The Investment Frenzy and Little Moon's Probing

Over the next few days, Yan Qingyue's company was like a drop of water flung into a cauldron of boiling oil, erupting into a frenzy.

The impact of the government's major policy supporting AI infrastructure continued to spread, and as one of the potential recipients named for "priority support," the company's Alpha project instantly became the darling of the capital markets.

Letters of investment intent flew in like snowflakes, not only from top domestic VC and PE firms, but also from several internationally renowned investment funds and tech giants.

Each offer was more tempting than the last: funding in the hundreds of millions or even billions, unbelievably low valuation demands, and promises to bring in world-class technical resources and market channels.

The phone in Yan Qingyue's office was practically ringing off the hook, and requests for meetings filled her calendar.

Inside the company, excitement mingled with tension.

Employees practically had wind at their heels as they walked, talking about the leap in development the company was about to make and the generous bonuses and stock options it might bring.

Only a few core executives, such as Yan Qingyue and Director Li, fully understood the dangers lurking behind the prosperity—the core technology that had attracted covetous eyes, and the hacker attack whose source remained unknown.

Lin Chen had also been so busy these past few days that his feet barely touched the ground.

As the president's assistant, he had to help handle a mountain of emails, screen the backgrounds of investment institutions, and prepare meeting materials.

Although his earlier "heroic performance" had made the technical department and even some of the senior executives see him in a new light,

he remained respectful and kept a low profile in front of Yan Qingyue, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

The Xinghai Technology stock in his account had hit its daily upper limit for three consecutive days. Its market value had more than doubled, putting him comfortably above his target of a million in profit.

But for the time being, he didn't dare make a rash move, afraid that selling a large amount would attract unwanted attention.

He had already received the system's reward, and the dazzling array of goods in the System Shop made his fingers itch.

But his remaining 250 points were stretched far too thin, so he could only suppress the urge and wait for a better opportunity.

That evening, Lin Chen dragged his exhausted body back to his apartment. He had barely collapsed onto the sofa when his phone's special notification sounded—it was Little Moon.

His spirits lifted a little. He had been so busy these past few days that his head was spinning, and he had almost forgotten about his "online girlfriend."

"Chenxing~ What are you doing? Have you been super busy lately? You've barely talked to me for days [/aggrieved]"

Using Little Moon's account, Yan Qingyue sent the greeting in a playfully clingy tone.

She had also been working at a relentless pace these past few days, but for some reason, in the dead of night,

she would always think of the guy who had displayed astonishing ability in a moment of crisis, and couldn't resist probing him a little as "Little Moon."

Seeing the message, Lin Chen felt a twinge of guilt and hurriedly replied:

"Oh, I'm sorry, Little Moon!

"There's been so much going on at the company lately. I've been working overtime every day and I'm dog-tired [/lying flat]. I wasn't ignoring you on purpose!"

"Lots going on at the company? Is it because of that, um... AI project? [/thinking]"

Yan Qingyue deliberately steered the conversation. "I heard lots of big companies want to invest in your company. Is that true? [/curious]"

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat.

How does she know? Did the news spread that fast? Even Little Moon has heard about it?

He recalled President Yan's instructions to keep the project details strictly confidential, so he gave a vague answer:

"Uh... there is something like that, but the bosses are handling all the talks. I'm just a little assistant, so I don't have access to the core information [/scratching head]."

Yan Qingyue looked at his reply, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

Pretend. Go on pretending. You're a key player who can even deal with a hacker attack.

She continued probing. "Oh, I see~ Then it must be hard on you, huh? [/heartache]"

"But... I heard it's easy to run into trouble on big projects like this. Like... technology leaks, industrial spies, things like that... Is your company okay? [/worried]"

Technology leaks? Industrial spies?

Lin Chen's heart gave a violent jump, and he immediately thought of the harrowing hacker attack a few days ago.

How does she seem to know a little about everything? Is it a coincidence? Or...

He felt a trace of wariness, but he was more concerned about Little Moon, thinking she might have seen it in some gossip news.

"It's fine, it's fine! Our company's security is really tight!"

He hurried to reassure her, instinctively not wanting her to worry. "Besides, we have President Yan. She's amazing and can handle any trouble! [/strong]"

Yan Qingyue looked at the screen, especially the words "President Yan is amazing," and felt a little conflicted.

On one hand, she was rather pleased by the indirect compliment; on the other, she was a little annoyed that this guy was praising another woman in front of her (Little Moon), even though that woman was also herself.

"President Yan? Your beautiful and capable woman boss? [/snickering]"

She deliberately asked in a sour tone, "You seem to... really admire her, huh? [/hmph]"

Lin Chen immediately panicked:

Oh no! Little Moon is jealous!

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

He hurriedly denied it. "President Yan is just my boss. All I feel for her is pure respect! Awe! It's completely different from how I feel about you! [/waving hands frantically]"

"You're the most important and the cutest person in my heart! [/heart]"

Seeing how eager he was to distance himself and frantically profess his loyalty, Yan Qingyue couldn't help laughing out loud, and her little bit of annoyance vanished like smoke in the wind.

Teasing this guy always put her in a better mood.

"Okay, okay, I believe you~ [/cute]"

She knew when to stop and decided to probe just a little deeper. "But seriously, your company is such a hot topic right now. As the president's assistant, could you... be in danger? I heard some competitors use really underhanded methods... [/scared]"

"You have to be careful! Go straight home early after work, don't walk alone at night, and don't talk to strangers who approach you! Got it? [/worried]"

Her heartfelt concern warmed Lin Chen's heart, while also touching that sensitive nerve of his again—the one connected to "danger."

Even Little Moon thinks there's danger... Looks like things really aren't optimistic.

President Yan must be under even more pressure...

Both touched and worried, he replied:

"Got it! My Little Moon cares about me the most! [/moved]"

"Don't worry, I'll be careful! The company has upgraded its security, and besides... I'm not that easy to bully! [/cool]"

"Once this busy spell is over, I'll spend plenty of time with you! I'll make it up to you! [/kiss]"

Looking at his replies, Yan Qingyue could sense the sincerity and the barely perceptible note of gravity in his tone.

It seemed he had also realized there was a potential threat.

That reassured her a little. At least this guy wasn't completely carefree and oblivious.

"Mm! Then you have to keep your word! [/alluring]"

She sent a playful emoji. "It's late, and you've been tired out all day. Get some rest! Good night, Chenxing~ [/moon]"

"Good night, my Little Moon! [/heart]"

Putting down his phone, Lin Chen let out a long breath, his heart both sweet and heavy.

Little Moon's concern filled him with warmth, but she had also unwittingly alerted him: beneath the prosperity before him, the undercurrents were still surging.

Elsewhere, Yan Qingyue also put down her phone, the smile gradually fading from her face.

Through her probing just now, she had confirmed that Lin Chen was alert to the potential danger, which was good.

But more importantly, she had discovered that when she communicated with him as "Little Moon," the ease, pleasure, and even the touch of playful clinginess felt more and more natural.

The subtle experience of this double identity gave her a sense of novelty she had never felt before and... a feeling of being drawn in.

"Lin Chen..."

She murmured the name, a complicated look in her eyes.

This seemingly simple yet deeply unfathomable man had, before she knew it, come to occupy an increasingly important place in the game she had carefully woven.

And the coming storm would undoubtedly bind them even more tightly together.

She looked out at the pitch-black night sky, knowing that the real contest was about to begin.

And she and Lin Chen both had to be ready.