He held still like a leopard lying in ambush, waiting for the perfect moment. Just then, five more young girls arrived, their delicate faces framed by plain, old-fashioned dresses.
Their every movement exuded a fresh, ethereal grace, with a hint of playfulness. Like daughters of modest families stepping out of an ancient riverside town in southern China, they carried retro red food boxes inlaid with gold filigree, their steps light and lively.
They threaded their way along the woodland path. The plants, running deer, and flying birds inlaid on the food boxes in their delicate hands looked remarkably lifelike.
These beautiful "girls" scattered, placing their food boxes on the designated stone pillars beside the five stone tables.
Li Mingsheng glanced at the service robots and chuckled inwardly. This intelligent network really is useful. When the guests are enjoying their meal and the dishes are almost finished, it can analyze their tastes, eating speed, and body language to decide whether to keep serving. Too bad things aren't what they were twenty years ago.
"Hahaha! Brother Li, the Bright Sea Financial Consortium's intelligent robots are already indistinguishable from the real thing. Such a feast for the eyes! You have my admiration!"
"Oh, they're nothing compared to your Sanjiu Financial Consortium's medical technology, Brother Chang. Now that's a pillar of the Alliance's medical sector! This launch of mature nanomedical technology is another great step forward in history!"
Li Mingsheng watched the fat man leer as he squeezed one of the serving girl's soft little hands, making her cry out softly in pain.
He laughed heartily. Advances in technology went far beyond making imitations indistinguishable from the real thing. What was wrong with modifying one to bear a child in place of a woman? But giving one away was out of the question.
Two