Chapter 20: Office Software
Chapter 20: Office Software
Chen Mo and Zhao Min looked at each other. Their expressions were a bit strange, neither speaking. Chen Mo’s mind raced. What did he owe Zhao Min? Besides last night’s dinner, he didn’t remember having any other dealings with her.
After a few seconds, Zhao Min smiled. “You didn’t give me the employment contract for your company’s general manager.”
Chen Mo smiled too. “Giving it to you now.”
After the contract was drafted, printed, and both signed, Zhao Min finally handed the contract to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo then passed the company materials to Zhao Min. “Later, I’ll transfer the money into the company account. I’ll leave the next steps to you.”
“Alright, you can be the carefree boss then.”
Zhao Min downed the coffee in her cup in one go. She pulled out a brand-new phone from her bag and handed it to Chen Mo. “Help me install/set up an OS.”
Chen Mo took the phone and conveniently pulled his laptop from his backpack. Ten minutes later, seeing the message “Success” on the laptop screen, he unplugged the phone and returned it to Zhao Min.
“Done.”
“So fast.” Zhao Min took the phone, blinking as she sized him up. “I have a cousin,” she blurted out, “she says she wants to marry you.”
“Cough… Cough cough cough…”
Chen Mo spat out the juice in his mouth, his face flushing red as he repeatedly patted his chest. He didn’t know if it was from fright, from choking, or from… excitement.
“Are you trying to kill me?” Chen Mo sputtered, almost choking to death due to Zhao Min’s sudden remark.
Seeing his reaction, Zhao Min laughed, feeling thoroughly amused.
The two discussed some more matters concerning the company’s development. After confirming some of Chen Mo’s ideas, Zhao Min left the restaurant to start preparing the company’s office address and recruitment.
“Sir, could you please settle the bill?” Soon after Zhao Min left, a waiter placed the check in front of Chen Mo.
“Huh? Didn’t the lady who was just here pay?”
“The lady said for you to pay,” the waiter replied politely with a smile. “Here’s a note she left for you.”
“‘You’re buying this breakfast, Mr. Rich Chairman.'”
After reading the note Zhao Min left, Chen Mo’s expression turned gloomy. When he picked up the check, he felt even worse.
Over a thousand?
In the past, that amount could have covered his living expenses for a month.
Luxury was the greatest sin, Chen Mo thought. Even after getting the money from Qihu Company, he hadn’t splurged like this – over a thousand just for breakfast.
“I don’t have enough cash; I’ll use mobile pay!”
After leaving the restaurant, Chen Mo headed straight for the library. Reading was the most important thing.
His recent efforts meant he was quickly approaching the 200-book mark. After today, he would hit his 200-book target. That meant he could freely choose another piece of technology from the library.
Just thinking about getting the technology made Chen Mo excited.
Arriving at the library, he gathered a stack of physics books from the shelves and walked towards the study area. Xiaoyu’s class was over, and she was already sitting there. Seeing Chen Mo, she smiled slightly.
Chen Mo sat down beside Xiaoyu and pulled out the phone Zhao Min had just returned to him. “Xiaoyu, this thing is a bit special. I’m giving it to you.”
“Why are you spending carelessly?” Xiaoyu cut him off before he could continue. “Aren’t you starting a business? Where did you get the money for a new phone?”
Chen Mo blinked, staring at Xiaoyu dumbfounded. He didn’t know how to respond to that. “I finished a program and sold it to a company. Made a bit of money.”
“So the first thing you do when you make money is buy me this?” Xiaoyu said. “I have a phone. You take it back and use it.”
Seeing her reaction, Chen Mo chuckled.
“Don’t laugh! I’m serious. When you have money, don’t buy things like this.” Xiaoyu looked annoyed at his flippant manner.
Chen Mo’s smile faded. “This phone is a bit special. It’s the first gift I’m giving my girlfriend. Please accept it.” He grabbed Xiaoyu’s hand and solemnly placed the phone in her palm.
Noticing envious and jealous glances coming from around the study area, a faint rosy flush appeared on Xiaoyu’s cheeks.
“I accept it on behalf of your girlfriend. But your girlfriend says you’re not allowed to buy things like this anymore.” Xiaoyu let her hand stay in his grasp.
“You’re the boss.” Chen Mo smiled again.
“Read your book quickly. Lots of people are watching.”
After letting go of Xiaoyu, he turned his attention to the books and was soon immersed in them. These physics books were slower going than the others he’d been reading.
“How come you flip between computer books, math books, and now physics books?”
“I’m a high-IQ youth. Whatever I study, I master.”
“Never met someone so shameless before.” Xiaoyu gave a light laugh.
That night.
After seeing Xiaoyu back to her dorm, Chen Mo eagerly returned to his rented apartment and entered the Science and Technology Library. After reading all day, he had now completed his second set of a hundred books. It was time to get the technology.
“You’re here.” Elder Shu nodded at Chen Mo with a smile. “Reading over 200 books in a month? Not bad, more diligent than I expected. Now you have two opportunities: one is the free choice earned by reading, the other is the monthly selection from the [Novice] privilege. Since it’s not your first time, the monthly pick will be random.”
“One free choice, and one random choice?” Chen Mo felt a bit of awe at how fast time had passed.
“Correct.” Elder Shu nodded. “Which will you use first?”
“Let’s do the random one.” Thinking about the peculiar technology he got last time via random selection, Chen Mo tensed up. “Elder Shu, I won’t get another weird one like last time, right?”
“Do you really want another one?” Elder Shu teased. “Want some breast enlargement technology with zero side effects? I’ve got it.”
“No! Definitely not! We’ll deal with the medical field later.”
Chen Mo shook his head like a rattle drum. If he got something like that again, he might as well bash his head against one of the library’s bookshelves – even if he couldn’t actually touch them.
“Even if you wanted it, I couldn’t give it to you now. It depends on your luck.”
Elder Shu lightly tapped his finger. A curtain of light descended from the library ceiling. Countless books arrayed themselves upon it – at least tens of thousands.
The books slowly began to spin. Chen Mo’s heart offered up a prayer.
Last time, the random selection gave him “The Production Process of Ultra-Thin Sanitary Napkins”, nearly making him vomit blood. If he got another useless technology this time, he’d be miserable.
The spinning light curtain gradually solidified into a single book, landing in Elder Shu’s hand.
“Stars Office Suite”
Seeing the book’s cover, Chen Mo felt a flicker of joy. It wasn’t some massive technological breakthrough, but it was something he could use right now.
With his company just starting out, this could perfectly serve as its first product.
Releasing his smartphone operating system prematurely would cause significant ripples. His small company had nothing yet; he was just an ant incapable of managing such a system.
Using this office software as the company’s launch product was ideal.
Elder Shu tapped the book, sending its contents directly into Chen Mo’s mind. “You still have a free choice left. If there is any technology you desire, you can search for it among the books.”
“I’ll hold onto it for now.” Chen Mo thought for a moment and decided.
He wasn’t short on cash right now. The phone OS was complete, and now he had an office suite. Monetizing the office software would be no problem at all. Holding onto this choice meant he was prepared for sudden emergencies.
Like last time, when ‘Eternal Heart’ swept the globe without warning. Keeping this choice meant that if an unforeseen problem arose requiring specific tech, he had an answer ready.
Moreover, the source code of this office software alone would keep him busy for a while. Greed meant indigestion. He needed to take it step by step.
After leaving the Science and Technology Library, Chen Mo opened his computer and began organizing the code for the office software.