ATL's changed strategy indeed helped them evade the Tang Empire's pursuit, but hiding outside the circle was not a long-term solution.
One day, Ou Yunchen was preparing to attend a meeting at ATL when he was suddenly ambushed by a group of people throwing eggs at him.
The group held up signs denouncing capitalists and marched through the streets.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, the stock market has plummeted, and a lot of investors' money has been drained..."
Ou Yunchen, dodging the garbage thrown at him, managed to push his way into ATL's newly relocated headquarters, escorted by bodyguards.
Lawyer Ma quickly ordered her subordinates to lock the doors, preventing the mob from barging in and causing trouble.
Lawyer Ma: "Notify the police. We pay so much in taxes, not for them to stand on the next street and watch the show!"
Ou Yunchen took a tissue from Crystal, wiping the egg yolk from his face.
He returned to his office, hiding behind the curtains, and gazed down at the crowd that refused to disperse...
Lawyer Ma: "Mr. Ou, they've gone too far. They've been causing trouble at ATL's entrance for days."
Crystal: "I sent someone to investigate. Many of them were easily swayed by rumors and bought some stocks."
"But unfortunately, lacking professional knowledge, they became mere leeks. Many even took out loans and are now on the verge of jumping off buildings."
Lawyer Ma: "Serves them right! If you don't have money, don't play the stock market! Why are they causing trouble for us!"
Crystal: "It's strange, though. They're fixated on us being market makers, but we're a private equity firm..."
Ou Yunchen drew the curtains closed. Like everyone else, he was perplexed by the crowd's "enthusiasm." While most "leeks" disliked fund management companies, this seemed excessively targeted at ATL...
Ou Yunchen: "Find an employee they don't recognize to mingle with them and see who's organizing this."
Lawyer Ma: "Understood."
Ou Yunchen's guess was correct. The crowd was indeed organized and disciplined. When the police arrived, they calmly dispersed, only to return to ATL once the police left. This time, they didn't shout or make noise, but simply sat outside ATL.
On this scorching hot afternoon, Ou Yunchen stood by the window, watching them still showing no signs of leaving.
Lawyer Ma: "Mr. Ou, perhaps we should call the police again to drive them away. We have several clients coming to sign contracts this afternoon, and with them here..."
Ou Yunchen: "Inform all clients scheduled to sign contracts recently, tell them to postpone.
"Some of them live far away, and some are even graduating seniors. I hope you won't make them return home too late. They also have parents and family waiting for them at home."
With those words, Ou Yunchen left ATL without looking back. He didn't see the mob, their faces tinged with a hint of guilt, watching those pitiful young people, barely in their twenties...
Perhaps the interns wouldn't complain about the absurd tasks ATL assigned them, but this would undoubtedly be the most important lesson of their lives.
If they reflected deeply, they would understand that a company's culture isn't judged by the loudness of its slogans, but by how it makes everyone who enters ATL feel equal and respected.
Even if they weren't target clients...
But who could say for sure if their children, grandchildren, or great-great-great-grandchildren might one day produce a millionaire or a billionaire who would become an ATL client...
Stepping out of ATL, Lawyer Ma was still chasing after him.
Lawyer Ma: "Didn't you see? They almost threw garbage at you again!"
Ou Yunchen: "I saw."
Lawyer Ma: "And you still let them come back tomorrow?"
Ou Yunchen: "Didn't you see they stopped throwing garbage?"
Lawyer Ma: "What about tomorrow? The day after? The day after that? Who knows how long they'll be here?"
Ou Yunchen: "Then we'll continue. ATL hasn't been this lively in a long time, has it?"
Ou Yunchen smiled and got into the car, leaving the bewildered Lawyer Ma behind...
***
However, whether Ou Yunchen was too confident or Lawyer Ma too pessimistic, the crowd did indeed show up at ATL on time every day for the next week...
This time, Lawyer Ma couldn't stand it and insisted on going down to confront them, but Ou Yunchen forcefully stopped her.
Lawyer Ma: "A week! They've been here for a whole week! It's like they want to work for us now!"
Ou Yunchen: "Call Crystal in."
Soon, Crystal arrived at Ou Yunchen's office.
Ou Yunchen: "Did you find out?"
Crystal: "Our people have infiltrated. It seems they all take orders from someone named Uncle Da."
Ou Yunchen: "Which one is it?"
Crystal: "The oldest one. He seems not simple. He has a criminal record and was recently released. Those people are his former brothers."
Ou Yunchen: "Please invite him up."
Lawyer Ma blocked Crystal and questioned Ou Yunchen, asking if he had gone mad. But Ou Yunchen simply said he just wanted to talk to Uncle Da.