Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

The game has entered its final ten minutes.

The standings on the big screen have completely lost their suspense.

Linjiang Storm, Twelve Flags.

The second-place Tsinghua team had five flags.

This gap can no longer be explained by technical factors.

The whispers in the audience never stopped.

"Where did this monster come from?"

"When did Linjiang University discover such a prodigy?"

"I heard that their captain is only a freshman."

"Freshman? Are you kidding me!"

The host's voice trembled slightly.

"Let's congratulate Team Linjiang Storm on their overwhelming victory..."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

In the end, he could only manage to utter one sentence.

"Completely crushing the entire field!"

The voice just fell.

The timer is reset to zero.

competition is over.

Li Chen leaned back in his chair, picked up his now-cold coffee, and drank it all in one gulp.

"knock off."

Wang Qiang and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from tension to elation.

Holy crap!

Wang Qiang jumped up immediately.

"We won! We really won!"

Zhao Zixuan was so excited that his face turned red.

"One hundred thousand dollars! One hundred thousand dollars!"

Chen Mo pushed up his glasses and smiled, a rare sight for him.

"Old Li, you're really strong."

Li Chen stood up and stretched his stiff neck.

"Let's go, let's go collect the award."

On the awards stage.

The host held the microphone, his smile somewhat stiff.

"Now, let's welcome the champion team of this competition—Linjiang Storm!"

applause.

But Li Chen could tell that the applause contained complex emotions.

There was admiration, resentment, and jealousy.

He walked onto the stage with his three roommates.

The host handed over a heavy envelope.

Congratulations!

Li Chen took the envelope and weighed it in his hand.

"Thanks."

"Could you share your victory remarks?"

The host handed over the microphone.

Li Chen glanced at the sea of ​​people below the stage.

I thought about it.

"There's not much to say."

His voice was calm.

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

These words were spoken.

The audience erupted in cheers.

"Isn't that a bit too arrogant?"

"What does 'things that should be done' mean?"

"Is this saying that all the other teams are noobs?"

Li Chen ignored the voices.

He turned and walked off the stage.

The host's awkward attempts to smooth things over came from behind.

"Haha, young people are just so unique..."

He had just stepped off the stage.

A middle-aged man in a suit blocked his way.

"Li Chen, could I trouble you for a few minutes?"

The man's voice was very gentle.

But Li Chen could sense that this person was not simple.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Li Mingyuan."

The man pulled a gold-embossed business card from his pocket.

"The founder of Apocalypse Technology."

Li Chen accepted the business card.

It has a simple font printed on it.

[Li Mingyuan, CEO of Tianqi Technology]

Below is a string of phone numbers and email addresses.

"Apocalypse Technology?"

Wang Qiang leaned over and took a look.

Take a deep breath.

"Holy crap, that cybersecurity unicorn company?"

Li Mingyuan smiled.

"It seems this student knows something about our company."

"More than understanding!"

Wang Qiang was so excited that he became incoherent.

"Your company just secured Series C funding last year, and your valuation is almost over 10 billion!"

"I've always wanted to intern at your company!"

Li Mingyuan's gaze remained fixed on Li Chen.

"Li, I watched the whole match."

"Your skills are excellent."

"Especially that automated penetration testing tool."

He paused.

"If I'm not mistaken, it uses machine learning algorithms."

Li Chen raised an eyebrow.

This person has a truly sharp eye.

"Mr. Li, you flatter me."

"That's not an overstatement."

Li Mingyuan shook his head.

"I've been in this industry for twenty years."

"I've seen quite a few geniuses."

"But someone like you..."

He held up one finger.

"Very few."

"Therefore, I would like to invite you to join Apocalypse."

"Name your salary and benefits."

"Equity incentives are also open to discussion."

These words were spoken.

The other contestants who were eavesdropping nearby widened their eyes.

You can just name your price?

Equity incentives?

This treatment is like a windfall.

But Li Chen shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li."

I don't plan to work for the time being.

Li Mingyuan was stunned for a moment.

Clearly, they hadn't expected to be rejected.

"Can I ask why?"

"I'm still a student."

Li Chen put the business card into his pocket.

"Studies come first."

"and……"

He paused.

"I have more important things to do."

Li Mingyuan stared at Li Chen for a few seconds.

He laughed in the end.

"I see."

"However, you can keep this business card."

"What if I change my mind someday?"

"Contact me anytime."

"The gates of revelation are always open for you."

Done.

He turned and left.

I took a few steps.

He turned back again.

"By the way, Li."

"Your tools, if you're willing to sell them."

"I'll offer one million."

Li Chen smiled.

"Not for sale."

Two million.

"Not for sale."

Five million.

Li Mingyuan's tone became serious.

"This is my bottom line."

Li Chen shook his head.

"Mr. Li, some things can't be bought with money."

Li Mingyuan gave him a deep look.

Finally, he nodded.

"I understand."

"Then I wish you a bright future."

He turned and left.

This time, there was no turning back.

Wang Qiang came closer.

"Old Li, are you crazy?"

"Five million!"

Do you know what five million means?

"That's enough for us to eat at Haidilao for the rest of our lives!"

Li Chen patted him on the shoulder.

Money can be earned again.

"But some things, once sold, are gone forever."

Chen Mo pushed up his glasses.

Are you worried that if that tool is commercialized, it will be misused?

Li Chen nodded.

"I put a lot of thought into writing the core algorithm for that tool."

"If it falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives."

"The consequences would be unimaginable."

Zhao Zixuan sighed.

"Fine, you're the boss, you make the decisions."

"but……"

He chuckled.

"We still have a 100,000 yuan bonus!"

"We have to celebrate tonight!"

Li Chen waved his hand.

"Celebrations are fine, but the bonus points will still apply."

"what?"

The three of them were stunned.

"Old Li, what do you mean?"

"Literal meaning."

Li Chen pulled a wad of banknotes from the envelope.

"One hundred thousand yuan, for the four of us, twenty-five thousand yuan each."

"No!"

Wang Qiang was the first to jump out and object.

"You basically played the entire match by yourself!"

"We're just there to observe!"

"Why should we get a share of the money?"

Chen Mo nodded as well.

"Old Li, if you really consider us brothers..."

"Let's not talk about splitting the money."

"Keep this money for yourself."

Zhao Zixuan was unusually serious for once.

"Yes, my family is not short of money."

"Here, take this and buy your sister-in-law some gifts or something."

Li Chen looked at his three roommates.

A warm feeling welled up inside me.

"OK."

He put the money back into the envelope.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"but……"

He then changed the subject.

"The celebration dinner tonight is on me."

"Haidilao, eat as much as you want."

"That's more like it!"

Wang Qiang slapped his thigh.

"Let's go, let's go, I'm starving!"

The group walked out of the venue chatting and laughing.