Time passed quietly.
Inside the small shop, Chen Mo sat at his desk, staring at the computer screen with a growing grin—until he burst out laughing. His laughter echoed through the shop and even drew curious looks from passers-by outside.
"Young man, are you okay?" a concerned voice called out.
Startled, Chen Mo turned to see the auntie from the grocery store next door peering at him with a puzzled expression.
His smile froze awkwardly.
"Oh, uh… nothing, really. Just cleared a game. Got a bit excited," Chen Mo replied, rubbing his nose sheepishly.
"Young people these days. You should spend less time playing games and more time making money. Don't let your girlfriend down."
"Yes, ma'am." Chen Mo nodded obediently.
Once the aunt was satisfied he hadn't lost his mind, she turned and walked away. Chen Mo exhaled and returned his gaze to the screen.
Another month had passed since the last big breakthrough. Finally—finally—the basic grammar for his Chinese character programming language was complete.
He had borrowed core ideas from C, B, and assembly languages, adapting them carefully to suit the unique structure and expression of Chinese.
In the end, he'd built:
18 data types
108 keyword groups
36 control statements
Full support for constants, variables, operations, characters, and arrays
All this, refined through intense study, long hours, and countless revisions.
Even with his superhuman memory and comprehension—gifts no normal human possessed—it had taken him over three months and three careful readings of the Computer Language Creation and Application volumes from the Science Library.
But now, as the code ran successfully on the Universal Compiler, Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh again.
The Universal Compiler, included in the Library's books, was a tool designed to solve compatibility issues for new languages. Of course, it still required the language's grammar to be defined beforehand.
And now, it had successfully compiled a simple decimal calculator written in his new language.
That meant—his grammar was sound.
If people found out he created a whole new programming language in just three months, they'd probably call him a monster.
Smiling, Chen Mo saved all the files and shut down the shop for the day.
"You're closing early again? Not working today?" the grocery store auntie asked, spotting him locking the door.
"Game's done. Taking a break," Chen Mo replied as he hopped onto his bike and pedaled away eagerly.
"Kids these days… gaming themselves into lunacy," the aunt muttered, shaking her head. "Don't even want to work anymore. I better go deal with my own little brat…"
Three months of focused work. And now the grammar was ready. He couldn't wait any longer—he had to return to the Science Library.
Back at the rental house, he dropped his bag and flopped onto the bed.
Once again, the hundred-meter-high bookshelves greeted him, along with the familiar dark red book and the lone desk.
Everything in the Science Library always felt so vivid when he was happy.
Chen Mo opened the book. Moments later, Shu Lao appeared beside him.
"You're back," Shu Lao said with a nod. "Come to share your technology? You still have three unused random selections. Would you like to use them now?"
Chen Mo had been saving them, waiting for the right moment to roll the dice all at once.
Random selections had burned him before—he had a bit of PTSD from it.
But today, he was in a good mood. Why not?
"Let's do it," Chen Mo said.
"Then good luck," Shu Lao smiled, raising his hand.
The air filled with swirling, glowing books. After a few moments of rapid spinning, one shot into Shu Lao's hand.
Chen Mo leaned in, hopeful—then squinted at the title.
"Human Thoracic Developmental Aid (External Use)"
"…What?"
He stared blankly at the cover. "What the hell is this?"
"A very… useful cosmetic biotech," Shu Lao replied, trying—and failing—not to laugh. "Congratulations."
Chen Mo was speechless. "…Why do I always get these?"
"Well, do you want it or not?" Shu Lao asked innocently.
"Of course I do!" Chen Mo shouted, nearly jumping. "This thing might make more money than phones! Women's products are the most profitable—especially anything beauty-related."
He sighed, still feeling like the system was messing with him.
"And besides, I haven't even touched the medical field yet…"
"See? Technology isn't good or bad—it's about making people happy. That's good tech," Shu Lao grinned as the book glowed and merged into Chen Mo's mind. "This one is a low-level version. It has a limitation—but that might be an advantage for you."
"What limitation?"
"Repeatable use," Shu Lao said, eyes twinkling. "Meaning… you can keep selling it."
Chen Mo exhaled. "Alright. Again."
Shu Lao smiled and repeated the motion. The swirling books spun again, and this time, a book stopped in his hand.
"Carbon Crystal Lithium-ion Battery Production Process"
Chen Mo's eyes lit up. Finally, something solid and immediately usable.
"Again!" he said.
Shu Lao nodded and activated the final spin. The last book landed in his hand:
"Ballpoint Pen Production Process"
"…You've got to be kidding me," Chen Mo muttered. "What's next? Stapler optimization?"
Compared to the other two, this one was a dud. Sure, it was technically useful, but hardly groundbreaking. If he wanted to make an impact, the stationery market wasn't it.
Still, the battery tech was a nice win.
With the randoms done, Shu Lao turned back to Chen Mo.
"So, you've created the programming language?"
"I have," Chen Mo said, straightening with pride.
Shu Lao raised a finger. A shimmering light formed in the air, pulling the grammar definitions directly from Chen Mo's mind and projecting them into a floating screen.
He scanned it carefully, his expression slowly shifting to admiration.
"Excellent. Truly excellent," Shu Lao said at last. "The structure is elegant—more refined than many languages I've seen. Your approach is unique."
Chen Mo felt his chest warm with pride.
He and Shu Lao had become close during these months—sometimes mentor, sometimes friend. Whenever Chen Mo was stuck, he would drop into the Library and ask questions before bed. They'd chat, brainstorm, and share jokes.
So praise from Shu Lao meant a lot.
"Are you willing to share it with the Library?" Shu Lao asked.
"Of course," Chen Mo replied without hesitation.
Shu Lao smiled deeply. "A truly refined computer language like this is rare. Sharing it should earn you something valuable."
He lifted a finger again. The screen transformed into a glowing book, then flew into the deepest part of the Library. A moment later, a soft light beamed down from the ceiling, forming a new book in Shu Lao's hands.