Jin Xiangdong’s mouth twitched. Two words were squeezed out. “Piss off!”
Hearing this, Jason burst into laughter. “I don’t think there are many men as pure you in this world!”
Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you have had a lot of experience with women.”
“Ha ha ha, you are right, I haven’t had multiple lovers, but I am not as pure and innocent as you are!” Jason could not stop laughing.
Jin Xiangdong retorted, “My view on love is to spend a lifetime with the love of my life, either enjoying ourselves, intoxicated in the beautiful world or spending days in reality.”
Jason could not help but exclaim, “To spend a lifetime with the love of my life, either enjoying ourselves, intoxicated in the beautiful world or spending days growing old together! How ideal the idea is!”
“Everyone is after different things.” Jin Xiangdong argued.
“Your view in love is impressive.” Jason smiled.
“We are destined to be!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.
Jason bit his lower lip. “Ace, I am not trying to say anything against Professor Lu. But this is no trivial matter. She may appear to be just like a human being, that being said, she cannot control herself. She is just like a marionette and the strings that control her are in other people’s hands. If you are with her, then it means that like her, you too, will have no privacy! That is just terrifying.”
“Nowadays, can humans really enjoy privacy?” Jin Xiangdong replied by posing a question.
“That being said, people still know how to respect basic boundaries and secrets. But when you are with her, everything, even when you are in bed…” Jason shrugged.
Jin Xiangdong pulled a long face. “Get the signal isolation done this afternoon!”
Jason looked at him and nodded. “Okay!”
The two stopped the conversation for a moment. Then, Jason broke the ice. “Will you tell your father and sister about Professor Lu?”
“I want to go back to the States and inform my father about Jia’er.” Jin Xiangdong admitted.
Jason was taken aback. “You want to consult your father about this?”
“So I can see if he has any idea on how to help Jia’er achieve awakening of her consciousness.” Jin Xiangdong expressed his intention.
“Ace, do you think your father will be able to accept it?” Jason found this hard to believe.
“He may be more open-minded than you are.” Jin Xiangdong said.
Jason shrugged. “I suppose that you need to think twice. After all, your father is not a young man anymore.”
“Better too early than too late!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.
“Why am I getting the feeling that you are willing to abandon your family and career for love?” Jason said.
“Do I really seem that irresponsible to you?” Jin Xiangdong asked.
“Not before. But who can tell about the future!” Jason finally worked up the courage to reveal his thoughts.
Jin Xiangdong darted a look at Jason. “What are you going to do about Su Han?”
This was a checkmate move. Jin Xiangdong could not tell what was on Jason’s mind. After a while, Jason said, “I am not so in love with Su Han, not like you and Professor Lu. However, I do like her deep inside. It’s just, you know about my family. I am conflicted.”
Jason’s father was unwell. Therefore, during recent years, Jason’s father had been urging him to get married. As his father, all the old man wanted was to see Jason get married and start a career and build a family. If Jason were to stick with Su Han, not only would he have to deal with the struggle of being unethical, he had to consider whether or not she could bear children at all.
Jin Xiangdong understood. “Do as you see fit.”
Jason nodded. Then, he shot a glance at Jin Xiangdong and exclaimed, “I wish you were not so innocent before!”
“What do you mean?” Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows.
“So you could compare!” Jason said.
Jin Xiangdong gave him a contemptuous look as a reply.
Jason went on, “It’s not that I have dirty thoughts. Just think of it as a Turing test. With comparison, you can have a more precise understanding of the product’s performance!”
Technically speaking, Jason’s words made sense. However, when it came to intimate moments, as far as Jin Xiangdong was concerned, the feelings they shared were the most important. And even moreso, that morning, he saw a stain of red on his bedsheets. That red stain blossomed in his heart like blood-red kapok, bursting into bloom.
While this topic was extremely private, Jin Xiangdong did not refuse to speak of his true feelings. “I feel quite good.”
“Fine! I can tell from the fact that you didn’t show up at work yesterday!” Jason joked.
Jin Xiangdong threw him a look. “My abilities, in all regards, are strong, above question!”
“Eh-hem, eh-hem, eh-hem—” Jason coughed in surprise when he heard this. How could there be people hyping themselves up like this?
Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows. “Do you have any questions?”
Jason shook his head at once. “No, I don’t have the courage. Best wishes for you, in bed!”
Jin Xiangdong smiled a smug smile. Then, he changed the subject. “Continue the investigation about X Energy Company!”
On their way to pick up Lu Jia’er, Jason updated Jin Xiangdong. Jin Xiangdong was convinced that there was some shady secrets behind this energy company.
“Of course, already done! But since they have noticed something, we must pay extra attention when we go out.” Jason reminded him.
About the potential danger, while Jin Xiangdong said those comforting words to Lu Jia’er, inside, he had become alerted.
Jason was involved in this matter as well. Jin Xiangdong nodded. “Same to you!”
“Well, now that Professor Lu is living with you, about Su Han…” Jason posed the inquiry.
“It’s up to you. Do you want to break up with her or take care of her for the moment?” Jin Xiangdong suggested.
“Take care of her?” Jason looked at Jin Xiangdong, confused.
Jin Xiangdong explained. “Don’t overthink. It’s just looking after her. But my suggestion is that you break up with her.”
Jason was hesitating. “Well…”
Jin Xiangdong continued. “Su Han is also an AI, but she does have feelings. Once you get stuck in those feelings, there is no telling what can happen. Jason, like you said, we are different. You still have the freedom to walk out!”
Hearing this, Jason stared at Jin Xiangdong. Being friends for so many years, Jason could pick up some clues of Jin Xiangdong’s intention.
“Tell me the truth. You didn’t want me to get too involved in this, right?” Jason said.
“That is part of the reason.” Jin Xiangdong did not veil his intention.
Jason put on a forced smile. “I don’t know if you know this, but since I have known you, some of your actions make me think that you consider yourself some kind of messiah.”
Jin Xiangdong gave a lukewarm answer. “I am not that noble.”
Jason smiled. “I will break up with Su Han but I will take care of her at the same time!”
Back at Lu Jia’er’s apartment.
Su Han, who had curled up on the couch to watch TV, heard the doorbell ringing. She went with Amy to open the door.
She was surprised to see Jin Xiangdong and Jason outside. “What… are you doing here?”
“You aren’t happy to see us?” Jason replied with a question, smiling.
“Of course I am!” Su Han shifted her glance from Jason to Jin Xiangdong. “But Jia’er is not at home.”
“I know.” Jin Xiangdong gave a simple answer.
Su Han let them in and Amy poured them two glasses of juice.
It was natural that Jason would come to see her, whereas Su Han felt she had to ask why Jin Xiangdong was here. “Ace, what is the matter?”
“I am here to pack Jia’er’s things.” Jin Xiangdong answered frankly.
Su Han was taken aback. “What are you trying to say?”
“You two talk. I will go and pack her things.” With that said, Jin Xiangdong stood up.
Su Han got up with him. She was about to say something to stop Jin Xiangdong when Jason interrupted. “Let him be.”
Su Han was puzzled. “What is going on here?”
Jason reached out his hands and put his thumbs together. “This is going on!” He explained with a grin.
Su Han was still yet to see the point. “I don’t understand it!”
“They are living together.” Jason had to spell out the answer.
“What?” Su Han was taken aback. “Jia’er is living with Ace? Is there something I’m missing?”
The day before yesterday, Lu Jia’er said that she would not come back for the night. Su Han thought Lu Jia’er had gone to Ian’s place. Lu Jia’er did not return yesterday. Having the good sense, Su Han did not bother Lu Jia’er. Su Han had planned to make fun of Lu Jia’er. Little did Su Han know that Lu Jia’er was with Ace.
“You are not missing anything. You can seek confirmation from Professor Lu!” Jason said.
Su Han grabbed her phone and called Lu Jia’er at once. A few minutes into the conversation, Su Han received the confirmation.
“What is happening there?” Su Han was baffled.
“Su Han, I will talk to you later!” She heard Lu Jia’er’s soft voice.
“Did… Ace force you into something and imprison you?” No wonder Su Han was a novelist, she had such a wild imagination.
She heard Lu Jia’er denying it. “No! I did it of my own accord. I will find the time to tell you the details later.”
“But I want to know now. I am curious!” Su Han exclaimed.
“Another day. I will tell you another day!” Lu Jia’er wanted to put off the explanation.
After she hung up the phone, Su Han stared at Jason. “Do you know what this is about?”
Due to her glare, Jason felt ill at ease. “Well… I don’t know the specifics…”
“Then I will ask Ace!” Su Han said and walked to Lu Jia’er’s room.
She saw Jin Xiangdong opening Lu Jia’er’s truck when she stepped in. “Ace, what on earth is happening? How did Jia’er end up being with you?”
Jin Xiangdong looked at her. “Jia’er loves me. So, we are together!”
Jin Xiangdong’s mouth twitched. Two words were squeezed out. “Piss off!”
Hearing this, Jason burst into laughter. “I don’t think there are many men as pure you in this world!”
Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you have had a lot of experience with women.”
“Ha ha ha, you are right, I haven’t had multiple lovers, but I am not as pure and innocent as you are!” Jason could not stop laughing.
Jin Xiangdong retorted, “My view on love is to spend a lifetime with the love of my life, either enjoying ourselves, intoxicated in the beautiful world or spending days in reality.”
Jason could not help but exclaim, “To spend a lifetime with the love of my life, either enjoying ourselves, intoxicated in the beautiful world or spending days growing old together! How ideal the idea is!”
“Everyone is after different things.” Jin Xiangdong argued.
“Your view in love is impressive.” Jason smiled.
“We are destined to be!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.
Jason bit his lower lip. “Ace, I am not trying to say anything against Professor Lu. But this is no trivial matter. She may appear to be just like a human being, that being said, she cannot control herself. She is just like a marionette and the strings that control her are in other people’s hands. If you are with her, then it means that like her, you too, will have no privacy! That is just terrifying.”
“Nowadays, can humans really enjoy privacy?” Jin Xiangdong replied by posing a question.
“That being said, people still know how to respect basic boundaries and secrets. But when you are with her, everything, even when you are in bed…” Jason shrugged.
Jin Xiangdong pulled a long face. “Get the signal isolation done this afternoon!”
Jason looked at him and nodded. “Okay!”
The two stopped the conversation for a moment. Then, Jason broke the ice. “Will you tell your father and sister about Professor Lu?”
“I want to go back to the States and inform my father about Jia’er.” Jin Xiangdong admitted.
Jason was taken aback. “You want to consult your father about this?”
“So I can see if he has any idea on how to help Jia’er achieve awakening of her consciousness.” Jin Xiangdong expressed his intention.
“Ace, do you think your father will be able to accept it?” Jason found this hard to believe.
“He may be more open-minded than you are.” Jin Xiangdong said.
Jason shrugged. “I suppose that you need to think twice. After all, your father is not a young man anymore.”
“Better too early than too late!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.
“Why am I getting the feeling that you are willing to abandon your family and career for love?” Jason said.
“Do I really seem that irresponsible to you?” Jin Xiangdong asked.
“Not before. But who can tell about the future!” Jason finally worked up the courage to reveal his thoughts.
Jin Xiangdong darted a look at Jason. “What are you going to do about Su Han?”
This was a checkmate move. Jin Xiangdong could not tell what was on Jason’s mind. After a while, Jason said, “I am not so in love with Su Han, not like you and Professor Lu. However, I do like her deep inside. It’s just, you know about my family. I am conflicted.”
Jason’s father was unwell. Therefore, during recent years, Jason’s father had been urging him to get married. As his father, all the old man wanted was to see Jason get married and start a career and build a family. If Jason were to stick with Su Han, not only would he have to deal with the struggle of being unethical, he had to consider whether or not she could bear children at all.
Jin Xiangdong understood. “Do as you see fit.”
Jason nodded. Then, he shot a glance at Jin Xiangdong and exclaimed, “I wish you were not so innocent before!”
“What do you mean?” Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows.
“So you could compare!” Jason said.
Jin Xiangdong gave him a contemptuous look as a reply.
Jason went on, “It’s not that I have dirty thoughts. Just think of it as a Turing test. With comparison, you can have a more precise understanding of the product’s performance!”
Technically speaking, Jason’s words made sense. However, when it came to intimate moments, as far as Jin Xiangdong was concerned, the feelings they shared were the most important. And even moreso, that morning, he saw a stain of red on his bedsheets. That red stain blossomed in his heart like blood-red kapok, bursting into bloom.
While this topic was extremely private, Jin Xiangdong did not refuse to speak of his true feelings. “I feel quite good.”
“Fine! I can tell from the fact that you didn’t show up at work yesterday!” Jason joked.
Jin Xiangdong threw him a look. “My abilities, in all regards, are strong, above question!”
“Eh-hem, eh-hem, eh-hem—” Jason coughed in surprise when he heard this. How could there be people hyping themselves up like this?
Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows. “Do you have any questions?”
Jason shook his head at once. “No, I don’t have the courage. Best wishes for you, in bed!”
Jin Xiangdong smiled a smug smile. Then, he changed the subject. “Continue the investigation about X Energy Company!”
On their way to pick up Lu Jia’er, Jason updated Jin Xiangdong. Jin Xiangdong was convinced that there was some shady secrets behind this energy company.
“Of course, already done! But since they have noticed something, we must pay extra attention when we go out.” Jason reminded him.
About the potential danger, while Jin Xiangdong said those comforting words to Lu Jia’er, inside, he had become alerted.
Jason was involved in this matter as well. Jin Xiangdong nodded. “Same to you!”
“Well, now that Professor Lu is living with you, about Su Han…” Jason posed the inquiry.
“It’s up to you. Do you want to break up with her or take care of her for the moment?” Jin Xiangdong suggested.
“Take care of her?” Jason looked at Jin Xiangdong, confused.
Jin Xiangdong explained. “Don’t overthink. It’s just looking after her. But my suggestion is that you break up with her.”
Jason was hesitating. “Well…”
Jin Xiangdong continued. “Su Han is also an AI, but she does have feelings. Once you get stuck in those feelings, there is no telling what can happen. Jason, like you said, we are different. You still have the freedom to walk out!”
Hearing this, Jason stared at Jin Xiangdong. Being friends for so many years, Jason could pick up some clues of Jin Xiangdong’s intention.
“Tell me the truth. You didn’t want me to get too involved in this, right?” Jason said.
“That is part of the reason.” Jin Xiangdong did not veil his intention.
Jason put on a forced smile. “I don’t know if you know this, but since I have known you, some of your actions make me think that you consider yourself some kind of messiah.”
Jin Xiangdong gave a lukewarm answer. “I am not that noble.”
Jason smiled. “I will break up with Su Han but I will take care of her at the same time!”
Back at Lu Jia’er’s apartment.
Su Han, who had curled up on the couch to watch TV, heard the doorbell ringing. She went with Amy to open the door.
She was surprised to see Jin Xiangdong and Jason outside. “What… are you doing here?”
“You aren’t happy to see us?” Jason replied with a question, smiling.
“Of course I am!” Su Han shifted her glance from Jason to Jin Xiangdong. “But Jia’er is not at home.”
“I know.” Jin Xiangdong gave a simple answer.
Su Han let them in and Amy poured them two glasses of juice.
It was natural that Jason would come to see her, whereas Su Han felt she had to ask why Jin Xiangdong was here. “Ace, what is the matter?”
“I am here to pack Jia’er’s things.” Jin Xiangdong answered frankly.
Su Han was taken aback. “What are you trying to say?”
“You two talk. I will go and pack her things.” With that said, Jin Xiangdong stood up.
Su Han got up with him. She was about to say something to stop Jin Xiangdong when Jason interrupted. “Let him be.”
Su Han was puzzled. “What is going on here?”
Jason reached out his hands and put his thumbs together. “This is going on!” He explained with a grin.
Su Han was still yet to see the point. “I don’t understand it!”
“They are living together.” Jason had to spell out the answer.
“What?” Su Han was taken aback. “Jia’er is living with Ace? Is there something I’m missing?”
The day before yesterday, Lu Jia’er said that she would not come back for the night. Su Han thought Lu Jia’er had gone to Ian’s place. Lu Jia’er did not return yesterday. Having the good sense, Su Han did not bother Lu Jia’er. Su Han had planned to make fun of Lu Jia’er. Little did Su Han know that Lu Jia’er was with Ace.
“You are not missing anything. You can seek confirmation from Professor Lu!” Jason said.
Su Han grabbed her phone and called Lu Jia’er at once. A few minutes into the conversation, Su Han received the confirmation.
“What is happening there?” Su Han was baffled.
“Su Han, I will talk to you later!” She heard Lu Jia’er’s soft voice.
“Did… Ace force you into something and imprison you?” No wonder Su Han was a novelist, she had such a wild imagination.
She heard Lu Jia’er denying it. “No! I did it of my own accord. I will find the time to tell you the details later.”
“But I want to know now. I am curious!” Su Han exclaimed.
“Another day. I will tell you another day!” Lu Jia’er wanted to put off the explanation.
After she hung up the phone, Su Han stared at Jason. “Do you know what this is about?”
Due to her glare, Jason felt ill at ease. “Well… I don’t know the specifics…”
“Then I will ask Ace!” Su Han said and walked to Lu Jia’er’s room.
She saw Jin Xiangdong opening Lu Jia’er’s truck when she stepped in. “Ace, what on earth is happening? How did Jia’er end up being with you?”
Jin Xiangdong looked at her. “Jia’er loves me. So, we are together!”
