Chapter 114

He Lele knew he was asking about the trap-filled bet from earlier. She lowered her head to take the drink and smiled faintly, "Otherwise what?"

After thinking for a moment and looking at Qin Zhixiu's exquisite smiling face, He Lele said softly, "I have a temper too."

"But provoking her won't do you any good."

"..." Everyone must think so," He Lele curled her lips. "The whole crew is like this. They know Xiao Sha is childish and willful, but they indulge her again and again to protect themselves. I could have endured it too, but..."

"But what?" Qin Zhixiu asked curiously. He was indeed very curious why she, who was usually good at enduring, would impulsively play Xiao Sha. This didn't seem to fit the personality she had originally displayed.

"But... she tore my clothes."

"..."

"..."

Because she was just a temporary assistant and not a public figure, when the material Xiao Sha leaked was churned out in N versions, she only passed through the major media as "an assistant surnamed He," and there were no photos. Gossip about stars and assistants was far less attention-grabbing and easier to hype than the love-hate relationships between the male and female leads, especially since the male lead of the story was the young film emperor Ruan Lin, who had never let paparazzi capture any meaningful footage.

When the gossip was flying everywhere, Shentu Mo called and gave her an early vacation.

Seven days was enough for her to get a good rest, so she immediately booked a train ticket home. There wasn't much change at home, except for the gray hairs gradually staining her parents' temples. Thinking back, a very important reason why she had rashly agreed to the job at the apartment was that she wanted to save money, wanted to take her parents away from this city full of sour, musty smells. But now... not only did she have no money left, she even owed money for a set of clothes.

Kaixin: Is there any work you can introduce me to?

Taking advantage of the fact that Lingyu wasn't online, He Lele logged into NG and asked. She didn't have any other friends, so she could only ask on NG.

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: Kaixin sister!!!!! Long time no see! What have you been busy with lately that we haven't seen you? If you don't come, the Boss doesn't even pop up!

Writer's Note:

So sleepy I'm inefficient~~ Going to sleep today~~ Will go home early tomorrow to see if I can write more~~ Then thank everyone together~~~ Piggy is going to sleep today... girls~~ Mwah~~ Group hug!!!

☆, (10 Fresh Coins) Chapter 124: Hometown Illusion

Although the vast majority of people on NG were top hackers on the internet, their offline jobs were strange and varied, and many had nothing to do with computers at all. Many people's friendships went from online to offline, but everyone still tacitly agreed not to mention each other's real identities online.

Asking everyone if there was any work was actually just a casual remark. Seeing how happy everyone was to see her, He Lele watched the lines of text jumping out and chatted with everyone with a smile. Before Lingyu brought her into NG, she almost never spoke on the internet. She couldn't explain why; she just didn't want to. When she first joined NG, she didn't speak either, until she was pulled into a duet by Lingyu... Lingyu opened countless windows for her quiet and dim world, letting her spend her four years of college incredibly satisfied and happy, and making her face the future more bravely. Meeting Lingyu was one of the two greatest pieces of luck in her life.

Kaixin: Minna-san, I'm logging off first! Everyone don't stay up too late!

Guigui: Wait! Is Kaixin sister coming tomorrow?

Kaixin: Not sure, Guige, is something up?

Guigui: Aren't you best at Cryptanalysis? The Boss said yesterday he was looking for someone for a side job. If you come tomorrow night, you might run into the Boss!

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: Was the Boss online yesterday? How come I didn't know?

Little Bean Sprout: ...

Taffy: ...

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: Ah! Yes yes yes! I said it, I said it! Kaixin, you must come tomorrow!

Kaixin: With my skills... can I help L?

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: Kaixin sister, be confident. Your password-breaking skills were taught by the Boss himself, and your intuition is heaven-defying. If people outside knew there was such a freak like you, they'd be driven mad if they didn't die of anger!

Guigui: Cat, you talk too much.

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: ...I just think it's a bit of a waste of Kaixin sister's talent. I believe in Kaixin sister, and I believe in the Boss's judgment.

Kaixin: ...What is Cat brother talking about? I didn't quite understand.

Guigui: Cat, do you have objections to the Boss's decision?

Lazy Cat Doesn't Nap: No, I just think that any talent a person possesses has meaning and shouldn't be wasted. We should give more opportunities to help people display their talents rather than restricting or ignoring them.

Little Bean Sprout: Pig.

Taffy: Stupid pig.

Guigui: The Boss doesn't want Kaixin to get too involved in the hacker world, understand?

He Lele looked at the screen, feeling grateful to everyone on NG. Although Lazy Cat and Guigui were arguing, they were both doing it for her own good. Regarding what Guigui said about L not wanting her to get too involved in the hacker world, she knew it, because L had told her—they were a group of people walking on the edge of the law, so they were destined to take certain risks and live in a gray world, but he hoped she could always live happily and calmly in the sunshine.

L... was always so gentle.

Exiting the group chat, she flipped through the messages with L over the past three years. Listening and reading, she couldn't help but laugh and shed tears. The first time she received a message from L, she was so surprised, his tone stiff and distant. Gradually, singing for him, asking him for advice on password analysis technology, joking easily, three years had passed in a flash... And L, from the very beginning, had been so gentle and patient. She had gotten used to many of his caring words because she had seen them so often. Now, seeing so many at once—

L...

He Lele began to feel a little afraid, afraid that she would become greedy for L's gentleness, afraid that she would develop extravagant hopes. So, the next afternoon, she hurriedly left a message for L and logged off, and did not go on NG as promised that night.

September 1st.