The next day, negative news about Starry Sky Group was rampant, even dragging Liu Hui’s previously established Hantang Hospital into the fray. They claimed Liu Hui was a fraud, unable to cure illnesses, merely swindling money because he couldn't explain the therapeutic mechanisms of his medications.

Other media reports devolved into outright personal attacks against Liu Hui, alleging he was a pervert within Starry Sky Group, lecherous by nature, and that all the company’s employees were single, beautiful women whom he brutally humiliated at will. They even produced a supposed “beauty” to “prove” Liu Hui’s debauched lust. However, this alleged “beauty” lacked credibility; nobody truly believed Liu Hui would stoop to harming her, primarily because she was quite plainly unattractive.

In direct opposition to these media outlets were others that claimed Liu Hui detested women altogether, asserting he was homosexual, which explained the lack of romantic scandals involving him. They even nominated Mei Peng as his lover, fabricating an emotional tale of male devotion that somehow managed to move some gay men. These supporters publicly championed Liu Hui’s supposed same-sex love, urging him not to care about worldly prejudice.

In short, the media coverage was a chaotic mess, severely damaging Liu Hui’s reputation. Internally at Starry Sky Group, however, due to Liu Hui’s usual popularity and affable nature, there were no outright revolts or dissenting voices; everyone continued their work and daily lives in an orderly fashion. Yet, an undercurrent of worry pervaded the atmosphere, casting a bleak outlook on the future development of Starry Sky Group.

Liu Hui opted for temporary silence. He did not instruct Starry Sky Group to issue any statements in the newspapers, nor did he issue rebuttals to the news specifically targeting him.

The official notices sent by the regional general agents lay stacked on Liu Hui’s desk, containing insistent demands for clarification on the current situation and repayment of advance deposits. Wang Yilang still could not find a single bank willing to extend them a loan, as if money itself had suddenly vanished from the face of the earth.

“Boss, I believe this is a conspiracy aimed squarely at us,” Hu Xian’er concluded.

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Liu Hui asked, intrigued.

“Look at it this way: those general agents suddenly wired two months’ worth of future payments into our company accounts, making it impossible for us to refuse them. Right at that moment, Rio Tinto and Vale conveniently reported cash shortages, offering us favorable terms to move that massive sum into their investments. Now, these negative reports suddenly erupt, and the general agents immediately pressure us to repay the money. Do you really not see the connection between these events?” Hu Xian’er argued.

“There does seem to be a connection,” Liu Hui nodded.

“I am certain someone is orchestrating this behind the scenes. They flooded our accounts with that money, then slyly engineered our use of it for investments, only to suddenly unleash negative press, causing the general agents to demand repayment. At the same time, they are covertly controlling the major banks, ensuring they won’t grant us loans. This way, we have no means to return the funds to the agents. The market will lose faith in our company, and caught between internal and external crises, we might collapse. Once we’re bankrupt, they can swoop in to pick up the pieces, acquiring Starry Sky Group for a pittance. As for the 20% stake in Rio Tinto and Vale they released, they will buy that back at ridiculously low prices. In the end, Starry Sky Group fails, and they reap the maximum profit. That’s why I believe everything, starting from that American consumer’s lawsuit threat, is a calculated plot against us,” Hu Xian’er declared.

“Xian’er, I must say, you are a business genius. You’ve managed to deduce all of this without any concrete intelligence,” Liu Hui smiled faintly.

“Boss, what good are my deductions if we still can’t solve the immediate crisis?” Hu Xian’er said anxiously.

“Xian’er…” Liu Hui was about to speak when his office security called. Two individuals claiming to be from the mainland were asking to see him.

“People from the mainland? Very well, have them come up immediately,” Liu Hui instructed.

Not long after, led by Liu Hui’s secretary, Li Lian, the two visitors arrived at his office.

“May I ask who you gentlemen are?” Liu Hui inquired, puzzled. He did not recognize the two men standing before him.

“Good day, Boss Liu. Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are from the Huanghua Group in the mainland. This is Mr. Yuan Changyun, the Chairman of our Huanghua Group, and I am his deputy, Tong Lingge,” the assistant named Tong Lingge introduced them.

“Ah, Chairman Yuan of the Huanghua Group. A pleasure, a true pleasure,” Liu Hui replied smoothly. The Huanghua Group was a super-large enterprise domestically, commanding vast resources and boasting immense annual sales, ranking among the top ten companies in Huaxia. Their strength was profound, rumored to have high-level central government backing.

Li Lian promptly brought tea for the two guests. Hu Xian’er remained seated beside Liu Hui, uncertain of their true intentions.

“Boss Liu, you don’t mind our unannounced visit, do you?” Yuan Changyun said with a chuckle, radiating an approachable demeanor.

“How could I? Men of success like Chairman Yuan are hard to meet even under normal circumstances. Your visit to Starry Sky Group today truly honors this humble establishment,” Liu Hui replied cordially.

“Boss Liu is clearly a man of directness, so I will forgo pleasantries. I’ll state our purpose plainly: we heard Boss Liu is currently facing some difficulty with capital operations, and our company happens to have a surplus fund sitting idle. So, we came to see if we could be of assistance to Boss Liu,” Yuan Changyun laid out his intentions immediately.

“Oh? I wonder how large this idle fund is, Chairman Yuan? You should know our current capital shortfall is quite substantial,” Liu Hui pressed.

“Would five hundred billion US dollars be sufficient?” Yuan Changyun smiled.

“Five hundred billion US dollars?” Hu Xian’er gasped beside him. Although the Huanghua Group held formidable power domestically, their annual sales only approached that figure; how could they casually possess such an amount in liquid assets?

“If our capital deficit were to reach one hundred billion dollars, I imagine Chairman Yuan’s account would conveniently show one hundred billion in surplus funds as well, wouldn’t it?” Liu Hui countered with a smile.

“Boss Liu truly lives up to his reputation; nothing escapes your notice,” Yuan Changyun admitted with admiration.

“Chairman Yuan, I’d like to know your terms. You aren’t offering this five hundred billion out of sheer goodwill, are you? We are both businessmen; let’s be frank,” Liu Hui said.

“Boss Liu is indeed forthright. You must understand, this money is not exactly our company’s own; we are merely facilitating this transaction. The reason Huanghua Group has grown so large domestically and commands such resources is because we maintain powerful connections at the top—backing from influential figures, which I believe Boss Liu has heard rumors about.”

Liu Hui nodded. “That is true; I have heard mention of that.”

Yuan Changyun continued, “Our superior backer holds your Starry Sky Group in high regard. He knows you’ve encountered difficulties, and based on the principle that countrymen should support each other, he has decided to invest in Starry Sky Group. This five hundred billion dollars will serve as his investment in exchange for a mere 10% stake in Starry Sky Group. Furthermore, he promises to act only as a regular shareholder, participating in dividends but not interfering with your daily management. I believe this deal must strike Boss Liu as incredibly worthwhile right now.”

Liu Hui paused for a brief moment, then smiled. “The backer you speak of truly has high hopes for Starry Sky Group. And the price he offers is quite fair—five hundred billion for only 10%, with no management interference. At this difficult juncture, he certainly deserves to be called a benefactor sending charcoal in snowy weather.”

Seeing someone arrive to share the spoils, Hu Xian’er grew instantly anxious and quickly interjected, “Boss, you absolutely cannot give away equity! The reason Starry Sky Group has faced no issues until now is precisely because your shareholding is consolidated. If you dilute your shares, your position could be compromised the next time a situation like this arises!”

Yuan Changyun ignored Hu Xian’er and addressed Liu Hui: “This transaction is indeed highly advantageous. With his participation, Starry Sky Group’s access to the domestic market will be completely unimpeded. Boss Liu’s future development in China will reach unimaginable heights. Moreover, the powerful influence that backer commands means that with one word from him, he can immediately locate those hiding behind the scenes plotting against you and help quell the crisis you currently face.”

“Who is this influential figure you mention?” Liu Hui suddenly asked.

Yuan Changyun blinked, then quickly recovered. “Boss Liu, please rest assured, he is absolutely not affiliated with the Guo family, nor does he have any connection to them.” He then wrote a name on the table using water.

Liu Hui glanced at the name, then told Yuan Changyun, “Chairman Yuan, I sincerely appreciate your offer of assistance, but I cannot agree to your terms just yet. Please allow me some time to consider this matter further. If I genuinely cannot resolve this situation, I will certainly request your help.”

Yuan Changyun smiled. “Such a significant deal certainly warrants careful thought. We will eagerly await Boss Liu’s good news. However, our esteemed backer is rather impatient; if he doesn’t receive a reply soon, he might change his mind.”

“I will certainly keep that in mind.”

Yuan Changyun then took his leave. Only Hu Xian’er remained in the room with Liu Hui.

“Boss, you aren’t actually planning to give up equity, are you? If your ownership is diluted, you can’t maintain absolute control over this company—how will you achieve your dreams then?” Hu Xian’er said mournfully.

“Hehe, Xian’er, you must have faith in my capabilities. When have I ever suffered a major loss?” Liu Hui replied with a smile.

That evening, Luo Yufeng, the representative dispatched by the Luo family from the mainland, met with Liu Hui. They talked at length in the office, and nobody knew the substance of their conversation. The following morning, the Old Superman arrived, bringing his second son and Miss He Liu to call upon Liu Hui. After several hours locked in discussion, the Old Superman, the Second Son, and Miss He Liu departed, seemingly satisfied.

The next day, Wang Yilang approached Liu Hui, expressing deep frustration. “Boss, I am useless. Every bank refuses to lend us money. They say our company’s credit is now negative, fearing we won’t be able to repay.”

Liu Hui laughed. “General Manager Wang, do not worry. This is merely a trap set by our enemies, but these are minor issues that cannot harm us. The banks refuse to lend because they have their eyes on our company’s shares. They are deliberately suppressing the price now, waiting for our moment of greatest need to strike. This actually indicates they have confidence in our company’s future development. Thus, the crisis we face is trivial and will soon dissipate.”

“Boss, today’s media coverage is even more detrimental to Starry Sky Group. If this continues, consumers will completely abandon our products; the damage to our company is too immense. Moreover, the judge at the US Federal Court has officially opened an investigation into our company. Do we have any chance left to turn this around?” Wang Yilang lamented.

“Hehe, the outcome will be clear very soon. The victor has not yet been decided,” Liu Hui said mysteriously.

Wang Yilang looked at his boss, baffled, wondering what means the mysterious leader possessed to overturn mountains with a single hand.

Liu Hui summoned Li Zhi and instructed her to immediately fax all regional general agents of Starry Sky Group, inviting them to a meeting at the headquarters in two days to discuss relevant matters.

Li Zhi asked, “Boss, are you preparing to return their funds? That has been their primary concern recently.”

“General Manager Li, you don’t need to ask about the details. They will know once they arrive,” Liu Hui replied, leaving her office amidst her questioning gaze.

Over the next two days, the reports about Starry Sky Group intensified. More consumers came forward, accusing “Starry Sky Myopia Eliminator” of causing harm to their bodies. These complainants were scattered globally, causing even the loyal consumers of Starry Sky Group to waver, fearing the “Myopia Eliminator” truly harbored severe side effects.

Some authoritative experts and professors also stepped forward, releasing data claiming they had conducted tests proving “Starry Sky Myopia Eliminator” did indeed cause adverse physical effects, advising all consumers using the product to seek thorough physical examinations at local hospitals. The statements from these experts immediately dealt a devastating blow to sales. “Starry Sky Myopia Eliminator” became completely unwanted in stores, and some customers were already demanding refunds.

Starry Sky Group maintained its silence, turning down countless interview requests. This silence began to provoke analysis and speculation from the media.

Some outlets suggested Starry Sky Group was gathering evidence to sue the individuals and media outlets defaming them. Others claimed Starry Sky Group was out of tricks, unable to prove its innocence, and could only face scrutiny with silence, lacking the demeanor of a major corporation. As for the consumers, they had no fixed position, simply drifting wherever the media narrative led them.

Amidst this swirling rumor mill, the Regional General Agents’ Conference for “Starry Sky Myopia Eliminator” finally arrived. All the general agents sent high-ranking representatives to the meeting organized by Starry Sky Group. In the conference room, everyone was whispering, unsure of what arrangements their boss had summoned them for.

To their anticipation, Liu Hui entered the venue with Hu Xian’er and Li Zhi. Liu Hui took the seat at the head of the table, with Hu Xian’er and Li Zhi seated on either side of him.

Li Zhi spoke first. “Distinguished agent partners, we have gathered you here today because our Boss has something important to convey.”

The American General Agent sneered, “What more could Boss Liu have to say? Are you perhaps going to beg us for money because you’ve run out?”

He followed this with loud laughter, but the other agents did not join in; instead, they watched Liu Hui quietly, causing the American representative a moment of awkwardness, which he masked with a quick cough.

Liu Hui addressed the room. “The purpose of convening everyone here today is to resolve the negative rumors currently circulating in the market regarding our company’s products. As the general agents for your respective regions, we hope you will actively cooperate in successfully carrying out this task.”

The European General Agent inquired, “Boss Liu, what concerns us most right now is whether there is actually any defect in the quality of your product.”

The other agents nodded in agreement; only with guaranteed product quality would any other discussion hold relevance.

“Isn’t that a pointless question? If their product quality were sound, why would consumers be lodging such concentrated complaints? And are you suggesting that all the consumers worldwide claiming there’s a problem are lying?” the American General Agent remarked acidly.

“That’s not necessarily true. This product functioned without issue before, and consumer feedback was generally excellent. Now, this sudden group appears—who knows if what they say is true?” Luo Yufeng interjected.

“Indeed. The quality of this product shouldn’t be an issue. Our company conducted tests and found no toxicity or adverse side effects on the human body,” stated the Asian agent.

“Gentlemen, let me reiterate one point: our company’s product absolutely has no quality issues and does not cause any toxic side effects in humans. Everyone must keep this fact firmly in mind,” Liu Hui stated firmly.

“Just because you say there’s no problem, doesn’t mean there isn’t! Just hurry up and return our advance payment! That’s our hard-earned money; don’t think you can just swallow it,” the American agent jumped up to shout again.

“Boss Liu, how do you intend to handle the current situation? After all, the outcome of how you manage this directly affects the interests of all of us,” the General Agents from South America and Oceania bypassed the American agent’s outburst and asked the question most critical to them.