27: Starry Sea

The thunderous cheers from inside the Star Tower almost blew the roof off.

This instantly silenced the crowd gathered downstairs.

Everyone was startled, instinctively looking up at the building that had been silent for many days.

"What's going on in there?"

"Why is it suddenly so noisy? Did something happen?"

The reporters staked out outside the building were like sharks smelling blood, instantly becoming excited.

"Something's happening, quick! Aim the cameras at the building's windows."

Through the camera's high-definition lens, the photographer captured the figures of the Star Sea Employees cheering with raised arms in the windows.

The internet celebrity streamers hidden in the crowd were invigorated, immediately starting their impromptu performances for the camera.

"Did you hear that, family members? The Star Sea Building has exploded with activity inside. This is definitely a super juicy scoop."

"Brothers, the situation has changed."

"It seems our persistence has paid off; we've forced them to act."

"They probably got paid, otherwise why would they be so happy?"

On the outskirts of the Star Tower, Brother Zhe's 'Brother Zhe Sees the World' team also occupied a corner.

Streamer Brother Zhe was facing the camera, his tone weary but still rational.

"family members, we can see that there's suddenly a very loud cheer from inside the Star Tower. This situation is very unusual."

"Based on my judgment, this seems like a sudden release of pressure, a collective emotional catharsis."

He hadn't even finished speaking when the bullet comments were already filled with insults.

"Here we go again, Star Sea's shill!"

"How much money did you take?"

"Heartless, the people inside are celebrating making a fortune off a national crisis!"

Brother Zhe looked at these comments, a bitter smile on his lips.

During this time, because he insisted on analyzing the potential difficulties and decision-making challenges Star Sea might face from a business logic and long-term perspective, he was frequently labeled a 'Star Sea apologist' and 'shill.' His entire team also faced considerable pressure.

But as an absolutely rational and objective tech blogger, Brother Zhe still adhered to his principles and would not blindly cater to public opinion by changing his views.

Just then, his assistant next to him suddenly tugged excitedly at Brother Zhe's sleeve, handing him a phone screen.

"Brother Zhe, look quickly, Star Sea Official has issued an announcement!"

Brother Zhe leaned his head over and quickly scanned it.

"In response to public concern and to fully guarantee supply, Star Sea has decided, under the guidance of relevant national departments, to cooperate with several top domestic state-owned pharmaceutical enterprises, sharing production technology standards to expand production capacity at the fastest speed. During the cooperation period, Star Sea will strictly control quality and ensure reasonable and transparent product pricing."

Brother Zhe's eyes suddenly lit up.

He immediately adjusted his demeanor, faced the camera, and raised his voice by eight octaves, with a sense of relieved confirmation.

Star Sea's decision was identical to the prediction he had made a few days prior.

"family members, breaking news!"

"Star Sea Official's announcement is out. I told you my judgment was correct."

Brother Zhe aimed the camera at the tablet in his assistant's hand, where Star Sea's various official verified accounts had uniformly published the text announcement.

The bullet comments immediately flooded with "Brother Zhe is awesome..." For days, Brother Zhe's loyal fans had felt somewhat suppressed.

Now, their emotions were instantly released, instantly overcoming all kinds of negative sentiments.

"Star Sea chose to cooperate with the national team; this is the most responsible approach and the one that best serves the overall situation."

"They neither succumbed to pressure to blindly disclose the formula, leading to technology loss, nor accepted acquisition by certain ill-intentioned capital. Instead, they chose to leverage the nation's strength to expand production capacity and stabilize the market."

"For this decision, I must give Star Sea a huge thumbs up."

"Brother Zhe is awesome. This was clearly your decision; Star Sea's senior management must secretly be following Brother Zhe!"

"You're amazing, my brother!"

"Brother Zhe, you should go work for Star Sea. There's definitely a place for you in senior management!"

...In fact.

He Ming, who made this arrangement, was indeed influenced by Brother Zhe to some extent.

These days, bored and cooped up in his office, he was scrolling through short videos and stumbled upon Brother Zhe Sees the World's channel.

Unlike those influencers who catered to public opinion and attacked Star Sea, Brother Zhe's arguments and predictions were a refreshing change among influencers.

He stuck to his guns, analyzing pros and cons, and even when subjected to online bullying, he did not change his views.

He Ming felt that Brother Zhe's strategy was very reasonable, and when he saw Star Sea's senior management's decision, he naturally gave the final approval.

Brother Zhe excitedly analyzed the positive significance of this decision.

Just then, the assistant leaned over again and whispered a few words, evidently having received inside information.

A look of understanding appeared on Brother Zhe's face.

"Alright, now I can explain why there was a collective cheer in the building."

"I just received internal news: Star Sea's boss is definitely a ruthless individual. To reward the employees who have been besieged and under immense pressure these past few days, the company just issued a special 'steadfastness bonus.'"

"For regular employees, the minimum is this amount."

Brother Zhe held up five fingers... "Starting at 50,000, and for senior management, it's in the millions."

"They're issuing year-end bonuses early in the building, brothers!"

"Holy cow, I'm a Star Sea Employee. Is it still too late to go back and sleep on the floor?"

"I'm so jealous, so jealous. This is what a company should be like!"

"Does Star Sea still hire cleaning ladies? I'll bring my own mop!"

"Don't compete, upstairs. I'd even be a stone lion at the entrance; I'd do it for 30,000!"

"I cursed too early before. This boss is good; he really does pay when he has money!"

"Honestly, being trapped for so many days and getting paid so much, I'd cheer too!"

"This is like rewarding the entire army!"

"I'm a hater-turned-fan. This operation is too positive!"

"Understood. I'm going to study biology right now, and after graduation, I'll report to Star Sea!"

"Indeed, the end of the universe is a stable job... oh no, it's Star Sea!"

Just as the bullet comment section was boiling, the live stream screen suddenly changed, as if sucked into deep cosmic space.

The background was boundless darkness, but within this darkness, countless tiny blue light points converged into a brilliant Star Sea.

Immediately after, a futuristic-looking spaceship silently emerged from the depths of the Star Sea.

"Anonymous User sent Star Sea Voyage x1 and left a message."

Below the spaceship, a line of text formed by starlight appeared.

"Brother, interested in coming to Star Sea? The External Relations Department needs a Vice Director. You can bring your team along."

The entire live broadcast scene instantly fell silent.

Everyone on Brother Zhe's team was petrified on the spot.

After a brief stillness, the bullet comments completely exploded in a geyser-like fashion.

"Star Sea Voyage! A 100,000 yuan tip!"

"This is definitely Star Sea Official stepping in!"

"Directly inviting a Vice Director, and with a team!"

"This special effect, is Star Sea here to show off its muscle?"

"Brother Zhe, you've been showered with money by Star Sea!"

"On-the-spot recruitment, a first in live streaming history!"

"This prestige, this aura, Star Sea is awesome!"

"Tears in my eyes, Brother Zhe, you've finally made it ashore!"

"I'm stunned; this is more magical than a TV drama!"

Brother Zhe looked at the slowly disappearing spaceship on the screen and the completely insane bullet comments. He felt his heart pounding wildly.

"Star Sea Voyage."

This was an invitation to join Star Sea, this cosmic battleship.