Electronic Nezha

Chapter 50 I Became My Own Bodyguard

Not long after the call, Liu Zhenhua chuckled as he looked at the screen.

"what happened?"

Liu Zhenhua said, "It seems that the guy surnamed Chen has broken the SIM card and canceled the hotel reservation. Hmm, this guy's counter-tracking awareness is indeed a bit stronger than that of ordinary people."

I asked, puzzled, "Why is he acting like a thief when he runs a tech company?"

Liu Zhenhua said, "Perhaps it's because he knows how terrifying technology is that he almost never uses his personal number. It seems he relies on virtual numbers to contact people."

I suddenly thought of a question and asked Liu Zhenhua seriously: "What if this person really has some ability and can make the unmanned mode work, but ends up getting a bad experience from us? Wouldn't that be considered turning back the clock?"

Yuan Yuan said, "Master is overthinking it. If the smooth course of history depends on people like this, then it's better not to move forward."

Liu Zhenhua shrugged, indicating his agreement with Yuanyuan's statement.

Just to be on the safe side, I solemnly said, "You calculate it for me."

“I’ve calculated it,” Liu Zhenhua said. “You could say his data looks very impressive, but data is sometimes just for show. Just like writing an article, piling up a lot of fancy words doesn’t make it a good article. At this stage, teachers won’t give high marks for writing like that.”

"What exactly did you say?"

"He didn't say anything, just like his data."

I fell into deep thought.

Liu Zhenhua said, "Dad, just like you said, what if—I mean, what if—this person can make the unmanned mode work? What are your next steps?"

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before saying, "Then let him go play somewhere else!"

Like I said, you started it first!
Yuan Yuan said, "Now we should talk about the most important thing." She pointed to the screwdriver in my hand and said, "Master can't carry this out every day, can he?"

I said with a troubled expression, "That's true." The situation I'm facing now seems more like a "business war." In movies, business wars involve beautiful women and handsome men engaging in a love-hate relationship with corporate spies, high-level power struggles and weighing of pros and cons, a contest between money and humanity, and a clash between morality and the law. In reality, business wars are nothing more than pouring boiling water on the other company's cash cow, hiring a few burly men to raid the office and steal the company seal. I don't care about Mr. Chen's technological innovations, but what if he spends money to hire a few thugs to beat you up? How would you deal with that?
Liu Zhenhua thought for a moment and said, "Dad, hiring a bodyguard for you now would be too expensive—"

I interrupted him and asked, "How much?"

“It’s not about the money. If we build an AI android bodyguard, it will definitely violate the ‘707’ rule once it’s discovered. That’s the biggest cost. Of course, the economic cost is also very high. That thing is expensive to make. We have to make everything from the skin to the bones ourselves. Moreover, I need to buy the raw materials and synthesize them manually. The time cost is also not low.” Liu Zhenhua said, “It’s not about the money. If we build an AI android bodyguard, it will definitely violate the ‘707’ rule once it’s discovered. That’s the biggest cost.”

I said, "How about making a silicone one?"

“...That thing looks fake at first glance. If you’re willing to have a silicone one following you around every day, then you’ll be breaking the ‘707’ rule.”

How much did you spend on Yuanyuan?

"Not counting the robot vacuum cleaner, it's 107 yuan."

Poor Yuan Yuan, her net worth is almost less than three digits.

Liu Zhenhua said, "If we had a ready-made skin and skeleton to dress Yuan Yuan up, it would be enough to deal with three or five thugs in an emergency, but it wouldn't work for more complicated situations."

"How much would it cost to replace the skin and bones?"

"Isn't it 107 yuan to make a yuan? If you change the yuan to ten thousand, it'll be about right."

I stroked my chin and said, "It's not expensive." In my imagination, products of future technological integration would cost at least tens of millions.

Liu Zhenhua laughed and said, "Dad, are you getting cocky, or do I really not understand our family's financial situation? If we spend 107 million, our family will be starving. Hmm, we'll have to borrow another 10 in debt."

This kid really did know how much savings I had—it's normal for the Liu family to have nearly a million in savings after two generations of frugal business, right? You guys probably know my net worth now, don't you? Shh! Shh—

"Where did we get off topic? Let's get back to the bodyguard thing!" I don't want to go out every day carrying a sharp knife.

Liu Zhenhua said, "The only way to help in this emergency is to strengthen your own abilities."

I laughed heartily, looking up at the sky: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Where?"

"Let's go for a run, you and me." "Never heard of that? Will we make it in time?"

"You still know!"

Yuan Yuan: "Huh—"

She could tell that my son and I had just improvised a comedy routine, and she cheered us on.

Liu Zhenhua said, "Stop joking around, I'll think of something for you."

"Hurry up," I said to Yuanyuan. "Let's go play a game." It's been a while since I logged in, and my hands are itching to play. Liu Zhenhua was gesturing on his computer in his room, while Yuanyuan and I were playing in my room. This time, I played entirely by myself, and she mainly helped me by giving me pointers. That's not really cheating, is it? Even in international competitions, the coach can give instructions from behind.

After the game was over (don't ask who won or lost), Liu Zhenhua called me over from over there.

When I entered Liu Zhenhua's room, he was sitting there quietly. On the table was a chip about the size of a little fingernail, irregularly shaped, which was obviously from the broken cell phone that Yuanyuan had left over from modifying his eyes and ears.

"Is there anything special about this thing?" I asked, reaching for the chip.

"Don't touch it!" Liu Zhenhua hurriedly stopped him.

I was so startled that I pulled my hand back.

Liu Zhenhua picked up a ballpoint pen and fiddled with the chip, saying, "This is enough for you to deal with your current troubles."

What is my current problem?

"Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up?"

"Uh, go on."

Liu Zhenhua said, "Dad, tell me first, regarding martial arts or martial skills, do you believe that 'masters are hidden among the common people' or that 'killing techniques are only found in the military'?"

“Biased! Both are biased!” I said maturely.

"Are you an expert?"

I chuckled and said, "I don't know either."

"Actually, none of them are comprehensive." I was speechless. Isn't that just that they're all "biased"?

Liu Zhenhua said, "When A throws a punch at B, B's response will vary depending on his identity. For example, he may choose to dodge or counterattack according to the rules and habits of various schools and sects, use neutralizing force or brute force, or he may use the grappling techniques commonly used in the military. But in fact, there is only one optimal solution, which is the one provided by the algorithm."

I understand: "You mean to say that AI is the best in the world?"

"No, humans are the best. AI simply selects the best solutions from among them. Humans have limits, but algorithms will keep you within those limits."

"I don't want to hear the theory, just tell me how this thing can help me beat up a few thugs?"

"How strong are these thugs?"

"Your Uncle Wang, the kind whose legs aren't lame."

"It's hard to say. The upper limit depends on your physical strength. Around 20 shouldn't be a problem. If you start running now, you can do 5 more in six months."

"That's enough!" I felt cheerful. In the current situation, I didn't believe anyone would dare to hire 20 thugs to do things at once.

Liu Zhenhua said, "There are two side effects. First, it will stimulate your nerves and trigger your adrenaline, making you sensitive and excited. You need to stay rational. Second, it's best not to let outsiders see you using it, otherwise you won't be able to explain how a fruit vendor can turn into a warrior."

The first point is easy to understand: the poor rely on mutation, the rich rely on technology. I am now mutated by technology, and I can accept some side effects. The second point is more discouraging: if others come knocking on my door, do I have to try to hide it?
Fortunately, the safety issue was resolved, so I asked, "How do I use this?"

"It's very simple, just let it come into contact with your skin, that's why I didn't let you touch it earlier."

"Is there a time limit, or a limit on the number of times?"

Liu Zhenhua laughed and said, "You're my dad, why would I put so many unnecessary restrictions on you? No, there are no restrictions at all."

(End of this chapter)