Unconventional security

"This AI tax system supports the entire Upper City. If they evade taxes, how much money would they pocket?"

"Did you see the proposal by the four foreign parliamentarians to open 104 districts on that East African bridge?"

"The 103rd district is not even fully developed yet, and they immediately proposed to open the 104th district. How many people are involved and how many secrets are involved is beyond our imagination. It's a huge murky mess."

"But with so much wealth, and such a serious matter as tax evasion, it's all just used as an interview test. Don't you think that's problematic?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhixue realized what was going on.

At first, neither of them felt anything because they had no prior knowledge of the Upper City area.

But I just crammed a lot of information. This AI tax is the most core financial law in Shangcheng District, and it is also the most rigorous.

Logically and emotionally, it's unreasonable to assign someone who has evaded taxes to a job interview as a test for a novice.

"So you mean...?"

Ye Zhixue asked softly, and the latter raised her hand and said, "It's just a formality."

"It's impossible not to test you at all, after all, this is still an interview question, but it's not that difficult."

"If I'm not mistaken, all we need to do is find a few minor weaknesses in the other side, and everything will fall into place."

Chen Bei explained that he felt that even if they couldn't find out how the other party evaded taxes, East Africa Bridge would still be dealt with to some extent.

If they can get an interviewee to do this kind of thing, then the higher-ups must have already gathered all the evidence.

I just felt the risk was still within tolerable limits, so I decided to keep it as an interview question for now.

"Should we go to the East African Bridge first or the research institute?"

This time it was Chen Bei's turn to be puzzled. Why didn't they go to the East Africa Bridge case and instead went to the Chicken Feather Research Institute?

Seeing Chen Bei's bewildered expression, Ye Zhixue explained, "It's a fiber optic chip, didn't you see the trending news that popped up just now?"

"One of the key researchers at the research institute said in the report that their project was able to progress so rapidly because of the strong investment from the representative of East Africa Bridge, and that the research revenue from their fiber wafers was also registered under the name of East Africa Bridge's business."

"I did a quick search and found that the research timeline of fiber wafers matches the timeline of tax evasion in the East African Bridge region perfectly."

"Breakthroughs in fiber wafers have been achieved more than once, but this breakthrough is one of the most significant in history. If the speculation is accurate, East Africa Bridge will likely engage in another tax evasion scheme soon."

"Should we go to the East African Bridge first or the research institute?"

Ye Zhixue asked another question, pulling Chen Bei back from his thoughts.

He glanced at the time, then looked at the Hope Tower piercing the clouds in the distance.

"Research Institute".

Chen Bei put away the holographic tablet and stood up.

"The fiber wafer project is registered under the name of East Africa Bridge Bank. If they want to evade taxes again in the near future, the flow of funds will definitely leave traces in the research institute."

"And—" he paused, "Miao Yun said she was a scientist who retired from the Upper City District. Guess where she used to work?"

Ye Zhixue's eyes lit up: "A research institute?"

"Hmm." Chen Bei stepped forward. "Someone who has access to the production of IRC-I injections and knows so much about the AI ​​android camp can't just be an ordinary scientist."

"The information Cao Chengxiu gave us included her detailed information. The time she left Shangcheng District was right after the fiber chip project was launched."

Ye Zhixue followed him: "You mean, Miao Yun left the research institute not because of retirement, but because—she knew too much?"

"Have you ever seen such a young scientist retire?" Chen Bei joked, glancing back at her. "Or... did she take something with her?"

Chen Bei still remembered what Miao Yun had said during their last meeting—

"Maybe given some time, I can do it too..."

She can also make humans communicate with creatures from forbidden zones. What makes her capable of this? Humanity's most pressing problem right now requires her to not only know something, but also possess the materials necessary to accomplish it...

The two took a taxi to the research institute.

On the way, Chen Bei flipped through the holographic tablet he had just bought again, focusing on reports related to fiber optic chips.

The lead researcher interviewed in the report is named Shen Qianshan.

The man in the photo is in his fifties, with gray hair and wearing old-fashioned gold-rimmed glasses. He is standing in a laboratory with a row of quantum computers running behind him.

The report said he had participated in the research and development of IRC-I and was one of the most senior scientists in the Upper East Side.

Chen Bei stared at the photo for a long time.

Something looks familiar, but I can't quite place it.

At the junction of Area B and Area A, the research institute is a building that is entirely silver-white, with its facade covered in flowing liquid metal, resembling an inverted water droplet.

Two android security guards stood at the entrance, their eyes glowing with a faint red light.

As Chen Beigang reached the door, one of the security guards stopped him.

"Authentication".

Chen Bei took out his secret card.

The security guard took it and placed it on the sensor area on his chest.

[Those who have awakened three genetic locks, their temporary license is valid for seven days.]

After the security guard finished looking at it, he returned the secret card to him.

"Temporary visitors are not allowed to enter the core area of ​​the research institute. The area for visits is limited to the first-floor lobby, and the stay time shall not exceed thirty minutes."

Chen Bei nodded and stepped inside. Ye Zhixue, having also verified his identity, followed behind him.

The lobby on the first floor was more spacious than I had imagined.

Several holographic booths stood alone, showcasing the development history and latest achievements of fiber wafers.

There was a coffee bar in the corner, and behind the bar stood an android waiter, carefully wiping the cups.

Contrary to Chen Bei's expectations, the entire first-floor lobby, which was open to the public, was surprisingly empty with hardly anyone in sight.

Indeed, you rarely see people from the Upper City on the streets, let alone in places like this for sightseeing.

Those who come to visit are probably all from the downtown area.

In the entire hall, only one old man stood out.

He was dressed as a researcher.

He had gray hair and wore gold-rimmed glasses. He was standing in front of a booth, staring intently at the holographic projection on it.

The old man seemed to sense someone approaching and turned his head to look over.

Eyes facing each other.

Shen Qianshan.

Just like the photos in the news.

Chen Bei's mind went blank for a moment, and those familiar white dots of light reappeared before his eyes.

But this time, they didn't rush towards Shen Qianshan, but instead rushed towards the exhibition stand behind him.

On the display stand, there was a semi-transparent chip model. Points of light gathered on the model and began to stack up to form an image—the back of a woman.

Short hair.

White coat.

Standing in the laboratory, holding a fiber optic wafer in his hand.

She turned around—

Miao Yun.