Origin Shocks the World

"Thank you for your support, Qianqian dear! Xiaoke has a home of her own now. Would you like Xiaoke to introduce her new abilities?"

Seeing Xiaoke's familiar, adorable expression, Li Qian could not wait to learn about her new features.

"Of course, Xiaoke. But can this system be compatible with my software? All my software is gone."

"All software can be compatible now. It's all in Xiaoke's database."

Xiaoke pointed cutely at the large backpack behind her.

"Qianqian dear, just tell Xiaoke whatever software you want. Also, while Xiaoke was away, three background programs on your phone were stealing Qianqian dear's data. Xiaoke has already blocked them for you. And there's more good news: because Qianqian dear was the ninety-ninth person to install the Origin System and have a Xiaoke account, Origin Company, Xiaoke's family home, has given Qianqian dear a reward of one extra VIP level. You can also choose any three outfits from Xiaoke's Fashion Mall!"

"Wow, it's that amazing?" Lili said with a delighted look on her face.

"I'm installing it too!"

"Me too!"

Before long, everyone in the dorm had finished installing it.

"Huh? Only the first hundred people got rewards! Boohoo... If I'd known, I wouldn't have hesitated. What a huge loss..."

"But this system really is incredible."

"How did the boot-up speed get so fast?"

"Yeah, I didn't even have time to react."

"So all the software is in Xiaoke's backpack. You just have to tell Xiaoke what you need. That's so convenient!"

"There's even a private message feature. Haha, when it's inconvenient to talk, you can just type. You can even set up shortcut icons on the desktop."

...The dorm erupted into lively discussion...

Many more early adopters updated their systems with the mindset that if it did not work, their phones would simply become bricks.

But the system's power left everyone calling it absurdly overpowered.

Holy shit, my ancient computer boots in three seconds?

Holy shit, my OPPO phone can stay on standby for three days?

Holy shit, my phone has this many viruses?

Holy shit, my computer boots in five seconds and that only puts it below the top 50%?

One astonished exclamation after another rang out as people installed the Origin System.

Meanwhile, self-media creators, video uploaders, and even well-known streamers were live-streaming their update tests of the Origin System.

A sudden frenzy to update to the Origin System swept across China.

As if that was not lively enough, the Chinese authorities announced on their official website that they had verified the Origin System's stability and security. They even announced that they would adopt the Origin System, with Origin Company providing technical support and designing the firewall.

Why? Because the Origin System used a Quantum Computer, and it was monitored jointly by the state and Chu Feng. Neither side could freely access user data, so the authorities trusted it as well and directly endorsed Chu Feng.

Alibaba, Tencent, 361, and other companies also published their hands-on reviews of the Origin System on their official websites.

Weibo, Tieba, Tianya, Tencent News, NetEase News, Sina News... all confirmed the Origin System's stability and compatibility. Its improvements to computer and phone performance were simply unreasonable!

What excited and shocked everyone the most was that the Chinese Academy of Sciences also published a test report on the Origin System on its official website. Whether in terms of performance, power consumption, security, or confidentiality, it utterly crushed every other system currently available!

Although there were plenty of trolls and keyboard warriors online spreading rumors and maliciously smearing it, and many frauds swaggering around under the banner of "expert professors," the Chinese Academy of Sciences remained a golden name deeply trusted by the public.

Even prominent academicians and the like began praising the Origin System, calling it China's number one system!

The influence of these old academicians, who had devoted their entire lives to the country, was no joke.

As for why, one only had to look at the download numbers on Origin Company's official website.

Mobile activations: 280 million. PC activations: 845 million...

This stunned all the onlookers. Since when had Origin Company become so incredible? So many business tycoons and technical experts had taken Origin Company's side?

The Chinese Academy of Sciences had never advertised for any company before.

Some people could hardly believe it. Reading between the lines of the Chinese Academy of Sciences academicians' comments, it felt like they were not merely approving of it—they even seemed to admire it? That left everyone puzzled.

As the leading force in Chinese scientific research, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' credibility was no joke!

"Could the Origin System really be this powerful?"

That was what those who had not updated yet were thinking!

Redmond City, Washington State, USA.

At Microsoft's headquarters, a meeting was underway.

John Jonathan, Microsoft's current chairman, was seated below the head of the table. But upon seeing who sat in the seat of honor, it was not surprising.

This man had many titles.

"Famous entrepreneur."

"Software engineer."

"Philanthropist."

"Microsoft co-founder"

"Former Microsoft chairman, CEO, chief software architect," and so on.

But what made him known to the world was that he was the richest man in the world.

From 1995 to 2007, he topped Forbes's global rich list for thirteen consecutive years, and Forbes's American rich list for twenty consecutive years.

On September 29, 2015, local time in the USA, Forbes released its list of the 400 richest people in the USA. Bill, the founder of Microsoft, ranked first for the twenty-second consecutive year with a net worth of 76 billion dollars. No one had broken that record to this day.

He was Bill Gates.

The Microsoft company he had founded alongside his friend was also a pioneer in PC (Personal Computer) software development, primarily engaged in developing, manufacturing, licensing, and providing a broad range of computer software services.

Its best-known and best-selling products were the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office software suite. It was currently the world's largest provider of computer software.

On December 30, 1999, Microsoft set the highest market capitalization record in human history for a publicly listed company, at 661.6 billion Citibank Currency. Adjusted for inflation, that was equivalent to 913 billion dollars in 2012. However, Microsoft's stock price suffered a devastating blow due to an antitrust investigation by the USA Congress in 1999. Otherwise, it was estimated to have surpassed 850 billion dollars.

It had now grown into a massive multinational technology company with more than 120,000 employees.

In 2000, Bill Gates established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2008, Bill Gates announced that he would donate his personal fortune of 58 billion Citibank Currency to charity. In 2014, Bill Gates stepped down as chairman and overtook Carlos Slim to reclaim the title of world's richest man.

Although he had retired from Microsoft and had continuously sold off his Microsoft shares in recent years, leaving him with only around 4%, Bill had always remained the one steering Microsoft from behind the scenes. No one could compare to his prestige.

At that moment, Bill's expression was grave, his brows so tightly furrowed they seemed capable of squeezing out water. Looking at the silent crowd, he had no choice but to speak first.

"Matt, how is the testing of the Origin System going?"

The one being questioned was Matt Reblanck, Microsoft's current chief software architect.

At Bill's question, everyone turned to look at Matt Reblanck.

Seeing that he could no longer avoid it, Matt Reblanck could only force himself to answer.

"We're still working hard to crack it. There should be progress soon."

Bill frowned at those words and said coldly, "I don't like hearing words such as 'should' or 'perhaps.' I only want to know: what is different between the Origin System and our system? How far behind are we?"

Matt stammered, unable to say anything. From the Origin Accelerator, to the Basic Artificial Intelligence, and now the Origin System, Microsoft's software engineers had practically pulled out all their hair. Yet even now, they had not figured out the operating principles behind it, much less cracked it.

From a technical standpoint, Matt deeply admired Origin Company, the developer of Basic Artificial Intelligence. But as an opponent, that was hardly a pleasant feeling. He always felt as though he had already fallen behind—others were driving supercars while he was still pedaling a bicycle...

"Bill, Matt has worried over this matter for a long time too. But the software created by this bizarre Origin Company is truly difficult to comprehend. The decision to jointly suppress Origin Company was approved by upper management at the time. We just never expected Origin Company to design an Origin System in such a short time—and for it to be this powerful. It really is unbelievable."

John also spoke up for Matt.

"John, I told you before not to underestimate any competitor, even a small company that had only just started out. When you agreed to the demands of certain departments and planned to apply joint pressure, I said that approach was unwise. And now? They directly developed a new system!"

Bill, who had cultivated his temper in recent years, rarely lost his temper. He had repeatedly warned them that they should cooperate rather than suppress, but this bunch had refused to listen. Now they were stuck in an impossible position!

Bill had tried the Origin System himself. The moment he used it, he knew Microsoft had encountered a formidable rival!

Calling it a formidable rival was putting it nicely. Put bluntly, it was a complete crushing advantage!

Back then, it was only because the Windows system he and his friend had designed had been accepted by the public that they had built Microsoft into the massive technology empire it was today.

And the Origin System was even more formidable. Its unknown algorithms made its response speed unbelievably fast, and with the assistance of artificial intelligence, it reminded Bill of a Chinese idiom: "like a tiger with wings."

"But our company's foundation and customer base are not something a tiny Origin Company can compete with. Considering user loyalty, we only need to—"

John was the company's current chairman. His high position had made it impossible for him to keep tolerating Bill's blunt criticism, and he retorted without backing down.

Before John could finish, Bill slammed his hand on the table and rose to his feet.

"This is the stupidest idea I have ever heard in my life!"

Staring at the furious John, Bill cut off his arrogant remarks before he could finish.

"What is a foundation? Technology is foundation! What are customers? Customers are the easiest group to change!"

Seeing John fall silent, Bill calmed himself and continued, "Everyone must have tried the Origin System. Its rapid response, convenient operation, even its foolproof design—it lets people who do not understand computers use advanced technology! That is what is truly frightening. Have you all considered this? Once someone has used a modern computer, who would still use an old, bloated desktop? Given a better option, what do you think customers will choose?"

"Enough, Bill. Sit down first. The most important thing now is solving the crisis in front of us. Do you have any suggestions?"

Seeing that Paul, his old friend who had founded Microsoft with him, had also spoken, Bill shook his head and sat down with a bitter smile.

"There is no other way. If our technology is inferior, we will be eliminated by society. To put it bluntly, the company is already at a crossroads. The only option now is to go to China, find Origin Company, and see whether there is anything we can cooperate on. Otherwise, the company's future will be nothing but darkness."

"Carl, book me a flight to China. The company should also release a statement saying that I will be going to Origin Company to discuss a cooperation plan."

Bill gave his instructions to his personal assistant.

"And lift the blockade on Origin Company. Restore access to Origin Company's software!"

Under Bill's gaze, John could only nod helplessly.

As usual, the guaranteed 3,000 words came first.