Chapter Thirteen: The Golden Touch for Making Money

By the time Qi Huanchang came back, panting, Jiangxi Wen was already sketching out the system architecture on paper. Qi Huanchang was stunned once again, but he didn’t interrupt. He waited until Jiangxi Wen finished up, then spoke, “You’re designing the framework for the computer lab management system? Ah, no wonder you came looking for me again yesterday—you’re hoping I’ll help persuade Tianxing School to adopt this system, right?”

He looked enlightened. There was no way he could keep seeing Jiangxi Wen as a child nine years his junior. This boy was not only a programming prodigy, but also had a sharp business mind—something no middle schooler should be capable of.

“You guessed it. From now on, we’re not just friends, we’re partners. If there’s money to be made, we’ll make it together, and I’ll need your help to make this software a success.

Tianxing School has branches in many major cities across the country. If the Yangjiang branch uses our software and it spreads further, that’s a huge sum. I doubt you want to stay stuck here as a high school computer science teacher.

With money, you could buy two top-of-the-line computers: one just for gaming, and the other to battle viruses—create them, destroy them, hone your skills.”

Qi Huanchang wasn’t swept away by excitement. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Just the two of us? Is that possible? Besides, Qingsoft Technology in Mode City has been pitching this software to Tianxing for ages. If it weren’t so expensive, they’d have used it already. For all the Tianxing schools to adopt the system, including future upgrades, the first payment alone to Qingsoft would be at least two million.

My classmate, Fan Qiang, is principal at the Yangjiang branch. He told me, even though more kids are learning computers, the numbers are still pretty small. For parents, getting their child into college is still much more important. Tianxing School relies solely on the chairman, Tian Weidong, for funding. It’s only just started turning a profit this year, so...”

“Tian Weidong has vision. In a few years, he’ll see tremendous returns,” Jiangxi Wen mused, recalling that bold, capable entrepreneur he’d once met.

Qi Huanchang was skeptical. “You sound so sure. You’re impressive, but you’re not clairvoyant.”

“Wait and see,” Jiangxi Wen replied, a mysterious smile on his lips. “Qingsoft wants thirty thousand just to install the system for Yangjiang. Let’s offer twenty thousand. Don’t worry about the tech—ours will be far more powerful.”

Having once led the development of the Tianxing Computer School’s system, doing it again was easy for Jiangxi Wen, even under DOS.

That’s the privilege of someone reborn, Jiangxi Wen thought with satisfaction.

Qi Huanchang looked at him and smacked his forehead. “Alright, you cracked my virus with barely any effort. I’ll take the gamble and support you fully. You say when we talk to Fan Qiang.”

Jiangxi Wen replied confidently, “No rush. Give us three days to make a test version. With a demo, we’ll be much more convincing.”

“Three days?!”

“Of course. Your part is to lend me this lab for testing and help build a few modules.”

“Alright, no problem.” Qi Huanchang nodded, eyes shining. Though he didn’t like commercial programming, he’d never thought two people alone could build such a management system. But Jiangxi Wen’s confidence was infectious; it roused that hacker’s drive for endless challenge—the same thrill as writing and defeating viruses.

Jiangxi Wen explained the architecture, module by module, and asked about the Yangjiang branch’s specific needs, jotting down possible requirements.

Mostly, Jiangxi Wen talked while Qi Huanchang listened. Occasionally, Jiangxi Wen would type a few lines of code to test an idea. Before long, it was noon. Qi Huanchang was engrossed, but Jiangxi Wen’s stomach was rumbling.

“Come on, keep going! Scientists work day and night,” Qi Huanchang boasted shamelessly.

Jiangxi Wen solemnly patted his shoulder. “Then you keep going. I’ll leave the great cause in your hands. You suffer, I’ll eat lunch. See you.”

“Wait, I’ll treat you. Let’s discuss over lunch,” Qi Huanchang insisted, as thick-skinned as ever. He’d always been proud, but with Jiangxi Wen’s abilities so far beyond his own, he was reminded of the days at Nanshen University, working three days and nights with Wang Xunfei, subsisting on cheap spicy instant noodles, fighting off another hacker.

A bead of sweat rolled down Jiangxi Wen’s forehead. Rolling his eyes, he simply wrote a virus way ahead of its time and infected the computer so badly it wouldn’t even start. Then he said, “Fatty Qi, see if you can crack this. Once you’re done, we’ll talk.”

Faced with a new virus, Qi Huanchang was even more energized than writing software—he got right to work.

“Virus addict...” Jiangxi Wen saw the trick had worked and quickly left the computer lab. As he reached the stairs, he spotted Gong Xiang waiting eagerly.

The moment Gong Xiang saw him, he rushed over, eyes full of admiration. “You’ve really made it! The principal came to our class to praise you, said you’re the only one in the whole school to get a spot in the computer competition. You’ll be training in the lab instead of going to class. Not even the top high school students get that.”

Fatty Qi must have said something when he applied, actually persuading the principal. Jiangxi Wen was puzzled but didn’t mind; at this level, even a national computer competition would be easy to win.

“Heh, do you know who the computer teacher is? It’s Fatty Qi from yesterday. So, with a few tricks my uncle taught me, here we are. Why aren’t you home for lunch? Waiting for me out here—are you trying to show your deep admiration?”

A few words and Gong Xiang, still a kid at heart, took the bait. “Get lost! I waited to tell you—you didn’t turn in your homework today. Ms. Extinction was furious and dragged Tan Yutou with her to announce to the whole class that anyone who saw you should tell you to go to her office at lunch. She says she never agreed to you not doing homework. You only started computer training today, so you should have done yesterday’s assignments. Looks like she’s holding a grudge from yesterday and will keep giving you trouble.”

Seeing Gong Xiang’s anxiety, Jiangxi Wen was a little moved. He smiled easily. “Don’t worry, go on home. With Fatty Qi backing me, nothing will happen. Think about it—he got the principal to excuse me from class and even praise me. Clearly, the school values the competition. All I have to say is that I was with Teacher Qi last night studying, and everything’s fine.”

He said this just to reassure Gong Xiang. Of course, he wouldn’t actually say that to Tan Yutou. What he wanted was the permanent privilege of skipping homework. Yesterday, he’d shaken her resolve; today, he intended to make his case once and for all.