Chapter 39: Going Home!
Chapter 39: Going Home!
Chen Mo rode his bike, speeding all the way towards the university dormitory area. There were many students around carrying luggage, all in a hurry.
Yesterday, after the exams ended, Binhai University officially started its holiday. Xiaoyu also booked a train ticket for tonight. Last night when they went out, he had promised Xiaoyu he would see her off today. He almost forgot the time, but luckily he checked the time at the last moment.
The bike sped into the dormitory area. From a distance, he saw Xiaoyu waiting in the cold wind.
“Xiaoyu, sorry, I was too busy and almost forgot the time.” Stopping in front of Xiaoyu, Chen Mo grabbed Xiaoyu’s already freezing cold hands and held them in his own.
“I was thinking about how to punish you.”
Xiaoyu let Chen Mo hold her hands. She was a little angry at first, but when she saw Chen Mo’s concerned expression, her anger disappeared instantly. A sweet smile appeared on her face.
“Any punishment is fine.”
Chen Mo took the suitcase from Xiaoyu’s hand and prepared to lead her away from the campus.
“Take me there on the bike.”
Xiaoyu pointed to Li Ruoxi’s scooter nearby, took out the keys, and handed them to Chen Mo.
“It’s cold. Taking a taxi means no wind.”
“I’m not cold. I want to punish you by making you take me there. You can ride back alone in the cold wind.” Xiaoyu laughed.
“Okay, I accept the punishment.”
Chen Mo took the keys from Xiaoyu, placed Xiaoyu’s small suitcase in front, and as soon as he sat down, Xiaoyu got on behind him and held him tightly from the back.
“Hurry up. If we miss the time, you’re dead.”
Xiaoyu buried her head in his back. Her voice sounded threatening, but Chen Mo couldn’t see that her eyes were curved like crescents.
“Hold on tight.”
Chen Mo reminded her, started the scooter, and left the campus.
It was already winter. The cold wind blew on the streets. It was almost evening. The pedestrians shopping on the road were all bundled in thick down jackets.
Xiaoyu snuggled against Chen Mo’s back, her whole body pressed against him.
“After I go home, you should go back early too.”
“Okay.” Chen Mo nodded. “After you go back, if you miss me, call me.”
“I won’t miss you, you narcissist.” Xiaoyu tightened her arms around Chen Mo. “After the New Year, I’ll send you a surprise.”
“You said it, I remember. Can you tell me what the surprise is in advance?” Chen Mo asked.
“Figure it out yourself.”
“This time when you go home, don’t get dragged into a blind date by your family.”
“Do you want to die or do you not want to live?” Xiaoyu was amused by Chen Mo and slapped his back hard. “It would be best if I went on a blind date and found someone taller, richer, and more handsome than you.”
“Taller than me, I admit there are many. More handsome than me, that might be hard to find.”
“Shameless.” Xiaoyu leaned on Chen Mo’s back, giggling. “Then I’ll find someone richer than you.”
“Richer than me? That’s probably even harder to find.”
“So, may I ask, are you a millionaire or a billionaire?”
“Having you is enough. You are priceless. No amount of money could buy you.” Chen Mo chuckled.
Hearing this, Xiaoyu’s face instantly turned red. Leaning on Chen Mo’s back, she wore a sweet smile. “I find you’ve become slick-tongued. Your words are so corny. Do you say things like this to other girls too?”
“No way, I only say them to you.”
“Shameless.”
The cold wind blew on the road. Chen Mo slowed down. By the time they reached the station, his face was frozen stiff. But Xiaoyu behind him was fine; her face was a little rosy.
After getting the ticket, the two went to the waiting room.
“There are still ten minutes before boarding. You’re lucky this time, you made it just in time.” Xiaoyu checked the time, took out a black and white scarf from her bag, and put it directly on Chen Mo. “A gift for you. Be careful on your way back, don’t freeze. I’m leaving now.”
“Call me when you get home.”
After Xiaoyu checked her ticket and got on the train, Chen Mo hurried back to the university and returned the scooter to Li Ruoxi. By the time he got back to his rented apartment, it was already evening. He took a quick shower, turned on his computer, and continued the research from this afternoon.
Many people worried that the maturity of Artificial Intelligence would bring chaos to the world. Many feared the scenario from movies where Artificial Intelligence takes over the world, and some even called for stopping Artificial Intelligence research.
But Artificial Intelligence is a trend in future technological development. This trend wouldn’t stop just because some people worry. No country would give up researching Artificial Intelligence.
The next day, after dressing neatly and putting on the scarf Xiaoyu gave him, Chen Mo left his rented apartment.
Zhao Min sat in her office, handling documents.
Although the company faced some obstacles a while ago, they dealt with them promptly, and things had now calmed down. The remaining small players couldn’t cause any waves.
The year-end was approaching, and things had become much quieter.
The company was now in a period of rapid development. Its scale was constantly expanding, which meant more troubles later.
“General Manager Zhao, there’s a Sir here to see you.” While Zhao Min was handling documents, a staff member knocked and entered.
“Let him in.”
Zhao Min put down the documents she was holding and rubbed her temples. As she looked up, she saw Chen Mo, dressed in casual clothes and wearing a scarf, walk in.
Seeing Chen Mo, Zhao Min showed great surprise. “Chairman, did the sun rise from the west today? You actually came to the company?”
Since the company was founded, Chen Mo had only come a few times. Until now, the company’s employees didn’t even know what the Chairman looked like. Even the management hadn’t seen the Chairman.
Zhao Min never expected Chen Mo to come today.
“That outfit looks quite handsome on you.” Zhao Min looked Chen Mo over.
“Thank you.” Chen Mo sat down on the sofa. “I’m planning to go home for a bit. I came to check on the company before leaving.”
“You came at the right time.” Zhao Min smiled and handed the documents on the desk to Chen Mo. “The company’s financial reports, take a look. Also, this market feedback and the sales situation for Butterfly Eye.”
Chen Mo briefly flipped through them and handed the documents back to Zhao Min. “The company is on the right track now, right?”
“It’s in a high-speed development phase. I’ve already rented the top ten floors of the Phoenix Tower as the company’s temporary Office space. Your Office and Laboratory are on the top floor. It should be ready after the New Year.”
“Mm.” Chen Mo nodded. “I came this time to see how the company is doing. It looks pretty good now. The year-end is here. Take out twenty million and give it to the employees as year-end bonuses. You decide how to distribute it.”
“What a good Boss.” Zhao Min showed a smile. “Then I thank you on their behalf.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. Contact me by phone if you need anything.”
That noon, Chen Mo went out with his suitcase.
He confirmed that there were no major issues at the company for now, so he felt comfortable going home. His hometown wasn’t too far from Binhai City; it was in the same province, only a five-hour drive.
Enjoying the scenery along the way, he arrived at his home. Seeing his mother’s busy figure, Chen Mo took a deep breath and smiled. “Mom.”
The busy figure froze. Turning around and seeing Chen Mo, Mother Chen’s face immediately broke into a smile. Her son had called yesterday saying he would return today, but she didn’t expect him so soon.
“You’ve lost weight. Go inside and wait. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Where have I lost weight?” Chen Mo laughed. Every time he came back from outside, she said he’d lost weight. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s still at work and hasn’t come back. I’ll call your aunt.”
Chen Mo felt something was off. He was back for the holiday; why call his aunt? But Chen Mo didn’t pay it much mind. After putting away his luggage, he sat in the living room watching TV.
After being busy for so long, coming home was true relaxation.
Not long after, Mother Chen walked in, beaming. “A’mo, come with me to your aunt’s house tomorrow.”
“You’ll know when the time comes.” Mother Chen smiled mysteriously and turned back to the kitchen to continue her work.