In the old apartment, all was silent. For most people, it was deep into the night, but for a "computer clan" member like Mo Xixi, the day was just beginning.
Among the three individuals with the same name, the first Ren Minghang was a bus driver, forty-one years old, "eliminated."
The second Ren Minghang was a boiler worker, thirty-eight years old, "eliminated."
"It looks like it could only be the third one," Mo Xixi patiently opened the file of the third person.
"System notification: Person search exceeds the national database security level limit, viewing prohibited." National databases are set with security levels ranging from the ordinary citizen’s Level E to Level A. Mo Xixi’s military rank was Captain, corresponding to a security Level C, meaning her highest data access level was C-Level information. With a little trickery, she could peek into Level B databases, and with a few all-nighters, access some Level A individuals’ information.
As for the other Level A data she couldn’t access, it covered individuals of particular importance to national security—all either "elite figures" high up in the military region or current political bigwigs making waves.
Teachers at Longzhi Academy were considered staff and their security clearance at most would be Level B, which should fall within Mo Xixi’s normal access range. Apart from being a gossip, Mo Xixi had another praiseworthy quality, she loved to delve into the horns of a dilemma. If Ren Minghang’s record had opened without a hitch, she probably would’ve glanced over it and forgotten all about it after a good sleep. Now that she couldn’t access it, her interest was piqued.
"It looks like I’ll have to go up to the second tier," said Mo Xixi, referring to the Level B security configuration.
Around half-past one in the morning, Mo Xixi was feeling numb all over, her eyes stinging and teary, when she finally broke into the Level B secure database. She entered the name "Ren Minghang" again without being discouraged.
"Darn it, still no luck," Mo Xixi exclaimed, more excited than when her beloved Italian soccer team lost last year’s World Cup match. If she hadn’t retained some sense, her laptop would have already been sent flying.
"Do I keep looking? I’ve lost the mood," Mo Xixi pitifully stared at the screen and wiped away the tears, then glanced back at the quiet room of Xia You. Fortunately, Xia You hadn’t woken up after just two hours of sleep this time.
"The revolution is not yet a success, Mo Xixi must strive on, I shall defend the glory of being the Gossip Queen till the end," an A-Level security clearance military school teacher, not to keep searching would be a disservice to Mo Xixi’s laborious past hour.
"May the spirits above and below bless me, he just has to be within the part of the A-Level authorization range I can search," the delicate pink wax apple, like a baby’s hand, was tossed aside by Mo Xixi.
By five in the morning, Mo Xixi was dizzy and weak, but she finally cracked the portion of the Level A security clearance she was able to view.
"Nowadays, the RAND Information Department is incredible, much more competent than the old half-skilled bunch," Mo Xixi flexed her joints to regain some agility. Back in the day, when she was an innocent youth, she made a name for herself among Hua Country’s hackers just through self-teaching. As that generation of computer talents were successively recruited by the military region, its power grew steadily, and her solo efforts couldn’t match the combined wisdom of a group.
Mo Xixi rubbed her gritty eyes and, reenergizing herself, entered the name again.
This time, she wasn’t disappointed. She "whooshed" up from the couch, wandered outside Xia You’s door. She’d wanted to tell Xia You the newly found information directly, but Xia You had already said she wasn’t interested in Ren Minghang’s data.
"Never mind. It’s already five o’clock. Xia You will be out for a run soon. I’ll just leave the computer here, and if she happens to see it, she’ll know," Mo Xixi knew disturbing someone’s sleep could incur wrath. After washing her face and gulping down some milk, she went to meet with the God of Dreams.
When five o’clock passed, Xia You did not set out as usual.