Chapter 388: The Electronic Pet is a Spoiled, Money-Grubbing Little Rascal (17)

Chapter 388: The Electronic Pet is a Spoiled, Money-Grubbing Little Rascal (17)

Ning Tong didn’t speak.

He tried to grasp the meaning behind what he was saying.

He had already stated the premise: “like” refers to a result of human desire, unlike the joy of seeing beautiful things like sunshine or the sea.

It was the kind of like that wanted to fuse the other person into one's very being, tinged with raw desires.

A’Chu was smart enough to get what he meant.

But he still said he liked him.

Did that mean... A’Chu actually liked him?

It was the possessive kind of like humans have for their lovers.

After turning it over in his mind, Ning Tong suddenly laughed.

“That’s wonderful.”

He gently pulled the person into his arms.

“I’m so glad you like me.”

He wouldn’t question or seek confirmation anymore.

A’Chu was the smartest, and if he said it, it must be true.

Ning Tong chuckled softly, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

“So, A’Chu, do you know what comes after liking someone?”

Song Chuyi quietly placed a hand on his waist.

“Haha! Of course, it’s all about eating, drinking, and having fun every day!”

Before Ning Tong could say a word, he grabbed his hand.

“I’m starving, let’s grab some fried chicken!”

If he kept eating, Ning Tong wouldn’t think about devouring him!

He was pretty clever.

Song Chuyi laughed and dragged Ning Tong off to find a fried chicken joint.

Ning Tong gazed at him with a mix of helplessness and adoration.

Oh well, he’d have plenty of time to teach him later.

——

The public eventually found out that Mao had a human body.

But before the public could react, someone noticed Mao's body bore a striking resemblance to Maitreya's.

Someone prayed to him online, and that same day, a crucial exam was aced.

So, word spread like wildfire, and more and more people started worshipping Mao online.

Mao also wholeheartedly helped everyone, like a true savior Buddha.

Though there were still some dissenters, compared to the voices of agreement and neutrality, these opposing voices couldn’t make waves.

When Song Chuyi learned about this, he shot a glance at Ning Tong.

Mao didn’t seem the "Buddha" type; he had a straightforward mindset and only listened to Ning Tong.

He figured Ning Tong had orchestrated this shift in public opinion.

However, he had no evidence, and he didn’t need to dwell on it.

As long as Ning Tong wasn’t planning to destroy the world, he was cool with it.

What also made him happy was that Ning Tong wasn’t after his waist.

With no back pain, he went all in on having fun.

Ning Tong wasn’t busy with work either, so he dragged him out to play every day.

After they’d seen all of Jing City, he took him on a wild desert road trip.

Ning Tong drove, taking him across the barren land.

The hot, dry wind roared past, thick with heat.

Song Chuyi turned to Ning Tong with a smile.

The car had autopilot, so Ning Tong didn’t need to focus intently on driving.

So when Song Chuyi glanced his way, he asked, "What’s up?"

Song Chuyi leaned on the car window with a grin.

"I heard the sand in the desert is very soft."

Ning Tong gave a soft chuckle. "Hard rocks turn to sand—soft, right?"

Song Chuyi's eyes lit up.

"Shall we go down and play?"

Ning Tong stopped the car.

Song Chuyi jumped out and flopped onto the burning sand.

The sun blazed, baking the desert.

Feeling the sand’s warmth, Song Chuyi closed his eyes, content.

Ning Tong sat down beside him.

The heat seeped through his clothes.

The daytime desert wasn’t a comfortable environment for the human body.

But for an artificial body, it was different.

Artificial bodies can adapt to all kinds of environments, even extreme weather conditions.

Mr. Ning’s eyes landed on Song Chuyi, and he suddenly spoke up.

“These days, the public is clamoring for more intelligent robots.”

Once a precedent is set and the public reaps the benefits, they start craving more.

Intelligent robots... a proposal he made years ago that was shot down, is now being openly debated by the public.

People are eagerly discussing, passionately pitching ideas, and collectively dreaming of a brighter future.

But it’s a double-edged sword.

There’s no guarantee that intelligent robots won’t mess up.

Lately, he’s been tagging along with A'Chu on trips and hasn’t been part of the discussions or decisions on this issue.

Even now, he doesn’t plan on getting involved.

He’s just a little curious about what A'Chu thinks.

Just then, Song Chuyi heard this, opened his eyes, and turned to look at him.

"Do most people really want it?"

“Yeah,” Mr. Ning said, reaching for his hand, “What about you, A'Chu?”

Song Chuyi shook his head no.

“All I need is you.”

“Mr. Ning, do you even want intelligent robots?”

Mr. Ning chuckled and shook his head. “Nah.”

“All I need is A'Chu.”

He took his hand and gently kissed his fingertips.

They felt slightly cool, unlike human body warmth.

After all, A'Chu only has the appearance of a human, not the essence.

Mr. Ning’s downcast eyes slowly darkened.

“A'Chu, did you know? Human life is finite.”

Song Chuyi felt a sudden, inexplicable chill.

“What do you mean?”

He asked cautiously.

"All life has its limits."

Mr. Ning let out a soft chuckle. “No, digital life is forever.”

“As long as the universe endures, it will endure too.”

His life is finite; he’ll inevitably die someday.

But A'Chu is different.

Though he has a human body, he’s fundamentally a digital being.

He’ll exist forever, always part of this world.

A look of destruction slowly filled Ning Tong’s eyes.

In the distance, a storm appeared to be brewing.

He chuckled softly, gently taking Song Chuyi’s fingertip into his mouth.

He didn’t dare bite too hard, knowing that beneath the delicate, fair skin were cold mechanical lines.

"Will A'Chu forget me someday?"

Without waiting for Song Chuyi’s reply, he whispered:

"He definitely will."

Eternity is endless, even for a digital being, who needs to clear out junk files regularly.

Maybe in a few hundred years, A'Chu’s memories of him would fade into the void, lost with those junk files.

But how could he stand it?

How could he handle the idea of A'Chu forgetting him, or worse, falling for someone else?

The sky darkened suddenly, and a sandstorm swept in, threatening to swallow the earth.

Xiaotong shrieked frantically in Song Chuyi’s head.

"Ahhh! Host!! The villain’s trying to end the world again, ahhh!"

Song Chuyi glanced at the approaching sandstorm, pulled his hand back, and gently cupped Ning Tong’s face.

"Ning Tong, have you ever heard this saying?"

Ning Tong stared at him, his eyes dark and turbulent.

Song Chuyi smiled softly, his voice tender.

"Being loved can make you grow flesh and blood."

With that, he kissed him.