Xiao Yu felt like she was floating in a void. Time passed in an instant, yet also seemed endless. Suddenly, a wave of weightlessness jolted her awake—her whole body quivering from the sensation.
She sat up in bed, blinking as golden sunlight streamed through the window. It felt… wonderful.
She remembered Chen Mo had given her the potential-enhancing drug the night before, after which she had fallen asleep. She hadn't expected to sleep all the way till morning.
Chen Mo was already gone.
Xiao Yu got up and headed to the bathroom. As she passed the mirror, she paused—and blinked.
She stared at her reflection, momentarily stunned. Something about her looked different.
It wasn't a dramatic change, but the details stood out. Her skin was smoother, with a soft glow. A faint vest line was visible at her lower abdomen, but without any overly muscular tone. Her waist seemed slimmer, her figure even more defined and graceful. Her legs appeared longer, better proportioned—and somehow, she felt a little taller too.
Xiao Yu's eyes brightened with delight as she admired herself in the mirror.
Chen Mo hadn't lied. The drug really had changed her body—for the better. What woman doesn't love beauty? She certainly wasn't immune to it.
After finishing her morning routine, she changed into a comfortable outfit and walked out of the bedroom. She didn't have to work overtime today, so she planned to enjoy a relaxing day off.
Just as she was heading to the kitchen for breakfast, Chen Mo came out holding a pot of hot porridge.
"You're up?" Chen Mo looked her over, head to toe.
Xiao Yu, who used to stand around 165 cm, now seemed visibly taller. Over the next few days, as the effects of the drug settled, she would develop a figure that could rival any top model.
"Taller, and even more beautiful," Chen Mo complimented with a grin.
"Mm." Xiao Yu's heart melted like honey at his words. In her eyes, Chen Mo had always been her personal "Yue Lao"—the one who connected her to her happiness.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, walking over.
"You needed the rest. I figured I'd let you sleep a bit longer." Chen Mo gestured to the pot in his hands. "I made breakfast today. Try your husband's cooking."
Grrrrr…
Her stomach rumbled at the smell of the porridge. Xiao Yu blushed in embarrassment.
"The potential drug burns a lot of energy. I guessed you'd be starving when you woke up. Here—this is just for you." Chen Mo smiled warmly as he served her a bowl.
"Thank you, hubby."
Xiao Yu accepted the bowl with a smile that curved her eyes into crescent moons. Her gaze toward Chen Mo was soft and filled with affection.
"No need to thank me. You've cooked for me so many times. This is just me returning the favor," Chen Mo said as he sat down. "It's my first attempt at seafood porridge—give it a try."
"Okay." Xiao Yu took a spoonful and brought it to her lips. As the flavor filled her mouth, her eyes lit up.
"Wow! Are you sure this is your first time making porridge?"
"Yeah," Chen Mo chuckled. "I followed a recipe and just paid attention to the steps. It's not that hard if you follow the seasoning instructions."
He served himself a bowl as well.
"It's really delicious. I love this flavor," Xiao Yu said, beaming.
"If you like it, eat more." Chen Mo smiled, then asked, "By the way, how are you feeling? Any discomfort? Any strange changes in your body?"
"Not really, just a little… stronger?" Xiao Yu tilted her head. "When I squeezed the toothpaste earlier, I didn't even try that hard and it came shooting out. Also, when I changed clothes, I accidentally tore a shirt…"
She stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
Chen Mo wasn't surprised. Everyone who had undergone the development—including himself—had needed time to adjust to their enhanced strength.
"Once you finish eating, we'll do some exercises to help you adapt to the changes. After that, I'll take you shopping for some new clothes."
"You're spoiling me," Xiao Yu said with a playful pout.
"Then let me spoil you," Chen Mo grinned.
"I'm a Xiao Yu, not a little goldfish—I don't need to be raised," she replied, puffing out her cheeks with mock pride.
—
After breakfast, Chen Mo helped Xiao Yu begin adapting to her new physical capabilities. He taught her a simple set of self-defense techniques—moves and tactics that had been recorded in the data accompanying the potential development technology.
It was a fun and productive weekend.
—
Back at the company, Chen Mo returned to the lab and resumed work on the miniature holographic projector.
Elsewhere, in the Marching Ant Company's conference room, Gao Zhendong sat stiffly, his face grim.
Around him were Samsung's mobile business executives and marketing department decision-makers. Across the table sat Zhao Min and the Marching Ant Company's executive team.
They were here to negotiate licensing—again.
The last round of talks had failed. But after intense discussion with upper management, Gao Zhendong had been sent back to try again.
The situation had become dire.
Last week's sales data showed another steep decline in Samsung's mobile business.
In North America, they were losing ground to Apple's S3. In Southeast Asia, India, and Europe, they were under attack from Chinese phone makers—especially in the high-end segment, where Huawei and Xiaomi were dominating. The numbers were ugly.
The emergence of the Marching Ant Company's truly intelligent phones had changed the game.
Initially, Samsung had expected to profit by positioning themselves between Apple and Marching Ant. But the tables had turned. Instead of catching opportunities, they were getting squeezed.
Apple's S3 had taken a hit thanks to the Marching Ant Company, but the sales figures were still strong. And with their breakthrough in artificial intelligence, Apple's long-term prospects were looking better than ever.
Samsung, on the other hand, had no such breakthrough—and was now cornered.
"President Zhao, 17.2% of the total unit price is too high. We can accept 7.4%—that's our absolute limit," Gao Zhendong said, trying to stay composed.
"No profit?" Zhao Min said calmly. "Your retail price will rise after adding our smart assistant. Customers will buy. At 17.2%, the licensing fee isn't even high."
Currently, for a $400 smartphone, baseband patents alone cost over $50. Wi-Fi tech added another $50. With other components—screens, batteries, advertising, distribution—the manufacturers barely scraped by with thin margins.
For years, Chinese manufacturers had suffered under foreign patent monopolies, paying massive fees for every device.
Now, the Marching Ant Company was doing what foreign tech giants had always done—using core technology to command a premium.
They weren't about to license it cheap.
"8.1%. That's our bottom line," Gao Zhendong insisted.
"16.9%. If we can't agree, let's just reschedule. No progress means no point continuing today," Zhao Min replied bluntly.
"President Zhao, we've shown sincerity. 8.1% is already generous."
"Sincerity?" Zhao Min smiled thinly. "Then let's be sincere, too. Final offer: 16.6%. Otherwise, we'll talk next time."
Gao Zhendong clenched his jaw. He was feeling crushed—but couldn't afford to walk away.
They needed this partnership. Throwing a tantrum wouldn't help; doing so could cost him his job.
"Fine. 10%. That's truly our limit," he said with a deep breath.
"Then I guess we'll talk next time," Zhao Min said, standing up.
"Wait, President Zhao."
Gao Zhendong stopped her, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He realized he was being played, and Zhao Min's strategy was brutally effective.
"How about 11%? That's the absolute ceiling. We can't go higher, even if you walk."
"15.8%. Still firm," Zhao Min replied coolly.
"President Zhao, we've been more than fair…"
"If this isn't good enough, we can revisit the discussion later. I have a business trip tomorrow," Zhao Min said, preparing to leave again.
"11.5%."
The negotiation dragged on. Gao Zhendong felt like he was bleeding inside—but without core tech, there was no bargaining power. This was reality.
Finally, after over an hour of back-and-forth—
13.1%
That was the agreed-upon licensing fee.
It was higher than Samsung had expected—painfully so. But Zhao Min had forced their hand and squeezed every drop she could. She knew they would eventually give in.
"Happy cooperation," she said with a faint smile.
"...Happy cooperation," Gao Zhendong echoed, the words bitter on his tongue.