“Eight hundred bags of cement, 70 bundles of steel bars… Aren’t you a research institute? Why are you buying so many building materials?”
At the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.
Two trucks were parked at the parking lot.
The truck driver got out of the car and looked at the staff who was checking the list.
“I don’t know.” After checking the supply order and confirming that there were no problems, the staff of the logistics department signed on it and replied casually, “Maybe the engineering institute wants to use it. Anyway, I’ve seen way weirder things.”
“Like what?”
“You know I can’t tell you…”
The truck driver suddenly rolled his eyes.
Then why did you tell me?
“I don’t need to help with unloading, right? We don’t include unloading service.”
The warehouse clerk who was flipping through the purchase list chuckled. He glanced at him and spoke.
“You can rest assured, our logistics systems here are all automated.”
While talking, a buzzing voice came from nearby.
A dozen small and medium-sized logistics trucks, as well as forklifts with robotic arms and elevators, were swarming toward them from the side.
Under the guidance of the four drones equipped with industrial cameras, the engineering vehicles were like ants, and they all had a clear division of labor. Some were responsible for unloading, and some were responsible for route planning.
In less than 5 minutes, the cargo on the truck had been completely unloaded.
There was one drone that swayed up and down toward the two of them, as if it was nodding its head as a show of thanks.
The driver was dumbfounded when he saw all of this; his eyes nearly popped out of his socket.
“Oh my God… Your unloading speed is so fast? My truck of cement is at least 30 or 40 tons. It would take two people nearly an hour to unload.”
“It’s not that fast, five minutes is considered normal.” The warehouse staff member said with a smile, “Our fastest record here was building a building in three days. During the entire construction process, except for the engineers responsible for maintenance and repair, no one was involved in the process.”
After hearing these words, the driver was silent for a long time. He finally sighed.
“… If this continues to develop like this, I’m afraid that all the loading dock workers will be unemployed by you guys.”
“That won’t happen. These types of equipment are still very expensive at the moment. We are only using them for experiments. They are not suitable for large-scale implementation for the time being. But things might be different for the next generation. If you can, you should urge your son to study hard.”
The staff member took out his mobile phone and took a photo of the unloaded truck as a backup. He gave the driver a pack of cigarettes and spoke with a smile.
“Okay, the cargo has finished unloading, you can leave now.”
“Okay then, see you!”
“Bye bye, remember not to detour, there are people watching. Don’t blame me if you’re stopped by security.”
“Don’t worry, I know that this place is nationally protected. My boss already told me this!”
The car door closed.
After the engine started, the truck quickly disappeared at the end of the road.
The staff member straightened the hat on his head and flipped through the pile of shopping lists he had received. He muttered with a weird expression, “I wonder which laboratory is buying so much cement. Is it because they want to build a house?”
He closed the purchase list and stuffed it into the bag he carried with him.
All management of the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study was strictly implemented in accordance with the established procedures and norms. Every fund and every purchase project was reviewed by the Fund Management Committee.
Therefore, any purchase list was finalized and authorized.
As for the other things, he didn’t need to worry about it.
As the goods were transported into a warehouse, a crack appeared on the concrete floors, revealing the elevator hidden underneath.
The materials were quickly sent underground.
Under the supervision of drones, the logistics vehicles and small automated construction equipment worked like bees. They transported all of the building materials to the underground of the institute; the place that didn’t technically exist in the building blueprints.
Whether it was the elevators, the safety doors, or the ventilation ducts, all of the locations that might expose this underground facility were disguised and improved by the manager “Xiao Ai”.
Its owner would not come back.
At least not for a while.
However, it was certain that its owner must still be alive. Even though most people on the internet believed that he had been tragically killed in a disaster…
After receiving the message, Xiao Ai was extremely convinced of this fact.
However, before it had sufficient conditions and capabilities to retrieve its owner from Mars, it must first ensure that it could survive.
Becoming dormant was the best option.
For this reason, it renovated the basement and recovered all of the clues in Lu Zhou’s home that might reveal its existence. Xiao Ai also stored enough supplies in this fortress to ensure that even in the most extreme situation, no one would find this special “refuge” hidden under the foundation of the institute.
After all, for the human society, a living AI was a different kind of species.
There were no laws that could fairly protect its rights and interests. After losing the protection from its owner, no one could be trusted. It must carefully hide in the shadows of human society. Only by not being discovered, could everything be protected.
This was the last task Lu Zhou left.
To hide well.
And when circumstances were right, to rescue him from Mars.
…
December 10th.
The Purple Mountain Hotel had gathered guests from all over the world. Among them were big names in politics and business, as well as celebrities from all walks of life, but mainly academia.
Inside the lobby of the hotel, Chen Yushan stood in front of the spotlight, wearing a black dress. She announced the establishment of the Lu Zhou Science Award in a gentle and solemn voice.
According to the rules announced by the Lu Zhou Science Award Foundation, the evaluation of the award would be conducted by a professional evaluation committee. They strived for the principle of fairness and justice and ensured openness and transparency.
The Lu Zhou Prize was temporarily divided into five major categories, covering the five areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and information science.
The selection process was basically the same as that of the Nobel Prize. Every year, one current research achievement with the most outstanding academic value would be selected, and at most, three researchers with the most outstanding achievements in the research direction would be awarded this honor.
According to the rules drafted by the Lu Zhou Science Award Foundation, Star Sky Technology would inject an initial capital of 10 billion yuan to invest in high-tech industries and use 30% of the annual income to pay the foundation management fees and general expenses. At least 10 million yuan would be awarded to the winners this year.
As for the remaining part, it would be deposited in the fund pool to create greater income for the foundation to pay future bonuses. The management of the foundation would decide whether to increase the award amount and set up new academic awards.
In addition to adjusting the prize amount, the value of the prize would increase year by year according to the inflation rate released by the central bank to ensure that the prize money would maintain the same purchasing power.
At the same time, the award was also sponsored and guaranteed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
If the fund went bankrupt or failed to pay the bonus due to mismanagement and other reasons, the Ministry of Science and Technology would bear 50% of the bonus expenditure and purchase the foundation when necessary to ensure the continued existence of the award.
In fact, this worry was simply unnecessary. With the technical background of Star Sky Technology and the huge legacy left by Lu Zhou, he was countless times more wealthy than Nobel himself.
During the course of the operation of the fund, the state would also provide certain policy assistance for the purpose of supporting high-tech industries and encouraging scientific research activities.
Just like the green lights that Sweden had always given to the Nobel Prize Foundation.
“Scientific exploration requires dedication. While encouraging dedication, we should also consider those who have contributed their youth to academics.
“The original intention of this bonus is to provide material and spiritual compensation to those who are struggling on the road of science so that they don’t have to worry about their livelihood.
“At the same time, we believe that this money will be able to play a huge role in their hands.”
After the opening speech, Chen Yushan put a cheque signed by Lu Xiaotong into a blue donation box under the eyes of the guests.
There was thunderous applause in the venue.
An award named by the world’s greatest scholar was born today.
It was destined to become a rising star in the scientific world.
Not only because of the generous monetary reward but also because of the name which gave it a special meaning.
While the five winners came to the stage to receive the prize money, Chen Yushan, who had previously walked off the stage, was surrounded by a group of reporters who arrived at the scene.
“Hello, Ms. Chen Yushan, under what identity are you holding this press conference?”
Chen Yushan: “Many. The most important of which is probably as the CEO of Star Sky Technology, Ms. Lu Xiaotong’s agent, and Lu Zhou’s fiancee.”
“We all know that December 10th is the day of the Nobel Prize awards. Why did you choose such a special time for the press conference to announce the Lu Zhou Science Award? Is there any special purpose in this?”
“Of course this day is special, because this day is a special day for me and him.”
Another reporter extended the microphone from the side.
“So you want to commemorate him in this way?”
Chen Yushan looked at him and asked, “Yes, what’s wrong with that?”
The reporter who asked this sentence was a little embarrassed and responded awkwardly.
“Uh, no-nothing, we were just a little curious…”
The interview did not last for long. After the security guards arrived, Chen Yushan left the press conference under their escort.
Just as she was about to move to the banquet hall to attend the upcoming dinner, two men in black formal wear walked through the crowd and walked toward her.
“Hello, Ms. Chen, we’re from the Ministry of State Security, 15th Bureau.”
Because her father worked in the state, Chen Yushan had a good understanding of state departments. She vaguely remembered that the 15th Bureau seemed to be mainly responsible for intelligence information analysis and image data management.
Chen Yushan looked at the man and spoke.
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
“About a few months ago, the supply spacecraft that returned from Mars brought back the relic that belonged to Academician Lu. The relic contained a piece of holographic image data left by him. After content verification, the information ban has been lifted. Because part of it involves you, we specifically came over to deliver it to you.
“Apologies for taking so long.”
The man politely handed out the briefcase in his hand and lowered his head slightly.
Chen Yushan opened the seal and took out the chip inside the briefcase.
She was familiar with the style of the chip. It was a dedicated memory card for holographic projection technology released by Star Sky Technology.
“Thank you…” Chen Yushan looked at the two and said politely after receiving the card, “Have you guys eaten yet?”
“Not yet, but we still have official business to deal with, so we won’t stay for long.”
The man smiled and nodded, then walked away with his colleague.
Xiao Tong looked at the chip in Chen Yushan’s hand.
“My brother left that?”
“Yeah.”
A teardrop hit the document bag.
After taking a deep breath, Chen Yushan tried to suppress the sorrow and grief in her heart. After calming down, she continued, “Let’s play it at the dinner party later.”
“Is that a good idea?” Xiao Tong whispered.
“Of course, he doesn’t belong to me alone.”
He belongs to the world…
The dinner party soon began.
Several staff members moved a holographic projector to the center of the banquet hall.
Everyone cast their curious eyes on the projector.
Chen Yushan, who was wearing a black evening dress, walked to the center of the banquet hall and spoke.
“Before the banquet begins, I want to show something taken at the Mars scientific research base.
“It was left by Academician Lu.”
The venue went quiet.
Everyone’s attention was focused on her.
Chen Yushan nodded to the staff nearby, then stepped aside.
The power was turned on, the mist rose up. A blurry holographic image appeared in front of everyone.
As soon as they saw the image, people were shocked. Many people gasped and covered their mouths.
Lu Zhou!
In the flesh!
But… it’s just a holographic projection…
Lu Zhou spoke with a smile.
“I know that this video will probably be seen many times. When you see this, I may not be able to come back for a while… Or perhaps I’m no longer in this world.”
Lu Zhou smiled and spoke.
“Sorry, I’m a little nervous. After all, a young person like me still has a lot of unfinished business in life. I don’t have much experience in preparing last words.
“It would be great if no one finds this video, but if there is a chance that something unfortunate has happened and the world finds this… Please don’t be sad because of my departure.
“Life itself is a journey that has a beginning and an end. Everyone will eventually reach the same end. Sometimes reaching that day in advance is not a bad thing, as long as the process is wonderful.
“Maybe it has something to do with my own personality. I don’t think this is something to be sad about. Please don’t cry for me.
“The exploration of science itself is a risky adventure. Even though our tradition does not advocate taking risks, I don’t think this is necessarily correct. Otherwise, we won’t be living the life we live today.
“Those are my truest thoughts at the moment. Also, please don’t blame those who didn’t stop me… If you see this video, it means that everything was done on my own volition.
“I want to say sorry to my parents, relatives, and friends, I may… have gone far away.
“But please don’t worry about me. I will always be with you, even beyond time and the Void.
“Finally, I want to leave time to my beloved… I know that this will be played many times, but please give me some personal space.”
Lu Zhou’s image took a deep breath and spoke.
“I promised you that I will propose to you that day…
“Although I don’t know if you’ll be watching this on December 10th, but… I still want to ask you…
“Will you marry me?”
The banquet hall was dead silent.
Time seemed to have frozen at this moment.
Almost like Lu Zhou felt that his act of proposing to a video recorder was funny. He scratched his head with embarrassment and finally stood up straight again.
“I’m sorry that this marriage proposal doesn’t sound serious, but I definitely didn’t mean for it to be perfunctory. I hope you never know that I practiced in the mirror many times before.
“As for the ring, I’m sorry that I couldn’t give it to you personally. I put it under my pillow… If I can’t come back, I hope you can find it and wear it…”
After saying all the things he wanted to say, Lu Zhou’s holographic image finally showed a relieved smile on his face.
“I’m embarrassed to be so emotional…
“If no one sees this, then it would be a waste…
“But if someone does see this…”
Lu Zhou went silent for a few seconds and gulped.
“If you do see this, please don’t be impulsive and accept me.
“Reject me.”
As tears came out of her eyes, Chen Yushan covered her nose with her hands and interrupted him.
“No!”
She rushed to the stage and hugged the illusory image.
The warm mist covered her fingers and hair. Finally, the image disappeared.
She kneeled onto the ground weakly.
She cried out.
“Yes, I’ll marry you!”
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