Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 353 Waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree stump, then turning the tables on it.

Jiang Qing's gaze swept over the unassuming blue baseball cap with lightning speed, as quick as ripples on a lake in the wind, before returning to calm in an instant.

His face remained as gentle and composed as ever, as if he were merely glancing casually at the audience around the questioner, without showing the slightest sign of anything amiss.

"This student's question is very interesting."

With a shift in his gaze, he smiled and gave a definition of the problem.

"It actually touches on the core problems of the nature of consciousness and the modeling of emotions."

At this point, Jiang Qing paused slightly, seemingly organizing her thoughts, her gaze naturally sweeping across the room, except for a certain corner which she subtly avoided.

"Liking and loving are extremely similar yet fundamentally different bands on the spectrum of human emotions."

He spoke fluently, his tone relaxed yet scholarly.

"Liking something can stem from appreciation, resonance, habit, or even just a fleeting attraction driven by hormones. It's more like a tendency or preference, and data models can easily capture this preference. By analyzing your browsing history, social interactions, and consumption habits, AI can even predict which song, book, or even person you'll like earlier than you do."

A knowing laugh rippled through the classroom.

But what about love?

Jiang Qing changed the subject.

"Love is responsibility, sacrifice, knowing the other person's imperfections yet still rushing forward without hesitation, and the courage to overcome difficulties together over the long years. It includes liking, but it goes far beyond liking."

He shrugged and made a helpless expression.

"This complex, contradictory, and sometimes even irrational quality is precisely what current AI models based on logic and probability find most difficult to understand and simulate. You can teach AI to recognize the grammatical structure and emotional tags of the phrase 'I love you,' but it cannot truly understand the profound weight behind those words. For example, why would someone be willing to give up their dreams for another person, or willingly endure the pain of a long separation?"

He glanced around, lingering briefly on a figure who had unconsciously tilted their head back, before giving an example.

"Imagine a highly evolved AI companion. It can precisely play soothing music when you're sad, adjust the indoor lighting when you're tired, and even send you a carefully selected gift on your birthday, based on your emotional data. It can perfectly play the role of a considerate lover, but can it understand that when you receive a gift, the emotion might be mixed with doubt about whether it truly understands you? Can it sense the subtle loneliness that might arise deep within you when faced with its unchanging perfection?"

The metaphor was vivid and humorous with a touch of philosophical insight, which drew another burst of laughter and thunderous applause from the classroom.

Jiang Qing smiled and waited for the applause to subside before continuing her story.

"As for having similar emotions..."

He shook his head slightly.

"Current AI is more like a mirror or amplifier of emotions. It can reflect, analyze, and even mimic human emotional expressions, but the underlying logic driving its behavior is still based on preset rules and optimized objective functions. It lacks self-awareness, genuine desires and fears, and the primal drive that stems from life instinct—the willingness to give everything for another life form. Therefore, at least in the foreseeable future, AI can be an excellent tool for understanding our own emotions and an aid in emotional expression. But to make it truly understand and possess love in the human sense is like asking the most precise piano to understand the inner turmoil Beethoven experienced when composing 'Moonlight Sonata'—the journey is still very long. Perhaps this is precisely what makes human emotions so unique and precious."

Jiang Qing's answer was supported by solid theory, full of humanistic concern, vivid metaphors, clear logic, and easy to understand.

The final metaphor about the piano and Beethoven drew admiration from the entire audience, eliciting continuous and enthusiastic applause.

The girl who asked the question nodded excitedly.

"That's a very good question, and it's worth discussing."

Jiang Qing smiled and affirmed the questioner's thinking. Then, his gaze seemingly unintentionally swept over the blue baseball cap next to the girl again, his tone carrying a deeper meaning that only certain listeners could perceive.

"I noticed a few students in the audience who were particularly quiet and listening very attentively. I hope my answer didn't seem too profound or... too boring to you?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "exceptionally quiet" and "listening very attentively".

The lecture hall had several hundred people, most of whom were engrossed in Jiang Qing's brilliant answer and thought his last sentence was just a humorous and polite remark, a good-natured teasing of the students who were listening attentively.

Only the figure whose face was mostly covered by the brim of a hat suddenly opened his eyes wide behind thick glasses, then squinted in annoyance, and habitually wrinkled his nose.

I was discovered!

He definitely did it on purpose!
At 3:50, Jiang Qing announced the end of get out of class amidst another round of enthusiastic applause.

He had just finished packing up his tablet and thermos when the area in front of the podium was instantly surrounded by enthusiastic students.

Some asked technical questions, some wanted autographs, and many more were excited to take photos with him, including many vibrant young women.

The meaning of the name "Jiang Qing" at the University of Science and Technology of China has long surpassed that of the name itself.

Chen Duling stood far away on the periphery of the crowd, watching Jiang Qing surrounded by beautiful women.

He maintained a gentle and patient smile, responding to everyone, signing autographs, answering questions, and posing for photos with impeccable manners and without any airs.

But Chen Duling couldn't help but purse her lips, her delicate chin slightly raised, and her lips under the mask moved silently as she mumbled something in a breathy voice that only she could hear.

"Hmph, why smile so beautifully...it attracts attention..."

She adjusted her baseball cap, pulling the brim down even lower, and quietly thanked the girls around her who had helped cover for her.

"Thank you for covering for me!"

Her voice was gentle, with a genuine smile.

"You're welcome! Dudu, you're so beautiful! Your skin looks amazing up close!"

"Dudu, are you trying to surprise Dr. Jiang? I've always been a fan of your pairing! Could you sign an autograph for me?"

"Dudu, I want an autograph too! And you and Dr. Jiang... well, you know what I mean! Was it what I suspected? Right!?"

Several girls responded excitedly and quietly, each taking out their prepared notebooks or phone cases.

Chen Duling smiled and took the pen, deftly signing her name on the items they handed her, her handwriting neat and lively.

"Thank you for your likes."

"We're just friends!"

"Huh? I don't quite understand?"

She signed her name while responding in a low voice, appearing utterly innocent.

After signing her name, she said goodbye to the girls and, like a slippery little fish, quietly blended into the flow of people leaving get out of class.

She deliberately lagged behind, hanging far behind Jiang Qing and his large group.

Her refreshing college student attire blended seamlessly into the group of actual students, and her deliberate attempt to keep a low profile meant that no one noticed the actress was right next to her.

Jiang Qing was surrounded by people as she walked from the teaching building to the parking lot.

He answered questions from the students around him as he walked.

Chen Duling followed at a leisurely pace, keeping a distance of about ten meters. She watched the young girls chattering around him, and his tall figure looked particularly...an eyesore in the autumn sunlight!
She pouted again, a little bit of jealousy rising in her heart like bubbles.

We finally arrived at the parking lot.

The crowd surrounding him gradually dispersed, and a few particularly persistent students got his autograph or a photo and left satisfied.

Jiang Qing walked to his black SUV but did not get in immediately.

He casually glanced around the parking lot, his gaze precisely landing on a blue baseball cap peeking out from behind a pillar not far away.

A knowing smile curved his lips, but it vanished in an instant.

He opened the car door, got into the driver's seat, but deliberately left the passenger door ajar, not closing it completely. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the "rabbit" to run into the trap.

Inside the car, Jiang Qing calmly adjusted the rearview mirror, his fingers resting on the steering wheel, his posture relaxed, as if he were quietly waiting for something.

Sure enough, less than a minute later, a slender and agile figure quickly darted out from behind the pillar.

She glanced around warily to make sure no one was watching, then jogged to the car, opened the slightly ajar passenger door, and slipped inside with lightning speed.

Immediately afterwards, with a soft "bang," the car door was quickly slammed shut, shutting out the outside world.

The car's interior was instantly filled with a faint floral and fruity fragrance.

Chen Duling ripped off her mask, then reached out and removed the cumbersome baseball cap and old-fashioned glasses, tossing them casually onto the back seat.

Her thick, jet-black hair cascaded down in an instant, with a few playful strands clinging to her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from jogging.

She turned her head, a slightly smug smile spreading across her face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Jiang Qing.

"Dr. Jiang! Surprised? Unexpected? How was my incognito visit? Did you not notice anything?"

She tried to open her eyes wide, making herself look like an innocent little white rabbit, as if she wasn't the one who had just instructed others to ask questions in class.

Jiang Qing didn't speak, but simply turned to the side, his gaze quietly falling on her face.

From her smooth forehead to her pert nose, then to her lips, which were flushed with excitement, the gaze finally settled on her eyes, which were trying to appear innocent but couldn't hide their lively and cunning nature.

The girl's demeanor at this moment was quite different from her usual aloof and distant self.

Chen Duling felt a little guilty under his gaze. Her long eyelashes fluttered twice. Just as she was about to continue making excuses, she saw Jiang Qing suddenly raise his hand.

His movements were slow and casual, with a touch of intimacy. He slightly bent his index finger and gently flicked her smooth, full forehead.

"Ouch!"

Chen Duling immediately covered her forehead, exaggeratedly wrinkled her face, gasped, and preemptively accused him.

"Ouch! Jiang Qing! Why are you bullying me! You attacked me the moment we met!"

She puffed out her cheeks, stared at him with her big, watery eyes, and perfectly embodied the "victim accusing first" trope.

"I really..."

Jiang Qing was amused by her flippant attitude and burst out laughing.

He withdrew his hand, gripped the steering wheel again, looked ahead, and spoke in a mocking tone.

“I’m bullying people? Teacher Chen, disrupting class order and instructing classmates to ask… well, questions with ulterior motives, I haven’t settled that score with you yet.”

"What do you mean by disturbing public order!"

Chen Duling immediately retorted, her voice full of righteous indignation.

"I remained completely silent! I didn't say a word! I didn't even ask the question! I just felt that the question was very insightful and worth exploring in depth by Dr. Jiang!"

She tilted her head, her face bearing an innocent expression that said, "I'm doing this entirely for the sake of your class's quality."

Seeing her lively and witty way of arguing, Jiang Qing could no longer hide the smile in her eyes.

He couldn't help but reach out again, this time not to flick her nose, but with affection, gently pinching the tip of her small, pert nose with his fingertips.

"Strong words."

His voice carried a hint of indulgent laughter.

"Speak up, you sneaked in without saying a word and disrupted my class, what do you want?"

A glint of triumph flashed in Chen Duling's eyes. Her feigned grievances and accusations vanished, replaced by a charmingly naive smile tinged with a hint of cunning.

She leaned forward slightly, counting the dishes on her slender, white fingers as if reciting a familiar list.

"Hmm...I want sweet and sour pork ribs! I want yours, the kind with the perfect sweet and sour sauce!"

"And stir-fried seasonal vegetables, they need to be crisp and vibrant green!"

"That tomato fish fillet soup from last time! The fish fillets need to be tender, and the soup needs to be rich!"

"Oh right, and one more thing... um, braised pork belly! The kind that's fatty but not greasy, and melts in your mouth!"

As she spoke, she stared expectantly at Jiang Qing with her bright, sparkling eyes.

As Jiang listened to her rattle off a list of common dishes, and seeing the undisguised craving on her face, his heart softened.

His smile deepened, filled with boundless indulgence, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Mmm, sweet and sour pork ribs."

"Okay, stir-fry the seasonal vegetables."

"Tomato fish fillet soup is also fine."

"Braised pork, no problem."

He agreed to each request, ensuring that her expectations were not disappointed.

Looking at his profile as he intently agreed, and at her reflection in his eyes, all the little jealousy and petty tantrums she had just felt transformed into a sweet sense of contentment.

She stopped speaking, but looked at him with her eyes crinkling, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth were faintly visible.

Jiang Qing also turned his head, and his gaze met her clear eyes in the air.

All words seemed superfluous at this moment; a silent understanding flowed between them.

Jiang Qing smiled and looked away.

"Fasten your seatbelts, let's head out. We still need to go to the supermarket to buy some more groceries; we don't have enough at home."

He skillfully started the vehicle, and the engine emitted a low, steady hum.

"Okay, let's go."

Chen Duling pulled on her seatbelt and fastened it, then raised her hand forward like a commander to signal.

In front of Jiang Qing, she could shed all pretenses and be herself with ease.

Jiang Qing smiled, holding the steering wheel with one hand and cupping her soft little hand with the other, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The black SUV slowly drove out of the parking space, smoothly merged into the campus road, and headed towards Binhu Shuangxi.

Chen Duling looked at their clasped hands and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

That's great.

(End of this chapter)