The richest man started taking advantage of loopholes after joining Alibaba.

The air in the interrogation room seemed to freeze.

The red dot was still flashing on the screen.

Each flash felt like a slap across Director Song's face.

The confidential staff member stood at the door, caught in a dilemma.

The urgent telegram in his hand was soaked with sweat.

"Is there anything else?"

Director Song did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the deep red-purple chart of fund flows.

"Director Song..."

The confidential staff member's voice was dry.

"There's another... top-secret report."

"read."

The clerk glanced at Lin Che, who was sitting in a chair as if nothing had happened, and hesitated before speaking.

"I'll make you read it!" Director Song slammed his hand on the table.

The enamel mug jumped up and landed on the ground with a thud.

Tea was spilled all over the floor.

The clerk shuddered, immediately straightened his back, and unfolded the second sheet of paper.

"At 20:30 PM Beijing time tonight, the Ministry of Commerce across the Pacific suddenly released the 'Entity List.' The announcement explicitly stated that it would impose comprehensive export controls on China's high-tech sectors, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence."

The report stated: "This is a premeditated 'strangulation' campaign targeting the domestic technology industry chain."

Dead silence.

If the collapse of Baoshang Bank was a targeted attack...

That message was an alarm bell for all-out war.

Director Song froze.

He slowly turned around.

Lin Che remained seated in that cold iron chair.

Place your hands crossed on your knees.

His expression was so calm it was frightening.

"I remember……"

Director Song's voice was a little hoarse.

"At its internal strategy meeting last month, your Microlight Technology suddenly cut the budgets for all cultural and entertainment projects and poured 20 billion yuan into a chip project called 'Ark Lab'."

Everyone said you were crazy.

"The China Securities Regulatory Commission even sent a letter to inquire whether you were suspected of transferring benefits because of this."

Director Song took off his glasses, took out a cleaning cloth from his pocket, and slowly wiped them.

His hands were shaking.

It was very slight, but it couldn't be hidden.

"Lin Che".

Director Song put his glasses back on, and his eyes had completely changed.

It's no longer about scrutinizing criminals.

Instead, they were examining a... monster.

Or rather, a prophet.

"You knew all along?"

"Ducks are the first to know when the river warms in spring."

Lin Che pointed to the old television set.

The television set in the corner was originally just used to play the news broadcast as background noise.

At that moment, the video suddenly cut off.

It turned into an emergency news broadcast with blue background and white text.

The anchor's serious voice came through:

"...In response, a spokesperson for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong condemnation, calling it a blatant act of hegemony..."

Lin Che looked at the news, a self-deprecating smile curving his lips.

"Director Song, capital is greedy, but it is also the most sensitive."

What you are seeing is politics.

"What I see are orders, supply disruptions, and a life-or-death situation."

He stood up.

The iron chair scraped against the floor with a harsh, screeching sound.

"Now, both things have come true."

Lin Che walked up to Song Ju.

The two were only half a meter apart.

"Internally facing financial crises, externally facing technological blockades."

Lin Che's voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling edge.

"At this point, are you still going to break the only knife in your hand that can see the future, all because of that ridiculous 'monopoly suspicion'?"

Director Song remained silent.

He looked at the young man in front of him.

In her early twenties.

Yet he possessed a world-weariness and resolute determination, as if he had lived two lifetimes.

Sudden.

Noisy footsteps echoed down the corridor.

It wasn't just one person.

It's a group of people.

Immediately afterwards—

Ring ring ring!

Ring ring ring!

It wasn't the black office phone on the table.

It was the bright red secure telephone hanging in the locked glass cabinet on the wall.

That's a direct route to the central hub.

In the ten years since this interrogation room was built, the sound of gunfire has been heard only a handful of times.

Every ring signifies something momentous.

Director Song's expression changed instantly.

He walked quickly to the wall, took out his key, opened the glass cabinet, and picked up the receiver.

"I am Song Jianguo."

The voice on the other end of the phone was urgent and loud.

Even from several meters away, Lin Che could hear the almost roaring tone of command.

"...No matter where he is! Immediately...we need to evaluate...that system..."

A few words, spoken intermittently.

The truth was pieced together.

The sky above also trembled.

That red dot is not just about money; it's a landmine for social stability.

"Yes! Understood! The person is right here with me!"

Director Song straightened his back and answered loudly into the phone.

"I wasn't wronged! I'm verifying his data right now... Great! Great! I'll arrange it immediately!"

hang up the phone.

Before Director Song could even catch his breath...

The red phone started ringing frantically again.

This time it's the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

Then, it was the central bank again.

The ringing bell sounded like a death knell.

It was like a cannon salute to crown Lin Che.

In just ten minutes.

The red phone was ringing off the hook.

Every call represents a level of influence that would make even the most powerful business tycoons tremble.

The confidential staff member stood aside, completely dumbfounded.

His gaze toward Lin Che shifted from fear to awe.

This young man, in this tiny room of less than ten square meters, stirred up a storm in the entire city of Beijing with a broken computer.

at last.

The phone stopped ringing.

Director Song put down the receiver.

He turned his back to Lin Che, placed his hands on the wall, and took a deep breath.

Shoulders heaving.

The impact of that night was far too intense for someone as experienced as him.

All the interrogation plans and all the pressure tactics became a joke at this moment.

When the scales of national security tip, so-called "commercial monopolies" instantly become insignificant.

He turned around.

The sternness, coldness, and scrutiny on his face had all vanished.

Instead, an extremely complex expression appeared.

There was helplessness, there was relief, but more than anything, there was a sense of...equal respect.

He walked over to the water dispenser.

Bend down.

He took out a jar of premium Da Hong Pao tea that he had been reluctant to drink from the cabinet below.

Then I found a clean white porcelain cup.

Wash the cup.

Add tea.

Rinse with water.

The movements were slow and meticulous.

It didn't feel like they were treating a suspect at all; it felt more like they were entertaining an important ally.

Steam rose in wisps.

The aroma of tea filled the air, instantly dispelling the musty smell in the room.

Director Song walked to the iron table, holding a teacup in both hands.

Gently place the cup of tea in front of Lin Che.

"President Lin."

The way we address each other has changed.

He used to be addressed by his first name, but now he's called "General Manager Lin".

"Have a sip of tea."

Director Song's voice softened, tinged with a tired hoarseness.

"This tea is excellent; I usually can't bear to drink it myself."

This cup of tea.

It's an apology.

It's also a pledge of allegiance.

Lin Che looked at the cup of tea.

I didn't go and get it right away.

"Director Song, does this mean you're releasing him?"

Lin Che leaned back in his chair, a half-smile on his face.

Director Song pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down, pouring himself a glass of water as well.

"The higher-ups have given the order: in these extraordinary times, special measures must be taken."

"Weiguang's data capabilities, especially the Abyss system, are a strategic resource that the country urgently needs. We need your eyes to know how big the hole in that bank is and where the funds are flowing."

admitted.

This is the first time the authorities have officially acknowledged that the glimmer of light is no longer a troublemaker, but an indispensable "eye."

Lin Che reached out and picked up the teacup.

He blew away the foam.

I took a sip.

The tea soup was scalding hot as it entered my throat, with a lingering sweetness.

"The tea is good."

Lin Che put down his cup.

"But now that I've finished my tea, should I leave?"

He pointed to the "Monopoly Investigation Report" that was still lying open on the table.

"My friends outside seem to be in a hurry. I heard that my obituary has already been written, and BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent) are celebrating with champagne and dividing up my company. If I don't go back soon, I might not even make it in time to collect my body."

Lin Che stood up.

I straightened out the slightly wrinkled cuffs of my suit.

"We can drink the tea later, but I need to take care of some housework first."

Director Song looked at Lin Che.

Laughed.

This little fox is using a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement.

Want to go?

It's not that easy.

Entering a country is difficult; leaving unscathed is even more difficult.

Since you are a "national strategic asset," you must have a legitimate status and also... a collar.

"No rush."

Director Song showed no intention of getting up to see the guest off.

He slowly took a sip of water, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Those clowns outside can't cause any real trouble."

"President Lin, now that we've broken through this barrier, let's speak frankly."

Director Song stood up and walked to the door.

But he didn't open the door.

Instead, he pointed to a hidden door on the side.

The door had been closed, and Lin Che assumed it was a storage room.

"It's too stuffy here. There's a small garden next door, and even though it's snowing, the air is fresh."

Director Song turned his head and looked at Lin Che with a meaningful gaze.

"Shall we go somewhere else and talk?"

"Regarding the future path of the Glimmer, how to connect to that system... and..."

Director Song paused for a moment, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

"And there's also a... big gift prepared for you."

"A big gift?" Lin Che raised an eyebrow.

"A generous gift that will give you a legitimate reason to go back and cause trouble."

Director Song opened the hidden door.

A cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in.

"However, before that, we need to sign something first."

"You know, some rules still need to be established."

Lin Che looked at the door leading to the wind and snow.

Then I looked at Director Song's outstretched hand.

he knows.

Once you step out of this door, Weiguang will no longer be a purely private enterprise.

It will wear a heavy collar.

But at the same time, it will also acquire the country's toughest armor.

This is a deal.

Perhaps the biggest deal since his rebirth.

Lin Che smiled.

He reached out and shook Director Song's hand.

"When in Rome, do as the host does."

Lin Che strode towards the door.

"Lead the way, Director Song."