Ye Jinghuai was still waiting in his office for Han Rui's investigation results. Suddenly, an email popped up on his computer, signed by Q.
Q was the world's number one hacker, Dark, and also the most popular online novelist AC, acclaimed lyricist CC, rising star in gem appraisal Master An, honorary president of the Martial Arts Association, and the hidden boss behind Chengguang.
Ye Jinghuai raised an eyebrow in surprise. An Cheng's resume was impressive. If An Cheng hadn't so brazenly infiltrated Ye's network, Ye Jinghuai might have applauded her.
Meanwhile, Qiuqiu sent another email to a special location.
The highest-security prison in Long Country was unique, holding only high-IQ criminals.
Because these individuals had made exceptionally outstanding achievements in certain fields, no country would readily give up such talent unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, the nation had to keep them in secret confinement.
An Cheng's identity as a hacker had fully captured their attention, especially the multi-national cyber intrusion incident two years prior, which had caused widespread anxiety.
At the time, Long Country was the only major power that remained unscathed, leading to suspicions of a conspiracy. Without any evidence, Long Country was even collectively suppressed by several other nations.
Now, they realized that the suffering they endured hadn't been in vain, as the culprit was indeed one of their own Long Country people.
However, they would ensure this information remained strictly confidential. Such talent could not be allowed to act recklessly outside.
Therefore, as soon as they finished reading the email, they took immediate action.
Upon realizing her exposure, An Cheng immediately booked a flight to leave the country. Even as she sat in the waiting lounge, she felt a sense of unease.
As expected, she was secretly taken away just before boarding. From then on, she would live under strict government surveillance, forever confined.
When Liu Mingxuan lost contact with An Cheng, he became very anxious. He went to the airline to inquire, only to be told that An Cheng was not on the passenger list.
Even the surveillance footage showed her never entering the airport, yet she had vanished as if she had evaporated into thin air.
He reported her missing to the police, but they informed him that her household registration had been canceled and that An Cheng had died two years ago. Liu Mingxuan argued vehemently, mentioning that the An family had recently held a banquet and many influential figures in the capital had seen her.
The police firmly reiterated that her household registration had been canceled two years ago, and there was no record of her. They suggested that the person they saw was likely a fake identity, fabricated using someone else's information, and that they had all been deceived.
An Weiming had abandoned his wife and daughter when she was very young and had not seen his daughter since. Her household registration had always been with her mother. He had only brought her back later and wasn't even sure if the An Cheng he saw was his daughter.
Liu Mingxuan refused to believe this. He suspected Ye Jinghuai was responsible, as only the Ye family possessed such power. He barged into Ye's company to demand an explanation but ultimately found nothing. A few days later, Liu Mingxuan also disappeared without a trace.
Ye Jinghuai might have had some inkling, but he would never reveal it to anyone. Only the state had the capability to completely erase a person's existence.
His current greatest interest was the identity of Q. Unfortunately, Q always contacted him unilaterally.
Ye Jinghuai was not the only one interested in Q. The ability to unearth Dark's entire identity proved that this person was even more formidable than Dark.
The highest leader of the prison, along with the entire nation, paid special attention to Q. For now, Q seemed like a law-abiding citizen, but such dangerous talent was uncontrollable. Reluctantly, they needed to know who Q was before they could apprehend them.
Then again, perhaps it was best not to be too greedy. Having Dark in their custody was already a significant achievement, especially considering that many countries couldn't locate her two years ago.
Meanwhile, Q, who had attracted everyone's attention, was walking in the park with Nuannuan, while Ermao trotted alongside, carrying Nuannuan's water bottle in its mouth.
"Thank you, Ermao," Nuannuan said softly, reaching out to stroke Ermao's nose.
"Mmmph~" Ermao whimpered quietly and nudged Nuannuan's hand.
"Ao ao~" (Nuannuan, don't thank him.) Qiuqiu turned back and barked indignantly.
"Qiuqiu, you've worked hard too!" Nuannuan, adhering to the principle of impartiality, also offered words of appreciation to Qiuqiu.
"Aow~" (It's no trouble, Nuannuan isn't heavy at all.)
"I didn't expect Ermao to like Nuannuan so much. He's usually so sensible and obedient, but it's hard for him to get close to others," Chen Cong said, watching the girl and the two dogs ahead.
"That shows our Miss Nuannuan has charm, that even animals can't resist," Uncle Li agreed, nodding with a proud expression.
Uncle Li was accompanying Nuannuan today. Since Ye Jingzhi had left, Chen Cong had met many of Nuannuan's family members.
The first time Ye Jinghuai brought Nuannuan, he was too nervous to speak. After a few more encounters, he realized that the entire Ye family was very approachable.
"Nuannuan is very adorable. I wish I had a daughter too."
Chen Cong scratched the back of his head bashfully. After his divorce, he had lived alone. It was only after getting Ermao that his life was no longer lonely.
"Uncle Li, I have a humble request." Chen Cong thought for a moment before deciding to speak.
"Does Xiao Chen have something difficult to ask?"
Uncle Li was somewhat surprised. He had known Chen Cong for a while, and even after learning of Miss Nuannuan's identity, Chen Cong hadn't tried to curry favor. Now he had a request?
"Uncle Li, Ermao is like my child. However, my company is sending me abroad for two years. I can't take Ermao with me, so I'd like to entrust him to your family," Chen Cong said earnestly, his eyes filled with reluctance.
"I see Ermao gets along with Nuannuan and Qiuqiu as well. If he goes to the Ye family, he certainly won't be mistreated. I have no attachments here in the country except for Ermao. If possible, I'd like you to help me take care of Ermao. If I can return, I will come to pick him up."
"You see, Ermao is very obedient, even smarter than most dogs. He's perfectly capable of guarding the house," Chen Cong said, his eyes already welling up with tears.
"Xiao Chen, this is not a difficult matter. As long as Miss Nuannuan likes him, our young master will not object," Uncle Li said, patting his shoulder reassuringly.
"Then I'll talk to Nuannuan about it later."
When Nuannuan returned after her walk, Chen Cong stepped forward and explained his intentions.
"Shushu wants Nuannuan to take Ermao home?" Nuannuan looked up at Chen Cong.
"Yes! Uncle isn't comfortable leaving Ermao with anyone else. I believe Nuannuan will take good care of Ermao, won't you?"
"Mhm~ But Ermao will miss Shushu." Nuannuan looked at Ermao, who was oblivious to their conversation.
"Ao ao~" (Little brother, I'll protect you from now on.) Qiuqiu overheard their conversation and generously stepped forward to comfort Ermao.
"Woof woof woof~" Ermao barked a few times at Chen Cong.
"Ermao, I told you I'd find you a new owner. Do you remember?" Chen Cong squatted down and stroked Ermao's head.
"Mmm, mmm~" Ermao kept nuzzling Chen Cong, his voice filled with distress.
"Ermao, I'll miss you too, but I really can't take you this time. When I come back, I'll come to pick you up, okay?" Chen Cong cupped Ermao's face and spoke to him earnestly.
Ermao seemed to understand his owner's intentions, lifting his front paws to rest on his shoulders. The master and pet embraced silently.
The day Chen Cong left, he brought Ermao over, along with many of Ermao's usual belongings.
Ermao sat quietly to the side, watching Chen Cong give instructions to Uncle Li. As Chen Cong prepared to leave, he hugged Ermao one last time, then bit the bullet and got into the car.
Ermao immediately got up and chased after Chen Cong's car at full speed.
"Ermao!" Nuannuan shouted from behind.
"Ao ao~" (I'm going!) Qiuqiu also chased after them.
Chen Cong saw Ermao still chasing in the rearview mirror and poked his head out of the rear window.
"Go back, Ermao! Aren't you listening?"
"Woof woof woof~" Ermao obediently stopped and watched the car drive away.
"Ao ao~" (Little brother, don't be sad. I'll share my meat with you from now on.) Qiuqiu chased after them and sat beside Ermao to comfort him.
Ermao remained in his stationary posture, not making a sound or moving away.