"Minister, isn't this a failure? How can you still..." the person assisting him stopped their rhythmic movements, looking at Kurt's smile with some confusion.
Wasn't it already a failure? How could he still smile?
They had been planning this invasion operation for a long time. After the Keys incident erupted, they had been holding back, not daring to make any moves. Now that the heat had passed, their minister had eagerly organized this invasion.
And the target was just a private computer.
For this operation, Kurt had gathered the department's core members, meticulously planned before the action, and even specifically chose the night in China for the operation. Yet, it had still failed.
"You don't understand." Kurt's deep eyes rippled like waves, and he smiled with profound meaning, "He's not here."
Hearing Kurt's assessment, his subordinate truly didn't understand. He exclaimed, "The opponent's defenses were timely and their methods were very clever. How could he not be there?!"
The opponent's defense mechanism was very powerful; they could barely find a single loophole and could only choose a weak point for repeated probing. Unfortunately, the opponent quickly intercepted.
Kurt picked up his phone, the screen lighting up. He looked at the message of unknown origin, his mood excellent, and explained, "Heh, although the defense just now was quite good, it's not Chi You's style. Moreover..."
He rubbed the words on the screen with his finger, saying them word by word, "With Chi You's arrogant personality, the word 'defense' doesn't exist in his world. If it were him, he would have already traced us back through the internet by now."
His subordinate found this idea a bit pessimistic and negative. How could he be so certain?
He fell silent for a moment, but still couldn't help but speak, "Minister, our defense mechanisms are also comprehensive. Without detailed planning, the opponent wouldn't be able to break through."
"Alright, there's no point in saying more. You've had little interaction with him. You'll know in the future." He placed the phone on the table and lazily placed his fingers on the keyboard. As if thinking of something, his thin lips curled up, "Perhaps there won't be a future." The sound of the keyboard echoed as Kurt began to record the details of the previous attack. His subordinate looked at Kurt's serious profile, as if understanding but not fully, his gaze falling on the phone screen casually placed on the table.
"Don't mess around."
The subordinate knew few Chinese characters, but he knew that the first two strokes of these three characters were simple.
"Don't mess around?" The subordinate pronounced it awkwardly and softly, then frowned. "Minister, this seems to be a Chinese curse. Your text message..."
Kurt's well-defined face turned to look at him. Without blaming him for prying, he said in a low voice, "Replay, try again."
China.
In front of the computer they were thinking about.
"Mr. Qin, I'll be going back now." Luo Chen, holding a USB drive, was somewhat anxious to leave.
Qin Ningyi specifically escorted him to the door. "Please stay in touch. If there are any developments recently, I will contact you."
"Okay." Luo Chen was still very enthusiastic about guarding Huo Rou's computer. "But..."
He hesitated for a moment before saying to Qin Ningyi, "Mr. Qin, if possible, please contact Director Huo as soon as possible and ask her to come back soon."
"The opponent is too targeted. I'm a bit worried I won't be able to handle someone who would target Director Huo's computer."
He was confident but never reckless.
When it came to computer security, humility and caution were paramount.
"You..." Qin Ningyi looked at him. "Have you contacted Arou?"
He knew that asking Luo Chen such a question was a desperate move. After all, after Huo Rou left the project team, Xiao Yudá had found an excuse to transfer her away from Yudá Security.
Luo Chen scratched his head. "Although Director Huo is approachable, we usually don't dare to call or message her. She seems very busy lately, and our messages haven't been replied to."
He had hoped to get some recent updates about Director Huo from Qin Ningyi. Now it seemed there was a problem, and Qin Ningyi also seemed to not know Director Huo's recent situation.
But this was their private matter, and Luo Chen didn't have the standing to inquire further.
The person from the Information Security Center, following behind Luo Chen, also expressed his agreement. "Right, Old Luo, you feel that too? Although Director Huo looks delicate and loves to smile, she's like a celestial being, making people hesitant to get too close."
"Only someone like you, Mr. Qin, a dragon among men, can stand shoulder to shoulder with Director Huo." He had been focused on the technical aspects the entire time and hadn't noticed Qin Ningyi's unease, still thinking about how to flatter him.
Luo Chen glanced at Qin Ningyi's distracted gaze and tugged at the sleeve of the Director of the Information Security Center. "Let's go, let's go."
He didn't even let him finish speaking before pulling him away.
As expected, all his friends who could become his friends were not very good at speaking. Luo Chen thought as he walked, thankfully, his friends still had their technical skills.
"Mr. Qin, let's go inside. It's cold outside." The butler, holding Qin Ningyi's thick coat, stood behind him, wanting to put it on him.
Qin Ningyi waved his hand, pushing it away. The snow was like goose feathers. If this continued, there would be a thick layer of snow by tomorrow.
He walked into the courtyard, letting the falling snow land on his shoulders.
Before going to Taichuan City, he had promised An An that when it snowed, he would take him to have a snowball fight. Children needed to be active and play more. An An was too sensible now; he didn't want An An to lose his childish innocence too early.
His own time for play was short. When he was young, he would stand by the window, watching Qin Jian hold snowball fights with his friends in the courtyard. Occasionally, Qin Feiwan would join the fray.
After being an observer for so many years, he finally had An An and a chance and reason to join the battle. He had even thought of building a snowman with An An, decorating it meticulously, and giving it to Huo Rou to make her happy.
He would name the snowman "Little Fairy." His Arou would surely laugh when she heard the name.
His thoughts swirled like the tumbling snowflakes, scattering and lightly blanketing the earth.
The butler watched Qin Ningyi, who had almost merged with the night, from behind, noticing the scattered snowflakes in his hair.
The snow was getting heavier.
"Mr. Qin." The butler was a little worried. He walked over with the clothes. "If you don't want to go back, why don't you put on your coat? It's cold, be careful not to catch a cold and get sick."
"Let's go back." Qin Ningyi slowly turned, his eyes as dark as the night.
He reached out and touched the pendant on his chest. The jade was smooth and warm, as if it could truly generate heat. With a slight force, the string snapped. He tightly gripped the pendant, as if just holding it tightly could bring a trace of warmth to his freezing red hands.
He pursed his lips and walked back in silence. Under his thin clothes, his usually straight back seemed slightly hunched, exhausted.
He was already ill.