The next day, under the collective anticipation of millions, the Seven Tigers Security official website released a long-awaited update.
The new version of their software included full support for killing the Eternal Heart virus. For infected machines, users could simply install the software on a USB stick, plug it into a locked computer, and watch the ransomware vanish within minutes.
The news spread like wildfire across media outlets and social platforms. Mobile alerts popped up everywhere.
Zhang Hai's phone buzzed with the notification.
He stared at the screen, heart pounding.
He hadn't slept a wink last night, anxiously refreshing the Qihu website, waiting for this exact moment. His work computer held critical engineering blueprints, and the virus had locked him out completely. Redoing them from scratch was impossible—not within the deadline.
Today was the submission date.
If he missed it, his job was gone.
His wife had just given birth, their expenses had exploded, and he couldn't afford to be unemployed right now.
Fingers trembling, Zhang Hai downloaded the new antivirus software and copied it onto a USB drive. Then, breath held, he inserted it into his locked PC.
Following the on-screen instructions, he tapped a few keys.
The screen flickered.
Then... the iron gate of the ransomware shattered, revealing the familiar desktop beneath.
Zhang Hai burst into laughter, equal parts relief and joy. He scooped up his USB drive, transferred the recovered files, and ran out the door. There was still time to deliver the manuscript to his firm.
This scene repeated itself in countless households, offices, research labs, and institutions around the world. People wept. Not out of sadness—but because something precious had been restored.
Memories. Documents. Years of data. Saved.
In just thirty minutes, over 500,000 users had updated their Seven Tigers software. The tutorial for removing Eternal Heart went viral on Weibo.
The company's name surged to the top of every major news feed. Their reputation skyrocketed overnight.
Within an hour, the updated antivirus was being downloaded internationally—over a million installations and counting. On Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter, companies and hospitals posted public thank-you letters addressed to Qihu.
It was the best PR campaign money couldn't buy.
Seven Tigers' market share ballooned. Users were switching over from competitors in droves. Their browsers, cloud tools, and other products rode the wave of public goodwill.
Behind closed doors, Qihu's executive team could hardly contain their joy.
The decision to purchase Chen Mo's program had been expensive—but it was, without a doubt, the best investment they'd ever made.
The global virus crisis had come to a dramatic close—within a single day.
But while the software cured the symptoms, the disease remained. Cybersecurity teams around the world began investigating hacker syndicates behind the attack.
This was the second global ransomware event. And while this outbreak had been more sophisticated, the attackers walked away with less than $100,000—far below their expectations.
Last time, they'd made millions.
This time? The world had grown smarter—and faster.
Still, no one knew if a third wave would come. The silence after the storm carried a sense of unfinished business.
But in Binhai, the man behind the miracle stayed far from the spotlight.
Inside a quiet gym, Chen Mo drove his fists into a sandbag, sweat dripping from his brow. The thick thuds of impact echoed through the space.
To the public, Qihu had saved the world.
Only a few insiders knew that the real savior was a young man who preferred to keep his name out of the headlines.
Chen Mo didn't care for fame. He'd already decided to sell the software rather than launch it himself. He wanted freedom—not attention.
Besides, he had more pressing matters to deal with. Like adjusting to the side effects of his system's physical enhancements.
Since unlocking the first layer of potential, Chen Mo had trained daily at the gym. It had been nearly half a month. His muscles, speed, and reflexes were sharper. But strength without control was dangerous, so he'd spent time mastering basic fighting techniques.
How strong was he now?
He didn't know—no one had tested him. But the sandbags weren't holding up too well.
After a final punch, he stepped back, wiped the sweat from his face, and checked the time.
His eyebrows lifted.
Crap, he was almost late.
Back at his place, he showered quickly, changed into a loose T-shirt and comfortable slacks, and hopped on his bicycle. His destination: the dormitory area.
It was Saturday. He'd promised Xiaoyu they'd go shopping today.
Their first real date.
He'd always felt a little guilty—they spent most of their time buried in books or research. It was time to make it up to her.
As he neared the dorms, he spotted her coming downstairs.
"Barely made it," he called, stopping in front of her.
Chen Mo's breath caught.
Xiaoyu had dressed up.
A light floral dress swayed around her knees, makeup soft and elegant, long hair tied up with delicate bangs framing her face. The wild charm of a girl raised by the sea blended with a quiet grace that was uniquely her.
He stared.
Xiaoyu blushed under his gaze.
She'd felt silly pulling out her best dress for a simple date. Her dormmates had teased her. But seeing his reaction made it all worth it.
"I'm going to park the bike real quick," Chen Mo said, shaking himself from his trance.
"No need." Xiaoyu smiled. "Take me on the bike. I want to see the Binhai night view."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Can you?"
"Absolutely."
She stepped onto the back seat, wrapping her arms gently around his waist.
Chen Mo grinned as he felt her warmth.
"Ready?" he asked.
"All set."
And with that, they were off.
Under the soft glow of Binhai University's evening lights, the two rode quietly through the campus. Around them, students paused to stare.
"Unfair! I have a bike too—why don't I get girls like that?"
"Damn, life really is about who's behind you on the bicycle."
"I've never even spoken to someone that pretty…"
"She's smiling so happily. That's the real winner in life."
The sight of Xiaoyu, elegant and glowing, clinging gently to Chen Mo's back, drew eyes and whispered envy from every corner.
But they didn't notice.
They had left the world behind.
One genius and one gentle girl, riding together into the city lights.
And the storm, for now, had passed.