Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 341 Xia Mingzhu Took the Data Module

Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Xia Mingzhu Took the Data Module

Therefore, aside from these few individuals who recognized Qin Jingchen and reported to Fu Qifang, no one else was alarmed.

Nobody knew that among those present, there was a man with such an identity.

Xia Xingzhi came in and saw Jiang Zhe, making a point to come over and greet him.

"I’m very happy you could come today," Xia Xingzhi said with a smile, "Why don’t you stay for lunch and celebrate with us? We’ve prepared a simple ceremony."

Jiang Zhe replied evenly, "I have a lunch appointment already, sorry."

Xia Xingzhi subconsciously looked at the man beside her, and when his gaze met Qin Jingchen’s, he was not only dazzled by his striking appearance but also shaken by the aura that surrounded him.

Jiang Zhe sat beside him, as if they were the stars and the moon complementing each other, neither outshining the other’s light.

Xia Xingzhi suddenly felt his own dullness.

He smiled and said, "Alright, we’ll talk another time."

Xia Xingzhi returned backstage to start preparations.

Half an hour later, the demonstration was about to begin.

"Is everything ready?" he asked.

"Almost there."

Xia Xingzhi said, "Okay, let’s do another rehearsal then."

"Wait a second, Xingzhi, the data module is missing. I’ll check it out."

The one speaking to Xia Xingzhi was Yu Ran, originally a senior of Xia Mingzhu, who after following Xia Xingzhi, was impressed by his drive and cooperated very well in work.

After checking, Yu Ran said in surprise, "The data module should be here... We checked again when we left last night. Ah, Mingzhu came back last night to fetch the data module with her card."

"She took it?" Xia Xingzhi was a bit surprised.

"Maybe she noticed a problem with the data and wanted to fix it. She has done this before. Her access level allows her to take the data module with her card alone."

Xia Xingzhi said, "You guys go ahead with running the other things, I’ll give Xia Mingzhu a call right away."

Today’s event was of great importance, and Xia Xingzhi would not allow any mishap.

The call went through, but there was no answer from Xia Mingzhu’s end.

Xia Xingzhi called twice without success and then dialed the second branch family’s home number.

The one who answered was Xia’s second lady, "You’re looking for Mingzhu? She’s long gone out by car. Mingzhu is always meticulous in her work; if she’s not yet arrived, then she must be on the road. Isn’t there still time? What are you anxious for?"

Xia Xingzhi had no choice but to hang up.

He called his mother to confirm.

Madame Xia said, "Mingzhu indeed has left already, there shouldn’t be any problems. There might just be a bit of traffic in the morning, don’t worry."

"Got it, Mom."

Madame Xia, hearing her son so anxious, immediately called Xia Mingzhu.

After several tries, either it was busy or no one answered.

"What’s going on with Mingzhu? Today’s work is very important; I’ve heard her and Xingzhi mention it several times, why isn’t she answering the phone?"

Jiang Xiruo consoled her, "Maybe she didn’t hear it on the road. Try again later."

"It should be. Mingzhu is so committed to her career, she wouldn’t make any mistakes with such important work," Madame Xia comforted herself.

Xia Mingzhu had actually left by car a long time ago.

As her car headed toward its destination, the resentment in her heart gradually intensified.

She had gone to the research institute last night and had taken the data module in hand.

This was a group’s many days of painstaking effort, mainly compiled and verified by her. She believed that her own hard work and efforts were no less than Xia Xingzhi’s.

However, after today’s demonstration, probably everyone would only remember Xia Xingzhi, not her contributions.

Today’s project was very important and for many could even be a turning point in their lives.

As for its importance to the entire research institute and the country, it was no less significant than an actual satellite launch.

If any problem occurred, no one would dare to take responsibility; many would be held accountable.

Xia Xingzhi would be held responsible.

So would she.

Her phone had been set to silent, but the screen that kept flashing was a reminder that calls were relentlessly coming in.

Xia Mingzhu steeled her heart and smashed her phone against the car window, shattering the screen.

She floored the accelerator and the car crashed directly into the guardrail beside her.

The airbag deployed, and she felt dizzy and groggy, closing her eyes as if she had "passed out."

...

At the demonstration site, time was almost up.

But Xia Mingzhu still hadn’t arrived.

Without the data module, it was impossible to proceed with the presentation.

Everyone in the team was about to go insane.

"What do we do now?" Yu Ran was no longer concerned with why Xia Mingzhu hadn’t come; the immediate crisis was all that mattered.

Xia Xingzhi’s eyes were red with anxiousness, "Can we reassemble the data module in time?"

Everyone looked at each other, knowing it was impossible.

After all, this data had been the product of many days of everyone’s work.

To hastily assemble it now, even with the support of the entire research institute, would be problematic due to unfamiliarity with each other’s work and the need to re-coordinate.

Even with a foundation to build upon, it would likely take a substantial amount of time.

Yu Ran slammed the mouse aside, "What was Xia Mingzhu thinking? She even took the backup! If she arrives, I really need to ask her why she did this!"

Although Xia Mingzhu’s actions were frustrating to everyone, they still didn’t think ill of her.

Mainly because she was a diligent worker who often took work home.

It had become a habit.

But this time, she had taken away even the backup, catching everyone off guard.

Fen Ye, sitting beside Jiang Zhe and Qin Jingchen, was speaking to Qin Qing.

Someone approached him and whispered something.

Fen Ye was very surprised and spoke to Qin Jingchen in a hushed tone, "Jingchen, their project team has a problem."

Qin Jingchen’s eyes deepened slightly, "What problem?"

"A team member has taken the data module, and they haven’t arrived or answered their phone. They’ve already sent someone to find that team member, but the simulation is about to start." Fen Ye explained, "If it really comes down to it, we might need to change the date..."

But changing the date would have ramifications on many levels, and it would leave a very bad impression.

This was about the face of the research institute and the nation, not just a simple project matter.

Jiang Zhe turned her head, "The data module?"

"Yes, the person in charge is freaking out right now. The person sent to find the team member hasn’t sent any news back yet."

"I’ll go backstage and have a look," Jiang Zhe stood up.

Qin Jingchen said, "I’ll accompany you."

Fen Ye and Qin Qing followed them as well.

Xia Xingzhi was trying to solve the problem when he saw Jiang Zhe and Qin Jingchen walk in. In a low voice, he said, "I’m sorry, if that team member still hasn’t been found, we might have to postpone by a day or two."