Chapter 1409: A Panicked Xie Da Qiao

"I heard there's a flu outbreak in the south; people are even dying?"

Inside the magazine company, while everyone ate their boxed lunches, Xu Lin asked, "Good buddy, do you have any confirmed news?"

"It's quite serious; they say fumigating with white vinegar and taking Banlangen can prevent the flu, so everyone is scrambling to buy them," Wang Yan said, eating his meal in large mouthfuls.

"My family is scrambling too," Xie Da Qiao asked nervously, "Can that actually prevent it?"

Wang Yan looked at her with an expression reserved for idiots: "What do you think?"

"I think it's better to believe it exists than to assume it doesn't," Lu Qianran said, "My family bought quite a lot as well."

"Banlangen has therapeutic effects but cannot prevent infection. Moreover, treatment depends on the specific condition; Banlangen's efficacy is clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the blood and benefiting the throat, so it treats heat syndromes. This flu is indeed a heat syndrome, but its therapeutic effect varies from person to person. Furthermore, whether having a cold with fever and a runny nose means one has contracted the same southern flu is debatable."

Xu Lin sighed heavily: "I see Jingcheng is getting tense too; do you think something serious might happen?"

Wang Ying glanced sideways: "Do you know what Jingcheng means? No matter what happens elsewhere, nothing can happen here. Truthfully, this place has the highest security guarantee."

"Don't talk nonsense; it's people like you who won't have issues. No, wait, those are illnesses; you aren't any different, and if it really hits, none of us can escape. We just have higher priority for survival, while the rest of us wait to die," Xu Lin curled his lip, letting out a long sigh, "If I'd known it was this serious, I wouldn't have come to school..."

"It's not too late for you to leave now," Wang Ying said irritably.

"Round-trip train tickets aren't cheap, and school starts in a few days; our magazine has a mountain of tasks, we're overwhelmed. What if nothing happens? Wouldn't I have gone through all that trouble for nothing?"

Xiao Qianxi comforted softly: "Don't worry, there shouldn't be any major problem; it's mainly in the southern regions. Online reports say the south has implemented controls, but our local government hasn't made any official statements, just advising everyone to wear masks when going out and to stay warm. It feels like nothing serious. What do you think, Wang Yan?"

"I'll have someone deliver some Banlangen, anti-inflammatory drugs, fever reducers, and masks shortly; it's better to be prepared. There's no need to be too afraid; none of you go to crowded places, just between school and here, so nothing major will happen."

"You have that much medicine?" Xu Lin widened his eyes, "You didn't make black-hearted profits by hoarding while people were panic-buying, did you?"

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement: "How could I do something like that? I'm just distributing some to the company employees so they can take care of themselves and their families. Afterwards, I will donate a batch of medicines to our school; we must show some gesture of support."

"Surely you won't stop at just doing this much?" Wang Ying asked.

"Of course not; enterprises must shoulder responsibility. I've already shouted my slogan, so I will definitely make good on my word," Wang Yan said, "Zhiwo Net can't do much to help with this matter; we can only donate some money and supplies. The main effort lies with Youxiang Net; after all, we now have our own logistics fleet. We won't charge a single cent; we will follow the directives of relevant departments to transport supplies and increase capacity."

"You paid attention too late; there were signs of a major outbreak early this year, and supervision began last month. Youxiang Net also started transporting supplies last month; right now, that's the company's primary focus. We've delayed quite a few of our own deliveries, which absolutely demonstrates our sense of responsibility."

"That must mean losing quite a bit of money, right?" Lu Qianran asked curiously.

"At a time like this, who cares about losses? Business will definitely be affected, but there should be benefits later; the state keeps count, so how could they let us work for nothing? Lose some now, and later we'll earn it back double."

Wang Yan waved his hand, "Don't worry about me; things will get better and better."

"I wasn't," Lu Qianran said, her face turning red again.

"Oh, stop teasing her," Xie Da Qiao quickly spoke up to reprimand.

Wang Ying chimed in: "Exactly, so annoying, shameless."

Xu Lin wore a smirk full of mischief...

It was now February 2003; after returning home for the New Year and staying less than half a month, they had all come back to work.

Because the magazine agency had developed for over a year, it had already reached considerable scale. It had launched five magazines covering fashion, entertainment, art, celebrities, and photography, each managed by more than ten people; adding financial, human resources, and other logistical positions, the entire agency now had over sixty staff members working in the office.

As founding veterans, Xiao Qianxi and the others worked with tremendous enthusiasm, bustling with energy. With Wang Yan's assistance, they had achieved remarkable success.

Of course, Wang Yan had no choice but to help; he was the one who contacted the Academy of Fine Arts, personally reached out for celebrity interviews, and led Xiao Qianxi and the others into the entertainment circle; basically, he had personally paved every path.

However, Xiao Qianxi and the others performed quite well too, handling all follow-up communications excellently.

The magazine agency was naturally secondary; the main focus remained on Zhiwo Net and Youxiang Net.

The number of internet users exploded, website users grew steadily, local life services continued to expand, and the market gradually enlarged, making it a newly risen internet unicorn enterprise.

Especially after Youxiang Net underwent its second round of financing, receiving greater financial support, it constructed its logistics system more robustly, built warehouses, established logistics hubs at various levels, and expanded its last-mile delivery teams. It even founded a freight company, purchasing or renting vehicles, or allowing vehicle owners to affiliate under unified management, forming a transport fleet and opening logistics services in more regions.

At the same time, it further expanded its shipment scale; sales figures climbed step by step, and a constant stream of various campaigns beat the copycat competitors until they couldn't find their way.

Thus, Zhiwo Net and Youxiang Net complemented each other, flourishing and creating new glory...

In the blink of an eye, twenty-plus days passed; students from various regions, after undergoing transfers and inspections, finally arrived at school, and classes officially began.

However, just a few days after school started, on March 9, the first imported case appeared in Jingcheng.

Once one case appeared, logical deduction suggested there were already countless unknown cases within the city; thus, the entire Jingcheng became tense, Beiqing University sealed its campus, prohibiting entry and exit...

"I want to go home!"

Inside the dormitory, Xu Lin sat on his bed, muttering.

Xie Da Qiao said: "You can't leave now; the school is sealed. Even if you got out of school, what would you do once you reached the train station? I estimate your hometown isn't having an easy time either; you simply can't get back."

"The Young Lady went home; why didn't you go back?"

"She left quickly," Xie Da Qiao sighed with an 'aiyo', "By the time I thought about leaving, the school was already sealed; my aunt stopped me and sent me back."

She turned her head to look at Xiao Qianxi, who was sitting there quietly reading a book, and asked, "Qianxi, didn't you just call Wang Yan? What did he say?"

"He said there's nothing to worry about; as long as there's no fever, it's fine. Currently, they can't distinguish between a normal cold and that southern flu, so anyone with a fever must be quarantined. Even if quarantined, it's not a big deal; our school still has guarantees."

"He makes it sound easy," Xu Lin couldn't help but nag, "Once quarantined, who knows if it's just a normal fever? Locking a bunch of feverish people together over there means even those without the flu will catch it. Did he say anything else?"

"Nothing more," Xiao Qianxi said, "He told us to eat well and drink well, take medicine to fight off any discomfort, and just endure it for a month, and it will pass."

"What? Sealed for a month?"

"I don't know; that's just what Wang Yan told me."

"Sigh..." Xu Lin became discouraged again, then added, "If only we were at the company; the space there is larger."

"It's the same; disinfection operations are required everywhere. Moreover, with many employees gathered together, it's even more dangerous. Wang Yan said he gave them leave; those with conditions can communicate via computer from home, and for those without, never mind, wages will still be paid in full."

Xie Da Qiao shook her head: "Wang Yan is probably going to lose a lot of money..."

"I asked him, and he said if everyone is losing, then it's not a loss," Xiao Qianxi smiled, "Anyway, he sounded very relaxed when speaking, so there shouldn't be any problem."

Wang Yan indeed had no major issues; the necessary work had already been done beforehand. Furthermore, only the school was sealed, along with controls on population movement, temporary closures of some densely populated venues, and disinfection in certain areas.

This SARS outbreak, followed later by H1N1, with a flu emerging every few years, continuing until the pandemic era... The nation's experience with such viral flus was accumulated step by step, though the virulence of the viruses seemed to be strengthening as well.

Wang Yan's companies were certainly affected to some extent, but far less severely than during the later pandemic. Even his companies continued to operate normally; employees hired externally were still reporting to work as usual.

He himself led part-time university students in carrying out some online work at the technology park, without significantly delaying the company's development.

Or rather, what was delayed was Youxiang Net and Zhiwo Net's local services; the online forum functions were naturally unaffected. In fact, because everyone cautiously stayed at home, daily active users even increased.

The local services that were delayed involved only offline store consumption; other local group-buying activities proceeded normally, and even improved significantly.

The main reason lies in the fact that when consumers shop on their own, they can only go to offline stores; with everyone scrambling to buy supplies, some items are hard to get. Some group-buying activities on Know-Me Net connect directly with upstream distributors, or even manufacturers, allowing them to secure more supplies at more affordable prices.

Even now, with the flu causing a rush on everything and no worry about unsold goods, Wang Yan's two companies still enjoy more favorable prices. Because he picks up the goods himself and the volume is large, it is far faster than them arranging their own distribution. One must still choose between the rapid turnover of capital and the high returns gained from long-term operation.

Therefore, taking advantage of this convenience, Know-Me Net and You-Xiang Net have also gained a better reputation and more new users...

Wang Yan was also quite busy; besides company affairs, he had to spare time every day to communicate with Xiao Qianxi and Wang Ying, while Li Nana only spoke with him occasionally, and Ren Siyu was completely indifferent.

Naturally, Wang Yan would not cherish those who did not cherish themselves; this was the simple spirit with which he made friends.

A week after the campus lockdown, on this day, Wang Yan was working in the technology park when the mobile phone on his desk rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and answered the call.

"Xie Da Qiao, what's wrong?"

"I have a fever, Wang Yan, what should I do?" Xie Da Qiao's tearful voice came through the phone.

Wang Yan hummed in response and asked, "When did this happen?"

"Just this morning. I haven't gone anywhere these past few days; I've just stayed in the dorm. Wang Yan, tell me, what should I do? Won't I be taken away? Wang Yan, do you think I've caught it? I'm finished..."

Xie Da Qiao spoke incoherently, then burst into loud wails, crying so miserably it seemed as if she would pass away the next second.

"Where are you?"

"... Over by Moming Lake."

Hearing her sobbing response, Wang Yan said, "Just wait there; I'll come find you."

After hanging up, Wang Yan straightforwardly went downstairs, started his car, and found Xie Da Qiao sitting alone once again on the very bench where she had once sat heartbroken after her failed confession to him.

Hearing the sound of the engine cutting off and the door opening, Xie Da Qiao whipped her head around, seeing Wang Yan walking toward her step by step with a smile on his lips.

Seeing him about to sit beside her, she quickly raised her hand: "Don't, stay away from me; what if I infect you?"

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement and plopped down beside her: "You're just scared out of your wits. If there were really a problem, your entire dorm floor would be affected; you've been stuck there for a week, so this certainly isn't an issue concerning only you."

"Then why do I have a fever?"

"From fear."

"Impossible! I must have caught it; we two should keep our distance. Even if I haven't, we still need to be careful. Your net worth is in the billions; if I infect you, and then... you'd lose out too much. You haven't even enjoyed the good life yet, so much money hasn't been cashed in; I feel bad for you just thinking about it."

Not only did Wang Yan not leave, but he directly reached out, pulled Xie Da Qiao over, and regardless of her struggles, gripped her wrist, saying: "Scientific research shows that physical and mental pleasure is the key to health and longevity. Many illnesses are not fatal, but because of long-term depression and sorrow affecting the body and feeding into the lesions, they become life-threatening serious diseases."

"In my judgment, you heard that the flu kills people and that fevers are deadly, so you've been anxious all day. A bad mood affects your immune system; moreover, it's the change of seasons, which is already a peak time for the flu, so you simply scared yourself into a fever and cold."

"Really?"

"If it's fake, then in a few days we should be able to stay in the same hospital ward."

Xie Da Qiao looked at Wang Yan's smiling face, remembered she was still being held, and quickly pushed him away, creating some distance between them, her face turning completely red.

Wang Yan didn't mind, smiling as he asked: "Have you taken any medicine?"

"No. When I measured my temperature this morning and found I had a fever, I falsely reported my temperature and ran out immediately; I was scared... Can you stop looking at me with that kind of expression? Yes, what I did was indeed quite stupid, but I was scared; I was frightened out of my wits. I just thought I couldn't be taken away, and I couldn't drag Qianxi and Xu Lin down with me..."

"If you really caught it, no one in your dorm room could escape." Wang Yan shook his head, stood up, and said, "Let's go; don't stand here in the cold wind; the more it blows, the worse you'll feel. Go to my place, take some medicine, relax, and calm your nerves."

"Maybe not; there are so many people in your company, and if..."

"We'll go to the upper floor of the company building. You-Xiang Net has already moved out completely; that space hasn't been returned yet, so it's just right and empty. It's very spacious; you could do somersaults and practice martial arts in there. Let's go, let's go."

Wang Yan waved his hand, turned around, and got back into the car.

Xie Da Qiao covered her scalding hot face with her icy cold hands, but ultimately moved, trotting over clumsily to get into the car...

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