In the first research building, a lab robot handed Chen Mo a sleek, palm-sized device. The moment he saw it, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
The past few weeks had been intense. Between Mo Nu's assistance and the superconducting computer's power, progress had skyrocketed.
According to Chen Mo's design ideas, Mo Nu had revamped the holographic phone blueprint. Working nonstop with the lab's robots—dozens of hours without rest—they had achieved a terrifying level of productivity.
After countless revisions and Chen Mo's direct input, the final design of the holographic smartphone was complete.
Now, the first prototype was finally in his hands.
Chen Mo admired the device's exquisite, high-tech aesthetic. Sleek lines. Metallic sheen. A minimalist interface that screamed futuristic design.
Pressing the power button, the phone lit up.
From one side of the phone, a three-dimensional hologram emerged—a glowing, rotating Marching Ant Company logo suspended in the air like a tiny living creature.
This was the key feature of the new phone: the ability to project real-time 3D holograms.
Chen Mo knew the release of this product would shock the world. It was not just an upgrade. It was a generational leap—an epoch-making device.
The phone had two displays: a traditional screen on one side and a 3D holographic projection module on the other. Even in an era of advanced tech, traditional LCDs remained essential.
Below the LCD was an ultra-micro laser projection system, specifically developed by Chen Mo. It utilized three primary-color laser tubes to emit a tightly focused laser beam, producing focus-free holograms—a cutting-edge feature straight from the Science and Technology Library.
With this focus-free projection technology, the holograms were razor sharp, realistic in both 3D and 2D modes. Each pixel, modulated via lightwave image signals, produced 24-bit true color, delivering vibrant, ultra-bright visuals.
"Brother Mo, President Zhao and Sister Xiao Yu are on their way," Mo Nu's playful voice echoed as her holographic avatar blinked to life.
"Right on time."
Chen Mo smiled, pocketed the phone, and prepared for a reveal.
A moment later, Zhao Min and Xiao Yu stepped into the lab.
"Hi, Ink Girl," they greeted warmly as Mo Nu's holographic Lolita avatar appeared in front of them.
This wasn't new for them—they were the people Chen Mo trusted most. Mo Nu had long been able to appear via hologram in the lab, making her virtually indistinguishable from a real person.
"Hello~" Mo Nu chirped, eyes sparkling.
Zhao Min turned to Chen Mo.
"Boss, we've got good news."
"Perfect timing. I have good news too," Chen Mo replied with a grin. "Go ahead, you first."
"The first holographic projector production line is complete. We're ready for full-scale manufacturing."
"That's great."
Chen Mo nodded, pleased but calm.
Zhao Min tilted her head, a little miffed.
"You really don't sound impressed. That is good news, you know."
Nothing seemed to shake this younger man—his reactions were always measured, which left Zhao Min slightly frustrated. She'd expected more excitement.
"I thought you were talking about Jianghe Pharmaceutical's new drug," Chen Mo chuckled. "Didn't expect it to be this. But the construction speed is impressive."
"Tch. You win." Zhao Min rolled her eyes. "As for the drug... that news isn't great. There's been a wave of rumors that it causes cancer. It's creating quite the stir."
"Yeah, I saw it."
Chen Mo sipped his tea casually.
He always followed major developments related to his company. Plus, Mo Nu kept him informed of trending headlines. He already knew the smear campaign originated from people connected to Pfizer.
But honestly, he couldn't be bothered to deal with it personally.
"What do you plan to do?" Zhao Min asked.
"Nothing. It's not my job," he shrugged. "Let Starfish, Jianghe Pharmaceutical, and Roche handle it."
Zhao Min nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. If every problem needed me, why even have an independent operating structure? If a team can't handle public relations over something this obvious, then its leadership doesn't deserve their jobs."
"Right," Chen Mo said. "That's how it should be."
"Anyway, you said you had good news too?" Xiao Yu asked eagerly.
Chen Mo smiled and pulled the holographic phone from his pocket, setting it gently on the table in front of them.
The design was sleek and futuristic, making their eyes light up. But they couldn't tell what it did yet.
"This is our company's first holographic smartphone."
He pressed a button.
A 3D projection of the Marching Ant logo emerged from the device, floating mid-air. Xiao Yu and Zhao Min gasped.
They had experience with medium holographic projectors—those could project images up to two meters high. But this? A handheld device producing crystal-clear holograms? That was straight out of science fiction.
"You really did it?" Zhao Min said, stunned.
"Fresh from the oven," Chen Mo smiled, handing her a thick stack of documents. "These are the patents we'll apply for. The core projection system—the focusless holographic tech—I won't patent that. Too risky to expose. But the secondary systems can be patented to protect us from legal ambushes."
"You're too much," Zhao Min muttered, flipping through the papers. "You really are inhuman. I forget how much you've got in that head of yours."
Chen Mo didn't deny it.
"Xiao Yu, this phone is for you," he said, holding the device out.
"For me?" Xiao Yu blinked, surprised.
This was the company's first holographic phone. A prototype of massive importance. And he was giving it to her?
"The first phone I ever gave you had the original Marching Ant system," Chen Mo said softly. "Now that we've upgraded to holographic phones, you're still the first person I want to give it to."
"Mm!" Xiao Yu's face lit up with joy as she carefully took the device.
"It has a normal LCD screen on the back if you're not used to 3D projection," he explained. "The system is a modified version of the Marching Ant OS. You can control it by voice if needed…"
"Alright, alright, we get it!"
Zhao Min interrupted with a groan, rolling her eyes.
"You dump a stack of patent files on me and hand her a shiny new toy. And you expect me to sit here and listen to the two of you flirt? Show some mercy!"
Xiao Yu giggled shyly, clearly delighted.
"Don't worry," Chen Mo said. "I made five prototypes. Xiao Yu gets the first. The other four are for you."
He motioned to a robot, which brought over the rest of the phones. Zhao Min accepted hers without hesitation.
"Now we're talking."
With Chen Mo, she didn't need to play polite.
"Originally, I came here to talk about the holographic projector release. I didn't expect you'd already finished the phone. How long until mass production starts?"
"One month," Chen Mo replied. "Clean out Building No. 2's warehouse. I'll have the robots repurpose it into a production line for the holographic phones."
"Got it. I'll handle that," Zhao Min said, eyes gleaming. "But just so you know, the holographic projectors are scheduled to launch in one week."