87. A Homecoming

Third Floor Aiden's Room Aiden was

leaning back comfortably in a reclining chair, a brand new MacBook on his knee. The

computer was sleek, silver, and white. Its cold, dark gold lines added a hint of mystery to

it.

It was not a computer that could be bought on the open market. Nathan had provided it

especially for Aiden. According to Nathan, it had been developed by the counter-terrorist

and military units of the FBI and had excellent internal security.

Most importantly, the computer's shell was made of a high-purity composite metal, so

the body was light yet extremely tough. If it were dropped from the twelfth floor of a

skyscraper, it would still be intact. It felt like a million-dollar computer.

With a device like this, it took Aiden only the blink of an eye to type in a series of

characters, his hands moving quickly over the smooth keyboard. With this previous

experience, Aiden took less than two days to complete the firewall project. Nathan Harris

had just returned from Bayside to Springfield.

Are you kidding me? Receiving Aiden's call, Nathan's voice was openly disbelieving.

Helpless, he came back from Springfield, bringing several earnest young men and

women with him. Aiden, let me introduce you.

These are the top talents in FBI Group 2 who are responsible for the computer network.

You are all talented people who know this field. It would be good for you to get to know

each other, said Nathan.

Mr. Dale, I've been looking forward to meeting you, said one, stepping forward to shake

hands and smiling. But their smiles did not reach their eyes. It was not surprising that

they should be so proud.

They had landed good jobs in the FBI at a young age and had the natural arrogance to

be expected in such cases. When they saw their director hanging on the words of a so-

called computer genius years younger than they were, of course they were resentful.

However, their pride turned to shock within minutes when they saw the firewall he had

developed.

Then the questions started. Mr. Dale, how did you put these steps together? It's truly

amazing. My God, is this some kind of alien code that a human has deciphered? Aiden,

can you explain this line? Aiden, watching several of his men ask question after question,

Nathan asked anxiously.

Is this firewall going to work? I need an honest answer. Harris had assured his superiors

that he was completely in control of this operation. A few people glanced at him

dismissively.

Of course it will. With the complicated technology in this firewall, those bastards down in

Regan won't catch up with us for five or ten years. With this firewall, we can not only

defend ourselves against their hackers, but also mount our own attacks.

Hearing these promises, Nathan could only grin. The future of the FBI is safe, he smiled.

And my bonus too.

Aiden, I love you. Nathan hugged Aiden and would have kissed him in his excitement.

Aiden's face momentarily registered distaste.

He pushed Nathan away lightly. Come on, let's go see the Willises.

When Nathan Harris told Arthur Wiles that the firewall was completed,

Arthur's look of admiration was one that Aiden would never forget.

You boy, you've done it again. I'm happy this time. Compared with the FBI security plan,

a little promise is nothing.

Arthur Wiles' strong patriotism was clear to all. Bet successfully with the top guy. Bet

skill, plus one.

Current progress, one out of ten. Current level, entry level. Nathan Harris returned to

Springfield with the firewall technology developed by Aiden.

Before he left, he mentioned to Aiden that the FBI top dogs might be prepared to give

him other rewards to help him. To this, Aiden just smiled indifferently. He just wanted to

return to the normal rhythm of life.

In mid-October, the weather became colder and Thanksgiving, so important for everyone

across the country, was approaching. Everyone was looking forward to seeing their

families. Aiden had planned to close for a day to give the employees time to go home,

but given that several people's homes were so far away, he announced a three-day

holiday, which was met with cheers.

Both Lily and Matt had family quite close by, so it wouldn't take them too long to go back

home. Olivia's home was farthest away, in distant Springfield, a long journey by train. So

the night before Thanksgiving, she decided to drive at least part of the way.

Before leaving, she said mysteriously that she would give Aiden a surprise when she

came back. As for Ross, Aiden originally planned to let him spend Thanksgiving with the

Dales, but he refused. Nathan Harris and other old comrades-in-arms had invited him to

go to Springfield for a gathering, and Aiden naturally had no reason to object.

When everyone had gone, only three people were left at the restaurant. It was an

important day for them, too. Clara went to the shops early to buy ingredients, and then

she was busy in the back kitchen.

Usually, Morris was the family chef, but today Clara cooked by herself. She was

preparing the favorite dishes of someone special. Aiden's little sister, the family's

pampered darling, was coming home.

As the sky darkened, a taxi stopped outside and two beautiful girls got out. Both were

about 13 or 14 years old. The girl on the left was short and had a bubbly personality and

a bright shock of hair.

Her fingernails were all painted different colors. She was dressed in a leather jacket and

trousers, and her quick eyes swept around. She was not one to keep her thoughts to

herself.

As soon as she got out of the car, she breathed in deeply. Ah, I smell rich people! She

turned to the other girl. Amy, it was good of you to suggest taking a taxi to this rich area.

But I tell you, even if things at home have improved a little, you can't be so extravagant

and wasteful. Let's go back to school by bus. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

The girl opposite her, Amy, had a slender figure and a white fluffy scarf wrapped around

her pale, oval-shaped face. She looked elegant and sweet. She listened to the other girl's

chatter and smiled.

She knew that her friend came across as bossy, but she had a kind heart Amy had been dreaming of home for more than a month.

She went to Marlborough School, a famous boarding school in Bayside with strong

military connections and extremely strict school rules and regulations. Generally, the

students were not allowed to leave the school during term time. But more than a month

after the beginning of term, taking advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday, Amy was

finally free to come back.

Not long after the beginning of term, she had suddenly received a phone call from home

saying that business had picked up. At first, she hadn't really understood what this

meant until she received her monthly allowance from home. It had quadrupled! And

when a bank card with $5,000 was sent directly to the school, Amy was completely

confused.

Had her family won the lottery? So when her roommate was impressed by a little show of

money, Amy couldn't help laughing. Come in quickly! Don't let the warm air out! A

familiar exclamation sounded in her ear, interrupting her thoughts. She looked up at a

face both familiar and unfamiliar and was stunned.

It was hard to explain. Her older brother had changed, but she couldn't pinpoint what

was different. What? I washed my face today, said Aiden, touching his face.

And Amy smiled. Oh, Aiden, you still make me laugh, she giggled. Aiden smiled.

His eyes warmed for Amy, the little princess of the family. Since she had gone to junior

high school, they had seen less of each other. As for their childhood quarrels, they were

long buried by the warmth of family love.

Aiden may not have seen Amy for some time, but he missed his sister very much. Amy

ran up the steps and took Aiden's arm. She asked curiously, Aiden, tell me quickly

whether our family won the lottery, and you have brought us to this expensive

restaurant for dinner.