"Time's up." Xu Yan leaned over to look at the screen.
Wang Anjing frowned; the progress bar was stuck at 99%.
What's going on? Why is it stuck at 99%? Has it been detected? Damn it, even if it has been detected, the IT department won't have time to handle it...
Just as Zhou Luming was about to speak, Xu Yan gestured for him to be quiet and not disturb Wang Anjing's train of thought.
Wang Anjing held her breath and pondered for a moment, then her eyes flashed, and she decisively took action.
"As expected—a master intervened and cut off the connection. I will immediately disconnect and save 99% of the records. As for the remaining 1%, we don't need it."
"Yes." Xu Yan trusted her judgment.
Wang Anjing's hands moved very quickly, her movements clean and efficient, constantly tapping the keyboard as if she were playing piano keys.
Zhou Luming bypassed Xu Yan and came to Wang Anjing's side, silently plugging in the power for her laptop. At times like these, the worst thing is a power outage.
Xu Yan glanced at Zhou Luming and nodded approvingly at her.
Although the surrounding environment appeared harmonious, only those deeply involved knew the tension at that moment. In the unseen network world of Xu Yan and Zhou Luming, a fierce duel between masters was underway.
Wang Anjing's face was tense, her lips tightly pursed. There weren't many opponents who could make her go all out, but the one she was facing now was definitely a master worthy of the utmost respect.
"Alright," after about 15 minutes, Wang Anjing stretched her shoulders and neck by interlacing her fingers and turning them outwards. "As expected, 99% of the video content has been salvaged and is being exported and downloaded."
Zhou Luming moved behind Wang Anjing and massaged her shoulders, showering her with flattery, "Sister Anjing's skills are truly extraordinary."
She saw a large, blood-red "S" suddenly appear on the computer screen, and her expression changed drastically. "So it really was her who made the move."
Wang Anjing smiled dismissively, "Although she is highly skilled, she is too young and lacks experience, so I was able to outshine her today."
But who knows what will happen in time? And if things continue like this, S will become one of the most powerful hackers. The young girl's future is immeasurable. I really can't deny that I'm getting old. Now that I've relaxed all of a sudden, my back aches and my head is throbbing.
But now is not the time for her to relax, because the video has been decoded and is playing on her computer.
"1.5x speed." Xu Yan stood beside her, looking at the screen.
However, the videos are hundreds of hours long, spanning from when Xu Lang moved into the office until they were just cut off. Watching all of them and then filtering out useful information will be a huge undertaking.
"I've copied the video onto a USB drive. You can take it home and watch it at your leisure," Wang Anjing said, rubbing her temples.
Xu Yan: "Home might not be safe enough."
“As long as I make sure I’m not connected to the internet, I’ll be fine. My USB drive isn’t infected,” Wang Anjing said. “Besides, I’ve finished my coffee. I’ve been sitting here since this morning. It’s time to go home and rest. My old arms and legs can’t take it anymore. Once there’s news about the dark web mission, I’ll probably have to work overtime at any time.”
Wang Anjing copied the video to a USB drive and handed it to Xu Yan.
"By the way, we plan to launch a new generation of the Metaverse world and invite the two of you to participate in the closed beta test," Wang Anjing said. "Old game development relies on hardware devices, but our new version will utilize the latest naked-eye 3D technology in conjunction with everyday hardware devices—such as smartphones with specially customized system versions—to allow users to enter a game world with truly realistic sensory experiences."
“Okay, Xu Yan and I will both go,” Zhou Luming happily agreed.
Xu Yan nodded.
She's not interested in games, but she is interested in the technology. "I'll contact you anytime if there's any news on the dark web."
Wang Anjing: "OK".
They went their separate ways home. Xu Yan immediately took a laptop with the disconnected internet to her study, plugged in a USB drive, and started looking at it. After a while, she came out of the study and asked, "How many computers do you have at home?"
Zhou Luming was taken aback. "Let me look. There are two more, but one of them is very old. I don't know if it can be turned on."
Xu Yan turned to look at the TV and projector in the living room. "Lend me two computers, any computers that can be turned on. Turn on the TV and projector, I need to use these devices to watch videos."
Zhou Luming was stunned again, unable to believe it, "Watching on five screens at the same time?"
"Um."
"But do you have time to look at so many screens?"
“There’s still time,” Xu Yan said calmly. “Don’t we still have you? I can take charge of four screens, and you can watch one. We’ll watch these recordings in segments, without missing any details. Including the documents on the table in the video, the images on his computer screen, the images on his phone screen, and the text he’s writing—all of these could be important clues.”
Zhou Luming nodded with difficulty: "I will do my best."
--------------------
Author's Note:
Friendly reminder: Do not imitate this (if you have the IT skills, hahaha).
Chapter 86
===================
Late at night, two lights were still on in the room, with one person sitting and the other lying down beside them.
Xu Yan sat upright on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the four screens in front of him: a projector screen, a television screen, and two computer screens placed on the coffee table and on his lap.
Zhou Luming sat on a cushion on the carpet, leaning against the sofa, next to Xu Yan. Her gaze gradually became unfocused, her fingers playing with her slightly curled hair. She yawned every now and then, but immediately became alert afterward, staring wide-eyed at the figures moving on the screen.
This was a task Xu Yan had assigned her, and she couldn't overlook any detail. Even if the scenes were boring, she had to watch them carefully.
Another hour ticked by, and Zhou Luming rubbed his temples. "I've finished reading."
Xu Yan, who was beside her, said, "I've finished watching it too." She had actually finished watching these clips about 20 minutes earlier, and had taken screenshots of several important parts and compiled them into an album.
“I’ve made notes on some important time points, and you can focus on these segments. In the segments I’ve looked at, Xu Lang is either signing documents or attending meetings outside. He doesn’t spend much time sitting in front of the computer. He’s really a very busy person.” Zhou Luming handed the notes to Xu Yan.
“If the Zhou Group is managed like this, she might die suddenly before she even gets to enjoy the pleasures of being a rich woman. I wouldn’t be happy with that. Xu Lang is already so old. He should enjoy the money he’s made. I really don’t understand why he’s still clinging to power and making things difficult for himself.”
Xu Yan listened to Zhou Luming's complaints, his brows furrowing slightly. He asked curiously, "If it were you, how would you manage the Zhou Group?"
Zhou Luming rolled over, put his hands on the sofa, looked up at Xu Yan and said with a smile, "If I inherit the Zhou family business, I will find a professional manager to help me manage the company. I will just sit on the shares and wait for the dividends to come in every year. Let the professionals do what they are good at, and I can live my life in peace."
Xu Yan raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you afraid they'll sideline you and turn the Zhou family into someone else's property?"
"I'm not afraid, because the shares are in my hands. As long as I don't sell them, I will always be the largest shareholder. Even if things go wrong and I sell the shares, so what? Wouldn't it be better to cash out and make money?" Zhou Luming said lightly.
Xu Yan smiled and said, "You don't seem to care about the Zhou family's legacy or even the billions."
"What kind of society are we living in now? Why are we still so feudal and obsessed with family inheritance? Who says the Zhou Group has to be named after Zhou? No matter what the name is, as long as the company can operate normally and the employees can have food to eat, it is a good company and a good management."
"You've got quite the nerve, and you have a good perspective." Xu Yan closed his laptop, nodded at Zhou Luming, and said, "If my grandfather were still alive, he would definitely scold you for being rebellious. My father married my mother against his wishes, and the two of them fled to the United States to live a peaceful life, but they were discovered."
Xu Yan closed her eyes. She didn't want to recall that past, because once she did, the image of the car accident would always come to mind.
"I hid, afraid to make friends, afraid to say my surname was Zhou. My parents and I thought that doing so would allow us to escape our fate, but instead, we returned to the trajectory of destiny. After returning to China, those people lurking in the shadows were still eyeing me covetously. I was afraid of being discovered by them, so I disguised my identity and hid, and then had you appear as Zhou Luming..."
"Li Ruo, something big is going to happen at your 22nd birthday party. Are you prepared to take the blame for me?"
Li Ruo, disguised as Zhou Luming, smiled nonchalantly. "Having come this far, I have no choice but to grit my teeth and keep going. Besides, this is for the person I love, so what's wrong with that?"
A blush crossed Xu Yan's face.
Zhou Luming reached out and grabbed Xu Yan's hand. "You're too kind. You don't know how dangerous hell is. Since God arranged for you to meet me and chose me as your substitute, I will help you find the person who harmed your parents and help you resolve your inner conflicts."
She paused, then continued with a smile, "After you fulfill your wish, can you grant me one request?"
"you say."
"Be with me, be my girlfriend."
Xu Yan pursed her lips and asked, "Why can't it be now?"
Zhou Luming doubted she had heard correctly. "What did you say?" She leaned closer and listened intently.
Xu Yan smiled faintly, "It's nothing."
She turned to wash up and catch up on sleep, but Zhou Luming grabbed her and pulled her back. They stood facing each other, and Zhou Luming frowned and said, "Xu Yan, my legs are numb..." She felt a little embarrassed after saying that, but when she was about to fall, she simply pulled Xu Yan down onto the sofa with her.
Xu Yan pressed down on her, supporting himself with his hands to prevent himself from crushing her.
But the situation was a bit awkward. The atmosphere had been just right; generally speaking, after saying those words, the two should be officially together. However, Xu Yan was feeling very uneasy, losing her usual rationality and composure. This was her first time in a relationship, and she had absolutely no experience or skills.
If I run away now, will it make her angry?
But if we go further, wouldn't it seem like we're rushing things?
While Xu Yan was struggling internally, Zhou Luming chuckled and tapped Xu Yan's nose with his finger, "Can you tell me what you're still hesitating about in this situation?"
"I—" Xu Yan hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out, "Can I kiss you?" She felt her face was so red it was almost bleeding.
Zhou Luming leaned close to her ear and said in a seductive voice, "Of course—you can."
She didn't give Xu Yan a chance to think anymore, wrapped her arms around Xu Yan's neck, and tilted her head back to kiss her lips.
Two dim lights were still on inside.
Reflected on the snow-white wall are two intertwined shadows.
Before we knew it, it was already bright outside.
Xu Yan got out of bed and looked at the mess on the floor, feeling a little dazed. Carefully not to disturb Zhou Luming, who was still lazing in bed, she opened the closet to change her clothes, but heard a noise behind her. Before she could turn around, she felt a soft, warm person press against her back and hug her from behind. The person clasped her hands on her waist, rested her head on her shoulder, and exuded a lazy and comfortable aura.
"What exactly supports your self-discipline? It's a day off, yet you still managed to get up early?" Zhou Luming asked vaguely.
She wasn't fully awake yet.
Xu Yan: "I need to discuss some things with Sister Anjing."
Zhou Luming: "Hmm? You took advantage of me last night, and now you're going to find other women this morning?"
Xu Yan: "I didn't... take advantage of you completely."
"Is that the point? Shouldn't the point be that after we've slept together like this and that, you wake up and want to find another woman?"
“You know I’m not…” Xu Yan hurriedly explained.
But Zhou Luming covered her mouth with his hand, blinked and said, "Okay, I was just kidding. I won't delay your important business. Go change your clothes."
She released Xu Yan and sat on the bed, watching him with great interest. She hadn't changed into her pajamas, but was still wearing the shirt from last night—a loose white shirt with only three buttons fastened, revealing her collarbone and waist, a captivating and alluring sight.
Xu Yan finally managed to focus on changing clothes to find Wang Anjing, but she froze after opening the wardrobe. Someone was watching her intently from behind. How could she possibly unbutton her clothes and change into formal attire? Was she supposed to strip naked right in front of her?
Although the two had been intimate last night, it was all done in the dark, without any open staring. Now, with the sun high in the sky and the curtains still drawn, the strong sunlight penetrated the barrier, allowing them to see each other clearly.
Xu Yan didn't have the nerve to strip naked and change clothes in front of Zhou Luming.
"Turn around, don't look."
"Haha, you're so cute. Okay, I won't look at you anymore. Go change your clothes." Zhou Luming stopped teasing her and obediently turned his head to the other side, looking out the window. Actually, she felt guilty too, her eyes lingering on Xu Yan's back, and she swallowed involuntarily.
Xu Yan did have something urgent to attend to, and after reviewing the video recordings, she felt increasingly uneasy. So she went to discuss it with Wang Anjing first thing in the morning.
After changing into formal attire and applying light makeup, Xu Yan resumed her usual look. She then noticed that Zhou Luming had also dressed herself up. With her striking features and naturally beautiful face, she didn't need much makeup to be naturally stunning. She was wearing a long dress with a blazer over it, and was also about to leave.