Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Even Feng Xia, who had developed a thick skin in the apocalypse, couldn't handle such excessive praise. These were all major figures in the field of computing from the Flower Kingdom, and the DSJ-5 computer before them was their creation. Now, they were pulling out all the stops to shower Feng Xia with compliments.

It wasn't their fault, really. They had never imagined that a computer could handle these programs so simply! The small software Feng Xia had created combined various functions like calculation and charting, and its text layout feature was especially practical.

Professor Yang, the eldest among them, looked at her with hopeful eyes: "Comrade, how about joining our lab? You're so familiar with computers. In our lab, you could achieve great things. Let's study computers together and strive to catch up with and surpass England and America as soon as possible."

Before Feng Xia could respond, another older gentleman beside him jumped in to accuse Professor Yang of being unfair: "Old Yang, how many geniuses has your lab already recruited? This comrade should come to my intelligent control lab instead. Look at how well she understands programming—she must be very interested in intelligent control, right?"

Seeing the group about to start a bidding war over Feng Xia, the top leader himself had to step in to calm things down: "Comrades, this young comrade is indeed an undeniable genius. But first, let her teach our people this set of programs thoroughly. What do you all think of these programs?"

The old professors spoke almost in unison: "Excellent, very good. Highly practical. We must master them well!"

With that confirmed, the top leader, a man, was naturally pleased. The group dined together at the Nanhai compound. Feng Xia sat alongside the renowned old professors and the top leader without a hint of nervousness, her demeanor natural and composed.

Everyone couldn't help but silently marvel: This girl is not only exceptionally intelligent but also has a resilient character. She will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.

Feng Xia, however, paid no attention to this. In the apocalypse, she had dared to kill the Zombie King, so dining with the top leader was nothing to her. She could have had dinner with a Siberian tiger without feeling tense. Besides, the chefs at the Nanhai compound were top-notch—state banquet chefs! The food was so delicious that even though the dishes were light on oil and salt to accommodate the elderly professors and the top leader, Feng Xia enjoyed it immensely. She ate until she was stuffed, then carried a bag of chocolates as she left, under the reluctant gazes of the old professors.

Ever since the top leader noticed Feng Xia's fondness for chocolate on their first meeting, he made sure to have some prepared every time she visited. Such attention to detail warmed Feng Xia's heart.

The country truly valued her.

The orphaned soul, drifting for half her life, finally found an anchor. It felt wonderful.

Back home, Jiang Long had already cleaned the place thoroughly. The dust was gone. After being away for a month, everything was as pristine and organized as in her memory. Feng Xia headed straight for the small sofa in the living room, which Zhang Ying had covered with a soft, comfortable sofa cover. The girl flopped onto it with a lazy sigh, lying motionless like a languid cat.

Zhang Ying smiled and brought out a plate of oranges from the kitchen. "What's this? Tired as soon as you got back?"

Feng Xia replied slowly, almost dragging out each word: "No, it's just that coming home feels so good. Sister Ying, I want some oranges."

The little girl blinked her big, bright eyes, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, fixedly staring at the oranges on the table. Her tone was as sweet and sticky as melted toffee, dripping with a coaxing plea. How could Zhang Ying resist? She peeled an orange for her, and Feng Xia promptly rested her head in Zhang Ying's warm embrace, opening her mouth to be fed a segment of the fruit.

She closed her eyes in contentment, thinking: This must be what it feels like to recline on a beauty's lap!

Jiang Long entered holding a broom and saw this scene, twitched his mouth, desperately signaling Zhang Ying with his eyes—this was spoiling the kid too much! Zhang Ying ignored him. He said she was spoiling the child, but wasn't he doing the same? He had already prepared all of Feng Xia's favorite fruits and snacks the moment they returned. Tsk, the little girl was getting picky about food.

While the atmosphere at home was warm and harmonious, the mood in the meeting room was tense.

Mayor Cui of Jingdu, a capital official, was considered a level higher by default. Having reached this position, Mayor Cui was a shrewd and versatile man with a strong family background. Yet even he was surprised by the directive he had just received from the higher-ups.

The order was for him to select some cadres who had been exposed to computers, preferably literate and best if they knew English. They should not be too old. He was to form a team of six or seven people for a training program. What exactly they would learn was not specified.

But from this directive, Mayor Cui sensed something unusual. With his sharp political instincts, he felt a jolt of apprehension. The decade-long movement (Cultural Revolution) seemed to be nearing its end, and the intellectuals of the Flower Kingdom might finally see the dawn. This matter was not easy to discuss or inquire about. Mayor Cui decided to play it safe—first pick the candidates, then figure out the rest.

Although the directive called for people with strong professional knowledge, being cautious, he instinctively selected those who were doers rather than talkers—practical workers in daily life. Such people, when sent out, would not cause him trouble.

The group arrived at the mayor’s office in a daze, signed confidentiality agreements, and went home equally bewildered. When their families asked, they dared not say anything, and could not say anything. They only muttered that they had to go out for some training. In those times, politics was something ordinary people were reluctant to discuss or even ask about. Their families remained silent.

After waiting a few more days, this specially selected team was finally taken to a secluded classroom at Jingdu University. There, they knocked on the door to another world.

Later history textbooks would record a passage to evaluate this team:

"They were the invincible squad under Ms. Feng Xia’s command in the digital empire, tirelessly guarding the nation's network security for decades, shaping the evolution of the country's internet development. On January 25, 1976, the Red Star Squad, which would instill fear in foreign forces in the cyber world, was officially established."

But at that moment, these individuals were still greenhorns, just beginning to dabble with computers. The most accomplished among them was Huang Xinci, who had the best English grades (from studying in the Beautiful Country).

Huang Xinci wore a blue cloth dress, her hair braided into two pigtails, and wore glasses. She looked gentle and composed, giving off an impression of a mild-mannered girl.

Beside her, another female comrade, plump and fair, with ear-length short hair, about twenty-five or six, asked Huang Xinci, "Xinci, do you have any idea what we're here to learn? Let me tell you—" She lowered her voice. "This is a direct order from the top. Those Red Guards and such can't stop it. It’s said to come directly from the highest levels. Otherwise, with the current movement, they wouldn’t let us English speakers come."

Huang Xinci knew that her colleague came from a strong family, so her words were probably about half reliable. But she still had no clue what they were here to learn.

In those times, people like them, proficient in foreign languages, were often targets of attack. Huang Xinci had suffered a great deal because of it.

The team members were lost in thought, no one speaking. Suddenly, a creaking sound broke the silence.

The large iron door of the classroom opened.