BXBX NOVEL Chapter 149 - Awakening of Consciousness (6)
Lu Jia’er fixed her gaze on Ian. “If I were really your girlfriend, then how can you explain those pictures? It’s not likely that I could replicate myself and be with two guys at the same time, is it?”
To this, Ian said, “Jia’er, I did not lie to you!”
“You didn’t lie to me?” Lu Jia’er’s eyes were full of suspicion.
“No, I didn’t!” Ian did not dodge her looks but instead looked into her eyes.
Having heard this answer from Ian, Lu Jia’er asked another question, “Fine, say you didn’t lie to me. But can you tell me what on earth is going on here?”
“What did Jin Xiangdong tell you?” Ian wondered.
“He mentioned that you can help me retrieve my lost memory!” Lu Jia’er gave an honest answer.
“Your lost memory?” Ian repeated what Lu Jia’er just said.
“After the car accident, while physically I feel fine, sometimes when I saw Jin Xiangdong, I would have this feeling that I have met him before and a vague sense that I was missing something. Ian, the fact that Jin Xiangdong is so hung-up on me is confusing already. He would not say those things to me for no reason at all. Can you please tell me the truth?” Lu Jia’er analyzed.
The truth! Not everyone could accept the real truth, especially Lu Jia’er.
Jin Xiangdong cherished such dark designs. Hadn’t he considered the consequences?
“Jia’er, you are too naive!” Ian argued.
“Maybe I am. So, what exactly happened?” Lu Jia’er would not let go.
“You were in a car accident!” Ian stuck with this answer.
Ian beating around the bushes irritated Lu Jia’er. “Is the truth really that hard for you to speak out loud?”
Ian looked at her for a few seconds before he said, “Let me think about how to break this to you!”
“Okay. I’ll wait!” Lu Jia’er leaned back on the couch while keeping staring at him.
Faced with Lu Jia’er with this attitude, Ian was yearning for that half a month with her. He was being punished but felt it was worth it. Maybe, after the truth came out today, he would never get a second chance like this.
A long while later, Ian started, “There is something wrong with your memory!”
“Is it because of the car accident?” Lu Jia’er asked.
“No!” Ian denied it.
“Then what it is?” Lu Jia’er questioned closely.
“That is all I can tell you.” Ian claimed.
“What do you mean?” Lu Jia’er found it puzzling.
“You can only rely on yourself to trace back your memory!” Ian explained.
Lu Jia’er started at Ian, bewildered. “Ian, all of a sudden, I find you so distant!”
Ian’s face was clouded. “Jia’er, you have been distant to me for a long time but I have always remembered everything about you!”
“What are you saying?” Lu Jia’er asked after she repeated what he said.
Ian looked at her and could not give other remarks other than, “You have to count on yourself to get your memory back. I am willing to, but powerless to render assistance.”
Lu Jia’er put on a sardonic grin. “Willing to, but powerless to render assistance?”
That was what Jin Xiangdong said and now Ian was saying it too. Had they discussed it beforehand?
“Are you all playing dumb with me?” Lu Jia’er asked.
“No!” Ian felt helpless.
“Fine, if you don’t want to talk, then don’t. But those pictures proved one thing, which is that I am in a real relationship with Jin Xiangdong, not you!” Lu Jia’er proclaimed.
Ian stared at her. “Jia’er!”
“Do you have any other evidence that say otherwise?” Lu Jia’er retorted with a question.
Ian’s look on Lu Jia’er was filled with mixed feelings. “I am not denying it. It’s just, for you, Jin Xiangdong is in your memory temporarily while I am your true love!”
“Do you have any proof?” Lu Jia’er was demanding evidence from Ian.
“If I am not your lover, what am I doing in your memory?” Ian asked.
“Didn’t you say so yourself that there is something wrong with my memory?” Lu Jia’er contended.
“You can think over who is telling the truth, me or Jin Xiangdong!” Ian said.
“You have already lost now that you did not have any proof to present to me!” Lu Jia’er continued. “I do not know how you came into my life but I will be sure to find out the truth!”
With that said, Lu Jia’er picked up her bag and left Ian’s place.
Ian remained seated on the couch. Staring at the closed door at the foyer, bitterness appeared on his face. If he could start again, he would never do something this stupid.
A moment after Lu Jia’er left, Ian picked up his cell phone and called Jin Xiangdong.
Jin Xiangdong recognized Ian’s number. The former paused for a few seconds before picking up, only to hear, “You are so stupid!”
Being scolded by Ian did not make Jin Xiangdong angry. Instead, he admitted in a nonchalant manner. “Perhaps!”
“Perhaps? Such understatement, really? Didn’t you say that you liked Jia’er? This is how you are showing your affection?” Ian was hopping mad.
“Yes, just because I like her, I want her to be back with me!” Jin Xiangdong replied.
“You are such a selfish lunatic!” Ian added.
“I am self-centered!” Jin Xiangdong didn’t bother to deny it.
“Do you know what the consequences will be once Jia’er knows she is an AI?” Ian bellowed.
“You are already pushing things toward that direction when you replaced her memory all of a sudden. Isn’t that right?” Jin Xiangdong retorted.
“Nothing would have happened if you hadn’t presented yourself to Jia’er!” Ian raised his voice.
“That is far from the truth. If you hadn’t altered Jia’er’s memory, everything would have been fine!” Jin Xiangdong returned the scolding.
“You are so naive!” Ian taunted him.
“You called me a lunatic and then naive. Can you just pick one already?” Jin Xiangdong asked.
“How can you still be in the mood to show off your joking talent with me now?” Ian mocked him.
“Whether I am being naive or a lunatic, I did it because I love Lu Jia’er!” Jin Xiangdong replied.
“You love Jia’er!” Ian’s voice increased.
“I do not know how you created Lu Jia’er. However, she met me and became my girlfriend. Then, it is within the scope of my responsibilities to protect her!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.
“How innocent you are! Not only won’t you be able to protect her, you will risk your own life and her life, to make it worse!” Ian asserted.
“What is your agenda with Lu Jia’er?” Jin Xiangdong questioned.
“It is none of your business!” Ian said.
“She is my girlfriend!” Jin Xiangdong reiterated his stance.
On hearing this, Ian regretted the previous mistake. Everything had changed within a few months.
A few seconds later, Ian started talking again. “Do you not mind that she is an AI?”
“Not at all. But, we both work on the development of AI. I do want to seek advice from you since your tech is so advanced!” Jin Xiangdong responded.
“You want to take advantage of Jia’er?” Ian asked.
“I will not take advantage of her. But I do want to know how she was created!” Jin Xiangdong said.
“You’d better not exploit Jia’er in the name of love or you will suffer!” Ian issued a direct threat.
Hearing this, Jin Xiangdong could not help but sneer. “I see that you are faced with a great deal of pressure after your trip to the States!”
“Do not cross the line!” Ian warned him.
“What if I do cross the line? If you want to get back at me, it will be a child’s play for you to hack into our company’s system. I will not be able to fight back!” Jin Xiangdong was not afraid.
“Now that we have made it clear!” Ian said.
“Therefore, I do not have anything I am asking for. All I want to know is what kind of team is behind my girlfriend!” Jin Xiangdong said.
“A team that you are too far behind to catch up with!” Ian stated.
“Indeed, I am too far behind to catch up with!” Jin Xiangdong did not disagree.
“Anyways, consider this a warning. If you dare to hurt Jia’er or take advantage of her, you will find oneself in serious trouble!” Ian threatened him.
The irritable Ian over the phone was so different from the composed Ian at the temple. It was as if Ian was thrown into panic. Jin Xiangdong was not aware what exactly had happened but he could pick some signs. If Jason or other team members took the liberty of altering the AI program, they would be on the receiving end of a stern warning.
The fact that Ian was so violent-tempered must be due to Lu Jia’er. He cared about Lu Jia’er. While Jin Xiangdong was not a fan of other men having such affection toward Lu Jia’er, it was a fact.
Jin Xiangdong was not provoked by Ian’s warning. Rather, he proposed another question. “Have you told her the truth?”
Ian collected himself before he answered, “No!”
“If so, why are you so agitated?” Jin Xiangdong retorted.
“I told her that there is something wrong with her memory, and that she can only rely on herself to recover her memory. There is nothing I can do even though I am willing to!” said Ian.
“By doing so, are you trying to test a higher level of awakening of consciousness?” Jin Xiangdong wondered.
Jin Xiangdong was clever indeed. He snatched at the right answer instantly. On the other hand, Ian was worried. “You work in AI development as well. You should know that Jia’er will be faced with certain consequences whether it is successful or not!”
Jin Xiangdong frowned when hearing this. As a matter of fact, he had been thinking about this these days. Jia’er was a very advanced AI. She had independent consciousness to a certain extent but not complete. If she could break the set threshold and possess independent consciousness exactly like a human being, then it would be both aspiring and frightening.
“This is all because of you!” Jin Xiangdong contended.
“That is because you have no idea what I feel toward Jia’er!” It was evident from Ian’s voice that he was agitated.
“I do not know what kind of relationship you shared with Jia’er but I am the one she likes now. Besides, the fact that you are calling me implies that you have lost her trust. Maybe, she is on her way to me and I probably will have to face the risk of retaliation. That being said, I will not stand down for one bit!” Jin Xiangdong did not back away from his position.