Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 818 - Chapter 818 Chapter 818 Dealing with the Fake

Chapter 818: Chapter 818: Dealing with the Fake Chapter 818: Chapter 818: Dealing with the Fake “Master brought her.”

“What do you think this place is, somewhere just anyone can walk into… ”

Han Luo’s face was a picture of irritation as he looked at the person who had spoken, but the next second, he froze, a flicker of embarrassment and annoyance crossing his face.

He hadn’t expected that the person speaking up for this arrogant, ignorant kid would be none other than Master Li.

“Do you have a problem with someone I’ve brought?” Li Hanzhou’s getup today was formal, a well-tailored ash-grey suit made him look distant and abstinent; his gaze cold and unemotional as he looked at Han Luo, heavy with pressure.

Han Luo felt as though someone had grasped his throat in an instant. The mocking retort he was about to make was immediately swallowed down, and after what felt like an age, he forced out hoarsely, “I wouldn’t dare.”

He was inwardly astounded.

He had indeed heard some rumors lately, his gaze involuntarily circling between Qiao Yun and Li Hanzhou. It seemed this inexperienced girl was the one rumored to be Master Li’s favorite.

But that still wasn’t a reason for her to act recklessly.

Han Luo’s eyebrows knitted in displeasure, then he heard Li Hanzhou speak in a lazy tone, “Since there is no problem, then let her try. After all, you’re already powerless, aren’t you? Better to give way to someone with real ability.”

Han Luo tasted the insult in those words. His expression going through a myriad of changes, he explained in a tempered tone, “Master Li, you might not realize, but this virus is not simple; it’s not something just anyone can solve–I’m struggling with it, and she definitely can’t handle it.”

He glanced at Qiao Yun, whose expression was unreadable, and added with sarcasm, “Besides, what makes her think she can solve it? Does she even know how to write code?”

As calm as ever, Qiao Yun replied earnestly, “Better than you.”

Stunned by the retort, Han Luo felt that this young girl was outrageously arrogant. It must be because she hadn’t been toughened up by society yet.

Even more certain that she was acting so brazenly only because of Master Li’s favor, Han Luo might fear the Li Family’s influence, but he had no time to entertain the whims of the wealthy with the situation at hand.

Jiang Jing had been observing Qiao Yun ever since she had volunteered, initially finding her too presumptuous. Now hearing her statement, Jiang Jing couldn’t keep silent anymore and slowly said, “You think just because you won the Star Cup once, you’re more skilled than anyone? If you’re up to the task, so am I.”

“What are you talking about? Getting yourself noticed at a time like this, imagine if you actually went to try–it would be a laughing stock,” Jiang Shaocheng, sweating profusely, couldn’t hold back and scolded her.

Jiang Jing laughed, “Dad, don’t worry, the one who’s overreaching isn’t me. I’m well aware of my limitations. It’s just that with the situation being so urgent, I can’t stand to see someone trying to steal the spotlight.”

Qiao Yun glanced sideways at Jiang Jing, her voice floating lightly, “You certainly do have self-awareness.”

Jiang Jing: “…”

Jiang Jing’s expression changed; how could there be someone as infuriating as Qiao Yun in this world!

Qiao Yun, who received a glare from Jiang Jing, was quite innocent; she was just telling the truth, and apparently even that wasn’t allowed.

Someone did, however, speak up for Qiao Yun. This person had collaborated with Tianqi before and knew the difficulty of the Star Cup, and couldn’t help but curiously examine Qiao Yun.

“To win the Star Cup, one must be exceptionally talented. I wonder where you are currently employed? Perhaps at the Tianqi Research Institute?”

Despite the girl’s youthful appearance, who could say she wasn’t a prodigy?

Perhaps she was indeed a hidden genius, which would explain her confident demeanor.

Qiao Yun didn’t respond; well… she wasn’t just employed at the Tianqi Research Institute; she was the founder. Of course, she couldn’t just say that out loud, but lying didn’t suit her either, so she chose to remain silent.

Instead, it was the worried Su Qingyan who explained for Qiao Yun, “My sister doesn’t work at Tianqi.”

“Oh,” the inquirer responded knowingly, “Then who is your mentor?”

Su Qingyan had never actually heard whether Qiao Yun had a master or not, so he couldn’t provide an answer for her.

Qiao Yun shook her head: “I don’t have a master.”

The person exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be that you are self-taught?”

To be self-taught and yet win the Star Cup championship, surely a genius!

Jiang Jing said with a laugh, “She, like me, only graduated from high school this year.”

The experts present looked at each other in dismay. Graduated from high school?

She really was just a young girl.

And quite bold at that.

They could understand the young generation’s eagerness to achieve quick success and make a name for themselves, but they also had to consider the occasion.

The experts originally thought to try a long shot, but now they had all abandoned the idea, thinking it was better to come up with a solution themselves while they still had time.

Seeing their expressions, Li Hanzhou chuckled and spoke leisurely, “Have any of you heard the saying ‘the waves behind drive on those before’? My little friend here is the wave behind, get it?”

The people present could not miss the implication in Li Lao’s words–they were the waves doomed to perish on the shore.

Every one of them looked displeased, thinking that even if this young girl knew a little about computers, how could she compare to them? After all, they had dedicated so many years to their research.

Su Qingyan’s head was pounding. It was bad enough that his cousin had suddenly stolen the spotlight, but why was Li Hanzhou fanning the flames? He asked with an unsightly expression, “Li Lao, why are you indulging my sister’s nonsense? Do you really want to see her make a fool of herself?”

“You don’t believe in her?” Li Hanzhou replied, calm and composed, exuding confidence that Qiao Yun wouldn’t encounter any problems.

Su Qingyan was at a loss for words and replied dryly, “It’s not that I don’t believe her, it’s just that the situation is unique.”

Qiao Yun said in a calm voice, “Trust me, I can do it.”

This situation was their making and had nothing to do with her. However, since the person she cared about was also present, she had weighed the pros and cons and decided to solve the current problem first.

As for the rest.

Qiao Yun’s gaze landed on Han Luo, clearly meaning there would be a reckoning come fall.

Seeing Qiao Yun looking at him, Han Luo felt extremely uncomfortable, as though he was being belittled by her gaze.

But what qualifications did a high school graduate have to look down on him?

Han Luo couldn’t quite control himself and said with a contemptuous tone, “If you want to play, I can get you a computer to play with on the side. Don’t disturb the adults while they are working.”

Xu Long grew angry and pointed at Han Luo, saying, “Since you’ve already failed, why not let a young person have a try? Or are you afraid that she really might have a solution?”

He scrutinized Han Luo from head to toe, his gaze carrying a questioning scrutiny, “If a high school graduate can solve the crisis, the legitimacy of your identity as a student of Professor Qiao would truly be in doubt.”

From the moment Han Luo insulted Professor Qiao, Professor Xu had been certain this man could not be a student of Qiao.

In other words, all he had said on the platform were slanders.

If it weren’t for the inappropriate timing, he would have loved to tear off Han Luo’s mask on the spot.

Being a highly esteemed expert, Xu Long’s sudden advocacy for the young girl made the atmosphere at the scene weirdly solidify.

Han Luo’s face turned an unsightly shade of red. He knew very well what the reality was, and Xu Long’s inexplicable questioning of his background made him wonder if Xu Long knew something he shouldn’t.

Xu Long then turned and asked Qiao Yun, “Qiao… Miss, can you do it?”

“Only I can,” Qiao Yun nodded, her calm eyes emanating a convincing certainty.

Xu Long made the call, “See? She said she can do it, so let her.”

His stance was clearly in support.

Seeing Professor Xu express himself that way, some of the experts began to hesitate.

“Letting her try won’t make matters worse, it can’t be worse than the current situation.”

“That’s also true, maybe she really can do it, let’s give the young one a chance.”

Han Luo clenched his fingertips, his complexion worsened, and his tone was rather unpleasant as he spoke, “Professor Xu, are you getting senile with age? You saw it yourself, you’re out of options, so how can you believe she can do it? This is not a time for joking around!”

Some people agreed with Han Luo’s statement and nodded along, “Why are you all causing such a fuss! Do you really think you can do better than her?”

Xu Long shot back, “If you think you can do it, then go ahead! What’s the point of arguing here and wasting so much time? Not a single progress has been made, and you’ve even let the virus evolve! Have you no shame?”

Everyone subconsciously looked at the countdown timer.

Countdown: Fifteen minutes, fifteen seconds!

They gasped in unison, finally compromising, “Instead of running around like headless flies, we might as well try everything possible.”

Just then, a technician drenched in sweat reported, “Levels one through seven have all been taken over, only the control room is still secure.”

“What?”

The only place now outside of doomsday monitoring was the control room–this was horrendous news.

Han Luo felt a chill run down his spine. Stubbornly disbelieving, he typed on the keyboard. As minutes and seconds passed, he fiercely slammed the keyboard, grabbed his hair with both hands, and muttered in agony, “No, it’s still not working…”

“The radio has been jammed.”

“Even the satellite phone can’t get through!”

A wave of panic spread among everyone’s hearts.

Looking at the countdown timer again: only ten minutes, forty seconds left!

If at the beginning everyone could still discuss strategies calmly, now all fell silent, staring at the countdown timer as if it were counting down to their deaths.

Jiang Jing glanced around and suddenly spoke up, “Professor Xu has a point. What if she succeeds? Let her do it.”

She looked at Qiao Yun, her smile encouraging, “I believe you can do it.”

Qiao Yun glanced at her, her tone relaxed, “Don’t worry, I’m definitely more capable than you.”

Jiang Jing felt that Qiao Yun was mocking her, her face turned ashen, her heart cursing Qiao Yun with itching teeth.

She really wanted to see how Qiao Yun was capable.

Jiang Jing wasn’t really speaking out of kindness for Qiao Yun; she just wanted to see Qiao Yun fail and become a laughingstock.

Su Qingyan’s eyes darkened, “Jiang Jing! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

Jiang Jing felt the embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed and slightly averted her gaze.

Su Qingyan said softly to Qiao Yun, “Little sister, don’t let her provoke you.”

“You think I can’t do it?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Su Qingyan didn’t know how to explain himself. He knew Qiao Yun was a whiz at information technology, but the situation was different now.

His little sister was just too young; she lacked composure.

“I have no issues.”

Qiao Yun’s dark pupils shone, her voice cryptic, “After all, this counterfeit emerged because of me, and only I can handle it.”

Su Qingyan was stunned for a moment, not comprehending the meaning of Qiao Yun’s words.

Before he could ask further, Qiao Yun had already lost interest in talking with them and walked straight up to a technician, speaking emotionlessly, “Give it to me.”

The technician felt flustered under her gaze and subconsciously stood up, yielding the computer to her.

After Qiao Yun took over the seat, the technician rubbed his head, wondering why he had stood up.

But this young girl, despite her age, had an intimidating presence that made people involuntarily want to follow her commands.

Han Luo asked angrily, “What are you doing?”

Without looking up, Qiao Yun’s long lashes hung low over her calm, pale face, and she spoke succinctly, “Dealing with the counterfeit.”

Han Luo: “…”

Su Qingyan was quite worried and looked towards Qiao Xun, who had remained silent, “Teacher, why don’t you say something, just letting her mess around?”

Qiao Xun raised an eyebrow, “You think she’s messing around?”

Su Qingyan was puzzled, “Isn’t she?”

Qiao Xun spoke with profound meaning, “Well, to those who are unaware, it certainly seems like it, but you still don’t understand Qiaoqiao’s character. If she says she can do it, she absolutely can. Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems.”

Su Qingyan thought that Qiao Xun was indulging her without limits. He turned his attention to Li Hanzhou, “Old Li, do you also think so?”

Li Hanzhou looked at Qiao Yun, staunchly defensive, “Of course, there’s nothing in this world she can’t accomplish.”

Su Qingyan: “…”

He really couldn’t communicate with these two.

The corners of Li Hanzhou’s mouth lifted slightly, “It’s a rare opportunity, just watch carefully.”

Su Qingyan was taken aback, “Watch what?”

With an almost-smiling expression, Li Hanzhou didn’t answer him but focused intently on Qiao Yun instead.

She sat there calmly, serene-faced, and even with only five minutes left, there wasn’t a hint of panic.

It was a rare chance to witness Professor Qiao’s skills on full display–definitely something to watch closely.

However, seeing how calm Qiao Yun was, others began to lose confidence, “Can she really do it?”

Turning to look at Xu Long, they were startled by the admiration, excitement, and various complex emotions in his eyes.

Xu Long looked at them coldly, impatiently saying, “Don’t speak, just watch, or you’ll regret it.”

“???”

What was there for him to regret?

Professor Xu was really not reliable at all.

Xu Long eagerly stepped forward, craning his neck to see, and asked with a hint of respect, “How long do you need to resolve this?”

Han Luo, because of Xu Long’s definite tone, felt a flicker of doubt in his heart.

Ever since the beginning, whether it was Professor Xu or Old Li, they had great confidence in this young girl. Could she be a dark horse?

But the thought soon made him laugh at himself.

Qiao Yun tapped the keyboard, looked up at the countdown timer with only three minutes left, and raised an eyebrow, “Three minutes.”

“Three minutes?”

Han Luo laughed out loud, “How arrogant.”

Qiao Yun didn’t even glance at him, connected her phone to the computer without interruption, and once that action was completed, there were only two minutes and fifty seconds left.

Everyone’s hearts clenched fiercely.

When they heard Qiao Yun say ‘three minutes’, they understood–they had bet wrong.

They definitely shouldn’t have been swayed by Professor Xu, blindly trusting a young girl.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.