Chapter 13: The End

The next day, as many people were eagerly waiting, Qihu’s official website updated its Security Guard. One just needed to download the Security Guard, and when the ‘Eternal Heart’ virus was detected, they would be alerted and the virus would be removed immediately.

For locked computers, one only needed to download the antivirus software onto a USB drive, plug it into the infected computer, and run it, and the computer screen would automatically unlock.

This news excited all the media, and they spread the word right away.

Seeing the news alert on his phone, Zhang Hai was overjoyed.

He had heard yesterday that Qihu Company had developed an antivirus program. He did not sleep the whole night, waiting for Qihu’s update today.

His computer contained his engineering design drawings. After it got infected with the virus, he could not redesign them even if he tried.

He had to submit the drawings today. If he failed to submit them, he might lose his job.

His wife had just given birth, and money was needed everywhere. Losing his job at this time would be a huge blow to him.

After a difficult night of waiting, the update finally arrived.

Zhang Hai felt like crying.

With trembling hands, he logged into Qihu’s official website on a nearby computer and downloaded the Security Guard. As soon as it finished downloading, he eagerly plugged the USB drive containing the Security Guard into a computer locked behind a metal door nearby.

Following the instructions, he pressed a few keys on the keyboard. When he saw the virus scan screen, he could not hide his excitement.

Two minutes later, when he saw the familiar computer screen, Zhang Hai laughed wildly.

It really worked.

The days of worry were finally over. After transferring the engineering design drawings to the USB drive, Zhang Hai rushed to his company right away.

Similar scenes happened in many places. Many people’s important documents were saved thanks to Qihu Company’s Security Guard update.

Many people cried with joy. Some had important files and research data stored on their computers. With only half a day left before the files would be destroyed, Qihu’s Security Guard pulled them back from despair.

Within just half an hour after Qihu Security Guard was updated, hundreds of thousands of users had updated it. Soon, screenshots of computers scanning and removing ‘Eternal Heart’ were posted on Weibo.

Qihu Company’s antivirus software topped the trending searches again and occupied the headlines of major news outlets. The name Qihu spread throughout Huaxia.

As major news media reported on it, the number of Security Guard users steadily increased.

The updated Qihu Security Guard appeared on some foreign websites and forums in less than half an hour. Within an hour, the software was downloaded over a million times.

The antivirus software also made headlines in media across different countries, providing almost free advertising.

Not long after, on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, major companies, exchanges, and hospitals that had been attacked by the virus posted thank-you letters to Qihu Company.

Qihu Company gained a lot of attention, its reputation improved, and its user base grew quickly. Its market share in computer antivirus software increased, and so did the usage of Qihu’s other software and products like its browser.

This situation made Qihu’s executives feel relieved. They thought spending money to buy the antivirus program was a very wise decision.

The global virus crisis came to an end in just one day.

Although the virus crisis was resolved, security personnel in various countries continued to investigate the hacker group.

The first ransomware outbreak had spread worldwide. Now the second ransomware outbreak was even more terrifying than the last.

Until this hacker group was found, no one could say for sure when a third ransomware crisis might happen.

Although this virus crisis was larger in scale than the last one, the hacker group behind it had worse luck. Even though the scale was bigger, the companies did not give in to them. Last time, they made over a hundred thousand dollars, but this time, they made less than a hundred thousand.

The biggest beneficiary of this virus incident was Qihu Company.

But there was another beneficiary too.

Qihu Company acted as a cover and deliberately kept it secret, so only a few people knew that the person who really solved the virus crisis was a young man from Binhai City.

In the gym.

Chen Mo wore boxing gloves and was sweating heavily. The punching bag in front of him seemed to groan under his fists.

The virus crisis seemed to have nothing to do with him. He did not want too much attention from this matter, which was why he quietly sold the program to Qihu Company.

During this time, going to the gym had become a daily routine for him. After his Potential Exploitation, he came here to get used to his strength.

It had been almost half a month, and he had now adapted to his body’s strength.

Chen Mo had also trained for a while in the combat skills recorded in the Human Potential Exploitation technology and had a basic grasp of them.

He felt very strong now, but without a real fight, he did not know how strong he really was. After training for a while, he stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Checking the time, Chen Mo raised his eyebrows and quickly packed his things to hurry back to his rented apartment.

After a quick shower, he put on a comfortable T-shirt and casual pants. Then Chen Mo rode his bicycle quickly to the school dormitory area.

It was the weekend, and he had made plans with Xiaoyu to go out.

They had been in a relationship for a while, but this was their first real date.

Before, they always spent time in the library, which made him feel a bit sorry for Xiaoyu. Now that things had settled down, Chen Mo wanted to relax and spend some time with Xiaoyu.

Just as he rode his bicycle to the dormitory area, he saw Xiaoyu coming downstairs.

“I almost late.” Chen Mo stopped in front of Xiaoyu.

His eyes landed on Xiaoyu, and they lit up. Today, Xiaoyu had clearly dressed up with care.

She wore light makeup and an elegant floral dress. Her long hair was tied up, with two strands of hair framing her forehead.

Maybe because she grew up by the sea, Xiaoyu had a bit of a wild side that other girls did not have. This wildness and her unique gentleness combined perfectly in her, making her calm and elegant, with a fresh and lovely charm that one never tired of seeing.

Noticing Chen Mo staring at her, Xiaoyu’s cheeks turned slightly pink.

This was their first real date. Even though they had been together for a while, she was still a bit nervous. For this, she had specially taken out her treasured dress, and Ruoxi and the others had teased her about it.

But seeing Chen Mo’s reaction made her secretly happy.

“I’ll go park my bicycle. Wait for me here.” Chen Mo snapped out of it and said.

“No need to park it.” Xiaoyu stopped Chen Mo. “Take me out on your bicycle.”

“Is that okay?” Chen Mo said.

“It’s fine. I want to see the night view of Binhai City.” Xiaoyu said. “Can we?”

“Sure.” Chen Mo agreed right away.

Xiaoyu went and sat sideways on the bicycle’s back seat, wrapping her right arm around his waist. Feeling her hand on his waist and the warmth from her against his back, Chen Mo smiled knowingly.

“Are you sitting comfortably?” Chen Mo said.

“Yes.” Xiaoyu smoothed her dress and said.

“Then let’s go.”

As night just fell on the Binhai University campus, there were now two more figures making others feel single.

“Damn, not fair! I have a bicycle too, why don’t I have such a pretty girl sitting behind me?”

“He’s a winner in life. Why haven’t I met such a great girl?”

“Even an ordinary guy can have his day.”

“This must be the legendary ‘laughing on the back of a bicycle.’ Look at that girl—she looks so happy and content.”

On the campus paths, envious and jealous looks followed the two of them. Mainly, Xiaoyu sitting on the back of the bicycle was too eye-catching and attracted a lot of attention.

Under everyone’s gaze, the two left Binhai University.