Wooed By My AI Boyfriend

Chapter 1 First Encounter Yan Xu (颜序) updated his personal computer with the latest facial recognition software, dressed himself in fashionable and appropriate attire recommended by social software, checked the weather, and walked out the door heading towards the cafe. Yan Xu, who was not normally given to making a great deal of effort with his appearance, was preparing for a blind date. Yes, he was going on a blind date. Despite the prevalence of matchmaking apps and a high divorce rate, even with some people wanting to marry biorobots, the ancient ritual of blind dates is still popular among AI research circles. Because they are engaged in cutting-edge work, they adhere to ancient life rituals. Influenced by science fiction, the public always worries that the scientists who hold mankind's fate would betray humanity, suddenly cry out "I'm not human anymore," and become an immortal robot. In this era where amicability and credit score are equally important, public perception decides whether agency-funded scientists can get sufficient funding for their research. Only by carefully upholding a conservative image can they reassure those who call themselves "ethics guardians." Yan Xu believes the public's perception is wrong. Those who deliberately act friendly are simply looking to profit from the public. Those truly concerned about technological progress and human civilization are often seen as eccentrics. He has no intention of marrying. But his Director, lab leader, and various elders believe that an associate professor with such excellent conditions for marriage in terms of economy and family like him who has never been in a relationship at the age of 25 is wasting resources. So, they enthusiastically set him up with suitable girls. Yes, girls. Before he could even figure out his own sexual orientation, the matchmakers had already pointed him towards the path of tradition. After all, the more traditional choice is more acceptable to the public, and acceptance helps him to carry out research without worries. “Perhaps there is a girl who appreciates your talents and honors, and is not just after your high salary. Seize this opportunity.” For someone like him, who is not good at socializing and cannot read the room, he should consider himself lucky if a good-conditions girl wants him. This is a directive from his leader, a task that Yan Xu must accomplish. He sat opposite the coffee table, pretending to listen to the beautiful young girl's flattering words, while his mind was filled with how to transmit the richest information with the fewest electronic neurons. The "youthful and beautiful" tag is given by the intelligent social software. If Yan Xu were to evaluate, he would say she has no obvious defects in her facial features, her skin is smooth and white due to little exposure to intense ultraviolet rays, and she has plenty of hair that is naturally glossy. An X-shaped figure, her chest size is about 90CM, D cup, waist about 64CM, hip size about 90CM... Conclusion: Well-developed. If the beauty opposite him were to understand Yan Xu's thoughts, she would probably return a perfunctory smile due to good manners, then find an excuse to leave. But she doesn't have a mind-reading device. Like Yan Xu, she has a personal computer, can receive simple brainwave commands, and can use her brain to control the keyboard to issue commands to the computer. She excitedly invited Yan Xu, "The movie 'The Tragedy of Pygmalion,' scripted by my favorite author, Tao, is about to be released soon. Would you like to watch it together?" Meanwhile, she took a retinal image of the handsome Yan Xu and sent it to her best friend via social media. Her best friend commented, "He's a rare natural-born handsome, rich and tall guy! Go for it." "Alright," Yan Xu replied with a mechanical smile. He always preferred not to think about uninteresting things, and simply responded according to the prompts from the social media software. "I've heard that the second and third installments will be released soon. I wonder if I could reserve some of your future time?" "I don't have much interest in the future until you make a plan." The facial recognition software told Yan Xu that his blind date was a little shy. Twisting the corner of her clothes, she laughed and said, "Is it... not good to watch a tragedy on our first date?" The social media software suggested that Yan Xu respond, "A profound tragedy can often reveal the beauty of life better than a comedy. I am fortunate to meet someone who can discuss the essence of life's beauty with me." The reply from the social media software slightly irritated Yan Xu. He frowned and said, "Indeed, it's not good. I don't like tragedies." The blind date didn't expect Yan Xu to refuse. She was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I also like happy endings. It's just that this film is quite profound and explores super artificial intelligence, so I thought I'd invite you to watch it together." The response suggested by the social media software was, "Then I'll just have to challenge my tear ducts." What kind of nonsense reply is that? Yan Xu didn't really like this style. He said, "Comedies can also be profound. Why must we always have a pessimistic attitude towards the development of artificial intelligence? Granted, human civilization has not always advanced in a straight line. Overall, however, it has overcome numerous difficulties and detours and continued to move forward in a roundabout way. If the forward-moving civilization never loses its courage to try or its drive to innovate, if it chooses to stay in its comfort zone instead, then humanity will indulge in pointless hedonism and decline." His environment and interpersonal relationships have long suppressed his own feelings. If he is to fall in love, it is most important to be honest and express his own views. If his romantic partner cannot accept his real thoughts, then why waste time? He does not want to indulge in a pedantic tragedy aesthetic with someone who loves to cry and moan. The blind date didn't expect Yan Xu to make such a straightforward statement. She showed an embarrassed smile, while her friends on the other end of the communication started to comment, "What a weirdo, incompatible worldviews." The blind date politely swallowed her words and flattered him, "Your words are very insightful. It's different when a professor speaks." "I'm only an associate professor, and I don't teach at a university. I'm just a simple researcher who occasionally guides assistants and interns. There's nothing extraordinary or praiseworthy about me." "You're too modest." "I'm just stating the facts." If Yan Xu as a child considered himself a genius who can change the world, then now he is nothing more than a researcher who follows the rules to earn a salary. The wings of his dreams were clipped long ago, turning into the roasted wings on someone else's dinner plate, and he has to work hard to become a flavorful pigeon, only then can he blend in and avoid the fate of being sidelined. Becoming a genius who is worshipped and admired by others was nothing more than a silly dream he had as a child. The blind date partner attentively stopped talking, instead starting to taste the dessert and professionally comment on the flavors of this café's desserts compared to those nearby. After the topic about the movie, Yan Xu followed the suggestions from the social app and responded appropriately. Although they continued to chat amicably, the facial analysis software told Yan Xu that the woman in front of him was no longer as interested in him as before. She was simply appreciating his face to pass the time. He was out of the running. But that didn't matter, as the leaders would properly arrange his rest time. It made no difference whether he was dating multiple women or in a relationship with one. It was still a sacrifice of precious time to act as a parrot for social software. After the blind date, Yan Xu paid the bill and since he didn't drive there, his date politely offered to take him home. However, the social software informed him that she didn't truly want to take him. So, he gently said that he wanted to stay and read a book for a while. After all, in the modern world that emphasizes environmental protection, paper books are a rarity. Yan Xu ordered a cappuccino and casually picked up a copy of "The Investiture of the Gods". After flipping through dozens of pages, he noticed that it was getting dark outside and when he looked out the window, it started to rain. Different colored umbrellas, each with different functions, bloomed on the streets. Yan Xu, trusting the weather forecast, didn't bring an umbrella. He called over a waiter to borrow an umbrella, but the waiter said with difficulty that all of the café's umbrellas had been borrowed and the rental vehicles in the underground garage were all rented out. However, they could offer a rest room if needed. After all, this was an upscale café offering paper books to read, and most customers drove there and parked in the underground garage, so they didn't have many umbrellas. "I'm sorry, the last umbrella was borrowed by me. If you don't mind, may I have the honor of walking with you to the car rental? Professor Yan," said an attractive young man holding a large purple umbrella who had been reading and taking notes in the café. The social software advised Yan Xu to respond with "Sure." Yan Xu was a scientist involved in a top-secret government project. To avoid being infiltrated by spies, he usually kept his social interactions limited. His external environment did not allow him to expand his social circle, but deep down, there was a faint expectation.