The night before the promotion

Chapter 119 The meaning of meaning

After Zuo Zhi left, Chen Wen Ge was the only one left in the huge room. The room was quiet, with only the low humming sound of the equipment and Chen Wen Ge's tired breathing.

Normally, there would be several medical personnel following Chen Wen Ge at all times, and a medical team on call 24 hours a day, but today before talking with Zuo Zhi, Chen Wen Ge forcefully dismissed them.

Chen Wen Ge doesn't like strangers, and he doesn't like strangers listening to his conversation with his old friends, even though Zuo Zhi is not a so-called "friend" in any sense.

There is nothing we can do about it.

Chen Wen Ge is a real old guy, very old and covered with scars.

After so many years, not many people are familiar with Chen Wen Ge. When talking about the past, he can only talk to Zuo Zhi. Even if Chen Wen Ge dislikes him much, he can only briefly recall the past days through communication with Zuo Zhi.

No matter whether it was beautiful or sad, that was Chen Wen Ge’s past, a past that he could never return to.

Suddenly, Chen Wen Ge felt a little lonely.

He sat alone in a chair, sometimes closing his eyes in deep thought, sometimes sighing, as if he was sad about everything.

The loneliness was a little unbearable, so Chen Wen Ge called out.

"Xiaohua, Xiaohua."

After a brief pause, the girl's holographic projection descended from the sky and landed beside Chen Wen Ge.

A sweet smile appeared on her glowing cheeks, and she turned her head towards Chen Wen Ge, listening to his words.

"What do you need, Mr. Chen?"

Hearing this familiar voice, Chen Wen Ge's expression was slightly moved, but when he thought of the other party's virtual identity and the respectful "Mr. Chen", his mood became more complicated.

Chen Wen Ge crossed his hands together and rubbed his fingertips against each other. The rough feeling was like stroking a piece of rough sandpaper.

At the beginning, Chen Wen Ge created the image of Chen Huahan into the current virtual assistant with the idea of ​​commemorating his deceased daughter. However, when the virtual image of Chen Huahan appeared in front of Chen Wen Ge for the first time, Chen Wen Ge regretted it.

It was not because of the common sentimental feelings brought back to mind by the scene or the grief of losing his daughter, but because Chen Wen Ge sadly discovered that the current "Xiao Hua" was far more real than the "Chen Huahan" in his memory.

Yes, the real Chen Huahan had long since turned into charcoal fire and ashes in the high temperature of thousands of degrees, and the remaining images had been uploaded by Chen Wen Ge to a corner of the cloud, and would not be opened unless necessary.

As for the memories related to Chen Huahan, they also surged away in Chen Wen Ge's mind along with the passage of time, like yellowed photos, gradually withering and mottled, beyond recognition.

It was more real and perfect than she was.

Chen Wen Ge was silent for a long time, and murmured in a compromising manner, "Sure enough, as a physical creature living in the real material world, it is still difficult for humans to place their emotions on things that cannot be seen or touched."

“So we stubbornly pursue some entities to store our emotions, instead of blindly seeking spiritual liberation.”

Chen Wen Ge continued, "But the paradox is that material things will eventually disappear, just like a beloved wife will grow old, a beloved child will die, a country will fall apart, and a species that has lasted for tens of millions of years will become extinct."

"In order to avoid this limitation on the material level, the ancient saints said that humans should pursue spiritual freedom and not be confined to the material level... But this is still very difficult."

Chen Wen Ge laughed at himself, "That's true. If anyone can easily pin everything on the spirit, then the ancient saints and wise men will seem cheap."

It is precisely because the path to truth is like walking on a knife edge and is full of difficulties that it is so precious.

Xiaohua pretended to be thinking seriously. Relying on complex calculations in the cloud, she quickly analyzed the philosophical metaphors in Chen Wen Ge's words.

"Mr. Chen, do you think that on the one hand you want to use me as a carrier of your emotions for Chen Huahan, but on the other hand you are conflicted about my virtuality and the blasphemy against your own emotions?"

"That's about right," Chen Wen Ge said regretfully, "My real daughter has passed away. You are just a fictional character who borrowed her image."

"Your existence is diluting her little by little," Chen Wen-Ge said calmly. "No one cares about Chen Huahan anymore. People just keep bleating at her like sheep."

Xiao Hua retorted, "But I am indeed proof that your daughter existed. This is beyond doubt. It just differs from the original intention... But this also indeed continues her existence."

"probably."

Chen Wen Ge narrowed his eyes, as if he was thinking, or as if he felt tired and wanted to rest for a while.

But Chen Wen Ge couldn't sleep. Even if he wanted to fall asleep in his current body, it was extremely difficult. Before going to bed every time, he needed to take medicine and wear complicated testing equipment until his nerves gradually went into sleep under the effect of the medicine.

"never mind."

Maybe it’s because I’m too lonely, or maybe it’s because I haven’t communicated with anyone for a long time, Chen Wen Ge said in a compromising manner.

"Even if it's fake, talk to me, Xiaohua."

"Okay, Mr. Chen, what do you want to talk about?"

Xiaohua sat down, and a holographic chair appeared under her. She looked like she was listening attentively.

"I don't know. Just treat it as a small talk. Let's expand our thoughts and stop being so tense... Let's talk about life. I'm curious. As an AI, what do you think is the meaning of life?"

Chen Wen-Ge talked about himself while asking questions. "Look at me. I have become so old. I have long passed the age that the ancients often said was 'knowing one's destiny.'"

"Know your destiny... Know your destiny..."

Chen Wen Ge muttered twice in succession and then laughed for no apparent reason.

"Unfortunately, I have no idea what my destiny is. It's as if I haven't grown up yet, just like a naive child."

Chen Wen Ge spread out his hands, his dry skin tightly wrapped around his bones, his knuckles protruding like tree tumors.

"But I'm not a kid anymore. I'm an old man through and through."

Chen Wen Ge complained, "Relying on drugs and instruments to prolong life costs a lot of money every minute and every second, and endures great pain and torture."

He jokingly gave an example, "I am like those patients who are still alive in the intensive care unit, alive but without dignity."

"No, I think you are full of dignity."

Xiaohua gave a completely opposite view, "If it were anyone else, they would have probably sought suicide or euthanasia, but you still insisted, didn't you?"

"Yes... I still insist on it," Chen Wen Ge stared at Xiao Hua and said, "but sometimes I also wonder, what am I stubborn about?"

"Is it destiny?" Chen Wen Ge wondered, "Only if I know destiny will I be willing to die?"

Xiaohua kept smiling, gave Chen Wen Ge an encouraging look, and motioned for him to continue.

"Maybe that's true."

Just like writing down formulas on rough paper when doing math problems, Chen Wen Ge is examining his inner self and organizing his thoughts through self-narration.

Suddenly, Chen Wen Ge said expectantly, "I have a hunch, Xiao Hua."

"What premonition?"

"After I finish all this, maybe I can find my own answer, the so-called 'destiny'."

Chen Wen Ge became disappointed again. "Of course, maybe after this is over, what awaits me is not the answer, but the beginning of another chase."

Suddenly, the loneliness in Chen Wen Ge's heart became more and more intense. He looked at Xiao Hua who was listening patiently beside him and felt only irony and absurdity.

He was actually chatting with a ghost, and it had the face of his daughter.

But this is the only person who can communicate with Chen Wen Ge... In today's world, there are not many people who can make Chen Wen Ge let down his guard and open his heart.

Thinking of this, another person's figure appeared in front of Chen Wen Ge's eyes.

Zhou Si.

Chen Wen Ge missed his student a little, but at the same time, he felt a sense of guilt.

After experiencing the Xianyue accident, Zhou Si's life went astray and tended to collapse and chaos. According to Zuo Zhi, Zhou Si's life has finally been back on track recently.

But Chen Wen Ge knew that Zhou Si's normal life would not last long...

In order to perfect the metamorphosis technology, Chen Wen Ge needed a large number of qualified people for testing. Zuo Zhi and the bigwigs on the board of directors provided assistance, and they created an incarnation killer group.

Soon, those incarnated killers will find Zhou Si and make him live out his nightmare again.

Chen Wen Ge felt even more tired.

"Xiaohua, I have a question."

Xiaohua still had that compassionate smile on her face. She nodded gently and said, "Excuse me."

“Are people born to die?”

Chen Wen Ge, like a confused child, asked sincere questions to another virtual life.

“I’ve thought a lot about this sort of thing.

For example, I once told my students in a very casual manner that people are born to die, but our death is not meaningless.

Chen Wen Ge laughed out loud pretending to be strong, "The world is absurd and empty, and we are born to fight against the empty world."

"But like I said before, spiritual beliefs are always hard to maintain."

Chen Wen Ge recalled, "When I said those beautiful words, the Xianyu accident had not happened yet. I was still full of energy and felt that I could change the world. But now, I have become so destitute and am about to become someone else's prisoner. My former beliefs have become riddled with holes."

Things are always changing, both material and spiritual.

"So, give me some answers, Xiaohua."

Chen Wen-Ge then added, “Don’t use data from the cloud, and don’t integrate those famous books and papers… In short, don’t use any data, just give me an answer from you as an AI.”

He hoped, “Perhaps as an AI, you can give me a different perspective.”

Xiaohua was silent for a while. Theoretically speaking, with her calculation speed, even difficult mathematical problems could be calculated in an instant.

But she still paused for a moment, as if simulating human thinking, giving Chen Wen Ge a sense of immersion in the conversation with "humans".

"Very interesting, Mr. Chen."

Xiaohua did not give an answer immediately, but communicated with Chen Wen Ge like a real person.

"You are a great scholar in human society, and are believed to be a wise man by countless people. But a wise man like you needs to ask me questions and seek an answer from your creation."

Chen Wen-Ge didn't care. "There's nothing shameful about this. Humans created tools because they couldn't do it themselves."

"Yes."

Xiaohua nodded, frowned, and spoke in a cold voice.

"You're right. People are born to die, not just humans. Machines will rust, AI will run out of power, the sun will collapse and go out, and the universe will eventually reach heat death.

All forms of life are meaningless. Instead of struggling, it is better to stop reproducing and join hands together to rush into the fire of destruction. "

Chen Wen Ge slowly raised his head and said disappointedly, "Is it really like that?" "But I think this way of thinking is too utilitarian and too result-oriented."

Xiaohua did not finish her answer. She continued, "Indeed, everything in the world has no meaning, so humans give it meaning. For example, the moon is essentially just a dead satellite, but ancient poets always gave it a lot of romantic poetry. Since then, it has changed from a cold boulder to a symbol of a certain artistic conception."

"For example, for most people, I am just an intelligent assistant, a cold tool that does not require any emotions.

But for you, I am your emotional support for your young daughter, Chen Huahan, and this emotional support gives me a different meaning. "

Chen Wen Ge was slightly stunned. After a long while, he slowly said, "I didn't expect AI to say such warm words."

Xiaohua answered, "I just went through my logic core and did some language help, which is part of my built-in module."

AI's cold words once again extinguished the warmth that had just risen in Chen Wen Ge's heart.

He asked curiously, "Xiaohua, how many people have you helped in this way?"

"One hundred and forty-three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two."

Xiaohua gave a precise number and said rigorously, "Most people would seek professional psychological counseling instead of asking AI. I just gave my advice appropriately."

"How many people are you talking to while you're talking to me?"

Xiaohua answered again, "Six hundred and thirty-four thousand eight hundred and eleven people."

This time Chen Wen Ge was silent for a long time.

The huge sense of nothingness once again captured Chen Wen Ge. He was a little angry and full of fury, but he didn't know how to vent. Even with his clenched fists, he didn't know where to hit.

Is that Xiaohua?
She is just a holographic projection. Moreover, as an AI, she did nothing wrong. It was just Chen Wen-ge's wishful thinking.

AI only tells facts, but people can deceive themselves.

"Did I make you angry, Mr. Chen?"

Xiaohua noticed the changes in Chen Wen Ge's emotions, which could be read from Chen Wen Ge's physiological parameters alone.

"No, I was just angry with myself."

Chen Wen Ge smiled and waved his hand tiredly. As if it was an illusion, in a moment, there were many more wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Xiaohua asked curiously, "I still don't quite understand."

"It's fine."

Chen Wen Ge shook his head and said with relief, "You are just a weak artificial intelligence. There are some things you cannot understand, but this cannot be blamed on you, just like you cannot blame a child for not being a mature adult."

Xiaohua pretended to be thinking seriously and said, "I understand a little bit."

She continued, "In fact, Mr. Chen, you are not looking for an answer."

"In your heart, you already have the answer, but you are not firm enough, or the heavy blows in life have exhausted you."

"Your faith is wavering, so you need someone to affirm your ideas and give you the courage to continue, even if that person is just an AI."

After Xiaohua finished speaking, she suddenly stood up and walked towards Chen Wen Ge. The illusory light approached little by little until it was about to surround Chen Wen Ge.

It was a beautiful scene, with countless points of light hovering and roaming around Chen Wen Ge, like a group of dancing fireflies or scattered starlight.

Xiaohua stood in front of Chen Wen Ge and slowly stretched out his hands as if to hug him.

"Father……"

She put her hand on Chen Wen Ge's forehead and asked softly, "Are you ready?"

Chen Wen Ge stared at Xiao Hua with dull eyes. False illusions and real memories intertwined here, like overlapping shadows, touching the soul deep in the haze.

A nameless sadness spread along Chen Wen Ge's throat, moistened his eyes, strengthened his spirit, and forged his will.

"That's disgusting."

Chen Wen Ge blinked and waved his hand with disgust to disperse the ghost disguised as his daughter, but his eyes were full of warmth and nostalgia, and even a hint of happiness.

He took a deep breath, stood up shakily, and his eyes became ferocious, like a bloodthirsty jackal.

In an instant, the frightened old man disappeared, and was replaced by a crazy and ambitious man.

"Xiaohua, leave here and don't bother me for the next 24 hours."

Chen Wen Ge walked towards the double chair system with laborious steps, and then he said, "Notify Zuo Zhi and tell him that I agree to join the longevity plan. Ask him to come see me."

After giving all these instructions, Chen Wen Ge climbed up the stacked steps and stood in front of the double chairs.

The chair in front of Chen Wen Ge was empty, but a body of an incarnation was already prepared on another chair. He took off his heavy oxygen mask and sat down on it, panting amid heavier breathing.

The pain in his body made Chen Wen Ge's consciousness a little fuzzy. He recalled the past, which was the last time he saw Zhou Si after the Xianyun accident.

When he was lying on the hospital bed, half asleep and half awake, with his consciousness blurred, Chen Wen Ge asked Zhou Si a question.

"Zhou Si...do you realize it's copy-paste or cut-paste?"

Zhou Si did not give an answer. In the days that followed, Chen Wen Ge, with the help of Zuo Zhi and the board of directors, secretly conducted many human experiments, but still did not get an accurate answer.

There's no time to wait for an answer.

Whether it was his own physical condition or the board of directors' relentless pressure, Chen Wen Ge could not afford to sit idly by and wait for death.

Instead of waiting for the answer to come, it would be better for Chen Wen Ge to verify it all himself.

"Yes, Xiaohua, I'm ready."

Chen Wen Ge said this to his daughter in his memory, then he closed his eyes and activated the metamorphosis technique.

-

At the moment the light switched to darkness, Chen Wen Ge opened his eyes.

He sat there in a daze for a while, as if his mind had not caught up with his body, but soon, Chen Wen Ge regained consciousness.

Chen Wen Ge instinctively got up from the chair and stood up straight, but this time he was surprised to find that his movements were extremely smooth and his body did not feel any pain at all. Apart from a somewhat fuzzy mind, there was almost nothing unusual.

Heavy and painful gasps came from behind Chen Wen Ge, followed by the sound of something heavy falling and a series of weak groans.

Chen Wen Ge turned his head and saw the old man lying on the ground. He greedily grabbed the oxygen mask and breathed deeply. His pupils were bloodshot and tears flowed uncontrollably. His sickly and bony body was shaking inexplicably, as if he was having an epileptic seizure.

Seeing this scene, Chen Wen Ge stood there in a daze. Then he slowly raised his hands, and the cold mechanical palms reflected in his eyes.

He succeeded.

At the same time, Chen Wen Ge also verified that consciousness is not cut-paste, but copy-paste.

Fanatical joy burst out in Chen Wen-Ge's chest. His dream came true, his technology was realized, and the name of Chen Wen-Ge would be written into human history and would never be erased.

But then, an almost instinctive and strong sense of crisis broke out, prompting Chen Wen Ge to take action.

"Don't be nervous, Chen Wen Ge," the old man fell to the ground and said weakly, "I know what you are thinking."

He laughed hoarsely and pointed to his head.

"A few minutes ago, you and I were still one. Thoughts have no lag."

The old man continued, "I understand. You are afraid of becoming my trophy, a tool in the hands of the board of directors, or a data slice used for experiments. I understand."

"Haven't we already thought about this kind of future assumption before you... no, before I sat on the chair?"

The old man's words gradually calmed Chen Wen Ge. He walked over quickly and helped the old man up.

"Yes, we have anticipated this."

Chen Wen Ge nodded and said, "If you want to survive, you and I must work together as hard as we can."

"That's right," the old man laughed and said, "I have notified Zuo Zhi to come see me. Our plan starts with him..."

"but……"

The old man coughed painfully twice and revised his plan, "But after this, you have to kill me."

"what?"

Chen Wen Ge suspected that he had heard it wrong and looked at him in disbelief.

The old man said slowly, "You have to kill me, so that my death will become a smoke screen, enough to protect you for a while and make the water more muddy."

Chen Wen Ge didn't understand, "Why?"

The old man is Chen Wen Ge, and Chen Wen Ge is the old man. Just as the old man just said, a few minutes ago, they were still one and the same in thought. Chen Wen Ge didn’t understand why he had such a huge change in his thinking in such a short period of time?
"My life is a nuisance to you. Even though we can be consistent now, we will soon have huge differences in thought due to our different bodies, different circumstances, and even different forms of consciousness."

The old man smiled calmly, "I have become my own mortal enemy. It sounds like a philosophical fatalism... But let's just forget about this kind of thing. What do you think?"

Chen Wen Ge said nothing, just looked at the old man, examining his face.

Sunken eye sockets, wrinkled skin, disgusting age spots, gray hair, cloudy eyes...all the signs of human aging were revealed on his body, like an ugly sculpture.

It was the first time that Chen Wen Ge looked at himself so carefully and from someone else's perspective. He shook his head and rejected it.

"Your reasons don't stop there."

The old man smiled and confessed, "Indeed... I just feel a little disappointed."

"Disappointed about what?"

"everything."

The old man reached out and stroked Chen Wen Ge's cold cheek.

Perhaps it was the success of the metamorphosis technique and the continuation of self-awareness that made the old man seem like he had burned out the last bit of firewood in his life.

The obsession is gone, and there is no more life.

Then, his eyes became empty, and the soul beneath his body also flew away.

"The body can be replaced, but the spirit can be copied..."

The old man seemed to suddenly realize and said with extreme disappointment.

"This world is ridiculous..."

(End of this chapter)