Rising Up

Three years later, Xinyu had transformed Eastern Digital's market position. His algorithms had helped the company dominate China's tech sector. What no one knew was that part of his success stemmed from data stolen from Meridian Pharmaceuticals, insights into human behavior patterns he had extracted during the planning stages of a revenge that never came to fruition.

Zhao Liwei, the father of the girl, had proven untouchable. His connections ran too deep. But the experience had shaped Xinyu's view of business and humanity, ultimately forging something colder and more calculated within him.

"Your value-optimization strategy is brilliant," said Huang Wei, CEO of Eastern Digital, during their weekly meeting. "The board wants to fast-track you to senior management."

What Huang didn't say was that Xinyu's strategies had come at a steep human cost: thousands of jobs eliminated, competitors bankrupted, smaller companies absorbed or destroyed.

Xinyu simply nodded, accepting the praise as his due. "And my proposal for the health monitoring algorithms?"

"The medical ethics board rejected it," Huang replied. "Too invasive for general use."

Xinyu masked his frustration behind a flawless expression. His ambitions went far beyond profit. He envisioned a future where technology could distinguish the worthy from the unworthy, a system that would ensure no one like his mother would ever be discarded again.

That evening, he discovered that Huang had pitched a modified version of the health monitoring algorithm to a private investor, leaving Xinyu's name off the document.

Later that night, Chen Mei, Huang's executive assistant who had long watched Xinyu's ascent in silence, stepped into his office.

"They're exploiting your brilliance while keeping you boxed in, Mr. Li" she said, handing over confidential communications. "Just like they've done with others before you."

Xinyu studied her carefully. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because unlike them, you understand what it means to lose everything," she said, her gaze steady. "My brother died when a hospital administrator gave his ICU bed to a politician's relative. I recognize that look in your eyes, you've witnessed how the world really works."

Three weeks later, Xinyu entered a closed-door meeting with Takeda Industries, armed with a detailed breakdown of Eastern Digital's vulnerabilities. The hostile takeover was swift and unforgiving.

When the dust settled, Huang and the board were removed. Xinyu was appointed Chief Technology Officer, with Chen Mei as his executive director.

"They never saw it coming. For some reason, they think only we have to play fair, while they keep exposing us for their own gain," Mei said, standing beside him in his first real office.