Shu Lao noticed Chen Mo's delighted expression and, with a chuckle, gestured toward the endless rows of towering bookshelves.
"What do you think of all these technologies?"
Chen Mo pondered for a moment. "They must be the creations of previous library owners, right? Their accumulated work?"
"Half right," Shu Lao replied. "Many of these are indeed original creations. But more importantly, those owners chose to share their technologies by contributing them to the library. It's a form of tech sharing."
"So... are you saying I need to upload any technology I create? Like my ransomware-killing program?"
"No need to," Shu Lao said. "It's entirely voluntary. The question is: are you willing to share your creation with the library?"
Chen Mo nodded without hesitation. "Willing. Even if it were mandatory, I wouldn't complain. I am the current owner of this library, after all."
"Good." Shu Lao gave an approving nod.
He pointed to the air above, where a light curtain flickered into existence. Lines of code—Chen Mo's own antivirus software—streamed across the display like swarming ants.
Under Chen Mo's gaze, the light screen condensed into a digital book and floated into the depths of the library. Another beam of light then dropped into Shu Lao's hands, forming a new book.
"This," Shu Lao said, offering the book to Chen Mo, "is your reward for contributing your technology."
Chen Mo read the title and his eyes lit up:
"Smartphone Operating System: Source Code & Development"
Pure joy bloomed on his face. Just as Shu Lao had hinted, contributing technology really did bring unexpected rewards. He could already envision a brand-new mobile OS developed under his name.
All the frustration from earlier vanished without a trace.
"Lucky brat," Shu Lao said, grinning. "To encourage sharing, the reward tech will usually be superior to the one contributed. And you just happened to get one that's both useful and valuable—by a whole tier, no less."
Chen Mo beamed. "I've been lucky ever since I met you."
"Oh? Is this about your little girlfriend?" Shu Lao teased. "You didn't seem that lucky when you were handed the sanitary pad production process earlier."
Chen Mo laughed awkwardly. "That was also... character-building luck?"
Shu Lao shook his head with a smile and handed over the book. As he placed it on Chen Mo's forehead, the knowledge flowed into his mind.
Back in the real world, Chen Mo left the technology library with a grin.
Not only had he created a virus-killer during a global ransomware crisis, but he'd also walked away with a complete smartphone OS source code. If he played his cards right, this could be his big break.
But for now, he was broke.
After a moment of thought, he sat down at his computer, opened Weibo, and searched for the official account of Qihu Security—a leading Chinese cybersecurity firm. Without access to internal emails, this was his best bet.
He drafted a short message and sent it to their public inbox.
The Eternal Heart ransomware was still at its peak. Globally, no one had successfully cracked it. But he had.
Of course, Chen Mo wasn't trying to be a saint. He'd chosen the DIY path over a tech reward specifically to monetize this antivirus. This was always meant to be his first pot of gold.
And now was the perfect time.
Once the message was sent, he resumed typing. The mobile OS source code would be his next product—and a potential entry point into the internet industry.
Meanwhile, inside Qihu's headquarters...
Several Weibo operators managed the company's social media presence. Among them was Lang Yumeng, one of the behind-the-scenes minds behind the company's cute and witty official posts.
Corporate Weibo had grown into a vital PR tool. Operators like Yumeng juggled design, copywriting, news tracking, and even the occasional meme battle. Her job, affectionately summed up by netizens: "Designs the posts, writes the jokes, pulls the trends, comments for clout, sells cuteness."
Since the Eternal Heart outbreak, their cybersecurity firm had been under intense public scrutiny. Comments had skyrocketed tenfold.
Lang Yumeng—and her dark circles—had been working overtime.
As she browsed through Weibo replies, a particular message caught her attention.
"Silent Ants?"
Her fingers hovered over the mouse. Something about the message made her uneasy. Right then, the office director walked by.
"Director Wang," she called out, "Can you take a look at this message?"
Wang Yu stopped. Usually, the social team didn't escalate things unless they were serious. Curious, he leaned in to see what had caught her eye.
After a moment of reading, his expression grew sharp.
"Print a copy of this. I'll take it to the president."
Moments later, Wang Yu stepped into the president's office, a printout in hand.
"President Zhou, I found this message on Weibo and felt it needed your attention."
President Zhou Hongwei took the paper. His eyes narrowed. He paused, then immediately opened his email and entered the address mentioned in the message.
At the moment, his company's cybersecurity division was working day and night to crack Eternal Heart. There had been progress—but only incremental. It was, after all, a highly advanced piece of malware, the product of top-tier hackers.
Now, out of nowhere, someone claimed they had successfully neutralized the virus.
He had to take it seriously.
Clearly, this person wanted to sell the antivirus program. If it worked, Qihu Security would not only solve the biggest cyberattack in years—they'd also walk away with major prestige and financial gain.
Zhou typed out a reply:
"Hello, I'm Zhou Hongwei, President of Qihu Security. I've seen your message. Can you confirm that your software truly cracks Eternal Heart? I'd like to meet and see a demonstration in person."
He hit send—and waited.
Back in Binhai, Chen Mo paused his typing when the new email alert popped up.
He opened it, saw Zhou's reply, and smiled.
Hooked.
He quickly typed out a short reply, this time including his phone number.
Within moments, Zhou's phone lit up. He glanced at the number, then answered immediately.
"Hello, this is Zhou Hongwei."
"Hello, President Zhou. I'm Chen Mo. Still interested in my software?" he asked with a confident grin.
"Very much so," Zhou replied. "Would you be willing to send us the installation package for testing?"
"I prefer to meet in person," Chen Mo said. "Let's do a face-to-face test. There's a coffee shop 800 meters right of Binhai University's main gate. Contact me when you get there. If you're worried I'm a scammer, ask Qihu's own people or Baidu me."
Zhou paused for a beat—then nodded.
"Alright. I'm on my way. Let's talk in person."
He ended the call, stood from his seat, and turned to his assistant.
"Xiao Liu, book me the fastest ticket to Binhai. I'm going in person."