Chapter 44: Intentional Smear Campaign by Competitors

Following Yang Chen's instructions, Chang Sheng sent auction invitations to all online and offline channel distributors inquiring about the agency rights. He explicitly informed them of the bidding price, telling them to come only if they could accept it after careful consideration, or skip it otherwise.

This was the confidence brought by unquestionable product quality and reputation. Either way, these distributors had to participate in the auction if they wanted to make money, or else they could forget about getting a share of the pie.

Meanwhile, academicians and experts from the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences gathered together to study the Sihai Slimming Pills.

Li Rende, Dean of the Academy of Life Sciences and recipient of the Highest State Science and Technology Award, personally led the team, assisted by Wang Dawei, another Highest State Science and Technology Award recipient and chemistry expert. Together with more than a dozen academicians, they had been researching continuously for three days and three nights, yet they still could not figure out what the substance labeled as "Component X" actually was.

Rubbing his sore lower back, Li Rende sat down and chuckled, "Are we falling behind scientific development, or are our capabilities declining? Why can a research team from a commercial company figure out something that we fail to decipher no matter what?"

Wang Dawei chimed in, "This 'Component X' is definitely not a naturally occurring substance; it must be a novel compound synthesized through chemical reactions by some means. Although it feels quite discouraging, fortunately, it was a researcher from our own Dragon Country who invented this substance. If we can persuade them to publicize this substance, this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine will undoubtedly belong to Dragon Country. Dean Li, shall we take a trip to Jiangcheng?"

Li Rende nodded and said, "One is never too old to learn. Since we cannot figure out what this thing is by our own abilities, let's go ask the researchers at Sihai Great Health for guidance. Anyone who wants to go, sign up, and we'll buy high-speed train tickets for tomorrow."

The other academicians quickly raised their hands to sign up, eager to personally consult the researchers at Sihai Great Health about what "Component X" was and how it was synthesized.

...

Due to historical, economic, technological, and other comprehensive factors, the people of Dragon Country had always worshipped foreign brands. Whether it was cars, home appliances, furniture, cosmetics, clothing, or bags, as long as it was a foreign brand—even if it was considered merely a third-tier brand in its home country—it would be touted as a top-tier international brand in Dragon Country, and people would pay for it no matter how expensive it was.

When domestic goods were mentioned, they were labeled as garbage; when foreign brands were mentioned, they were considered superior.

Because of this prevailing perception, foreign brands made a fortune in Dragon Country.

GRM, a South Korean health supplement brand, had a weight-loss pill that was extremely popular in Dragon Country, raking in over 200 million yuan annually from this single product alone.

An emergency meeting was underway at the GRM Dragon Country headquarters, located in the Haicheng Economic and Trade Building. Even their president, Park Jung-gook, who was far away in South Korea, participated in the meeting via video link.

The president of GRM Dragon Country was Li Enhui, a South Korean who had grown up in Dragon Country since childhood. She was exceptionally familiar with the country and knew everything an ordinary Dragon Country citizen would know.

Li Enhui reported to President Park Jung-gook on the sudden rise of the Sihai Slimming Pills.

"According to the intelligence we've gathered and the trial usage feedback from our employees, the effect of the Sihai Slimming Pills is exceptionally good. Not only can it help people lose weight, but it can also treat mild conditions commonly found among obese individuals, such as fatty liver and hyperlipidemia. Our product only has weight-loss functions, and it will be difficult to compete against it. Every day, they release a thousand boxes online, and they are basically sold out instantly. These past few days, our product sales have dropped significantly. The high-end weight-loss pill market is only so big, and whatever they seize comes directly from our share."

Park Jung-gook's expression turned grave. After a moment of silence, he said, "The Dragon Country market is our primary source of profit. We must protect our market share at all costs. What do the laboratory test reports say?"

Li Enhui quickly replied, "According to the public test reports, there are no issues with the ingredients. However, there is a substance named 'Component X' that no laboratory has been able to identify."

Park Jung-gook's expression suddenly relaxed considerably. He smiled slightly and said, "Since no one can detect it, things become much easier. We will make a big fuss over this 'Component X'. You can spend money to hire people to write articles, claiming that although no one knows what this substance is, experts have determined that it can cause damage to the heart and nerves. Since nobody knows what it is anyway, there's no way to prove whether what we're saying is true or false."

Li Enhui smiled and said, "The President makes sense. I know what to do."

Li Enhui possessed strong execution skills and immediately paid internet bloggers to write articles and post videos smearing the Sihai Slimming Pills, using the premise that "Component X" could cause heart and nerve damage as the starting point.

Overnight, the entire internet was heatedly discussing this matter.

"Look, look, didn't I say that Sihai Slimming Pills would be just as unreliable as Sihai's real estate? Haha... Yet there are still some foolish things who believe a weight-loss pill could have so many miraculous effects."

"No way? Why wasn't this exposed earlier? Why didn't Xin Jifei, Wang Dahai, and those guys tell everyone that this 'Component X' would damage the heart and nerves? Have they really been bought off by the Sihai Group?"

"Damn it! What should I do now? I've already eaten half a box and was rejoicing over losing weight. Now you're telling me my heart and nerves might have issues? What am I supposed to do now?"

...

Faced with the doubts of netizens, anti-counterfeiting bloggers like Xin Jifei and Wang Dahai hurriedly posted videos to clarify.

To sum it up in one sentence, they had no idea that this "Component X" would cause heart and nerve damage, as the testing institutions had not informed them.

Anyone active on the internet knew that netizens were easily swayed by the narrative. They didn't care whether "Component X" would genuinely damage the heart and nerves; to avoid potential risks, they rushed to apply for refunds.

Early in the morning, Yang Chen received a call from Chang Sheng.

"Hello, Chairman Yang, it's bad. I don't know who is playing dirty behind the scenes, but suddenly many bloggers have appeared claiming that the unknown ingredient in our slimming pills damages the heart and nerves. All the customers who have purchased them are applying for refunds. What should we do now?" Chang Sheng said anxiously.

"Oh, I see," Yang Chen replied very calmly.

Chang Sheng was utterly surprised. With such a serious matter at hand, Yang Chen had this kind of reaction? Shouldn't he be panicking?

Chang Sheng quickly said, "Chairman Yang, I might not have made myself clear just now. Let me say it again, it's..."

Yang Chen interrupted immediately, "I heard you clearly. You said someone paid people to smear our product. Don't worry, someone will naturally help us solve this problem. Do you believe that the ones panicking right now aren't us, but the Jiangcheng Municipal Government and those creditors of the Sihai Group? We've managed to create a product with the potential to make a huge profit, and they are all waiting for us to sell big so we can pay off our debts. How could they possibly allow anyone to smear us at a time like this? Just wait, the truth will come to light very soon, and everyone will know who is making mischief behind the scenes."

Chang Sheng paused for a moment, then asked, "Re... really? Can it really be like this?"

"Haha... Relax. If I'm not worried, you don't need to be either. I'm going back to sleep, hang up now," Yang Chen said indifferently.

Chang Sheng muttered to himself, "Chairman Yang is way too optimistic. Will the Jiangcheng Municipal Government and the creditors really take the initiative to help us fix this mess?"