Talks and "Coo Coo Coo"

While some are receiving uninvited guests, others are scheming and plotting against regular customers.

The office windows were still closed, and after a night, the air was filled with the somber smell of old paper.

Someone was about to open the window when a guest stopped them, saying, "Alright, alright, Wen Jie, keep it down. Can't you speak frankly without opening the window?"

Even their secretary couldn't enter the office at this moment; it was just the two of them discussing matters that needed careful consideration.

Helpless, the host simply took out tea bags and porcelain cups from the cabinet, brewed a cup of tea himself, skimmed off the foam, and then handed it to the guest across the desk.

He's a person of taste.

"Ever since the official website announced the end of the three Newcomer Adaptation Period, there have been more and more of these incidents. But they're mainly targeting the users who participated in the First Round— "

"That's normal. It's not scarcity that's the problem, but inequality; that saying is certainly true."

Compared to the guests, "Wen Jie" only poured himself a glass of water and placed it on the table.

"Actually, we're in a bit of trouble too, Lao Tu. Think about it, based on the current situation, the experts' comprehensive calculations suggest that the First Round users should number at least 1,700 or 1,800."

"But so far, we've only been able to preliminarily confirm the identities of a little over 1,400 people, and we've been able to conduct secondary verification and communication with nearly 1,300 of them. Do you know how huge that is? It's a complete mess!"

They had only exchanged a few words when, for some reason, they naturally began to pour out their troubles to each other.

"Especially those Initial Users who are still outside the circle, and even some whose identities we can't even verify right now, are now the target of everyone's criticism!"

"Not to mention the covetous eyes of foreign countries, even within our own borders, we're being closely watched everywhere!"

Upon hearing this, "Old Tu," who had just taken a sip of tea, smacked his lips as if he were one of the guests.

"Hmm, Wen Jie, why does this smell like tea stems? Is this even real tea? -- Oh well, this is a message from the internal investigation team, it just came out this morning, take a look."

Setting down his cup, the joking guest shook his head, took a document from his briefcase, and pushed it towards the clearly acquainted "Wen Jie."

They were old friends who had grown up together in the same courtyard, so there was no need for excessive formalities between them. They reached out and took the item, carefully studying its contents for a while.

"The trouble is indeed considerable, and it's not just from external sources."

This guest, who must have been surnamed Tu, slowly sipped his tea, which tasted like tea stalks, while offering a few explanations.

"In our internal authorized query system, the frequency of abnormal searches related to the First Incident has also increased."

"Even departments with authority and functions that theoretically shouldn't have access to this level of information are now starting to take action."

"You know what the technical department told us? There are a lot of rats." Now they're like madmen, racking their brains and putting in a lot of effort, specifically targeting the hospital's emergency center and related systems, and even the Temporary Rehabilitation Management Database that was later established.

"They're not stupid—how can you stop them? Erasing the data beforehand and taking the paper files with you isn't enough; there will always be some omissions, not to mention the human element."

"Recently, we've uncovered a group of high-ranking hospital officials and staff involved in the specific events. Among the people they came into contact with, even the 'beautiful women' they supposedly met at bars were all planted by others."

"These idiots really think they're some kind of dashing and charming men! A pot-bellied middle-aged wretch like me, who would want to throw themselves at me? They should take a good look at themselves in the mirror!"

"Old Butcher" spat forcefully and put down his cup.

Ultimately, the first incident involved almost exclusively people from within China, making it quite unique compared to the subsequent two.

"Especially since it happened in the afternoon, many of those unconscious users showed signs of recovery, which was completely different from the two subsequent incidents that occurred at night."

"To those who are observant, they were exposed from the very beginning."

"Yes, the target audience is so clearly defined—"

Ignoring the other person's indecent behavior, the man behind the table, a man in his early forties or fifties with half his hair already Wen Jie, couldn't help but sigh, "The more 'special' the situation, the more likely it is to attract attention."

"They've put in so much effort—perhaps because they suspect there are some even more unusual factors in this particular round."

These words seemed to touch upon a sensitive topic, and the office fell into a brief silence.

The two of them each took a sip of hot water, their eyelids drooping slightly, as if they were deep in thought, until a bird outside the window suddenly crashed into the glass of the upstairs window with a dull thud, and then fluttered away.

The unexpected noise made the two people in the room turn their heads to look almost simultaneously. After confirming that there was nothing wrong, they shook their heads and resumed their conversation.

"To be honest, we're under a lot of pressure right now."

After noticing the minor incident involving the bird, "Old Tu" lowered his voice even further, "It's true that the higher-ups require maximum secrecy, and all information about those who were unconscious at the time was indeed placed under high-level security."

"But police surveillance footage shows that, in addition to the online activities, there are also some unusual offline activities."

Some people loitered near the homes of relevant personnel, pretending to be market researchers, setting up stalls, or doing sales, or even posing as property management, utility, or community workers to conduct inquiries.

"But a closer look reveals that some were coordinated and arranged by other departments, some came under the guise of foreign investment, some were private conglomerates that knew the inside story, and some were individuals who paid for surveillance—"

"These are just the more overt and crude methods; not to mention the shady dealings done behind the scenes. They're all keeping a close eye on this special group of First-Test User, infiltrating every nook and cranny."

"You remember Uncle Xia from our compound, right? His brat also got caught up in the first test, and now he's locked up in the military dependents' compound, not daring to let him out even for a moment."

"The older generation is a bit better off, but what about those young people who are still inexperienced in the ways of the world? Forget about information about their relatives, some people have even gotten to know about the users' boyfriends/girlfriends from elementary, middle, and high school, and their crushes. They haven't missed anyone who might have even the slightest connection or acquaintance with them."

"Not to mention the visits to certain special websites and the records of downloading certain adult films—it's obvious they're trying to use their charms!"

"Each one's birth records, from kindergarten to even hospital, were meticulously examined, with every trace traced and scrutinized under a microscope!"

"Even the self-criticisms that some college freshmen haven't even graduated yet have had dug up! How can you possibly defend yourself against that! They've seen right through you!"

"To be honest, what we urgently need right now is talent in network technology to—"

Upon hearing this, "Wen Jie" clapped his hands abruptly, immediately realized what was happening, stood up, and directly interrupted the other person!

"Got it, the fox's tail has finally been revealed! You've been keeping me in suspense for so long, you just came here to call for reinforcements!"

"Let me tell you, Director Tu Gang, not a chance! I'm also short-staffed right now. All the computer-savvy guys are being snatched up by other departments, everyone's working overtime, there's no way I can spare any more!"

Once a word is spoken, the balance of power shifts dramatically!

Seeing the host's expression, as if he was about to explode in anger, Director Tu gave an awkward smile. "Look at what you're saying. The advice from above is to tighten defenses and gather as many of the First-Test User as possible to provide better security. So, some short-term assistance is needed."

"Don't you know me, Brother Liao? Do you think I, Tu, am the kind of person who borrows people and then doesn't return them?!"

"Here's the deal: you borrow twenty or thirty experienced people in this field for me, for six months—no, three months! I'll return them to you within three months! Is that alright?"

"Hey Tu, if you don't have anything else important to do, then get the hell out of here!"

The sounds of banging on the table, shouting, and joking around inside were so loud that even the pigeons perched on the branches of the large sycamore tree outside, whose leaves were beginning to turn yellow, seemed startled, their orange-yellow eyes fixed on the scene.

----It hasn't been moved yet.