Chapter 161: Is This Considered a Date?

If those dots represented all computer terminals and network resources, the circle was the method Su Mu had devised to turn them into a single, cohesive entity.

It could infuse vitality into the entire lifeless IT industry, allowing the Internet to become a true Internet in every sense, enclosing isolated network islands into one vast continent!

In Su Mu's eyes, the framework he had conceptualized was as breathtakingly beautiful as the stars in the sky, resembling a neural transmission system that bestowed infinite vitality upon the Internet.

However, to the Yale female student beside him, Su Mu was simply drawing a flatbread sprinkled with sesame seeds in her notebook!

She rolled her eyes repeatedly in exasperation. It was only out of consideration for Su Mu's status as a billionaire that she refrained from interrupting his deep contemplation...

He remained utterly immersed in his magnificent conception.

Years ago, hypertext technology had already emerged, leading to the establishment of the International Conference on Hypertext, with hundreds of papers on the subject published regularly.

Yet no one had thought—or at least Su Mu had never heard of anyone—applying hypertext technology to computer networks; until now, hypertext was merely a novel form of text.

Netizens in this era had it rough. To browse data, one first had to know the identity of the target server, then run the "Telnet" program on the computer.

They had to enter a string of numbers and dots representing the server, followed by a username and password for authentication, and then input commands to make the remote host run, digging for information layer by layer. Consequently, aside from academic and research institutions, few people were willing to use the Internet. Its functionality was awkward and chicken-rib-like, destined to prevent large-scale popularization.

What Su Mu envisioned was clicking on a "hyperlink" with a mouse and instantly jumping to anywhere in the world wide web!

He added numerous annotations beside this "round flatbread," growing increasingly convinced that this endeavor would succeed, so excited that he forgot where he was and what he was supposed to do next.

Little did he know that far away in Europe, had Su Mu not existed, a fellow named Tim Berners-Lee would come up with a remarkably similar idea a few months later, approach CERN to secure research funding, and subsequently tinker together the World Wide Web.

A small spark originating from Su Mu's mind was steering the future toward a different trajectory. He had not felt this excited in a long time, and he believed this was his chance to make a name for himself globally! If it could truly be realized, the IT industry would step into a brand-new era because of this idea!

A car approached—an NBC news van. The driver saw some fool sitting right in the middle of the road, and being in a rush to cover Vice President Bush at the scene, honked the horn twice.

Startled, Su Mu turned his head to look at the vehicle, only then realizing where he was, and awkwardly stood up to make way.

Finally snapping back to reality and realizing what he had been doing, he smiled at the indignant white female student and said, "Um... I can pay you double for the notebook..."

She shook her head and asked with curiosity, "No need. You just need to tell me what you were doing."

"I had an idea about the Internet. Maybe because of this, my photo will be printed on the cover of Time."

Su Mu paused for a few seconds and added, "Or perhaps Forbes..."

...

Having proven that the future of the Internet indeed held vast prospects, and with the puzzle that had troubled him for a long time finally solved, Su Mu was in a fantastic mood!

His pace quickened noticeably. When he saw Miss Lily again, she looked at him with a peculiar expression and asked, "Did you take a fall? Surely you don't intend to meet my godfather dressed like that? He values refinement a great deal, especially when it comes to attire. Come with me."

Only then did Su Mu notice that the back of his trousers was covered in dust. Seeing Lily pour mineral water onto a tissue, he reached out and said, "Thanks, I'll do it myself. I just thought of a very, very important matter and sat down on the ground to write something down. I definitely didn't look like this when I left."

Miss Lily rolled her eyes at her old classmate and pushed Su Mu's hand away. "Let me help you. You can't take your clothes off, and you can't see back there anyway.

"I really like this suit. I always used to think it was strange for young people to wear formal wear—the pants and jackets are always too baggy and lack spirit. What kind of thing could possibly make you so excited?"

Since she was already helping him clean it, Su Mu stopped talking and obediently stood in place.

Unable to contain the excitement welling up inside him, he eagerly poured out his thoughts: "It's about the Internet. If I can pull this off, personal computers will no longer just be decorative items. Everyone will be able to easily find whatever they want through a computer! All the things in the world that people are willing to display on the Internet!"

"Sorry, I don't really understand that kind of thing, but it sounds impressive."

Lily carefully wiped the dust clinging to his clothes, looked up, and smiled. "It seems you're about to make a fortune again. When that happens, please remember that you had a classmate who still earned a meager salary of three thousand dollars a month. When I get so poor I become a homeless wanderer, I'll come asking to borrow your couch."

"Of course. By the time you're reduced to that state, I can buy you a house."

Su Mu thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being taken care of by a young woman. He turned his head sideways and asked Lily, "Let me take you out to dinner tonight. There's a pretty good restaurant."

"...Have you been hitting on girls constantly over the past few years?"

Just as Su Mu was feeling puzzled, he heard her voice again: "You didn't ask if I have time, nor did you ask if I want to go. It feels rather bossy. Honestly, though, I like the way you asked. Is this supposed to be a date?"
Taking a young woman out for dinner alone in America usually implies "Let's try dating," "I'm into you," or "I want to sleep with you."

Su Mu hurriedly shook his head. "I've never been in a relationship. Not even once. The year before last, I had dinner twice with an employee, but she actually wanted to take me home to meet her parents. It scared me so much I stayed at Yale for over two months, and I only dared to come back after hearing she had resigned. That doesn't count as a relationship."

Lily laughed until her eyes curved into crescents.

Catching her gaze, Su Mu instantly guessed what she was thinking and helpless spread his hands. "Go ahead and laugh at me. It really is quite a shameful thing, but I've been running around back and forth these past few years and never had the chance to settle down and date someone."

"Alright, alright, Mr. Never-Been-In-A-Relationship, I'd be very happy to have dinner with you. However, right after the speech, I have to head to Montana; my godfather has a meeting with the Senate over there tonight.

"So... I'm sorry. You have my cell phone number. In a few days, after the election is over, I'll be back at Brown University, and we'll both have time then."

With these words, Lily made it abundantly clear that she was willing to give Su Mu a chance to ask her out.

Su Mu caught her meaning and replied with certainty, "I'll definitely call you as soon as I'm done with my current busy spell."

"OK, let's go. I've already told my godfather you'd be coming. We still have over ten minutes before the speech. He usually pays attention to the development of Silicon Valley, and he'll definitely be very glad to meet you."

Pushing Su Mu forward, Lily wore a cheerful expression. She felt a favorable impression toward him, though not overwhelmingly deep yet, but felt that giving it a try wouldn't hurt.

Until you try, no one ever knows if things are truly a good fit. Both she and he were thinking along those lines; at the very least, not disliking each other was a good beginning...