Building No. 7, known as the "Culture Hall" of the Marching Ant Company, was where the company showcased its most iconic innovations.
At this moment, Chen Mo was leading Sios and his delegation through the exhibition floor, accompanied by Yao Yi and several government officials. The group moved leisurely as they took in the demonstrations.
The staff beside them were introducing the company's newest generation of holographic projectors, showcasing their real-time immersive effects. Even for those in the delegation familiar with holographic technology, the sight of more than a dozen projectors working in perfect synchrony to create such a vivid, dreamlike atmosphere left them speechless.
For a few seconds, even the seasoned experts accompanying Sios could only stare in awe.
"This is incredible, Mr. Chen," Sios finally spoke, unable to hide his amazement.
Yao Yi smiled and added, "Mr. Chen is now one of the top ten outstanding young people in China—and the youngest entrepreneur in Binhai. He's our pride."
He wasn't just offering flattery. Yao Yi had noticed Sios's expression earlier—dark and stiff when leaving the meeting room. He didn't need to ask to know things hadn't gone well. Judging from how smoothly Chen Mo now handled the group with calm composure, it was clear: he had rejected them firmly.
"I'm flattered," Chen Mo replied modestly, flashing a polite smile.
As they continued through the exhibit, Sios tried again.
"Mr. Chen, I actually have one of your intelligent robots at home. It's an extraordinary product. I heard that your production line is located in Building No. 1? I'd love to witness the robot assembly process firsthand. Would that be possible?"
"Building No. 1 isn't open to the public," Chen Mo said with a smile. "But since you're interested, we can still show you the process—virtually."
He turned to the staff. "Project the robot production workflow."
At his command, a three-dimensional holographic visualization of the robot manufacturing process appeared in the air. Automated stations, assembly arms, and intricate robotic coordination were rendered in perfect detail.
Gasps rippled through the delegation.
The mechanical arms on display weren't just for show—they moved with a precision and dexterity that rivaled human hands. Every part was assembled with mechanical grace. The sheer level of automation and efficiency was startling, even for the well-traveled members of the American delegation.
Sios remained silent, but his tightened jaw betrayed his thoughts.
Chen Mo kept the tour on script.
"Next, we'll head over to the other R&D departments."
As planned, he gave them a full company walkthrough—everything except Building No. 1.
By the time they left the premises, Sios was visibly agitated.
In the car, he sat quietly, staring out the window at the receding view of the Marching Ant headquarters.
The visit had been… disappointing.
Despite all his efforts and offers, they had gotten nothing substantial. Chen Mo had politely deflected or outright refused every attempt. They hadn't seen the inner lab. They hadn't met the real engineers behind the robots. Even the holographic phone production line remained off-limits.
Building No. 1, the very core of Marching Ant's R&D, had remained behind closed doors.
That's where Chen Mo's lab was. That's where the robot systems, AI development, and key holographic technology were likely housed.
Sios had originally planned to have his team of senior technicians tour the lab to get a clearer sense of Chen Mo's actual technological level. But that plan was now toast.
He let out a long sigh, staring back at the futuristic company building that had just rejected him at every turn.
This was likely the most rejection he had faced in one day in his entire professional career.
Back inside the Marching Ant headquarters...
After seeing the delegation off, Chen Mo returned to his office. Soon, Zhao Min and Xiao Yu arrived and joined him on the sofa.
"How did it go with the visiting group?" Zhao Min asked.
"It went… fine," Chen Mo replied casually, relaxing into the seat.
"Are you sure?" Zhao Min raised a brow. "Because when you walked out of that meeting room, Sios's face looked like he'd just swallowed a lemon."
Chen Mo grinned and gave a brief recap of what happened.
"He wanted me to set up a production plant in the U.S., hand over the technology for the holographic projector, and even offered immigration benefits in exchange. I brushed him off on all counts. Then he asked to tour Building No. 1—I refused that too."
"No wonder his face looked like that," Zhao Min muttered. "He really thought he'd score big, huh? Probably thought a few policy carrots would do the trick."
"Yeah," Chen Mo said, smirking. "But I was in a good mood after watching his expression sink lower and lower."
"But one thing I did want to ask you—" Zhao Min's tone shifted, her eyes sharpening. "Earlier, when you talked about 'Artificial Intelligence Plus'… that wasn't just a joke, was it?"
Chen Mo blinked. "You mean that thing I said during the meeting? I was just improvising—playing it up on the spot."
"You call that improvising?" Zhao Min laughed. "You seriously threw out a full-blown strategic concept off the cuff?"
Chen Mo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I was channeling my inner Ma Yun. You know—whether it works or not, just say it first. Scare them a bit."
"Unbelievable." Zhao Min laughed again, shaking her head. "Your nonsense might've just become our next company-wide strategy."
Xiao Yu, who had been listening quietly, also smiled. "Actually… what you said is really close to how you live and work."
Chen Mo paused. That sentence struck something.
He thought about it.
In truth, his life already embodied "Artificial Intelligence+." With Mo Nu handling the majority of his research, planning, design work—even communication—his productivity was off the charts. What felt normal to him was, to others, incredibly futuristic.
"Looks like I'm the one who didn't realize I was living the idea already," he said, chuckling.
Zhao Min nodded seriously. "Exactly. You're the living proof that it works. Maybe it started as a joke, but it's no joke now. With our AI systems and your methods, this 'AI+' concept could really reshape the way industries operate."
"Maybe," Chen Mo said, his tone more thoughtful now.
"Maybe?" Zhao Min echoed. "Chen Mo, this could be a strategic initiative. Something on the scale of national development planning. Think about it—if we market 'Artificial Intelligence+' properly, it could spark the next tech movement."
"Then draw up a proposal," Chen Mo said. "If you need me for anything, I'm in."
With that, Zhao Min didn't waste a second. She immediately left to gather the executive team and begin planning.
Meanwhile, Chen Mo returned to his lab.
His days were now divided between two tasks: designing the large-scale holographic projector and creating Xiao Yu's wedding dress. Neither was urgent, but both were important—and he had plenty of time.
Just then, he received an update from Mo Nu.
"The micro-holographic projector production line is complete. Mass production of the holographic phones can begin."
Chen Mo nodded to himself.
The future had just moved one step closer.