Chapter 46: 045 Everyone Must Die, But Not Socially Die

On July 24, a post appeared on the campus network and quickly spread widely.

As a university social platform, the campus network, besides facilitating communication among familiar users, naturally had a content recommendation system with its own quality filtering and delivery mechanism.

Moreover, the real-name registration system gave certain types of content greater impact.

This post by user “Yu Xing, Dating Contract Creator” was exactly such a case—his school verification was “Jinling Medical University,” and his explanations about his startup project over the past half-month had made classmates aware of what he was doing.

Although jumping from medicine to entrepreneurship made classmates find this choice and content surprising, even suspecting he was under too much pressure from the lab, his latest self-statement still suddenly enraged his peers.

“I launched a startup project; last month I was interviewed by NetEase, and this month I bizarrely discovered it had become NetEase’s latest dating project.”

“I was initially furious, but then I thought—if NetEase rides on my innovation, maybe its reputation can finally rival Penguin’s.”

“Suddenly, I felt relieved—the grassroots entrepreneur still has a tiny role to play.”

Song Yufeng, ghostwriting for Yu Xing, opened with the core theme: three sentences describing the event, drawing a reputation comparison, and sarcastically expressing discontent.

Penguin’s reputation is currently terrible; its practice of copying projects using traffic has drawn widespread complaints and numerous public opinion incidents, yet it remains unmoved, standing firm.

“Entering society, I hadn’t yet grown accustomed to assuming the worst intentions from competitors—but today, I must step forward and express my shock.”

“My shock has two points.”

“First, this company doesn’t train journalists—it trains corporate spies; second, I deeply respect this internet giant, yet it can be so despicable.”

“I think I shouldn’t have had any entrepreneurial dreams at all, because they aren’t tolerated by giants like NetEase or Penguin.”

“On June 28, I was interviewed by a NetEase reporter at my alma mater, Southern University of Science and Technology; back then, I thought it was the launch of my entrepreneurial journey—never did I imagine that within a month, I would tremble from within.”

“On July 19, NetEase merged two dating teams into ‘NetEase Dating’ and launched a new project targeting college students: ‘Dating Contract.’”

“When I heard this news, I couldn’t believe it—I froze. The name, the business model, even the most basic pricing: 299 yuan, three-year term, 999 roses—it was identical!”

“Even if you’d just made a slight change?”

“I was surprised I hadn’t heard NetEase had a dating project—but I wasn’t surprised NetEase would run its business this way; not hearing about it wasn’t odd.”

“My colleague was stunned—he blurted out, ‘Brother Xing, this is theft without asking!’”

“I said, no—it didn’t even ask. It asked and stole.”

“I thought we had guests visiting, so we warmly received them and explained everything carefully—turns out, he was a thief who listened intently, then handed the business plan to his colleague to copy.”

“From the 19th to today, these five days, I’ve been confused, baffled, in pain—I think I’m about to accept my fate, yet I feel I shouldn’t.”

“My colleague urged me, my junior urged me, my female classmate urged me, my elders urged me—there’s nothing to be done, just accept it.”

“The environment is like this, the industry is like this, entrepreneurship is like this, society is like this.”

“No, I disagree!”

“I believe it doesn’t have to be like this!”

“I refuse to let NetEase ride on my innovation!”

“Alright, I’m done. NetEase, come at me!”

Song Yufeng attached his company’s link to the post—announcing team adjustments, NetEase Dating’s new interface and business model—while carefully noting the timeline and asking Yu Xing for photos of his investigation draft and some data.

Since the campus network’s user base was all college students, his wording was emotionally charged; the content prepared for other forums and BBSs was far more calm.

Moreover, Song Yufeng had prepared the official media statements for future use.

Yu Xing gave Song Yufeng his highest praise for this proactive behavior: “Brother Feng, you’re like a shadow mastermind!”

Song Yufeng was humble: “I just did what I should.”

Since I did it, I might as well do it best!

Of course, this also had to do with reviewing his own drunken work from the night before—some men’s conversations aren’t meant for public release.

Everyone must die, but not socially die!

Song Yufeng, in his office, stopped writing the press release and closely monitored the campus network’s marketing impact—and indeed saw excellent results.

On one hand, Guai Ai Network was clearly in the right; on the other, the campus network was one of today’s most popular social platforms, and its explosive popularity stemmed from high-quality student engagement, which aligned perfectly with Guai Ai Network’s startup background.

Song Yufeng believed this effect would mature even better over time.

But today, he himself would step onto the stage…

Song Yufeng closed his computer screen, drank half a cup of tea to moisten his throat, and turned to ask a colleague: “Brother Wang, hasn’t the meeting upstairs ended yet?”

“Not yet. What’s up?” Brother Wang replied without turning around.

Song Yufeng said seriously: “Big matter.”

Brother Wang laughed, not taking it seriously.

Upstairs was the newly formed “NetEase Dating” department, holding a market analysis meeting under Director Ying Jiadong’s leadership—indeed, around the same time, a meeting was also being held in Yangcheng.

“NetEase Dating” was formed by merging two teams; although Ying Jiadong became director, he was only responsible for expanding the northern market, with internal competition still in place.

Yet he had strong confidence in the new product.

That small company had already proven the market’s existence; if they seized the market first, before rivals like Century Love, Guai Ai Network, and Baihe Network reacted, NetEase’s dating team could shine.

Ying Jiadong had previously been deputy director, but in the company, like his own business, he had little presence.

Three years passed without any performance breakthrough—the dating market simply didn’t recognize the “NetEase” brand. Fortunately, upper management was still willing to experiment, and this alternative opportunity finally arrived.

Last week, Ying Jiadong even heard rumors at headquarters in Yangcheng: if “NetEase Dating” delivered results, it might be upgraded to a dedicated Dating Division.

If that happened, his position could rise even further!

Ying Jiadong smiled slightly, then his smile faded when a colleague made a suggestion in the meeting room.

“We can add more options for customers—not just roses, but many other appealing items.”

Do customers entering marriage only need roses?

Obviously not.

A quiet discussion arose in the meeting room.

Ying Jiadong cleared his throat: “We’ll discuss this later. Right now, we must rush, rush, rush to seize the market!”

The discussion in the meeting room stopped.

Ying Jiadong tapped the table with his finger: “Since other companies have already proven their path works, we needn’t take risks. We can offer other things—but there’s no need!”

“This is respecting the market.”

“Once we’ve secured a solid market share, we can innovate further.”

Could this project be modified?

Of course it could.

But there’s no need.

If a path has already been cleared ahead, why risk going another way?

Ying Jiadong’s “respect for the market” earned applause.

But as he finished the meeting and stepped out, he suddenly saw his colleague Xiong Lianhui hurrying over, panicked.

“Director Ying, um, your team, your team, has been….” Xiong Lianhui wanted to say “defamation” but felt it might not be accurate, so instead he showed his laptop screen to Ying Jiadong.

Ying Jiadong glanced blankly at the screen, then frowned deeply.

Campus Network.

—NetEase Rides My Innovation; Without Penguin, Who Can Challenge?

He scrolled down briefly—it was an indictment from Guai Ai Network’s founder.

Ying Jiadong hadn’t expected this college student to have such spirit. He withdrew his hand and asked: “Is the impact serious?”

Xiong Lianhui replied: “It’s still trending.”

“Contact Campus Network and get them to take it down,” Ying Jiadong said without hesitation. “The content is false.”

Before Xiong Lianhui could respond, a roar erupted through the entire floor, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ying Jiadong!!”

Song Yufeng, informed the meeting had ended, stormed upstairs and marched straight toward Director Ying Jiadong.

Ying Jiadong jumped at the shout and turned to see Song Yufeng, furious.

“Ying Jiadong, you’ve done a terrible thing!” Song Yufeng channeled his qi into his dantian, his voice rising another notch, emotions bursting forth: “Why did you copy a regular entrepreneur’s project?”

Ying Jiadong froze, instinctively saying: “Wait, Song Yufeng, what are you doing? Come to my office!”

Didn’t you help me?

When I asked you before, you didn’t object!

“Ying Jiadong, I reported their startup project—why did you copy it?!” Song Yufeng ignored Ying Jiadong entirely, pressing his accusations.

Colleagues at their desks had risen one after another; department staff from the meeting room gathered around.

Even downstairs, word had spread, and people rushed up to watch.

Ying Jiadong noticed the crowd gathering and his face darkened: “Song Yufeng, what are you trying to do?”

“I don’t even know what I’m trying to do!” Song Yufeng kept his anger burning. “I just want to ask you—what the hell are you trying to do?!”

Ying Jiadong thought this junior reporter was completely insane, utterly irrational.

He turned and ordered: “Come on, take him to the meeting room!”

At this moment, Song Yufeng didn’t even know if he was pretending anymore.

He could have quietly collected his carfare, lived a quiet life with his girlfriend, and let a routine news report pass—yet this Ying Jiadong had lusted after such a project…

Without Ying Jiadong’s greed, everything would have been normal!

Even if Ying Jiadong hadn’t been so impatient, this wouldn’t have turned out like this!

Song Yufeng’s accusations carried his fear of the uncertain future, his rage at Ying Jiadong’s greed, and also a faint sorrow from being coerced by Yu Xing.

This complex mix of emotions unleashed tremendous energy.

“Who dares?!” Song Yufeng glared fiercely at the two or three colleagues ready to obey. “I want to see who dares today!”

Ying Jiadong, seeing the crowd grow, grew anxious: “W-what are you even doing?!”

He didn't understand.

"I just can't stand it!" Song Yufeng demanded. "Why did you copy their project!?"

Ying Jiadong felt the accomplice before him was utterly strange: "I, I..."

"What do you mean 'I'!" Song Yufeng shouted. "A regular college student works tirelessly under the blazing sun to start a business, and after seeing my report, you just stole the entire project! Do you have any conscience? Do you have any integrity!"

Ying Jiadong stared, dumbfounded: "You, you..."

"What 'you'! I've put up with you long enough!" Song Yufeng's emotions peaked, his voice cracking. "You think you're a leader! You think you're a director! You think you're the company's favorite! You think you can do whatever you want like this! Let me tell you, Ying Jiadong—I'm ashamed to be associated with someone like you!"

Ying Jiadong suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and shortness of breath—You never used to be like this!

Song Yufeng yanked off his employee badge and slammed it onto the floor: "We're NetEase, not Tencent! I'm done!"

He turned and walked away, suddenly feeling a thrilling sense of standing on the side of justice!

Damn, being on the side of justice feels this good!

Song Yufeng was gone, leaving only his badge lying quietly on the floor.

Ying Jiadong never expected this turn of events—he couldn't fathom what had snapped in the young reporter. All he heard were hushed whispers around him, and saw the ashamed glances of his colleagues. A strong feeling rose within him.

Ruined!

Things are dire!