Made a killing

"Damn it! I actually believed your nonsense, thinking I could sleep soundly after downloading Shield. I was so naive!" A young man playing a game cursed angrily and threw his phone onto the bed.

People all over the world who had been infected by the virus were beyond furious; they had clearly trusted the Shield company's hype and installed their software, yet they still ended up compromised.

Those who had previously been infected and paid the ransom, however, felt quite smug. After a message popped up on their screens stating, "This IP has already paid the ransom," there were no further anomalies.

They hadn't expected this virus to make a comeback, but the creator was truly a person of their word—once you paid, you really wouldn't be infected again!

"Hahahaha!" These people opened their social media feeds and began mocking those who had downloaded Shield but still caught the virus.

However, these people soon realized that everyone who was currently infected had downloaded the Shield software.

What kind of plot twist was this? Could it be that the Shield software was the virus itself? Were they just wolves in sheep's clothing?

This was huge news! Media outlets from all over the world swarmed toward the Shield office building like sharks smelling blood.

By this time, the CEO of Shield was panicking. Was the creator of this virus targeting them specifically? Only computers that had downloaded the Shield software were getting infected!

He had completely forgotten how he had mocked the virus's creator during the initial press conference.

"Boss! The reporters have already swarmed in; we can't block them at all!" The secretary ran all the way to the office, pushed the door open, and shouted.

"Block them for me!" the CEO of Shield roared, but it was too late; the reporters had already reached his office door.

He didn't dare lay a hand on these reporters. They were from major media groups in the Eagle Nation; if he hit them today, he would be dragged through the mud tomorrow!

"Sir, what is your take on the fact that only devices with the Shield software installed are getting infected?"

"Sir, is it true that the virus infecting hundreds of millions of computers worldwide was actually created by you?"

"Did you reach some sort of profit-sharing agreement with the virus creator, and are you now being retaliated against after communication failed?"

"Sir—" Countless camera flashes flickered as reporters shoved microphones toward the CEO's mouth, all talking over one another.

"Damn it! I don't know why either! Go ask the virus creator!" Hearing the reporters frame him, the CEO of Shield was so angry he nearly choked to death on his own breath!

After slamming the door shut, the CEO of Shield sat down in his chair in despair.

He estimated that it wouldn't be long before he received court summons and investigation notices from official departments.

It was over. He was finished, his company was finished, and his life was finished!

After a moment of thought, he picked up his phone and dialed a number back home.

"Yi, that twenty million you invested with me... you probably won't be getting it back. Our company is finished, and your uncle is finished." As he spoke, a line of bitter tears streamed down his cheeks.

Only now did he remember his arrogant boasts at the press conference. The other party must have seen it, and this was retaliation for his insolence.

If time could turn back, he would never have mocked that virus creator.

Now, not only were his own life savings gone, but his nephew's savings had also been squandered by his own hands.

The company's bank accounts had been frozen immediately when the incident broke out, simply because those banks were also major victims of the disaster!

Now he couldn't even flee with the money; he suspected the FBI was already waiting downstairs at his company.

On the other side, Tang Shizhe was all smiles.

There was only one reason he could be this happy: the price of Leiden Coin had skyrocketed!

Ever since the new Vampire virus appeared, rumors had been circulating online that the price of Leiden Coin was about to surge.

When the Vampire virus appeared last time, the price of Leiden Coin had jumped from five hundred RMB to sixty thousand!

Now that this super virus had appeared again, if things went as expected, the Leiden Coin designated as the ransom would definitely soar!

No one was a fool. With the precedent of the last massive price hike before their eyes, no one could resist the temptation.

Whether they were rich or poor, everyone paying attention to the situation poured their funds into Leiden Coin.

It wasn't that they didn't know Leiden Coin could crash at any moment, but they were all gambling—gambling that they wouldn't be the ones left holding the bag, and that someone else would surely buy in at an even higher price!

Human hearts are greedy. Two hours after the new virus appeared, Leiden Coin had already surpassed its previous record high, with the price heading straight for one hundred thousand RMB!

In reality, there weren't many people left choosing to buy Leiden Coin to ransom their computers; only those at large companies could afford such a massive loss.

After all, one percent of a Leiden Coin was now worth one thousand RMB, or over a hundred USD!

However, the frenzied growth didn't stop. Leiden Coin continued to skyrocket, reaching a full twenty thousand USD per coin. What kind of concept was that!

Tang Shizhe had already taken advantage of the rising market to sell off his holdings. From the black money alone, he had already gained a full 1.8 billion RMB—three hundred million USD.

And the white money he could spend freely, thanks to the appreciation of Leiden Coin, had turned into forty million USD, or two hundred and forty million RMB!

"I'm rich!" Tang Shizhe excitedly kissed his phone.

His mobile banking account balance displayed 40,000,000! A full seven zeros!

Even after paying taxes, he would still walk away with one hundred and ninety-two million!

"Buy, buy, buy! From now on, whatever I see, I buy! Buy it all!" Tang Shizhe shouted excitedly, raising his hands high.

"Boss, the number of ransom payments has started to dwindle to almost nothing. Should we release the specialized removal software?" Tang Yi turned and asked Tang Shizhe.

"Wait another twelve hours. Releasing it too soon now will easily arouse suspicion," Tang Shizhe waved his hand.

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. A simple phone ringtone suddenly sounded.

"Hello, hello? Who is this?" Tang Shizhe answered the phone and asked politely.

"It's me, Long Yi, the boss who rented you the factory!" A somewhat weak voice came from the other end of the line.

"Boss Long, why did you change your number?" Tang Shizhe touched his hair, wondering what Boss Long wanted with him now.

"Well, my investments failed, and now I'm drowning in debt. I don't use my old number anymore."

"I'm calling to let you know that I might have to sell the factory soon. I'll pay you the contract's penalty fee, but I wanted to give you a heads-up so you have time to pack your things," Boss Long said, his mood somewhat dejected.