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His tone carried a hint of peacock-like showing off to his partner.

Fang Ziyang couldn’t help but laugh and pressed his face closer to the screen, mimicking the action of a man touching his cheek through the screen. He spoke in a tone filled with admiration and praise.

“Brother Xie, you never told me before. You’re really amazing! I feel like I love you even more now.”

“Mmm. There’s nothing much to say, just minor things.”

Xie Zheng was successfully pleased, and his stern face became approachable due to his excessive smiles. He pretended to remain calm while feeling the opposite.

Fang Ziyang loved this kind of contrast where Xie Zheng was clearly happy but pretended to be composed to maintain his image. It was too adorable, making people unable to resist teasing. Older men were truly cute.

“Why would it be a minor thing? Brother Xie doesn’t even have any self-awareness. I encountered one of your admirers as soon as I arrived at the base. She came to bother me and told me not to like you. But she’s no match for me; she’s weak. I didn’t do much, just a few words, and I knocked her out of the game.”

Fang Ziyang blinked playfully, full of banter.

Xie Zheng became serious upon hearing this and immediately grasped onto another point. “Someone bothered you?”

“Yes, her name is Jin Yu. Did you know her before? She’s been secretly in love with you for a long time. She’s a very pretty girl, even more domineering than me. She said I’m not allowed to like you, but she’s no match for me. She’s too weak; I barely did anything, and she was KO’d.”

Fang Ziyang raised his chin, feeling a bit smug. “Next time, anyone who dares to peep at my lao gong, I’ll kick them against the wall and they won’t be able to come down!”

Xie Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, his face slightly flushed. He enjoyed his little lover’s possessiveness. His young man was filled with thoughts of him everywhere.

However, it seemed like his little lover was a little jealous.

Xie Zheng immediately explained, “I don’t know anyone named Jin Yu! I haven’t even heard of her.” He only liked his young man.

“But she’s been secretly in love with you for a long time. After all, she’s a girl. Do you think I’m bullying her?” Fang Ziyang pouted, seeking confirmation.

“But I like you. I like you no matter what you’re like.”

Xie Zheng naturally knew how to please his beloved, so he put on a serious and sincere expression. Besides his young lover, he had no concept of doting on others.

Fang Ziyang was delighted by the way he was being spoiled and waved at the computer screen, “Husband, come here…”

Xie Zheng obediently moved his face closer. “What is it?”

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“Mwah!” Fang Ziyang made two loud kissing sounds against the computer screen, his eyes curved with a smile.

Xie Zheng’s ears turned red, and he struggled to maintain his serious image. “I didn’t hear it just now.”

“Shall we do it again then?”

Fang Ziyang knew exactly what kind of person his lover was and grinned at the computer screen, producing two more kissing sounds.

Xie Zheng was completely satisfied and continued with his playful yet serious tone. “You’re such a child.”

Such hypocrisy!

Fang Ziyang’s smile was radiant, and his eyes were filled with happiness as he gazed at the man in the video for a long time before reluctantly putting aside the playfulness and asking about the situation outside these past few days.

He couldn’t personally watch over Yan Tong and the others, and he always felt uneasy about it.

Fortunately, even though he had been blind once with Xie Wenxu, he didn’t make the same mistake here. Xie Zheng took his instructions to heart.

“Nothing special happened. Yan Tong is as you described, completely focused on entering the entertainment industry, and his relationship with Lu Yan is becoming closer…”

Speaking of this, Xie Zheng’s expression didn’t look good. There was a sense of disgust that he found difficult to express.

Using the word “close” to describe their relationship was an understatement. Yan Tong and Lu Yan were practically having an affair. Both of them were not conventional individuals, and engaging in a relationship was too normal for them.

Xie Zheng didn’t despise cohabitation; rather, Yan Tong was someone who already had a fiancé. His actions with Lu Yan were simply an affair, crossing ethical boundaries. That was the behavior Xie Zheng despised the most.

“As for Lu Yan…” Xie Zheng’s eyebrows furrowed deeply as he continued, “I really doubt if he is a member of the Lu family. He completely lacks the demeanor of Old Man Lu.”

Not only was he foolish, but his logic and cognition were also severely flawed.

Fang Ziyang immediately guessed the situation and sneered, “Is he using mine and my brother’s name to ask you for money and resources?”

Xie Zheng nodded, his expression turning cold. “He’s asking for quite a lot—twenty billion to be exact.”

Fang Ziyang felt the urge to punch someone as he tightened his fist. “That bastard! No wonder Grandfather left most of the information and a majority of the cash inheritance to my mother. It seems that Grandfather saw through my uncle’s character a long time ago. Brother Xie, don’t pay any attention to him. I’ve already given him quite a few ‘resources.’ He clearly just wants to grab our money…”

Lu Yan, that bastard, truly saw him as a fool. Despite him having a significant amount of inheritance from his grandfather, he still insisted on focusing on him and his brother. His greed knew no bounds!

Some people were simply like that, unable to change even if given another chance. In his previous life, he was weak-willed, but now, he could see through everything. What he said was foolishness and indifference.

Since Lu Yan was like this, he would just watch as the two of them jumped into the fire pit together. There was no need for him to feel any psychological pressure.

“Brother Xie, don’t worry about anything. Just keep an eye on them and make sure nothing goes wrong. These people don’t need any intervention; they will ruin themselves…”

Fang Ziyang tried to suppress his anger, his gaze turning cold.

Xie Zheng didn’t hesitate and smiled. “Alright.”

Since he chose to believe, he wouldn’t ask any further. He had said before that if he couldn’t change his young lover, then he would change himself.

His bottom line wasn’t set in stone. If someone threatened his beloved, he didn’t mind turning into a devil.

Fang Ziyang looked at Xie Zheng’s gentle smile and couldn’t help but blush.

He felt deep affection.

Leaning his head against the screen, Fang Ziyang loved this kind of acceptance and dependence. He softly called out, “Xie Zheng…”

“Mmm.”

Xie Zheng’s finger also gently caressed the computer screen, his eyes filled with tenderness.

**

The second branch of the Xie family.

Compared to the first branch of the Xie family, which thrived after the separation and experienced joy every day, the situation of the second branch wasn’t particularly ideal recently.

The members of the second branch initially believed that with the help of the “mysterious tycoon” from Yan Tong, even without Xie Zheng, they could create a more glorious Xie family than the former Xie Group. What was Xie Zheng compared to them? In the future, the people of the first branch would surely be envious and jealous.

However, imagination is beautiful, while reality is cruel.

After the first branch separated and drove away Xie Zheng, the members of the second branch realized that it wasn’t as easy as they had imagined to establish themselves in high society.

Most of the connections the Xie family had before only recognized Xie Zheng; they didn’t care about the first or second branch! Once Xie Zheng left, he not only took away a large portion of the family’s assets but also took away an intangible wealth.

Those who were on good terms with them didn’t know what happened. They had already revealed their shining trump cards, yet one by one, they chose Xie Zheng over them and refused to cooperate. They missed out on great opportunities!

That was not all.

What troubled the members of the second branch the most was that their new company establishment and technological project approvals were extremely difficult.

The government seemed to have gone crazy; every application they submitted either took a long time to review or was rejected.

They couldn’t complete various procedures, so their company couldn’t be established properly, and their research couldn’t be carried out. Otherwise, it would be considered illegal experimentation, with unimaginable consequences.

The second branch of the Xie family was not foolish.

At first, they didn’t think much of it, but as the number of rejections and delays in procedures and audits increased, they gradually realized that the government was intentionally blocking them!

“What the hell is the government doing? Why are they blocking our procedures? We followed all the proper procedures and made the necessary arrangements. Moreover, the project prospects are so good. Why won’t they approve it?”

The members of the second branch of the Xie family were infuriated. Nothing was going smoothly, and everyone’s temper became short-tempered.

Xie Wenxu looked at the dissatisfied expressions of his so-called family and felt extremely disappointed. He finally understood why Xie Zheng hated the second branch so much. He would rather cause a split in the Xie family and be scolded by their ancestors than have any connection with the second branch.

The second branch was not only greedy for power but also short-sighted and foolish.

Xie Wenxu had a cold expression on his face. “Why? You’re asking such an obvious question. Don’t you understand the importance of these scientific research projects to a country? I’ve said before that you should cooperate with the government for joint development, but all you think about is your own interests. You even consider seeking foreign investment. If the government doesn’t block you, then who will they block?”

If they wanted to develop in Huaguo and avoid being controlled by the authorities, where in the world would that be possible? Huaguo was not a capitalist country.

The members of the second branch of the Xie family wore unpleasant expressions.

Of course, they understood this reasoning, but if they cooperated with the government, how much of their own profits would they lose? If they weren’t careful, everything they had would become the government’s tool.

Having finally obtained such a development opportunity, they also wanted to be like those wealthy families abroad, possessing the absolute power of the capitalists.

They simply couldn’t listen to Xie Wenxu’s words.

Old Lady Zhou’s face showed displeasure. Xie Wenxu’s recent behavior in the past year had increasingly disappointed her. He was not only foolish in love but also soft-hearted in business, contradicting the entire philosophy of the second branch.

“Xie Wenxu, I brought you into the discussion to find solutions together, not to hear you make sarcastic remarks. Do you think we don’t understand what you’re saying? But this is our second branch’s opportunity to take off. You should understand what the words ‘wealthy family’ represent. Since we have this opportunity, why wouldn’t we seize it?”

“This time, we are staking everything on it. This technology company is our only lifeline. How can we let others intervene? The lifeline should be controlled by ourselves.”

Old Lady Zhou’s tone was full of ambition.

Xie Wenxu, on the other hand, was extremely disappointed. “You speak so nobly, but it’s just your selfishness! Your minds have been clouded by immense profits.”

“Enough, you don’t listen to a single word I say. Now that Xie Zheng has left, I’m nothing more than an insignificant existence to you. You don’t need my opinion at all. In that case, don’t bother calling me for any future discussions. I won’t interfere in any matters concerning the family anymore. Do whatever you want!”

After saying that, Xie Wenxu left, feeling deeply disappointed and frustrated with his family.

There was also a profound sense of confusion.

For the first time, he discovered that his own family members could be so ugly and short-sighted.

---

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Jin Yu’s arrogance and pride were excessive, and her thinking was incredibly simplistic. She had no awareness of being manipulated by others. Yang Qilong’s words were meant as persuasion, but they only added fuel to the fire when they reached Jin Yu’s ears. They instantly extinguished the little emotional intelligence she possessed, causing her to speak without restraint.

The professor had initially intended to strike a verbal blow and offer some advice to Jin Yu. However, he didn’t expect her to be so susceptible to provocation and actually want to review the exam papers. Challenging the credibility of the official results in front of everyone was infuriating and disappointing.

But since the words were spoken, the professor couldn’t stop her.

Since Jin Yu wouldn’t relent until she saw the coffin, he decided to let her face reality. If she could withstand this blow, it would be beneficial for her. If she couldn’t, then even without this setback, Jin Yu was destined to go far on her chosen path.

Others were also curious and eager to see Fang Ziyang’s exam results, but they didn’t openly express it as foolishly as Jin Yu.

The professor scanned the crowd and shook his head. Without further ado, he said, “Alright, since you want to see Fang Ziyang’s exam paper so badly, let’s analyze it together after the exam…”

The younger generation was too impatient nowadays and couldn’t accept the slightest setback.

—

As soon as the professor spoke, a staff member immediately prepared the multimedia classroom.

With curiosity in their hearts, everyone cooperated and quickly settled down in silence.

The professor wasted no time and immediately began explaining each question in detail after taking Fang Ziyang’s exam paper into consideration.

There was no need to elaborate on the first part, which involved intrusion and defense techniques. The entire examination process was witnessed by everyone, and there was no possibility of cheating.

The main focus was on the second part, which consisted of written exams.

To be honest, although the professor already knew that Fang Ziyang’s abilities were on par with his brother’s, he couldn’t help but be shocked when he saw Fang Ziyang’s actual exam results.

Fang Ziyang’s knowledge base, breadth, application of theory, and understanding had reached an incredibly profound level.

The professor felt that he could boldly say that Fang Ziyang and Tang Xun were truly prodigies in the field of electronic technology! The word “genius” was insufficient to describe these two brothers.

As the professor continued his analysis, the faces of those present gradually revealed astonishment and disbelief.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

The professor also showed a satisfied expression.

“Can you believe it? But this is the truth. You all consider yourselves geniuses, but remember that there are always people better than you. Confidence is a good thing, but excessive confidence is arrogance, and that’s not good for you. It will make you complacent and waste your talents, ultimately allowing those inferior to you to surpass you.”

“Fang Ziyang may not have made any achievements or gained fame in the circle before, but that’s not a reason for you to deny or look down on him. How do you know he hasn’t put in efforts behind the scenes?”

Many people couldn’t help but feel ashamed and regretful for their previous remarks and behaviors.

In fact, they had considered Fang Ziyang’s abilities, but their arrogance prevented them from admitting that a young man who was younger and less famous than themselves could surpass them.

Jin Yu bit her lip and, though unwilling, she had to admit that Fang Ziyang seemed to be even more outstanding than she had imagined.

The professor continued to look at her and said, “Jin Yu, you do come from a prestigious research family, and you have the right to be proud. However, remember that even though the Lu family has fewer members, they have made significant contributions in the field of scientific research. Do you think Fang Ziyang really had no prior exposure to scientific research? You would be mistaken. You should be familiar with the chip ID card recently introduced by our country, right?”

“Professor Yu, what do you mean?” Jin Yu suddenly widened her eyes, seemingly realizing something but unable to believe it.

Others also realized what the professor was implying and couldn’t help but shift their gaze towards Fang Ziyang. Did Professor Yu mean…

“That’s right, just as you think.”

Professor Yu didn’t beat around the bush and smiled directly.

“Although the chip ID card was jointly researched by the New World Technology and the government, the initial concept and core research data were provided by Fang Ziyang. We were able to complete the research and testing in less than half a year solely based on the integrity of the original core data.”

In other words, Fang Ziyang was the one who researched and developed the entire chip ID card, while others only assisted.

With such contributions and achievements, Fang Ziyang hadn’t uttered a word about them and remained low-key.

So, what qualifications did geniuses like Jin Yu have to be proud and complacent?

“This… How is this possible?” Jin Yu was once again shocked and murmured unconsciously.

Professor Yu shook his head. “Why is it impossible? Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean others can’t. Even if we don’t consider Fang Ziyang, you can’t even compare to Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting. Their talent is not inferior to yours, yet they work harder. You were ranked fourth not solely because of carelessness.”

“Jin Yu, if you continue to be so arrogant and question the official judgment, then you can pack up and leave. Your behavior is not suitable for team competitions.”

The professor’s words were like a knife, cutting into Jin Yu’s heart and shattering her long-standing pride.

She had always been proud of her talent and everyone around her said she was a genius, the future star of the scientific research world, and a talent destined to become a great figure in this era. But now, reality told her that those praises were just exaggerations.

She couldn’t surpass Tang Xun, let alone Fang Ziyang. She couldn’t even compare to Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting.

Jin Yu, who had been overly indulged, couldn’t handle setbacks at all.

Her once proud talent was devalued to worthlessness, and she couldn’t help but collapse onto the desk, crying uncontrollably once again.

Seeing the situation, the professor didn’t try to persuade further and let Jin Yu cry on her seat. He said to everyone, “Alright, let’s end it here. I’ll continue analyzing Fang Ziyang’s theoretical application in the exam questions…”

They were all adults, so there was no need to treat them like elementary school students.

The adult world was cruel like this, survival of the fittest. If you could adapt, you could continue; if you couldn’t, you would eventually be eliminated, even if you were a genius.

Jin Yu lacked the experience of being knocked down by society. Her family couldn’t bear to do it, so they could only let others do it.

Although the commotion was entertaining, technical skills and knowledge were more important to the people present.

Soon, they put Jin Yu, who had gone from crying loudly to sobbing softly, out of their minds and attentively listened to Professor Yu’s analysis and explanations. As Professor Yu explained, the attendees’ perception of Fang Ziyang was refreshed, and they began to show respect and admiration.

When Professor Yu announced the end of the class and left, everyone looked at Fang Ziyang with no more contempt but instead felt ashamed and kind-hearted.

“Fang Ziyang, I’m sorry for what I said before. I shouldn’t have gossiped about you behind your back. You’re really amazing.”

“Yes, Professor Yu is right. We were too arrogant. Fang Ziyang, you and Tang Xun truly deserve to be brothers. Can we learn from you in the future?”

“Tang Xun, tell us, how did you manage to be so fortunate? Why are your younger brothers always superior? I envy you!”

“I envy you too. Why are our older brothers always inferior? Why is it different for my family? Sob, I’m sad…”

Although some of them had been arrogant and dismissive before, they were all carefully selected by the country, and most of them had good character.

After realizing their mistakes, they corrected themselves quickly. Humans always admired the strong, and when they encountered someone better than themselves, although there were envious individuals, most of them admired and aspired to be like them.

With everyone exchanging words, the previous barriers quickly disappeared, and they became acquainted with each other.

Thanks to Fang Ziyang’s outstanding performance, Team B naturally secured the official team member positions.

As for the initially confident members of Team A, their expressions weren’t good. They felt like they had shot themselves in the foot and regretted their decisions. They wished they could go back in time and slap their past selves for their blindness. How could they have chosen Team A with their minds clouded like that?

In fact, even without considering Fang Ziyang, Team B was an excellent choice. Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting were talented as well, and they didn’t have Jin Yu’s princess syndrome.

Now that Team B had three strong players, even if the others worked hard, their chances of replacing them were slim. The substitute positions were likely sealed.

The members of Team A were now filled with regret and frustration.

But it was too late for regrets, and they could only leave in depression.

Meanwhile, the members of Team B happily congratulated Fang Ziyang and also gathered to observe the specially customized computer installed in his room, which was promised as a reward.

Fang Ziyang was quite happy as well.

Winning or losing didn’t matter to him. What mattered to him was the right to contact the outside world at any time.

Previously, he hadn’t thought much about the matter of emotions, but now that he had established a relationship with Xie Zheng, he felt that something important was missing from his life if he didn’t call or meet with him for a day.

…

On the day he obtained the right to freely contact the outside world, Fang Ziyang immediately dialed Xie Zheng’s WeChat video call.

When Xie Zheng’s familiar handsome face appeared on the computer screen, Fang Ziyang’s eyes instantly turned red, unable to hold back his spoiled side.

“Brother Xie, I miss you so much. Have you missed me these past few days?”

Of course, Xie Zheng had missed him.

His fingers reached out to touch the computer screen, imagining the feeling of touching his lover, and his cold demeanor softened. “Once I finish up here, I’ll come to see you next week…”

Fang Ziyang’s eyes lit up instantly. “How long is ‘next week’? Will you be able to enter the base?”

His joyful expression was evident.

Xie Zheng couldn’t help but curl up his lips.

See, his young man loved him so much that he got excited and looked forward to it just from hearing that he would visit. He had become too reliant on him.

Xie Zheng’s finger caressed the screen, his voice gentle. “Of course, I can enter. All the projects prepared for the competition were provided by New World Technology. It’s not possible for any leaks to come from our side. Although I oversee the company’s affairs, I have also participated in the research. I was one of the key members during the initial research at New World Technology…”

---

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Jin Yu didn’t know if she was awakened by Yang Qilong’s words.

Finally, she remembered that even if Fang Ziyang was incapable, his older brother was here, and he was an officially confirmed team member. It was highly inappropriate for her to openly provoke him. In the next two days, she didn’t show her spoiled attitude towards others. However, whenever she saw Fang Ziyang, she couldn’t help but show anger and glare at him, as if that would allow her to maintain her status as the young miss of the Jin family.

This childish behavior amused Fang Ziyang. As long as Jin Yu didn’t approach him, he couldn’t be bothered with this foolish girl and focused on communicating and building rapport with the B group members to cultivate teamwork. This was necessary so that once the spots were finalized, everyone could quickly coordinate and enter the state of preparation for the competition.

However, there was something about Yang Qilong in the A group that caught Fang Ziyang’s attention.

To put it this way, perhaps it was because he had experienced so much malice in his previous life that he was more sensitive to the hostility of those around him than ordinary people.

Although Yang Qilong disguised it well and seemed to have no issues other than a bit of flattery towards Jin Yu, Fang Ziyang couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about this person. He found it difficult to get close to him.

Especially when he encountered Yang Qilong together with his brother, the feeling of discomfort from him was the strongest.

Fang Ziyang never minded using the greatest malice to speculate about everyone around him. He didn’t want to find himself in a situation where he would repeat the circumstances of his past life due to a small mistake.

So he quietly kept an eye on Yang Qilong.

And this attention actually made him notice that something was amiss.

On several occasions when Yang Qilong spoke to Jin Yu, the others didn’t notice anything, but Fang Ziyang sensed that Yang Qilong seemed to be subtly instigating Jin Yu to cause trouble at the base.

Moreover, he was unknowingly tarnishing Jin Yu’s image in the eyes of others.

To be honest, his impression of Jin Yu was already quite negative. This young miss of the Jin family’s temperament was truly difficult to describe; she was haughty and domineering.

However, from his perspective, although Jin Yu was arrogant and domineering, she wasn’t completely foolish. She hadn’t been foolish enough to throw tantrums and cause a scene in the official base. Aside from occasionally saying offensive things, she behaved properly.

Even when she came to provoke him, it was merely a verbal spat, like a childish argument between preschoolers.

Apart from her arrogant temperament and her tendency to offend people with her words, Jin Yu wasn’t actually a bad person; she was quite naive.

However, in just two days, he noticed a significant decline in Jin Yu’s reputation among the team members. Those who previously described her as haughty now looked at her as if she were a malicious supporting female character who loved to do evil deeds.

Fang Ziyang carefully observed the changes in everyone’s gaze, all of which occurred after Yang Qilong said a few words.

For example:

“Hey, don’t mind Jin Yu too much. After all, she is the young miss of the Jin family, and her personality tends to be haughty. She’s a young girl, so let’s be more tolerant. She’s just like this in our group too. It really wasn’t intentional when she bumped into Wang Xue’s tray earlier.”

“Jin Yu is young, and her character is arrogant. Let’s give her some leeway and see how things go. I’m really worried that after she provoked Fang Ziyang like that, it might lead to trouble. As teammates, we should take care of and advise each other.”

And so on. These words seemed normal on the surface but seemed dubious upon closer examination. Unconsciously, they caused the team members’ perception of Jin Yu, who was originally described as haughty, to plummet.

However, this foolish girl, Jin Yu, herself didn’t sense any of it. Seeing that people looked at her with some wariness, she thought it was due to her identity as the young miss of the Jin family, which made people respect and fear her. She was incredibly proud and incredibly naive.

Fang Ziyang didn’t like to meddle in other people’s business, but when he sensed the hostility from Yang Qilong towards him and his brother, he had to pay attention.

So he found Tang Xun privately.

“Brother, how much do you know about a person named Yang Qilong? Have you had any interactions with him before?”

“Yang Qilong?” Tang Xun was a little surprised by his question but didn’t conceal anything and shared what he knew.

“I haven’t had much contact with Yang Qilong, but I know some things about him. He’s a genius who also graduated from the junior class. He has quite a reputation in the industry, and his teacher is the renowned mathematician, Professor Fan Jun…”

“Professor Fan Jun? The one who exposed the academic fraud of Yuan Zhuoting’s teacher?”

Fang Ziyang raised an eyebrow.

Tang Xun nodded. “Indeed, it’s the same Professor Fan Jun. I think the reason Yuan Zhuoting chose to be in the same group as you, besides being stimulated by Jin Yu’s words, may also be because Yang Qilong chose the A group… Yuan Zhuoting holds his teacher in high regard and may have some hostility towards Yang Qilong.”

“I haven’t personally interacted with Yang Qilong, so I can’t give a specific evaluation. But from what others say, he has great talent, and his character is quite humble. He hasn’t had any conflicts with anyone and is considered quite smooth in the industry. However, he’s a bit too eager and likes to befriend people from families like Jin Yu’s…”

“Of course, that can be seen as opportunistic, but it’s normal. There are many people like him in this circle, everyone wants to climb higher. Yang Qilong doesn’t have much background, so it’s understandable.”

“Ziyang, why are you paying attention to him? Is there something wrong with Yang Qilong?”

Tang Xun looked at his younger brother’s expression when talking about Yang Qilong and guessed his concerns.

Fang Ziyang nodded and didn’t hide anything. “Hmm, I can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, but I just feel that something is off about Yang Qilong. I sense some hostility from him towards me and you, even though he disguises it well. I’m more sensitive to these things.”

“Moreover, haven’t you noticed that Yang Qilong is deliberately tarnishing Jin Yu’s image? Although I don’t like Jin Yu, I can still see what kind of person she is. If it wasn’t for someone intentionally guiding it, Jin Yu wouldn’t have become disliked by everyone in just two days. Unfortunately, Jin Yu herself doesn’t realize it…”

But once Tang Xun carefully recalled the way everyone looked at Jin Yu and the discussions behind her back these past two days, it indeed seemed off.

Jin Yu was someone people didn’t like, but it was just because she was haughty and domineering. However, the discussions about Jin Yu behind her back made it seem as if she had done something malicious.

Bad people weren’t scary; it was the hidden dangers that were frightening.

Tang Xun’s expression became serious. “I’ll privately report this matter to the higher-ups…”

If Yang Qilong knew how to restrain himself, then it was fine. But if he didn’t know how to restrain himself, having such a person in the team could lead to unforeseen consequences. One must not underestimate the influence of even the smallest rat droppings.

“Well, let’s continue to keep an eye on him. We’ll be staying at the training base for over a year, so there will be plenty of matters to deal with.”

Fang Ziyang agreed, as that was his intention as well.

After all, they would be staying at the base for such a long time, and he didn’t want too many scheming people around him, especially those who harbored hostility towards him and his brother.

With caution in mind, Fang Ziyang felt more at ease.

For the time being, he didn’t go to remind Jin Yu. Given Jin Yu’s personality, if he warned her, it might raise Yang Qilong’s suspicion. Moreover, Jin Yu currently had a dislike for him, so she wouldn’t listen to his advice. He would observe the situation for now. If she could learn a lesson from this, it would be good for her.

…

After two days, the results of the previous assessment were released, and the final spots for the official team members and assistants were confirmed.

Tang Xun, being an internally designated team member, didn’t participate in the assessment or ranking.

As expected, Fang Ziyang took the first place in the individual performance assessment. Zhao Kairui ranked second, and Yuan Zhuoting ranked third.

Meanwhile, the confident Jin Yu was ranked fourth, closely followed by Yang Qilong in fifth place.

“How is this possible! How can Fang Ziyang be the first? And I’m fourth…”

Jin Yu couldn’t believe that she had lost, and not just lost, but lost so miserably.

Not only did she fail to reach the top three, but she didn’t even make it into them! This result was unacceptable for the proud young miss of the Jin family.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Her disbelief and exclamation made the previously amiable professor unhappy. He put on a stern face and said, “Jin Yu, if you have doubts, you can apply to review your exam paper. Your abilities are indeed outstanding, but you are overly arrogant and careless. This time, your exam paper had numerous common knowledge mistakes, which is the reason why you ranked fourth.”

“I… this can’t be.”

Jin Yu couldn’t accept the reality. Even though she knew the professor couldn’t be lying, the reality was just too difficult for her to believe.

The professor couldn’t help but shake his head at her reaction. He had some understanding of the high-spirited granddaughter of his old friend, as the Jin family was a renowned scientific family on par with the Lu family in the field. However, he had never had close contact with her before and only saw her as a relatively proud kid with a bit of arrogance typical of young geniuses.

But now, it seemed that Jin Yu had become excessively arrogant, and she had already begun to belittle others. It was no wonder his old friend had called and asked him to keep an eye on her. This character was truly problematic.

Thinking about his friend’s request, the professor’s expression became serious once again.

“Jin Yu, as I said before, if you’re dissatisfied with your individual performance, you can apply to review your exam paper and compare it with others’. I know you have great talent, but that doesn’t mean you can look down on others. Jin Yu, your current behavior is bringing shame to your grandfather and your family.”

“Furthermore, your abilities are not as extraordinary as you think…”

“You… you’re talking nonsense! It’s not like that.”

Jin Yu was struck hard by the professor’s final words and couldn’t help but refute immediately, feeling indignant and on the verge of tears.

Her talent and abilities were her proud assets, and while others could criticize her temperament, they absolutely couldn’t belittle her talent. Even if her exam results were poor this time due to carelessness, her abilities couldn’t be demeaned. She was one of the most exceptional individuals here. Who among them could surpass her?

The professor didn’t mind her rudeness and smiled faintly.

“Jin Yu, you are indeed a genius, but you are not unique. The world is filled with geniuses. And your talent hasn’t reached the level where you can look down on everyone. Even if you have exceptional talent, if you continue to disregard others, you are destined to be surpassed by those who are not as talented as you.”

As he spoke, the professor pointed towards Tang Xun.

“Alright, Jin Yu, you think you’re a genius, but can your talent surpass Tang Xun’s? Tang Xun is only twenty-one years old, yet his achievements are already worthy of respect even from your grandfather. Moreover, before the age of thirteen, he didn’t receive any elite education. But you… you’ve been cultivated since birth. You are two years older than Tang Xun. So, what qualifications do you have to look down on others with your so-called genius status?”

Jin Yu’s face turned red with embarrassment and shame. Although she didn’t want to, she had to admit that the professor’s words were true.

However, she still refused to accept it and argued irrationally, “Tang Xun is just a freak!”

They were simply not on the same level and couldn’t be compared.

Everyone couldn’t help but shake their heads.

Seeing this, Yang Qilong pulled Jin Yu’s clothes and tried to persuade her, “Miss Jin, the matter is already settled. Let it go. Fang Ziyang is Tang Xun’s brother, and his talent is definitely not inferior to Tang Xun’s. This is an official examination, and it can’t be wrong…”

But instead of calming things down, his words further added fuel to the fire.

Jin Yu was completely overwhelmed by reality, and her anger was directed at Fang Ziyang. She spoke without restraint and exclaimed, “Fine, I want to review Fang Ziyang’s exam paper! Fang Ziyang had no prior experience in scientific research, and I don’t believe he can surpass everyone here on his own!”

---

Sandy: On a side note, why is this camp thing taking like half a year? Isnt it a bit excessive?

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In the end, Jin Yu ran away in tears.

Although Jin Yu was not a child anymore, being twenty-three years old, outward appearance doesn’t always reflect maturity. Having been pampered and spoiled since childhood, Jin Yu’s emotional age was not very mature.

Being deliberately provoked and stepping on her sore spots like that, how could a pampered young lady like her not cry?

The people in the cafeteria witnessed a rookie showdown, feeling extremely awkward, and they had no sympathy for Jin Yu whatsoever.

Based on Jin Yu’s childish and domineering behavior just now, they felt that her geniuses’ reputation had been completely tarnished. They used to think that Jin Yu, as the pampered young miss of the Jin family, was arrogant, but they didn’t expect her to be so foolishly infatuated. It was truly absurd, as if she had been raised in a greenhouse.

On the other hand, Fang Ziyang’s behavior greatly surprised everyone.

Leaving aside Fang Ziyang’s abilities for now, his temperament was absolutely bold and audacious, with an incredibly thick skin.

Tang Xun didn’t blame his impulsive younger brother, but he was helpless about his choice of words. He could already imagine what kind of reputation his brother would have after today.

However, Fang Ziyang didn’t care at all. After sitting down again, he was in an incredibly good mood and even showed off by saying, “Little brat.”

Little brat?

Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting nearly choked on their saliva when they heard that. They looked at Fang Ziyang’s youthful face with a mix of amusement and confusion. They couldn’t understand why this guy, who was younger than them, had the audacity to call someone five years older a little brat.

Zhao Kairui was curious, “Fang Ziyang, do you really like Xie Zheng?”

Although they had just witnessed the rookie showdown, there must be a reason for it. They had never heard any rumors about Jin Yu secretly admiring Xie Zheng before. Today, Jin Yu revealed it herself, so it must have been a significant and unavoidable stimulus.

Fang Ziyang had nothing to hide. He nodded openly and said, “Yes, I like Big Brother Xie. Is it strange for me to like him? You don’t know how kind Big Brother Xie is. My brother is often busy in the lab, and it’s Big Brother Xie who takes care of me. After getting to know him, I feel that we get along really well.”

His bright eyes were filled with admiration and affection, and his genuine emotions made everyone feel that his previous actions to provoke Jin Yu were shattered. He truly liked Xie Zheng, and his words about pursuing him were genuine.

Yan Bin was also curious, “Aren’t you afraid of Xie Zheng’s, um, unfortunate track record? He has had several fiancées who died or were injured!”

“It’s okay, I have a strong fate. I’m not afraid. It only proves that we’re destined for each other.”

Fang Ziyang grinned, full of self-satisfaction.

His thick skin was impervious to the amused gazes of others.

After speaking, he smiled at everyone and started eating. He was starving.

As for Jin Yu, he didn’t care about her at all.

She was just a spoiled little girl from a rich family. He had encountered many people like her, and as long as she didn’t come looking for trouble, he didn’t want to waste his energy on a simple-minded little girl. There was no major grudge or enmity between them, so he didn’t feel like exerting himself.

Of course, if Jin Yu insisted on approaching him, he didn’t mind having some fun with this foolish girl. He loved seeing people who disliked him get worked up and lose their composure.

…

In contrast to Fang Ziyang’s indifference, Jin Yu was utterly miserable. She cried and then became angry, jumping and stomping outside for quite some time, unable to calm herself down.

Of course, according to Jin Yu’s usual habits, she would have broken things. However, this training base was not her family’s, and despite the Jin family’s face, she didn’t have the audacity to throw a tantrum and act recklessly on official grounds. She could only vent by stomping her feet.

But it was futile. The more she stomped, the angrier she became, and the more she couldn’t help but cry.

When it came to being bullied and losing face like this, when had the young miss of the Jin family ever experienced such treatment? The other party deliberately stepped on her pain and humiliated her, which was truly infuriating!

Fortunately, Jin Yu’s title as the young miss of the Jin family still carried weight in front of others, even if it didn’t work on Fang Ziyang. When the A group members saw her running out of the cafeteria in tears, they quickly caught up to her and tried to persuade her.

“Jin Yu, stop crying. Fang Ziyang is deliberately trying to provoke you. The more you cry, the happier he becomes. Xie Zheng is a remarkable person. How could he possibly accept Fang Ziyang’s pursuit? Fang Ziyang is intentionally making you angry. Don’t fall for it…”

“That’s right. Xie Zheng is famous for being emotionless. He would never like someone like Fang Ziyang, who has such a thick skin. Fang Ziyang can live in Xie Zheng’s house because of his brother’s relationship. Tang Xun and Xie Zheng are best friends. Tang Xun asked Xie Zheng to help take care of his younger brother, and Xie Zheng couldn’t refuse, right?”

“No matter how capable Tang Xun is, his family is down to just the two brothers. But Jin Yu, your family has so many talented researchers. You have a greater advantage over Fang Ziyang when it comes to Xie Zheng.”

“That’s right. Jin Yu, why do you bother arguing with Fang Ziyang? You two were just like primary school kids squabbling. It’s embarrassing to watch.”

The members of the A group tried to persuade her one after another.

Regardless of what they truly thought, their words were meant to please her. Jin Yu not only had exceptional talent, but she was also the young miss of the Jin family. Whether during this competition or after it, she was the person they needed to please and socialize with.

Moreover, they were now in the same group as Jin Yu, bound together on the same ship. Jin Yu couldn’t afford to have a problematic mentality at this moment. Otherwise, what future could there be for the A group?

But this was the first time Jin Yu had suffered such a great grievance, and these obvious flattering words couldn’t persuade her.

The more they talked, the more it seemed like they were reminding Jin Yu of her pain.

Was she crying because Fang Ziyang was incompetent? Was she crying because Fang Ziyang could live in Xie Zheng’s house and see Xie Zheng every day? These idiots kept reminding her of that!

As everyone tried to console Jin Yu, she became even more furious.

Yang Qilong’s eyes flashed as he spoke up.

“Miss Jin, don’t cry. Why let yourself be upset because of the things Fang Ziyang deliberately said to you? Even if Fang Ziyang used to see Xie Zheng every day, now he’s here at the training base with us. We all have to undergo a year and a half of closed training. You’ll have plenty of chances to deal with him. So why be angry now?”

“However, there is a difficulty…”

As he reached this point, Yang Qilong paused, looking somewhat hesitant to continue.

Impatient, Jin Yu immediately pressed, “What’s the difficulty? Hurry up and say it. Don’t drag it out like this. I hate it when you don’t finish your sentences and leave people hanging!”

“Alright, but please don’t spread what I’m about to tell you, or I won’t have a place in this training base anymore.”

Yang Qilong looked troubled, but he had to say it because of Jin Yu’s face.

“The difficulty is Fang Ziyang’s brother, Tang Xun. Everyone knows Tang Xun’s abilities. It’s evident from the fact that he’s a confirmed team member. With Tang Xun around, it won’t be easy for you, Miss Jin, to take revenge on Fang Ziyang. I heard that Tang Xun cares a lot about his brother…”

Jin Yu was well aware of Tang Xun’s abilities.

Even though she was proud, she had to admit that she was no match for Tang Xun. He wasn’t just a genius; he was a monster. She couldn’t compare herself to him in any way, and she didn’t even have the intention of comparing.

She pursed her lips.

Facing Tang Xun’s name, Jin Yu didn’t dare to boast, but she couldn’t just let Fang Ziyang’s deliberate provocation go.

So she angrily retorted, “Even if Tang Xun supports Fang Ziyang, so what? Tang Xun is not unreasonable. Tang Xun is friends with Xie Zheng, and I’ve been paying attention to them. Moreover, this is an official training base. Even I dare not cause trouble indiscriminately. Fang Ziyang also has to follow the rules!”

“Hmph, why should I, the young miss of the Jin family, stoop to such petty and mean actions? What is Fang Ziyang anyway? He may be somewhat skilled in information defense and hacking techniques, but he’s nothing more than a pile of trash. Wait until I shine in the training preparations. I’ll just slap him in the face without doing anything else!”

Just like how Fang Ziyang slapped her face today.

As the young miss of the Jin family, she disdained doing sneaky things. Even if she wanted to trouble Fang Ziyang, she would do it openly, just as she did today.

This was also the reason why Jin Yu, with her arrogant and provocative temperament, didn’t have many real enemies in high society. It was simply because this girl was too clueless, too naive, and everyone couldn’t be bothered to argue with her or take her seriously.

Yang Qilong was a little dissatisfied with Jin Yu’s reaction. Sometimes, being foolish to a certain extent was also a form of skill.

There was no other choice. He had to make it even clearer.

With a face full of consideration, Yang Qilong said, “Miss Jin, although you have lofty ideals and principles and don’t want to engage in petty actions, not everyone can be as open as you…”

“Tang Xun used to be reasonable, that’s true. But Fang Ziyang is his only brother, and he went through a lot of hardships to recognize him. To compensate for his brother, Tang Xun casually acquired a company worth billions just to amuse his brother. Today, you went to pick a fight with his brother in front of so many people. Who knows if Tang Xun will…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood the meaning.

Although there was a suspicion of having a petty mindset, what he said made sense. Jin Yu’s unreasonable behavior in confronting Fang Ziyang earlier wouldn’t make anyone happy. It was only because Jin Yu had confidence that she didn’t think it was a big problem.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Yang Qilong looked at Jin Yu’s expression of finally realizing the problem and showed a sympathetic and worried expression.

“Of course, maybe I’m just overthinking it. Tang Xun is still a decent person. But as the saying goes, it’s better to be cautious. Miss Jin, you should be more cautious. Some things are better off being handled with caution.”

He stopped just short of saying that Tang Xun might hold a grudge against her.

Jin Yu wasn’t fearless. Hearing these words, she felt a bit uneasy. She was used to being arrogant and reckless, and when she first arrived at the training base, she didn’t think too much. When her temper flared up, she acted without consideration.

If Tang Xun were to bear a grudge against her in the future, it would be quite easy.

Just like how she looked down on Fang Ziyang because of her talent, thinking that she could openly use her research achievements to bully him, Tang Xun could do the same!

Jin Yu felt a bit scared, but she refused to admit that she was afraid.

“No, Tang Xun isn’t the kind of person who bullies others. Besides, I’m the young miss of the Jin family. Who dares to mess with me? Moreover, we were just having a little argument. It’s not that serious. Don’t make it sound so dire. I’m not afraid.”

She forced herself to appear calm and composed, then turned around and left.

Although she still walked with her head held high and appeared proud, the faster pace betrayed her inner restlessness.

Yang Qilong watched Jin Yu leave without chasing after her. Instead, he showed a worried expression to the other A group members.

“I think we should keep an eye on her. With her temperament, I’m worried she might do something out of line. If Tang Xun really takes it seriously, it won’t be good for our group…”

His words made sense.

The A group members nodded reluctantly. They were a bit impatient but had to endure it. Jin Yu’s personality was indeed prone to causing trouble.

---

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The old professor maintained his composure and smiled, nodding. “Yes, indeed, there is such a person. It’s a special privilege for the top scorer in the assessment, and all of you are eligible for it, as long as you have the ability.”

Although the higher-ups had agreed to allow Fang Ziyang to contact the outside world anytime, they still needed to go through the motions to quell any lingering doubts. With Fang Ziyang’s demonstrated abilities, they weren’t worried that he wouldn’t achieve the top spot in the assessment.

However, the others who were unaware of the situation immediately brightened up upon hearing this.

In reality, whether they could contact the outside world at any time wasn’t important to everyone. However, this kind of treatment represented an honor and distinguished the strong.

For ambitious and competitive young people, being the top scorer with such special privileges suddenly became significant.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Everyone, go for your meals and settle in. See you in two days.”

The old professor was satisfied with everyone’s enthusiasm and concluded his statement with a nod before leaving with a smile.

Immediately, several staff members came forward to take everyone to the cafeteria for dinner and then to their accommodations for rest.

Now that Huaguo was powerful, the treatment for technical personnel serving the country was excellent.

The living conditions in the training base had yet to be seen, so no judgments could be made. However, Fang Ziyang had to praise the cafeteria’s food. It was evident that they had put a lot of effort into it.

Although it was called a cafeteria, it was more akin to a restaurant.

The meals served there were not only nutritionally balanced, but the chefs were all from five-star hotels. They offered both domestic and international cuisine, making sure that everyone would find it satisfactory in terms of their life within the training base.

Fang Ziyang happily ordered several dishes he liked and sat with Tang Xun and the other members of Team B.

Tang Xun was admired by most of the younger generation, and being able to have close contact with him, even the usually aloof Yuan Zhuoting had a somewhat eager expression.

However, just as everyone had received their dishes and were about to start eating, someone without a shred of sense came over to disturb them.

That person was none other than Jin Yu!

Chin raised arrogantly, her attitude remained condescending and contemptuous as she stared at Fang Ziyang as if he were a thorn in her eye. “Fang Ziyang, come over here. I have something to say to you.”

She carried herself like a queen.

Fang Ziyang didn’t actually dislike arrogant and domineering people. Children who were pampered by their families were bound to be a bit spoiled, whether they came from wealthy or ordinary families. Such people might not be likeable, but they were the most innocent and straightforward, much more lovable than those who liked to play dirty tricks.

But the prerequisite was that the other person had to be self-aware and not cling on. Otherwise, it would be annoying.

Fang Ziyang could tell that although Jin Yu had an arrogant temperament, she didn’t possess any hidden schemes or cunning. However, he didn’t understand why she seemed to have fixated on him.

Fang Ziyang could tell that although Jin Yu had a proud temperament, she didn’t seem to have any scheming or hidden motives. However, he couldn’t understand why she seemed to have singled him out.

He was also a person with a temper, and it was impossible for him to tolerate Jin Yu’s impolite attitude repeatedly.

Fang Ziyang was not someone with a naturally good temper, let’s not forget that he used to be an arrogant young master.

Putting down his chopsticks, Fang Ziyang no longer maintained his obedient persona. He directly showed his hidden young master temper and said, “Miss Jin, don’t give me that crap. I’ve been tolerating you all day today. If you have something to say, say it here. If you don’t, then get the hell out. Who isn’t a pampered little treasure at home? You keep acting like a young lady in front of me, do you ever stop? With a face as big as a washbasin, why should I go out with you to talk?”

Originally, Fang Ziyang didn’t want to cause trouble. After all, this was the official territory, and causing a scene wouldn’t be good.

He also knew that his reputation wasn’t prominent before coming here, and he would surely be questioned and criticized. But he felt that he didn’t have to pay too much attention to it because he had plenty of opportunities to prove himself.

But this Miss Jin from the Jin family didn’t know what she was going crazy about, still sticking to him and being annoying.

Fang Ziyang’s sudden change of attitude silenced everyone in the cafeteria.

Zhao Kairui, Yuan Zhuoting, and the others from Team B looked at the young man who suddenly had a fierce expression on his face with their mouths wide open… Where was the obedient little brother they had expected?

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Jin Yu suddenly seemed to have discovered some truth and angrily said, “Good! I didn’t misjudge you. You really are not a good person. Not only can you pretend to be a sheep in front of a tiger, but you’re also particularly good at acting weak! Fang Ziyang, were you intentionally pretending to be clueless and deliberately embarrassing me? You despicable person! It’s too much!”

“Fine, if you want to say it here, then I won’t spare your face. Fang Ziyang, tell me, do you like Xie Zheng? Don’t even think about lying. I saw Xie Zheng accompany you when you arrived at the base. You shamelessly almost glued yourself to him!”

With those words, the entire room fell silent again.

Who among the people present didn’t know who Xie Zheng was? Especially after the recent news about the collaboration between New World Technology and the government in researching chip-based identity cards, Xie Zheng’s name was well-known in the scientific research community.

Fang Ziyang likes Xie Zheng? Why is Jin Yu asking such a question?

Everyone here is an adult. Haven’t they read cheesy novels or watched cheesy TV dramas? Just a little bit of connection, and this seems like a jealousy-fueled drama unfolding.

Upon hearing Jin Yu’s question, Fang Ziyang instantly understood why she was targeting him.

Feeling the curious gazes of those around him, Fang Ziyang smiled and didn’t hide anything. “Yes, I like Brother Xie Zheng, but what’s it to you?”

Although it’s currently not convenient to reveal his relationship with Xie Zheng, there’s no need to hide his feelings for Xie Zheng. After all, there are plenty of people who like Xie Zheng.

His frank attitude was unexpected for Jin Yu. After all, when someone’s secret crush is exposed, shouldn’t they feel a bit embarrassed? Fang Ziyang, on the other hand, admitted it so openly, even calling Xie Zheng “brother.” He had no sense of propriety!

Jin Yu was angry. “You, you have no shame!”

With those words, everyone was speechless.

Fang Ziyang chuckled, “What’s so shameless about me liking Xie Zheng? Miss Jin, you’re not in charge of the heavens or the earth. Why do you care about who others like? Or could it be that you also like Xie Zheng? So, you won’t allow me to like Brother Xie? “

Seeing Jin Yu being publicly confronted, her face turning red with anger and embarrassment, she retorted, “So what if I do? I liked Xie Zheng first, and I won’t allow you to like him! Besides, you’re not even worthy of Xie Zheng. I advise you to give up on him early. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not warning you. Our Jin family is not something you can afford to offend!”

Jin Yu had always been pampered by her family, getting whatever she wanted. Therefore, when faced with something she didn’t like, it was difficult for her to contain her young lady temper.

Initially, she was just targeting Fang Ziyang because she guessed that he liked Xie Zheng, but now seeing Fang Ziyang’s blatant attitude, it was even more unbearable. Her unreasonable nature was fully revealed.

Tang Xun’s expression changed slightly due to Jin Yu’s attitude towards his precious younger brother, and he wanted to stand up for him.

However, Fang Ziyang held him back, shaking his head to signal his brother not to interfere.

Then, looking at the unreasonable Jin Yu, Fang Ziyang crossed his arms and smiled.

“That’s such a pity. I can’t meet your demands. I like Xie Zheng, what should I do? Moreover, who are you to decide whether I’m worthy of Xie Zheng or not? Miss Jin, do you think the world revolves around you and your parents? “

Jin Yu had never encountered someone who dared to argue back with her directly. She was not skilled in the art of arguing.

She knew she had no reason, but as the Jin family’s young miss, she had never bothered with reason. Frustrated, she said, “Just because I’m better than you, have more family background, and liked Xie Zheng earlier. Anyway, I won’t allow you to like Xie Zheng!”

Fang Ziyang felt it would be embarrassing to argue with someone so childish, as if he were arguing with a little kid.

But he was still interested in making someone who targeted him so angry.

Ignoring her threats, Fang Ziyang intentionally wore a triumphant expression.

“If I’m not allowed, do I have to listen to you? I just happen to like Xie Zheng a little bit. And now that you’re being so domineering, I’ve made up my mind. From now on, I’ll love Xie Zheng so much that it’s like I’m dying, and I’ll pursue him too!”

Jin Yu was infuriated by his blatant words and stared at him with wide eyes, trembling as she raised her finger. “You, you…”

Fang Ziyang stood confidently, hands on his hips, and asserted himself. “Me? What about me? I like Xie Zheng, and I want to pursue him. If you have the guts, go ahead and hit me. With your current attitude, Xie Zheng would never like someone like you. Don’t you know that my brother and Xie Zheng are good friends? Don’t you know what it means to have the upper hand? “

“I’ll tell you, Xie Zheng is not only like my brother, but I also live at his place. I see him every day, and I look better than you… You dare to threaten me? When I go back, I’ll just crawl onto Xie Zheng’s bed and make you so furious you won’t be able to sleep!”

Everyone:…

Is it really okay to talk so openly about crawling into someone’s bed?

Jin Yu was truly on the verge of being infuriated. She looked at Fang Ziyang, who seemed more arrogant than herself, and was about to burst into tears.

This guy, he, he, he actually said he lives at Xie Zheng’s place? He actually sees Xie Zheng every day? He even said he would crawl onto Xie Zheng’s bed? It’s just too much, too infuriating!

Jin Yu felt wronged. “You shameless fox!”

Fang Ziyang felt smug. “The shameless fox is currently living at Xie Zheng’s place and has a bedroom right next to his.”

Jin Yu stomped her foot. “You, you shameless thing!”

Fang Ziyang felt triumphant. “Shameless or not, the shameless thing can have the upper hand, seeing Mr. Xie every day.”

Jin Yu fumed. “You shameless bastard!”

Fang Ziyang reveled in his triumph. “The shameless bastard will take a day off tomorrow and go back home to crawl onto Xie Zheng’s bed. You’ll see it but won’t get it, and every day it’ll gnaw at your heart.”

Jin Yu:…

Jin Yu let out a scream and immediately burst into loud wailing on the spot.

…

Jin Yu let out a shriek and immediately burst into loud wailing on the spot.

This is too much, truly too much.

This bastard is infuriating, wah-wah. How can there be such a shameless person in the world!

The atmosphere on the scene became awkward and quiet for a moment.

It seems that two weirdos have infiltrated the group of geniuses.

However, Fang Ziyang, as if unwilling to let anyone off the hook, didn’t panic when Jin Yu cried. Instead, he looked extremely delighted.

He waved at a nearby staff member with a smile and said, “Excuse me, sir. Can I apply to make a phone call now? The training preparations haven’t started yet, so the application should be quick, right?”

The staff member didn’t understand what he was up to and nodded blankly, “Ah, um, yes, that’s how it works. Are you sure you want to apply now?”

Fang Ziyang nodded and put on a remarkably obedient expression, “I’m sure. Thank you, sir.”

The staff member smiled and quickly left. A few minutes later, they came back with a specially prepared mobile phone.

Fang Ziyang took the phone, expressed his gratitude, and then glanced at the tearful and curious but aggrieved Jin Yu. With a cheeky smile, he dialed a series of phone numbers.

When the call connected, Fang Ziyang raised his chin at Jin Yu and then spoke into the phone with a sweet voice,

“Brother Xie, are you busy? If not, can you listen to me for a moment? I have something to tell you. It seems like I’ve developed feelings for you. I want to pursue you. Take your time to consider it, and give me an answer when I come back after training, okay? Whether you agree or not, I still like you. Mwah!”

After finishing his words, Fang Ziyang hung up the phone and raised his chin, showing off. “You see, I even gave a ‘mwah’ to Brother Xie.”

Jin Yu:…

KO’d and immediately defeated.

---

Previous TOC Next

The defense software used in this test was not insanely difficult, but it was still of a high level. To breach it, one’s computer skills needed to be at least top-notch.

Even with top-notch skills, it would normally take around half an hour to complete.

Jin Yu estimated that she could finish it in just over ten minutes, which would already prove her superiority over others.

However, just as Jin Yu had started her breach attempt, an announcement came through the classroom’s PA system, indicating that someone had completed the task.

Damn it, who could be this insane!

Not only Jin Yu, but everyone in the classroom had the same thought upon hearing the announcement.

Even the old professor hosting the exam wore a bewildered expression.

Completed in three minutes? Really, just three minutes? They should have prepared the defense software of top-notch difficulty, right?

“Quick, quick, check if the software was installed incorrectly!”

Not only did the shocked examinees stop their actions, even the old professor couldn’t believe it and gestured to his assistant to bring the computer over for inspection, carefully verifying if they had installed the system incorrectly.

However, the fact proved otherwise.

Their software was installed correctly, and someone had indeed completed the task in three minutes.

Then, everyone started looking at each other’s computer screens, trying to identify who was number 03. Regardless of their other abilities, at least in defense and intrusion techniques, this person was undoubtedly a master.

Subsequently, Jin Yu’s voice rang out in the classroom, screaming, “Fang Ziyang, how is it possible that it’s you? Are you really number 03? This can’t be!”

Jin Yu stared at Fang Ziyang’s computer screen, unable to believe the prominent “completed” displayed on it. She couldn’t accept this reality.

She had originally sat near Fang Ziyang, intending to witness his failure, but now she hadn’t gotten to witness the failure and was instead struck by reality.

But how was this possible? How could Fang Ziyang be more skilled than her in computer technology? She had never heard of any remarkable computer skills from Fang Ziyang. Even if he was hiding his abilities, he was only 18 years old! This was simply too devastating.

Zhao Kairui, Yuan Zhuoting, and the others from Team B couldn’t believe it either. They rubbed their eyes and stared directly at Fang Ziyang’s computer screen.

The shock came too suddenly, like a tornado. Wasn’t this little brother supposed to be useless and a burden?

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

The others also looked over in astonishment.

Facing so many gazes, Fang Ziyang seemed a little embarrassed, with a shy and timid smile. “Um, I’m actually just slightly better in this area. Brothers and sisters, please guide me in the future…”

His shy appearance seemed harmless and likable, evoking a sense of obedience and cuteness.

This instantly made the shocked crowd feel much more comfortable and nodded inwardly.

Many people had previously said that Fang Ziyang had entered through special channels and was not living up to his name, but now it was proven that the country hadn’t resorted to such dirty tricks in such an important competition. Fang Ziyang’s invitation was indeed justified.

Although defense and intrusion techniques might sound simple, the role of these skills in research was immensely significant.

After all, no matter how brilliant your research was, if you didn’t have superior defense measures, others could easily replicate your product by studying its core.

No wonder the country had invited Fang Ziyang. At least, based on his current demonstration, no one present could surpass him in defense and intrusion techniques.

The old professor also nodded in satisfaction, secretly noting down Fang Ziyang’s name before continuing to organize the exam. “Alright, everyone, continue. The speed of breaching is related to the confirmation of your spots. You only have one chance.”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized that they were still in the midst of the exam and couldn’t afford to waste any more time!

They didn’t have time to dwell on their astonishment and quickly focused on their own tasks.

Jin Yu did the same, swiftly resuming her exam, although she felt somewhat dazed. She still couldn’t believe it.

But regardless of belief, the reality was the reality.

Jin Yu gritted her teeth and could only angrily reassure herself that Fang Ziyang was just slightly skilled in intrusion and defense techniques, which wasn’t a big deal. Her level was far beyond Fang Ziyang’s comparison. Hmph!

The first exam wasn’t particularly difficult and quickly came to an end.

Although Jin Yu was arrogant, she did have the capital for it. Following Fang Ziyang, she completed the task in 16 minutes.

Zhao Kairui, Yuan Zhuoting, and Yang Qilong followed closely behind, completing their tasks almost at the same time, with a difference of only a few seconds compared to Jin Yu. The four of them truly deserved to be considered the strongest among the invited participants.

Originally, these individuals should have stood out, but with Fang Ziyang’s speed in the lead, their achievements weren’t particularly surprising.

However, apart from Jin Yu and Yang Qilong, who didn’t look too pleased, Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting wore expressions of joy and relief. They didn’t harbor any jealousy. In fact, they had no expectations for Fang Ziyang at all. So, obtaining such a big surprise as their teammate naturally made them happy!

Wen Wen, Yan Bin, and Liang Tiantian also wore faces full of unexpected joy. Although they claimed not to be disappointed when initially assigned to Team B, it seemed they had struck gold.

The members of Team B were getting excited and wanted to talk to Fang Ziyang.

But now wasn’t the time. The first exam had ended, and the old professor immediately led them to another classroom for the next test.

The time until the international competition was not far away, and the sooner the official members were confirmed, the earlier the training could begin.

The second round of exams took a bit longer. It was a written test, assessing their theoretical knowledge.

This round of exams was more comprehensive, and it wasn’t possible to achieve high scores just by excelling in a particular area. It tested their overall research capabilities.

This challenge wasn’t easy for anyone.

Including Fang Ziyang, he had to give it his all and be meticulous. After all, everyone present was a young genius, and he was well aware of the consequences of arrogance and looking down on others. The simpler the matter, the more seriously it should be treated.

Fortunately, regardless of everything, he had lived two lifetimes, even if the time he had spent living wasn’t particularly long. The experiences he possessed were enough to describe them as rich.

Not to mention all his research from his previous life. The main core of his research had been completed by himself alone. Driven by the urge for revenge, his efforts couldn’t be described as anything less than relentless. It was complete madness.

One could imagine the extent of his breadth of knowledge, so dealing with this kind of exam wasn’t difficult.

The written test required grading, and the results couldn’t be announced on the spot like before.

After handing in their papers, everyone felt relatively relaxed. It was evident that they had confidence in their abilities.

The following rounds of tests also couldn’t provide instant results, so the confirmation of spots wouldn’t be announced today.

By the time all the tests were completed, and they returned to the main hall where they had initially gathered, it was almost time for dinner. Fatigue and hunger were evident on everyone’s faces.

However, no one complained. Even Jin Yu, who was usually so arrogant, behaved very well. Obviously, everyone attached great importance to the competition spots, and no one wanted to be disqualified over a trivial matter.

The old professor was very satisfied with everyone’s performance and continued to maintain his amiable attitude.

“You’ve all worked hard today. The exam results will be available within two days. During these two days, as long as you don’t leave the training base, you are free to move around.”

“Someone will take you to a dedicated cafeteria for meals. Accommodations have also been prepared, with one room per person. After dinner, someone will guide you to your rooms. For the next year and a half, all your daily necessities, including clothing, will be fully provided here…”

“…During this period, you are not allowed to leave the base. If you want to contact your family outside, you need to make an application. Of course, there is also a designated area for leisure and internet access where you can learn about the outside world…”

The old professor reiterated the rules of the training base with a kind smile, ensuring that everyone was well aware. It was necessary to be prepared for all contingencies.

During the preparation time of the next year and a half, there would be many confidential research activities, and precautions had to be taken. After all, the term “traitor” never disappeared in any era, and not every Chinese citizen was patriotic. There were plenty of heartless individuals.

Everyone nodded to indicate that they understood.

Such requirements were not difficult to accept. In fact, most research bases and laboratories operated under similar rules. Maintaining secrecy and isolation was essential. If someone couldn’t accept it, then they shouldn’t come.

Even Jin Yu, with her arrogant temperament, didn’t show any dissatisfaction.

The old professor surveyed the crowd and nodded. “That’s about it. If anyone still doesn’t understand, there will be a living manual in each of your rooms for reference. Do you have any other questions? If not, you can go for your meals now.”

Others shook their heads.

However, Yang Qilong raised his hand. “Professor, I have a question.”

The old professor was amiable. “Go ahead.”

“Professor, before coming here, I heard that there was someone who doesn’t have to follow the isolation rules and can contact the outside world at any time. Is that true?”

As soon as Yang Qilong spoke, everyone in the room was stunned. It was evident that very few people knew about this.

Being able to contact the outside world—what kind of treatment was that? It couldn’t be described as special privileges anymore.

Moreover, it didn’t seem logical. Wasn’t the base afraid of this person leaking information?

All eyes turned to the professor.

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Jin Yu didn’t expect such a reaction from Yuan Zhuoting; she was truly infuriated.

Unable to contain her astonishment, she exclaimed, “Yuan Zhuoting, have you gone mad? Don’t you want to help restore your teacher’s reputation?”

She could understand Zhao Kairui opposing her, considering his temperament. However, Yuan Zhuoting, who seemed to care so much about his teacher, unexpectedly became stubborn. Choosing her team would guarantee a spot as an official team member, yet he gave up on that opportunity!

Among the invited main team members, the four of them were the most formidable. It would be the best choice to join forces from any perspective. But now, it had turned into a 2 vs. 2 situation. What kind of mess was this?

Jin Yu had grown accustomed to being praised and never considered that people could act impulsively due to their emotions. Not everyone could maintain a machine-like rationality at all times.

The more Jin Yu emphasized, the more she touched upon the memories that Yuan Zhuoting detested the most.

Yuan Zhuoting’s face grew colder at her words. “My affairs don’t need your meddling!”

Her words made Jin Yu jump in anger.

Yang Qilong’s expression also changed slightly. Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting’s choices were unfavorable for the current situation.

While they remained deadlocked, the others who had been arguing and fighting over the spot in Jin Yu’s Team A suddenly fell silent.

Earlier, everyone was eager to join Jin Yu’s team, assuming that besides Jin Yu, Zhao Kairui, Yang Qilong, and Yuan Zhuoting would also choose Team A. They expected a powerful alliance.

But now, the four powerhouses were divided into two camps. The decision of whether to choose Team A or Team B needed careful consideration.

The atmosphere became tense and eerie.

Fang Ziyang couldn’t help but laugh as he watched these people. Although he had anticipated it, he didn’t expect things to heat up so quickly.

At this moment, he understood why the training base implemented this free team formation. While having strong and capable team members was important for the competition, if the team members didn’t get along, it would greatly affect the results.

Don’t forget that geniuses have their pride, especially young people. Forcing them into a team wouldn’t make anyone submit to another. A team full of internal conflicts would be fortunate to avoid elimination in the early stages, let alone achieve a high ranking in the competition!

Team competitions emphasize unity and cooperation, not individual performances.

Especially for this competition, the country has already made preparations, so the need for genius team members is not as crucial anymore.

An hour for deliberation may seem long or short, depending on how you look at it.

After much hesitation, four of them, who were relatively quick in their considerations, made a firm decision and walked towards Jin Yu’s Team A.

The four of them spoke in unison, “We choose Team A.”

Although it was a standoff between two powerhouses, the presence of Fang Ziyang, whose strength was highly unstable, significantly lowered the chances of Team B becoming official members.

Immediately, the remaining three individuals who were still hesitating no longer had a choice.

While they were somewhat regretful for being a step behind, they didn’t seem too unwilling. After all, they still had Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting on their side, making them competitive as well.

With the teams now determined, everyone stopped dwelling on the matter. Except for Yuan Zhuoting, who had an icy demeanor, the rest of the group was warm and amiable. They began introducing themselves.

The young man wearing a checkered shirt and glasses with black frames spoke first.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Wen Wen, 26 years old. I’m a student at Nan University, but I’m currently studying abroad, specializing in information security.”

Wen Wen was a gentle and refined young man, with a friendly smile. The black-framed glasses didn’t make him appear mature but rather added a sense of stability.

Next was a lively and sunny young man, dressed in trendy attire with a hoodie and sneakers. He had a wide smile, revealing a set of white teeth.

“Hey, everyone. I’m Yan Bin, 23 years old. I’ve been living abroad since I was young, but deep down, I’m a patriotic young man. I truly hope to contribute to the country this time. Please fulfill my wish. By the way, my specialization is in intelligent science, so you can leave those aspects to me…”

Then came a seemingly shy girl. “I’m Liang Tiantian, 25 years old, specializing in software engineering…”

Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting also gave brief introductions. They had a broader range of expertise compared to the previous three individuals.

Lastly, it was Fang Ziyang’s turn.

Fang Ziyang’s smile was also a bit shy. “I’m Fang Ziyang, 18 years old. I don’t know what I specialize in, but I know a little bit about computer research, I guess.”

The group: …

Although we suspected that you might be quite useless, could you please show a bit more sincerity?

“Ha!”

Jin Yu, who had been paying attention to them, couldn’t help but burst into laughter upon hearing Fang Ziyang’s introduction. Then she raised her chin and taunted Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting again, “Zhao Kairui, Yuan Zhuoting, there’s still over ten minutes left. If you want to change your minds, you still have a chance.”

The rest of Team A couldn’t help but laugh as well, feeling fortunate that they made their choices early.

What did it mean by knowing a little bit about computer research? In other words, he didn’t know anything! Fang Ziyang truly was a burden; he was nothing like the enlightened and wise monk that only existed in fiction.

The open mockery from Team A made everyone in Team B uncomfortable.

Whether Fang Ziyang was outstanding or not was their internal matter. Team A had no business interfering. Laugh all you want!

If their previous hesitation in choosing to join Jin Yu’s team was due to a momentary impulse, Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting were now determined to stay in Team B.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Being a team member under Jin Yu’s dominance would be a torment. They would rather have Fang Ziyang, who slowed them down, than have to deal with Jin Yu’s arrogance.

They couldn’t be bothered to talk with Jin Yu.

Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting glanced at each other, completely ignoring Jin Yu’s words, and made their decision to disregard her.

Not receiving a response to her words, Jin Yu became even more furious, wanting to continue her verbal attacks. However, at that moment, the time for team formation ended, and the old professor returned.

Seeing that everyone had already stood in their clearly divided teams, the old professor continued with a smile, “Now that everyone is in their teams, bring your laptops and follow me…”

Saying that, the old professor led everyone out, wasting no time in idle chatter.

Perplexed, the others followed quietly.

A few minutes later, they were led to a classroom filled with tables and chairs.

The old professor spoke, “I assume that before coming here, everyone has already thoroughly understood the rules of the International Science and Technology Competition, right? The first stage of the competition is called Network Security, which is essentially what people commonly refer to as hacking attacks. This is to weed out countries with lower levels of proficiency. Therefore, we need the network attack and defense skills of both the official team members and assistant team members to reach a certain level…”

“This will be the first test for the official team members. After connecting to the network here, you will see a defensive software. The exam involves breaching its defense, and the shorter the time taken to breach the software, the higher the score you will receive… Since we determine the quota based on the total team scores, I hope you will showcase your full capabilities and not hold back your teammates. Thank you.”

“Of course, if you have the ability to finish and then help your teammates, that’s also acceptable.”

“Alright, you have 10 minutes. Choose your seats and begin the exam.”

The old professor clapped his hands, indicating for everyone to take their seats.

Having prepared mentally, the individuals present were all top talents in the field of computer science. Regardless of their research focus or specialization, they all had some involvement in intrusion techniques, with differences in proficiency.

Therefore, everyone remained calm and quickly chose their seats as instructed.

However, compared to the calm and confidence of Team A, Team B had some concerns due to Fang Ziyang’s uncertain abilities. Zhao Kairui and the others exchanged glances, silently urging each other to do their best even if they scored lower, so as not to make it too embarrassing.

Of course, their goal was still to win as much as possible.

Zhao Kairui patted Fang Ziyang’s shoulder to console him, inwardly sighing, “It’s okay, don’t feel pressured. Just do your best, and your big brothers and sisters will come to help you after we’re done.”

“Yeah, I’ll do my best,” Fang Ziyang nodded, his innocent eyes making him appear harmless, like an obedient younger brother.

Regardless of his abilities, at least his attitude was very proper.

Zhao Kairui and the others felt slightly relieved about the possibility of facing failure. Fortunately, this was only the first test and wouldn’t determine the final results. Even if Fang Ziyang slowed them down, they still had a chance to secure a spot by achieving victory.

As they say, attitude determines destiny.

The group had confidence in themselves.

True warriors should dare to face the difficulty of starting in hell!

They turned on their computers, connected to the network, and prepared themselves.

They took deep breaths, placed their hands on the keyboards, and focused their sharp gazes on the screens.

At the command of the old professor, “Time’s up, begin,” everyone’s brains immediately started working at high speed, fingers pounding on the keyboards like phantoms as they entered exam mode.

After all, this was for determining the official spots in an international competition, so the exam content was naturally not to be taken lightly. The defense software that needed to be breached had a high difficulty level.

So, despite their fingers swiftly pounding on the keyboards, making it seem relaxed and composed, their progress in cracking the defense was not as fast as their keystrokes.

However, Jin Yu had great confidence in herself. Among her computer skills, she excelled in network intrusion techniques. Although the defense software provided for the exam was challenging, she believed she could finish it in just over ten minutes at most with her speed.

This speed was top-notch in the industry, and so far, she had only been surpassed by two individuals, who were ranked first and second in the Midnight Union Forum.

However, those two had already gained fame for a long time and were unlikely to be present here. As for the mysterious Little Elf, he was rumored to have a chronic illness and usually resided in a sanatorium, so he definitely wouldn’t be here.

Therefore, Jin Yu was absolutely confident of winning the first exam, and even securing the first place!

With a beaming smile, Jin Yu vigorously typed on her computer, as if she could already see the flag of victory fluttering towards her.

She would definitely celebrate in a grand and stylish manner.

However, in the next moment, Jin Yu was dumbfounded.

The classroom’s PA system announced, “Ding, number 03 has completed the breach in 3 minutes.”

Jin Yu:…

Jin Yu looked at her computer screen, which had just started the attack, with a bewildered expression. Suddenly, she began to question her life choices.

---

Sandy: huh, another dumb cannon fodder 🤣🤣🤣

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“Everyone, do as you wish. I won’t be in the same team as him. I’ll choose Team A first.”

Jin Yu emphasized once again to the other invited main team members, her expression filled with arrogance and a hint of jealousy and anger.

In fact, there was a reason why Jin Yu displayed such targeted attitude today.

Regardless of family matters and talent, Jin Yu was still nurtured by a prominent family. Especially in intellectual families like those involved in scientific research, they highly valued the character of their family members. The thing they detested the most was when their family members caused trouble outside due to arrogance and a sense of superiority.

On weekdays, although Jin Yu was arrogant and superior, overall she was easy to get along with aside from being a bit spoiled.

The reason why she specifically targeted Fang Ziyang today, apart from being dissatisfied with his sudden arrival, was because she saw Fang Ziyang and Tang Xun’s departure accompanied by Xie Zheng.

Jin Yu had a secret that no one else knew—she had always had a crush on Xie Zheng.

Despite Xie Zheng appearing unappealing in recent years and being unable to find a partner, he was actually very popular. Not to mention the fanatical fans on Weibo, many outstanding young ladies and gentlemen from high society secretly admired him.

Jin Yu was one of them. She was not afraid of Xie Zheng’s reputation as a jinxed person. She had wanted to marry into the Xie family regardless. However, her grandfather stopped her in the end, saying that she was not suitable to be Xie Zheng’s fiancée. Moreover, Xie Zheng had no interest in her. Although they had met at various gatherings multiple times, he didn’t even remember her name. It was truly disheartening…

So when Jin Yu saw Xie Zheng speaking gently with Fang Ziyang, her woman’s intuition told her that there must be something fishy between them!

Even if Fang Ziyang was outstanding, the abilities he had demonstrated so far were truly insignificant in the eyes of true geniuses. So why did Fang Ziyang receive Xie Zheng’s favor? Jin Yu had secretly observed Xie Zheng for many years and had never seen him show such a gentle expression to anyone.

As a genius who had been praised and adored by countless people since childhood, Jin Yu couldn’t tolerate losing to someone who was inferior to her!

With Jin Yu’s repeated emphasis, the competition for team selection became even more intense.

However, there were only six members in one team, so it was inevitable to divide into two teams. Everyone quickly began to argue for a spot in Jin Yu’s team.

“Why should I withdraw? Why don’t you go to Team B yourself?”

“Didn’t you say earlier that Fang Ziyang is Tang Xun’s brother and must have some real talent? Why are you now looking down on him? You flip-flopper.”

“Hmph, didn’t you say something like that just now? Hypocrite!”

“I have worked with Jin Yu before, and we have good cooperation. So, of course, we should be in the same team now.”

“Hey, everyone, let’s not argue. How about rock-paper-scissors? It’s the fairest way to decide.”

“Fair my ass! Do you think we don’t know that rock-paper-scissors can calculate the winning rate? Are we here to play games with rock-paper-scissors?”

“Then how about drawing lots?”

“…”

Everyone argued fiercely, their faces red with anger, no longer resembling the brilliant and outstanding young individuals they usually appeared as.

In the world, there were no truly selfless individuals, especially young people who had not yet experienced the harsh realities of society. This was the time for them to enjoy fame and fortune. This international scientific competition was not a small event—it could be said to determine their lifelong fortunes. Who wouldn’t want to seize this opportunity?

At such moments, concerns about face and humility were truly foolish.

Moreover, their participation in this competition was not just for their own future but also to bring glory to their families and teachers.

Of course, among the invited main team members, although Jin Yu was remarkable, she was not the only outstanding one. The other three young individuals had talents and abilities comparable to hers, so they remained calm at the moment.

Jin Yu raised her chin slightly, slightly smug, and then looked at the other three.

“Zhao Kairui, Yuan Zhuoting, Yang Qilong, do you want to join Team A as well? If the four of us work together, we will definitely become the official team members and secure the top three spots. Unless you want to disappoint your families and teachers.”

Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting did not immediately answer as they weighed the pros and cons.

However, Yang Qilong did not hesitate. He smiled and walked towards Jin Yu, saying, “It is an honor for me to be in the same team as Miss Jin…”

While speaking, Yang Qilong’s gaze toward Fang Ziyang was not too friendly.

He didn’t have any personal grievances against Fang Ziyang. It was because of Tang Xun.

As the saying goes, if you don’t attract jealousy, you’re mediocre. Tang Xun’s talent had reached an astonishing level, and his achievements at the age of twenty were already on par with many renowned professors. This made the contemporaries of such geniuses pale in comparison, and there were many who envied Tang Xun. Yang Qilong was one of them. It was already fine for Tang Xun to be outstanding, but why did his younger brother, who had achieved nothing, receive an invitation just because of Tang Xun’s glory?

He didn’t dare to confront Tang Xun directly, but it was still acceptable to bully Tang Xun’s younger brother within the rules.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Furthermore, building a good relationship with the precious little girl from the Jin family would be beneficial regardless of the outcome of this competition.

Facing such rejection and malice right after his arrival, Fang Ziyang found it somewhat amusing and helpless. He didn’t intentionally want to challenge them; it was purely because these people were too impatient and didn’t give him a chance to demonstrate himself before excluding him.

Fortunately, he had a strong psychological resilience from living two lives, so this matter didn’t bother him.

So after Yang Qilong finished expressing his stance, Fang Ziyang calmly stood in place without any reaction.

He genuinely didn’t care. After all, strength was his confidence, and he was confident enough to single-handedly defeat an entire team’s boss.

If they wanted to look down on him, then so be it. In the end, it wouldn’t be him who would be proven wrong.

However, his calmness was not perceived the same way by others.

His slender figure made him appear somewhat thin and small. When he remained silent, it seemed like he was pretending to be indifferent and calm, evoking sympathy from others.

Jin Yu and Yang Qilong remained firm in their intentions, but Zhao Kairui and Yuan Zhuoting began to waver.

People naturally sympathize with the underdog. Fang Ziyang was targeted so openly and blatantly without even doing anything, and Jin Yu and Yang Qilong had truly gone too far. This international scientific competition was so important, and they believed that the country wouldn’t make hasty decisions. If Fang Ziyang was invited, then he must have some merits. It couldn’t be as simple as being Tang Xun’s brother.

Jin Yu and Yang Qilong are purely making things difficult for others due to personal emotions.

Their reasons for rejecting others, doubting their abilities, and suspecting favoritism are just excuses to justify their actions.

Zhao Kairui, who has a more amiable personality, couldn’t bear to watch and thought for a moment before walking towards Fang Ziyang.

With a gentle smile, he said, “Since it’s a team division, competition would make it more interesting. I’ll join Team B. I haven’t had a chance to spar with Miss Jin, so this is a good opportunity.”

Jin Yu didn’t expect Zhao Kairui to choose to oppose her, and her expression immediately turned sour.

Compared to Fang Ziyang’s previously arrogant and flamboyant self-awareness, Jin Yu was a true princess who had been doted on by her family from the bottom of their hearts. Throughout her life, there were only a few things she had wanted to accomplish but couldn’t, and she couldn’t tolerate anyone going against her wishes.

Seeing Zhao Kairui not giving her face like this, Jin Yu became angry. “Zhao Kairui, how dare you not give me face!”

“Miss Jin is joking. Isn’t the team division a voluntary choice? I didn’t choose to be in the same team as you, so it’s not about giving or not giving face. I didn’t realize Miss Jin has quite an imposing presence. Do you want me to introduce you to a plastic surgeon, maybe get a jaw slimming injection? I know a few reliable people in that field.”

Zhao Kairui still wore a warm smile, but his words were not polite.

His family background couldn’t match Jin Yu’s, but his talent was not inferior to hers. He also had a teacher with considerable influence in official circles to rely on. So why should he go against his own wishes and grovel to Jin Yu?

If Jin Yu had the ability, she should confront him head-on.

If she couldn’t, then she shouldn’t bully others without leaving any room for them.

Jin Yu didn’t have the ability to deal with Zhao Kairui, so she could only grit her teeth in anger. She glared at Zhao Kairui with resentment before turning to Yuan Zhuoting and asked indignantly,

“What about you, Yuan Zhuoting? Will you choose Team A or Team B? Think carefully and don’t follow some people’s lead to act self-righteous. This is an international event that will be broadcasted worldwide. I believe you understand the significance without me needing to explain. I remember you wanted to achieve a ranking to restore your teacher’s reputation. Have you thought it through?”

Yuan Zhuoting came from an ordinary family background and was selected into the youth program due to his exceptional intelligence. Later, he became a student of a well-known mathematics professor. However, that professor’s reputation was tarnished a few years ago due to academic misconduct. Despite the evidence, Yuan Zhuoting refused to leave the professor and find a new mentor, as he didn’t believe his teacher could stoop so low.

For the past few years, Yuan Zhuoting had been working hard to showcase himself in various competitions and seminars to help restore his teacher’s reputation.

When he received the invitation this time, although it wasn’t explicitly stated, everyone knew that he wanted to prove himself by achieving a ranking in the competition. Regardless of the evidence of academic misconduct, his success would be the best proof of his teacher’s capabilities.

From Jin Yu’s perspective, with this condition as persuasion, Yuan Zhuoting would definitely not be foolish enough to go to Team B.

After all, if Yuan Zhuoting joined their team, they would have three strong players, and becoming official team members in Team A would be within reach. If Yuan Zhuoting went to Team B, it would be a 2 vs. 2 situation, requiring more effort to compete.

However, what Jin Yu didn’t expect was that her words not only failed to persuade Yuan Zhuoting but also had the opposite effect.

Yuan Zhuoting, who had been hesitant, immediately made his decision after Jin Yu finished speaking. He walked straight toward Fang Ziyang’s side.

Then, with a gaze full of hatred towards Jin Yu, he spoke coldly, “I hate it when people force me to make choices.”

When their teacher encountered trouble, everyone had pressured and persuaded him in the same way, using the most malicious intent and attitude to bully his teacher.

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Yet, despite all that, the country chose to trust him. Fang Ziyang couldn’t deny feeling moved.

He used to be indifferent to everything, but now he has newfound concerns and things he cares about.

Although Xie Zheng is innocent, he is not dull. It’s clear to see his nervousness and unease.

To be honest, Xie Zheng is actually quite pleased with Fang Ziyang’s reaction. In his impression, Fang Ziyang has always been calm and strong, as if he doesn’t need anyone.

But now, the young man is learning to rely on him.

“If they have harmed you, I will be even more ruthless than you.”

Xie Zheng’s stern face softened, his tone serious and determined.

There were no excessive promises or words.

But Fang Ziyang could feel reassured from this sentence because that man had done it before, even when they only had a responsibility due to their previous night together.

He believed that Xie Zheng had said he could change for him.

Fang Ziyang felt warm in his heart. He didn’t know what to say. Apart from kissing him, he didn’t know how else to express his feelings.

“Mmm…”

Xie Zheng was caught off guard by the sudden attack.

The bold and straightforward young man pounced on him, hooking his arms around Xie Zheng’s neck and nibbling at him like a little puppy.

His ears turned red, but Xie Zheng couldn’t bear to push him away. He happily hugged his beloved and went along with it.

As a perfect boyfriend, how could he not fulfill his little lover’s desire for cuddles and kisses?

Their lips and tongues intertwined, creating a warm and ambiguous atmosphere.

After the kiss ended, Fang Ziyang felt a bit heated, panting and with eyes slightly moist and seductive. His young body couldn’t resist the teasing.

Xie Zheng wasn’t any better off either. The perpetual virgin effect kicked in as soon as things heated up.

But in the end, Xie Zheng restrained himself and tightly embraced his lover, not allowing him to move recklessly.

“Be good, wait a little longer.”

His little lover was only eighteen, and even though his tender body was delicious, if they crossed that line, Xie Zheng knew he wouldn’t be able to control himself and would end up hurting him. It was better to wait a little longer.

He acted carefully, like he was protecting a precious baby.

Although Fang Ziyang wanted to have a deeper conversation, he was mostly just happy to be valued.

“Xie Zheng, I find myself liking you more and more…”

His eyes curved into a smile.

Nestling in Xie Zheng’s arms, he loved the comforting aura of the man’s body.

Xie Zheng’s ears turned red.

“Yeah, I know.”

See, his young man is being spoiled again. There’s nothing he can do about it.

After arranging everything, Fang Ziyang had to go to the training base with his luggage.

Since Tang Xun was also going, Fang Ziyang wasn’t particularly anxious or uneasy about going to the base. Now he was someone with an older brother, so he felt cool and stylish!

The training base for the competition team was located in the suburbs of Beijing, very close by.

The base had a considerable area, and the equipment and laboratory instruments were well-equipped. It used to be a research base, and this time it was specially allocated for the competition team.

When Fang Ziyang and Tang Xun arrived, there were already many people in the base, gathering together and greeting each other with enthusiasm.

The tech community wasn’t actually that big, especially at the higher levels, so everyone knew each other to some extent. Of course, except for someone like Fang Ziyang, who suddenly rose to prominence.

When Fang Ziyang and Tang Xun appeared, the lively atmosphere suddenly paused as if someone pressed the pause button, and it became quiet and awkward.

Fang Ziyang had intended to warmly greet everyone, but now the situation didn’t seem quite right.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

If he wasn’t mistaken… it seemed like they weren’t very welcoming towards him.

After a brief moment of silence, conversations could be heard from the other side.

Although the distance was a bit far, Fang Ziyang understood lip-reading!

In his previous life, he had no one to help him, and he had to rely on himself for almost everything. He had even trained in skills like surveillance and investigation, including some lip-reading.

The people discussing over there had no idea that he could understand lip-reading, and they spoke quite brazenly, relying on their soft voices.

“Hey, he really came. I thought it was just a joke when I heard the team wanted to invite Fang Ziyang…”

“Not only did they invite him, I heard he was invited as a key team member.”

“Why invite Fang Ziyang? Although his college entrance exam scores were good and I heard he’s highly intelligent, he’s just a straight-A student. He has no experience in scientific research. Isn’t he just here to cause trouble and be a joke? He’s not even qualified to be an assistant team member.”

“Could it be because of Tang Xun? This competition will be broadcasted worldwide, and I heard our country is fully prepared and getting a top-three spot is guaranteed. As one of the six main team members, it means fame and fortune… Tang Xun cares so much about his younger brother, he must have come up with a way. After all, I heard that Tang Xun is already a preselected candidate.”

“That’s impossible. Tang Xun has good character; he’s not the kind of person who shows favoritism. And with the importance of this competition, the country wouldn’t dare to take it lightly and make such a blunder. Fang Ziyang must have some special abilities to be selected; it’s just that no one knows.”

“So what if he has some abilities? Who among us doesn’t have abilities? We’ve never heard of Fang Ziyang making any contributions to scientific research before…”

“Alright, enough of your talk. Isn’t it annoying to gossip behind people’s backs? Whether they have the ability or not, we’ll see in the future. Even if they did use connections or rely on their face, it’s because they have the ability to do so. It’s useless to envy or be jealous, especially when they have a great older brother.”

“You…”

After watching for a few minutes, Fang Ziyang had a good idea why those people had reacted strangely when they saw him earlier.

It turns out they were resentful towards him.

It was understandable. He was indeed an outsider who had never appeared in the scientific research circle, and his contributions to the chip ID project had not been made public. Despite his later transformation from a wastrel to a capable individual, in the eyes of others, he was just a straight-A student.

And this competition was of great importance, representing the country in front of the world and carrying immense honor.

For someone like him, who seemed particularly lackluster, to join in, it was strange if there weren’t any doubts.

However, this matter was easily resolved. He would have plenty of opportunities to prove himself in the future.

Therefore, Fang Ziyang wasn’t angry. He pulled Tang Xun’s clothes with a mockingly annoyed expression and said, “Bro, they look down on me. I’m going to cross my arms and get angry!”

Tang Xun cooperated and playfully ruffled his little brother’s head, “Then wait a moment. I’ll take a picture of your expression and send it to the boss.”

“Make sure you take a good picture, bro. I have an idol burden, you know.”

Fang Ziyang grinned, thoroughly enjoying his moments of indulgence with his brother. At eighteen years old in this life, he could really be proud of being spoiled.

The two brothers didn’t care about the earlier reactions of the others.

After a simple greeting from Tang Xun, everyone fell into discussion, grouping together and pulling people to their sides.

Because people in the tech community knew each other to some extent, they knew who was more capable and who was easier to get along with.

Whether it was due to the desire for strength or for personal gain, everyone naturally wanted to team up with the most formidable individuals.

Ignoring the commotion happening in the assistant team for now, the main team was relatively easier to distribute since there were fewer people. However, this was under the assumption that Fang Ziyang wasn’t an exception.

As no one knew the extent of Fang Ziyang’s abilities, and based on various surface conditions, he was definitely seen as a hindrance. So no one was particularly willing to team up with him.

Especially when a girl named Jin Yu clearly stated her unwillingness to be in the same team as him, the situation took a turn for the worse.

Jin Yu appeared proud and dismissive, speaking without reservation, “Just so you all know, I absolutely refuse to be in a team with such a hindrance.”

The Jin family, like the Lu family, was a prestigious scientific family. However, unlike the declining Lu family, the Jin family flourished, and they had strong successors, giving them much more fame in the scientific research community.

Jin Yu was the most talented and intelligent person of her generation in the Jin family. Although she couldn’t match Tang Xun’s otherworldly talent, she had earned a reputation for being a genius in the scientific research field. At the age of 23, she had already received numerous awards both domestically and internationally, making her one of the outstanding individuals among the younger generation.

Therefore, when Jin Yu explicitly stated that she didn’t want to be in the same team as Fang Ziyang, the others immediately changed their expressions, except for two individuals who had abilities comparable to Jin Yu and hadn’t made a move yet. The rest of the people hurriedly rushed to join Jin Yu’s team, clearly competing for a spot in her team.

Joking aside, this was a competition representing the country in front of the world. Who would want to be a substitute player!

Fang Ziyang:…

Fang Ziyang: These bunch of blind idiots. How dare they show such contempt towards a super genius like him!

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“The International Science and Technology Competition?”

After receiving a call from the government for a meeting, Fang Ziyang heard the name of the event.

“Yes, it’s the International Science and Technology Competition. This event takes place once every ten years, and this is the second edition. In the previous edition, our country’s technological level was too low, so even if we participated, we couldn’t achieve any notable results. That’s why there was hardly any news about it circulating domestically…”

The person from the government who summoned him was a man in his forties. He looked ashamed and sighed as he spoke.

Although Huaguo is currently prosperous and strong, the past was truly challenging. In the early days of the country’s establishment, there were numerous tasks to be accomplished, followed by internal unrest and three years of natural disasters… Not to mention the scarcity of daily necessities. The most outrageous thing was the international technological blockade against Huaguo, and we don’t know how many snubs we received.

Fortunately, Huaguo is a nation that has experienced thousands of years of history. Its inherent resilience and tenacity are unparalleled in the world. Even in such difficult circumstances, our predecessors stubbornly conducted their own research, broke through technological barriers, and within a few decades, allowed Huaguo to regain a certain degree of influence in the international community.

However, despite these efforts, Huaguo is still lagging behind many years in terms of technology compared to foreign countries.

But now the situation is different. The information Fang Ziyang provided to New World Technology, which subsequently chose to cooperate with the government, gave the government hope for Huaguo’s rapid rise.

And the International Science and Technology Competition is the best opportunity at the moment.

“The International Science and Technology Competition was established by the United Nations thirteen years ago. Like its name suggests, the main content of this competition is technology…”

“The competition is conducted in teams, and each participating country will send a team. Among the six main team members, their age must not exceed 30, and the age limit for reserve assistant team members is 40…”

“During the competition, apart from the first network technology, each subsequent phase will present a technological achievement based on a specific theme…”

In essence, this is a technology-oriented Olympic Games, a competition and showcase of a country’s technological prowess.

In today’s era, technology is a country’s second capital weapon. Technology represents another form of power for a nation. The country with advanced technology will greatly enhance its international influence.

Every country can participate in this competition, but whether they can reach the final victory is uncertain. For example, in the previous edition, Huaguo basically participated as a mere participant, feeling extremely frustrated.

However, this time, the government has made up its mind to make a strong appearance in this competition.

“In the previous edition, many arrangements were inadequate since it was the first competition. Our country was eliminated in the second round, so there was hardly any promotion domestically… Moreover, communication through the internet was not as developed as it is now, so not many people knew about this competition.”

“After all, the United Nations is planning to expand the influence of the competition, and it will be live-streamed worldwide…”

“And the country that wins first place will host the Technology Exhibition, which will be another technology-oriented Olympic Games.”

So, there’s no need to say more. This is a competition that the whole world will know about. If Huaguo fails to achieve results in it, one can imagine how it will affect the country’s international image and severely undermine the confidence of its citizens.

In recent years, Huaguo’s rapid rise is also related to the previous hosting of the Olympics. It can be seen how many hidden benefits there are behind hosting such international events.

This time, it’s not about Huaguo seeking the limelight; it’s about giving their all to achieve results!

“In fact, the domestic Hongmeng Computer Competition is a talent selection for the team that will participate in the competition…”

“Fang, your brother told us that you have made significant contributions to the research on chip-based identification. You have been studying the research materials left by your grandfather, and your current level is definitely not inferior to your brother. So… we sincerely invite you to join the competition team with your brother as a key member.”

“Because most of the technological products in the competition will be based on those research materials, your participation is crucial.”

“The competition will take place at the end of next year. If you agree, you will need to enter the training and research base next month for closed training and preparation for the competition…”

The middle-aged government official wearing glasses spoke sincerely. Huaguo must secure a top-three position in the International Science and Technology Competition this time, or the consequences would be severe.

Fang Ziyang didn’t immediately respond after listening; instead, his brain quickly started thinking.

Naturally, he leaned toward accepting the country’s invitation. After all, the country needed him, and he needed the country’s protection. Cooperation between the two sides was necessary.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

However, as he contemplated accepting the invitation, he realized that he would need to make some adjustments to his previous plans.

In his previous life, he died too early and failed to stand out in the Hongmeng Computer Competition, so he had no knowledge of this international science and technology competition. There is no doubt that this competition brings many benefits, but the only drawback is that if he undergoes closed training and preparation, he would be cut off from the outside world for over a year.

This would delay many things, and over a year can bring about significant changes. If he were to leave Yan Tong unattended for a year, there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t affect his control over the overall situation.

After a while, Fang Ziyang made a decision.

“I can accept the invitation, but I have a condition. I need to maintain constant contact with the outside world and have freedom of movement.”

“I need to report this, do you have any other requirements?”

The middle-aged government official with glasses had an amiable expression and was not surprised.

“No, that’s all.”

Fang Ziyang shook his head and smiled, “If this is not possible, I can provide technical guidance before the competition. It’s not necessary for me to participate. Regardless, I will strive to contribute to my country in any way I can.”

Although his direct participation in the competition might yield better results, even without him, with the research materials and his brother’s help, it wouldn’t be difficult to achieve a good ranking.

“Good.”

The middle-aged official smiled with relief.

…

Three days later.

Unexpectedly, yet also expected, the government agreed to his request to maintain contact with the outside world and have freedom of movement during the training period.

Upon receiving this news, Fang Ziyang felt a great sense of goodwill towards the government.

Although the request he made seemed trivial, it actually involved serious implications. It meant that he could potentially leak confidential information during the training. After all, the competition only lasted two to three months, and technology couldn’t be invented on the spot. It needed to be prepared in advance. If the research achievements were leaked before the competition, failure would be inevitable. Maintaining secrecy was of utmost importance.

So, his request was somewhat excessive.

However, in the end, the country chose to trust him. Fang Ziyang couldn’t deny feeling moved.

He was well aware that the country probably knew about some of his covert actions. After all, he provided the materials to his brother, and the country couldn’t completely overlook him. He couldn’t completely conceal his various actions related to his previous life’s events. The country must have had many questions about him.

Nevertheless, the country chose to grant him freedom. This level of trust was truly rare.

Since he had decided to accept the country’s invitation, it was time to pack up and prepare for the training base.

There wasn’t much time left, and although he could contact the outside world during that time, it wouldn’t be as convenient as it is now. Many things needed to be arranged in advance.

For example, the management of Dongsheng Pharmaceutical;

For example, the entertainment resources with his uncle;

And, when should he let Xie Wenxu know that he had been cuckolded…

Dongsheng Pharmaceutical still had Zhou Jun and Zhao Jingyu in charge, so he could let go with ease.

However, for these other matters, he needed to find a reliable person to handle them.

In the end, Fang Ziyang thought that Xie Zheng was the most suitable. Since he had decided to be with Xie Zheng, he couldn’t keep everything hidden from him. Apart from the matters regarding his rebirth, which he didn’t want to reveal, he could discuss his plans regarding Yan Tong and the others.

Since Xie Zheng had said he could accept his dark side, there was no point in hiding anything anymore.

Although Xie Zheng had long seen his hatred for Yan Tong and the others, he was still taken aback upon hearing Fang Ziyang’s plan. The reason was simple—Fang Ziyang’s plan was not only ruthless but also meticulous and astonishing. It formed a network of interconnected layers, just like a boss-level antagonist.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared? Regretting?”

Fang Ziyang finished speaking and looked at Xie Zheng with a smiling expression. However, deep down, he wasn’t as calm as he appeared. He knew that the country should be aware of some of his covert activities since he provided the materials to his brother. The country couldn’t completely ignore him, and he couldn’t hide all of his actions related to his previous life’s events. The country must have had many doubts about him.

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