Open Source?

The company is slowly getting on the right track under Zhao Min's management. After taking over from Chen Mo, she contacted some capable former employees and hired new staff. They could maintain the company's operations within ten days, albeit with some difficulty.

Sitting in her office, Zhao Min reviewed the documents in her hand. Across from her sat a well-dressed woman with a pleasant face.

"Xiao Li, inform Director Li that we need to increase our recruitment efforts at the job fairs of major universities. However, we must adhere strictly to the company's employment standards," Zhao Min instructed, handing the documents back to the female employee. "Also, considering the company's personnel shortage, I need you to assist in the administrative department temporarily."

"Okay, President," Xiao Li replied, taking the documents and leaving the office.

Once Xiao Li was gone, Zhao Min frowned and sipped from the tea cup beside her.

Chen Mo, the board chairman, seemed completely unconcerned about these matters and entrusted everything to her.

Zhao Min had mixed feelings. While she had a lot of work to handle now, she no longer had to deal with Chen Mo's antics.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Chen Mo entered the office with a backpack and a document in hand.

"Rare sight, Chairman," Zhao Min said, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity.

Chen Mo, seeing Zhao Min, couldn't help but feel a strange emotion.

When the company rented the office space, Chen Mo had come once before. They had only been in touch in the past few days through their mobile phones, so Zhao Min hadn't expected him to show up.

"Is the company keeping you busy?" Chen Mo asked, placing the document in front of Zhao Min.

"Of course, we're just getting started, and the company is understaffed. We need a data centre, servers, and recruiters. Do you think everyone can be as carefree as you are?" Zhao Min replied, taking the documents from Chen Mo's hand and quickly scanning them.

"Honesty, I'm not idle either. I'm working on a second product," Chen Mo said.

Upon hearing Chen Mo's words, Zhao Min immediately became alert.

"When will it be completed? We can't release the mobile phone system for now. The company is not yet established enough, and we lack sufficient talent. If we release it prematurely, we'll become an easy target. If we have another product, we can establish a foothold first. We can take off once the smartphone operating system is ready," Zhao Min explained.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, which is why I started working on the second product right away," Chen Mo replied.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, which is why I started working on the second product right away," Chen Mo replied.

"What is the second product?" Zhao Min inquired.

"It's an office software," Chen Mo said, placing a USB drive in front of Zhao Min. "It's already completed. It has functions similar to WPS and Office, along with a basic image processing feature. All the information is in there."

During this time, Chen Mo had been refining the code for the office software and designing the user interface. Thankfully, he could rely on existing designs; otherwise, creating all the interfaces from scratch would have been challenging.

"Really?" Zhao Min asked, seeking further confirmation.

"This is my company. Do you think I'd give it to you without ensuring its quality?"

Chen Mo couldn't help but tease Zhao Min upon seeing her reaction. He inserted the USB drive into Zhao Min's office computer, taking over her position momentarily.

Soon enough, a new software appeared on the desktop with an icon of a cartoon ant.

"Ant Office?" Zhao Min glanced at the icon, her eyes lighting up as she opened the software.

The office software resembled WPS but had a different interface, offering more features than WPS. It allowed for PDF and other format conversions and image processing functions similar to a simplified version of Photoshop with some additional photo editing capabilities. The interface layout was user-friendly and familiar to those who had used WPS or Office before.

"You developed this?" Zhao Min pointed at the computer.

"Yeah, praise me," Chen Mo replied jokingly.

Shakaka...

Zhao Min opened a drawer and rummaged through it, leaving Chen Mo puzzled. "What are you doing?"

"Looking for scissors."

"What do you need scissors for?"

"To taste you."

Chen Mo was taken aback, exclaiming, "Wow! No need to compliment me so passionately!"

"Is this software developed by you?" Zhao Min still had doubts.

"Don't be surprised. The future products will definitely go beyond this," Chen Mo assured her.

"Enough with the small talk. Now, let's discuss the company's work and expenses," Zhao Min said, sitting on the office sofa.

"No, I trust you," Chen Mo responded. "The company's operations are in your capable hands."

"That's quite touching. Aren't you afraid your girlfriend will find out that her boyfriend is saying such things to another woman?" Zhao Min teased with a smile.

"She knows, it's fine. I didn't come here to listen to your report but to deliver the product."

Chen Mo pointed to the USB drive on the table.

"This office software is ready for launch. We have both PC and mobile versions. The key now is how you promote it. It's the perfect opportunity to stabilise the company and pave the way for the release of the smartphone operating system."

"Regarding the ArmyAnt system, I've already commissioned an agency to apply for an international patent. Now it's up to you to decide how to authorise it, enter the mobile phone market, or go open source."

"Not open source," Chen Mo stated firmly.

Google open-source approach with Android has resulted in the loss of control over the Android system. Domestic mobile phone manufacturers have optimised Android and third-party customised systems like MIUI, which have caused disruptions in the Android ecosystem.

Seeing Apple's success with its proprietary system, Google has been tightening its grip on the Android system through the latest updates. The new version of Android aims to integrate fragmented systems through rigorous modularisation, gradually reducing external control.

If the marching ant system were to be open source, its unique structure would undoubtedly attract the interest of developers, potentially leading to the development of computer operating systems based on the marching ant system. However, Chen Mo has no intention of making the marching ant system open source.

"In that case, let's enter the mobile phone market," Zhao Min suggested. "Our mobile phone system is superior to Apple's, and with both high-end and low-end options, we have a competitive advantage."

"Yes," Chen Mo agreed after a moment of thought. "Tell me about the mobile phone design."

"Are you capable of doing it?" Zhao Min asked sceptically, looking at Chen Mo.

"Can a man ever say no?"

"That's hard to say, especially for you, little brother," Zhao Min replied playfully.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, sure that Zhao Min was deliberately teasing him.

"Since you believe I can do it, I'll take charge of the mobile phone design. You focus on recruiting talent. The company is still small, and we need more skilled individuals," Chen Mo said, cutting off Zhao Min before she could respond.

With Zhao Min busy managing the company, Chen Mo returned to school alone.

He felt reassured about Zhao Min's involvement. He fully trusted her abilities if she could help him run the company.

Upon returning to the library, Chen Mo found Xiaoyu already seated there. With the accountant exam approaching, Xiaoyu spent a lot of "You'll find out soon enough," Xiaoyu replied, glancing at the book on Chen Mo's table. "Last time, you were reading a physics book. How come you're studying telecommunications now?"

"I'm learning to repair your computer."

Mentioning computer repairs made Xiaoyu smile softly. Thinking back to the incident with the computer virus, it now seemed amusing.

Time in the library.

Browsing through the bookshelves, Chen Mo selected several telecommunications books and settled beside Xiaoyu.

"I'm here," he said with a smile.

Xiaoyu looked up, her sweet smile lighting up her face. "Sorry, I have to prepare for the accountant exam, so I don't have much time to spend with you," she apologised.

"Actions speak louder than words," Chen Mo whispered. "It's better to show me than apologise."

"Instead of saying sorry, why not show it through actions?" Chen Mo whispered in her ear.

"Behave yourself. We're in the library," Xiaoyu blushed and chuckled. "I'll give you a surprise after this exam."

"Really? What kind of surprise?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Xiaoyu replied, glancing at the book on Chen Mo's table. "Last time, you were reading a physics book. How come you're studying telecommunications now?"

Engaging in quiet conversation, Chen Mo focused on the book while Xiaoyu gazed at his profile, her eyes filled with affection.

"I'm learning how to fix your computer."

At the mention of computer repair, Xiaoyu smiled softly. Reflecting on the virus incident in her computer, it seemed amusing now.

They chatted quietly, and Chen Mo focused on his book. Xiaoyu gazed at his face, her eyes filled with affection.