Chapter Five: Put the Lie on Stage

“Then reproduce the experiment,” Chen said. “Backlight will seal today's model with the association. Hanhai can submit the Z-0 sample named in its report. Whoever refuses admits fabrication.” Gu did not answer. The silence lasted nine seconds. Nine seconds was enough for every clip to spread. The association suspended the benchmark and froze its endorsement of Hanhai's paper. Three early publishers deleted their stories. The municipal data regulator announced that it had demanded Hanhai's raw materials. On their way out, Full Harvest's procurement manager—who had once barred the door—ran over to say two more warehouses wanted contracts. Tang studied the inquiry total. “That slap was worth at least five million.”