Chapter 144 - 144: Shame

Translator: _Min_

“I’ve seen Song Ling code before, so I’m familiar with his methods. I’m certain it’s him,” Zhou Ci declared.

Upon hearing Zhou Ci’s words, Gu Dai reopened her phone and examined the IP address of the intruder. It displayed the name of a villa, which happened to be Song Ling’s usual residence. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

So the one attempting to infiltrate Gu Group was indeed Song Ling.

A faint smile curved Gu Dai’s lips. She tapped a few keys, sending Song Ling a digital “gift” of her own.

Meanwhile, Song Ling’s eyes darkened as he stared at his computer screen, which now displayed an emoji of a taunting middle finger. His face grew increasingly grim. He pressed the shutdown button with force, but the computer remained unresponsive.

It took a moment for him to realize: not only had he failed to breach Gu Group’s system, but he had also been counter-hacked.

He hadn’t felt this humiliated in years. Over these years, his exceptional hacking skills had helped keep Song Corporation running smoothly. But now, not only had he failed, he was met with disdainful mockery from the other side.

The sight of the middle finger on the screen angered him further, prompting him to smash his laptop onto the floor.

The laptop’s screen went black, the mocking finger disappearing. But before Song Ling could even breathe a sigh of relief, the computer suddenly blared a haunting children’s rhyme, looping over and over.

“Coldly, he ordered, “Take it out and throw it away.”

Zhao Xuan hurriedly picked up the damaged laptop, his body trembling, and swiftly exited the villa.

As the eerie rhyme faded into the distance, Song Ling leaned back on his sofa, closing his eyes.

Zhao Xuan had reported to him how Gu Dai had treated Old Master Zhou, stating that her treatment was exceptionally timely and flawless.

Medical professionals had noted that only an expert in the medical field could have accomplished such a feat.

Reflecting on Gu Dai’s revealed talents over this period, Song Ling couldn’t hold back any longer. Gu Group was the only place he knew that had any relation to Gu Dai, so he had wanted to use his hacking skills to uncover whatever was going on with her.

In the beginning, everything was going smoothly for Song Ling. He had successfully cracked one code after another and was on the verge of breaking the final one. However, in a sudden turn of events, he found himself retreating, utterly powerless against the counterattack. The opponent had struck at his vulnerabilities, leaving him with no room to maneuver.

Since learning to hack, Song Ling had always been the apple of his master’s eye, praised for his exceptional talent. Indeed, his skills had advanced at a remarkable pace.

But a few years ago, in a major hacking competition, his firewall was easily broken by someone named “Zhi Ming.” Not only was his firewall compromised, but he had also been thoroughly defeated, his home security breached.

After that incident, Song Ling had redoubled his efforts, harboring the hope that the next time he encountered “Zhi Ming,” he would not suffer such a humiliating defeat and could exact his revenge. But “Zhi Ming” never reappeared.

These past years in the capital city, Song Ling had come to believe that his hacking skills were unparalleled globally. Yet today, his opponent had delivered a stinging slap to his face.

He had lost.

This was his second defeat…

With that thought, Song Ling’s eyes snapped open. The moves used by his opponent just now bore a striking resemblance to those of “Zhi Ming.” Could it be that the person on the other end was actually “Zhi Ming”?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than he dismissed it.

No, it wasn’t “Zhi Ming.” Although their techniques were similar, the nuance was different. It was evident that these were two different styles.

If not “Zhi Ming” himself, then perhaps a disciple.

That would make sense and explain why he couldn’t find any information on Gu Dai. A formidable hacker on her side must have concealed her data.

But how did Gu Dai come to know such a skilled hacker? And if she knew the disciple of “Zhi Ming,” did that mean she also knew “Zhi Ming” himself?

What was Gu Dai’s ultimate goal? Why did she have so many secrets?

The more Song Ling pondered, the more vexed he became, and his headache intensified. He furiously massaged his temples with one hand while taking out the amulet from his pocket with the other. He inhaled its calming scent deeply several times. Only then did the agonizing pain begin to subside..