Pausing in confusion, Zhou Hanxiang didn't quite understand: "Does destroying data take that long?"
"Very long. With 10,000 units, the software has to copy them one by one. Without knowing where your target data is stored, we can't estimate how long it'll take to reach them. Processing everything would take at least seven days."
"This—" Hanxiang bit her lip.
"If you don't want to wait, you'll need to give me more precise information. The more details you provide, the faster we can locate your target among these 10,000 units."
After surveying the massive data center, Zhou Hanxiang finally admitted: "I want to destroy research materials belonging to Ulen Hibiki and Via Hibiki."
"Stand by."
With clear targets identified, the hacker demonstrated their skills. Within moments, they instructed: "From the main entrance, go to the seventh row on the left, walk straight to the second intersection, then third cabinet on the right."
Following directions, Hanxiang reached the cabinet.
"Sixth shelf from top, positions four through nine from left. Eleventh shelf, positions one through five. I've traced these storage devices as those used by Ulen Hibiki and Via Hibiki through their office computer access logs."
Staring at the storage devices, Hanxiang suddenly asked: "Can I just smash them all? Physical destruction should erase the data too."
The hacker paused before responding hesitantly: "Technically yes, but you'd face 'destruction of company property' charges afterward. Alia mentioned your primary goal was leaving safely, wasn't it?"
"Right." Hanxiang frowned, then had a sudden inspiration as her gaze shifted to another shelf. "Are these definitely all the storage devices they used?"
"According to my search, yes. Just connect your phone via cable to transfer the 'Shredder' software. It will automatically scramble and reorganize the data—the longer it runs, the more thorough the erasure."
"Thanks."
After hanging up, Hanxiang's expression darkened considerably.
She closed her eyes, her fingers hovering uncertainly over the storage devices in the cabinet.
Her uncanny sixth sense activated. When she reopened her eyes, her finger pointed to a different location than the hacker had specified.
Suspicion flared. Hanxiang stared at her darkened phone screen, torn between options.
Was the hacker simply incompetent and missed something?
Or did they have ulterior motives?
After careful consideration, she trusted her instincts over a stranger's instructions. Resolving not to follow the hacker's plan, she began rearranging the identical-looking storage devices in the cabinet.
Not only were items exchanged within the same cabinet, but they also moved back and forth between different cabinets.
After more than ten minutes, Zhou Hanxiang gasped for breath, her protective suit stiflingly hot and drenched in sweat.
Following the hacker's instructions, she then transferred the software to the storage device—though the location was the same, it was no longer the original one.
She didn't leave but stayed quietly until Weber came looking for her an hour later.
Zhou Hanxiang's gaze fell once more on the storage device that had caught her attention earlier. She felt certain it contained the most crucial data about Zhou Tianming.
Just to be safe, Hanxiang ran far away, removed a storage device from a corner several rows over, and swapped it out. As she raised it high, intending to smash it, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
In the end, she trusted her instincts and didn't destroy it, but she couldn't take it with her either—it might be discovered.
So while waiting for the neutralizing agent to take effect, she slipped away alone and hid it in a corner she'd discovered during her cleaning rounds.
After reuniting with Weber...
"You two rest for now. I need to edit the footage and release it. Leave the next part to me."
Alia's voice was icy with anger.
At that moment, Zhou Hanxiang asked, "Alia, where did you find that hacker earlier?"
Alia's tone shifted rapidly from cold to warm: "Oh, that? I found them in a novel app called Library. It's a hub for covert messages."
Weber froze, eyes widening in disbelief. "Library? The one I always read novels on? How come I never knew?"
"Of course you wouldn't see it. Ever heard of big data? What I see and what you see are completely different. Besides, not everyone writes novels—most use them as codebooks."
Weber clutched his head, feeling his worldview being reshaped.
When Zhou Hanxiang heard the word "Library," a faint unease prickled at her, though she sensed no danger.
"Does Sister still want to find that hacker?"
"No." Hanxiang hesitated. Though they'd never met, she had a good impression of Alia. After a brief pause, she added, "That hacker was sloppy. Something feels off."
After a moment of silence, Alia replied, "Understood. I'll look into it."
...
Space, Siegel's shuttle.
Thanks to the repair crew's efforts, the shuttle's thrusters reignited, operating at 60% capacity. After lingering for so long, the shuttle quickly distanced itself from the sector.
In the infirmary, Zhou Tianming was jolted awake by the vibrations of the shuttle's launch.
The moment his eyes opened, he sat up sharply, scanning his surroundings warily. Realizing he wasn't in Mistral's cockpit, he exhaled in relief.
The cramped space was about 10 square meters, with a bed beside a desk and a glass cabinet opposite, filled with small medicine bottles.
Recognizing it as the infirmary, Tianming relaxed. A cool sensation radiated from the wound on his chest.
Looking down, he saw his body neatly wrapped in bandages—far more professional than the amateurish job before. The chill likely came from applied medication.
Testing his movements and feeling no discomfort, he got out of bed.
Just then, the door slid open with a hiss, and a man in a white coat and a red-cross-adorned cap walked in.
Seeing Zhou Tianming get out of bed and approach quickly, the doctor said, "Don't move around. Lie down properly and let your wounds heal. If those injuries tear open again, it'll get worse."
After thinking for a moment and realizing there was nothing urgent to do out of bed, Zhou Tianming obediently climbed back onto the bed and lay down. "Where's Sister Ogsha?"
"Sister?" The doctor looked amused. "You sure have a sweet tongue."
As he spoke, the doctor walked to the desk and pressed the communicator button. "Please inform Lord Siegel and Lady Ogsha that the child has woken up."
"Wait a while. Lord Siegel will be here soon. While you're awake, tell me if there's anywhere else in your body that feels uncomfortable."
Zhou Tianming moved slightly in bed, reporting all the areas that still felt sore one by one.
The doctor quickly typed the information into an ultra-thin tablet with deft fingers.
Before long, there was another swishing sound at the door.
Siegel strode in and immediately grasped Zhou Tianming's hand upon seeing him. "Child, thank you so much for your help. Ogsha has told me about your situation. Don't worry about what comes next—leave it to me."
Hearing this, Zhou Tianming felt somewhat relieved and immediately put on a cute act, responding in a sweet, high-pitched voice, "Thank you, Uncle Siegel~"
The doctor nearby shuddered, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
At the same time, Ogsha, who had just stepped one foot through the door, burst out laughing. "That voice is so sweet. Call me 'Sister' again."
Zhou Tianming pouted but still called out sweetly.
What could he do? The benefits hadn't been secured yet.
Ogsha, holding Lacus in her arms, walked to the bedside and sat down sideways. Siegel motioned for the doctor to leave before taking a seat beside the bed.
The cheerful expression on Zhou Tianming's face gradually settled.
The atmosphere made it clear that negotiations were about to begin.
He started considering his reward.
Should he ask for money, or stay to build connections?