Chapter 101
The next day, I still had to go to class.
After class, Liliana insisted on dragging me out for coffee: "Sophia, after what happened yesterday, all those nasty comments about you on the forum disappeared."
"I really suspect that post was made by the guy who wrote you that love letter."
I raised an eyebrow: "What makes you say that? Tell me your analysis."
"From what happened yesterday, you can tell that guy is both stupid and mean, plus petty. It's totally possible he got mad after you rejected him and deliberately tried to hurt you."
I praised her: "Looks like you actually got it right."
"Last night I checked the IP address of that post. It came from the guys' dorm, but I'm not sure if it's the one where he lives."
"What's the room number? I'll go ask right now."
I gave her a room number, and Liliana immediately used the power of money to ask around. She got the answer quickly.
"Sophia, it's him!"
I nodded without surprise: "I figured."
After coffee with Liliana, I declined her offer to come with me to the library.
I had some things to take care of that weren't convenient with her around.
Walking into the library, I spotted him at his usual spot, just as expected.
From my observations over this period, he came to the library every Wednesday afternoon to look up materials.
I sat in the corner where we'd sat before, opened my laptop, and the screen displayed a complex piece of code.
This code was written by that mysterious person. I'd copied it exactly as it was.
I deliberately typed away, trying to catch Sidney's attention.
The library was quiet, with only the sounds of keyboard clicks and pages turning.
After about ten minutes, Sidney finally spoke up.
His voice was soft, with a hint of barely noticeable tension: "What are you working on?"
I looked up at him, a faint smile on my lips, and turned the laptop screen toward him: "Can't you tell?"
"It seems like..." Sidney seemed to realize something and quickly shut his mouth.
He stared at me, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Sidney, all along, the person hacking my computer has been you."
Sidney was silent for a long time, then finally nodded.
Looking into my eyes, he admitted frankly: "It was me. The previous attacks on your computer were all mine."
I wasn't surprised. I closed the laptop screen, leaned forward, and asked: "Why?"
"Because I wanted to test your skills." Sidney's gaze was honest. "I heard about Shadow Circuit Studio a long time ago, and I heard about you, too, Sophia."
"You're a legend in the hacker community." He paused, then continued, "I've always admired you and been curious about just how good your skills are. So I wanted to try and see if I could beat you."
"If I could beat you, then I..."
"So you just kept attacking my computer?" I crossed my legs, leaned back in my chair, my expression unusually serious. "Do you know that if there was any confidential information on my computer, your actions would already be breaking the law?"
Sidney's face went pale. He lowered his head and said hoarsely: "I know. I'm sorry. I just wanted to exchange techniques with you. I had no bad intentions, and I never thought about stealing your data."
I looked at him. His shoulders were slumped, and he looked dejected.
I suddenly found it amusing and sighed: "At least you're honest."
Sidney looked up, hope in his eyes: "So... are you going to call the police on me?"
I replied: "No."
Sidney's eyes brightened.
"However," I changed my tone, "you have to agree to one condition."
"Name it!" Sidney sat up straight. "As long as you don't call the police, I'll agree to anything!"
I said seriously, "Join Shadow Circuit Studio."
Sidney froze, clearly not expecting me to make such a request.
He opened his mouth, asking in disbelief: "You... you want me to join Shadow Circuit Studio?"
"That's right." I nodded. "Your skills are good, you're talented. Shadow Circuit Studio needs people like you."
Sidney didn't answer right away. He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together, his eyes full of hesitation.
I didn't rush him, just waited quietly, giving him time to think.
After a long while, Sidney looked up at me, his tone serious: "Thank you for the offer, but I don't want to join."
"You're refusing so quickly? Won't you think about it more?"
I smiled and explained, "Our Shadow Circuit Studio doesn't take illegal jobs. We also do meaningful projects, like helping the police fight online fraud, or building free learning platforms for kids in rural areas."
"If you join us, you can do meaningful things with us too."
Sidney's eyes flickered, clearly interested in these projects.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang, the ringtone as urgent as a death knell.
Sidney's expression changed. He quickly pulled out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and his hands started shaking.
He answered the call, his voice trembling slightly: "Hello?"
"Hello, is this a family member of Eleanor Lawson?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Her condition has gotten worse."
Sidney panicked: "Doctor, please, you have to help treat my sister."
"I'm ashamed to say my skills aren't enough. My suggestion is to transfer her now and get better specialists to treat her."
Sidney's face instantly turned deathly pale. He gripped the phone tightly, his voice shaking: "Doctor, which hospital should I transfer her to? I'll transfer my sister right away."
"I also need to tell you that better medical care requires more money. Are you sure you can afford it?"
Sidney's eyes were full of despair and helplessness, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing him like this, my heart ached too.
I asked softly: "Do you need help?"
Sidney looked up, his eyes red, biting his lip. After a long hesitation, he refused: "No, I don't."
I took a deep breath. Boys his age have their pride and dignity, unwilling to ask others for help. I understood that.
But this was a human life.
If she could get treatment sooner, his sister could get better sooner.
And I could help him.
After thinking for a long time, regardless of whether Sidney would accept it or not, I took out a bank card from my bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward him.
Sidney looked at the bank card, then at me, asking in confusion: "What's this?"
"There's a hundred thousand dollars in it." I said casually, "Take it and save your sister first."
Sidney's eyes widened. He waved his hands frantically: "No, I can't take your money! We're not related at all. How can I take your money?"
"Consider it a loan." I glanced at him nonchalantly. "You don't need to put up any collateral, and you don't need to join Shadow Circuit Studio to repay me."
"And there's interest on it, at bank rates. Whenever you have the money, you can pay me back."