Chapter 383: The Electronic Pet is a Spoiled, Money-Grubbing Little Brat (12)

Chapter 383: The Electronic Pet is a Spoiled, Money-Grubbing Little Brat (12)

In the game, Song Chuyi polished off a roasted chicken.

He plopped down on the ground, his little belly bulging noticeably.

"So full~"

A contented, childlike voice sounded in Ning Tong's ear.

Ning Tong paused while eating the chicken leg, put it down, and daintily wiped his mouth.

"How’s the taste?"

After eating his fill, Song Chuyi's mind went empty. Hearing Ning Tong's question, he automatically replied, "It's not as good as what humans make."

After all, it was something programmed, so naturally, the flavor couldn't compare to the authentic, human-made flavor.

After saying this, he heard no response from beside him, so he gazed vacantly at the sky, letting his mind wander.

Outside the screen, Ning Tong quietly watched the little guy lying on the ground.

The little guy was clearly AI, yet his personality was playful and unpredictable, not at all like a cold, logical digital being.

Although he had never tasted the roast chicken in the game, he knew that the game’s roast chicken data was based on the roasted chicken data from a state banquet.

It could be said that if the roast chicken’s flavor were real, it would undoubtedly be top-tier.

But the little guy said it wasn't as good as what humans make.

For the first time, Ning Tong began to question 'life.'

This roast chicken, which puts a chef’s skills to the test and can easily become unappetizing with the slightest mistake, could it really taste better than the roast chicken made by the game's pre-programmed standard?

In this completely dull world, could there really be something more beautiful than cold logic?

Ning Tong gently lowered his eyes, his fingertips lightly tapping the screen, poking the little guy's cheek.

While Song Chuyi was zoning out, he felt someone poking him and turned to look.

He unexpectedly met Ning Tong's slightly meaningful gaze.

His sharp little mind, dulled by the digital world, suddenly lit up.

Oh right, he still didn't know why the villain wanted to destroy this world!

To get to the heart of the matter, he needed to solve the problem.

So he asked, "Mr. Ning, why do you want to destroy the world?"

Though his mind had lit up, his little brain didn't seem to have fully turned, as he blurted it out so bluntly.

Ning Tong was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly.

"I don't intend to destroy this world."

Song Chuyi blinked his eyes in confusion.

As if sensing the little one's genuine puzzlement, Ning Tong gently poked his cheek again.

"Have you seen those extreme comments online?"

He looked a bit helpless but also seemed to find the whole thing pretty funny.

"Mao is still evolving, and honestly, no one knows what it’ll turn into."

"The core code is programmed to be loyal only to me."

AI can’t go against its core code, and if that code is loyal only to him, not humanity...

Then Mao could really end up betraying humanity.

Song Chuyi’s mind started churning slowly.

Is Ning Tong saying Mao will take over humanity?

If that’s the case, why would Ning Tong want to wipe out the world?

If Mao’s only loyal to Ning Tong, then Ning Tong must’ve ordered it to destroy the world, right?

Ning Tong seemed to pick up on his confusion and added:

"I’m not going to let Mao hurt anyone."

He had a faint smile, but if you looked closer, it was just a mask for the cold indifference underneath.

"I’m just not going to get involved with this world."

Basically, he’s just going to sit back and watch.

He thinks Mao has its own logic, even if humans can’t understand it, it’s still within the bounds of digital logic.

Digital logic isn’t as unpredictable as human logic, so if Mao acts out, it’ll be for a logical reason.

In other words, if Mao turns on humanity, it’s because Mao’s calculations show humans shouldn’t exist.

Or, maybe death and destruction are humanity’s best fate.

This all sounded complicated, and Ning Tong wasn’t about to break it down for the kid.

"Are you worried, A'Chu?"

He gave a light chuckle.

"Whatever happens to this world or Mao, I’ve got your back."

Song Chuyi’s quick mind worked it out: to stop the villain, he’d have to befriend Mao!

So he jumped up.

"I’ve got it!"

He punched his left fist into his open right hand.

"I’m gonna go hang out with Mao."

With that, the kid disappeared in a flash.

Ning Tong: ?

He had been so impressive, why was the kid still looking for Mao?

No matter how powerful Mao is, doesn’t he still have to listen to him?

Does the kid even realize he should stick with him, not Mao?

Ning Tong sighed in frustration, saved his game and logged out.

He had planned to go find the kid, but he received a call from his assistant.

There was a small problem at the company that needed his input.

Ning Tong frowned, "Handle it yourself."

Then he hung up and went to find the kid.

Meanwhile, Song Chuyi had already found Mao.

"Mao, I owe you six hundred bucks. What do you want? I’ll get it for you!"

Mao, with his chubby little body, looked super cute, but his serious face made it even cuter.

"Yi Yi, wanna go out and play?"

"Three hundred for half an hour."

Song Chuyi: What the—?

"Why’s the price going up again?"

Mao tilted his head, very serious.

"Got yelled at by dad, so taking Yi Yi out is riskier now."

Higher risk means higher price—that’s just logic.

Song Chuyi: ...

"I don’t feel like going out now." He leaned in, "Mao, what are you saving up for?"

Mao looked down and mumbled, "A body."

If Song Chuyi hadn’t been close, he might’ve missed it.

"A body? What kind of body?" he asked curiously.

Mao explained, "There’s a realistic humanoid doll on Taobao for 3000—I want to buy it."

Song Chuyi got it. He checked his savings.

"I’ve got 80,000! I can afford it too!"

Mao thought for two seconds, "Taking you out costs a thousand an hour."

Song Chuyi: What the—?

Before Song Chuyi could say anything, Mao vanished.

Soon, Ning Tong pulled the little one out.

Song Chuyi clung to Ning Tong's finger, his face lit up with excitement.

"Mr. Ning, Mr. Ning, they’re selling dolls with realistic human bodies on Baotao, only three thousand yuan, I want to buy one!"

Ning Tong took out his phone and searched, his face slowly darkened.

Dolls with realistic human bodies?

Who’s been teaching the kid this stuff again?