Chen Mo's life had returned to a calm rhythm—even if his version of "calm" still involved circuit design, system architecture, and the occasional deep-dive into sci-fi-level tech libraries.
Meanwhile, the marching ant company was buzzing.
After receiving the completed office software, Zhao Min wasted no time. Under her orders, the marketing team kicked off promotion at full throttle. With only 50 million in funding and plans to soon enter the competitive mobile phone industry, the company needed quick revenue.
And fast.
Office software, if played right, could be the first profitable foothold.
Back at headquarters, the young company was a hive of motion. Zhao Min's office door clicked open, and Julie walked in carrying a neat folder of documents.
Julie was one of Zhao Min's trusted old teammates. When the company launched, Zhao Min brought her aboard without hesitation. She was sharp, reliable, and now in charge of managing the marketing department.
"Here's the latest report," Julie said, placing the folder down.
Zhao Min flipped it open. "How's the data?"
"As of right now, the free version has exceeded 10,000 downloads. And we've got over 300 paying users."
Zhao Min's eyes flicked up, pleasantly surprised. "Not bad. A very solid start."
Given that they were a brand-new company, virtually unknown, breaking the 10,000 mark this quickly was more than promising. It was a statement.
Ant Office, as they'd named it, came in four versions: Free, Home, Small Business, and Professional.
The Free edition offered basic Word, Excel, and PPT functions—plus a simple but surprisingly powerful image editing tool. The other editions stacked up features depending on user needs, but all undercut the prices of existing software giants like Office and WPS by half.
It was aggressive. It was bold.
And it was working.
Zhao Min believed that once corporate clients discovered how efficient and lightweight the software was—how seamlessly it combined document editing with basic image processing—it would spread fast.
"Push the mobile version too," she said. "And send teams to demo it at major companies."
"Got it," Julie nodded and turned to leave.
Once she was alone, Zhao Min picked up her phone and dialed the number of their elusive chairman.
Chen Mo—the mythical founder who had barely shown up in person since the company started—answered on the second ring.
"The office software is live," Zhao Min said, trying to sound casual despite her mixed feelings about his ghost-like management style. "Market's responding well. A great start."
"Nice," Chen Mo said on the other end. The sounds of quiet clicking followed.
"Any chance you'll grace us with your presence sometime?" she asked dryly.
"Eventually," he replied. "I'm sending you the mobile phone's circuit and interface design now. You can move forward with prototyping and apply for the patent."
Zhao Min sat up straight. "Already? That was fast!"
"I've been busy," Chen Mo said, amused. "But you don't have to worry. You handle your part, I'll handle mine."
"Fair enough," she chuckled. "I've contacted some suppliers and design firms. I still have connections from my old job. So far, everything's running smooth."
"Perfect."
They hung up, and Chen Mo shut down his circuit design software, stretched, and stepped outside. The grocery store aunt next door spotted him closing shop.
"You're done already? No business today?" she teased.
"Going out to play," Chen Mo grinned.
Today was Xiao Yu's accountant exam, and he'd cleared his schedule for it.
The testing center wasn't far—just a short ride from Binhai University. He parked nearby and waited. Soon, examinees began to pour out, some drained, some relieved.
Xiao Yu emerged from the crowd, saw him, and ran over with a bright smile. Judging by her expression, the test went well.
The two of them vanished into the city for the rest of the day.
Buffet lunch. Aquarium. Wandering the mall. A movie. It was a proper date—the kind couples rarely had time for, and they both treasured every second.
That night, they walked along the seawall, waves crashing softly in the distance. The air smelled of salt and freedom. Chen Mo leaned back, finally feeling like he could breathe again.
Between the endless studying, research, and product design, his head had been spinning nonstop. But when he was with Xiao Yu, all that faded.
Just her smile was enough to make it all feel worth it.
They sat quietly for a while, the sea stretching endlessly before them.
Then, out of nowhere, Chen Mo's eyes twitched. He seemed to recall something. He subtly shifted his arm, glanced at his phone, and raised a brow.
"If this is really happening again, that would be wild…" he muttered.
"What is?" Xiao Yu asked, tilting her head.
Before he could answer, a familiar voice called out, "Is it you?"
They turned to see Liang Zhihang—the photographer from their last seaside date—walking toward them with a camera slung over his shoulder.
Chen Mo blinked. "You again?"
"Yep! What are the odds, right?" Liang laughed, already digging into his backpack. "Last time, the photo I took of you two? It got shortlisted in the national contest! First time in my career. Honestly, it's the best work I've ever done. I printed a copy for you."
He handed them a photo.
Chen Mo accepted it with a nod. "Thanks."
"No, really, I should be thanking you," Liang said sincerely. "It was just luck, but that shot turned out perfect. Anyway, I'll leave you two alone. See you around."
He waved and disappeared into the crowd.
Chen Mo handed the photo to Xiao Yu.
"Better keep this safe. It's a memory now."
Xiao Yu's cheeks went pink. It was a picture of their kiss—same one she'd already saved as her phone wallpaper. Still, holding a physical copy somehow made it more... real.
But just as she tucked the photo away, she noticed something.
Chen Mo was giving her that look—mischievous and way too smug.
"Oh no…"
He pulled her into his arms before she could react.
A minute passed. She emerged from his embrace red-faced, gasping.
"You just love bullying me, don't you?"
"Only because you're so easy to bully," he said with a laugh.
They stood there, basking in the moment—until Xiao Yu glanced at her phone and her eyes went wide.
"Wait. The time—it's almost dorm curfew!"
Chen Mo smirked. "Again?"
It was just like last time. They had five minutes to get back—and no way she'd make it.
She glared at him. "You didn't remind me on purpose!"
"Guilty," he said, pulling her hand. "Let's go to the night market."
"Why?!"
"To buy clothes."
"What does that have to do with anything?!"
"You can't go back, right? So we'll get clothes, you can shower, and stay over."
"You really planned this, didn't you?!"
Their laughter and light bickering trailed off as they disappeared into the market, hand-in-hand.