Chapter 95: Either a Genius or a Mediocre Talent!

Qin Hongfei realized it was already morning when she saw him. She set aside her tools, told him to wait, washed her face, and followed him out.

The young man was named Xing Li. He asked, "Aren't you bringing your tools?"

Qin Hongfei shook her head. "No need, I'm just restoring some files."

Xing Li fretted; she seemed so different from the other technicians, who always carried piles of equipment.

At the Education Bureau...

Director Xing's father sat with his brow deeply furrowed, chain-smoking, glancing at the door again and again. "Has Xiao Li arrived?"

Yesterday, his son had said he’d found someone who could recover the computer files. His wife had also mentioned that the technician was exceptionally skilled.

Director Xing hardly dared to hope. He’d already sought out the most reputable local expert, a technician who had once worked under the computing master, Old Lei. By luck, the technician owed his benefactor—a wealthy local family—a favor, and after retiring, he settled here, offering his services at their internet café. Yet even he had said there was little hope for recovery. Still, if the director wanted, he’d try for free.

Free. That made Director Xing hesitate. Nothing in this world comes without a price; money was a small matter, but owing favors was serious. This technician ran an internet café, and rumor had it he sometimes served underage customers.

After much deliberation, Director Xing decided to let his son’s connection try first. As he waited, his secretary entered, saying, "Director, Mr. Lei and Technician Chen have arrived. They said they’re here to look at your computer."

Director Xing couldn’t help but remark, "Little Lei is certainly proactive." It’s hard to rebuff a friendly face, especially when someone has come all this way. He politely welcomed them in.

Little Lei was a man in his thirties, and the technician he brought along was in his fifties, surnamed Chen. His hair was graying, and he walked with a limp. Without any small talk, he said directly, "Director Xing, let me take a look at the computer first."

Director Xing appreciated his straightforwardness and led him to the machine. "Please, have a look."

Master Chen examined the computer and remarked, "This setup is a bit outdated—it must freeze often..."

"It needs maintenance. If you require it, feel free to contact me. I offer home service for free."

"If needed, absolutely," Director Xing replied, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

Master Chen sensed the lack of interest but didn’t mind. Without demonstrating his skill, how could they trust him? If he could secure Director Xing’s connection here on Qinhuai Street, it would boost their reputation and business.

He began to work on the computer. After about ten minutes, his expression betrayed a hint of regret as he shook his head.

Director Xing’s heart sank. "Master Chen, is it impossible to recover?"

Master Chen nodded, utterly certain yet apologetic. "This machine is too old, the specs are insufficient, and the lost files have been formatted into raw data. Even if my teacher were here, he wouldn’t be able to restore them."

Master Chen’s teacher, Old Lei, was a renowned computing researcher—a figure Director Xing didn’t fully understand, but knew was extraordinary.

If even Old Lei couldn’t do it, then data recovery was surely hopeless.

"Director Xing, Xiao Li has brought the other technician," the secretary said, her expression subtly conflicted.

"So I’m not the only one you called?" Master Chen guessed immediately. He wasn’t offended; he simply smiled and asserted confidently, "In all of Qinhuai Street, no one knows computers better than I do. If I can’t recover it, no one else can. What’s this new technician charging? If it’s a high fee, you should be cautious. Lately, I’ve heard of all sorts of charlatans pretending to be experts and swindling people."

Qin Hongfei entered just in time to hear this. She glanced at Master Chen’s head—hair intact despite years in computing. Either he was a genius, or he was mediocre.