It was the first time Bob learned that Richard knew Programming and development. He went back to check with half-skepticism, but as soon as he finished reading those dozens of pages of requirements analysis documents and the accompanying trial program, he was immediately struck by how genius it was. He then called back excitedly, basically saying, "I, Bob, am definitely in on this project with you!"
This way, Bob wouldn't need to specifically return to California for development for several years; he could just start a business with Richard!
A computer operating system... and at a level that hadn't even been researched on the market yet. It contained many Programming techniques and formats that didn't exist at this stage. As a veteran programmer, Bob was intoxicated just by looking at the code documentation Richard left behind, as if he were holding a holy bible.
If this operating system were truly completed, it could completely crush all competitors on the market. As the developers, Richard and he would surely be recorded in the annals of history.
Although Bob was kind and honest, he wasn't entirely without ambition. As long as one is human, they have desires. Naturally, he also had a career drive; otherwise, he wouldn't have thought about discussing a return to California with Joyce instead of staying in Hawkins Town.
Bob was the only person around Richard who was proficient in Programming languages and could be trusted. Developing a computer operating system was a massive undertaking; it would be exhausting for him to do it alone. Bringing in Bob, who had been in the industry for many years, could avoid many detours. At the same time, by leveraging Bob's connections to build a team for development, efficiency could be greatly improved.
The reason he hadn't done software development before was mainly a lack of money. Now that he had some cash on hand, he naturally wanted to do something "within his capabilities" to expand his capital.
Putting the operating system development aside for now, Richard wasn't particularly focused on it. The more important matter at hand was finding the whereabouts of the Mind Flayer's severed limbs. Those things, which were consciously growing in the shadows and waiting for an opportunity to cause destruction, were always a threat. He absolutely couldn't wait until Henry recovered; if Henry were to coordinate from the inside while they attacked from the outside, he would be the one getting hurt.
The next day, Richard didn't even go to school and went directly to discuss things with Eleven. But when he arrived, he found that Eleven wasn't home. So, he called Hopper's private office line, only to learn that Hopper was out on business and wouldn't be at the station all day.
"Did the two of them go out together?" Richard realized and soon remembered Eleven's biological mother, whose mind was trapped in a mental space. He guessed the two had gone to find Terry Ives.
"This is tricky. Looks like I'll have to rely on myself today." Richard sighed, got on his bike, and began chasing the compass all over town again. Fortunately, his bicycle was "Wraith-automated," so it took no effort at all. Plus, with winter approaching, he wouldn't break a sweat even on a sunny day.
Just like that, another "Ghost Rider" on a bicycle appeared in Hawkins Town... "I'm sorry, guys. Yesterday, my brother, Billy, did those bad things to you." Maxine apologized to Lucas and the others with a face full of regret. All morning, Maxine felt too ashamed to face them. It took quite a bit of persistence from Lucas and Dustin for Maxine to finally muster the courage to face her guilt.
"Your brother made us eat a mouthful of sand." Mike was somewhat speechless. Thinking about the scolding he received from his mother last night, he felt a bit of anger in his heart.
"I think we don't like your brother very much," Will said, looking at Mike and the others.
Maxine shrugged and sighed, "I hate him too, but he's the son of my mother's remarriage partner. He's a controlling bastard, and I'm stuck with him as a brother."
Dustin said in a friendly voice, "Don't worry, we'll distinguish you from that guy."
Lucas nodded. "I know you're a good girl. You're not like that guy."
"Thanks." Hearing Lucas say this, a relieved smile appeared on Maxine's face.
Dustin looked back and forth between Lucas and Maxine, suddenly feeling like he had somehow lost for some mysterious reason.
"Can't you just talk to your mother about Billy?" Mike was puzzled.
Upon hearing this, the boys all swept a calm gaze over Mike. This guy put all of his non-existent emotional intelligence into flirting with Eleven.
Maxine gave a bitter smile and didn't reply.
Her mother had finally found a remarriage partner and had only recently married Billy's father. Her mother currently had no stable income and had to depend on her significant other. His personality was actually not much different from Billy's. Although his attitude toward the mother and daughter was okay, his treatment of Billy was similar to how Billy treated her. It could be said that she was just a poor little thing at the receiving end of a cycle of violence.
So, sometimes Maxine actually somewhat understood Billy's psychology, but she just couldn't forgive his actions.
If she complained to her mother, her mother would surely tell her stepfather. If Billy suffered violence from the stepfather, she certainly wouldn't have a good time either.
"The best way to deal with a problem is to face your fear. That's what Bob told me. I think you should let Billy know that you don't need his perfunctory and arbitrary 'protection.' You can protect yourself." Will patted Mike's shoulder, signaling him to shut up, and offered his suggestion to Maxine.
Maxine naturally had heard and understood these principles, but... she held out her hands. "How am I supposed to do that?" Her eyes were full of questioning, yet also held a trace of expectation.
Will and his friends looked at each other. Dustin, the gentle little curly-haired boy, unexpectedly gave a very direct solution, saying, "Defeat him once, on your own."
"What?" Maxine's eyes widened. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Dustin explained, "According to what you said, Billy fears your stepfather's physical force, which means he's likely a primitive thinker who believes in the supremacy of power. You just need to win against him once in that regard and then give him a solemn warning, and he won't force you anymore."
Maxine frowned and couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, I understand that. I just don't know how I, with these small arms and legs, am supposed to defeat that gorilla?"
Dustin and Lucas looked at each other and smiled in unison. Will also understood and his smile broadened. Only Mike was slow to catch on and reacted strongly. He jumped into the center of the group, looked at his three companions, and said in shock, "Wait, you guys aren't thinking of having El step in secretly, are you?"
"Who's El?" Maxine keenly caught a key person. She hung out with Mike and the others every day now, but she didn't know they had such a friend.
Mike turned back to Maxine and said, "You don't need to know who she is."
Hearing this, Maxine immediately felt a sense of grievance and confusion. She treated everyone as friends and was even willing to share her family conflicts, yet this guy was still keeping secrets from her?
Lucas came to Maxine's side and said to Mike on her behalf, "Friends should help each other. Have you forgotten the oath between us?"
"But she doesn't know El."
"If Eleven knew, she would definitely help," Lucas argued.
Hearing this, Mike helplessly and indignantly turned and walked away. He was speechless because Eleven was indeed a helpful girl, but he didn't want Eleven to get involved in this matter. Eleven was still in a phase where she couldn't just enter the public eye.
Watching the frustrated Mike leave, Maxine felt it was strange. She asked the remaining three boys, "Did I... do something wrong?"
"No." The three boys shook their heads firmly at her at the same time.