"Is it just a coincidence, or has it already begun?”

After ending the call with Hu Weiwei’s assistant, Lu Liang frowned and called up the 2003 incident data.

Though he didn’t understand it completely, he had heard Wilson mention that the new strain evolved from the virus of that period.

Moreover, it also belongs to the acute respiratory syndrome family, making it really hard for him to think of it as a mere coincidence.

Lu Liang picked up his phone, intending to call the head of National Security, but after a brief thought, he decided against it.

He pondered for a moment, then called Xu Jiayun: “I’ve arranged for Mr. Hu to be admitted to Wuhan’s military hospital; please assist with the transfer.”

Even though Hu Weiwei seemed on the verge of collapse, she didn’t take her illness seriously, thinking it was just a common infection. She believed that with some medication and a few days of rest, she’d be fine.

Because of this lack of seriousness, she hadn’t undergone a full examination. Lu Liang hoped this approach would make Hu Weiwei and the local health commission take it seriously.

If it’s more than a coincidence, the best solution would be to send her to America for treatment.

After all, the origin is from there; there should be some targeted medication, and if the transmission rate is high enough, it might even trigger a circuit breaker in the US Stock Market ahead of time.

But between the two, the urgent task is to get the country to take it seriously first.

Xu Jiayun was taken aback and was deeply moved by Lu Liang’s concern for his subordinates. She hesitated and said, “Mr. Lu, perhaps you should speak directly to Mr. Hu. I’m afraid she won’t cooperate if I tell her.”

Even though the promised 5% equity share from Lu Liang had been diluted to 2.85% over the years due to continuous financing,

Hu Weiwei remained the only member of the Tianxing Automobile management team, apart from Lu Liang, to receive stock dividends.

The value of Tianxing Automobile’s equity, including General Tianxing’s US listing, was estimated by some institutions to be between 68 to 73 billion US Dollars.

Even with a midpoint estimate of 70 billion US Dollars, Hu Weiwei’s equity was valued at 1.995 billion US Dollars.

Converted to over 14 billion RMB, she surpassed Miss Dong of Gree to become the reigning queen of the contemporary working women.

Hu Weiwei felt her efforts did not justify such a rich return, so she worked tirelessly.

She averaged fifteen to sixteen hours of work per day, even during holidays without a break.

If not for her body’s refusal, which suddenly caused her to cough and faint, she likely wouldn’t have chosen hospitalization. She certainly wouldn’t agree to the hassle of a hospital transfer.

Lu Liang sighed softly, “Give the phone to Mr. Hu; I’ll talk to her.”

Xu Jiayun was delighted, ran back to the ward, and gently woke the half-asleep Hu Weiwei, “Mr. Hu, Mr. Lu wants to speak with you.”

Hu Weiwei opened her eyes, cleared her throat, and immediately felt like her throat was stuffed with blades, “Mr. Lu, it’s me.”

"Weiwei, I arranged a hospital for you. Let Little Xu help with the transfer.”

Before Hu Weiwei could refuse, Lu Liang said in a deep voice, “It’s best to have a thorough examination from top to bottom. Health is the fundamental asset, and it must not be overlooked. I’ve already arranged for Wang Xiaofeng to have someone take over your work.”

"But it’s just temporary, once you recover, you must return to your post immediately. The company’s operations without you leave me at a loss.”

A faint smile appeared on Hu Weiwei’s pale face as she softly acknowledged, and Lu Liang continued, “I remember your stock options can be exercised in another nine months; don’t have any psychological burden; it’s all deserved.”

"Alright then, for now, take care and rest. Please give the phone back to Little Xu; I have a few more words for her.”

Hearing Xu Jiayun’s voice again coming through the phone, Lu Liang said, “Later, make sure you handle Mr. Hu’s transfer procedures. If anything comes up, report to me immediately.”

Xu Jiayun acknowledged and looked at Hu Weiwei, her eyes filled with admiration, “Mr. Lu is truly a good person.”

Within the Tianxing System company, not a single young employee didn’t admire Lu Liang; however, most employees might never get to meet Lu Liang even after working for several years.

She considered herself very fortunate to have such an intimate conversation with Lu Liang and found him to be so warm, contrary to the cold reputation he had.

Hu Weiwei gave a faint smile and nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Xu Jiayun couldn’t resist a violent cough, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She steadied herself and said with a smile, “Mr. Hu, I’ll go handle the hospital transfer procedures for you.”

Hu Weiwei nodded again, but as she watched the departing figure of Xu Jiayun, she couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

Little Xu’s face seemed unusually flushed.

Elsewhere, at the Tianxing Financial Building.

Lu Liang made two more phone calls, first asking Zhuo Yifan to contact the local military hospital.

When the second-phase factory construction began, they donated a batch of medical equipment to several top-tier hospitals in the area on behalf of the company. This project was overseen by Zhuo Yifan, so he should have the hospital contact information.

Lu Liang also called Wang Xiaofeng, instructing him to have someone take over Hu Weiwei’s work and prepare a contingency plan.

He said, “The season is changing, and it’s flu season again. Let’s schedule the company’s health check-ups earlier this year.”

Wang Xiaofeng sensed that something was a little off, but he didn’t ask the reason. He just nodded and said, “Okay, Mr. Lu.”

After explaining all the tasks, Lu Liang appeared thoughtful, trying to construct a model of the event’s evolution in his mind based on the known information.

After all, he knew the cause and also knew that in the end, the United States would end up hurting itself, leading to four circuit breakers in the US stocks.

But the process was still a blank slate. If he could grasp the key turning points during that process, perhaps he could maximize the benefits.

At this moment, Sun Zheyuan knocked and entered, interrupting Lu Liang’s thoughts: “Mr. Lu, it’s about time. We should get going.”

The Chinese concept stocks were planning to return, and companies originally set to list in America were switching to the Hong Kong stocks. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange didn’t want to miss this opportunity for great wealth.

So, they urgently reported to the Financial Authority, hoping Chen Jiebin could act as a bridge, allowing the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Financial Authority, and Tianxing Finance to jointly establish a guidance group to assist the Chinese concept stocks’ return and aid enterprises from both sides and three regions to list in Hong Kong.

Chen Jiebin’s biggest wish in this life was to see the Xiangjiang market become increasingly prosperous. He had no reason to refuse.

So, he invited Lu Liang and Tianxing Finance to serve as special advisors to the guidance group and as the guidance group’s sponsoring agency, respectively.

Lu Liang agreed, because once they became the sponsoring agency for the listing guidance group, Tianxing Finance would control the critical channel for enterprises wanting to go public in Hong Kong.

Any company wishing to list in Hong Kong in the future would have to go through them, with every business from listing guidance to stock issuance to auxiliary financing being profitable.

Tianxing Finance’s roots would also be deeply embedded in the Hong Kong stock market, becoming a financial group that shares prosperity with the market.

This afternoon at three o’clock, they will hold a press conference in the Financial Authority’s hall to announce the news.

"Let me get ready.” Lu Liang nodded and walked to the office’s lounge to change into a more formal suit.

At three in the afternoon, the Financial Authority, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and Tianxing Finance will jointly establish a guidance group for Hong Kong stock market listings.

At the same time, Xu Jiayun also finished the transfer procedures for Hu Weiwei, and the two went to the military hospital for a full check-up.

After the medical examination, while waiting for the report, Hu Weiwei asked concernedly with a hoarse voice, looking at the assistant’s unusually flushed face: “Little Xu, do you want to get checked too?”

Xu Jiayun’s condition now was very similar to her symptoms yesterday: initially flushed face, rapidly rising body temperature, accompanied by persistent dry cough.

If she wakes up tomorrow morning feeling exhausted, with sore limbs and a throat that feels like it’s being cut by a knife, it can be said to be exactly the same.

Xu Jiayun couldn’t help but cough a few more times, and with a cheerful tone said, “Mr. Hu, don’t worry, I’m fine. I probably caught a cold from the air conditioning last night.”

She, like Hu Weiwei, didn’t take it to heart, simply thinking it was an ordinary flu.

After all, at the end of October, the weather in southern cities is always a bit warm and then cool, and seasonal flu is quite common.

Just take some medicine before bed, sweat it out overnight, and wake up full of energy the next day.

Hu Weiwei frowned, wanting to say something more, but her body couldn’t support speaking, and she couldn’t help but start coughing.

At that moment, she suddenly saw a group of ‘snowmen’ quickly approaching them at the end of the hospital corridor.

The ‘snowman troop’ moved closer while simultaneously driving away any unprotected medical staff and fellow patients or family members waiting for their examination results.

At the same time, the press conference concluded, and Lu Liang and Chen Jiebin were being interviewed by Hong Kong and foreign media reporters.

A reporter asked, “Mr. Lu, could you please share your thoughts on what position the future Hong Kong stock market will hold internationally?”

Although it was rare for Lu Liang to attend a press conference, his speech left the reporters unsatisfied.

In their imagination, Lu Liang should at least say something like knocking down the Tokyo stock market and kicking the US stock market.

Then, they could add a bit of flair, and their KPI for the month would shoot up.

However, Lu Liang only emphasized cooperation and mutual benefit without the usual bold statements, making them feel that today’s grand feast was bland and tasteless like without salt.

Lu Liang smiled slightly, as if seeing through the reporters’ thoughts, but without mentioning it. Just when he planned to end the tedious interview with some casual remarks, he noticed Sun Zheyuan waving anxiously at him. .

"Sorry, I have to excuse myself for a moment.”

Lu Liang frowned, said something to Chen Jiebin, and quickly walked to where Sun Zheyuan was.

Chen Jiebin glanced at Lu Liang, took his question with a smile, and said, “I’ve discussed this topic with Mr. Lu. We both agree that the future position of the Hong Kong stock market in the international market will be a pivotal financial market…”

"What’s so urgent that you’re all flustered?” It was rare for Lu Liang to see Sun Zheyuan this flustered, as calmness is a basic quality for his secretary.

"There’s news from Wuhan…”

Hearing Sun Zheyuan’s account, Lu Liang’s expression gradually turned grave: “Lung whitening? Quarantine required?”