332: Chapter 332 Star Technology and the Mysterious Eyes

Three years later.

In a remote corner of the New Universe, on an inconspicuous asteroid, a small company named "Chenxing Technology" was quietly established.

The company rented a three-story building; the ground floor was the office area, and the upper floors were employee dormitories. A wooden sign hung at the entrance, with the four characters for "Chenxing Technology" written in crooked handwriting, accompanied by a drawn smiley face.

The founder was a young man named Lin Xiao.

On that evening three years ago, he had knocked on Lin Chen's door, drank three cups of tea, and listened to Lin Chen tell three stories. When he left, he had a business plan in his hand and a fire in his heart.

“Remember,” Lin Chen told him at the door, “starting a business isn't for making money; it's to make this world more interesting.”

Lin Xiao nodded.

“Then what about making money?”

Lin Chen smiled.

“Making money is a result, not the objective. If you do things well, the money will naturally follow.”

Lin Xiao was lost in thought.

Three years later, carrying this realization, he founded Chenxing Technology.

The company's first product was called the “Life Story Editor.”

It sounded mysterious, but it was actually quite simple—it was a software that allowed anyone, using the simplest operations, to write their own story.

No need to understand literature or know how to write; one only needed to select a template, fill in information, and adjust parameters. The software would automatically generate a complete story, including characters, plot, dialogue, and even illustrations.

Some used it to write autobiographies, some for novels, some for children's bedtime stories, and some for love letters to their partners. Within three months of launch, users surpassed one hundred million.

Sitting in his office, Lin Xiao looked at the backend data, the corners of his mouth curling up uncontrollably.

“Boss,” an employee poked their head in, “someone is outside looking for you.”

Lin Xiao looked up.

“Who?”

The employee hesitated for a moment.

“He says his name is Zhang Hao.”

Lin Xiao's eyes lit up.

Three minutes later, Zhang Hao sat in Lin Xiao's office, legs crossed, sipping tea.

“Little Lin, I heard you're doing quite well?”

Lin Xiao scratched his head.

“It's alright. What brings you here, Brother Zhang?”

Zhang Hao set down his teacup and looked at him.

“The Boss told me to come check on you.”

Lin Xiao froze for a moment.

“Senior Lin Chen? How is he?”

Zhang Hao laughed.

“He's doing great. Planting flowers, reading books, and occasionally traveling to various star sectors with Su Qingyu. A few days ago, he even messaged me saying he found a particularly delicious fruit on some planet and told me to go try it.”

Lin Xiao also laughed.

“That's good then.”

Zhang Hao stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the inconspicuous asteroid.

“The Boss said you've done well these past three years. The Life Story Editor is a good product.”

Lin Xiao followed him over.

“He saw it?”

Zhang Hao nodded.

“He did. He also said there are a few places that could be improved.”

He pulled a piece of paper from his coat and handed it to Lin Xiao.

The paper was covered in dense writing—all in Lin Chen's handwriting.

Looking at those words, Lin Xiao's eyes grew a bit warm.

“Brother Zhang, please help me thank Senior Lin Chen.”

Zhang Hao patted his shoulder.

“No need for thanks. The Boss said you're like he was when he was young.”

Lin Xiao was stunned.

“Like him?”

Zhang Hao nodded.

“Just as stubborn, just as smart, and just as restless.”

He paused and smiled.

“Though, he is a bit more handsome than you.”

Lin Xiao: "..."

After Zhang Hao left, Lin Xiao returned to his desk and stared at that piece of paper for a long time.

Then he opened the system and began modifying the product.

Following Lin Chen's suggestions, he added several new features:

The first was "Cross-Time Sharing." Stories written by users could be shared with people on different timelines. Although technically difficult, Lin Xiao gritted his teeth and made it happen.

The second was "Story Crowdfunding." Users could initiate a crowdfunding project to invite others to write a story together. Everyone would write a segment, eventually piecing together a complete story. It became a huge hit upon launch, with some stories involving tens of thousands of participants.

The third was "Life Continuation." Users could choose a story that had already concluded and continue writing it in their own way. Some continued classic masterpieces, some continued friends' biographies, and some continued their own futures.

After the product update, the user base skyrocketed again.

Half a year later, Chenxing Technology's valuation surpassed 100 billion.

Lin Xiao became the youngest billionaire in the New Universe.

But he didn't let it go to his head.

Every day, he still wore that same old T-shirt, sat in his office staring at data, and occasionally ate takeout with his employees.

Someone asked him why he didn't move to a larger office.

He said, “Smaller is better, it's cozy.”

Someone asked him why he didn't buy a luxury starship.

He said, “Walking is quite nice; it's good exercise.”

Someone asked him why he didn't find a girlfriend.

He said, “The story isn't finished yet; there's no rush.”

This evening, Lin Xiao sat alone in his office, looking at the starry sky outside the window.

Those stars—every single one was a recycled civilization, all contributing their light to the New Universe.

He remembered what Lin Chen had said:

“Every civilization has a reason for its existence.”

He smiled and continued writing code.

Suddenly, he felt a pang of palpitations.

It wasn't physical, but deep within his consciousness—as if something was watching him.

He snapped his head up.

Outside the window, the starry sky remained the same.

But there was one star that was much brighter than before.

The light of that star grew brighter and brighter, becoming dazzlingly piercing.

Lin Xiao stood up and walked to the window.

Within the light, an eye slowly emerged.

That eye was larger than the stars, its pupil reflecting the birth and death of countless universes. It looked at Lin Xiao as if looking at an interesting specimen.

Lin Xiao's heart pounded wildly.

But he did not retreat.

He stared at that eye and asked, word by word:

“Who are you?”

The eye blinked.

Then, a voice echoed in Lin Xiao's mind:

「An interesting specimen.」

「It is time to invite him into the True Game.」

As the words fell, the light dissipated.

The star returned to normal.

Lin Xiao stood in place for a long time, unmoving.

He didn't know what had just happened.

But he knew that from this moment on, his life might be different once again.

In the distance, on that remote asteroid, the lights of the three-story building were still on.

Lin Xiao returned to his desk and continued writing code.

As if nothing had happened.

But his hands were trembling slightly.

Further away, Lin Chen and Su Qingyu were sitting in rocking chairs in front of their small house, watching the sunset.

Lin Chen suddenly laughed.

Su Qingyu looked at him.

“What are you laughing at?”

Lin Chen pointed at the brightest star in the distance.

“Over there, someone has been targeted.”

Su Qingyu followed his gaze.

“Who?”

Lin Chen smiled.

“A young man who is like me.”

Su Qingyu was silent for a second.

Then she asked:

“Should we go take a look?”

Lin Chen shook his head.

“No need. His own path is for him to walk.”

Under the sunset, two figures sat side by side.

In the distance, the stars twinkled.

The story continues.