As a Magnate, I Started Checking in at a Convenience Store

Chapter 296: True or False!

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Brother Yang, could you please be more straightforward next time?” Zhou Chao was sitting in Xiao Yang’s office, looking thoroughly disheartened as he gazed at Xiao Yang, who was sipping tea while sitting on an office chair.

“There’s no way around it. It was a sudden assessment from higher-ups, and they wanted it to be treated as a real combat simulation. At first, 1 was worried about how to handle this assessment, but then 1 coincidentally ran into you!”

“So you’re saying the auction we attended before was also a deliberate encounter?” Zhou Chao sat up on the couch, looking puzzled at Xiao Yang.

“Not exactly. It’s just that we have some connections with the Li family, and they happened to send me an invitation. 1 attended it casually, and unexpectedly, I bumped into you. It reminded me of you because of your work on the firewall for their group. We put a lot of effort into trying to crack it, but we never succeeded. So, later on, you know the rest!”

Hearing Xiao Yang’s words, Zhou Chao became a bit flustered. It seemed like many of his actions were known to the higher-ups.

But then Zhou Chao’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant as he looked at Xiao Yang and asked, “Brother Yang, you guys aren’t monitoring me, are you?”

Xiao Yang, seeing Zhou Chao’s change in expression, immediately understood and burst into laughter.

“Why would we bother monitoring you? What’s the benefit in that? It would be a waste of manpower and resources!”

“Then how did you know that the firewall under my group was my creation?” Zhou Chao stared fixedly at Xiao Yang.

“Oh? About that matter, you forgot about your last cyber battle? You didn’t clean up the traces afterward. If it weren’t for me having someone clean it up for you, you would’ve been exposed a long time ago. Don’t underestimate the domestic scene; we have world-class hackers too. It was one of them who helped during the cleanup. While clearing the remnants, they noticed your integrated attack and defense system. They researched it for a while and thought it was pretty good!”

Zhou Chao felt slightly embarrassed upon hearing this. He recalled that at the time, he hadn’t paid much attention to clearing up any residual traces. After all, his defense system had successfully repelled wave after wave of attacks, making him proud and dismissive of any afterthoughts. Little did he know that someone observant had taken notice.

“So, does this mean I should thank you?” Zhou Chao finally realized that he was the victim today, falling into a trap set by someone else.

“Ahem, if you really want to thank me, just say ‘thank you’ to me!”

“F*ck off! What should we do about today’s situation? You treated me like a fool and handled everything as if 1 were naive. If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll call Old Master and complain!”

“No, no, please don’t. If Old Master finds out, he’ll skin me alive!” Xiao Yang’s spirits immediately deflated upon hearing Zhou Chao threaten to call his grandfather. If Xiao Lao, his grandfather, found out that Xiao Yang had played a trick on him, he’d be in deep trouble.

“Then tell me, how are you going to compensate me?” Zhou Chao leaned back with his legs crossed, looking smugly at Xiao Yang.

“All, tell me!”

Zhou Chao looked at Xiao Yang, who appeared dejected, and said, “I haven’t smoked in a while. Just give me seven or eight packs, and that’ll be enough!” Xiao Yang’s face immediately changed upon hearing this. “No, absolutely not! Even if it means getting beaten by my grandpa, I won’t do that. Seven or eight packs? I barely have five packs myself. Do you expect me to rob them for you?”

Zhou Chao’s smile widened when he heard there were five packs available.

“Alright, how about three packs, and you can keep two for yourself?”

“No, just one pack!”

“Three packs!”

“One pack!”

“Two packs!”

“Deal!”

They had initially thought there would be more haggling, but Xiao Yang agreed outright.

“Two packs of cigarettes and a meal! When I return to Jingdu, you’ll have to treat me to a big meal!”

“Deal!” Zhou Chao took out two packs of cigarettes and casually placed them on the table. Xiao Yang didn’t seem to care much about the meal offer.

“Brother Yang, how long are you planning to stay here?” Zhou Chao picked up one of Xiao Yang’s specially made cigarettes, lit it, and gave one to Xiao Yang as well. He then nonchalantly placed one in his pocket.

“I’m not sure yet. The assessment has just begun, and there may be more to come.”

Zhou Chao nodded in response and remained silent.

“By the way, Chao, the facial recognition system you created, I’ve taken it for research. Maybe we can use it for public security purposes later.”

“Yeah, feel free to use it!” Zhou Chao was curious as to why facial recognition hadn’t been widely integrated into surveillance systems yet. Currently, it was mainly used for internal screening within the public security system and hadn’t been extended to the traffic police department. Hence, personnel tracking still relied on human eyes rather than automatic recognition, as Zhou Chao had implemented.

Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Zhou Chao’s phone, which was placed on the table, rang.

“Brother Yang, let me take this call.” Zhou Chao didn’t try to avoid Xiao Yang and directly answered the phone.

“Hello, Young Master Zhou, where are you?” It was Li Hao’s voice coming from the other end of the line.

“Oh, I’m…,” Zhou Chao was about to say that he was with Xiao Yang when he saw Xiao Yang gesturing to him to play along.

“What? What did you say just now? I couldn’t hear you!”

“Um, I’m just wandering around outside. Are you done with your work?” Zhou Chao casually gave a vague response.

“I’m done and feeling so exhausted, but my old man is quite satisfied with the auction this time. By the way, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight. You’ve been on Hong Kong Island for several days, and I haven’t had a chance to hang out with you. So, give me a chance to make up for my previous neglect tonight!” “Alright, where should we eat tonight? I’ll come over directly!”

“I’ll send you the location in a moment, and when you arrive, give me a call!”

“Sounds good!” Zhou Chao hung up the phone and shortly received the address sent by Li Hao.

“Brother Yang, 1 won’t stay here any longer. I’ll head out now.” Zhou Chao checked the time; it was already past 6 p.m., and it would take him about an hour to drive to the location.

“Well, I won’t keep you. Just remember not to mention today’s events to anyone, especially don’t mention that you were with me. Understand?”

“I understand what’s going on.” Zhou Chao stood up, opened the office door, and walked out, with Xiao Yang following him.

As Zhou Chao stepped outside, he saw Xiao Qin and Ming Ming sitting in chairs, chatting. When they noticed Zhou Chao and Xiao Yang coming out, they quickly fell silent.

“Brother Yang, I’m leaving for now. 1’11 contact you if anything comes up.” “Alright, drive safely!”

Zhou Chao nodded in response, opened the door of his Mercedes, got in, and waved to the others before driving away.

“Boss, why did you say it was an assessment earlier? We didn’t come specifically to apprehend someone, and this person is one of ours, right?” Ming Ming asked with a puzzled expression after Zhou Chao’s car had disappeared from view.

“He has his own path to follow. We shouldn’t drag him into our circle. How’s the situation on your end?”

“Hehe, Boss, you won’t believe it. We tracked him down directly based on the address. He looked completely bewildered at the time. It was so funny!”

“Alright, let’s put an end to this matter here. Keep it to yourselves.”

“Yes, Boss!”