Another accident

The next morning, as soon as I arrived at school, Zhao Yanyan spoke to me.

"Grandpa asked about our relationship yesterday," she said.

I tensed up. "What did you tell him?"

"I didn't say much. I just told him we were both participating in the computer competition and that we're deskmates, so we're pretty close," Zhao Yanyan replied, cupping her cheeks with a shy smile.

"Did he say anything else?" I asked, a little suspicious. Normally, parents or grandparents wouldn't be so easygoing about their daughter or granddaughter spending time with a boy.

"No, he just said it's fine to have normal friendships, but not to let it affect my studies," she said, blushing.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, you scared me for a second! I thought your grandpa would tell you to stay away from me."

"Not at all! But hey—Liu Lei, are you hoping I stay away from you?" Zhao Yanyan pouted, clearly misunderstanding my words. "Well, too bad. I'm staying right next to you from now on!"

"How could I want that?" I laughed. "I'd be happy if you stuck with me!"

As we were talking, Liu Kesheng walked into the classroom, looking disheveled.

After returning home the night before, Liu Kesheng had thought his father would back him up when he complained about the incident. He assumed that, like all these years, his father—who had pampered him—would step in. But when Liu Kesheng told him the young man involved was Zhang's secretary, his father immediately asked which girl it was. Upon hearing her last name was Zhao, Liu Kesheng's father exploded in anger. He even scolded his son and told him to stay away from Zhao Yanyan.

"Your grandpa is a big shot in the province?" I asked Zhao Yanyan.

She replied casually, "What's the matter?"

"Why have you never mentioned it before?" I was genuinely curious. Even in my previous life, as her superior, I didn't know much about her family background.

"Do you think it's interesting to flaunt things like Liu Kesheng does?" Zhao Yanyan retorted.

"True," I said, "I like you for who you are, not for your family background."

She suddenly fell silent, her face flushing. She looked at me shyly.

"What's wrong?" I asked, puzzled.

"Liu Lei, this is the first time you've said you like me," Zhao Yanyan whispered.

"Is it?" I blinked, realizing it was true. Ever since I was reborn, Zhao Yanyan had always been the one confessing to me. In my previous life, I had neglected to say those words. "I thought you already knew."

"But, but I just like hearing you say it," Zhao Yanyan said seriously.

"Alright then." I leaned in closer to her ear and softly whispered, "Yanyan, I love you."

Her face lit up with a bright smile, pure joy in her expression, as if she were a porcelain doll—fragile and perfect, brimming with happiness.

It seems that the saying "women need to be coaxed" is not without merit. Some things that they clearly know in their hearts still make them happy when you say them out loud.

Today, Guo Qing was quite bold. As he walked past Liu Kesheng, he raised his middle finger high. Liu Kesheng, seeing this, froze, not daring to utter a word. It seemed he knew very well that Guo Qing could easily beat him up with his physique.

In this life, I've come to realize that Guo Qing, in essence, is quite a bold character. It's just that it wasn't brought out in the past.

"Big sis, what are you two talking about?" Guo Qing greeted Zhao Yanyan first, completely ignoring me, the "old boss."

"Of course, we're talking about love. Do you expect us to tell you everything?" I responded, somewhat dissatisfied.

"Heh, big sis, that Secretary Zhang was really impressive yesterday! As soon as he showed up, all those people backed down. What exactly does he do?" Guo Qing excitedly asked.

Zhao Yanyan, unlike Liu Kesheng, wasn't the type to brag about things like this. She just replied, "Secretary Zhang is just a secretary, that's all."

Guo Qing, seeing that she wasn't willing to talk, stopped asking, and began going on about how his sparring skills in sanda had improved.

Meanwhile, in a different place, Zhao Junsheng was staring at the investigation report that Lao Gao had sent over. His emotions were turbulent, and he sat there, unable to calm down.

"Zhao, is something wrong?" Lao Gao noticed Zhao Junsheng's conflicted expression and asked with concern.

"Lao Gao, are these reports true?" Zhao Junsheng inhaled deeply before asking.

"Yes, I personally went to the police station to verify them," Lao Gao affirmed. "Zhao, don't be upset. If you want, I can send someone to warn that kid."

Zhao Junsheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "No need, let it go. As long as they don't go too far, we'll just turn a blind eye to it."

Lao Gao looked at Zhao Junsheng in disbelief. This wasn't the usual Zhao, who would never let things like this slide. Was he really letting it go this time?

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Junsheng said, "I'm tired, you can leave now."

After Lao Gao left, Zhao Junsheng sank into his memories, his mind drifting back to the summer of the 1980s when he had just transitioned from the military. He thought of a beautiful girl from those days—the one who had left a deep imprint on his heart, even though their first love had ended in failure. Yet, that youthful romance remained a cherished memory.

First loves are always hard to forget.

Was this the so-called fate? Could it be that the unfulfilled love of the previous generation would be carried forward by the next? If so, then perhaps it would finally fulfill a wish that had long been buried in his heart.

Meanwhile, Xu Jinde had been grinning from ear to ear for the past two days. His computer science class had produced two prodigies. One of them could type over 300 characters per minute, an unprecedented record in youth computer competitions.

If his students won the grand prize this time, Xu Jinde would finally be able to hold his head high among his peers. The bonus at the Youth Center by the end of the year would certainly be considerable.

The more Xu Jinde thought about it, the happier he became. It seemed the heavens were on his side, giving him two brilliant disciples in his old age. Although he knew full well that he hadn't personally trained them, people like to take credit for good things, and the glory was his to claim.

"Ruo Yun?" Xu Jinde pushed open the door to his granddaughter's room, calling out.

Inside, a young girl was expertly manipulating a computer. When she heard him, she turned her head and shot him an annoyed glance.

"Grandpa, I've told you so many times! Don't disturb me when I'm programming!" The girl frowned and said.

"Ah, Ruo Yun, I forgot again, I was so anxious," Xu Jinde laughed awkwardly, clearly afraid of his sharp-witted granddaughter. If it weren't for something important, he wouldn't have bothered her.

"Is there something wrong?" the girl named Ruo Yun asked.

"Can you copy TC2.0 for me?" Xu Jinde quickly got to the point.

"Grandpa, what do you need that for? Don't you usually use Basic?" Ruo Yun asked, puzzled.

"Well, I'm copying it for a student in the computer class!" Xu Jinde explained.

"That computer class at the Youth Center? And they actually know C language?" Ruo Yun asked, her expression full of disbelief.

"Yes, and don't forget whose student they are!" Xu Jinde said proudly.

"Hmph, from what I know, your class has only had one lesson. What does that have to do with them knowing anything?" Ruo Yun shot back, hitting Xu Jinde's weak spot without mercy.

Xu Jinde laughed awkwardly. "Even a fine horse needs a wise rider to recognize it!"

Ruo Yun, no longer wanting to argue with her boastful grandfather, simply copied TC2.0 onto a disk and handed it to him.

Xu Jinde took the disk, turned to leave, but then stopped at the door and turned back. "Ruo Yun, you're really not going to enter the computer competition?"

Ruo Yun sighed in frustration. "Grandpa, I've told you a hundred times—I'm not entering, I'm not entering!"

Xu Jinde wasn't ready to give up. "But you're so good at programming! Can't you at least enter and help me gain some glory?"

Ruo Yun shook her head. "What's the point of competitions? Only people who aren't good enough try to prove themselves through them. Real experts stay out of the spotlight."

Xu Jinde suddenly had an idea, and a sly smile crept across his face. "I don't think so! One of my students can type over 300 characters per minute and knows how to program. He's even signed up for the competition!"

"What? 300 characters per minute?" Ruo Yun gasped. Even she couldn't type that fast.

"Is this person really that good?" Ruo Yun was now intrigued. She knew most of the computer experts in Songjiang who were her age, and she hadn't heard of anyone who could type that fast.

Xu Jinde, seeing that his tactic was working, felt a surge of delight, though he kept a straight face. "Why would I lie to you? I doubt you could catch up with him!"

Ruo Yun, completely taken in, clenched her fist confidently. "Who says I can't beat him? Fine, I'll enter the competition and show you who's better!"

Xu Jinde, sensing victory, quickly made his exit before she could change her mind.

At the bus station...

"Achoo!" I sneezed. Who's talking about me?

I glanced at my watch. Zhao Yanyan was running late. We'd agreed to meet at the 6-line bus stop near her house at 8:00, but it was already 8:05, and she still wasn't here.

Just then, I felt a pair of cold little hands cover my eyes from behind. "Guess who I am?"

Ah, a kid's trick, I thought, smirking to myself. But I decided to play along.

"Is it Beibei?" I asked.

"No!"

"Then is it Yangyang?" I thought for a moment before asking.

"No!"

"Ah, it must be Lili!" I pretended to think for a long time, saying it with complete confidence.

"Hmph! It's me, Yanyan! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Zhao Yanyan pulled her hands away and pouted. "What's with all this Beibei

　　"It's not!"

　　"That's Yangyang?" I said with a deep groan.

　　"It's not!"

　　"Oh, you must be Lili!" I deliberately thought about it for a long time and said with great certainty.

　　"Humph! I'm Yan Yan! Ignore you! Zhao Yanyan let go of her hand and said angrily: "Say it quickly, what are the besirs, who are they?" "

　　I looked at Zhao Yanyan with an innocent face: "When did I say they were human?" "

　　Zhao Yanyan didn't expect me to say this, so she was stunned for a moment and asked, "What is that?" "

　　I laughed and said, "I'm talking about the neighbor's puppy!" "

　　"Wow, you're calling me a puppy!" Zhao Yanyan stretched out her hand and pinched me.

　　"Oops! Murder of your own husband! I screamed and ran away.

　　At this time, a 6-line car drove over, and Zhao Yanyan and I got into the car.

　　There were a lot of people in the car, so Zhao Yanyan and I found a place by the door and stood down.

　　"Didn't your grandfather ask Secretary Zhang to send you?" I asked.

　　"Why didn't I let it, I talked to him for a long time before he agreed to let me go by myself—hey. What are you doing? Before Zhao Yanyan finished speaking, she suddenly exclaimed.

　　At this time, I also noticed that behind Zhao Yanyan, there was a fierce-looking man standing, and one hand was reaching into Zhao Yanyan's backpack.

　　I quickly came back to my senses, and my first reaction was that I had encountered a thief!

　　The man didn't expect to be discovered, so he hurriedly took out a sharp knife from his pocket and shouted: "Don't move, whoever moves will die!" "

　　There was a scream in the carriage, and people got out of the way, and the crowded carriage actually gave up a clearing next to the three of us.

　　"Me. Beat. Disaster! Get out of the cash and everything of value! When the fierce man saw that the matter was revealed, he tore his face.

　　The occupants of the car took a few steps back, but they were afraid to avoid it.

　　"What are you all looking at, call the police!" Zhao Yanyan saw that everyone not only didn't help, but also hid far away.

　　None of them took action, and of course, it is not ruled out that none of them have mobile phones.

　　"What's it called? If you call me again, the red knife will go in and the white knife will come out! The fierce man put the knife under Zhao Yanyan's neck and shouted.

　　Many people couldn't help but laugh when they heard this.

"Laugh at you! Grass! The fierce man said anxiously.

　　I remembered a classic dialogue from a movie in my previous life, so I said, "I hate you robbers the most, you have no technical content at all!" "

　　When the people in the car heard this, they couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing.

　　The fierce man raised his knife angrily, and said with a pale face: "Who is laughing, who is laughing Lao Tzu was the first to stab him." "

　　The reason why I spoke out against him was that I was waiting for this opportunity. The moment the fierce man raised the knife, I flew over and punched the knife in his hand, and then slammed my knee into the fierce man's lower body.

　　It all happened between the fire and the light, and the fierce man howled and squatted on the ground with his lower body covered.

　　"Call the police!" I shouted as I looked at the people who were stunned in place.

　　Hearing me say this, a scholar-like man took out a big brother from his pocket and prepared to call the police. Among these people, it is estimated that he has a big brother, you know, this is 94 years, and it is generally a very rich or very high-status person who will have a big brother.

　　Before he could call the phone, three men crowded into the crowd, and one of them shouted, "Who dare to call the police?" "

　　The scholar was so frightened that he immediately took Big Brother back again. I secretly screamed in my heart, this thief even has accomplices!

　　"Hey, boy, aren't you a cow? Bad for your uncle, our good deeds! I didn't see that you were very black, and you gave the third child's life! Accomplice A said.

　　"Today, our brothers will avenge the third child, and we have to beat you into a second-class disability!" Accomplice B also shouted angrily.

　　In the half month since I was reborn, due to the planned training, my physical fitness has improved a little bit, coupled with the sanda skills I mastered in my previous life, it can be said that it is no problem to deal with these reckless gangsters, but I am afraid that what if I accidentally injure Zhao Yanyan or other innocent passengers.

After thinking about it for a while, I had a solution in my mind. I shouted, "Driver, open the door!" "

　　The driver of the car was also stupid at this time, he didn't expect that there were four robbers in his car. At this time, he heard someone telling him to open the door, and he wished that the robbers would get out of the car quickly, so he quickly opened the car door.

　　I pulled Zhao Yanyan and hurriedly got out of the car, and the three thief accomplices who forced me thought I wanted to run, so they quickly followed me out of the car. Actually, that's what I want.

　　Accomplice A shouted: "Don't let him run, my brothers will catch him and kill him!" "

　　But to their surprise, I didn't run at all when I got out of the car, but stood in an open space on the side of the road.

　　"Boy, you know each other very well!" Accomplice B saw me standing still and thought I was scared.

　　"Big brother, second brother, let's talk nonsense with him, hurry up and avenge the third brother!" Accomplice C said anxiously.

　　"Yes, go up and shoot him!" When the other two heard this, they immediately rushed towards me.

　　I pushed Zhao Yanyan to the side, easily dodged the attacks of several people, and ran behind them.

　　Before a few people could react, I quickly slashed at the back of the necks of several people, and several of the thieves fell to the ground with a muffled grunt.

　　"Remember one sentence, and if you do too much injustice, you will be killed. Don't let me see you again! "As I left, I dropped a word.

　　"Ahh The people in the car reacted at this time, and surrounded a few thieves, and a few people even took out their mobile phones, all wanting to touch the light of righteousness and bravery.

I quickly pulled Zhao Yanyan away from the crowd, disappearing into the streets. I didn't want to wait for the police. Though I had acted in self-defense, giving a statement would take too long, and we were already running late. Besides, I was confident that the nervous passengers would tell the story perfectly, naturally making themselves the heroes of the day.

Even though we rushed, we still arrived late to the Youth Palace.

When Old Xu saw us, he didn't say anything. What could he say? After all, he was counting on us to deliver results.

Old Xu handed me the TC2.0 disk and went back to teaching the other students.

"Liu Lei, you can program?" Zhao Yanyan asked, seeing me setting up the TC.

"Sort of," I replied.

"Do you have a computer at home?" Zhao Yanyan asked, clearly puzzled. For most people, computers were still mysterious and hard to come by.

"No," I shook my head. "We don't have one." If we did, I wouldn't be here in the first place.

"Then, have you studied computers before?" Zhao Yanyan asked, looking even more incredulous.

"No," I answered. It wasn't exactly a lie, since in this life, I hadn't studied computers at all.

"Oh." Zhao Yanyan seemed to take my words as me not wanting to talk about it, and she lowered her head, looking disappointed.

Sighing, I said to her, "Yanyan, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that I don't know how. But one thing is for sure: my feelings for you are sincere."

"Mm." Zhao Yanyan blushed and responded softly. After a while, she said, "It's okay, Liu Lei. I believe you."

I patted her cheek gently, then got back to work.

In my previous life, I was skilled in C# and C++, but both of those languages were extensions based on C, so I was comfortable using C now as well—though some of the syntax was a bit more cumbersome.

Fortunately, creating an input method wasn't a huge project. I believed I could finish and perfect it in a day.

With a sigh of relief, I finally finished. I excitedly booted up UCDOS and started preparing to debug my input method. It wasn't particularly difficult, but the most important part was getting it to work as a plugin in WPS. While I had an idea of developing my own office software, the current product was meant for sale, so whether it worked reliably in WPS would be key to its success.

I checked the input method in UCDOS—it worked flawlessly, inputting Chinese characters without issue. However, as soon as I opened WPS, the computer crashed.

What was going on? I restarted the computer, booted UCDOS, ran the input method, and opened WPS again. It crashed once more.

This didn't make sense. If it were a compatibility issue, that might explain the problem, but a crash? Why was the computer freezing like this? I couldn't figure it out.

Well, I decided to take a break and think about it later. I stretched lazily and looked up, only to realize the entire computer lab was empty. I hadn't even noticed when everyone had left.

Where was Zhao Yanyan? I saw her seat was empty. Had she left already?

Just as I was wondering, Zhao Yanyan came back through the door, carrying two small plastic bags.

"Are you done? I bought two boxes of lunch. Let's eat while it's still hot." She came over and handed me one of the meals.

I looked at it—one box of rice and one box of vegetables, with a generous serving of vegetables. I asked in surprise, "Why is there so much food today? Last time, you only gave me half a box of veggies, and I didn't even feel full."

"The vegetables are served by choice," Zhao Yanyan explained.

"Oh, why didn't you get more then?" I asked casually.

"I would've, but the box was already full. It couldn't fit any more!" Zhao Yanyan opened the box and started eating.

"Couldn't fit any more?" A thought flashed through my mind. That's it! The box had limited capacity, just like computer memory. The computers of that time had only 8MB of RAM, and I hadn't considered that while writing the input method. I had inherited my previous experience at MSoft, where we didn't mind using large amounts of memory for stability. But now, this was causing the computer to crash when I ran multiple programs.

Suddenly, I was excited. I grabbed Yanyan's face and kissed her.

"Hey! What are you doing? I'm eating!" Zhao Yanyan protested, trying to pull away, clearly annoyed.

"Nothing, darling! I'm just really happy!" I grabbed my lunch and started eating. Now that I had figured out the problem, I was confident I could fix it in the afternoon.

By 7 p.m. that evening, my input method was fully debugged. It ran smoothly, with memory residency, and could be easily triggered in WPS using a hotkey.

During this time, Zhao Yanyan had quietly stayed by my side, never asking questions. Occasionally, she played a little typing game. When she heard my excited shout of "It's done!" she smiled and kissed me, even though she had no idea what I had been working on.

I felt incredibly lucky to have a woman like Zhao Yanyan by my side in this life. No matter what I did, whether she understood or not, she always supported me silently.

Zhao Yanyan had originally planned to go out with me in the afternoon, but after I had delayed everything, we hadn't done anything at all. Although she didn't say anything, when I took her home, I could sense a slight sigh of regret from her.