Li Haojun and Kasiya spent roughly ten days road tripping through Montana and fulfilling purchase orders. By the time they returned to the office, midsummer had arrived.
Given the higher latitude of the Seattle-Missoula-Kalispell corridor, mid-June weather hadn't yet reached sweltering levels. Li Haojun kept the office air conditioning off, viewing the light perspiration as a natural summer metabolic process that expelled winter's accumulated cold and toxins. Moreover, he believed the cold air conditioning was detrimental to women's health. Kacy was at her workstation, inputting data from recent purchase and sales contracts, crop varieties, and quantities. She had intended to complete this daily during the trip, but Li Haojun had not allowed it.
The newly constructed factory surpassed the facilities in Boise and Ellensburg in modernity. The production hall featured a large-span white curved structure, resembling pure white lotus petals layered and pressed onto the ground. The office buildings within the complex boasted polished aluminum frames and large curved color-changing glass panels, creating a sleek, aesthetically pleasing, and highly technological appearance. It was clear the company intended this factory to be an industry benchmark.
Gazing out at the midsummer sky—blue and dotted with white clouds—a breeze from the ventilation window carried the fresh scent of plants baking under the sun. With his beloved by his side, this moment felt more heavenly than any dream.
“Ding,” a notification popped up on Li Haojun's computer screen. He opened it to find the factory's auxiliary AI had proposed new execution improvements.
First, it suggested Li Haojun use brainwave-interaction devices to access Calispeir's central management system. This would allow him to mentally direct local employees hired by the company to execute tasks, boosting operational efficiency.
Li Haojun pondered this. Since it involved non-invasive brainwave devices, he felt less concern about security risks or manipulation. Still, he remained wary and reluctant to adopt it. Still, it presented an interesting topic. He forwarded the suggestion to Kasiya, seeking her perspective but phrasing it differently:
“Kasiya, if I integrated my consciousness into the network, would others be able to perceive my experiences alongside yours?”
Kasiya turned her head, her single high ponytail swaying with the movement. Her glance and smile were both lively and playful.
“That could happen,” she replied with a laugh.
“Would you mind if I did it to boost work efficiency?”
“Maybe I could train you to control what consciousness to share and what thoughts to selectively reveal.”
Unexpectedly, she answered this way, prompting Li Haojun to press further,
"Huh? That sounds so hard! What if I can't learn it? I feel like a transparent person—I can never hide my thoughts or emotions. You can sense them, right?"
“Yes, you truly are that kind of person,” Kasiya answered with a smile.
“What if I accidentally reveal them to others? Could you forgive me?”
“If it's for your work, I wouldn't be able to stop you.”
“Hmm, I have a good solution—I'll only hire female staff. That way, no one can take advantage of you.”
“Great! I'll introduce someone to you then.” Kasiya stood up with a smile.
“Lunch time is almost here. I'll order food, set up the dining area, and then arrange for a female employee to meet you.” With that, she stepped out of the office.
Li Haojun froze. At first, he thought she was joking, hoping she'd say she'd be jealous to feed his ego, so he could tell her he wouldn't do that for her sake. But she genuinely went to order food and set up the dining area. Did she really have a female friend to introduce? Wouldn't she be jealous for his sake?
His mind was already half-gone. Without Casey to chat with, he had no choice but to continue reviewing the system's suggestions. Besides real-time consciousness networking collaboration, there was another method: consciousness transcription. This involved recording the brainwaves of his work process, then analyzing and transmitting them to other executors. It seemed like a decent alternative method.
The simplest approach was to bring along an employee to observe and learn the entire process firsthand. Wasn't that just an apprentice? He found the idea amusing at first, but upon closer examination, he realized this apprentice was different—brain-networked. That meant one person observing could learn as much as many people learning simultaneously.
“Lunch is ready,”
Kasia messaged. Li Haojun was deep in thought, pondering how to apply his ideas, having already forgotten Kasia's earlier suggestion about Renren.
Entering the cafeteria, he found Kasia and another girl seated across the table. Was she really going to introduce him to a new employee?
As Li Haojun approached, both women rose. The new girl wore two braids crossed over her chest, light makeup—a matching lipstick shade, pale orange blush, and crimson eyeshadow. She sported a powder-blue cultural T-shirt printed with 1950s-60s newspaper graphics, paired with light blue skinny jeans.
“You're... Malaya?” Li Haojun hesitated, barely recognizing her. After over half a year apart, she seemed taller, her facial structure subtly altered. Most strikingly, today's makeup had stripped away much of her former youthful innocence.
Both women smiled without speaking, radiating that uniquely feminine blend of reserve and charm. Li Haojun hurried around the table, wanting to embrace Malaya. But standing before her, he felt an unexpected awkwardness after so long apart. The little girl had grown into a woman, and he wasn't sure if he could embrace her as freely as before.
Malaya seemed to sense his hesitation. She took the initiative, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her face against his throat, embracing him.
Li Haojun quickly held her waist, patting her back gently. His eyes, however, drifted awkwardly toward Kasiya, who merely smiled without comment.
The reunion with his beloved beauty after so long filled Li Haojun with excitement. Once they sat down to eat, he couldn't help but ask about Malaya's experiences during her absence.
“Hey, why didn't I get a company notification about your return today?” Staring at Malaya's face, Li Haojun suddenly voiced his confusion. What held his gaze captive wasn't just the question, but something more alluring. The time apart was one factor, but today, Malaya's appearance and figure had changed—especially her makeup and aura. She had clearly blossomed into womanhood, no longer the budding young girl she once was.
“She's no longer with our company,” Casey answered for her.
Malaya merely smiled at Li Haojun, still saying nothing.
“She's in the field operations team now. We're not in the same system anymore.” "Kasia continued to explain on her behalf.
“Huh?” Li Haojun was taken aback, not expecting that delicate, well-behaved young girl to choose such a career path.
“Is field work safe for you?” Li Haojun stared at her with wide, concerned eyes.
“Don't worry, I'm just a junior field agent. I only handle your daily schedule arrangements.” Malaya finally spoke up,
and Li Haojun felt a little relieved.
“Okay,” he murmured almost instinctively, his eyes still fixed on Malaya's face, searching for that faint memory of the little girl he once knew.
Malaya met his gaze silently, blinked, then glanced at her sister beside her and chuckled softly.
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