"The current rule is that when a person dies, the assets under their name are automatically distributed. If there is a will, they're distributed according to the will; if there isn't, they're distributed according to the law. Wealth flows automatically," Director Zheng said.
"When Hibernation Technology comes out, does that mean that when a person dies, the assets under their name will still remain in their own hands? Unless they fail to awaken from hibernation and die after being delayed for many years, at which point the inheritance will be redistributed?"
"I don't know." Song He shook his head. "That depends on how the law is amended. If the current laws remain unchanged, the situation you described will indeed occur."
"Speaking of assets after death, there are still some situations worth discussing." Song He scratched his head.
"During a long period of hibernation, the social economy will continue to change. It might improve or deteriorate, or it might cycle between good and bad for several economic cycles."
"Then, after hibernators awaken, might they discover that they've become richer? Or might they discover that they've become poorer?"
Director Zheng pondered for a moment before replying, "In most cases, they should find themselves poorer. Generally speaking, the overall trend of the world is slow inflation. The longer the hibernation lasts, the more sharply the purchasing power of their savings will fall."
"In a small number of cases, they might become richer after awakening from hibernation. For example, if a hibernator bought a plot of land and a prosperous commercial district developed nearby, causing the land price to soar dozens of times, it would easily outrun inflation."
"Then there's the financial management President Song mentioned earlier. For example, if a hibernator bought a trust from our bank and the trust happened to operate