Chapter 680

no names.

On a certain overseas encrypted server, a silent attack‑defense battle is unfolding.

A hacker with the ID 'Ghost' had just exploited a complex zero‑day vulnerability, attempting to infiltrate Zhengtong Group's core database.

Attempting to steal the company's confidential data and technical information, to put Lin Dongfan in a deadly situation.

Ghost's attack, like a venomous snake hidden in the shadows, was precise and deadly, easily bypassing several conventional firewalls at first.

Just as he thought he was about to succeed and touch the core data, a sudden change occurred!

What he faced seemed not a server but a bottomless mire; all the probe packets he sent vanished like stones in the sea, returning no valid information.

Immediately after, his own operation interface began to flicker wildly, with a flood of garbled code and warning pop‑ups surging like an avalanche.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Ghost was shocked inside; his protective measures had been reverse‑penetrated in an instant.

He tried to cut the connection, but it was already too late.

A line of scarlet English letters, as if written in blood, with a teasing mockery, filled his entire screen:

"Heylittleghost, lookingforyourdaddy?"

This English sentence translates to Chinese as: "Hey, little ghost, where's your dad?"

Immediately after came a dynamic, constantly flashing GIF—a popular domestic panda‑head contempt expression, flipping him the middle finger.

"Fuck!"

Ghost cursed angrily, yanked out the physical network cable, and broke out in a cold sweat on his back.

Still shaken, he realized he had not only kicked an iron plate, but more importantly, the opponent's hacking skill far surpassed his, possibly having laid a trap long ago waiting for him!

Almost at the same time.

Zhengtong Group's cybersecurity team was reporting the latest situation to Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan was leisurely sitting in his office.

Having tea together with Ye Jiaying.

After hearing the security director's report, Lin Dongfan smirked contemptuously: "The Ghost that Little Li found isn't all that skilled."

"Director Lin, we've captured and packaged the Ghost's attack characteristics and some real IP information, encrypted and backed up; it may be useful later for settlement." The middle‑aged security director, Xiao Yongchun, habitually pushed up his black‑rimmed glasses, full of confidence in this cyber‑defense battle.

Lin Dongfan handed Xiao Yongchun a list: "If Little Li can't get to me, he'll target my comrades nearby. Put these people's personal computers and phones on the protection list."

The list included Li Mingtang, Peng Tianhua, Xu Qing, Yang Qing, Jian Sining, and other officials.

After reading it, Xiao Yongchun replied confidently: "Director Lin, rest assured; with me here, they won't be able to touch a hair."

"Furthermore..."

Lin Dongfan cautioned: "Strengthen monitoring of online public opinion. Erase all information related to me, whether positive or negative. I don't want to see any negative news cropping up again."

"Understood. If there are no further orders, I'll go arrange the tasks now."

Monitoring the entire network means committing substantial manpower and resources. From Lin Dongfan's all‑out attitude, it's clear this battle must be won, no room for defeat. Xiao Yongchun dared not slack; his first act after returning to the department was to draw out elites to bolster the team's combat strength.

Lin Dongfan walked to the window and gazed at the deep night outside.

He said to Ye Jiaying, who stood behind him: "Li Hongbo's retaliation has already begun, from public opinion to hacking, with endless methods. But this is only the start; a greater storm may still be coming. Qian Youcai is a key variable; we must quickly get him to make a choice, to bite back at Li Hongbo."

Ye Jiaying proposed: "In my view, it would be better to directly devour Li Hongbo's Rebirth Group; once we control its actual controlling stake, we can easily obtain some of the group's internal dirt."

"How to devour it?" Lin Dongfan turned his head to look at Ye Jiaying.

Ye Jiaying replied: "Rebirth Group is a listed company; as long as we throw money at it, the operation isn't difficult. Among the top ten shareholders, besides Li Hongbo himself, the other nine are negotiable; we can directly buy out his shares. Li Hongbo personally holds only 30% of the shares, so surpassing him is not hard."

"To acquire more than 30% of Rebirth Group's shares, we need to invest at least over three hundred billion. If Li Hongbo increases his holdings via the secondary market, driving up the share price, our acquisition cost could rise as well, possibly exceeding five hundred billion. This approach burns too much money; it's hard to stomach."

Lin Dongfan conservatively analyzed that while five hundred billion could be afforded, it would still hurt.

Ye Jiaying evidently understood Lin Dongfan's concern and, without hesitation, proposed: "Even if we need a five‑hundred‑billion safety net, you only need to put up half; the other half I can help you settle."

"This plan can only be a backup option; we can't do it now." Lin Dongfan said: "Even if we want to devour Rebirth Group, we must first inflict heavy damage. Wait until Rebirth Group is mired in a whirlpool of negative news and its stock crashes; then we can step in to clean up the wreckage, thus acquiring it with the least money."

Upon hearing Lin Dongfan say that, Ye Jiaying fell silent.

She realized Lin Dongfan wasn't unwilling to devour Li Hongbo's Rebirth Group; he wanted to drive Li Hongbo to a dead end, forcing him to vomit blood and surrender everything in despair.

This seems cold‑blooded and ruthless.

But!

Compared to the prison disaster Lin Dongfan endured, plus Su Yuhong's life, and the fact that his plan to return to officialdom was thwarted, plunging the Lin family into a vortex of negative public opinion...

All these grievances laid before us, dealing with Li Hongbo however we like is not excessive!

Dealing with a vile petty man, what talk of gentlemanly conduct? Stab however the knife should be stabbed! If you fail to kill him with one stab, he will kill you with one.

Seeing the wind pick up outside, a slight chill brushed his face.

Ye Jiaying turned, picked up the jacket draped over the sofa, carefully placed it on Lin Dongfan's shoulders, and advised: "Regarding the illegitimate child matter, you should go back and explain it to Lingxi face to face..."

"At the company, we talk about company matters; why bring up an illegitimate child out of the blue?" Lin Dongfan took a puff of cigarette, his face full of gloom.

Ye Jiaying patiently urged: "You keep avoiding her, which isn't a solution. Over the years, Lingxi has tolerated you a lot; how can you bear to let her feel hurt and sad."

"......!!!"

Upon hearing the two words 'tolerance,' Lin Dongfan frowned, speechless.

Thinking about it, I must have saved the galaxy in my past life; otherwise, how could I be this happy in this life? Not only has Lingxi always tolerated me, but all the women around me tolerate everything about me.

For instance, right now, Ye Jiaying behind me actually advises me to go home and coax the principal wife.

It seems she isn't jealous at all.

Indeed, she has a big heart—and big breasts!

He fell into contemplation for a moment.

Lin Dongfan stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, turned and walked away: "Then I'll leave this cyber war to you; I'm heading home for a bit—call me if anything comes up."