Chapter 139 After landing at the Movie Date Collaboration Lab, we went to see a movie and...
Three weeks after the awards ceremony, the cooperation agreement for the joint laboratory of China Agricultural University was officially signed.
The signing ceremony was held in the conference room of the Agricultural University. Professor Li was present in person, along with several professors in the fields of animal nutrition and food engineering.
Shi Wan attended with her core team, with the familiar division of labor: Su Qing was in charge of business terms, Chen Xi handled logistical support, Lin Yao prepared promotional materials, and Xing Lin was naturally the full representative in terms of technology.
By the way, after the awards ceremony, Lin Yao also received an invitation from Shi Wan and became a formal employee of the farm.
Lin Yao sighed, saying that she felt like she had gone from being a freelancer to an office worker.
But when she thought about joining a company she liked, she felt it was okay.
He even went to the store with great enthusiasm, and afterwards stayed up all night creating a new set of promotional images and plans for the store.
Shi Wan often wondered, wasn't Lin Yao a professional painter?
How can you be so adept at marketing and promotion?
Lin Yao smiled mysteriously at first, but couldn't help but say that it was thanks to her deep involvement in the fan circle since elementary school, and that she had served as the moderator of a well-known idol group's fan forum at her peak.
Shi Wan expressed her admiration, while Lin Yao said with a hint of melancholy that it was all in the past. Her old idols had all returned to their families or filming, and she had also stopped being a fan because she had grown up.
In short, it should be described as a magnificent and eventful past.
As expected, the post-signing discussion turned into a small technical seminar.
The professors showed great interest in the data system, asking one question after another.
Where does the algorithm's training dataset come from? How can the accuracy and representativeness of the data be guaranteed?
"How does the system handle the significant differences between different breeds? Does the canine database need further optimization? How many times different can the nutritional needs of large and small dogs differ?"
"How do you control costs in customized production? Personalization means it's difficult to scale up, which is why many customized products fail."
Xinglin handled everything calmly, answering each question clearly and insightfully.
He pulled up the system's backend data, demonstrated the algorithm's working principle, and explained that the cost control approach was to reduce waste by optimizing production processes, establishing a centralized raw material procurement system, and using data to predict demand.
“True customization is not about disregarding costs,” Xinglin summarized, “but about maximizing efficiency while ensuring personalization through meticulous management.”
Professor Li nodded repeatedly as he listened, and said to Shi Wan, "President Shi, your engineer is a real gem."
Shi Wan smiled and said, "Indeed, without Xing Lin, this system could not have been created."
After the signing ceremony, the group walked along the tree-lined path of the Agricultural University.
The autumn sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the campus is filled with the vibrant energy of youth.
Su Qing and Chen Xi walked at the front, discussing the laboratory's renovation plan and cost control in hushed tones, while Lin Yao was already taking photos everywhere with her phone, looking for inspiration, saying she wanted to design a set of academic-style merchandise for the farm.
Shi Wan and Xing Lin lagged behind, their steps unhurried.
"Are you tired?" Xinglin asked softly.
After several days of meetings and negotiations, Shi Wan had faint bluish tinges under her eyes.
"It's alright," Shi Wan shook her head. "But you, answering so many professional questions today must have been exhausting, right?"
“I’m fine,” Xinglin smiled. “Actually, being able to communicate and work normally like this is a pleasure for me.”
He was telling the truth.
Most of the taskers who are able to stay in the data world today are those who have gritted their teeth and persevered in order to live like normal people.
The two walked to an old sycamore tree.
As the autumn wind blew, golden leaves fell softly, carpeting the ground with a thick layer.
Shi Wan suddenly remembered something and stopped walking.
“Xinglin,” she turned to look at him, “we agreed to go to the movies, are you… free this weekend?”
Xinglin was looking at the leaves on the ground when she heard this. Her head snapped around, and her eyes lit up with surprise and joy.
"Of course I have time."
"Then...this weekend?" Shi Wan pursed her lips nervously. "I checked, and there's a newly released art film with good reviews. It's about a story set in the Republican era, and I think you might like it."
Her words warmed Xinglin's heart.
He nodded. "Okay, I'm looking forward to it."
The weekend is here in the blink of an eye.
Shi Wan was unusually conflicted about what to wear.
Being too formal seems deliberate, while being too casual shows a lack of seriousness.
In the end, I chose a simple beige knit sweater and skirt, and put a light gray trench coat on top.
Xinglin was waiting for her in the living room, also dressed casually.
A light blue shirt and khaki pants, with a dark blue jacket over them.
The two stood together, and there was an inexplicable harmony between them.
"Let's go." Shi Wan picked up her bag, trying to make her tone sound natural.
The movie theater is in the city center, a half-hour drive away.
There was some silence on the way, but it wasn't awkward.
Shi Wan focused on driving, while Xing Lin quietly watched the street scene outside the window.
For him, every corner of the world was full of novelty.
While waiting at a red light, Shi Wan suddenly asked, "Have you ever seen a movie in Beiping before?"
Xinglin recalled, "I watched it a few times. Back then, it was still a silent film, and the cinema would hire a professional musician to provide live music. I remember watching one called 'Laborer's Love,' which was an early comedy, and another called 'The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple,' which was a martial arts fantasy film. They were both very popular."
His tone was nostalgic, which made Shi Wan unable to help but start imagining things as well.
The light turned green, and she restarted the car. "You might find today's movie too quiet."
Xing Lin smiled, "No, it's fine to watch any movie with you."
The film is indeed very quiet, telling the story of an intellectual couple during the turbulent times of the Republic of China era, their perseverance and separation.
The visuals are beautiful, the pace is soothing, but the emotions are profound.
Shi Wan watched intently, and her eyes welled up with tears at the most touching parts.
She quietly turned her head to look at Xinglin.
The light from the screen reflected on his face, creating a play of light and shadow.
He watched intently, his eyes filled with a complex emotion that Shi Wan couldn't decipher.
Is it nostalgia?
Or is it sadness?
When the movie ended, the two of them barely spoke.
Stepping out of the cinema, the autumn night air was a bit chilly, and Shi Wan wrapped her trench coat tighter around herself.
Xinglin naturally walked on her outside, blocking some of the wind.
"How about we go for a walk along the river?" Shi Wan suggested. "It's nearby, the scenery is quite nice, and many people go there for walks and night runs."
"good."
The riverbank was quiet at night, with only the streetlights casting long shadows on the water and the occasional whistle of a passing boat.
The two walked slowly along the path, their footsteps sounding particularly clear in the silence.
"What did you think of the movie?" Shi Wan asked softly.
Xinglin was silent for a moment before speaking, "It was filmed very well. That was indeed the era. The country was in turmoil, and individual fates were like duckweed. Many people parted ways forever, and many people held on until the end without knowing what they were holding on to."
His voice was very soft, as if he were afraid of disturbing those sleeping memories.
Shi Wan looked at his hair being blown by the river breeze and suddenly wanted to touch his face, to touch this soul that had come from history.
But she held back, "It must have been tough back then, right?"
“It’s tough.” Xinglin nodded. “But there is light in the bitterness, just like the couple in the movie. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but they still chose to walk side by side. People in that era had a kind of resilience that is hard to imagine now.”
He paused, then turned to look at Shi Wan, "That's why I cherish my current life so much—peaceful and tranquil, able to freely choose what I want to do, and able to watch movies and take walks with the people I like."
He spoke the last few words softly, yet they landed heavily on Shi Wanxin's heart.
A river breeze blew by, and she couldn't help but shiver.
Xinglin immediately noticed and took off his jacket to put it on her.
"No need, you'll get cold too," Shi Wan quickly refused.
“I’m not afraid of the cold.” Xinglin draped his jacket over her shoulders and joked, “It seems that having a physique based on data has its advantages, at least it’s not sensitive to temperature.”
The jacket warmly enveloped her, shielding her from the cold wind.
Shi Wan did not refuse again, but simply said softly, "Thank you."
The two continued walking forward.
Boats sailed across the river at night, their lights casting long streaks of light across the water.
In the distance, the faint sound of a ship's horn could be heard, mingling with the roar of the river.
Xinglin suddenly spoke up, "Thank you for bringing me to see this movie today."
Why are you thanking me?
“Because…” Xinglin stopped and looked at her, the lights along the river reflected in his eyes, “You make me feel like I’m no longer a ghost trapped in the past. I can live in the present, watch movies, take walks, work, and get along with you like an ordinary person.”
His gaze was so earnest that Shi Wan's heart raced.
She looked away from the river and said, "You are a living, breathing person, with thoughts and feelings, capable of working, laughing... and even cooking."
The last sentence made Xinglin laugh.
He nodded. "Yes, it's pretty good. Next time I can make you Zha Jiang Mian (noodles with soybean paste) and the cook's specialty, Da Lian Huo Shao (fried dumplings with fried dough sticks). I've learned them all."
"Okay." Shi Wan smiled. "Then I'll be waiting."
On the way back to the farm, Shi Wan drove as usual, with Xing Lin sitting in the passenger seat.
Soft music played in the car. Neither of them spoke much, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward; instead, it was comfortable and peaceful.
As they approached, Xinglin mentioned, "Isabella said she's bringing representatives from the European Pet Food Association to visit next month."
Shi Wan tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "Yes, she told me that the other party wants to introduce our system and products for pilot testing in Europe."
Are you nervous?
“A little,” Shi Wan admitted frankly. “Domestic success is one thing, but the European market has higher standards and fiercer competition. Although previous collaborations have developed well in the European market, they are ultimately limited in scope and not as large-scale as this one.”
“But the opportunities are also greater,” Xing Lin said gently. “I will go with you, but I will handle the system demonstration and technical defense.”
His words gave Shi Wan confidence.
Shi Wan felt a warmth in her heart, "Okay, let's do it together."
The car drove into the farm.
Night had fallen, but the main house was still lit with warm lights.
Tangyuan was squatting on the windowsill. When she saw the car coming back, she immediately jumped off the windowsill and ran to the door.
Shi Wan parked the car and went into the house with Xing Lin.
Tangyuan rubbed against her leg and then curiously sniffed Xinglin.
He smelled the popcorn from the movie theater.
"Watched a movie, meow?" Tangyuan asked, tilting her head.
"Mmm." Shi Wan ruffled his hair. "I also brought you some snacks."
She took out a small bag of freeze-dried cat food from her bag, and Tangyuan's eyes immediately lit up. She grabbed the bag and ran away.
Shi Wan wanted to take off her trench coat, only to find that Xing Lin's jacket was still draped over her shoulders.
Only then did she remember that she should return it to him.
"Thank you for your jacket." She handed the jacket to her.
"You're welcome." Xinglin took it, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her hand.
Both of them paused for a moment.
"Well... goodnight," Shi Wan said.
"Good night." Xinglin looked at her, her eyes crinkling, clearly in a good mood. "I had a great day, thank you."
Shi Wan turned and went upstairs, glancing back at the corner.
Xinglin was still standing there, looking up at her, just like every time he escorted her back to her room.
This time, Shi Wan didn't immediately dodge away, but instead gave him a gentle smile, "I'm happy too, goodnight."
She went into the bedroom, closed the door, and leaned against it. Her heart was beating a little fast, but she felt warm inside.
Xinglin stood under the osmanthus tree outside the window for a long time.
He looked up at the window of Shi Wan's room. The lights were off, but a faint light was still seeping through the gaps in the curtains.
Xinglin reached out and caught a falling leaf, saying softly, "Motuan, I went to the movies with her today, just like a normal person. It felt so good."
The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled.
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