Chapter 37: Everyone Is a Winner

On the conference table, each person had a cup of steaming hot tea before them. Near the doorway, there was an extra cup of equally steaming tea.

“Please, have a seat, student.”

After all, Li Ping’an was still a student without any social background or a degree. He had never encountered such a scene before. Just as the counselor had said, an ordinary person might never come into contact with the National Security Bureau in a lifetime. Yet here he was… being invited for a “tea talk.”

Combined with the compromising evidence on the USB drive, it was no wonder Li Ping’an felt uneasy.

“Tea talk,” they called it.

“Student, why are you sweating so profusely?”

“Student, you seem a bit weak in the kidneys. How about coming to train with National Security? Look at me, I’m in great shape.”

The moment Li Ping’an sat down, he had the uneasy feeling that this enthusiastic man was like a big bad wolf trying to trick Little Red Riding Hood.

Seeing Li Ping’an’s guarded gaze, the man, nicknamed Hound, cleared his throat and toned down a bit.

“Um… student, do you realize your situation has become serious?”

Upon hearing this, Li Ping’an was silent for a moment before replying, “I’m a model student; don’t try to fool me.”

“Alright, back to the point.”

“Do you know a Sun Yutong?”

Li Ping’an recalled the counselor’s advice—not to lie. It was useless to lie in front of these people; the higher the position, the better to be straightforward.

“Yes, she’s an intern at my company, responsible for front-end development.”

He glanced at a girl nearby who was working on a laptop; she was clearly taking notes on what he said.

“Sun Yutong stole company data. Are you aware of that?”

“Yes.”

Though everyone had a cup of tea, no one was in the mood to drink.

“If you knew, why didn’t you report it to the police?”

Li Ping’an rubbed his nose.

“I thought I’d find out who it was first, then report.”

“So, you admit the virus on the USB was your doing?”

“Maybe… probably… yes…”

Suddenly, he felt three pairs of eyes fixed intently on him.

Especially that girl, her gaze was peculiar.

This ‘masterpiece’ had seriously troubled Xiao Wang from the Information Department. Even after a whole night, the virus on the computer remained unresolved.

For a moment, the conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Feeling a bit thirsty, Li Ping’an impulsively picked up the disposable cup and took a sip of the tea.

Facing National Security agents, few would dare to drink the tea so casually.

After a long pause, Hound broke the silence.

“Interested in joining National Security? The benefits are plentiful.”

Recruitment? Li Ping’an shook his head gently.

“Sir, everyone has their own path. Starting a business suits me better.”

Having investigated Li Ping’an’s company, Zhili Fang Technology Ltd., the three agents were unsurprised by his response.

At his age, with such achievements, refusal was normal.

If he agreed immediately, they’d be more suspicious and conduct deeper investigations.

After all, what if they recruited a spy instead of talent? The loss would be immense.

They didn’t know how many comrades might have perished due to internal spies.

“Our Information Department has tested that Zhili Fang’s learning algorithms are quite advanced. Would you consider providing technical support?”

“Also, that virus is very interesting.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be free. As long as your demands aren’t excessive, I’ll apply to the leadership.”

Once again, the room fell silent.

Li Ping’an pondered.

Are AI algorithms important? Undoubtedly.

But, to be precise, the current pet spirit’s algorithms aren’t learning algorithms but rather refined data processing algorithms.

Essentially, they handle existing algorithms.

The true AI learning algorithm exists only in the incubation base’s room 201, within his dedicated server housing a semi-finished AI.

Like this time, that AI with a learning algorithm, though still incomplete, already possessed the abilities to learn viruses, generate new viruses, and defend itself.

It was genuinely learning—not simply processing big data according to a program.

However…

“I can give you the virus.”

“As for the learning algorithms you want—frankly, that’s how my company makes money. It’s not that I’m unwilling to share, but I worry that if I hand over the learning algorithm to you, it won’t be long before every AI in the domestic market uses my algorithm.”

“If that happens, my company loses its edge. How would it survive?”

“Remember, algorithms themselves cannot be patented.”

At that moment, the girl who had been silent until now spoke up.

“Student, what you say is not wrong. But when an algorithm is applied within a specific technical field and can solve concrete technical problems or achieve particular technical effects, such a solution can be patented.”

“For example, if an algorithm significantly improves accuracy in image recognition or optimizes performance in a complex engineering system, that specific implementation and its application method can be regarded as a new technical solution and might be eligible for patent protection.”

“Your AI learning algorithm falls into this category. Our National Security Bureau can assist you in applying for a patent.”

“Yes, yes, we can help you apply.”

If there were patents, that would be acceptable.

Li Ping’an didn’t want to confront National Security. Otherwise…

“I want a piece of land.”

“Of course, not in the capital.”

“Just in the provincial capital where I’m from.”

Hound was silent for a moment.

“I’ll need to apply for that.”

Not long after leaving the conference room, Hound returned.

“The higher-ups agreed, but the location is in the new district. It might be rather desolate.”

Desolate was fine!

When the company grew stronger, it would be perfect for expansion.

Having secured the algorithm and the computer virus, Hound returned to his car feeling a bit gloomy.

Watching Xiao Qian fiddling with his laptop, Hound asked curiously, “Xiao Qian, doesn’t Li Ping’an’s demand seem a bit extravagant?”

“How did they even agree to his terms?”

Looking up, Xiao Qian glanced at Hound and felt a deep sense of helplessness.

“Captain, do you know how much Pet Spirit has earned?”

“I’ll tell you, in just a few months, as of yesterday, Zhili Fang Technology’s bank inflows have exceeded seventy million yuan!”

“Because he’s a college entrepreneur, the state has policies, so this income is all tax-exempt!”

“But that’s not the most important part. The crucial thing is this learning algorithm can take our AI to the next level.”

“Once it spreads to all labs and is applied across fields, the cost savings will be astronomical.”

After speaking, Xiao Qian shrugged.

“Honestly, no matter how you calculate it, everyone’s a winner.”

“And besides, how old is Li Ping’an? The leadership values his future.”