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"Got scammed buying a computer because you don't know how to configure one?" Wei Jingzhu went straight to the point.
"Let's not talk about it... But everything got sorted out in the end, so all's well." Zhou Xueyin gave a rough account of her and Kang Siyin's experience buying a computer at Zhonghai Electronics Market.
"You should've said something earlier. I knew a guy from when I worked in the village, good person, very trust-worthy. Next time you need a computer, come to me!" Wei Jingzhu said confidently.
"We already said this, as long as the market is there, she plans to stick with it. So next time, we'll just go to her!" Zhou Xueyin deftly declined Wei Jingzhu's offer.
After all, the main selling point of her website was services geared toward women; having a male referral didn't seem quite right somehow.
"Hmm? Strange, the operations are fine. There was definitely a problem during the backup... The download won't complete." Wei Jingzhu also appeared at a loss. "Let me call my mentor and ask what's going on with them."
After saying that, Wei Jingzhu made a call to his mentor and logged into his QQ on Zhou Xueyin's computer to receive a file.
"My mentor said, if you can avoid this site, do so. Apply for a refund if possible." Wei Jingzhu advised Zhou Xueyin earnestly.
"Eh? Why? Wasn't it your mentor who recommended this service provider?" Zhou Xueyin was puzzled.
"It used to work fine, but ever since they started their promotional campaign, this provider has covertly reduced the promised available space and limited the number of simultaneous visits during peak hours. The worst of it is, to reduce server load, they directly use the users' computer cache, causing updates to be delayed." Wei Jingzhu itemized the provider's wrongdoings one by one.
"Ugh, that's nasty..." Zhou Xueyin started to worry. The site was managing with the small numbers now, but if the forum traffic increased, there was a real danger it wouldn't cope.
"That's not all. You saw yourselves, the regular manager can't back up data; you have to purchase their special website data backup software." Wei Jingzhu pointed to the purchasing page, which clearly listed the price as 1000 yuan for a lifetime license.
"I'm so done! Why don't they just rob a bank? Have they got no shame!" Zhou Xueyin immediately decided to request a refund upon seeing the page, "I'm going to ask for a refund right now! I won't give these scammers a cent! Even though I used to quite like their service..."
"Applying for a refund now is useless, you'll just be queued... Who knows when you'll get it." Wei Jingzhu said helplessly, "Alright, my mentor sent me this software he wrote, you can use this to back up the forum data."
He operated Zhou Xueyin's computer and managed to back up the forum data smoothly. However, the backup was still an encrypted compressed file.
"Huh? Weird... This compressed file won't open? Let me ask my mentor again." Wei Jingzhu sat at Zhou Xueyin's station, contacting his mentor.
"Kang Siyin, if you're not feeling well, why don't you go up to the attic and play with He Tao?" Zhou Xueyin, seeing Kang Siyin still crouched on the balcony, asked with concern.
"I'm okay. I was just wondering... Could I get your mentor's contact information? I'd like to learn more about software programming." Though Kang Siyin was shy about communicating face-to-face with strangers, she was comfortable interacting over the internet.
Plus, the entry-level programming she learned in university was inadequate for dealing with various situations on the website. Advancing her skills was necessary to solve problems on her own without relying on others.
"Xiaojing, Kang Siyin is asking if your mentor would mind taking a female apprentice?" What Kang Siyin had intended merely as seeking guidance, somehow got twisted into seeking a master by the time it passed through Zhou Xueyin's lips.
"Yinyin!" Kang Siyin smacked Zhou Xueyin hard, "I'm not looking for a master..."
"Alright, Yinyin, I've opened the backup compressed file." Wei Jingzhu called Zhou Xueyin over. "They're really crooked, constantly changing the encryption method for uploaded data to push their backup device."
"So... even though we've sorted this compressed file now, if the forum grows and we back up again, there's a chance we won't be able to decrypt it?" Zhou Xueyin sought confirmation from Wei Jingzhu.
"That's a possibility..." Wei Jingzhu nodded, looking troubled.
"Forget it, I'll just switch to another virtual hosting provider. I've got this feeling they're closing down." Zhou Xueyin had a headache. There was enough funding to change providers, assuming they would promptly refund her money.
After all, it's just a phase of pure spending in the early stages of entrepreneurship. If she's not careful with expenses from the start, she might not survive long enough to see the expansion, and the website could die.
"Yeah, better switch if you can. It might take a while to get a refund for the rent, but it's better to find a new provider than facing possible emergencies." Wei Jingzhu agreed with switching providers.
"Fine, I'll look into other providers with any good deals soon..." While Zhou Xueyin said this, she hesitated internally, fearing that if she requested a refund, the provider might terminate her service right away.
"Oh yeah, I've sent my mentor's QQ number to you. Give it to Kang Siyin later." Wei Jingzhu glanced at the wall clock. "It's getting late. I should head out. Hey, do you still want that old computer of yours? If not, how about giving it to me?"
"I still need it... I plan to move it to my parents' place for their use. They just play simple games and such, it'll hold up for a while," Zhou Xueyin denied Wei Jingzhu's request.
"Well, that's fine. When they're ready to replace it, they can come to me." Wei Jingzhu smiled.
"Well then, I really can't ask you to stay today, but once the website grows, I'll definitely treat you to a big meal to express my gratitude!" Zhou Xueyin thanked Wei Jingzhu for his great help that day. "I won't see you off to the station, just message me when you get to your dorm. I need to hurry and look for another provider!"
"Sure thing, just keep pushing! I'll come work as your tech support after you grow!" Wei Jingzhu stood at the door, half-joking while putting on his shoes.
"Can I just say... our company isn't planning on hiring men..." Zhou Xueyin said with an apologetic smile.
"An all-female company? That's distinctive! Then you really have to strive hard!" Wei Jingzhu gave a meaningful smile. "Alright, I'm off, bye~"
"Bye~" Zhou Xueyin closed the door, pondering over the smile Wei Jingzhu left her with.
It was filled with admiration and encouragement, unlike the disdain that usually followed from others upon hearing about the all-female hiring policy.
"Yinyin, Yinyin? Is that Xiaojing you always talk about?" Yao Shanshan and Li Jinian peeked out of the bedroom door with faces full of gossip, looking at Zhou Xueyin.
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