Chapter 1: My Name Is Lu Yu, I

Xia Kingdom, 01.

This is an era worth remembering.

Internet cafés have just begun to spread, broadband Internet entered the civilian stage, and connection speeds increased dramatically.

A large number of private Internet companies were founded.

But.

During this period, talent who understood computers, networks, and programming were as rare as phoenix feathers.

Nevertheless, the diligent and brave private enterprises of the Xia Kingdom still harbored a surging enthusiasm, trying to ride the upcoming Internet wave!

Some earned their first pot of gold, such as Penguin's QQ;

More, however, returned defeated and were bewildered about the road ahead.

…

January 2001, Imperial Capital.

Holy Great Network Company's Imperial Capital Training Department.

The door of a sedan opened, and a man in a Zhongshan suit stepped out.

His name is Chen Wu, the deputy general manager of Holy Great Network, and also the older boss's younger brother.

This time, at his brother's request, he rushed from Mo Du across thousands of miles to here, to conduct a surprise inspection of the company's game programming talent training…

Now is an era where the Internet spring tide surges.

Born from the reform and opening, private Internet companies opened their eyes to the world.

Only by seeing did they realize.

In the Internet field, how backward they were, and how scarce talent was.

It can be said that aside from a passionate zeal, Xia Kingdom's private companies' development in the Internet sector was completely lagging behind the times.

For this…

All Internet companies, including Holy Great, were extremely eager for talent.

Not only those who know C++ or Java, even those who understand computers and have a hint of programming received unprecedented respect and unimaginable salaries.

No talent? Then cultivate talent!

Thus, the Holy Great Network Training Department was born, Chen Wu arrived, bringing Holy Great's expectations!

…

Imperial Capital, Holy Great Network Training School.

The manager in charge of the training department received the news early and hurried with a group of staff to welcome them.

"Welcome Deputy General Manager Chen to the training department for research."

"Manager Zhang, you're too kind; this time I was assigned by General Manager Chen, specifically to see how the company's elite are being trained in the network!"

Chen Wu, walking, reminded.

"Everyone should know our company's current situation; because the 'Cartoon' business has completely shrunk, the company is in a life‑or‑death autumn."

"One could say that the online game business is Holy Great's last hope, and your training department bears the heavy responsibility of supplying talent to the company!"

Chen Wu's voice grew increasingly solemn.

"Understood, we all understand."

Manager Zhang of the training department and the staff nodded repeatedly, "Deputy General Manager Chen has traveled far; why not rest a bit? In this cold weather, have a little wine to warm yourselves?"

Because a senior leader was conducting research and it was noon, the training department dared not delay.

They finally scraped together some funds and bought two bottles of Moutai.

In 01, Moutai cost 260 yuan per bottle.

Don't underestimate those two‑hundred‑plus yuan; in this era, it equals about half a month's salary for the training department manager.

"No need, first let's see how this batch of reserve talent is learning."

Chen Wu decisively refused…

His face bore a solemn expression.

Holy Great Network was founded by Chen Wu together with his brother, and the current reality is harsher than he described.

Because the Cartoon business suffered losses, the family's foundation is nearly depleted; making games is a fight to the death, also a bold gamble.

"Alright, Deputy General Manager Zhang, this way…"

"This way, this way…"

Guided by the staff, Chen Wu passed through room after room…

Dozens of computers were arranged in two rows; the instructor operated one, demonstrating the workflow of C++ and Java, while the employees stared intently at the screens, listening carefully.

Occasionally they tapped their heads, looking as if they'd had an epiphany.

Seeing this scene, Chen Wu felt relatively satisfied.

However… look at the progress.

Not to mention creating a hit Stone Age‑style online game, even producing a decent online game is still far from success.

At this training speed, when these reserve talents finally emerge, it will still take about half a year!

Whether Holy Great Network can hold out until then, no one knows.

"Are there any semi‑finished games?" Chen Wu suddenly asked… "I want to see the training results directly."

Ah…

Manager Zhang was startled, but soon nodded. "There are some semi‑finished ones, but they're rather crude, not worthy of a grand stage."

"Crudeness isn't a problem, lead me to see them first."

"Alright, Deputy General Manager Chen, this way."

After speaking, Manager Zhang was the first to walk out, leading Chen Wu toward the Computer Lab.

…

During this period, computer prices were unusually expensive.

The computer configuration required to test the various data of a half‑finished game was even higher.

When Chen Wu entered the Computer Lab, he discovered.

In such a large room, there was only a single computer used for testing game data!

But what was even stranger was that a little fellow was sitting in front of that computer!

The little fellow was very small, extremely small, even less than a meter tall.

He was wearing a dirty children's outfit, the garment covered with patches.

His two hands rested on the mouse and the keyboard respectively.

Especially the hand on the keyboard: the tiny index, middle, and ring fingers barely stretched enough to cover the W, A, S, D keys.

He kept tapping, as if he were playing CS…

The computer's screen was larger than his two heads combined; he even had to raise his head to look at it.

In the empty room, the little fellow was so conspicuous that almost all of Chen Wu's gaze was fixed on him.

Hehe…

A mischievous child had somehow slipped in.

Unexpectedly, a child had managed to infiltrate the training department of the prestigious 'Grand' network.

Looking at his appearance, he probably hasn't even started elementary school yet?

Can a child like that use a computer?

…

"Nonsense…"

Chen Wu furrowed his brows. "How do you manage the training department? The Computer Lab is such an important place, these computers are so valuable—how can you let a child play with them? One costs tens of thousands; what if it gets broken?"

Chen Wu deliberately lowered his voice…

He didn't want to make a big deal of it; after all, the other party was still a child, and scaring him would be undesirable.

However…

Even with that tone, anyone could hear his anger.

Suddenly, Manager Zhang panicked.

"Vice President Chen, listen to my explanation… This child is the son of a cleaning worker in our training department."

"He lost his father early; mother and child are alone and destitute, quite pitiful, so I allowed his mother to bring the child to work."

"Did not expect…"

Manager Zhang's words were left unfinished.

Chen Wu seemed to calm down considerably all of a sudden.

He is also a pitiful child…

"In that case…" Chen Wu waved his hand, "I'll go take a look…"

While speaking, Chen Wu walked toward the little fellow.

All the staff followed.

The footsteps were loud.

But…

It seemed that the little fellow in front of the computer still had his full attention on the screen.

Chen Wu quickly arrived behind the little fellow.

Until then.

Only then did Chen Wu discover, to his surprise, that the little fellow was operating Java programming software.

His hands were tapping on the keyboard, writing a series of code…

With proficient input, animation rendering, image import and generation—everything was done with a realistic feel.

The crucial point was that the code was very complex.

Even Zhang Wu, a university graduate, couldn't understand…

At that moment, Zhang Wu was stunned!

At that moment, all the staff were stunned.

What is going on?

A fellow so small, yet programming code that even the top graduates of electronic technology universities couldn't master?

The key was that his focused demeanor resembled that of an experienced programmer!

Right…

When researching abroad, programmers are like this.

"Manager Zhang? What… what are these codes?"

Chen Wu asked in surprise.

His voice was loud, startling the focused little fellow.

The little fellow turned his head, looking around at the crowd behind him, his big eyes blinking.

The whole appearance was very cute…

Only… in this era, the concept of 'cute' didn't exist yet.

"Uncle, the game in this computer is too boring, I'm making my own game, called 'Plants vs. Zombies'…"

A soft, childish voice came from the little one's mouth.

But it was just that one sentence.

Including Chen Wu.

Including Manager Zhang.

Including all the staff…

They were dumbfounded, they were all dumbfounded!

How old are you? You made a game yourself? Are you sure it's not just a bunch of random code you typed?

"Uncle, my name is Lu Yu, I'm seven years old."

"This is the second game I made."

"... Want to give it a try?"

"What... seven? Seven... seven... seven years old?"

"And... second... second game?"

Good heavens!

Oh heavens!

Chen Wu: ……

Manager Zhang: ……

All staff: ……

The whole room, almost everyone…

At this moment, they all fell into indescribable shock.

……

……