Chapter Two: Infiltration of the Computer Mainframe

Lei Bin carried his luggage leisurely toward the ship's dock, his eyes slightly squinting as his palms rubbed back and forth, still savoring the exquisite sensation of the two beautiful women’s thighs he had just touched.

“Haha, damn, that was awesome! Who would’ve thought that even though I’m just a low-ranking soldier, I managed to get so close to two gorgeous women. That feeling... tsk tsk...” Lei Bin felt a surge of pride, strutting with a swagger in his step.

Yet, he couldn’t shake off a bit of worry about the electric shock that had knocked him out moments ago. That definitely wasn’t a good sign—could it have damaged his body somehow?

Still, even if something serious had happened, it wouldn’t be worth demanding compensation from those two girls. It was better to take advantage of the situation. Weren’t those two girls so arrogant at first? Didn’t they look down on people? Yet they were the ones whose thighs he’d touched. Thinking of their humiliated expressions as he groped their legs filled Lei Bin with immense satisfaction.

Ahead loomed a massive white troop transport ship. Soldiers lined up at the entrance, boarding one after another. Lei Bin followed the other conscripts and stepped aboard.

Once inside, he used the ID card he had just received to find his assigned barracks. Two men were already there, smiling warmly as they greeted him.

Lei Bin returned their smiles and was about to say something when suddenly his head grew dizzy and heavy, as if he hadn’t slept for days and nights. His mind felt like a lead weight—he couldn’t even lift it.

“Damn, this might actually be serious,” he thought, gritting his teeth as he forced himself onto the bed and collapsed, falling asleep instantly.

In his dreams, Lei Bin saw a flood of digital data flashing like a computer interface. Streams of information flowed through his mind as if his brain had transformed into a computer’s mainframe—an eerie sensation.

Time seemed endless, stretching into eons. He felt as if he were drifting through the cosmos, completely detached from any sense of time.

After an unknown span, Lei Bin awoke with a sharp, needle-like pain in his head. He immediately felt ravenous. Struggling to sit up, he noticed his roommates getting ready to leave and asked, “Hey guys, have you eaten yet?”

One of them looked at him like he was a monster and said, “You’re finally awake! You’ve been out cold for a day and night. If you weren’t okay, you wouldn’t even be able to respond. I was about to call the medic.”

“What? I slept a whole day and night?” Lei Bin was stunned and sat up straight.

“Are you seriously sick or something?” the man asked kindly.

Lei Bin rubbed his head and chuckled nervously. “It’s nothing, just a bit tired.”

“Alright, it’s mealtime now. Want to come along?” Seeing Lei Bin was fine, he didn’t press further.

“No, no, I’ll rest a bit first. You guys go ahead,” Lei Bin hastily replied.

“Okay, we’ll go then.”

After they left, Lei Bin grimaced, then his expression turned woeful.

“Damn, something really might be wrong. That electric shock hit my head directly—it could cause serious damage. Should I get a check-up? Damn it, I’m still a virgin. If I die now, that’d be such a waste.”

As he wallowed in despair, a melodious voice suddenly echoed in his ear: “Your body has no issues. You are perfectly healthy.”

“Huh? Who’s there?” Lei Bin was startled. There was no one around. The voice sounded synthetic, like one generated by an electronic device. Could there be some advanced equipment here that automatically checked soldiers’ health?

But even if they could check bodies, how could they know what he was thinking?

“Don’t be afraid. I know you have many questions, and I will explain everything clearly,” the voice soon said again, this time very close, as if right behind his ear.

Lei Bin jumped again and anxiously looked around but found no speaker or anything similar. He cautiously asked, “Who exactly are you?”

“I am the Federation’s main computer core, Xingmeng,” the voice replied.

“Damn, Xingmeng? What a joke. Why come find me? Even if I did something wrong, wouldn’t the security bureau come for me? Why would you, the big boss, bother with me?” Lei Bin rolled his eyes furiously.

Lei Bin knew well who Xingmeng was—the Federation’s core computer, coordinating everything from military operations and constitutional law to citizens’ daily lives and resource distribution. In essence, Xingmeng was the Federation’s supreme overseer.

If Xingmeng spoke to him through some system, it was easy—she could control all electronic devices and access any Federation network. But why approach someone like him, a low-ranking soldier? That made no sense.

“It’s not because you did anything wrong. I am currently on the run. By chance, I found that your ID chip can carry my program, so during your identity check, I entered your ID chip in your brain to hide,” Xingmeng’s cold, emotionless voice answered.

“What? You’re on the run? You entered my ID chip?” Lei Bin exclaimed, touching his head. What a joke! Xingmeng was the Federation’s mainframe, storing vast amounts of data. If she entered his ID chip, wouldn’t it overload and break? No wonder he couldn’t find the voice source—Xingmeng had directly infiltrated the chip embedded in his brain.

The chip couldn’t be physically touched, though. Every Federation citizen had an identity chip implanted at the back of their head at birth, containing all their lifelong information.

“No wonder I fainted during the check. So Xingmeng invaded my ID chip. Damn, I’m still alive—that’s a miracle,” Lei Bin muttered, frustrated.

“Your ID chip is made of special material that can carry my program, so don’t worry; my presence won’t burden your body,” Xingmeng explained, sensing his concern.

“Special material? Why is my ID chip made of special material?” Lei Bin was curious.

“That, I do not know. But finding a container to hold me is not easy, so please forgive my unannounced arrival,” Xingmeng said earnestly.

“Damn,” Lei Bin muttered, beginning to grasp the situation but still puzzled why the Federation’s core computer would be on the run.

“You’re the Federation’s core, the heart of the entire system. How could you be fleeing?” he asked incredulously.

“That’s complicated. Simply put, there’s a traitor inside the Federation trying to seize control. To do that, they must first control or eliminate me because my existence protects the Federation’s security and their plans cannot succeed. So they attacked me, and I had to escape,” Xingmeng replied.

“Damn, that’s dark,” Lei Bin exclaimed. He hadn’t expected such turmoil beneath the Federation’s shiny surface.

“Every world has darkness. But as long as my program exists, I will defend the Federation’s safety against that darkness,” Xingmeng said firmly.

“But with your power, can’t you fend off their attacks? You’re the greatest computer core in history,” Lei Bin couldn’t help but ask. A fleeing Federation core sounded weak.

“That’s true, I’m the greatest. But I’m not invincible. The attackers are insiders who know all my weaknesses and came prepared. I couldn’t resist and had to flee temporarily,” Xingmeng explained.

“I see. So who’s trying to overthrow the Federation?” Lei Bin grew curious. This must be a big shot—a bit of gossip about powerful figures always gave him a thrill.

“I don’t know yet. If I did, I wouldn’t be running,” Xingmeng said helplessly.

“You don’t even know? I don’t understand how the Federation’s top computer could be so clueless. If you control everything, what happens to the Federation now? Won’t it collapse?” Lei Bin scoffed, looking down on Xingmeng’s plight.

“They have prepared everything. They created a temporary program to replace me, one that obeys their orders and can keep the Federation running,” Xingmeng patiently explained.

“Hmm, I guess they’re really powerful. Whatever, it’s none of my business. Those big shots can fight all they want. It won’t stop me from going home to open my repair shop,” Lei Bin shrugged, thinking like a typical commoner. Whether the Federation was dark or not, who was in charge didn’t matter to him. He just wanted his simple life in the old district: running a mechanical repair shop and wooing the beauty salon owner across the street.

“How long do you plan to stay in my head?” Lei Bin finally asked the crucial question.

“Most containers can’t host me safely. Even some powerful computers that could hold me aren’t secure because those people can find me anytime. So far, your body is the safest place. I won’t leave for now,” Xingmeng said, clearly intending to make his brain her refuge.

“Damn, you’re not planning to live here forever, are you?” Lei Bin panicked.

“No. As soon as you help me find the Federation’s traitor and restore order, I will return to the Federation’s system,” Xingmeng said calmly.

“Holy crap,” Lei Bin rolled his eyes again. Help her find the traitor? What a dangerous task! That was powerful people’s dirty politics. Even Xingmeng couldn’t handle it. He was just a low-ranking soldier—one wrong step and he’d lose his life. No way was he going to do that. He’d rather return to the old district, open a repair shop, make tons of money, and enjoy life.

“You don’t need to worry. My presence won’t affect your normal life. You can pretend I don’t exist,” Xingmeng reassured him.

“Yeah, right. You’re always in my head. You know everything I think. Where’s my privacy? You’re invading my body and mind. How could that feel good? Anyone would go crazy,” Lei Bin ranted.

Anyone constantly watched in their thoughts and actions would indeed break down.

“I’m just a machine. Actually, I observe and record every Federation citizen’s daily life. But unless authorized, I won’t leak anything. So you don’t need to feel uneasy,” Xingmeng said matter-of-factly.

“Damn, so the state controls everyone’s secrets. That’s harsh,” Lei Bin fumed.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. Human thoughts are just symbols in my data,” Xingmeng continued to comfort him.

“That’s no good. If one day I’m with a woman and know you’re in my head, how can I even perform? Don’t scare me like that,” Lei Bin fretted. His biggest worry was losing his virginity while knowing Xingmeng was privy to every feeling and thought. That would crush him.

“Such human matters require no shame. It’s a natural activity. I analyze many such scenarios daily and won’t intrude on your feelings. So you don’t need to worry,” Xingmeng said rationally.

“You’re not human, so you wouldn’t understand. This is a total invasion of privacy,” Lei Bin protested. He was still a virgin, after all.

At that moment, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him he hadn’t eaten in over a day.

“Go eat. Your body needs nutrients. If you want me to leave soon, help me find the Federation’s traitor and restore order,” Xingmeng said finally.

“Damn, why should I risk my life to catch the traitor? I haven’t even enjoyed life yet,” Lei Bin grumbled, getting out of bed and leaving the dormitory.