"Beep beep," the large screen flashed a red alert, indicating an intrusion into the firewall.
"Holy shit!" Jin Niu and Bai Yang couldn't help but curse.
If, for the past six hours, they had been aiming to match Crow's skill with the mindset of wanting to compete, and hadn't immediately reported it, then now, they finally realized: they had messed up!
"What's going on? Why is the firewall alarming?" Shi Zi, who had received the alert, rushed over.
"The firewall designed by the Hall Master has been breached by Crow!" Jin Niu said.
Shi Zi: !!!
Someone had managed to break through the Hall Master's firewall system!
Shi Zi: "Quickly notify Ming Ge! Activate Level One Defense Alert, and other members, quickly get to your stations!"
Early in the morning, the offices in the Star Palace main control building were in chaos.
At the Di Sheng Hotel.
Yu He took a sip of water, rubbing her sore wrists.
The Star Palace's firewall was tougher than she had anticipated. It had taken her over six hours to finally breach it. She hadn't even taken this long to hack into the US satellites.
But she was also lucky. The Star Palace Hall Master was conveniently absent, leaving only two shrimp soldiers to fend her off.
Otherwise, given the situation from her previous confrontation with the Hall Master, she wouldn't have been so fortunate.
Yu He swayed her neck left and right, and just as she was about to continue her intrusion, the screen suddenly popped up with twelve firewall alerts: someone was attempting to invade.
Her peach blossom eyes narrowed, her lips parted, and she murmured, "The twelve constellations of Star Palace?"
She tutted. While she could handle two shrimp soldiers, dealing with twelve combined, she might have been able to manage if she were in good spirits. But in her current state and environment, she was clearly not suited for a direct confrontation.
The best strategy was to retreat.
Her slender fingers unplugged the USB drive and she clicked the mouse to shut down.
On the Star Palace side, all twelve computers displayed red error alerts.
Even the firewall intrusion prompt on the large screen had stopped.
"He got away!" Shi Zi said with regret.
"Compile the useful data and send it to me. We'll have the Hall Master look at it when he returns," Bei Ming commanded.
Everyone: "Yes."
---
Beijing.
The Qin family's old residence, in the main hall.
"Patriarch, please dispense justice for Mei Mei. Her death was so unjust. I know she made mistakes, but she didn't deserve to die."
Qin Jian, his hair completely white, knelt before Qin Yongchao, weeping bitterly.
"Cousin, get up and speak," Qin Yongchao helped him up.
Qin Jian seized his hand and continued:
"Mei Mei was my only daughter. She grew up without a mother, and we relied on each other. I spoiled her, and she was a bit spoiled, but she truly had no ill intentions.
"We are all of the Qin family bloodline. For the sake of a young girl, Seventh Master drove Mei Mei to her death. Why be so cruel to your own kin? Patriarch, you must bring me justice, or I will not rest in peace."
After Qin Mei Mei was buried, Qin Jian, without even holding a memorial service, ran to the clan family to weep before the Patriarch.
With news of the Gu family's ruin spreading like wildfire, Qin Yongchao was somewhat aware of the situation, especially since it involved Qin Beiting.
This half-brother, who had always given him a headache and whom he couldn't resolve.
He maintained a stern expression. "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is indeed Beiting's fault, I will make him come to you and beg for forgiveness."
Qin Jian wiped his tears and said:
"I don't need him to beg for forgiveness. Mei Mei contributed so much to the Qin family. I only wish for him to clear Mei Mei's name. She cannot bear the reputation of a murderer and be reviled for eternity."
Qin Yongchao's brows furrowed slightly, his face grave. "Everything has its cause and effect. You must have foreseen Mei Mei's outcome."
Qin Jian was choked by his words. Sensing he was about to get angry, his lips moved, wanting to plead for more, but he worried about provoking Qin Yongchao and ending up with nothing. He finally clenched his fists and let go of his insistence.
"Please, Patriarch, give Mei Mei justice."
"I will give you an explanation after the new year," Qin Yongchao said, then waved his hand, dismissing him.
As Qin Jian retreated, Qin Yongchao rubbed his throbbing temples. Every time Qin Beiting was mentioned, he got a headache.
"Dad, I've made you some ginseng and black chicken soup. It's cold, it'll warm you up."
Qin Xinhong emerged from behind the screen, carrying a bowl of soup. Seeing him rub his temples, she knew he was once again troubled by Qin Beiting's affairs. She had heard Qin Jian's words from behind the screen.
"Mmm," Qin Yongchao grunted, taking the soup and drinking it.
"Leave Mei Mei's matter to me. We were close, and I will give Uncle a satisfactory explanation," Qin Xinhong volunteered.
After drinking the soup, Qin Yongchao put down the bowl and nodded. "This matter is entrusted to you."
"And Little Uncle, he might not have bad intentions, just lacks maturity due to his youth and the many temptations outside. He'll settle down after he gets married," Qin Xinhong said as if understanding.
"He is of an age where he should be married, otherwise he will remain unsettled," Qin Yongchao said with a grim face. "Have you found any suitable women in those social circles and among the young ladies? Primarily someone who is easy to control."
Otherwise, once Qin Beiting inherited shares, he would be difficult to manage.
"I think the eldest daughter of the Qi family is quite good. She's knowledgeable, talented, beautiful, and rumored to be a divine physician," Qin Xinhong said.
Qin Yongchao nodded. "Qi Yuanyuan is indeed good. Mei Mei had also introduced her to me before. This matter is also entrusted to you. I will summon him back later, and you can arrange for them to meet. If there are no issues, we will set the date, and I will go to the Qi family to propose."
"Okay," Qin Xinhong replied with a smile.
---
Di Sheng Hotel.
Qin Beiting slept for a full 48 hours before finally waking up.
The moment he opened his eyes, his mind felt exceptionally clear and comfortable.
He pushed himself up and sat, noticing a figure curled up on the sofa. His gaze softened.
As he got out of bed, he paused, feeling a dull ache in his lower body. He frowned slightly, not paying it much mind, and casually put on a bathrobe before heading to the sofa.
The girl was sleeping with her back to the bed, curled up, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed, seemingly not sleeping soundly.
Qin Beiting gently lifted her onto the waterbed. As he laid her down, Yu He was startled awake.
"Brother Ting? You're awake!" Her eyes snapped open, and seeing his familiar face, her vigilance immediately subsided.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble. I feel much better," Qin Beiting said.
"That's good," Yu He climbed out of the waterbed. "Go wash up and have something to eat. I'm starving."
"Okay," Qin Beiting responded. Just as he entered the bathroom, he suddenly turned back and asked, "Baby, did you do anything to me while I was sleeping?"
"Do what?" Yu He asked, confused.
"I feel a bit of pain down there..."
Yu He: ...
She recalled the awkward scene from that night, her cheeks burning. She immediately looked away. "No!"
Qin Beiting looked thoughtful. "Could it be a side effect?"