Chapter 246: Another Day of Broken Defenses
"The security system’s level will be customized based on the permit level you approve for Miss Yun’s private manor."
The implication was clear: if they only granted Yun Zijin usage rights to the private manor, the security system she provided would only be a basic model.
Of course, even Mei Lin’s "basic" model was far more advanced than their current security system.
"Are you so certain we have to use your security system?"
The cybersecurity department had just upgraded their system not long ago,
so Yan Shutang felt Mei Lin was just bluffing.
"You’ll know whether you want to use it after tomorrow’s test. Give me the testing location. We’re done talking for today."
Mei Lin seemed completely oblivious to the concept of courtesy, her face remaining expressionless from start to finish.
Yan Shutang gave Mei Lin a long, hard look. "It’s at the Cybersecurity Center. Tomorrow... I hope Miss Yun will be there as well."
By sending only an assistant to negotiate, Yan Shutang felt that Yun Zijin was looking down on them.
"Miss Yun has classes. I am sufficient."
Yan Shutang: ...
’He never imagined they would end up needing to partner with an undergraduate student who hadn’t even graduated yet.’
’But this person she sent...’ Yan Shutang felt he couldn’t get a read on Mei Lin at all.
She was completely expressionless the entire time, making it impossible to read anything from her micro-expressions.
"Isn’t your Miss Yun a senior? Most seniors are out doing internships. She can’t possibly have a full day of classes, can she?"
’As if he hadn’t been an undergrad himself. When *he* was a senior, he was barely ever on campus.’
"Miss Yun does not need to work."
Yan Shutang felt his composure crack once again.
"Then when is your Miss Yun free tomorrow? Let’s set a time."
Mei Lin paused for a moment before replying, "Miss Yun is going to an art exhibition tomorrow afternoon."
Calling it "visiting an art exhibition" was just a cover; the real purpose was to spend money.
For the new week’s spending task, Yun Zijin had to spend 200 million between Monday and Friday.
Although the settlement period was longer, the amount she had to spend had actually increased slightly. Yun Zijin was now specifically seeking out strange and unusual exhibitions—the more expensive, the better.
"Then let’s schedule it for the morning. Can we try to finish before noon?"
Yan Shutang’s patience was worn thin by Mei Lin. ’It’s "Miss Yun" this, "Miss Yun" that. Is she implying that if we don’t accommodate her Miss Yun’s schedule, the work simply can’t proceed?’
"I will relay the message to Miss Yun. However, whether she attends is her decision."
"Fine, fine, fine! Just hurry back and tell your Miss Yun."
Yan Shutang was afraid that if he had to talk to Mei Lin any longer, he was going to lose it.
"See you tomorrow."
With those final, expressionless words, Mei Lin stood up and left the private room.
Once Mei Lin was gone, Yan Shutang turned to Tang Zhaosong. "Mr. Tang, where on earth did you find this partner? With an attitude like that, is she really serious about this?"
"Miss Yun mentioned this to me. Her assistant prioritizes her above all else and can be a bit... cold toward others. But the woman’s a genius, so you’ll just have to put up with it."
Yan Shutang: ’Damn it!’
’As if he hadn’t been called a genius in his day.’
"Hmph! We’ll see about this ’genius.’ I’m eager to see just how incredible this security system of hers really is, that it managed to impress even you."
Tang Zhaosong wanted to admit that he hadn’t seen Mei Lin’s security system either. He’d only seen the soil composition modification methods she had sent to Yun Zijin.
As for how that project evolved into developing a security system, that was also Mei Lin’s doing. Presumably, only Yun Zijin knew the full story.
*
In a classroom at the university, Yun Zijin received a message from Mei Lin. Learning that they were going to test the new security system the next morning, she felt a sudden surge of anticipation.
She knew Mei Lin was a robot with a vast amount of data stored in her core chip, but she had never seen her capabilities truly put to the test.
’Tomorrow is the day Mei Lin gets to shine.’
"What’s wrong? You look so distracted. I bet you haven’t heard a word of this lecture."
Qin Sitong had noticed Yun Zijin spacing out frequently during class and was a little worried.
’Did something happen?’ she wondered.
"It’s nothing. I just have something tomorrow morning. As for the art exhibition, I’ll come find you at the shop after I’m done."
On a Thursday, most people with jobs were busy. Only an "unemployed vagrant" like Yun Zijin was free.
After asking around, it turned out that only Qin Sitong would be free to join her in the afternoon, after she finished the morning rush at the Wangyou Milk Tea Shop.
"No problem! Come by whenever you’re free. I’m just tagging along to broaden my horizons anyway."
Qin Sitong had never been to an art exhibition before, so she was grateful for Yun Zijin’s invitation.
"We don’t have another class for a while. Are you heading to the shop right away, or waiting until this afternoon?
If you’re going this afternoon, let’s go hang out for a bit! We haven’t gone shopping together in forever."
Ever since Qin Sitong opened the Wangyou Milk Tea Shop, she was always either in class or at the shop. Yun Zijin was worried her friend would work herself sick.
She wanted to take Qin Sitong out to relax whenever she got the chance.
Qin Sitong thought for a moment, then decided to go out with Yun Zijin.
’I’ve been so focused on making money lately,’ she thought, ’but I haven’t spent any of it.’
"Perfect! Let’s go!"
Yun Zijin pulled Qin Sitong straight to her car.
"You got another new car?"
The last one she’d seen was a Rolls-Royce Phantom; today, it was a Ferrari Enzo.
"I bought it a while ago. It’s not good for it to just sit in the garage undriven. Had to take it out for some fresh air."
The Ferrari Enzo was a two-seater, so Yun Zijin slid into the driver’s seat and had Qin Sitong get in the passenger side.
"You know, I think hanging out with you all the time is going to make it really hard for me to find a boyfriend later."
"How so?"
For a moment, Yun Zijin couldn’t follow Qin Sitong’s logic.
"Think about it. One day you’re in a Ferrari, the next a Rolls-Royce, the day after that a Lamborghini.
Hanging out with you, I’ve become totally desensitized to luxury cars.
And another thing—you buy luxury goods like they’re groceries, just piling them up, and you’re always giving me stuff.
I’ve never bought a single luxury item myself, but I’ve already got several complete outfits locked away in my dorm closet.
And it’s not just the outfits—there are all sorts of bags and accessories, even the matching shoes.
All of this has raised my standards through the roof. In the future, if a guy pursues me and can’t do things like this, I’m afraid I’ll just think he’s not really trying.
Tell me, do you think I’ve been corrupted by your money? Am I turning into a gold digger?"
Qin Sitong was genuinely worried. She liked money, sure, but she didn’t want to become a gold digger.
"This is nothing. If they can’t do it, that just means they’re not capable enough. You deserve better.
If you can’t find someone, just live a good life on your own. It’s not like marriage is a requirement."
Yun Zijin wasn’t worried at all. Qin Sitong was now running the Wangyou Milk Tea Shop and was starting to make her own money. Her standards would only get higher in the future, which was a good thing.
A woman should have her own career and strive to be exceptional. Men are just an accessory, not a necessity.