Chapter 25: Snow-Capped Peaks Framed by the Window

Lu Yu pondered where he might earn some money, and after much consideration, the only thing left was the compression algorithm he had yet to finish. He had no clear idea just how valuable this algorithm might be. Still, it ought to be worth a fair sum, shouldn’t it? Wouldn’t game companies need it? What about big data firms? Internet companies of all kinds? But there was no way for Lu Yu to charge for it, and the algorithm couldn’t be patented. Once someone thoroughly studied his algorithm, they could modify it slightly and keep using it, leaving him with no recourse.

Don’t assume those companies are all paragons of virtue. Among the myriad internet firms, what sorts of crooks and scoundrels aren’t there? This wasn’t some hardcore technology where, once patented, others would have to come to him and buy it. With algorithms, that simply wasn’t possible. Unless you were a big corporation with the clout to act like a bully, otherwise... well. Did you think those internet behemoths weren’t constantly embroiled in patent lawsuits? Just for fun? It’s all just tit-for-tat plagiarism—everyone copies everyone else, and in the end, no one can tell who borrowed from whom, so they might as well go to court. There’s no true justice on either side.

So, in the final analysis, weakness is a sin. He didn’t even have the qualifications to be a bully.

...

Failing his ambition to be a rogue, Lu Yu headed to the break room, where he found the two women playing on their phones, scrolling through microblogs and short videos. He glanced left and right but ultimately abandoned his rogue thoughts. He walked over and asked, “Have you two thought it through? Do you really want to work at the company?”

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian both looked up at him, exchanged glances, and nodded. “Yes, we’ve decided.”

Lu Yu replied, “Alright then, no need to go to the cosmetics company today. You’ll start officially tomorrow. Since you’ve chosen to work at the company, you’ll need to take it seriously. If you can’t do the job well, you’ll be let go.”

They both answered, “Okay,” a bit eager and a bit nervous.

Lu Yu beckoned to them. “Come with me, I’ll introduce you to your future boss.” With that, he led them to Deng Qiang’s office.

Deng Qiang was drafting a plan on his computer. Noticing Lu Yu’s arrival, he stood up to greet him, “President Lu, is there something you need?”

Lu Yu nodded and gestured to the two women behind him. “These two will go with you to the cosmetics company tomorrow. Assign them as you see fit. They’re here to work, not to mess around. If they don’t perform, handle it as you would with any other employee.”

Though Deng Qiang wasn’t sure of their exact relationship with Lu Yu, he could tell it was significant. He looked at the two women and hesitated, “The cosmetics company is over in the industrial park, which is rather remote. According to my plan, it’s just a production and logistics site. I intended to base the PR department here at headquarters for now—seems a shame to waste such a spacious office. We can move later. How about having them work in PR?”

Lu Yu replied, “How you arrange things is up to you. From now on, they’re your subordinates—treat them as such.”

Deng Qiang said, “Alright then, they can report here tomorrow and join the PR department.”

Lu Yu nodded and took the women outside, telling them, “That was Deng Qiang, the general manager of the cosmetics company. You can call him Manager Deng. Remember where this is; tomorrow, come here for your first day.”

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian nodded. Qin Xiaomian clung to Lu Yu’s arm, a bit worried—she had no work experience at all.

“What if I can’t do the job?” she asked.

Lu Yu rapped her gently on the head, exasperated. “Can’t do it? Then go home and warm the bed!”

Qin Xiaomian’s eyes sparkled, “Great, I like that!” Lu Yu pinched her nose, teasing, “Pretty as you are, don’t get too dreamy. If you don’t learn anything now, what will you do in the future?”

She replied, “What future? Won’t you always take care of me?”

Lu Yu couldn’t help but tease her further. “Right now, you’re young and lovely—but what about when you’re old and your looks have faded?”

A sudden sense of crisis flashed across Qin Xiaomian’s face. She glared at him, feigning ferocity. “Hmph! I knew it, you’re a scoundrel!”

Lu Yu grinned, “Just figured that out now?”

Qin Xiaomian shook her tiny fist, baring her teeth, silently making up her mind.

Lu Yu ignored her little drama and took them out to eat.

...

Over lunch, he asked if they had any plans for the afternoon. They hesitated, then said they wanted to go home and prepare for their new PR roles, at least to do some background research.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Lu Yu didn’t want to dampen their spirits. After the meal, he accompanied them home.

Once there, the two women each took a laptop to the living room, searching for information and occasionally discussing their findings. They seemed genuinely interested in PR work.

Lu Yu went to his study, turned on his computer, and started coding the compression algorithm. Whatever the means of profiting from it, finishing the algorithm was the first step. Worst case, he could sell it to a big company—or, if not, keep it for himself in case he entered the tech sector later.

In the midst of this, Chen Xiaofei called him.

“Immortal, have you emerged from seclusion?”

Lu Yu replied, “I have yet to reach Foundation Establishment—I dare not call myself an immortal.”

Chen Xiaofei: “...Well, when will you condense your Golden Core?”

Lu Yu: “The path to immortality is not so easily trodden.”

Chen Xiaofei: “I know of something that might aid your Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Yu: “Oh? If this is so, do tell!”

Chen Xiaofei: “I’ve heard that on the eastern slope of West Ridge, where snow lies year-round, there is a spring in a valley, suffused with ethereal mist. Soaking in it might grant insight into the Dao.”

Lu Yu: “Ah! I have long heard, ‘The window frames West Ridge’s timeless snow!’ Perhaps the tales are true. We should gather.”

Chen Xiaofei: “Excellent! I have read the omens—tomorrow we can set out. Two fair maidens will join us. Across a thousand peaks and ten thousand miles, their presence will lighten the journey’s solitude!”

Lu Yu, feigning outrage, “The immortal path is long—why indulge in romance? Begone, troublemaker! Cut off all attachments—let us seek the Dao together!”

Chen Xiaofei, mock-dramatic, “Alas! I envy the mandarin ducks, not the immortals!”

Lu Yu sighed, “How frail I have become! My friendships dwindle—how many remain?”

Chen Xiaofei: “...I can’t answer that. I’ll pick you up tomorrow, end of discussion.”

Lu Yu: “Then please make your exit smoothly.”

After hanging up, Lu Yu resumed coding.

...

That night, he ate takeout at home and coded for several more hours before getting ready for bed. Since the two women would be starting work the next day and feared he might cause mischief, they each retreated early to their own rooms, locking the doors.

Lu Yu gazed at the empty master bed and sighed—life these days was truly not easy. But knowing they’d spent the afternoon and evening preparing for work, he figured they took it seriously enough and refrained from knocking on their doors.

Let them rest well and begin this new chapter in good spirits.

He lay in bed and soon drifted off.

While he slept soundly, he vaguely sensed something soft in his arms and pulled it closer, sleeping on.

He woke the next day to an alarm. Opening his eyes in search of the sound, he realized there was someone in his arms, stirring but not yet fully awake. Lu Yu reached for his phone and silenced the alarm.

Glancing at the sleepy Qin Xiaomian beside him, he wondered when she’d sneaked into his bed. She half-opened her eyes, checked the time, then bolted awake and hurried back to her room to freshen up, her nightgown in disarray.

Lu Yu dozed a bit longer before getting up. By the time he went downstairs, Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian were already groomed and dressed, ready to go. Before he could admire them, they hurried out, saying they’d grab breakfast outside.

Lu Yu grabbed his phone and keys and went out for noodles—he hadn’t had Chongqing noodles in a while and missed them. He sent his location to Chen Xiaofei via WeChat, then returned home after eating. With nothing else to do, he continued refining the algorithm.

...

At ten o’clock, as he was tackling a crucial part of the code, Chen Xiaofei called—he was waiting outside the complex. Lu Yu saved his code, closed his laptop, and planned to keep working in the car; if he didn’t finish this step, his OCD would leave him unsettled all day.

With his laptop slung over his shoulder, he went out and found Chen Xiaofei’s car parked by the curb with its hazards on. He climbed into the front seat and found Zhang Kexin and Qianqian in the back.

He greeted them, “You’re all here so early? I thought Chen Xiaofei would pick me up first, then you two.”

Zhang Kexin replied, “He prioritizes beauty over friendship.”

Lu Yu just smiled and nodded, buckled up, and took out his laptop to continue coding.

Chen Xiaofei turned off the hazards, flicked on the left indicator, and merged into traffic. “What were you up to these past few days?”

Lu Yu, eyes still on his laptop, answered, “Told you already—seclusion.”

Chen Xiaofei pressed, “At the library again?”

Lu Yu kept coding. “Sometimes yes, sometimes no.”

Chen Xiaofei: “So what were you actually doing? Really cultivating immortality?”

Lu Yu: “Mmm, you’ll see in time.”

Chen Xiaofei: “You’ve been so mysterious lately. Why are you living here now?”

Lu Yu: “Bought a place here.”

Chen Xiaofei: “When did you buy it? I had no idea! What about your place near Shu Yin University?”

Lu Yu: “That one’s still being renovated—should be done soon. Another half month, maybe a month at most.”

Zhang Kexin suddenly interjected, “You mean you’re renovating it the way you told us?”

Lu Yu nodded, “Yes, just as I said. The final result should be about the same.”

Zhang Kexin brightened, “Great, I can’t wait to practice piano there!”

Lu Yu glanced at her, then turned to Chen Xiaofei, “Are you planning to drive into my living room, or will you hit the brakes?”

Chen Xiaofei: “...”

Zhang Kexin: “???”

...