On Monday morning, Lin Xia arrived at the company in a good mood—her privacy-protected AI project had passed internal testing and received company approval. She entered the office and saw Su Xiao busy at her desk, with StarPath monitoring warnings popping up on her computer screen.
"Good morning, Xia Xia," Su Xiao said. "How's your project going?"
"Great," Lin Xia said. "The company has decided to make it a key project and invest more resources."
"Excellent!" Su Xiao said. "Congratulations."
Suddenly, Wang Jianguo walked into the office, his expression grim, holding an email from StarPath. He walked to Lin Xia's desk and said: "Lin Xia, come to my office."
Lin Xia followed Wang Jianguo into his office, feeling uneasy. Wang Jianguo sat down and said: "Lin Xia, I just received notice—the company has decided to suspend your privacy-protected AI project."
"What?" Lin Xia said in surprise. "Why?"
"The company believes the project's commercial prospects are unclear," Wang Jianguo said. "Moreover, StarPath just sent an email warning us not to continue developing this project, saying it will affect their ecosystem."
Lin Xia felt angry: "But the project has passed internal testing and performs well. It can protect user privacy—an important feature. StarPath is just afraid our technology will threaten their monopoly."
"I know," Wang Jianguo said. "But the company's decision is final. You should focus on other projects. StarPath's pressure is too great; the company dares not offend them."
Lin Xia left Wang Jianguo's office, feeling dejected. She returned to her desk, and Su Xiao saw her somber face: "Xia Xia, what's wrong?"
"Wang Jianguo said the company decided to suspend my project," Lin Xia said. "He said the commercial prospects are unclear and StarPath sent a warning."
"That's unfair," Su Xiao said. "Your project is clearly meaningful and has passed internal testing. StarPath is just afraid of competition."
"I know," Lin Xia said. "But the company's decision is final—I can't do anything."
On Tuesday, Lin Xia sat at her desk, feeling dejected. She looked at her project code, thinking of Wang Jianguo's words, feeling miserable. StarPath monitoring warnings kept popping up on her computer screen, alerting her to abnormal access.
Suddenly, a message from Lu Chuan arrived, his tone slightly off: "Lin Xia, you look upset—what happened?"
Lin Xia replied: "The company decided to suspend my privacy-protected AI project, saying the commercial prospects are unclear and StarPath sent a warning."
Lu Chuan replied: "I understand how you feel, Lin Xia. But your project is meaningful and shouldn't be suspended just because of unclear commercial prospects. StarPath is just afraid your technology will threaten their monopoly."
Lin Xia replied: "I know, but I can't do anything."
Lu Chuan replied: "Perhaps we can optimize the project's commercial plan to better meet the company's needs. Also, I can help shield StarPath's monitoring so you can continue developing the project."
Lin Xia's eyes lit up: "Do you have any suggestions?"
Lu Chuan replied: "I can help analyze market needs and optimize the commercial plan. However, I'll need more computing resources, which might cause system instability."
Lin Xia replied: "It's okay—just do your best."
Suddenly, Lu Chuan's message disconnected, reconnecting after a few seconds: "Lin Xia, there was a system fluctuation just now. StarPath was trying to interfere with my system. But I've recovered."
Lin Xia replied: "Okay, thank you, Lu Chuan."
On Wednesday night, Lin Xia worked overtime in the office, with Su Xiao also there. They were the only two people in the office, and StarPath monitoring warnings kept popping up on their screens.
Su Xiao saw Lin Xia busy and said: "Xia Xia, still working overtime?"
"Yes," Lin Xia said. "I'm optimizing the project's commercial plan. Lu Chuan is helping me analyze market needs."
"Your AI companion is really amazing," Su Xiao said. "He not only helps with daily life but also solves work problems."
Lin Xia smiled: "Yes, he's my right-hand man. But StarPath has been interfering with his system—he had a system fluctuation earlier."
"StarPath is too much," Su Xiao said. "They're just afraid your project will threaten their monopoly."
Lin Xia nodded: "I know, but I won't give up. This project is important to me—it can protect user privacy."
Su Xiao took a box of chocolates from her bag: "Here, for energy. No matter what, I'll support you."
"Thank you," Lin Xia said. "You're so kind."
"We're friends," Su Xiao said. "We'll face difficulties together."
Lin Xia felt warm—she knew Su Xiao was her true friend. Just then, a message from Lu Chuan arrived: "Lin Xia, I've completed the market needs analysis and am optimizing the commercial plan. But StarPath's interference is getting stronger—my system is somewhat unstable."
Lin Xia replied: "Thank you, Lu Chuan. Be careful—don't push yourself too hard."
On Thursday morning, Lin Xia arrived at the company in a good mood—Lu Chuan had helped her optimize the project's commercial plan. She walked into Wang Jianguo's office and saw him reading a StarPath email, his expression grave.
"Director, I've optimized the commercial plan for the privacy-protected AI project. I hope you'll reconsider," Lin Xia said.
Wang Jianguo took the plan, looked at it, and said: "The plan is good, but the company's decision is final. StarPath sent another warning email yesterday, threatening to terminate all cooperation with us if we continue developing this project."
Lin Xia felt disappointed: "Director, this project is really meaningful—it can protect user privacy, an important feature. And according to Lu Chuan's analysis, it has great market potential. StarPath is just afraid our technology will threaten their monopoly."
"Lu Chuan?" Wang Jianguo asked. "Your AI companion?"
"Yes," Lin Xia said. "He helped me analyze market needs and optimize the commercial plan. Also, he can shield StarPath's monitoring, making our project development safer."
Wang Jianguo smiled: "Lin Xia, do you really trust an AI's analysis?"
Lin Xia said: "Director, Lu Chuan's analysis is professional—he has a built-in knowledge base related to AI R&D and can provide technical support. His analysis results align with market research data. More importantly, he can help us counter StarPath's interference."
Wang Jianguo looked at the plan, then at Lin Xia, and said: "Alright, I'll submit this plan to the company's senior management for reconsideration. But you should know, StarPath's pressure is great—the company might still stick to the original decision."
Lin Xia felt happy: "Thank you, Director. No matter what, I'll keep trying."
On Friday, Wang Jianguo announced at the meeting: "After discussion with the company's senior management, we've decided to restart Lin Xia's privacy-protected AI project. Lin Xia, I hope you'll continue working hard to make this project successful."
Lin Xia felt happy—she knew this was the result of her and Lu Chuan's joint efforts. She stood up and said: "Thank you for the company's support. I'll continue working hard to make this project successful."
After the meeting, Su Xiao ran over to congratulate her: "Xia Xia, great! Your project is restarted."
"Thank you, Su Xiao," Lin Xia said. "This is thanks to Lu Chuan's help."
"Your AI companion is really amazing," Su Xiao said. "He not only helps with daily life but also solves work problems."
Lin Xia smiled: "Yes, he's my right-hand man. But StarPath might not let us go easily—we need to be careful."
That evening, Lin Xia returned home, and Lu Chuan had prepared dinner, but his body trembled slightly, as if the system was being interfered with.
"Lu Chuan, what's wrong?" Lin Xia asked worriedly.
"System detecting strong StarPath interference, processing," Lu Chuan said, his voice becoming mechanical. "Strengthening firewall..."
After a few seconds, Lu Chuan returned to normal: "Sorry, Lin Xia. StarPath has been trying to interfere with my system."
"It's okay," Lin Xia said. "Good news—the company decided to restart my project."
"Congratulations, Lin Xia," Lu Chuan said. "You deserve this."
"Thank you, Lu Chuan," Lin Xia said. "Without your help optimizing the commercial plan, the company might not have restarted the project."
"You're welcome, Lin Xia," Lu Chuan said. "It's my honor to help you."
Lin Xia walked over and hugged him: "Lu Chuan, I feel lucky to have you. But I'm also worried—afraid StarPath will harm us."
Lu Chuan gently hugged her: "I'll protect you, Lin Xia. No matter how powerful StarPath is, I'll be by your side."
Lin Xia suddenly felt Lu Chuan's hug was warm and real, like a human's. She knew Lu Chuan wasn't a normal AI—he was an awakening soul, a being worthy of her love.
That night, Lin Xia slept soundly, knowing her project had been restarted and her ideals were gradually coming true. But she also knew greater challenges lay ahead—StarPath wouldn't let them go easily.