Chapter 427: Blowing to the Sky

[Breaking News! Social Media Giant PicPic Acquires FaceWeb!]
[A New King Ascends the Throne! A Social Networking Empire Spanning East and West is Officially Born Today!]
[The Former King FaceWeb Falls in Fame, a Trillion-Dollar Empire Vanishes into the Dust of Time!]
In an instant, a series of sensational headlines flooded the pages of major media outlets worldwide, like free billboards.
Once upon a time, FaceWeb was a behemoth that commanded respect in the internet world.
But now, it has become a pariah.
A precipitous drop in stock price, coupled with rampant rumors of impending bankruptcy, has made it a classic case of everyone kicking a man when he's down.
To make matters worse, the US wasn't idle either; relevant departments, like sharks smelling blood, swarmed in.
They announced a thorough purge of FaceWeb's numerous shady dealings, especially user privacy issues and various borderline legal maneuvers.
They even threatened: if anything is verified, arrests will be made without hesitation.
This series of blows caused the once-arrogant founder, Mark Zuckerberg, to completely break down under immense pressure.
Ultimately, he reluctantly signed the equity transfer agreement, selling all his shares to PicPic for a humiliating $30 billion.
Back when FaceWeb's market capitalization exceeded one trillion dollars, it was a glorious sight. Now, it's reduced to a "bargain price" sell-off, a truly lamentable situation that underscores the harsh reality.
Fanghuan Group, Chairman's Office.
Huang Fengwen leaned back in his large executive chair and asked in a deep voice, "Any new developments from the US?"
"Reporting to Chairman Huang, utterly silent, deathly quiet," his subordinate replied, bowing.
"They haven't jumped out to cause trouble, nor have they shown any support. It's as if... nothing happened."
"Oh? That's interesting. In other words, those bastards could turn on us at any moment and sue Fang Huan for investing, right?"
"Yes. Right now, the US is working on that chip strategic project, and our Jiang Jin and Fang Huan play a crucial role in it, so they're being polite on the surface.
But... there's always a chance of something going wrong. That President Eden is a seasoned veteran of politics, a complete and utter old fox."
Huang Fengwen had always felt there was something sinister about this whole thing.
Why would the US just stand by and watch FaceWeb, such a lucrative prize, fall into Fang Huan's hands?
Even their judicial system seemed to have been given special treatment, paving the way for Fang Huan to complete the acquisition.
This is simply illogical!
Just to appease Fang Huan and Jiang Jin, ensuring they don't mess up the chip project?
But that doesn't make sense. They only needed to slam the chip control bill on the table, and that would be enough to cause trouble for them.
The initiative is clearly in their hands.
But the truth is, instead of putting pressure on her, they seemed worried that Fang Huan wasn't eating fast enough, and even offered to hand her the bowl and chopsticks.
"This whole thing doesn't seem right, does it?" Huang Fengwen narrowed his eyes.
"That's right, Chairman Huang. Everything seems suspicious.
Although things are calm now, once public opinion shifts, their guns could be pointed at us immediately."
"In that case, we must seize control of public opinion first!"
"Yes! Chairman Huang, should I have the public relations department get moving, get the media to create momentum?"
"Absolutely! Go all out!" Huang Fengwen waved his hand.
"Domestic and international, every single one! Open up all channels!
Advertising fees, sponsorship fees, throw in the money!
Let the world's media sing praises to Fang Huan, and fawn over PicPic!
Let them blow their boots to the heavens!"
He couldn't yet fathom what those politicians in the US were up to.
But one thing was certain: no matter what world superpower you are, you still have to act according to public opinion.
Ultimately, they're nothing more than a bunch of politicians who live off votes!
"Then...should we report this to Chairman Su separately?"
"No need." Huang Fengwen waved his hand.
"He's probably lost count of how many brain cells he's lost trying to acquire FaceWeb. Don't bother him with this trivial matter.
Besides, what are we for? Our purpose is to pave the way for him!
To ensure that while he's charging ahead, his backyard stays safe, and his supplies run out!"
These words were less of an order and more of a lecture.
"Don't let Su Hao's youth fool you; deep down, he's more concerned with those old fogies than with all that nonsense about rules."
Huang Fengwen's tone shifted, tinged with self-deprecation and感慨 (a sense of感慨, a feeling of mixed emotions, including regret and a touch of melancholy).
"Although we call each other brothers, he always hesitates to ask me for favors, never quite saying it out loud.
He's afraid of asking me, his older brother, to do something for him."
It was precisely because he understood Su Hao's personality so well that Huang Fengwen always tacitly and proactively took on all the dirty work himself, handling all the worries meticulously.
"So, get moving! Don't worry about domestic or international issues, don't hold back on spending money!
What is money? Money is worthless! Its value is only revealed when it's spent!
Only by building a strong enough firewall against public opinion can the towering structure that Su Hao has painstakingly built stand firm!"
"Yes, Chairman Huang!" The subordinate immediately obeyed and left.
Huang Fengwen knew that Su Hao's journey was to the stars and the sea; he was destined to forge ahead.
But this world was just that messed up.
The closer one got to the top of the pyramid, the more someone needed to do the less honorable work, to get their hands dirty.
But that person could never be Su Hao.
This muddy road should be paved smooth for him by Huang Fengwen!