Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 3

The Software Department at Huaxin University had long held a prestigious reputation for its rigorous academic standards and exceptional technical talent. Here, students weren’t just learners—they were innovators, each like a shining star in a vast constellation, radiating brilliance in their own unique way. Yet, among these radiant figures, there were always a few whose light didn’t shine as brightly on the surface—quiet, almost invisible, yet impossible to ignore once discovered.
It was in this sea of brilliance that Han Zaijing noticed someone different—Liang Zheng.
He wasn’t the kind of student who stood out. He always chose the same seat in the back corner of the classroom, eyes glued to his laptop, his expression unreadable. To most, he blended into the background. But Zaijing, who understood all too well the quiet intensity of focus, saw something familiar in him. It wasn’t disinterest—far from it. It was the same kind of deep immersion she experienced when working on projects she truly loved.
Zaijing, having tackled complex extracurricular programming projects since high school, had developed a sharp eye for talent. Intrigued, she decided to investigate further. One afternoon, she quietly slipped behind Liang Zheng during a lecture and stole a curious glance at his screen.
What she saw stunned her.
Liang Zheng wasn’t working on school assignments. He was fulfilling high-difficulty freelance software development contracts on a notorious programming forum known as “Top of Code.” A digital gathering place for elite coders worldwide, the forum was legendary in the tech world—membership was invite-only, and reputation had to be earned through exceptional problem-solving and peer recognition.
And within that community, there existed a near-mythical figure: “Little Monster.”
To the software industry, Little Monster was more than just a username—he (or she) was a legend. A programming prodigy whose mastery ranged from elegant algorithm design to flawless system architecture. Their code was revered not just for efficiency, but for artistry—streamlined, beautiful, and deeply insightful. Many aspiring coders joined Top of Code just to catch a glimpse of Little Monster’s work or to receive feedback from this digital ghost.
What nobody knew, however, was that Han Zaijing herself was Little Monster.
Under her anonymous username, she had built a formidable reputation. Though showered with praise and admiration, she had never revealed her identity. It was her sanctuary, a space where her work could speak louder than her name.
But today, she chose to approach Liang Zheng using one of her secondary accounts: “Ming Ye.”
As Liang typed away on a client’s project, Zaijing gently tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, startled, his dark eyes wide with surprise.
“Hey,” she said casually. “I’m Han Zaijing, also from the Software Department. I couldn’t help but notice you’re active on Top of Code. Your work’s really impressive.”
Liang Zheng blinked, recognition dawning quickly. “Wait… are you Ming Ye?” he asked, voice rising with excitement. “I’ve been following your posts for months! Your comments are always so sharp—your solutions, too. I learned a lot from your thread on distributed systems.”
Zaijing smiled modestly and sat beside him. “Glad to hear that. I saw your recent project—it’s solid, but there’s a small vulnerability in your data handling logic. It could cause issues down the line.”
She pointed it out, walking him through the implications. Liang listened intently, then looked at her in awe.
“I spent hours trying to figure that part out,” he admitted. “You spotted it in seconds. That’s incredible.”
“We’re all here to grow,” Zaijing replied with a grin. “Great minds get even better when they collaborate.”
Moved by her humility and sharp mind, Liang Zheng opened up. “I’ve actually been watching you too,” he confessed with a laugh. “You sneak into lectures from other departments all the time. The professors never know whether to scold you or praise you.”
Zaijing chuckled. “Guilty.”
“Anyway,” he continued, his tone turning serious, “I’ve been thinking about entering the business competition. I wasn’t sure if I’d do it alone… but if you don’t mind, I’d love to join forces with you. I think we’d make a strong team.”
Zaijing looked into his earnest, determined eyes, and a quiet warmth spread through her. She saw potential—not just in his code, but in his passion. She nodded.
“I’d like that.”
Energized, Liang Zheng introduced her to two of his closest friends—both key players in his informal tech circle.
The first was Wesley, a front-end design genius with an obsessive attention to visual detail. For him, every pixel had a purpose. His interfaces weren’t just functional; they were intuitive, beautiful, and immersive.
Then came Lin Wei, a soft-spoken data analyst whose mind was a labyrinth of statistical models and insights. Lin had an uncanny ability to extract meaningful patterns from overwhelming data sets—turning chaos into clarity.
“These two are my most trusted partners,” Liang said with quiet pride. “We’ve worked together for years, and I trust them with everything. With you on board, I believe we can really make something great—maybe even win the whole competition.”
Zaijing smiled, her heart light.
For years, she had worked alone in the shadows, solving problems under pseudonyms and building a reputation in silence. Now, for the first time, she was stepping into the light—not just as a competitor, but as a leader.
A new team is forming. And with it, a new beginning.