"Could it be … you like me?"
…
Recalling the conversation behind the scenes, Jiang Chen rubbed his nose with a bitter smile and put his hands on the steering wheel.
'Why is Yours Truly so charming?'
He forced himself to be cocky, but then his expression turned awkward again. He turned on the music in the car, trying to hide the awkwardness in the noise.
Xia Shiyu's skin was thin, and it was the kind that could be easily broken with a poke. Even if she always had a cold face, warmth and thickness were two different things.
The atmosphere was a bit strange. The girl's mouth was half open, and she was completely in a daze. The expression on her face was obviously shaken.
However, at this moment, an untimely phone call came, and the explosive ringtone pierced through this subtle atmosphere. Jiang Chen paused for a moment and was about to hang up. But Xia Shiyu had already regained her composure. She lowered her head and quickly walked past Jiang Chen and out the door.
… Well, maybe the call came at the right time. Otherwise, he really didn't know how to get out of this situation.
To be honest, he didn't know what his attitude towards Xia Shiyu was. Although he used to fantasize about her a long time ago, he didn't have that thought anymore.
Maybe his mentality changed?
Jiang Chen shook his head to get rid of the weird thoughts in his head.
Just then, the phone suddenly rang again.
He paused for a moment before a bitter smile appeared on his face.
There was no point in hanging up now. He sighed, pressed the answer button, and hung up the Bluetooth headset.
But the voice on the other side of the phone made him stunned again.
Wang Zhiyong?
…
All in all, Jiang Chen was now driving to the home of Wang Dehai, the secretary of Wanghai City. The old man, whose life he had saved, wished to express his gratitude by inviting him to dinner.
It was just that the timing of the call was too precise. The call came not long after the press conference ended, which made Jiang Chen feel a little unnatural. But since it was an invitation from the Secretary, and he saved his life, it shouldn't be a bad thing. Therefore, he only muttered a little in his heart, and then drove the car obediently.
It was a very elegant community without anything particularly luxurious. But the level of greenery was definitely rare in Wanghai City. The security guard at the door seemed to be a retired veteran. From the faintly discernible murderous aura around him, it could be seen that this guy should have retired from the border area.
It was obvious that the people living in this community were not simple. Even if they were rich, not everyone could be the neighbor of the Secretary, right?
He parked the car downstairs, walked upstairs, and knocked on the door.
The door quickly opened, and a young and beautiful face appeared in front of him.
"You're here? Come in, my mom wants to thank you. "Wang Xinran smiled at Jiang Chen.
"Mhmm? You don't live on campus? "Jiang Chen smiled and looked at Wang Xinran in surprise.
"Today is Saturday. Could it be that Chairman Jiang is too busy to remember the date?" Wang Xinran smiled mischievously.
"Today is Saturday. Don't tell me President Jiang is too busy to remember the date?" Wang Xinran smiled mischievously.
As soon as Jiang Chen entered, he received a warm welcome. He was overwhelmed by the attention and even a little embarrassed. But no matter what his motive was, he saved Wang Dehai from hell. Also, what surprised him the most was that Wang Dehai was different from the high ranking officials in his mind.
In addition, what surprised him the most was that Wang Dehai was different from the high officials who lived in the imperial court and kept a low profile in his impression. Also, what surprised him the most was that Wang Dehai was different from the high ranking officials in his mind. When he saw Jiang Chen, he affectionately called him Little Jiang. And Jiang Chen also addressed him as Uncle Wang.
Wang Dehai's wife was a kind old lady. She passionately put food in Jiang Chen's bowl. It made him, who had been wandering outside for years, feel a sense of home.
Wang Zhiyong was also an interesting person. He kept dragging Jiang Chen to drink at the dinner table, which made him, who had a low tolerance for alcohol, drink until he collapsed. Then, when he was drunk, he started spouting nonsense and was helped to his room by his sister.
He could be considered a straightforward person. Jiang Chen liked people like him who didn't play dirty.
As for Wang Xinran, she was quite lively. She kept asking about Future 1.0 and told Jiang Chen that he was ranked number one on Wanghai University's Top Ten Alumni list, becoming the youngest person to ever be ranked number one.
But the list was only within the circle and didn't have much influence. Which student would be interested in the school newspaper?
To her question, Jiang Chen didn't reveal any special information. What he said was basically the same as what was mentioned in the press conference.
Also, although he was talking to Wang Xinran, he was secretly observing Wang Dehai's reaction.
What was the attitude of this politician toward Future 1.0?
Support? Or keep it a secret?
…
After dinner, Wang Dehai called Jiang Chen to his office.
"Sit anywhere, don't be nervous. I just want to chat with you." Wang Dehai obviously saw Jiang Chen's nervousness, so he kindly smiled and invited Jiang Chen to take a seat.
"Hehe, Uncle Wang, then I won't hold back." Jiang Chen smiled and sat on the sofa on the side.
He didn't dare to pretend to be a doctor anymore. All the smart people in the Celestial Dynasty were in the government, not to mention a high-ranking official like Wang Dehai. It would be too difficult to fool him. No matter how good his acting skills were, he would still give himself away.
He had to be careful with his words and not say too much.
But Jiang Chen was overthinking.
As for how he cured his rabies, Wang Dehai didn't ask much. He just laughed and chatted with him about the past.
"My rabies might have been acquired in the sixties. I was still young at the time. My dad was beaten and I was bitten by a dog released by those crazy people. I remember it was on my leg, a big scar. Originally, I thought that after so many years, the illness wouldn't act up again, but in the end, I still fell for it, haha. "
Wang Dehai smiled as he gestured with his hand.
Jiang Chen also smiled, but he didn't respond.
He knew that the elders loved to tell the stories of the past to the younger generation. They didn't need comfort or praise, but a silent audience.
Although he didn't know what Wang Dehai was planning, based on his attitude of treating Jiang Chen as a junior and not a subordinate, Jiang Chen could roughly tell that the elder's impression of him was not bad.
Wang Dehai also told him a lot about the past, and he listened to it as a story.
Until the end.
"… Now, we are finally strong. Good, good, good! " Wang Dehai's tone was filled with reminiscence as he said "good" three times in a row. Then he looked at Jiang Chen with a meaningful look.
The main event was here.
Jiang Chen was also secretly excited as he waited for the leader of the central government to speak.
"Little Jiang, if artificial intelligence is used in the military, do you think it's feasible?" Wang Dehai took a sip of tea and said nonchalantly.
Sure enough.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen spoke.
"This will bring a disaster to the country and even the world," he said righteously.
"Oh?" Wang Dehai looked at Jiang Chen with interest as he waited for him to continue.
"Artificial intelligence is not human. If we let the life and death of humans be decided by machines, it would only take one programming error to cause an irreversible disaster. Since the law can't restrict a piece of code. "
"Oh? But if artificial intelligence soldiers replace the soldiers with flesh and blood on the battlefield, wouldn't it avoid unnecessary bloodshed? "
"No, the number of people sacrificed will definitely increase." A bitter smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face.
Wang Dehai's eyes flickered as he waited for Jiang Chen to continue.
Since the elder came to discuss with him, it was obvious that there was still room for negotiation. It seemed that even the higher-ups didn't reach an agreement on this. After all, there were too many vested interests involved in this. Regardless of whether it could be achieved or not, just how many PLA soldiers would be eliminated if artificial intelligence replaced soldiers? How many people would want him to shut up?
Not just within the country, but even the foreign agents would have their eyes on him.
Jiang Chen broke out in a cold sweat when he thought about this.
"Since Uncle Wang mentioned bloodshed, then may I ask, does this mean our country will have a war soon?"
"Of course not, but there will always be clowns playing tricks." Wang Dehai raised his eyebrows as he smiled.
"Then does Uncle Wang know, if a cheap, efficient, and powerful weapon was introduced, what kind of situation would it usher in?" Jiang Chen carefully phrased his words.
"Arms race? That's when the technology is the same … "Wang Dehai waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Then here's the problem." Jiang Chen smiled wryly as he shrugged. "And I don't have that kind of thing. Just like I mentioned in the press conference in the afternoon, Future 1.0 is just a program that can respond logically and, with the user's permission, can operate the phone on behalf of the user. It's just like how Windows 7 is good, but you can't expect it to operate both a PC and a robot, right? "
"Can't you make some improvements? For example, make it compatible with the fire control system. "Wang Dehai didn't seem to want to give up as he continued to ask.
"I don't understand the military equipment at all. If I want to understand it, I would have to start from scratch … Also, from a practical point of view, what the country needs the most right now is a scientist or a 'Bill Gates' who can lead the country in the next ten years?" Jiang Chen looked into Wang Dehai's eyes with a serious expression.
Wang Dehai wouldn't push him too hard since the "development team" in name was overseas.
At the same time, Jiang Chen's heart was beating like a drum. He even began to calculate that if the relevant departments wanted to make a move on him, he would leave this place and run overseas. With 400 million USD in his Swiss bank account, he could make a comeback and live a carefree life there.
Wang Dehai also stared at Jiang Chen.
But quickly, the old man's expression loosened as he took a sip from his teacup.
"You think the same as me, don't be so nervous."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen let out a sigh of relief. To be honest, if the day came where he had to leave, he would be reluctant to do so.
"I won't lie to you about artificial intelligence. We've been working on it, and other countries have been working on it. Although it's not a major project, the amount invested is not small, but it hasn't produced any results. " Wang Dehai looked at Jiang Chen with a meaningful look. "Some people even said that you should voluntarily hand over the technology. Do you know what I'm saying? "
Jiang Chen thought for a moment before he smiled. "Uncle Wang's vision must be further than theirs."
Wang Dehai laughed and then looked at Jiang Chen with a meaningful look.
"Kid, you're quite sly … I'll tell them, you're all stubborn! If you do this, who would dare to use the technology here? You're chasing the talent away! "
There was something he didn't say, but he understood.
The other party's technical team was overseas. Even if you controlled one of the people on the surface, what if you forced all the people on the outside to join an unfriendly force, or even directly provided more advanced technology to them? What would you do? If it wasn't exclusive, what was the point of having the technology? Competing with others to digest the technology?
"Thank you, Uncle Wang." Jiang Chen didn't know what else to say, so he said with a strange expression.
He didn't understand why Wang Dehai said this. What did he mean by that? Was he trying to be friendly? On behalf of who? Or was he just returning a favor?
"No need to thank me, I'm not the only one helping you. The old guy from the Zhou family is more anxious than me. " Wang Dehai smiled meaningfully and took a sip of tea. He raised his head and looked at Jiang Chen. "Their family is responsible for the military intelligence project with an annual budget of 500 million."
Jiang Chen instantly understood.
Just as he had guessed, even the higher-ups weren't as united as an iron plate. No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that they were united in the face of common interests, but when it came to the cake that had already been divided into their hands, the situation became complicated.
Otherwise, why would the relevant departments wait until he held a press conference before making a move? As soon as Future 1.0 was released, all the troubles would come.
Once the world's spotlight shone on them, it would be too expensive to play tricks in the shadows. It was a matter of attitude. Now that they couldn't keep the talent, if they continued, they would be chasing the talent away.
Especially now, the focus was not on being strong, but on stability.
"I just want to ask one more thing. What is the value of Future 1.0 in the military field? Tell me the truth. "Wang Dehai stared into Jiang Chen's eyes. Compared to the easygoing look at the beginning, there was more authority in his aged eyes.
[Now is not the time to enter the military industry. It involves too many people's cake …] Jiang Chen's mind raced as he quickly and firmly answered Wang Dehai, a deputy state official – Wang City Secretary.
"Zero."
Wang Dehai nodded, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Then, as the Wanghai City Secretary, I congratulate you on your contribution to the economic development of Wanghai! I look forward to Future Technology making even more impressive achievements in benefiting the people! "
Jiang Chen paused for a moment before he smiled sincerely.
"Of course!"
[Is he hinting not to extend his hand outside of the civilian field?
Wang Dehai, this wily old fox, wasn't trying to convince me, but was testing me. I'm afraid that the Wang Family and the Zhou Family are in cahoots …
Thinking of this, even though he was confident, he still felt his hands and feet turn cold.
He had the delusion that one day he could bring Future Technology into the military field. Now it looked like he was overthinking.
Would Wang Dehai help him? He must have helped. The fact that the Zhou family didn't contact him immediately meant that he was involved.
But would he return the favor for the benefit of the Wang family and the Zhou family? Probably not, because it was no longer just one person's business. If Jiang Chen had shown interest in developing into the military field, or if Future 1.0 had room for imagination in the military field …
Wang Dehai might not do anything, but the Zhou family would not let him off the hook.
By that time, would they force him to hand over the technology and use a false accusation to blacken his name, or would they kill him without even asking for the technology?
Of course, the final result would be Jiang Chen running away, but it would be difficult for him to return to his hometown.
As to whether it was beneficial to the country?
Hehe, if he really cared so much, he wouldn't be so greedy.
Sure enough, the smart people of the Celestial Empire were all in the court.
Since ancient times, those who worked hard died on the battlefield, and those who learned from the past and present ended up in seclusion. Knowledge was sold to the emperor, and the virtuous became a corpse.
Fools should stay away from smart people.
Jiang Chen didn't show anything on his face. It was only after he left the Wang family that he took a deep breath.
He suddenly realized that the past few days were more tiring than the apocalypse.
"What the f * ck, I'm so tired from playing with myself. Am I putting the cart before the horse?" Jiang Chen shook his head with a self-deprecating smile and walked to his Maybach.
Regardless of whether he was overthinking it, he felt that Wang Dehai was unreliable.
Favors were like cash, there would be less of them every time they were used. But it was more troublesome than cash because everything had a price tag. At least you would know how much money was left in your pocket after you bought something.
The only good news was that Future 1.0 would not face much resistance in terms of policy, and the danger was hidden in the bud.
However, was this considered as repaying the favor?
If it counted.
Perhaps it was time to consider building a backup plan or something.
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