Shen Qingqing was amused, almost to the point of laughter.
The person who encrypted this IP address was audacious. Cracking it wouldn't be too difficult, but it would take time. If only she had someone to assist her…
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door.
Fu Tingyi, accompanied by several shareholders, arrived in a huff. "The situation is escalating outside. Can you find the person who leaked the design drafts or not?!"
Shen Qingqing remained unruffled. "There's still time."
Fu Tingyi said sternly, "Every minute you delay has a negative impact on the company. The best solution now is to immediately identify the leaker. If you can't, our company will have to present a solution, and someone must take responsibility!"
"Are you even his father?"
Shen Qingqing didn't need to ask. The way he looked at Fu Jing Shu revealed his intentions.
Fu Tingyi retorted angrily, "What business is it of yours? I'm doing this for the company's good. I need to separate personal and professional matters. Even my own son must be responsible to the company!"
He spoke with such righteous conviction. If Shen Qingqing didn't know his true character, she might have believed him.
"Within an hour, I will reveal the truth."
She called Lin Mo over and whispered a few words to him. Surprise flickered in Lin Mo's eyes, and he turned to leave hurriedly. With Fu Jing Shu and Shen Qingqing present, no one stopped him.
Fu Jing Shu couldn't help but ask, "What did you send him to do?"
"You'll know soon enough."
Shen Qingqing kept him in suspense, her fingers still flying across the keyboard.
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyi didn't believe for a moment that the leaker could be found in an hour. Nevertheless, he agreed. "One hour. But remember, if you fail within this hour, you and Jing Shu will leave the company. I will take over temporarily. Jing Shu, do you have any objections?"
His words were a veiled threat, masked by a semblance of gentleness.
Fu Jing Shu nodded slightly. "Alright."
Fu Tingyi was somewhat surprised by his quick agreement, but quickly rejoiced. He was confident that Shen Qingqing would never find the culprit.
Time ticked by, and fifteen minutes quietly passed.
Lin Mo entered the office with a small figure. Everyone looked, and it turned out to be Shen Jin Xi. Upon entering, he scanned the room, then fixed his gaze on his mother.
"Mommy, I heard you needed my help."
Shen Qingqing beckoned him over and pulled him to her side. She opened another computer. "This IP address has been hidden and reinforced. Someone is also hindering my decryption from the shadows. Now I need your help to interfere with them."
Someone dared to obstruct Mommy!
"No problem!" Shen Jin Xi sat up straight, placing his small, tender fingers on the keyboard. His usually delicate and adorable face was now etched with seriousness.
Fu Tingyi didn't believe they could succeed and chuckled. "Adults can't do it, but a child can? I advise you to give up. Don't make a fool of yourselves in the end."
The shareholders behind him all shook their heads, none of them believing the mother and son duo.
But as fate would have it, with their combined efforts, they broke through the opponent's defenses in less than half an hour, without any unexpected incidents.
A complete and clear IP address appeared on the screen.
"We found it."
Shen Jin Xi's face lit up with a joyful smile.
Shen Qingqing also curved her lips slightly. However, as she traced the IP address to its location, her expression gradually turned serious. She slowly looked up at Fu Jing Shu.
"What's wrong?"
"This IP address belongs to Fu Ting Sheng's home."
They hadn't been there, but Fu Ting Sheng had mentioned it before when they were going through a difficult time – he had bought a villa on the mountainside in the eastern suburbs and had invited them to visit anytime.
But they had declined, using business as an excuse.
A flicker of panic crossed Fu Tingyi's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. It didn't matter. The draft was sent by Fu Ting Sheng, and the sender was also him.
It had nothing to do with him!
Instead, a plan formed in his mind. It was time to catch them all in one go. He feigned indignation. "I can't believe the two of you cooperating would cause such a mess. It seems this project of yours will have to be put on hold for now. Jing Shu, you should set aside company matters. Regardless, this is your oversight!"
However, now that the source had been traced, Fu Jing Shu was not leaving the company. His words were akin to speaking to the deaf; no one paid him any heed.
"This is a matter of both company and family. Grandmother must be informed."
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly. "Yes, esteemed shareholders, we must return to handle this now. Rest assured, we will provide you with a satisfactory resolution afterwards."
The shareholders exchanged glances, their eyes instinctively drawn to Fu Tingyi.
Of course, he was unwilling. Unfortunately, now that the mastermind had been identified, as the one who brought Fu Ting Sheng back, he couldn't escape his involvement.
Shen Qingqing said coldly, "You can't escape either. Everything that needs to be dealt with, will be dealt with."
Fu Tingyi became enraged. "What do you mean by that? This has nothing to do with me. I had no knowledge of it. I'm here to clean up your mess!"
"Whether it has anything to do with you, we'll discuss it later."
Fu Jing Shu made a decisive move, taking Shen Qingqing and Xi Xi home with him.
On the way, he called Fu Ting Sheng. The latter's voice was gentle and his demeanor calm, as if he hadn't perceived the brewing storm. He even agreed to return to the Fu family.
Upon learning of the company's situation, Madam Fu sat on the sofa, silent for a long time.
It wasn't until Fu Ting Sheng entered that the old lady asked, "Did you do it?"
Fu Ting Sheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Yes."
"It really was you." Madam Fu hadn't expected his swift answer, nor any explanation or denial. "Why would you do this?"
Fu Ting Sheng didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Shen Qingqing, his gaze filled with a hint of admiration.
"I had heard you were very skilled as a hacker. I specifically hired a top expert and spent a considerable sum to hide my IP. I didn't expect you to break through."
"How did you know my hacking skills were so good?"
Fu Ting Sheng didn't answer, merely glancing at Fu Ting Yi. He let out a sigh and said, "I did it. As for the reason... you don't need to ask. I won't tell you."
"Why?"
Madam Fu found it difficult to accept this truth. She stood up and reached out to grab him.
He didn't dodge. She grasped his wrist, and feeling her dry, wrinkled hands, he faltered. He intended to pull away, but seeing the old lady's trembling form, he stopped.
During their time together, the old lady had treated him very well, exceptionally well.
He had experienced warmth he'd never felt before.
But...
"Tell me, why?" Madam Fu stubbornly demanded an answer.
Fu Ting Sheng slowly closed his eyes, clenching his fists. "Instead of asking me why, why not ask yourself?"
"...Ask me?"
"You abandoned me, so why pretend you were looking for me?" Fu Ting Sheng opened his eyes, his eye sockets tinged with red, his gaze filled with pain and resentment. "Just admit frankly that you don't like me. Is it that difficult for your heart to be so cruel?"
He looked directly at the old lady, each word a pointed question.
"Or is reputation truly that important to you? Important enough that after abandoning me, you would maintain the pretense of searching for decades for the sake of appearances!"