Genius Club.

Chapter 262 Chu Anqing's Life Bet
National Security Agency, confidential conference room.

Director Liu An looked grim, as if he was facing a formidable enemy.

He sat at one side of the long oval conference table, tapping the table with his index finger, with sweat beading on his forehead.

Looked up.

Sitting across from the long conference table was Dean Gao Yan, his former teacher and old leader. Sitting next to Dean Gao Yan, chatting and laughing with his old leader, was the young man who had just handed him a stack of information and he had passed it on to the information security department.

Lin Xian.

yesterday afternoon.

Teacher Gao Yan called him and said that he wanted to introduce him to a young man who had discovered many loopholes in the Longguo Internet Security Great Firewall and wanted to submit them to him.

He didn't care at first.

Just tell the teacher to let the young man send it directly to the email address, and someone will check and handle it.

this time.

Ever since that genius hacker boy from the United States threatened to break into the Dragon Country Skynet system at the 2023 World Hacker Competition...

Internet users across the country are paying close attention to this matter and their patriotic enthusiasm is extremely high.

The National Security Agency receives a large number of emails requesting to join the fight every day.

"The ace technician of Huaibin Longcheng Internet Cafe, please fight to protect the country!"

"On how to prevent network hacker attacks through physical methods such as unplugging network cables, power outages, and short circuits in computer rooms."

"Who says there are no young people in the Dragon Country? The winner of the first prize of the Licheng Youth Computer Blackboard Newspaper and the genius computer hacker Wang Yiming is willing to fight for the country!"

"My best idea is to cut off the Internet and power supply across the country to not give American hackers any chance!"

《Bold text! I found a fatal vulnerability in the Dragon Country Internet Security Great Firewall! I scanned and found 127 fatal vulnerabilities. I recommend using 2345 Security Manager to fix them.》

……

Director Liu An was naturally very happy and relieved to see such high patriotic sentiment among netizens.

but.

Interlaced like mountains.

Most people's understanding of hacker attacks is limited to the scenes in movies, where a hacker wearing a mask types away on the keyboard, and the screen keeps scrolling 010101010101 which is invisible to the naked eye...

Although I can receive some constructive suggestions in my mailbox, and occasionally some folk experts will actually find one or two loopholes.

But compared to the large amount of "spam", it is just a drop in the ocean.

However, Director Liu An also deeply understood that in the computer field, there has always been a tradition of "great hidden in the city, masters among the people", so he arranged for special personnel to check the information in the mailbox one by one, without missing a single email.

therefore.

He told Teacher Gao Yan to ask the young man to send the information about the vulnerabilities he found to an email address, and someone would check them and make sure nothing was missed.

however……

It was beyond his expectation.

The powerful teacher Gao Yan told him earnestly:
"Xiao Liu, you should make some time to meet this young man. I will bring him to see you then."

This sentence shocked Liu An.

But since the teacher said so, he must take it seriously.

So we quickly arranged this meeting.

At the beginning, in addition to him, there were two comrades from the security technology department in the conference room. Their level was also top-notch in the country, and one of them was a core member of the Longguo Network Security Great Wall Project.

The two took the stack of information handed over by Lin Xian.

Looking at each other...

So thick?
How many loopholes are recorded here?

If this were all true, wouldn't the Great Wall be full of holes, like a sieve?
"Let's go verify it first."

Subsequently.

The two men left.

Twenty minutes later, the door to the conference room was opened again, and four or five people came in with serious expressions:

"Director Liu, we have verified that these loopholes are real. Some of them even seem to have been ambushed by the enemy and may explode at any time."

"This is really incredible. This type of invasion is beyond our understanding."

“We need to fix these loopholes as soon as possible.”

"But...what should we do on September 9? As powerful as Kevin Walker is, he must have a more powerful trump card, right? He has already invaded the security and defense systems of many countries, even the Pentagon of the United States, and he has never failed. I am really worried..."

Director Liu An waved his hand and asked the technicians to leave, instructing them to quickly fix the loopholes, learn from Kevin Walker's new ideas and attack habits, and learn more about the enemy.

boom.

The soundproof door of the confidential meeting room was closed.

Director Liu An stood up solemnly, walked to the other side of the conference table, and shook Lin Xian's hand:
"Mr. Lin, thank you very much for providing us with these vulnerability information. If it weren't for your timely rescue... it's hard to imagine how badly and shamefully we would have lost on September 9th."

He turned his head and glanced at Teacher Gao Yan. After the two looked at each other and nodded, Liu An turned to Lin Xian again and said:
"Mr. Lin, you should not accept gifts without merit. Let's be frank. I also know that your purpose of coming here is definitely not just to deliver vulnerability information. You must have other things."

"You have helped us and the country so much. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask. As long as it does not violate the principles and regulations, I will definitely agree to it!"

Lin Xian nodded and smiled.

On the way here, Dean Gao Yan talked to Lin Xian about Liu An, saying that Liu An was a very straightforward person. Although his temper was a little bad at times and he lacked some stability and calmness when necessary, his character and heart were very good.

Liu An is dedicated to the country and has made outstanding contributions in the field of national security. He is also a very straightforward person. He does not beat around the bush or go around in circles. If you have any demands, just tell him directly.

If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't work. Liu An is not someone who is sloppy or perfunctory.

"Director Liu, let me be frank. I came here today to make two requests."

Lin Xian said truthfully:

"The first request may be a little difficult... I want to join the [national team] participating in the World Hacker Competition. I don't ask to be a regular member, I just want to be a substitute or a staff member watching the water dispenser. I just want to go to the competition site to see and experience it."

"Of course that's no problem. It's not difficult at all."

Director Liu An smiled heartily:
"Our team is led by the National Security Agency and escorted by special forces. We already have a lot of people accompanying us, so it won't be a big problem if you're not included."

"And... on the contrary, I'm actually more curious about you, Mr. Lin, than the substitute players. You can help us find so many security loopholes in the Great Firewall of the Internet, which shows that your level is far superior to our technical staff."

"Of course, don't get me wrong. I don't mean to get to the bottom of things. I have come into contact with all kinds of hackers in China. Each one has a different purpose, identity, and way of survival, so I won't ask you any detailed questions. But, then again..."

"I still can't help but have expectations for you, so can you tell me, if you can participate in the hacking competition as an official contestant, what hacking program will you prepare? What will it be to crack?"

"My level is just average..."

Lin Xian smiled and said:

"The vulnerability issue was not my own effort. As you said, there are experts among the people. We won't discuss this in detail. If I were really allowed to participate in the hacking competition as a formal team member, the vulnerability I prepared would be about hacking Tesla cars."

“I performed a TOCTOU attack on Tesla Gateway and used heap overflow and OOB write to hack into the Tesla vehicle system, gaining all of Tesla’s driving permissions and security permissions.”

Director Liu An suddenly realized:

"Then this... is considered a complete hack of Tesla, which is quite impressive! As far as I know, the hacker teams targeting Tesla in the world can only hack into the infotainment system at most. Those who can take control of the vehicle... you are the first one I know of."

He nodded thoughtfully:

"To be honest, the loopholes prepared by our five contestants are not much more difficult than yours. They are even weaker."

"And one of our colleagues in the information security department was actually unwilling to participate in this world hacker competition. He said that participating in such a competition is meaningless and is equivalent to giving those Internet companies vulnerabilities for free. He thinks the most urgent task is to protect the Skynet system."

"So, he repeatedly applied to me, asking for someone to replace him in the hacker competition, while he stayed to protect the Skynet system. I can understand this because he is one of the founders of the Skynet system and has a lot of feelings for it, just like a child."

"However, the country has many considerations. They definitely want to protect the Skynet system and win the World Hacker Competition. We can't say it's to enhance our country's prestige, but at least we want to teach those arrogant people who look down on Dragon Country's network technology a lesson. So after weighing all the options, we decided to let this colleague with great skills participate in the World Hacker Competition."

"And now...if you are really prepared to completely hack a Tesla car, then you can completely replace him to participate in the World Hacker Competition and let him stay to protect the Skynet system as he wishes. It can be regarded as a job that has the best of both worlds. I wonder if you...what do you think of this plan, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Xian nodded:
"I personally have no problem with this and will follow the arrangements made by the state."

For Lin Xian, as long as he can go to the United States under the protection of elite troops, it makes no difference whether he is a substitute or a regular member.

When he was asked to be on the bench, he just stood by the water dispenser and served tea.

When he was asked to take the stage, he double-clicked to launch the program written by VV and showed off his skills.

It doesn't matter.

"Okay, let's make it this way then."

Director Liu An laughed and patted Lin Xian on the shoulder.

It can be seen that he was very happy and had solved a difficult problem in his mind.

That comrade who vowed to live and die with Skynet must have put a lot of pressure on Director Liu An during this period, and it was difficult for him.

"Then Lin Xian, you will take over the position of that comrade and stand in the last [Free Demonstration Session] to face the genius hacker Kevin Walker. Don't worry too much about the order. The final victory or defeat will be calculated based on the total points, so don't feel any pressure. Besides... Kevin Walker is recognized as the world's number one genius hacker. Anyone who faces him will basically lose, and no one will blame you."

"So... you just said you had two requests. Now that the first request has been resolved, what is your second request, Lin Xian?"

Lin Xian looked at Director Liu An:

"My second request is that after the World Hacker Competition, I hope that the elite forces can continue to protect my personal safety. I will go to Princeton University without wasting too much time. I have a personal matter that I want to deal with there."

"Well, that's no problem."

Director Liu An agreed readily:

"Princeton is not far from New York. Our elite troops will definitely protect you before you return home. I promise you this. You can go there and come back the same day. Just don't delay your return plan."

This is the end.

Things went well.

Director Liu An was very happy because Lin Xian not only provided him with a large number of security loopholes, but also helped him solve the urgent problem of disputes among contestants.

Lin Xian was also very happy. All his requests were readily agreed to. As long as he arrived in the United States, his plan of killing three birds with one stone could be carried out step by step.

"It's a pleasure to work with you." "May we both win!"

Lin Xian and Director Liu An shook hands with a smile and temporarily left the National Security Agency.

Liu An told Lin Xian.

There was not much time left before the competition, so after Lin Xian arranged things at home, he rushed back to the capital as soon as possible, reported to the National Security Agency, and started collective action.

……

The next day, back in Donghai, Lin Xian got on his Alpha car and headed to the Rhine Joint Laboratory in Donghai University, ready to report the current situation to Liu Feng.

"I have already taken care of the Guizhou Sky Eye issue for you."

Lin Xian sat in front of the experimental table, looking at the space-time clock that still showed 0.0000000, turning the pen, and continued:

"The project at the Longke Institute of Astronomy has been completed ahead of schedule and is now in the final stages. Once they pack up and leave, our laboratory can officially move in... Although it is a laboratory, there is actually only you, but there are still many graduate students and doctoral assistants there, and you can use them all."

"After September 9, Dean Gao Yan will give me some news. Then I will take you to the capital to go through the formal procedures, and then I will officially let you use Guizhou Sky Eye. So during this period of time, you should continue your research here. Everything will be ready when I return from the United States after participating in the World Hacker Competition."

thump.

The instrument in Liu Feng's hand fell onto the table.

He turned his head with a suspicious look:

"You're going to the United States?"

"Yeah." Lin Xian nodded.

"Going to the World Hacker Competition?"

"Yeah." Lin Xian nodded.

"You are kidding!" Liu Feng was amused. He picked up the instrument and shook his head:

"What are you going to do? Have you studied computer technology?"

"I have learned programming for two or three months." Lin Xian answered truthfully.

"What can you learn in two or three months..." Liu Feng was speechless.

"You can't say that."

Lin Xian smiled meaningfully:

“Everyone’s body is different.”

"..."

Liu Feng was speechless.

He stretched his head and looked at the corridor outside the laboratory door, then retracted his head.

Lin Xian blinked curiously:
"What are you looking at?"

"I want to see if there are any women coming today." Liu Feng continued to fiddle with the instrument in his hand:

"It seems not."

"..."

Lin Xian suddenly felt that there were really a lot of acting talents around him.

"Bye, I'm leaving now. I'll find you when I return home."

After saying that, Lin Xian stood up, went downstairs, got into the Alpha special car and left.

20 minutes later--

Teng Teng Teng!

There was a burst of hurried footsteps, and a fluffy dark brown high ponytail bounced in from the door. Chu Anqing looked left and right in the laboratory, and then looked at Liu Feng:

"Teacher Liu Feng, isn't Senior Lin Xian here? I saw his car parked outside during class just now, and then he came over after class."

"Ah, you're late."

Liu Feng turned his head and looked at the door:

"He came here today, said a few words and then left. He was gone for a long time. He was in a hurry to catch a plane to the United States to participate in the World Hacker Competition."

"what?"

Chu Anqing blinked her eyes in disbelief and tilted her head to look at Liu Feng:

"He's going to the United States?"

"Yeah." Liu Feng nodded.

"Going to the World Hacker Competition?"

"Yeah." Liu Feng nodded.

"You are kidding!" Chu Anqing couldn't help but burst out laughing:

"He's not a hacker! Why would he get involved in this mess?"

"Everyone's physique is different." Liu Feng repeated Lin Xian's words and looked at Chu Anqing in confusion:
"That's what he said."

Da da da.

There was another sound of footsteps outside the door. A tall, cool woman in a short skirt with suspenders exposing her navel held the door frame and rubbed Chu Anqing's head:
"You ran so fast! You couldn't hear me when I called you from behind! You didn't even answer my phone call!"

"Auntie!" Chu Anqing smiled and raised her head, looking at Su Su:

"You have to put your phone on silent mode during class. I forgot to turn it back on after class."

"You can't run that fast!"

Su Su chuckled:
"You're running like a rabbit, as if there's a big bad wolf chasing you."

Liu Feng held the instrument in his hand.

Looking at the beautiful young woman in front of me, although her makeup is a little heavy and her clothes are a little too summery, her pretty face and sexy figure are no less than those beauties on billboards.

More importantly……

This beauty looks to be about the same age as Lin Xian, around 23 or 24 years old.

"Um……"

He nodded with satisfaction.

This is right.

This conforms to mathematical logic, and the [arithmetic progression] is complete, filling in the middle link.

"You are late too." Liu Feng looked at Su Su and said seriously:

"You should have come 20 minutes earlier."

"Huh?" Su Su looked at the man who looked like a teacher or researcher in front of her with a confused look on her face:

"Why did I come 20 minutes early?"

"Lin Xian was still here 20 minutes earlier." Liu Feng replied.

"Fuck! Are you sick?"

Su Su shouted:

"What does it have to do with me if he's here?"

She lowered her head and looked at Chu Anqing:
"An Qing, who is this?"

"This is Senior Lin Xian's friend, Liu——"

"Hiss! Birds of a feather flock together!" She interrupted Chu Anqing with a look of disgust and pulled her out:

"Come on, let's go eat. Bad brains are contagious."

……

Today is Friday.

Su Su happened to be near the university town, so she volunteered to pick up Chu Anqing and drove the McLaren directly into the school.

However, Chu Anqing's phone was on silent during class, so she couldn't contact her. She just waited outside the classroom building where Chu Anqing was taking class.

result.

As soon as the bell rang, the little girl ran like a rabbit, and she couldn't be stopped even if she was shouted. She ran straight to the deserted laboratory building next to her, and she had no choice but to follow her.

"Let's not go to your house for dinner. Let's just eat something outside."

Su Su turned on the turn signal, turned the steering wheel of the McLaren, and turned her head to look at Chu Anqing:
"Your parents are too nagging. If I go to your house for dinner, they will nag me to go on blind dates and get married."

Subsequently.

Su Su drove into a restaurant with quaint decoration, ordered a few signature dishes, and chatted with Chu Anqing while eating.

"what?"

Su Su's chopsticks stopped in mid-air, and she looked at Chu Anqing with a painful expression:
"You said Lin Xian is going to the United States to participate in the World Hacker Competition? Isn't this funny?"

She snorted:
"He is just a bit good at driving, I admit that. But hacking is something that requires real skills. Lin Xian is not a computer major, nor does he work in this field, but he dares to represent the country in the World Hacker Contest... This world is really getting crazier and crazier."

"And he is the fifth to appear." Chu Anqing added:
"He's going to go up against the talented hacker boy from the US, Kevin Walker... This has been a hot topic on the internet for a while now, and I often see it on Douyin."

"That's even more impossible~"

Su Su spread her hands and said with a smile:

"Kevin Walker is universally recognized as the strongest hacker on earth. Don't be fooled by his young age...ah, who knows whether his name and age are true or not, anyway, this genius hacker is indeed far ahead of his time. He is unreasonably strong and should not appear in this era."

"There are many geniuses who are ahead of their time in history. When geniuses of the same period encounter a true genius like this, they are really miserable. Their brilliance is completely overshadowed by him and they have to live under his shadow."

"In the fields of racing, science, and sports... from time to time, such strong and unreasonable geniuses appear. Once they are suppressed, they will be suppressed for an entire era. Only after they pass away can other colleagues breathe a sigh of relief."

Su Su took a sip of the drink and smacked her lips:
"So, Lin Xian definitely won't win. It's a wasted trip."

Chu Anqing put down his chopsticks and looked up at Su Su:

"How can you be so sure?"

"If Senior Lin Xian traveled all the way to the United States just to lose a game, then what was the point of his going there?"

"I think Senior Lin Xian will definitely not lose! At least...if he knew he would lose, he wouldn't go. He's not the kind of person who would force himself to do something without being sure."

"Yo ho?"

Su Surao looked at Chu Anqing and smiled:
"So confident?"

"Of course! Senior Lin Xian is really amazing and smart."

"Haha, since you have so much confidence in him."

Su Su turned the chopsticks in her hand, raised her eyebrows, and looked at Chu Anqing with interest:
"Would you like to...bet something?"

(End of this chapter)