Quenching
The arrival of the joint investigation team was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge ripples of panic within Mingyu Technology. The flashing red and blue lights shining through the office windows washed away the slight joy that had just appeared on everyone's faces due to the platform's launch, leaving only tension and unease.
Liu Qiang's face turned pale, and he seemed unsure what to do with his hands and feet. Wang Hao, though outwardly calm, was typing faster than usual, checking the system. Li Ziqing clutched her clothes tightly, looking at Li Ming with worry in her eyes.
The team was led by a short, middle-aged man with sharp, hawk-like eyes, surnamed Sun, who was the same person who had previously assisted Zhou Ruilin in investigating Li Ming's parents. Behind him were several staff members in different uniforms, including those from the public security cyber security department, as well as those from the industry and commerce bureau and the tax bureau; it was quite a large group.
"Li Ming, is that right?" Captain Sun asked expressionlessly, showing his credentials and inspection notice. "We have received reports from the public that your 'Mingyu Life' platform has serious data security risks and user privacy leaks. In accordance with relevant regulations, we are now conducting an on-site inspection of your company's servers, operational data, and financial accounts. Please cooperate."
His tone was businesslike, but his eyes, like searchlights, swept across every computer and every face in the office, finally settling on Li Ming with a coldness as if scrutinizing prey.
"A report from the public?" Li Ming sneered inwardly, but maintained basic politeness and composure on the surface. "Captain Sun, our platform has just gone online and has always strictly abided by relevant laws and regulations, and attaches great importance to data security and user privacy. I wonder what specific issues the whistleblower has raised? We can cooperate with the investigation accordingly."
"The problem? We'll figure it out after we've investigated." Captain Sun ignored the question and waved his hand. "Let's begin! Where's the server room? Open all permissions to the operations backend! Check the financial ledgers, user database, source code—everything!"
At the order, his men immediately dispersed, like well-trained soldiers, and began taking over the computers, demanding access. The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.
Wang Hao looked at Li Ming, his eyes questioning. Granting all access meant exposing the company's core technology, user data, and trade secrets to the other party, the risks of which were self-evident.
Li Ming took a deep breath. A direct confrontation was absolutely out of the question; that would be tantamount to handing someone a weapon. He had to find a way to maneuver within this seemingly hopeless situation.
“We will cooperate fully.” Li Ming nodded to Wang Hao, indicating that he should grant the necessary, non-core query permissions as requested. He then stepped forward and said to Captain Sun, “Captain Sun, the inspection will take time, and we appreciate your hard work. The server room and main office areas are here. Our technical lead, Wang Hao, and I will accompany you throughout the process, and we will answer any questions you may have. Regarding the financial accounts and some code involving core algorithms, because they involve trade secrets, in accordance with the Anti-Unfair Competition Law and relevant intellectual property regulations, could the inspectors please view them on a designated, independent computer that is not connected to the external network? We can provide the necessary explanations.”
His words expressed both a cooperative attitude and a clever invocation of the law, attempting to erect a firewall for the most core technologies and trade secrets. This is the maximum self-protection within the rules.
Captain Sun narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Ming for a few seconds, seemingly surprised by the young man's composure and response. He snorted, not immediately objecting, which was tantamount to acquiescing to part of Li Ming's suggestion: "Hurry up! No tricks!"
The inspection began. Cybersecurity personnel meticulously examined server logs, database access records, and firewall configurations. Meanwhile, officials from the industry and commerce bureau and tax bureau began reviewing the financial statements and operational data provided by Li Ziqing. The office was filled only with the sounds of keyboard clicks, paper flipping, and occasional whispered inquiries—a stifling atmosphere.
Li Ming and Wang Hao followed closely behind, answering questions about technical details and operational models with bated breath. Li Ming's answers were watertight, explaining the platform's operating principles while carefully avoiding core information that might involve future strategic planning. Wang Hao, on the other hand, used highly professional and somewhat obscure technical jargon to deal with probing questions about data security and system architecture, making it difficult for the other side to find fault.
Li Ziqing suppressed her anxiety and cooperated with the tax officials to verify every income and expenditure to ensure that the accounts were clear and there was no suspicion of tax evasion.
Time ticked by. The inspectors were clearly well-prepared, asking extremely detailed questions, some even bordering on leading. They repeatedly pressed for details about how user data was stored, the encryption methods, and the possibility of sharing data with third parties, seemingly determined to find the so-called "security vulnerabilities."
Li Ming knew perfectly well that this was far more than just Zhou Ruilin's revenge. The mysterious phone call and the current inspection were definitely connected. The other party was trying to use these "compliant" methods to forcibly enter their system and find the so-called "key"!
Just when the investigation seemed to have reached a stalemate, with the other side unable to find any obvious flaws and the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, a cybersecurity officer responsible for checking the server logs suddenly looked up, a hint of excitement on his face as if he had discovered his prey:
"Captain Sun! We've made a discovery! Two weeks ago, their system was subjected to a large-scale, high-intensity credential stuffing attack from overseas IP addresses! Moreover, during the attack, the system responded slowly, affecting normal user access! Could this be considered a cover-up of a major security incident? Furthermore, do they have sufficient capabilities to ensure that user data is not stolen by similar attacks?"
All eyes turned to him instantly! A barely perceptible sneer appeared on Captain Sun's face.
It was bound to happen! The other side had indeed taken advantage of this!
Wang Hao's expression changed, and he was about to explain the defensive measures and incident handling procedures when Li Ming spoke first, calmly saying:
"This comrade is right. Our platform did indeed encounter malicious cyberattacks from overseas in the early stages of its launch." He frankly admitted, without the slightest hint of panic. "However, I would like to ask everyone to take a look at this security testing report and incident response report issued by 'AnDun Technology,' a top domestic cybersecurity service provider."
Li Ming took out a pre-prepared official document with a red stamp from the filing cabinet and handed it over.
"After the attack, we immediately hired a third-party professional organization to conduct a comprehensive security assessment and hardening, and developed a complete emergency response plan. This is the original report, which details the attack characteristics, our defense measures, the scope of the incident (limited to a brief service delay, with no user data leakage), and the subsequent rectification plan. All processes comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Captain Sun and the cybersecurity personnel, his tone carrying just the right amount of confidence: "In fact, it was precisely after that attack that our system's security level was greatly improved. Currently, the data security level of the 'Mingyu Life' platform has reached the leading standard among similar platforms in China. We welcome any oversight based on facts and technical standards, as this helps us to continuously improve."
This unexpected move caught both the cybersecurity officer and Captain Sun off guard. They hadn't anticipated that Li Ming was not only prepared but also presented authoritative third-party documentation, transforming a potential "security incident" into an "opportunity to improve security."
Captain Sun took the report, quickly flipping through it, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. The report was detailed, logically sound, and properly stamped; there was nothing wrong with it.
The inspection lasted for more than an hour, but thanks to the thorough preparation and skillful handling of Li Ming's team, the investigation team ultimately failed to find any substantial evidence of violations that could be immediately grounds for punishment. User data protection measures were in place, financial accounts were clear, and source code inspection (under limited conditions) revealed no significant problems.
Captain Sun's face grew increasingly grim. He had clearly come with a "mission," but now he was leaving empty-handed.
"The inspection ends here for now." He closed his notebook, his tone curt. "We will take the relevant data and materials back for further analysis. Your company must learn from this and continuously strengthen data security management. Once any problems are discovered, you must immediately rectify them and report them!"
After leaving behind a few official remarks, the investigation team began packing up their equipment and preparing to leave.
Watching the investigation team leave the office, Liu Qiang slumped into his chair, almost completely exhausted. Wang Hao also let out a long sigh of relief, his back soaked with cold sweat. Li Ziqing walked to Li Ming's side and asked in a low voice, "Are you alright?"
Li Ming shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the doorway. He knew things wouldn't end so simply.
Sure enough, just as the entire investigation team was about to leave, Captain Sun, who was at the back, stopped, turned around, and looked at Li Ming again. This time, it wasn't a cold scrutiny, but a deeper, almost imperceptible inquiry. He lowered his voice and said in a volume only the two of them could hear:
"Young man, the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it."
"Some things are beyond your current level. Take care of yourself."
After saying that, he gave Li Ming a deep look, then turned and left.
The office returned to silence, but the invisible pressure did not dissipate with the departure of the investigation team. Instead, it became even heavier because of Captain Sun's last meaningful words.
"What...what does he mean?" Liu Qiang asked blankly.
Wang Hao pushed up his glasses, his eyes serious: "He's warning us. Or rather... reminding us."
Li Ming stood there, pondering Captain Sun's words. "Not something someone your level can touch..." What did he mean? Was it the Zhou family? Or the "key" that mysterious force was searching for?
He felt as if he had touched the tip of a giant iceberg, the part beneath the surface of the sea vast and dark, far beyond his imagination.
However, after this intense "tempering," Li Ming's eyes became even more resolute. He looked at the still-shaken team members and said in a deep voice:
"Do you all see this? This is the environment we will face in the future. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow, and there are even these 'inspections' disguised as compliance."
"But we made it through!" His voice rose a few decibels, carrying a sense of relief and strength. "This shows that as long as we are strong enough and act with integrity, nothing can defeat us!"
"This inspection was not a disaster for us, but the best stress test! It proved that our products can withstand scrutiny, our operations are legal and compliant, and our team can remain calm and effective under extreme pressure!"
His words were like a shot in the arm, injecting strength into everyone's hearts. The lingering fear was gradually replaced by a united fighting spirit.
“That’s right! Brother Ming! We’re not afraid of them!” Liu Qiang waved his fist.
"I will continue to strengthen the technical aspects to ensure everything is foolproof," Wang Hao promised.
"We will get better and better." Li Ziqing looked at Li Ming with gentle yet firm eyes.
Just as the team's morale was being rekindled, Li Ming's phone vibrated. It was a text message from Zhang Lei, and it was very short:
"The examination is over? It seems you're a tough nut to crack than I thought."
"Would you be interested in discussing this in a different way?"
Li Ming's pupils contracted slightly as he read the text message.
Zhang Lei… he really has been keeping an eye on this place. What role did he play in this whole affair?
Is he merely a bystander? Or... does he also have some unknown connection with that mysterious force?
A new fog has descended once more.
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