Capítulo 762: Chapter 249: Playing Along with Your Act

So these small platforms not only grab a portion of the business but also damage the reputation of cryptocurrency to some extent… In short, the fewer business-stealing platforms, the better.

If both sides can really cooperate, making those non-compliant small platforms lose their space, it might even promote their development.

Yes, the crisis hasn’t passed yet, and Jesse Powell is already thinking about whether he can use this crisis to take the platform’s development to the next level.

One more protection fee payer doesn’t matter. There are plenty of people sucking blood from exchanges, as long as the money spent is worthwhile, it’s enough.

With these calculations in mind, when heading to the meeting room, Jesse Powell feels he has more confidence in handling this crisis and has also solidified the theme of this emergency meeting and the goal to be achieved.

After all, the premise of achieving all this is if Qiao Yu is willing to cooperate with them.

…

Huaxia, Yanbei International Mathematics Research Center, inside Qiao Yu’s office, Zheng Xiweng is lamenting the changing seasons.

What makes this iron-willed tough guy feel melancholy is that compared to Qiao Yu, he seems to have aged.

For instance, he seems unable to stay up late anymore; it’s barely 4 AM, and he’s feeling utterly exhausted.

But looking at Qiao Yu, he’s still full of energy, showing no sign of fatigue at all.

Thinking back twenty years… no, not even twenty, just five or ten years ago, when he was in his twenties in the regiment below, he could handle any task staying up for a few nights effortlessly.

Now he’s barely making it through the second half of the night, already feeling physically drained. And remembering how the first time Qiao Yu met him, he called him “little old man,” he couldn’t help but feel a bit heartbroken.

He’s just over forty, in the prime of life, how come suddenly he’s not able to keep up?

While feeling sorry for himself, Qiao Yu, sitting at the computer, suddenly slams the table and shouts, scaring Zheng Xiweng with a start, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest.

“Look, I knew these capitalists were really smart, otherwise why would they be the ones making money!”

Understanding what Qiao Yu said, Zheng Xiweng simply stands up, stretches his limbs, then walks over to Qiao Yu to look at his computer screen.

“What’s up?”

“Look, the three major cryptocurrency websites we mentioned have collectively issued statements. See how beautifully they worded it, to ensure all users’ transaction and privacy security, given the current technological development trends…

They specifically invited 2026 Fields Medal winner Qiao Yu and his research team to comprehensively test the website’s transaction system… Haha, Mr. Qiao Yu, this is the first time someone called me Mr. Qiao Yu.”

Looking at Qiao Yu’s delighted expression, Zheng Xiweng finds himself at a loss for words.

Apparently, the other side has chickened out, and very quickly at that, almost a direct slide to their knees. The power of knowledge is terrifying.

Previously, people always said a scientist could be worth several divisions, it always sounded abstract.

But today’s situation has given Zheng Xiweng a more direct understanding of the power of knowledge.

No protests, no other actions, just holding their heads, shouting at the other side, “Just don’t hit the head.”

“So Mr. Qiao Yu, should we proceed as planned next?”

“Of course. But since they’ve already actively invited us to run tests, shouldn’t you have the person who notified us just now go ask how they’re calculating the fee?

After all, we’ve worked hard overnight, and so many engineers have stayed up with us, not to mention wasting a lot of computing power from the supercomputing center.

If the other side doesn’t give a penny, it feels somewhat unreasonable, right? When word gets out later, folks might think those trading platforms are too stingy.”

Zheng Xiweng glances at Qiao Yu, really not knowing how to evaluate this idea.

Honestly, he’s familiar with this kind of operation too. It’s called strong-arming the market. It was a key crackdown when Huaxia was establishing a market economy for a long time.

But this time it’s not in the Huaxia market, so it seems harmless. The only trouble is he feels a bit embarrassed to make those calls.

Feeling like an accomplice to the villains who bully in the market.

“No, Uncle Zheng, why are you dawdling? Hurry up and make the call! I don’t mind working hard, but so many engineers stayed up all night, it’s only right to feel a bit sorry for them.

Previously, we couldn’t offer many benefits, but now with benefits handed to us, don’t you want to help fight for it? Really gonna let so many people work for nothing all night?”

Zheng Xiweng, initially feeling quite embarrassed, suddenly feels swayed upon hearing this.

If the money received is used to issue bonuses to engineers on the front line, it wouldn’t be unacceptable.

If it’s for the greater good rather than for Qiao Yu’s personal gain, sacrificing a bit of face—or even getting scolded afterward—would be worthwhile.

So Zheng Xiweng confirms once again, “The money received will truly be used for welfare distribution?”

Qiao Yu generously says, “Of course, everyone involved today gets a share. Including you, you get a share too.”

“I’m okay without it…” Zheng Xiweng waves his hand.

“No, Uncle Zheng, it’s not my money, why act so politely? Besides, if you don’t want it, what about the people under you? They stay up not just today; they’re on night duty every night! Can’t you think about helping your own folks out a bit, wanting them to loyally follow you in the future?”

Again, Zheng Xiweng is convinced by Qiao Yu’s words.

He’s really indifferent to money, having enough for his needs. But the brothers in his team indeed work hard.

Although he’s planning to live alone, one person eating full and the whole family not hungry, those young people still need to date, marry, and buy houses…

When it’s time to fight for benefits for his brothers, he can’t afford to be lenient.

“Then how much do you think is appropriate for each company?”

“Can’t ask for too much, that wouldn’t be suitable; it’s just a one-time test. This way, simply go for a hundred thousand each, totaling three hundred thousand.”

“Okay, sure.”

“By the way, it’s in US Dollars! Make sure not to say RMB.”

“US Dollars?”

“Of course, they earn in US Dollars, you expect them to earn US Dollars and spend RMB? There’s no such good deal in the world! Earning RMB and spending US Dollars seems more likely.”

“What if they think it’s too expensive and refuse to give it?”

“Once we’ve settled on a price, how could they think it’s too expensive? Not a cent less. If they really think it’s expensive, then just sing them a song.”

“A song?”

“Yes, sing that song ‘I Refuse to Cooperate with Your Performance’.”

“Oh, right, do you know how to translate this into English? Want me to help you? My spoken English is awesome…”

“Forget it, using your account to receive the payment?”

“We’ve agreed that this money is for bonuses, why put it in my account? You can just set up a payment account for convenient processing. No need for that expression, Uncle Zheng, I trust you.”

Well, truth be told, Zheng Xiweng trusts himself too.

Not to mention there’s a bunch of people watching this matter; once the money reaches Huaxia, its usage is transparent. Even if someone wants to extend a hand, they don’t have the guts.

“Alright then, I’ll go find someone to contact the other side.”

“By the way, tell them the money needs to be in the account before the global live broadcast at ten o’clock. Otherwise, I might just speak the truth loud and clear!”

“Got it.”

…

“Mr. Powell, Huaxia people called again. They’re asking for a hundred thousand, and they say it must be in the provided account before ten o’clock, or else at your own risk.”

“A hundred thousand US Dollars? Why?”

“They say this is the fee for inviting Mr. Qiao Yu’s technical team to perform security tests on the trading platform.”

Upon hearing this, Jesse Powell doesn’t get angry. On the contrary, he feels somewhat delighted.

It’s a good sign the other side is asking for money; asking for money means his plan might be feasible.

If confronted with a stubborn one who doesn’t even want money, that would be the real trouble!