Chapter 170: The Xianyu Effect
"Representative Lin..."
The next morning.
As soon as Lin Yuan arrived at the company, Gu Qiangyun rushed over.
He began to speak but then seemed to forget what he wanted to say, simply staring at Lin Yuan with a complicated expression.
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat!
Gu Qiangyun had thought that Representative Lin had given up on the Qixing bid, but to everyone’s shock, he had defeated both Red Moon and Lone Wolf, securing the deal in a miraculous twist.
Stunned by his brilliance...
That was how Gu Qiangyun felt at this moment—and so did the entire Star Mang Music team.
Lin Yuan, on the other hand, assumed Gu Qiangyun came to discuss the new orders and said, "We won't be taking on any more orders for now."
Even though Lin Yuan would love to take on dozens of projects at once, he had to suppress that impulse.
"Of course... of course..."
Gu Qiangyun immediately agreed, suppressing the storm of emotions within him. He smiled as if making a promise, saying, "You've really worked hard for us, Representative Lin. The company has received countless new orders, and it's all thanks to you. We'll make sure to seize this opportunity!"
Lin Yuan nodded.
Not long after Gu Qiangyun left, Gu Dong appeared in the office as well.
But, much like Gu Qiangyun, she opened her mouth, only to find herself at a loss for words. In the end, all that was left was a smile—whether it was one of admiration or trying to curry favor, it was hard to say. "Would you like some tea, Representative Lin?"
"Sure."
Lin Yuan, focused on his computer, didn't even look up and casually responded.
As she set the tea on his desk, Gu Dong noticed something on Lin Yuan's computer screen: a piece of writing that read, "Great Sorcerer, I have a friend who lost two of her three souls and seven of her spirits. She’s been like the living dead for ten years now. I’ve heard you possess the power to restore souls. Please, you must save her..."
Gu Dong suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine.
After placing the tea, she quietly tiptoed out of Lin Yuan’s office.
"Did Representative Lin say anything?"
Gu Qiangyun appeared out of nowhere. Perhaps he had been keeping an eye on Gu Dong ever since she entered Lin Yuan's office.
"Nothing," Gu Dong replied, her expression turning solemn. "But today I finally realized just how hard Representative Lin works..."
"Hardworking?" Gu Qiangyun hesitated. "What do you mean?"
Gu Dong’s face took on a serious look. "Didn't you say that reading novels is how Representative Lin finds inspiration? At first, I didn’t believe it, but now I have no doubts!"
Gu Qiangyun was surprised. "You mean?"
Gu Dong nodded firmly. "Representative Lin is still searching for inspiration!"
Gu Qiangyun instinctively replied, "So he's reading novels during work hours again..."
"It’s not reading novels; it’s seeking inspiration! You shouldn’t phrase it like that, or people might misunderstand."
Gu Dong immediately corrected him. "Reading novels is how Representative Lin gathers inspiration. He just completed a major project, and instead of relaxing, he's already searching for his next spark of creativity. Compared to him, we should all feel ashamed!"
"You’re absolutely right," Gu Qiangyun admitted, realizing the error in his earlier statement. "Representative Lin truly works harder than anyone. No one’s success comes by chance!"
Other people read novels for leisure, but Representative Lin reads to pursue creative inspiration.
The two of them glanced toward Lin Yuan’s office, their expressions filled with respect.
The impact of the Qixing deal was enormous.
With Red Moon and Lone Wolf as the backdrop to this victory, Star Mang Music had surged up the rankings to 73rd place after a string of breakthroughs!
Companies in the 80s on the ranking list were in complete despair.
Ever since Star Mang entered the Top 100, it was like a fire had been lit beneath the lowest-ranked companies. Those in slightly higher positions thought the fire would only burn the companies ranked in the 90s.
But no one expected an unforeseen wind to fan the flames, spreading the fire even to companies ranked in the 70s.
Cries of despair echoed everywhere.
The companies in the 80s had no hope left—they were now nothing but cannon fodder.
As for those in the 90s, although disappointed, they found a strange sense of satisfaction:
"Didn't you think you were safe?"
"Think again! Xianyu spares no one!"
It was as if a virus had begun to spread!
With companies in the 80s being decimated, the schadenfreude quickly turned toward those ranked in the 50s and beyond.
Panic spread.
Many were gripped with fear.
As Star Mang Music’s rise continued, more and more companies could no longer stay complacent.
After all, Red Moon and Lone Wolf had fallen!
What made these 50-something ranked companies think their positions were safe?
While it might seem difficult for Star Mang Music to climb much higher based on common logic, who was still willing to bet on logic when it came to this unpredictable company?
Xianyu’s very existence defied all norms!
So...
Panic spread!
Companies that feared for their ranking scrambled to hold emergency meetings, all with one simple and pure goal:
Climb higher!
Find a safer position!
Some people even began to refer to this phenomenon as the “Xianyu Effect."
It was, of course, a play on the “Catfish Effect.”
On a certain continent of Blue Planet, people loved to eat sardines, especially live ones. Live fish fetched a much higher price than dead ones, so fishermen would try everything to bring the sardines back to port alive. Despite their efforts, most sardines would still die of suffocation.
Then, someone had the idea of putting a catfish in with the sardines. As the sardines swam frantically to avoid the predator, the oxygen issue was solved, and most made it back alive.
Look at this! Aren't these companies, scrambling not to be overtaken by Star Mang Music, just like those sardines desperately fighting to survive?
This is the Xianyu Effect!
And as these companies made their moves, those ranked above them began to feel the pressure too.
The gap between the 70s and 50s was vast, but between the 30s and 50s? Not so much.
Now, as companies ranked in the 50s and 60s seemed to be on some kind of adrenaline-fueled sprint, the higher-ranked companies couldn’t help but grow anxious too.
One step led to another.
The entire ranking board was in chaos!
This might be the first time in the history of the Qizhou market rankings that a company from the very bottom managed to shake up the entire list.
Of course, everyone was overthinking it.
Lin Yuan had no intention of taking on new orders for the time being.
And without Lin Yuan’s involvement, Star Mang Music was still a relatively low-threat company.
However...
With the flood of orders pouring in, Star Mang Music was undoubtedly facing an unprecedented opportunity for growth.
At this point, Star Mang Music, once a stagnant pond, was beginning to show signs of revival.
It seemed that the decision to set up a branch in Qinzhou was finally coming to life.
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