"Mom! Your computer's emergency response system seems to indicate an intrusion," An'an called out anxiously, lifting his head from behind the laptop.
"Don't worry, I'll take a look," Huo Rou replied with her usual gentle expression. She handed the painting to Xia Qingxue and walked directly to the computer to sit down.
Xia Qingxue held the personally painted artwork by Huo Rou, which she had longed for, and tears streamed down her face. She slowly rolled up the painting and carefully placed it in the room.
Meanwhile, Huo Rou brought up a window, and data refreshed rapidly. A flicker of interest appeared in her calm eyes.
If Ren Zhen hadn't attacked two days ago, causing her to strengthen her computer's defenses, her home would have already been breached.
This time, the attacks were occurring in several places simultaneously, demonstrating a degree of organization and discipline, with a clear method.
Huo Rou rested her chin on her left hand and curved her lips as she opened her phone to check the chat messages in the group.
[Keyboard: This is interesting. Their defenses are quite robust; I can't find a way in for the moment.]
[Bifang: Yeah, I tried to attack a few days ago and was discovered. They've likely reinforced their systems.]
[Panda: You're not much help, no wonder you can't find a girlfriend.]
[Keyboard: Bifang, let's coordinate. They aren't actively using the computer now, let's seize the opportunity.]
Huo Rou's fingertips lightly swiped as she watched them discuss their strategy and tactics, nodding along as she read.
After a long while, there was no progress. Keyboard, this tech enthusiast, grew more excited when encountering a difficult problem.
[Keyboard: Wow, this is really strong. Once we get in, I must delve into their computer to see which big shot it is. I want to invite them to join us.]
[Bifang: They spoke to me on my computer and refused to join.]
[Panda: Whoa whoa whoa, that's amazing. They even got into your computer to chat with you. I want to meet them, add me.]
[Keyboard: Come on, let's do this together.]
Huo Rou understood at this point who was involved in the remaining location.
For the entire afternoon, the three of them were in the group chat researching how to break through her firewall. They were clearly idle.
Skipping over their audacious act of challenging her authority, she scrolled the logs to the very bottom.
[Keyboard: Yes, just like that. I feel like there's hope.]
"Hope?" Huo Rou softly uttered the word, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes.
She put down her phone and rubbed her hands.
Then, let's play together.
Before the three of them could celebrate, the progress bar stalled at ninety-nine percent.
[Panda: Keyboard, what's going on?]
Huo Rou's movements didn't stop. She glanced at the phone's chat interface. It took quite some time for her to receive a reply after Panda sent that message.
[Keyboard: They're back.]
[Panda: Damn it! It was at one percent! They came back at the most opportune moment!]
[Keyboard: Plan B.]
It was evident from these three words, sent in great haste, that he hadn't even used his usual punctuation. Huo Rou's smile deepened.
"Keyboard" designed the attack plan on their end, Panda's rapid typing implemented the plan, and Ren Zhen probed every node.
Seeing their earnest efforts, Huo Rou paused her actions and leisurely walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of ice water.
She drank water with her right hand while typing with her left. Her nonchalance provided an opportunity for the attacking trio.
The progress bar once again reached ninety-nine percent.
Huo Rou looked at the ninety-nine percent displayed in one of the windows on the computer. She calmly set down the bottle and pressed Enter.
The ninety-nine percent in that window froze and a pop-up window indicated failure.
"As expected, real NPCs are more interesting," Huo Rou mused, looking at their chat messages in the group again. "Perhaps I should look for a job like this to play around with?"
"What kind of job?" An'an asked, looking up from his book with a confused expression.
"I'll find a job, how about it?"
An'an tilted his head and thought, "As long as Mom likes it. If you don't like it, Mom shouldn't go. An'an will earn money to support you."
"You're such a good boy," Huo Rou praised him with a smile.
While mother and son shared a tender moment, the other side was in a furious rage.
[Panda: It stopped at ninety-nine percent again?]
[Qiong Qi: What's wrong with you three? You can't even handle one person?]
[Panda: It's not that we can't handle it.]
[Qiong Qi: Oh? Then why don't you make it one hundred percent!]
[Panda: I haven't finished speaking. It's not that we can't handle it, it's that we seem to have been played.]
[Keyboard: To be precise, it's not 'seem to have been'.]
[Qiong Qi: How many people are on the other side?]
[Bifang: Unsure, probably just one.]
[Qiong Qi: That amazing? The three of you haven't even figured out how many people there are?]
[Keyboard: Plan C.]
Clearly, Plan C was not as eagerly implemented this time. Huo Rou brought up a window displaying Keyboard's computer desktop.
Under Huo Rou's complete supervision, the progress bar of Plan C finally moved to ninety-nine percent again.
Huo Rou pressed Enter once more, resetting their progress bar to zero.
[Panda: I'm going to be depressed. This is clearly them toying with us!]
[Keyboard: Let me think about Plan D.]
[Panda: How about we give up? Bifang can remain single, but I can't afford to lose this life.]
[Keyboard: One more try, I have an idea!]
[Qiong Qi: Panda, don't slack off. Let's end at least one person's single status.]
Huo Rou's fingers flew across the keyboard. This time, it was a direct confrontation.
After Plan D was declared a failure, Panda became less active in the chat.
[Keyboard: Something's not right.]
[Qiong Qi: No way, played again?]
[Keyboard: Not this time. They went straight for it. But I feel like their defensive and offensive style is a bit familiar.]
[Bifang: The way they spoke earlier also felt somewhat familiar.]
[Qiong Qi: If words don't work, let's use force. I have plenty of compromised machines. Let's brute-force them.]
[Bifang: I came here to explain things, not to make enemies. Don't make trouble. If you crash your friend's computer, I'll have no defense.]
[Qiong Qi: Who knows it was you? I'm a bit curious about who the opponent is. It's been a while since you guys took a hit; this is actually quite exciting.]
[Bifang: Don't mess around.]
[Qiong Qi: You're not joining? I'll do it. Keyboard, get ready.]
[Panda: Are we finally going to go all out? Add me! I absolutely have to see who this is!]
[Qiong Qi: Let me prepare. Give me a minute.]
Huo Rou watched as they were led astray by Qiong Qi, the ringleader, and made her appearance in the group chat.
[Chi You: Hm?]
[Panda: Master! You're finally here! I'm being played with to death, please come and avenge us!]
Huo Rou was offended by his literary flair. What did he mean by "played with"? It was just a chat, a reunion.
[Chi You: How was I playing with you?]