with precision and confidence. By the end of the meeting, even Zhou Ling had no choice but to acknowledge the thoroughness of Yuyan's work.

A Step Ahead

With the feasibility study completed, Yuyan submitted her report to Lu Zhen. The CEO reviewed it carefully before nodding in approval.

"This is excellent work, Miss Jiang. Your analysis provides a clear path forward for our European expansion. The board will review this at the next meeting."

"Thank you, Mr. Lu," Yuyan said, her voice steady despite the relief flooding through her.

[Task Completed. Strategic Analysis Skill Boost (Level 2) and ¥100,000 have been added to your account.]

The Past Resurfaces

That evening, as Yuyan left the office, she received another message from the unknown number.

"You can't escape your past, Jiang Yuyan. The truth will destroy you."

Yuyan stared at the message, her heart pounding. She didn't know who was behind these messages, but she knew one thing for certain: whoever it was, they were determined to bring her down.

Her jaw tightened. "Let them try," she muttered.

The system chimed in.

[New Side Task Assigned: Identify the source of the threatening messages. Reward: Investigative Skill Boost (Level 1) and ¥30,000. Deadline: None.]

Yuyan's path to success was littered with challenges, but she was determined to overcome them all.