Chapter 27: An Awakened Army Ant
Chapter 27: An Awakened Army Ant
Legion Ant Company.
Zhao Min was looking over the financial reports, her gaze calm.
Thanks to their office software, the company had earned over two million yuan in revenue during these two months. User feedback on the software was also very positive; at the very least, the experience felt smoother and more comfortable than other office software.
The office software could only be a transitional product. Even if it had slightly stronger features, competition was too fierce. Many people were already habitual users who wouldn’t switch office software anytime soon.
Next, the company’s profits would hinge on their smartphones. If the phones sold well, money wouldn’t be a worry.
The phone she was using now was one of the newly manufactured models. Even she fell for its exquisite design at first glance. It was sleek yet bold, appealing to both men and women.
She believed the launch of the Army Ant System and these phones would surely be well-received.
Preparation for the Army Ant System and phone launch event had begun five days ago. Calculating the time, everything should have been set up by today.
While Zhao Min was looking through the financial reports, her assistant Xiao Li knocked and entered the office.
“General Manager Zhao, Minister Li sent word. The product launch event is ready. It can start tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Zhao Min put down the financial report in her hand and dialed Chen Mo’s number.
Ever since taking over Legion Ant Company, she had been preparing for this product launch. A brand-new smartphone operating system wasn’t an ordinary product. Managed well, it could make the company soar.
And now, there was the Army Ant Phone as well. With these two products, barring any issues, Legion Ant could definitely enter the smartphone market.
She hadn’t chosen to release the operating system right away.
The marketplace was ruthless. If unprepared and released recklessly, big players could easily crush them, making progress impossible.
“Chairman,” Zhao Min said once the call connected.
“What is it?”
In the shop, Chen Mo stopped writing, setting his pen down, and stretched.
“The Army Ant System launch event is ready. It will be held at the Marriott Hotel tomorrow. Will you be attending to give a speech? This is a golden opportunity to step into the spotlight. It wouldn’t be excessive to say it would make you famous globally,” Zhao Min said.
“No need. I’ll watch you from the audience. You handle the event,” Chen Mo said.
“Why not?”
“I don’t like being the center of attention. It disrupts my rhythm.”
“Okay then. See you tomorrow, low-profile Chairman,” Zhao Min wasn’t surprised by this answer. She had gained a fair understanding of Chen Mo’s style over this time.
After hanging up, Chen Mo went back intently to studying computer programming languages.
Two months had already passed since he got the book on creating programming languages.
He’d spent all that time on research. Every day, he’d come to the shop to design characters for the Chinese Character Programming Language.
If someone came to get a phone fixed, he’d stop and handle it, balancing work and rest.
Developing a computer programming language was no easy task. The foundations of any discipline, while they might seem simple, were actually incredibly complex, especially for the founder.
Designing a single keyword required considering many factors. Sometimes a whole day could pass without successfully designing one.
What made it even trickier was the elegance and intricate expressiveness of Chinese characters.
To better design characters and expressions for this programming language, Chen Mo had specifically studied books from the Chinese Language and Literature major.
He had to juggle the design of keywords, a complete set of data types, operations, and various complex elements all in his mind.
Once focused, countless keywords, characters, and phrases flashed through Chen Mo’s thoughts.
The notebook under his hand became covered in intricate lines. Mixed within were various characters, chaotic at first glance but revealing a hidden order.
Each keyword’s meaning and function had to be precisely defined before it could be added to the official list.
He had no idea how much time passed before his thoughts were interrupted by Xiaoyu’s voice. Looking up, he saw her walk into the shop carrying a food container.
Seeing Xiaoyu, Chen Mo smiled warmly.
“Time to eat. You always skip meals. Are you made of iron? It’s almost 7:00 PM now,” Xiaoyu scolded gently.
“I knew you’d bring me something.”
“And if I didn’t come one day? Would you just plan on starving?”
“Would you let that happen?”
“Cut it out.”
Xiaoyu laughed, unable to stay mad at him. She sat next to Chen Mo and picked up chopsticks to eat too.
“Xiaoyu, why don’t you move out? Live with me,” Chen Mo said between bites. He’d held onto this idea for a long time and was finally voicing it.
“Do you really want me to move out that much?” Xiaoyu teased, smiling.
“Of course. I dream about it. I never eat on time; I need someone to remind me,” Chen Mo’s eyes lit up; her question hinted at a chance.
Facing Chen Mo’s hopeful look, Xiaoyu simply smiled back, not giving him a definite answer.
From her expression, Chen Mo knew the answer wasn’t ‘yes’ right now. But since she hadn’t outright refused, there was still hope. Maybe one day she’d agree.
After eating, Chen Mo tidied up, locked up the shop, and left with Xiaoyu. This had become their usual routine lately, envied by those who saw them.
“Xiaoyu, I have something tomorrow. I’ll take the day off. The shop won’t open.”
“Okay,” Xiaoyu acknowledged softly.
“Aren’t you going to ask where I’m going?” Chen Mo asked.
“You’re not going to rob a place or commit arson, are you?”
“Of course not! With such a smart and caring girlfriend? I’d have to be crazy.”
Xiaoyu wrapped her arms around Chen Mo’s waist, leaning against his back. “Cut it out. Take me for a walk by the beach.”
“Not afraid we’ll lose track of time again?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
…
The next afternoon, after more research on the Chinese Character Programming Language in his rented apartment, Chen Mo changed into a casual t-shirt, slung a laptop bag over his shoulder, and headed out.
Today was the official public launch of the Army Ant System. Though he, as Chairman, wouldn’t be on stage, he still wanted to attend.
The Marriott Hotel was one of Binhai City’s five-star hotels. It wasn’t cheap, but Zhao Min chose it to ensure a polished look for the launch.
Launching the Army Ant System and phone wasn’t a small matter; it needed a formal setting.
Chen Mo took a taxi to the Marriott, checking the time.
The event was scheduled for 2:00 PM. There were about twenty minutes left. Chen Mo noticed people trickling into the hotel – many carrying cameras and wearing backpacks – unmistakably journalists.
Chen Mo followed the crowd inside, soon reaching the launch event hall.
The hall wasn’t completely full. Of the more than five hundred seats, less than half were occupied. There were also staff members bustling around. With the event not officially started yet, some reporters were adjusting their equipment, while others were already playing games on their phones.
An Awakened Army Ant!
On the screen, this large text was written in flowing calligraphy, with bright and dark strokes mixing together. Paired with the futuristic, tech-themed background, the blend of traditional art and modern technology looked strikingly elegant.
This was the theme of the launch event.
A glance at the screen made Chen Mo’s eyes sparkle. He found a seat in a corner and sat down, quietly waiting for the launch to begin.