By afternoon, Tianlang had received intelligence that the top hacker Mitchell had been apprehended. Mitchell revealed he was targeted while attacking a Chinese company, and claimed China's cyber warfare capabilities had advanced dramatically, posing a potential threat to other nations.
"Hmph," Tianlang snorted.
"Wolf Team, he's saying that deliberately," one of his subordinates remarked. "By praising our country's prowess, he's hoping someone will bail him out. After all, his hacking skills are still quite good."
"Which domestic companies have suffered major attacks?" Tianlang inquired.
"Wolf Team, here are the details," another team member replied, quickly projecting the data onto the main screen.
China faces countless cyberattacks daily, categorized by severity. The ones reaching their level of analysis were all Level 1 and 2 incidents.
Above these were Special-Class and Catastrophic-Class attacks.
However, such high-level assaults were exceedingly rare.
Previously, Special-Class attacks occurred several times a year. Now, China's capabilities were vastly improved, and even one such incident per year was a rare occurrence.
"Hmm?"
Tianlang's gaze fell upon one of the names:
Xu Group.
"When did the Xu Group suffer a Level 2 network attack?" he asked.
The man displaying the data replied, "Wolf Team, the Xu Group experienced a Level 2 network attack yesterday and another today. They successfully repelled both attacks."
"The Xu Group's network defenses are quite impressive," Tianlang's eyes narrowed slightly.
Mitchell was arrested today. Could there be a connection between these two events?
Tianlang returned to his office.
*Beep! Beep!*
He quickly dialed Lin Chen's number.
"Mr. Lin, is your network technology exceptionally advanced?" Tianlang inquired.
Lin Chen didn't hide the truth. He chuckled lightly. "Not exceptionally advanced, just average. Tianlang, aren't you a wolf? Are wolves' noses really that sharp?"
Tianlang: "..."
"Mr. Lin, you'd best keep this ability hidden. We'll attribute the success to our national cyber police. If hostile nations learn of your network capabilities, they'll have another reason to eliminate you completely," Tianlang said gravely.
Top-tier hackers are feared by nations worldwide. When they go rogue, they can unleash devastating destruction.
"Understood."
"I rarely use this ability. I wouldn't have intervened this time if it weren't for the sophisticated hacker attack against me," Lin Chen said calmly.
"So Mitchell's arrest was indeed your doing. He committed numerous crimes in our country. It's a shame; it would have been better if our own authorities had apprehended him," Tianlang said with a hint of regret.
"I considered threatening him into coming to China, but I decided against stirring up more trouble. If I hadn't reported him directly to the police, he likely would have slipped away," Lin Chen explained.
"There weren't many surveillance cameras near where he was," Tianlang added. "If he'd escaped into the vast crowds, tracking him down would have been extremely difficult."
"I'm just a little disappointed, but reporting him to the local police was the right move," Tianlang conceded. "He'll face trial now."
"Mr. Lin, have you strengthened the Xu Group's defenses?"
"I just set up a honeypot," Lin Chen replied. "Tianlang, the nation's top cybersecurity talent should be no less capable than me. Don't even think about trying to recruit me."
"I'm just protecting the Xu Group."
Tianlang's voice came through the phone: "That's perfect, Mr. Lin. Stick to that story if anyone asks."
"Don't stir up trouble; our security is already stretched thin."
After a few more exchanges, Lin Chen hung up.
Lin Xiaoqian was napping. Lin Chen sat at his keyboard, fingers flying as he designed the drone he envisioned.
His quality requirements for the drone far surpassed those for typical civilian products. It needed superior anti-interference capabilities, longer endurance, and overall performance that would outclass its civilian counterparts. As a Grandmaster-level aircraft manufacturer, Lin Chen had mastered both existing and emerging technologies.
After two hours of intense work, a faint smile appeared on his face.
*Done!*
With a vast amount of information stored in his mind, he could easily output it. Designing the drone in two hours was no problem at all.
Lin Chen had detailed every component's specifications, down to the exact materials to be used.
"Honey, I've sent you the drone design blueprints."
"Get them manufactured as quickly as possible."
Lin Chen sent the design files to Xu Mengyao.
Xu Mengyao replied, "Darling, I'll arrange it immediately. With the materials on hand, we can produce a thousand drones in at most three days."
The company's assembly line could churn out that many in a single day at full speed. However, since this was Lin Chen's own design, they needed a little extra time to ensure perfect execution.
"My requirements are a bit high, but they're all realistic. I should be able to find suppliers for everything."
Lin Chen sent a message.
"That's good... If everything goes smoothly, it should only take two days."
Xu Mengyao replied.
Lin Xiaoqian pushed open the study door. "Daddy, I knew you'd be here! Are you still working, Daddy?"
Lin Chen picked her up affectionately. "Daddy's done working for now. Let's continue your massage."
The bump on Lin Xiaoqian's head was still there, but it had shrunk.
"Mmm-hmm."
"Daddy, I'll give you a kiss."
Lin Xiaoqian planted a kiss on Lin Chen's cheek.
Lin Chen carried her to the living room and sat on the sofa, continuing her massage. He massaged her every morning, afternoon, and evening.
Lin Xiaoqian was recovering well.
His experience with Ancient Medical Arts was skyrocketing.
After the massage, Lin Chen mentally asked, "System, how many hours of experience have I gained in Ancient Medical Arts?"
The System replied, "Host, you currently have 45 hours of experience."
A faint smile spread across Lin Chen's face.
He had gained a significant amount of Ancient Medical Arts experience over the past two days.
Lin Xiaoqian should be fully recovered by tomorrow. He could continue grinding for experience and likely reach over 50 hours.
The Ancient Medical Arts were getting closer to the Grandmaster level!
*Ring ring!*
Lin Chen's phone suddenly rang.
It was Song Qingquan.
Lin Chen answered, and Song Qingquan's voice, heavy with grief, came through the line: "Brother Lin, my father... he's passed away."
Lin Chen froze.
He asked in disbelief, "Brother Song, Old Song is dead? He should have had at least half a month left, even though his lifespan was short. How could he have died so soon?"
Song Qingquan paused on the other end.
"Brother Lin, you knew my father's lifespan was dwindling?"
"Yes... I examined Old Song. During his birthday, my pulse diagnosis indicated he had about twenty-odd days left. Only a week has passed. Why is this happening?"
Song Qingquan replied bitterly, "Perhaps this is just the unpredictability of life."
"My father hadn't even divided the family assets yet. With his passing, the Song Family might face upheaval. I wanted to let you know in advance."
Lin Chen sighed softly. "My personal impact is trivial."
"Brother Song, please accept my condolences!"
"Hmm... Brother Lin, I'll hang up now. I still need to inform the others."
"Understood."
Song Qingquan hung up.
Lin Chen frowned inwardly. Old Song had died so much earlier than expected.
"System, is this normal?"
Lin Chen asked in his mind.
**System**: Host, that's for you to judge.
**Lin Chen**: "Judge for myself... Well, I don't think it's right."
He muttered to himself.
His examination had clearly shown that Old Song had at least twenty more days to live. How could he have died in just about a week?
**Chapter 239: System Space Expands! (1/2)**
**Song Family**
Song Shize, Song Shikang, and Song Qingquan, the three brothers, had all returned, along with many other members of the Song Family.
Old Song lay quietly on the bed, already deceased.
"Dad, how could you leave so soon?"
"Dad—"
Song Shikang's wife burst into the room, wailing loudly.
Song Shize frowned inwardly. *Who is she trying to impress with this act?* She had been the most unfilial daughter-in-law when her father-in-law was alive.
"Eldest Brother, I have something to say," Song Shikang said gravely.
"Go ahead," Song Shize nodded.
"Dad was doing quite well just a few days ago. How could he have suddenly collapsed? You're home more often. Has Dad been acting strangely lately?"
Song Shize frowned. "I wasn't home today. I had something to attend to."
"Big Brother, should we ask the household staff and doctors?" Song Shikang inquired.
"Yes," Song Shize replied.
Soon, several nannies and two private doctors were summoned. Each of them felt anxious, knowing the Song Family was an overwhelming power. *Would Old Song's death be blamed on them?*
Song Shize said, "Tell us everything about Father's condition today. Report any suspicious details."
"Yes," the nannies and doctors replied in unison.
They began detailing the day's events. Everything had been normal in the morning, and Old Song had even practiced Tai Chi.
"At noon... the old master didn't eat the dishes we prepared. He ate food sent by Miss Wan'er," one of the nannies, who also served as the cook, said. "He seemed to enjoy it very much."
Song Shikang exclaimed, "What? My father ate outside food for lunch?"
The woman's face paled, and she replied nervously, "Yes. We tried to dissuade him, but he insisted. The dishes were sent by Miss Wan'er, so we assumed they were safe."
Song Qingquan's face darkened.
"Third Brother, what's going on?"
"Wan'er doesn't usually interact with the outside world much. Why would she suddenly send food to Father at this time?"
Song Shikang asked, puzzled. "Don't misunderstand me, I'm not questioning her. Father's condition might not have anything to do with this. I just want to understand the situation."
Song Qingquan pulled out his phone and dialed his daughter, Song Wan.
He owned a house in the Imperial Capital where Song Wan lived, separate from the Song Family's grand mansion.
Song Wan was still unaware of her grandfather's sudden death.
"Wan'er, did you send food to Grandpa?" Song Qingquan asked.
"I did, Father," Song Wan replied. "Grandpa was so kind to me, I wanted to share some delicious food with him."
"Father, does Grandpa want more? Should I send another portion or two?"
After a moment of silence, Song Qingquan said, "Wan'er, Grandpa is gone. He's left us forever. Get ready and come out. Someone will pick you up and bring you here."
Song Wan froze on the other end of the line.
*Her grandfather is dead?*
"No... that's impossible."
"Grandpa was fine just a few days ago. How could this have happened so suddenly—"
Song Wan's face turned pale. *Could it be that Grandpa ate the dish I made for him? Was it unsuitable for him?*
"Wan'er, don't overthink it."
"Come over here first."
After saying this, Song Qingquan hung up the phone.
"Third Brother, make a call and find out what happened," Song Shize said to Song Qingquan.
Song Qingquan understood what Song Shize meant. He wanted him to ask Lin Chen if the dish had any negative effects.
Song Shikang interjected, "Big Brother, Third Brother, what's going on that we don't know? Let's just make the call right here."
"We should all hear it."
Song Qingquan had been about to step aside to make the call, but hearing Song Shikang's words, he dialed Lin Chen's number on the spot. "Young Master Lin, is this a convenient time to talk?"
Lin Chen let Lin Xiaoqian play by herself for a while.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)