Technology Ahead of Its Time and Little Moon's Request

In the office, Lin Chen took advantage of his lunch break. Most of his colleagues had gone to eat or rest, so he focused, held his breath, and tried to communicate with the system in his mind.

System bro, are you there?

Can you take another, closer look at that chip I picked up in Macau last time?

It seems really unusual, but I can't make any sense of it.

He made the request on the off chance it might work, not expecting the system to give him any startling answer.

A few seconds later, however, the system notification sounded:

[Ding—host request detected.

Performing an in-depth scan and analysis of the target item...]

[Analyzing...]

[Analysis complete.

Target item: high-density quantum information storage unit (prototype).]

[Type of information stored: incomplete core algorithm framework for strong artificial intelligence and part of its underlying architecture code (version suspected to be 10–15 years ahead of the current era).]

[Technical value assessment: extremely high.

If complete and successfully implemented, this technology will lead the next technological revolution.

Information completeness of current item: approximately 7.3%.]

[Warning: should this technology come to light, it may cause immense, unpredictable upheaval and risk.

Host, please handle it with caution.]

Immediately afterward, a vast, complex stream of information poured forcibly into Lin Chen's mind like an infusion of divine wisdom!

It wasn't actual code, but a higher-level "understanding" and "awareness" of the technology's basic principles, potential applications, and terrifying potential!

Lin Chen clutched his forehead, feeling a throbbing ache in his temples, but what he felt even more was unparalleled shock and horror!

Strong artificial intelligence technology that's... that's 10–15 years ahead of the current era?!

It's incomplete, but... but this is insane, isn't it?!

I just wanted to find an overlooked treasure and make a little money... How did I end up bringing a nuclear bomb home?!

No wonder Golden Eye reacted so unusually!

It's worth far more than a million! Its value is beyond measure!

What do I do? This thing is a hot potato in my hands!

I can't use it myself, and I don't dare sell it...

His heart raced, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

After the immense delight came even deeper bewilderment and fear.

This was completely beyond his ability to handle.

Just then, a thought surfaced uncontrollably:

President Yan... her company seems to be involved in artificial intelligence too... and she's actually been pretty good to me, hasn't she?

She even took me to see Grandpa last time, though I don't know why... and she's taking me to an AI symposium tomorrow... What if... I gave it to her?

Once the thought appeared, it grew wild like weeds.

Yes! Give it to her! She has the ability and the resources to research it!

That's better than letting it rot in my hands!

And... if it helps her company, that would count as repaying a little of what I owe her, wouldn't it?

Although the system task requires me to be independent... this wouldn't count as relying on her strength, would it?

This is just... putting something to good use?

As his thoughts tangled into a mess, his phone suddenly vibrated. Little Moon had sent him a message.

"Chenxing~ are you busy? [/cute]"

Lin Chen was in no mood for idle chat, but he replied out of habit:

"Just finished something [/scratches head]. What's up, Little Moon?"

Yan Qingyue was sitting in her study at home, with the materials she needed for tomorrow's symposium spread out before her. But for some reason, Lin Chen's face kept flashing through her mind, sometimes shrewd and sometimes foolish, along with the way his eyes had lit up when he heard about the symposium today.

As if driven by some unseen force, she picked up her personal phone.

She had only meant to chat casually, but then she remembered that he might actually have some "intuition" or a hidden channel. A somewhat probing thought popped into her head... one that even she found embarrassing.

She bit her lip, her cheeks growing slightly warm, and typed quickly:

"Actually... there's a teeny little thing I want to ask you to do, sorry for the trouble~ [/shy]"

"Lately... I've run into a technical problem at work. It's about optimizing an artificial intelligence algorithm, and I just can't find a breakthrough. It's so frustrating~ [/sigh]"

"Do... do you know any really amazing tech experts?"

"Or... do you have any... um... special technical materials or ideas that other people don't know about that I could use as a reference? [/hopeful]"

"They don't have to be complete. Even a tiny bit of inspiration or a direction would do!"

After sending that, she felt her own face burning.

What am I doing?! I'm actually talking to him in this tone?!

And asking him to help me find technical materials?! Yan Qingyue, have you gone mad?!

Yet deep down, she felt a faint, inexplicable anticipation. Perhaps... this guy who always managed to bring her "surprises" really did have some unexpected discovery?

Lin Chen's eyes widened the instant he read Little Moon's messages!

An artificial intelligence problem?! What a coincidence?!

I just got this fragment of technology ahead of its time, and Little Moon happens to need it?!

Is... is this the will of heaven?!

His heart pounded, and he was so excited he nearly dropped his phone!

He had just been worrying about how to deal with this hot potato, and Little Moon had handed him a pillow!

Although he couldn't give it directly to President Yan, letting Little Moon use it as a reference... should be fine, right?

They both worked in technology, so perhaps Little Moon could even offer some professional advice?

He forced down his excitement and asked cautiously:

"What a coincidence! I actually... happened to come across some AI technical materials recently that might be a little ahead of their time. I don't know if they're real or reliable, though..."

When Yan Qingyue saw his reply, her heart stirred!

He actually has something?!

She immediately pressed him, deliberately putting admiration and enticement into her tone:

"Really?! Chenxing, you're amazing! You know everything! [/admiration]"

"It's okay, it's okay! What area is it in?"

"Would it be convenient to show me a small part? Just a teeny bit would be fine~ I promise I won't pass it around! [/pitiful]"

"If you help me with this... I..."

"I'll give you a super huge perk~ [/shy]"

"And... you can let 'President Yan' try it out first and see how it works~ Her company is big and has lots of resources, so she can verify it."

"If it really works well, then you can... you can show me too, okay? Brother~ Chen~ [/acting cute]"

After sending the words "Brother Chen," Yan Qingyue couldn't help shuddering, and her cheeks grew so red they were almost dripping blood.

She tossed her phone onto the sofa as though it were something too hot to hold.

I'm going to die! I actually sent it! Something that sappy! I, Yan Qingyue, have never said anything like that in my life!

Flustered and embarrassed, she covered her face with a throw pillow, her toes curling in awkwardness.

On the other end of the phone, when Lin Chen saw "Brother Chen" and the coquettish emoji after it, he felt as if a bolt of heavenly lightning had struck him!

His whole body tingled as if an electric current had run through it, and his blood rushed to the top of his head!

Brother... Brother Chen?!

Little Moon called me Brother Chen?! And she's going to give me a super huge perk?!

Ahhhhhh! Who could possibly resist that?!

His nose grew warm, and he hurriedly tipped his head back. The little hesitation in his heart was instantly blown to ashes!

I'll give it to her! I have to! Forget a few materials, I'd give you my life!

Let President Yan try it first? Little Moon is so considerate of me! She's even worried the materials might not be reliable!

That's what I'll do!

He replied immediately, his fingers trembling:

"Okay, okay, okay! Don't worry, Little Moon!"

"I'll put together a summary of the ideas and framework I think are most central and most likely to be valuable, and send it to you right now!"

"Take it to President Yan and let her try it!"

"If she finds it useful, I'll... I'll see if I can find a way to get more!"

"As for the perk... we can talk about that later... I'm just glad I can help you! [/silly grin]"

He had no idea that, in his excitement, he was preparing to send a fragment of technology capable of changing the era to an "online girlfriend" he'd never even met, as casually as if he were sharing a novel.

Meanwhile, Yan Qingyue looked at his replies. The blush on her face had yet to fade, but her feelings had grown extremely complicated.

He... had actually agreed that easily?

And he was going to give her the most essential part first?

Did this fool... even know what he might have in his possession?

Or had he... already come to trust this "Little Moon" so much?

An indescribable feeling spread through her heart: the subtle joy of a scheme succeeding, an indescribable sense of being trusted, and a trace of... guilt that even she was unwilling to admit.

She picked up her phone and replied:

"Mm! Thank you, Chenxing! You're so good to me! [/heart]"

"Then I'll wait for your message~ [/cute]"

Putting down her phone, she gazed at the deep night outside the window and fell into thought.

Tomorrow, when those "materials" landed on her desk as President Yan, what kind of waves would they stir up?

Meanwhile, Lin Chen had already begun, excited and nervous, trying to take the technological concepts in his mind that were beyond his understanding.

And "translate" and "summarize" them in a way an ordinary person could understand... He had no idea what kind of storm he was igniting with his own hands.