Chapter Twelve: The Classmate of the Founder of QQ

Jiangxiwen felt a twinge of sympathy. Judging by the virus from earlier, Qihuanchang’s skills were already outstanding in China in 1993. If not for having been reborn, how could Jiangxiwen, at just fifteen and still in junior high, have so easily cracked this nested virus?

“Don’t be discouraged, Fatty Qi,” Jiangxiwen said, patting Qihuanchang’s shoulder. “I’ve been studying computers just as long as you have. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to computers. If you truly want to be a hacker, what matters most is a sharp, cool-headed mind. I may be younger, but I only beat you this time on a specific virus. If you can’t get over that, then you’re being too rigid—you’re better off working as a programmer at some company.”

Jiangxiwen understood how Fatty Qi felt; most hackers looked down on those who wrote commercial software, considering them little more than code machines.

Qihuanchang frowned at Jiangxiwen’s words, his eyes fixed on the computer screen, lost in thought. Jiangxiwen didn’t disturb him, instead turning his attention to designing the architecture for a computer lab management software under DOS. This was why he’d returned to Tianxing School the day before: he intended to persuade Qihuanchang, and then together, convince the principal of Tianxing School’s Yangjiang branch to install an internal network management system.

Jiangxiwen was intimately familiar with Tianxing Computer School. If he could get the Yangjiang branch principal to persuade the chairman to let him provide management systems for all their branches nationwide, it would be a lucrative opportunity.

Once the indos operating system was released, he could help Tianxing upgrade to the new system and, with the coming of the internet era, sell them a networked version, opening up a stream of follow-up revenue.

Suddenly, Fatty Qi slapped Jiangxiwen on the shoulder, startling him and interrupting his train of thought. “Good kid, you’ll have to teach me more from now on.”

“Can’t you be a bit gentler, you big oaf?” Jiangxiwen laughed. He was pleased to see Qihuanchang come around so quickly—having a top-level programmer from this era as a partner would save him a great deal of trouble.

“Alright, whatever you say,” Qihuanchang replied with a clumsy chuckle, landing another solid slap.

This time, Jiangxiwen was ready and dodged to the side. Qihuanchang’s pudgy hand was surprisingly nimble, quickly retracting as he put on a goofy grin. “Kid, after the blow you dealt me, it’s only fair I get a couple of whacks in return.”

“You really can’t let it go that easily, can you?” Jiangxiwen teased, feigning annoyance. “With a belly that big, I’d have thought you could at least hold more than a tiny ant.”

Dropping the pretense, Qihuanchang patted his broad forehead and said earnestly, “Xiwent, enough joking. I’ve learned a lot from you today—not just technically, but in how to think. Thank you.”

Only now did Jiangxiwen realize that all that silly laughter was just a mask. The moment Fatty Qi patted his forehead was when he was most sincere.

“We’re friends, aren’t we? No need to be so formal. I came to you to sign up for the computer competition.”

“What?” Qihuanchang was surprised again, this time with more confusion. “Did I hear that right? The competition’s just about typing speed and BASIC programming. With your skills, do you really want to bother with this?”

“If it means skipping classes, of course I do. I plan to spend all day in the computer lab from now on—every day. Help me apply to the school. Just tell them you’ve discovered a prodigy who’s sure to win the school first place in the competition. Our principal loves nothing more than that kind of honor—he’ll definitely approve.”

Qihuanchang was taken aback, replying seriously, “But if you don’t attend classes, how will you get into a good high school? Failing the entrance exam wouldn’t be good. Are you thinking the way I did back then—only focusing on what you like, ignoring everything else? You need to understand that university isn’t just about book learning, much less about a diploma that’s little more than a fig leaf. It’s about broadening your horizons, expanding your mind, learning how to learn, and making friends who share your passions.

Luckily, my father hired a tutor for me in my senior year and forced me to study hard, which is how I got into Nanshen University. That’s where I met my best friend, Wang Xunfei. Because of him, I got more and more into computers—he’s got a brilliant mind and is a great coder. I learned a lot from him. Unfortunately, he always believed writing commercial software was the only path, so after graduation, he stayed in Nanshen City working as a programmer.”

By the end, Qihuanchang’s expression was tinged with melancholy. Since yesterday, he’d either been acting aloof or bouncing around noisily, alternating between extremes—but never this serious.

It was only 1993, yet Fatty Qi already had such insight—he truly wasn’t ordinary. Jiangxiwen thought himself extraordinary as well; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been granted a second chance at life. Naturally, he sought company that was equally out of the ordinary.

Jiangxiwen nodded solemnly. “You’ve misunderstood me. I can guarantee I’ll get into the top class at No. 2 High School, and university is definitely in my plans, so don’t worry. As for your friend Wang Xunfei, don’t let it get to you. True friends remain so, whether together or apart.”

Though his expression was serious, Jiangxiwen’s heart soared with delight. Wang Xunfei—a Nanshen University graduate who stayed in Nanshen as a programmer—if he was right, this was the future founder of YOCQ software, better known as QQ, the giant of China’s online communications. Most Chinese internet users, upon hearing Wang Xunfei’s name, would immediately think of that adorable panda icon. Who would have thought his closest friend was this insightful Fatty Qi before him?

Jiangxiwen knew his strength lay in programming, but if he wanted to start a business and surpass Lin Zheng, what he lacked was experience in market operations.

If, through Qihuanchang, he could befriend and collaborate with Wang Xunfei, and combine that with his foreknowledge of QQ’s future development, QQ would avoid many pitfalls and earn even greater profits.

At last, Jiangxiwen had a clear and ambitious long-term plan. All that was missing now was time. The internet had yet to spread—everything was still just talk. For now, he needed to team up with Qihuanchang to perfect the computer lab management system and secure his first capital.

Upon hearing Jiangxiwen’s assurance, Qihuanchang’s round face broke into a wide grin. “If you’re confident, all the better. I’ll go apply right now. You won’t have to attend a single class until the competition on December thirty-first.” He was genuinely eager for Jiangxiwen to stay in the lab every day, studying hacking with him.

Without waiting for a reply, Qihuanchang pulled off his shoe covers and dashed out, leaving only the shouts of the lab teacher in a white coat behind him: “Aren’t you old enough to act like a teacher?”

Fatty Qi really was lovable. Jiangxiwen smiled quietly to himself.