After listening to Chen Qinglin's concept of the AI, Xu Zifan learned that it was roughly like the AI in movies, using a watch as a carrier, capable of making phone calls, projecting virtual screens, being controlled like a computer, and possessing a certain degree of human-like intelligence, etc. He tentatively described the system's features.
"Dr. Chen, is it possible that an AI is a kind of spiritual entity, bound to a person's soul, or spiritual energy? It has no physical form, and no one except the bound person can sense it. Even if the bound person dies, this spiritual AI can detach and bind to another person. Then, this AI can influence others through mental fluctuations, such as through psychological suggestion, mental confusion, or accelerated heartbeat, creating certain illusions in the affected person from both physiological and psychological perspectives. Do you think this is possible?"
This was the first time Chen Qinglin had heard of such a concept. It sounded like something sinister, and why would it bother others? She pushed up her glasses, her face wary. "Even if it could be realized, what would be the point of researching something like that?"
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "It can be used on the battlefield as a national weapon. Of course, if it is researched by someone with malicious intent, it could very well be used to harm people and gain profit. In short, I am very interested in this research. Although it is more mental, it overlaps significantly with your theory of intelligent brains. You can research this part during my investment period, so that both of us can be satisfied. What do you think, Dr. Chen?"
The AI also needs to be closely connected with the human spirit; in fact, if possible, the AI can even project the human spirit onto the StarNet. Chen Qinglin did need to study this part of the content. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I will register this project with the relevant national departments, which means that the content researched in my lab cannot be used illegally."
"Of course, I'm a law-abiding citizen, I'm just interested in this. Well then, I wish us a pleasant cooperation?" Xu Zifan raised his glass.
Chen Qinglin lightly touched him and said, "It's a pleasure working with you."
Xu Zifan then introduced Ji Yawen to her again, "Dr. Chen, although Assistant Ji is young, she is very capable. I will entrust her with the relevant matters of this project. If you have any questions, you can contact Assistant Ji directly."
Ji Yawen raised her glass and said with a smile, "Dr. Chen, we may keep in touch often in the future. Please give me your guidance."
Dr. Chen smiled and said, "I hope to have pleasant communication with Assistant Ji in the future."
They talked for a long time before finalizing the details, including the investment amount, equipment support for the research lab, and hiring other researchers. For as long as they talked inside, Lin Siyan talked with Sister Wang outside. To avoid seeming awkward or contrived, Lin Siyan could only discuss comprehensive development plans with Sister Wang. The more they talked, the more she felt like she was being sold into servitude to Xu's Entertainment—she was expected to do everything: make movies, TV dramas, sing, appear on variety shows, and shoot commercials. Having never been a star before, the thought of it all sounded exhausting, further solidifying her resolve to become the chairman's wife, and to do it as soon as possible.
Finally, Xu Zifan came out of the private room and went to the restroom.
[System: Host! Xu Zifan is out!]
He's finally out! I couldn't wait any longer; I was about to use my "Glance Back and Smile" skill!
Xu Zifan had only walked two meters when he overheard two sentences of conversation. Fortunately, his years of experience kept him calm, and he didn't even glance at her. He could only hear her conversation with the system within a ten-meter radius of the strategist, so it seemed the strategist was right next to him. The "Glance Back and Smile" skill was clearly meant to make him think she was exceptionally beautiful and charming, so he lowered his eyes to the ground, resolutely avoiding looking at any of the other guests around him.
[Damn it! Why isn't he looking this way? System, do you have any skills to make him fall? Or something to cause him to get into trouble so I can help him.]
[System: Host, we have the "Dizziness" skill with 5,000 points and the "Constant Stun" skill with 50,000 points, which meet your requirements.]
[So expensive? 50,000 yuan for just 15 minutes of unconsciousness? That's as expensive as singing and dancing skills!]
[System: Host, this skill is designed to harm other people, so it's more expensive.]
Xu Zifan stopped, raised his hand as if to check his watch, frowned, and quickly returned to the private room as if he had suddenly remembered something urgent.
[…What happened? Why did Xu Zifan suddenly go back?]
[System: Host, would you like to purchase a skill?]
Let's check the situation later.
"Siyan?" Sister Wang noticed that Lin Siyan seemed to be in a daze and asked with concern, "Are you tired? Let me take you home and get some rest."
Lin Siyan returned her a sweet smile, "No, I was just thinking, if my acting isn't good, will those haters criticize me even more? Sister Wang, does every celebrity have haters? Is there any way to reduce the number of haters?"
Upon hearing this, Sister Wang offered her some words of advice. She was still young and could indeed be influenced by those online comments; it was important to guide her.
Lin Siyan breathed a sigh of relief and told the system, "Xu Zifan seemed to be going to the restroom. I'll buy one to make him dizzy and another to make him unconscious. If he comes closer, use 'Dizzy' when he's three meters away. Use 'Constantly Unconscious' when the opportunity arises. I'll need it sooner or later anyway, and I refuse to believe I can't help him!"
Xu Zifan's entry into the private room surprised the two people inside, because he had just left and returned; hadn't he even reached the restroom that quickly? Ji Yawen noticed Xu Zifan's expression; he seemed slightly unhappy. Could it be...?
The restrooms are full? That can't be right. Why is that? The boss rarely shows his emotions, it's unusual.
Xu Zifan nodded politely to Chen Qinglin and said, "I suddenly remembered that I have some things to take care of at the company. How about we continue our discussion another day?"
"Chairman Xu has something to attend to. I will prepare a plan in the next couple of days and give it to Assistant Ji. We can discuss the follow-up issues later." Chen Qinglin stood up, shook hands with him, and said goodbye.
Xu Zifan didn't want Lin Siyan to see Chen Qinglin, so he said, "There are still two dishes I ordered that haven't been served yet. If Dr. Chen doesn't mind, why don't you wait for those two dishes to be served and try them before you leave? I apologize for my rudeness today, Dr. Chen."
It would be a waste not to eat the food we ordered, but it wouldn't be appropriate to return it either. Chen Qinglin nodded upon hearing this, "Then I'll stay a little later. Thank you for your hospitality, Chairman Xu."
"Dr. Chen, you're too kind." Xu Zifan said, then winked at Ji Yawen and led her out of the private room.
As he put on his coat, he looked down and sent a message to Ji Yawen: Stay close to me, never leave my side, and don't let anyone get close to me no matter what happens.
Faced with unknown system skills, the only person he can now fully trust is Assistant Ji.
Ji Yawen tensed up instantly. What was going on? Why did it seem like there was danger? But she was just asking for trouble with bad guys! Did the boss know she had pepper spray and a stun gun in her bag?
Xu Zifan told the waiter to bring two more dishes into the private room. Ji Yawen tidied her hair, then calmly and discreetly took out pepper spray from her bag and held it in her hand. She then switched her handbag and held a small stun gun in her other hand, following Xu Zifan naturally.
Lin Siyan caught a glimpse of Xu Zifan coming out out of the corner of her eye. Just as she was about to feel happy, she noticed his assistant standing beside him with a bag, indicating he was likely leaving. She became anxious and asked, "System, is there a skill that can make the headlight above Xu Zifan's head fall down? Quickly!"
[System: Yes, because it could hurt people, it requires 200,000 points.]
Lin Siyan gritted her teeth and said, "I bought it! I'll use it right away!"
Hearing their conversation, Xu Zifan's expression froze. Hearing the unusual sound above him, he looked up, pulled Ji Yawen into his arms, and rolled away on the spot! Screams immediately erupted in the restaurant as guests stood up to avoid the noise, their faces filled with panic.
The falling headlight didn't hit anyone, but it terrified many people. Xu Zifan looked down at Ji Yawen in his arms. Her face was pale, and her eyes were filled with panic. Xu Zifan stroked her hair and whispered to comfort her, "It's okay, don't be afraid."
He helped her up. Ji Yawen still gripped her self-defense weapon tightly with both hands, desperately trying to calm herself down and hold back her screams. However, her voice still trembled slightly as she asked, "Boss, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"No, let's go."
The staff and Chen Qinglin from the private room gathered around to ask about Xu Zifan's condition. Xu Zifan waved his hand and said, "I'm fine, it was a close call. We'll be going now."
[System: Host, you missed! Hurry up and try again!]
"Mr. Xu!" Lin Siyan exclaimed, rushing over quickly. "Mr. Xu! How are you?"
Use "One Moment of Conviction" now!
Xu Zifan immediately turned and hugged Ji Yawen, then fainted the next second. Ji Yawen, in a panic, clung tightly to Xu Zifan to support him, and shouted to the lobby manager, "Ambulance! Call an ambulance!"
Lin Siyan stepped forward to help Xu Zifan up. "I'll help you. I don't know where Mr. Xu is injured. Please put him on the ground."
Sister Wang also rushed over, shocked, "How could it be the chairman?" She hurriedly called an ambulance and anxiously went forward to help. But Xu Zifan was holding Ji Yawen too tightly, and she couldn't pull him away at all. She didn't dare to use too much force, so she could only move a chair and help Ji Yawen sit down.
Lin Siyan, unwilling to give up, tried to pry Xu Zifan's hand open again, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't budge it. Frustrated, she thought, "System, buy some kind of muscle-relaxing powder skill. Hurry, time's almost up. I want him to see me taking care of him the moment he opens his eyes; that'll be perfect for 'love at first sight.'"
At this moment, Ji Yawen noticed her movement and instantly remembered the message Xu Zifan had sent. She snapped, "Get out of the way!" She felt Xu Zifan seem to have lost all strength and was sliding down, so she quickly grabbed him and moved him aside, staring at the lobby manager, "Don't let anyone touch the chairman before the ambulance arrives. Get them out of here immediately!"
The lobby manager was sweating profusely. Upon hearing this, he quickly ordered more than a dozen waiters to surround Ji Yawen and Xu Zifan from a distance, and pulled Lin Siyan and the others outside. Lin Siyan said anxiously, "Mr. Xu! Mr. Xu, this won't do. Let me go and help!"
Ji Yawen's sharp gaze shot towards her. Crisis, Lin Siyan, AI, mental lapse—a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, but she was too tense to grasp it. No matter what, no one can get close to the boss!