On the second day after Renren.com banned a large number of unethical internet celebrities and bloggers, that gold-digger who sought wealth by harming others actually published a statement on Xiaonei.com.
The general content of the statement was that she had actually deeply loved the man, but as they spent less and less time together, their feelings faded, leading her to propose breaking up.
She felt that everyone had the right to freedom in relationships.
Furthermore, the gold-digger claimed to have returned 130,000 RMB after the incident.
The implication was that the man's suicide attempt was entirely due to a lack of family warmth and a fragile inner self, which was unreasonable, and that she herself was also a victim.
Now suffering such cyberbullying, she also wished to die.
At the end of the statement, she didn't forget to diss Renren.com, instead thanking Xiaonei.com for giving her a platform to speak, describing Renren.com as fostering a climate of cyberbullying.
Chen Pingjiang laughed angrily when he saw this statement.
He had originally thought it was an apology, but there wasn't a single "I'm sorry" in the entire piece; it was all sophistry to absolve herself, simply attributing someone else's death to poor mentality and family discord, without mentioning her own issues at all.
She completely whitewashed her cheating, not mentioning a word about her deception for money or affection.
As expected, this statement, once released, not only failed to gain any understanding but was met with widespread condemnation across the internet.
Weibo and Renren.com continuously exposed the fact that this gold-digger had previously worked as a hostess, and even third and fourth parties came forward to share their experiences of being strung along by her.
Interestingly, while Renren.com had deleted many discordant comments due to its "clean internet" campaign, some extreme feminists or people with twisted views all flocked to Xiaonei.com, making sarcastic remarks.
Although Chen Yizhou felt there were risks, he believed it was generally controllable and the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
He didn't mind Xiaonei.com becoming a cesspool; if it could gain more traffic and topics, it was better than slowly waiting for death.
At least for now, Xiaonei.com had latched onto a trending online event.
Chen Pingjiang could only describe this with one sentence:
"You reap what you sow."
It was truly for traffic, discarding even basic mainstream values.
Chen Pingjiang naturally did not hate women.
As Chen Pingjiang expected, the matter continued to ferment over the next few days.
Six or seven trending topics were occupied, related topics garnered over two billion views, and comments and shares averaged over ten million.
The incident even spread to international websites, with foreigners joining the condemnation.
Many people also began spontaneous mourning activities.
Basically, 99% of normal people, regardless of gender, regarded Renren.com's various social platforms as their base camp, while 1% of the people on Xiaonei.com were muddle-headed.
In this atmosphere of public outrage, Chen Pingjiang didn't need to do much; he only needed to subtly guide public opinion, and gradually the topic shifted towards attacking Xiaonei.com.
"No wonder Xiaonei.com came out even before Renren.com, yet it ended up like this. Chen Pingjiang has become the richest man; it can only be said that Xiaonei.com deserves its current state."
"It's a matter of perspective; such people are destined not to succeed, and Xiaonei.com will close down sooner or later."
"Brothers, I've already reported it to the Cyberspace Administration of China."
"What's the use of reporting? If you ask me, we should launch an expedition. Diba's expedition leaves no blade of grass standing."
"That's right, let's directly charge into Xiaonei.com and properly educate those with twisted views."
"..."
When the vast public sentiment found an outlet, it was like a flood being released; Xiaonei.com was hit hard all at once.
Chen Yizhou watched the soaring data in the backend, his excited face turning slightly red.
How long had it been since such a scene occurred?
"Mr. Chen, in just five hours, registered users have increased by 1.2 million, but our servers are struggling. In addition to normal access, we've also encountered a large number of DDoS attacks."
Chen Yizhou thought for a moment:
"Whatever it takes, find every way to hold the line for me; the servers cannot crash. Also, directly report Renren.com to the Cyberspace Administration of China leadership for controlling public opinion to attack our Xiaonei.com, and we'll issue another public announcement ourselves."
Subordinate Liu Yue frowned upon hearing this, feeling that Chen Yizhou was playing with fire.
"Mr. Chen, isn't this unwise? The situation has become so big, it's already difficult to end. Wouldn't what we're doing be like adding fuel to the fire?"
"Scared? If you're scared, then get out. Xiaonei.com has only this one chance; lose it, and it will close sooner or later."
Supervisor Liu Yue sighed, suddenly feeling a strange look in Chen Yizhou's eyes.
He silently took his work badge off his neck and threw it into the trash can.
Chen Yizhou looked back and just caught sight of the work badge's parabolic trajectory, a sharp pain in his eyes.
He had no choice.
Along the way, he had started businesses multiple times, none of which succeeded.
Xiaonei.com, which showed the most signs of success and could have gone public, was repeatedly targeted by Renren.com, and its Nuomi was sold to Baidu.
If Xiaonei.com didn't seize this opportunity, Chen Yizhou would have no future either.
SoftBank invested 300-400 million US dollars.
If that money went down the drain, would they spare him?
His personal safety would certainly not be an issue, but he would never be able to make a comeback in this life, perhaps even having to hide abroad.
Chen Yizhou was unwilling; he was clearly just one step away from reaching the peak back then.
Fortunately... he had thought there was no chance, but unexpectedly encountered such a public opinion incident.
If he didn't fight for it, should he just wait for death?
In any case, in Chen Yizhou's view, Xiaonei.com was just a platform.
At least so far, these unethical bloggers hadn't been formally investigated, and there had been no clear official directive to ban them.
Given that, these people currently had no issues, so wasn't it reasonable for him to give them a platform to speak?
Even if it might bring him infamy, Chen Yizhou didn't care.
Although Chen Yizhou was certain that this incident would not cause any substantial damage to Renren.com, it could at least give his own Xiaonei.com's data a boost.
Liu Yue, who had just thrown his work ID, returned to his office with a gloomy expression, then packed his things, ready to leave.
His subordinate walked over and asked,
"Boss, we just heard everything."
"Oh? Good news stays home, bad news travels a thousand li. You all knew it by the time I walked out of HR?"
Liu Yue spread his hands with a bitter smile:
"I can't stay at this company anymore; our values don't align. It's just a pity that it's been five or six years since Qianxiang Group was founded, and now that it's time to leave, I actually feel a bit reluctant, and of course, I'm mainly reluctant to leave you guys."
"Hey, what's the big deal? Let's go together. I can't stand this crappy company either. Last year, they said business wasn't good, and my year-end bonus was cut in half, making my wife think I was out spending money on pleasures."
"Yes, master, I'm quitting too. This world is too treacherous; I want to go back to the countryside."
"Since everyone is leaving, I can't stay in this dilapidated place alone either."
"..."
Liu Yue stared blankly at the brothers in his department, his eyes instantly reddening.
He quickly reached out and pressed them:
"Say what you want, joke around, but don't be impulsive. You're not like me; I've earned a lot over the years. You all have families to support. For example, Xiao Li, you're getting married soon. If you resign now, what will your girlfriend think of you? Listen to me, if you really want to leave, wait for me to go out and make a name for myself first. Once I find a good place, I'll bring everyone over."
However, an employee wearing glasses didn't give the supervisor a chance to continue.
He picked up his laptop, showed something, and grinned:
"Boss, unfortunately, it's too late."
On the screen was clearly a post, a post published on Xiaonei.com.
"Our project team voluntarily resigned from Xiaonei.com today, to cut ties with such a disgusting company and purify the online environment. Everyone has a responsibility."
Done, and next to it was a photo, every single person in the department was captured in it.
Liu Yue shook his head, speechless:
"Well, what else is there to say? Let's go together."
They really went all out; with something like this happening, even if they didn't want to leave, they had to.
...
Seeing the public statement from Xiaonei.com, Chen Pingjiang felt that Chen Yizhou had simply gone mad.
The statement contained several points:
1. Xiaonei.com is an open and inclusive platform that can accommodate different voices and opinions. The world is vast, big enough for you and me.
2. Xiaonei.com will not arbitrarily ban platform users, as this goes against corporate values and relevant regulations.
3. Advise platform users to comment rationally. (The platform will delete bad comments.)
4. Expresses disapproval of certain competitors' malicious exclusion and one-size-fits-all approaches, and will resort to legal means for resolution.
The statement wasn't long, and nowhere did it mention Chen Pingjiang or Renren.com Group, but it was obvious to a blind man who it was targeting.
"Wow, this Chen Yizhou really understood the essence of 'being infamous is also a kind of fame',"
Chen Pingjiang couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
Since he's so stubborn, then be prepared to be flooded.
As soon as the statement was released, it completely ignited the anger of the vast number of users.
The two groups clashed remotely, showering each other with insults.
Xiaonei.com's backend staff couldn't even keep up with deleting posts.
At the same time, Chen Pingjiang also received an inquiry call from the Cyberspace Administration of China.
Chen Pingjiang merely dodged the question with one sentence:
"It's the spontaneous behavior of netizens, it has nothing to do with me."
Just kidding, it genuinely had nothing to do with him.
Xiaonei.com was bringing a lantern into the toilet — looking for death.
Why should he pay for it?
Why weren't netizens rushing to other platforms, but only Xiaonei.com?
Presumably, the Cyberspace Administration of China also found it absurd and didn't feel comfortable pressing further.
Some internet tycoons, seeing clearly what was happening, rationally remained silent, but expressed their opinions in private circles.
"This incident has become quite big. Chen Pingjiang has gone a bit too far. That 'initiative' might have had a good starting point, but it's not something a private enterprise should do; if it's to be done, it should be done by the authorities."
"Indeed, he's still young. With status and money, he always gets impatient and wants to gain some fame. Little does he know, the bird that sticks its head out gets shot. Controlling social platforms and self-media is a force that cannot be ignored; even the authorities would be alarmed."
"How do you two think this will end?" someone asked.
"I estimate that soon, the relevant departments will step in to cool things down, punishing both sides equally. But the impact of this incident will definitely not fade, and Chen Pingjiang will probably have to keep a low profile for a long time."
"Why did he do this? It wasn't even his business," someone sighed.
"Who knows? For fame? I can't think of any other possibilities besides that. He lacks neither money nor status."
At this moment, someone chuckled:
"You all underestimate Mr. Chen Pingjiang too much. Don't judge him with your inherent mediocrity. You people, when doing business, only think about profit, always adopting the attitude of 'sweep only the snow from your own doorstep, don't mind the frost on others' tiles.'
Little do you know, young people have vitality, a sense of social responsibility, and dare to say no to unhealthy social trends. This is truly valuable. Does he not know what consequences this might bring?
I think he knows, but he still did it. Heh heh, I confess I don't have his courage, nor that level of influence. But such a person truly deserves to be called an entrepreneur. In comparison, at most, we can only be called merchants."
"..."
As a large number of netizens stormed Xiaonei.com, many people on the platform scrolled past that resignation photo and its caption.
Netizens' emotions once again found an outlet.
Immediately, this topic soared to the trending list.
"A department at Xiaonei.com collectively resigns, protesting the company's inaction."
For a time, this Xiaonei.com resignation post received a massive number of likes, shares, and comments, with the comment section filled with support.
Some busybodies went back to Weibo and Renren.com, @-ing everyone they could.
"@Renren.com @WeiboAdmin @Renren.comCEO Li Xi @Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen, it's time for you to step in. Why aren't you immediately recruiting such a great team?"
"Exactly, don't let the blood of those with passion cool down."
"As long as Renren.com takes in the brothers from this department, I will only use Renren.com's internet products from now on."
"Xiaonei.com is universally rejected; such ambitious individuals should not be abandoned by society."
"Renren.com and Mr. Chen, if you don't do this, I'll look down on you!"
"Latest news, Xiaonei.com has taken action and deleted that resignation post."
"Xiaonei.com is truly pathetic, haha. They said Renren.com deletes posts randomly, what's the difference?"
"Of course there's a difference, one is righteous, the other is evil."
"..."
After a barrage of attacks, not long after, Chen Pingjiang and Renren.com's Weibo simultaneously updated.
Mr. Chen: Everyone rest assured, I have sent people to negotiate. 1.5 times the salary will not let the blood of passionate people cool, and it will also put everyone's mind at ease.
Below were a bunch of comments:
"Only 1.5 times? Haha, I despise you, it should be at least 3 times!"
"Please, upstairs, don't be so thoughtless. 1.5 times is already very good. What would other Renren.com employees think if it were 3 times?"
On the other side, Renren.com's Weibo also published a post with images:
"Our Beijing branch's HR has found the head of this department and is currently in negotiations."
The caption was a photo of Renren.com's HR and a dozen people from the team who had just resigned from Xiaonei.com, all giving thumbs up and smiling.
Consequently, the vast number of netizens were delighted.
Renren.com truly spoils its fans and knows how to capture traffic; their actions were indeed fast.
----
After the department that had collectively resigned from Xiaonei.com completed their resignation procedures one by one, everyone walked out of Qianxiang Group's headquarters building, each holding a box.
After coming out, department supervisor Liu Yue took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, looking at the sunny weather outside, feeling his body warmed by the sun.
"Let's go, I'm treating today. Let's find a place to drink until we drop. Tomorrow's matters can wait until tomorrow."
"What should we eat? Hotpot? BBQ? Or a restaurant?"
"Why eat hotpot or BBQ? It's expensive and not tasty. We might eat this meal but not the next, haha. Let's save some money for the boss."
"Let's just go to a street food stall. For a dozen people with drinks, four or five hundred yuan should be enough. And everyone will split the bill for this meal."
Liu Yue pretended to be displeased, his face stern:
"What, just because you've resigned, you don't respect me anymore? I said I'm paying, so I'm paying. Nobody is allowed to fight for the bill."
Qiu Jihe, who had posted the resignation photo online, was startled when he was scrolling through his phone.
How did his post go viral in less than two hours, just the time it took to complete some paperwork?
"Look quickly, I just uploaded the resignation photo we took to Xiaonei.com, and I didn't expect it to go viral."
Everyone heard this and pulled out their phones to log into Xiaonei.com.
Seeing the messages expressing support and solidarity, their hearts warmed.
The grievances in their chests and the gloom in their hearts were swept away, replaced by a warmth spreading through their bodies.
Do not worry that there are no friends on the road ahead!
The group walked and chatted, and soon arrived at a small alley next to Xiaonei.com's headquarters.
"Boss, prepare a table of dishes for our group, and two cases of beer,"
Liu Yue said with a grand gesture.
The boss, who knew these regulars, brought over two cases of beer with his rough hands and asked with a smile,
"Why are all of you carrying boxes?"
"Because we're unemployed."
"Unemployed, so no one will come to patronize your business anymore."
The boss gave an awkward laugh:
"It's alright, it's alright. Come often if you have the chance in the future."
A group of people quickly opened bottles of beer, but just as they were halfway through, they noticed a man and two women approaching, carrying briefcases, their faces showing smiles of relief as they walked.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Supervisor Liu Yue?"
the man leading the group asked with a smile.
Liu Yue looked at the newcomers somewhat bewildered:
"That's me. Where are you from?"
"Hello, hello."
The man quickly came forward to shake hands:
"I am the HR Director for Renren.com's Beijing branch. These two are my colleagues. We received Mr. Chen's request to come and invite your entire department to join Renren.com. The salary will be 1.5 times your previous one, and other benefits such as meal allowances, transportation subsidies, housing allowances, and stock options will be the same as other Renren.com employees."
Liu Yue thought he was dreaming, and hesitated before taking the man's outstretched right hand and shaking it:
"You're not kidding, are you? How did you find us so quickly?"
"Why would we be kidding? You can check our Mr. Chen's Weibo yourself. As for how we found you, it's even simpler: Qiu Jihe's post. We just sent a private message on Xiaonei.com to ask for contact information, didn't we?"
Renren.com's director winked and said with a smile.
Instantly, a dozen pairs of eyes turned towards Qiu Jihe, who had previously posted the resignation notice.
They saw Qiu Jihe scratching his head happily:
"Don't thank me, I also didn't expect a resignation post meant to vent frustration to get so much attention."
"Haha, good boy, you really outdid yourself."
A group of people rushed over, vying to pat Qiu Jihe's head.
Renren.com's director looked at Liu Yue and asked,
"I wonder if you are willing to join Renren.com Group and become colleagues?"
"Willing, of course willing! Only a fool wouldn't be willing. We are precisely like stray dogs without jobs, it's wonderful that Renren.com is willing to take us in."
"Renren.com is great! I wanted to join Renren.com when I graduated, but I didn't get accepted, which is why I joined Xiaonei.com. I never thought I'd turn this misfortune into a blessing."
"I can't wait to start working."
"Director, will we be working in Dongjiang or at the Beijing branch in the future?"
"..."
Everyone, speaking over each other, almost surrounded the director.
"Don't rush, let's address the questions one by one. First, let's take a photo together. Also, Qiu Jihe's resignation post has already been deleted by Xiaonei.com, and your accounts have all been banned."
Liu Yue shrugged indifferently:
"So what if they're banned? It just shows a guilty conscience."
Others also wished they could spit:
"Exactly, they say one thing and do another."
A moment later, a group photo of everyone giving thumbs up was captured and uploaded to Weibo.
(End of Chapter)