Algorithm system

Martian codeword?That tech hooligan, who was constantly trending, generated another trending topic—Musk consecutively posted multiple long strings of characters on his personal social media account.

Many people left comments asking him why he was doing this.

He only replied with one message: ”He’s talking to the bro he’s been searching for, this is a Martian cipher.”

That’s right, he communicated with that mysterious person by posting encrypted strings on his personal social accounts, where everyone could see them.

Of course, that mysterious person was naturally Lin Yuan.

Musk used the public key A he obtained from the mysterious person to encrypt the content he wanted to write, and then published the encrypted result on the social platform.

Then Lin Yuan would decrypt it using the private key B he had on hand.

When Lin Yuan wanted to reply, he would randomly spin up a temporary server on the external network, shoot out an email within 3 seconds, and then the machine would self-destruct.

Musk thought this method of communication was incredibly cool.

The whole world could see what he posted, but only the person holding private key B could know what he was actually posting.

So, what exactly was Musk posting?

”Bro, you’re really boring!”

”Bro, why are you doing this?”

”Why are you asking me for access to the X platform database? This is a big deal. You know, if people find out I did this, I’ll be in big trouble.”

”But, bro, I’m still willing to do this for you.”

”Oh, by the way, bro, are you a biological female? If so, would you mind if I asked for something insignificant to commemorate our amazing friendship? I’d like to acquire your ovaries.”

Pfft~~, when Lin Yuan decrypted this message, he was having dinner with Xia Ye. Song Xiaoxiao was also there.

Due to the recent conflict with Good Group and now being busy with OCR matters, Lin Yuan wasn’t in the mood to dismiss Song Xiaoxiao. After all, they were friends, and a farewell dismissal couldn’t be done with just a few words.

This dinner was because Lin Yuan hadn’t been back in a long time, and it was a rare occasion for him to be here to accompany Xia Ye for a while.

”What’s wrong?” Xia Ye picked up a tissue to wipe the soup Lin Yuan had sprayed on the table.

”Nothing much, just saw a strange post.”

Lin Yuan admired Musk’s creativity. The fact that he could come up with such an idea was terrifying. Could it be that he was interested in his excellent genes?

Lin Yuan made up his mind that he would specifically send an email to the other party after returning to his dorm, informing him that he was a biological male and that his orientation was perfectly normal, so he should absolutely stop disgusting him with this.

Lin Yuan had previously asked Musk in an email to open up access to the X platform user database for a short period of time.

This was naturally to obtain the relevant network traces of those X platform accounts involved in OCR. Lin Yuan wanted to use these network traces to track down the moles OCR had planted in China.

But Lin Yuan naturally couldn’t directly propose this to Musk. He couldn’t specify that Musk should provide user information for certain specific IDs. Wouldn’t that be showing his hand? The other party would definitely think: Why are you investigating these specific people?

Therefore, Lin Yuan wanted Musk to directly open the user information database to him for a short period. He planned to retrieve the data himself.

As long as the retrieval operation was complex enough, his intentions could be hidden.

”Lin Yuan, why have you been so busy lately?” Xia Ye asked with concern, ”Are things with Good Group still not over?”

”It’s over... but I failed my previous final exams, and my advisor has been making me do make-up experiments recently.”

”Then you must take care of yourself.”

Lin Yuan had indeed failed his final exams. He had been working like a dog lately; it would be strange if he hadn’t failed.

But the reason he hadn’t been coming back often was naturally to accelerate the resolution of the OCR matter.

Staying in the school dorm allowed many operations to be hidden within the campus network, which would be much less risky.

”What happened to your elbow?” Lin Yuan lifted Xia Ye’s arm. At first glance, a large patch of skin was scraped raw.

Song Xiaoxiao, who was nearby, said, ”She has more injuries on her lower body.”

”Huh?” Lin Yuan didn’t react for a moment.

”Xia Ye is practicing like crazy at the tutoring class; it’d be strange if she didn’t get hurt.” Song Xiaoxiao looked at Xia Ye with a slight reproach, as if the other party was a disobedient child.

Lin Yuan pondered for a moment and understood everything.

Xia Ye was still unwilling to be left too far behind by him, huh.

”I’ve already been fired by Good Group, and I failed two subjects in my final exams. Xia Xia, you really shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Okay?”

Xia Ye glared at Song Xiaoxiao, then had a stubborn expression, ”I don’t believe you. What if I suddenly see you on the news someday, what will I do then...?”

”What do you mean, ’what will you do’?”

”I... I’m afraid I won’t even be qualified to be your mistress then.”

Lin Yuan and Xia Ye shared many things. Xia Ye knew about Lin Yuan’s experience of being dealt with by Good Group. She probably also felt that Lin Yuan was targeted by Good Group precisely because he was too amazing.

”For a big company like Good Group to shamelessly lower themselves to target you already shows how capable you are. Don’t try to trick me with being fired. I used to trust you too much.”

Lin Yuan was a little exasperated, ”This time... your IQ is indeed... a bit higher.”

”Hmph!” Xia Ye turned her head away, ”I will definitely get into Purple Arts. I want to make you look at me with new eyes.”

”Alright, alright, you’ll definitely get in.”

”Your tone clearly shows you don’t believe I can get in.”

Lin Yuan suppressed the corners of his mouth, like coaxing a little brat who was determined to buy a big house for his parents when he grew up.

”No way,” he then gave Song Xiaoxiao a look.

The other party understood instantly, ”That’s right, Xia Ye. Lin Yuan isn’t being sarcastic, you really misunderstood him...”

Lin Yuan didn’t expect Xia Ye to be serious this time. He pulled Xia Ye into the room, took off her pants, and upon careful inspection, found that her knees and calves were covered in bumps from collisions. Especially her toes, which still faintly showed traces of blood.

This girl was rarely so dedicated, so Lin Yuan just let her be.

After all, which parent doesn’t hope their child grows up a bit?

Such minor injuries and pains were truly nothing compared to Lin Yuan’s days of delivering food.

He just found a moment to chat with Song Xiaoxiao, ”You keep an eye on her for me.”

”Keep an eye on her for what? I work part-time, I don’t go to training.”

”Ah? You don’t go?”

”That’s right, I’m not interested in dancing.”

It was only then that Lin Yuan remembered that given Song Xiaoxiao’s current financial situation, it was impossible for her to afford the tens of thousands of yuan for tutoring classes. And he had only signed up Xia Ye for the class.

Lin Yuan hesitated whether to simply sign up Song Xiaoxiao for the class as well, but then he was afraid it would be too abrupt, and wouldn’t he be treating her like a maid?

But after a little consideration, Lin Yuan still spoke, ”May I be so bold as to ask, are you still selling milk tea?”

”Mm.” Song Xiaoxiao nodded gently.

Song Xiaoxiao now seemed to have shed all her past glamour, completely losing her former boldness and the air of worldliness. Only the seductive charm in her eyes was impossible to hide. But Lin Yuan’s focus was clearly not on this.

”Then is it possible, I hire you?” Lin Yuan’s tone was sincere, as he tentatively asked.

”You... are you worried that Xia Ye, that silly girl, will injure herself from practicing?”

”Yes.”

”And hire me to watch her at the training class?”

”Exactly. With you accompanying her, I’ll be at ease.”

Song Xiaoxiao was silent for a long while before finally blurting out, ”You’re really good to Xia Ye.”

Lin Yuan just smiled, ”I don’t want you to feel like I’m using you as a tool, but there’s really no one more suitable than you. I’m busy lately and don’t have time to constantly keep an eye on her. I’m also afraid that simpleton will do something foolish.”

Song Xiaoxiao broke into a radiant smile, ”You don’t want to treat me as a tool, so you’re treating me as a friend?”

Lin Yuan nodded.

Song Xiaoxiao smiled brilliantly, ”Well, since we’re friends, there’s no talk of employment. You... you just need to cover the tutoring class fees. That’s all.”

”But you still need income for your living expenses.”

”It’s fine. You’re covering all the rent and utilities now. Xia Ye is also paying for groceries and meals. I actually don’t have many expenses.”

Lin Yuan didn’t dwell on it further; he was afraid that continuing would hurt Song Xiaoxiao’s pride.

”Alright, then I owe you a favor.”

Lin Yuan had a headache. He had just repaid the favor he owed Song Xiaoxiao, and now he owed another one. Favors were the hardest to repay. It seemed he would have to find Song Xiaoxiao a job in the future.

The two chatted for a long time and then realized they didn’t hear any movement from Xia Ye. Walking into the room, they saw that she had fallen asleep fully clothed. It was clear she was exhausted from dancing all day.

Lin Yuan shook his head slightly, as if looking at a mischievous child, ”Let her sleep, I’m leaving now.”

Song Xiaoxiao was already taking off Xia Ye’s coat. Hearing Lin Yuan say he was leaving, she immediately covered Xia Ye with a blanket and then chased after him.

”Wait.”

”What’s wrong?”

Song Xiaoxiao just looked at Lin Yuan, not speaking.

”You... you...”

”Just say what you want to say, this isn’t like you.”

”Thank you.”

Lin Yuan frowned slightly, ”For the one million? You’ve already thanked me. I told you, you don’t owe me anything.”

”No, it’s for you truly treating me as a friend. How can someone like me be worthy of a friend like you?”

Lin Yuan rubbed his head; he truly hated such emotional moments. ”Song Xiaoxiao, don’t be so hesitant. Your past path was your own making, and your current path is what you’ve earned. If you really want to be my friend, don’t talk to me in such an awkward way. What kind of friends interact like that?”

Lin Yuan had been constantly decrypting Musk’s Martian cipher-like strings lately and was already annoyed; he couldn’t stand Song Xiaoxiao’s riddle-like behavior right now.

”Okay.” Song Xiaoxiao finally seemed to have taken some of it in, becoming less hesitant.

”I’m leaving.” Lin Yuan said, preparing to go out.

”You... you wait.”

”What is it now?”

”I... I...”

Lin Yuan was full of question marks, ”Xia Ye is asleep right now, so even if you have any outrageous things to say, just say them.”

”I didn’t... I usually work at the milk tea shop, and I’ll be there tonight too. I saw her.”

”Who?”

”The Zhang Yan officer who arrested me back then. She often comes to buy milk tea. I chatted with her a bit, and she said she’s currently doing advanced studies.”

”And then?” Lin Yuan hadn’t expected Zhang Yan, that simpleton, to be chatting idly with Song Xiaoxiao. But thinking about it, it made sense; it wasn’t like Zhang Yan could be locked up. With her running around, she was bound to meet Xia Ye and Song Xiaoxiao someday.

It seemed he really needed to find a time to introduce Zhang Yan to Xia Ye, to avoid any misunderstandings.

”Do you know her?”

Lin Yuan instinctively sensed that Song Xiaoxiao seemed to know something. He immediately closed the front door, then glanced at Xia Ye, who was still sound asleep in the room, and then pulled Song Xiaoxiao into the kitchen, closing the sliding door.

”What exactly do you want to ask, or rather, what do you know?”

Song Xiaoxiao allowed Lin Yuan to pull her into the kitchen. Hearing his words, she immediately shook her head repeatedly, ”I don’t mean to pry into your secrets. I’m very grateful to you. I’m not the person I used to be.”

Lin Yuan stopped her, ”You don’t need to explain further. A leopard can’t change its spots, and the old you wasn’t a bad person to begin with. So you don’t need to emphasize this nonsense, just tell me what you know.”

”Are you and Zhang Yan officer very close?”

Lin Yuan’s expression was clouded, ”How did you find out?” This was an implicit admission.

Song Xiaoxiao pointed to the trash can in the kitchen, ”Today, Zhang Yan officer came to buy milk tea again, two cups again, and one of them was Jasmine Light Milk Sugar-Free again. This sugar-free milk tea flavor is a bit bitter and rarely made on weekdays, but she always orders it when she comes. So... I guessed it’s for a regular person.”

Lin Yuan inwardly mocked himself, ’Damn, drinking milk tea actually exposed me.’

That simpleton Zhang Yan insisted on buying him a cup of milk tea every time, and he didn’t like it too sweet. Because he spent a lot of time sitting while coding, he preferred sugar-free to avoid gaining weight.

Song Xiaoxiao continued, ”I remember the serial number on the cup. Number 295 Jasmine Light Milk Sugar-Free, I handed it to her myself.”

He was done for. Lin Yuan had no way to defend himself now.

”So, what do you think my relationship with her is?”

”I don’t know what your relationship is, and I don’t intend to care. But since I know this, I feel I should tell you.”

This damned honesty caught Lin Yuan off guard.

”It’s hard for me to explain to you, can you just pretend you didn’t see it?”

Song Xiaoxiao nodded seriously and forcefully several times, ”Of course I can pretend I didn’t see it. I won’t tell Xia Ye. Moreover, I’ll even help you make sure she doesn’t suspect anything if she sees it.”

”Ah?” Lin Yuan was a little confused by her words.

”Although I don’t know why you’re so amazing, I know that at your level, many things are beyond our understanding as ordinary people. So, I don’t intend to know. I’ll also try my best to keep Xia Ye from knowing. That’s a form of protection for her too.”

Lin Yuan nodded approvingly, ”Then... do I owe you another favor? Is there anything you want?”

”I don’t want anything, things are already great now. What I’m doing isn’t really helping you, but helping Xia Ye. You don’t owe me any favors at all; on the contrary, I owe you a lot. I don’t know how to repay it.

I know... if I were to say those words, it would also be a blasphemy to you.”

Lin Yuan wondered, ’Which words?’ He decided not to ask further. If it really was something outrageous, wouldn’t both of them be awkward?

”I’ll help you take good care of Xia Ye. No, I should be taking good care of her anyway. She’s my family.”

Lin Yuan then opened the sliding door and walked out. Before leaving, he glanced at Xia Ye again; she was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.

As the door clicked shut, Song Xiaoxiao stood alone in the living room, feeling lost.

After a long while, Song Xiaoxiao turned and went into the room. She gently took off Xia Ye’s clothes and shoes, then washed her face and covered her with a blanket. Just like treating her own younger sister.

Her mood was very complicated at this moment. She despised the bad thoughts in her mind; she really wanted to experience that embrace, to know what it felt like.

”Xia Ye, if you have a handful of candy, can you give me two? I only want two.”

Xia Ye, however, remained fast asleep.

—

Walking on the road, Lin Yuan saw that Musk had updated another Martian cipher.

He immediately decrypted it using software.

”Bro, although I don’t understand your purpose in accessing the X platform user database. But bro, I’m still willing to open it up for you once.

At this time tomorrow, which is the time I publish this update, I will open a hidden link. You will have a one-minute window through this link.

I will not keep any records of your access, so bro, you don’t need to hide your purpose, make good use of this one minute. I guarantee it on my mother’s name.

But bro, you only have one minute, just one minute.”