Marching Ant Company had entered full-on expansion mode.
Due to the rapid pace of development, many parts of the company's internal structure were still blank or underdeveloped. With Chen Mo's permission, Zhao Min launched a spree of strategic acquisitions, using company funds to plug gaps and build foundations.
An investment and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) department was soon established. Senior consultants were brought on board to evaluate each target company's value.
Small automobile manufacturers, advertising agencies, software houses, component factories, sensor producers... one after another, these companies were being absorbed into the Marching Ant ecosystem—at a dizzying rate of nearly one every five days.
Market observers were baffled. The scale, complexity, and range of these acquisitions left many scratching their heads.
On the internet, reports of Marching Ant's latest purchases became routine. Netizens grew numb. Some critics described the company as a "blessed local tycoon," tossing money around like confetti—wasteful, misguided, clearly lacking in long-term planning.
But they didn't know the full picture.
These acquisitions weren't about short-term gains. Marching Ant needed space for R&D, pilot production, and experimentation. The main industrial park was still under construction. These newly acquired factories served as temporary but vital stepping stones.
Meanwhile, the company had also begun establishing research collaborations in major metropolitan areas, partnering with universities and investing in tech teams across the country. Talent was their biggest bottleneck—and money could solve that.
Zhao Min's strategy was simple: spend money to buy time.
For now, the company's revenue came from four main areas: the smart assistant, the Butterfly Eye smartphone, Ant Office productivity suite, and ad revenue generated from the mobile ecosystem. There was also a steady stream from licensing the waterproof port patent.
Most of the newly acquired companies retained their original business operations. Only key talents were transferred to the headquarters. While some of the acquired units weren't yet profitable, the company had the capacity to sustain them until their value was realized.
After a month of controlled chaos, Marching Ant finally stabilized. Its full prototype as a multi-industry tech conglomerate had taken shape—and now it was ready to aim even higher.
"Zhao Jie, you called for me?" Xiao Yu stepped into Zhao Min's office, looking a little worn down from the recent rush.
"Yes. I need you to inform the advertising department—have them prepare a new promotional campaign for the second-generation Butterfly Eye phone. Make it fast."
The second-gen phone, originally designed by Chen Mo, had been delayed twice—once because of the AI assistant overhaul, and again due to that smear campaign.
With the company's HQ design finalized and construction underway, and expansion efforts complete, now was the perfect time to restart momentum.
"Oh, okay." Xiao Yu nodded quickly.
"And this time," Zhao Min added, "you'll be working directly with the PR department. You'll take charge of the rollout plan."
"Huh?" Xiao Yu blinked, surprised.
"You've followed me long enough. You know how things work now. It's time to gain some hands-on experience. The only way to improve is through doing—and occasionally failing."
"Okay." Xiao Yu nodded again, though her expression still held some hesitation.
Zhao Min smiled slightly. "Let me give you one final lesson. As a manager, your job isn't to do everything yourself. You need to learn how to use people—just like your boyfriend does."
"He uses people?" Xiao Yu looked genuinely puzzled. After all, Chen Mo rarely issued direct orders to Zhao Min.
"Of course," Zhao Min said. "The top-level role is about direction. You assign the goal—the rest is up to the people under you. That's leadership. Strategy comes from above, execution from below. If their methods are flawed and you still approve them, that's your mistake as a manager. Your vision determines success."
"I think I get it," Xiao Yu said thoughtfully.
"I've never even touched the machines we use to manufacture our phones," Zhao Min added. "I just review documents, approve budgets, and organize people. And yet the company's grown this far. Know why?"
Xiao Yu blinked. "Because... if the contents of the report don't align with your strategy, you reject them and make the team try again?"
"Exactly!" Zhao Min smiled, pleased. "Think of it like building a high-speed rail line. Say the plan is to connect Beijing to the East China Sea. That's the strategic goal. Everything else—route surveys, budgeting, construction plans—is done by the teams below. If their plan doesn't start in Beijing or end at the East China Sea, then it's not what the top asked for. Send it back."
She leaned in, voice calm but firm. "Chen Mo defines the grand strategy. I check if the road aligns with his vision. Everyone else handles the groundwork. That's how real leadership works. It's why rich people can seem like they 'just talk and make money.' They speak the right strategy, and others bring it to life. Like Ma Dad."
"Pffft—Ma Dad?" Xiao Yu giggled, the tension easing from her face. She hadn't expected Zhao Min to crack a joke.
"Now you're getting it," Zhao Min grinned. "Don't let your worries hold you back. Mistakes are part of learning. You're Chen Mo's girlfriend, sure—but your role here is earned. Even if something goes wrong, it won't break anything. Just gain experience."
Zhao Min's words struck a chord. Xiao Yu had been under quiet pressure ever since joining the company. Everyone knew her relationship with Chen Mo, which made her feel like she had to be perfect—to prove she wasn't just a figurehead.
Any mistake, no matter how small, would get chalked up to nepotism.
So she'd been hyper-cautious. Overworked. Anxious.
But Zhao Min had seen through all that.
"Alright," Xiao Yu finally said, her voice brighter. A new energy radiated from her as she stood up straighter.
She wasn't just the chairman's girlfriend.
She was Xiao Yu—the unique, one-of-a-kind, beloved fishing girl.
With a newfound sense of confidence, she beamed. "I'll handle the second-gen Butterfly Eye launch, Zhao Jie. Thank you!"
Zhao Min waved her off casually. "Go. Show them what you've got."
Xiao Yu turned and walked out of the office, a spring in her step.