Chapter 332 - 256: Too Engrossed in Reading

Chapter 332: Chapter 256: Too Engrossed in Reading

"Then get back early, okay? Don’t get so absorbed you lose track of time again."

"I know, I know."

Chen Lin hung up the phone.

Then, he turned to Fu Yangqing again and said seriously,

"Old Fu, I mean it. Thank you."

This time, his tone was even more solemn.

If Fu Yangqing hadn’t come in, if not for that pat on the shoulder...

’He really didn’t know how much longer he’d have been under the system’s control.’

Fu Yangqing looked at Chen Lin’s serious expression. Although he was still a bit baffled, he didn’t press for details.

"Alright, don’t mention it."

He waved his hand and walked toward the door.

"Well, Professor Chen, I’ll let you get back to it. I’m heading out. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

Chen Lin watched Fu Yangqing leave.

Only when the figure disappeared at the end of the hallway did he pull his gaze back, letting it fall on the stack of computer science books on the table.

Ten books.

The system had just controlled him, forcing him to finish the first eight Chapters of the first book.

’About... two-thirds of it?’

The remaining nine and a half books were still stacked there quietly.

Chen Lin hesitated.

’Maybe... I should strike while the iron is hot and finish the rest?’

The moment the thought surfaced, he startled himself.

’No, no way!’

He had just escaped that state; he had no desire to experience it a second time.

Although the effects of Automatic Learning were indeed excellent, with ridiculously high learning efficiency...

...that feeling of completely losing control of his body was just too awful.

’I can’t use this Intelligent Duration function again.’

Then, he looked at the stack of books and made a decision.

’Forget it. I’ll take them home for now.’

Even though the system had only "helped" him finish most of one book, he still wanted to keep the rest.

With that, Chen Lin gathered all ten books in his arms and walked out of the private study room.

——

「First floor of the library, in front of the self-service checkout machine.」

Chen Lin skillfully operated the machine, scanning the checkout code for each of the ten books.

"BEEP—"

"BEEP—"

"BEEP—"

...

With each scan, the machine emitted a crisp beep.

A guy with glasses standing nearby, who must have recognized Chen Lin, stared at the frighteningly tall stack of books in his arms, his eyes filled with admiration.

"God-tier... Is he going into seclusion to power-level?" he muttered under his breath.

Chen Lin heard him but paid him no mind.

Right now, he just wanted to get back to the company and let everyone know in person that he was okay.

The ten books were checked out quickly.

Chen Lin walked out of the library, hugging the heavy stack of books.

The winter night wind blew, carrying a biting chill.

But for some reason, Chen Lin’s mood had improved considerably.

Although he had been "kidnapped" by the system for over two hours this afternoon in what could only be described as a nerve-wracking experience...

...he had to admit, the rewards were tangible.

He had completely mastered the content of the first eight Chapters of *Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis*.

It wasn’t the kind of "fake mastery" where you forget everything as soon as you’re done reading.

Instead, he had truly understood it, digested it, and integrated it.

It felt as if he had suddenly gained several years’ worth of accumulated learning.

"Heh..."

A slight smile lifted the corners of Chen Lin’s mouth.

’This Automatic Learning function... the user experience is a bit terrible, but the results are fucking incredible.’

’In the future, if I can just find the right time to "Automatically Learn" the remaining nine and a half books...’

’My computer science skills could probably leap from Entry-Level to Expert.’

At this thought, Chen Lin’s steps became a little lighter.

——

「6:03 PM. Yanhai Company Office.」

"CLICK."

The door was pushed open.

Chen Lin walked in, carrying the stack of books.

"Boss!"

Yunqing was the first to rush over, her eyes filled with obvious concern.

"You’re finally back!"

Shen Yan also stood up from her workstation. Her gaze fell on Chen Lin, and only after confirming that he was really alright did she let out a small sigh of relief.

Huang Yiyi, Sun Yu, Bai Qian, Pan Si...

Everyone was still there.

No one had gone home.

The moment they saw Chen Lin walk in, the taut strings of tension on everyone’s faces finally loosened.

"I’m so sorry for making everyone worry."

Chen Lin placed the stack of books from his arms onto a nearby table and gave everyone a sincere bow.

"This afternoon was my fault. I was so absorbed in my reading that I didn’t notice my phone."

"It won’t happen again."

"President Chen, what on earth were you doing all afternoon?"

Sun Yu leaned in, his eyes widening as he stared at the terrifyingly thick stack of books.

"Just... borrowing books?"

"This many?"

"Yes."

Chen Lin nodded and pointed to the stack of books.

"They’re all classic computer science textbooks. I plan to cram the fundamentals so I’m not completely in the dark when I discuss technical issues with Dr. Bai and Dr. Pan in the future."

Hearing this, Bai Qian pushed up his glasses, his gaze falling on the spines of the stacked books.

*Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis*, *Computer Networks: A Top-Down Approach*, *Deep Understanding of Computer Systems*, *Principles of Compiler Design*...

His expression immediately turned peculiar.

"President Chen, these are all hardcore textbooks..."

Bai Qian swallowed.

"Especially the Dragon Book. That thing gives even computer science students a headache."

"Are you sure you want to tackle these?"

"How will I know if I don’t try?"

Chen Lin just smiled, offering no further explanation.

"Alright, alright, since the boss is fine, everyone should head home and get some rest."

Yunqing clapped her hands and began ushering everyone to leave for the day.

"We’ve all been waiting around all afternoon. If we don’t leave now, we’ll get caught in rush hour traffic."

Only then did everyone start packing up their things, preparing to leave.

As Shen Yan walked past Chen Lin, her steps faltered for a moment.

She looked up, her gaze meeting Chen Lin’s.

"...Next time, remember to check your phone."

Her voice was very soft, tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible trace of complaint.

Then, she lowered her head and quickly walked out of the office.

Chen Lin watched her departing figure, an involuntary smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Got it."

he said softly.

Even though Shen Yan was already too far away to hear him.