Chapter 50: Ahead of the Times

Let artificial intelligence prove it is artificial intelligence?
That’s simply absurd.
It’s a bit like trying to prove you are yourself.
Besides, artificial intelligence, stripped down, is just code that can calculate on its own—nothing more than a mind that thinks like a human brain.
“I haven’t thought about that question yet,”
Liuyue looked at Liuyiran, her large eyes filled with confusion.
“See? It’s just a smart program,”
Liuyue’s answer made Chu Shu almost ecstatic, and she launched her attack in full force.
“Liuyiran claims to have created this so-called artificial intelligence, and who knows how many people bought stock in the group because of it? She’s fleecing people’s hard-earned money hand in hand with foreign investors.”
With a single sentence, Chu Shu aimed her criticism directly at Mary.
Domestic sentiment soared; anything involving foreign capital was easily branded as a betrayal of national interests.
Chu Shu was clearly exploiting this to attack Yeliu Group.
All the cameras and microphones now targeted Mary.
“Ms. Mary, what’s your view on Ms. Chu’s doubts?”
“Ms. Liu, it’s said your artificial intelligence project was independently developed by your group. Why didn’t you choose to collaborate with domestic enterprises, but rather went with foreign capital?”
“Hello, Ms. Mary. Deep Sea Laboratory conducts various biological studies—do you guarantee their safety? Why is your country so enthusiastic about such research?”
Tong Tiexing had learned from his last experience and now turned the focus squarely on Liuyiran and Mary’s partnership. The reporters asking these questions had been planted in advance, all to muddy the waters and sow doubt about Liuyiran’s cooperation with Deep Sea Company.
“That’s company confidential and not convenient to disclose for now,” Mary replied calmly. “As for our partnership, it was officially reported and approved. If you have doubts, you may direct them to your own authorities.”
The reporters exchanged glances.
Mary was evidently well versed in their culture.
“And besides, everyone’s focus seems odd. Isn’t today’s main topic supposed to be artificial intelligence?”
With just a light remark, Mary diffused the reporters’ offensive.
“Then, Ms. Mary, how is Liuyue different from other artificial intelligence projects currently being developed?”
“Of course it’s different,”
Mary looked as if the question were foolish—if it were just another smart program, why would she invest?
“Could you tell us what the differences are?”
The reporter was clearly unwilling to let go of this topic.
“My friend, I believe everyone—including Chairman Tong—now wants to know whether this is truly artificial intelligence. If that can be proven, I trust everyone can judge for themselves.”
Liuyiran stepped forward, swept a glance over the crowd, then turned to Liuyue: “Liuyue, since everyone doubts you, prove yourself.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Ding.”
As soon as Liuyue finished speaking, everyone’s phones nearby rang out.
“Yeliu Group’s stock will begin a sharp climb in three minutes and hit the upper limit in five.”

“A reporter surnamed Wu present should leave quickly; in five minutes an assassin will appear. Also, the two and a half million yuan you extorted has been frozen.”
“In ten minutes, Tong Tiexing will receive a call from the bank.”
Stock rising?
A reporter named Wu?
Tong Tiexing getting a bank call?
“Look, someone’s making bulk purchases of Yeliu Group stock!”
“For real—no matter how much is sold, it’s being bought, and the funds keep flowing in.”
“It’s rising, rising!”
For a moment, everyone—whether journalists at the scene, viewers at the press conference, even the stock market itself—was stunned.
“It’s hit the limit!”
Someone shouted, and people realized Yeliu Group’s stock had indeed reached the upper threshold.
...
“Xiang Dong, did you sell your shares?”
Young Master Liu looked eagerly at his lackey.
“I think... I didn’t...”
Xiang Dong jumped up in excitement.
He’d struck it rich.
This single surge had earned him several million.
“Damn!”
Young Master Liu’s temper flared.
He’d sold his own shares too soon.
Those who’d listened to him and sold Yeliu Group stock early now glanced at him with resentment and anger.
Meanwhile, in the live broadcast on the screen, Liuyue delivered another blow that nearly drove Young Master Liu mad:
“This time, Yeliu Group will become the stock with the most consecutive limit-ups since opening.”
What did that mean? At least ten consecutive surges.
Yeliu Group would become the biggest breakout stock of the year.
Those who sold at the start now bitterly regretted it.
Young Master Liu’s heart was bleeding.
With a careless twitch of his hand, he’d lost billions.
“Um...”
Xiang Dong didn’t dare speak loudly, but he was struggling to contain himself.
Damn, he was about to achieve financial freedom; finally, he wouldn’t have to flatter Liu every day.
As the stock price hit the limit, people began looking around.
“Who’s the reporter named Wu?”

“Wu Yong, is it?”
As someone led the way in looking at Wu Yong, others followed suit.
Sweat began to bead on Wu Yong’s forehead; with so many eyes on him, he had to put up a brave front, insisting he didn’t believe any of this—that it was just a fake AI.
“Everyone, don’t believe it... It’s just a gimmick...”
Suddenly—
A whistle of wind.
A flash of steel.
A head fell.
It rolled across the floor like a ball.
“Ah!”
Those with weaker nerves cried out; fashionable female reporters collapsed in terror.
People scattered in panic, leaving only a forty-year-old man holding a kitchen knife, expression calm, standing where he was.
“Sister Mary, you’d better go inside.”
“Leaf.”
Liuyiran pulled Ye Qiu toward the office lobby, but Mary stopped her: “Listen to Mr. Ye.”
Ye Qiu and the man locked eyes. The man stared at Ye Qiu and said, “You can go. I’m only here for revenge on Wu; I won’t harm the innocent.”
Ye Qiu nodded, but didn’t move.
Seeing Ye Qiu stay put, the man said nothing, simply tossed the kitchen knife onto the floor and dialed the police.
Soon, officers arrived and took him away.
The once bustling press conference was now eerily silent.
Whether it was Tong Tiexing, the reporters, or even Liuyiran herself, all bore traces of lingering shock on their faces.
“If you knew someone was targeting Reporter Wu, why didn’t you alert the police in advance?”
Someone in the crowd suddenly questioned Liuyiran.
The reporters quickly discovered a shared enemy and aimed their attacks at Liuyiran.
“Ms. Liu, since your technology has such capabilities, why didn’t you contact the authorities beforehand?”
“Why should your proof of advanced AI come at the cost of ignoring a bloody life?”
More and more reporters began to press Liuyiran.
“A company that disregards human life like yours doesn’t deserve to be called an enterprise. I spit on you.”
“Liuyiran, I despise you.”