Chapter 11: Emotion Algorithm
Chapter 11: Emotion Algorithm
In the dead of night after that day, Yu Qing slept like a log, completely unaware of what had happened afterward.
When he awoke, it was already broad daylight. He found himself wearing a helmet and defensive gear while being carried on Daji's back as she sprinted wildly.
Sweating profusely from the stifling heat, he shouted, "Darling, are you trying to kill me with heat? You've wrapped me up so tightly…"
But then he suddenly saw flames raging ahead—Daji and the others were rushing straight toward the burning chaos.
Terrified, he yelled, "Are you insane? There's fire over there! Are you really trying to burn me alive?"
Daji said: "The fire is spreading that way, so running in that direction is safer. Don't worry, we're still two to three hundred meters away from the burning area!"
Yan'er said: "It's all trouble caused by yesterday's fire. I hope there's water in the area that's already burned. We'll be fine, but I'm worried the baby can't take it."
Furong said: "The baby already can't take it—the ambient temperature is now 63°C."
Upon hearing how high the ambient temperature was, Yu Qing felt even more like he was about to die from the heat.
At that moment, Daji suddenly stopped and comforted him:
"Don't be afraid, dear. The area around us has already burned—no more fire will spread here. Endure it a little longer. As long as you don't take off your helmet, the smoke won't choke you, though the stuffiness and heat are unavoidable."
"Are you all okay?" Yu Qing asked.
"We're fine. We only simulate human breathing—it's not real respiration.
But we're also afraid of fire that's hundreds of degrees hot."
When Yu Qing heard the words "several hundred degrees," he felt his flesh was already charred, experiencing extraordinary discomfort. Weakly, he lifted his finger and pointed at the pocket of his protective suit.
Yan'er asked, "What do you want?"
"Dagger… dig a pit… make it deep…"
Daji said, "Furong, go help him too. He wants to dig an earthen pit to bury himself for cooling!"
Yu Qing gave a miserable laugh, "Take off the protective suit too… naked I came and naked I shall depart, without attachments…"
"We understand. But the soil below won't be much cooler…" Furong said.
Yan'er's large hands worked with remarkable efficiency; in less than half an hour, she had dug a pit over two meters deep.
Daji placed Yu Qing into the pit, and Yan'er began covering him continuously with damp soil.
"Should I… go find water?" Furong wasn't sure what to do.
Daji surveyed their surroundings and said, "Don't bother. There's no water on these mountain slopes."
After saying this, she leaned down and removed his helmet, saying, "The smoke isn't as thick here now—take a breath of fresh air first."
Furong used the hem of her clothes to fan him.
"Am I just a troublemaker? Even starting a fire causes such a huge mess!"
Daji said, "It's more than just a big mess. With so many century-old plants here, this fire could burn for ten days to half a month. We won't be able to go to Urn Mountain for now."
Feeling slightly cooler, Yu Qing joked, "Right now, there's something even more urgent—can any of you spare some urine for me to drink? I'm begging you."
Daji also laughed and replied, "That, we can't provide. But I've thought of a way to get water."
"Really? Hurry… hurry up…"
Daji took out a handkerchief, placed it over the damp soil they had dug up, then leaned down and forcefully sucked the moisture from the earth beneath the cloth.
After collecting a few drops, she immediately fed them to Yu Qing mouth-to-mouth.
Furong and Yan'er followed the same method, digging up fresh damp soil to extract water.
Even more fortunate was when Yan'er unearthed a section of banyan tree roots.
She cut the roots into segments, then squeezed them between her large hands. Thin streams of water filtered through a cloth and collected in Yuqing's helmet, soon filling it halfway.
As Yuqing raised it to drink heartily, Daji stopped him, saying: "You can only drink a little - too much would be dangerous."
Yan'er added: "Drink sparingly. Use the extra water to wet your forehead and cool down."
But this only provided slight relief from the scorching heat, not solving the fundamental problem.
With fires burning all around and their desperate nighttime escape, they'd completely lost their bearings and could only wait passively for the flames to subside before making plans.
At some point, Furong had disappeared.
Yuqing asked: "Where did one of our treasures go?"
Yan'er laughed: "If she hadn't fawned on our master, would we be in this predicament now? Good riddance to her."
Daji said: "She went to find food for her precious. After the wildfire, there might be some charred game to scavenge."
Yan'er continued her "tunnel" project, finally digging a two-to-three-meter deep horizontal cavity along the tree roots, allowing Yuqing to crawl inside and escape the rising sun.
Daji used this interlude to survey the fire's progression from higher ground, scouting a path for everyone.
Nothing is absolutely good or bad - while the wildfire brought them trouble, it also inadvertently cleared an easier path for them.
The road built over a century ago for a scenic viewpoint had long since disappeared like a mystery into the untamed mountain forest. Without their positioning system, they'd lose all sense of direction if they entered.
The wildfire had unwittingly burned open an unobstructed view into the distance for them.
Yu Qing secretly rejoiced at having met Daji and her two human-like companions who were more loyal than humans. Otherwise, he truly didn't know what state he'd be in now.
Yan'er, worried the tunnel wasn't deep enough, was still digging with her bottom sticking out. Yu Qing tugged at her skirt and said, "Sweetheart, this is deep enough. Stop digging."
Yan'er turned her head and replied, "I thought it might be cooler further down."
Seeing her face covered in dirt, arched like a groundhog, Yu Qing couldn't resist pulling her into his arms and kissing her tenderly.
Yan'er looked blissful but misunderstood Yu Qing's intention, hastily beginning to undress herself.
Yu Qing quickly held her hands and said, "No, I just meant to show… affection…"
Little did they know, Daji had just returned and witnessed this scene. Stamping her foot, she cried, "Must you two pick such a place…?"
Yu Qing, afraid Daji would get angry again, hastily sat up and pulled her down too. Without another word, he wrapped her in his arms, gave her a firm kiss, and said, "I truly appreciate every one of you—I have no other intentions."
Daji's anger turned to laughter as she said, "What 'every one of you'? We're not even human!"
Yu Qing replied, "If I say you're human, then you're human!"
Daji lifted her face and said with mock seriousness, "Then will you sign?"
Yu Qing, puzzled, asked, "Sign for this? Or do you just want another kiss?"
Yan'er interjected, "Of course you must sign! Once you sign, you acknowledge our equal status as humans."
"What difference does that make?"
Daji explained, "A huge difference. By granting us human-equivalent status, we gain the same rights as your human wives—including full inheritance of your assets."
Yu Qing burst out laughing, "Damn it, I'm not even dead yet, and you're already eyeing my wealth! But what use is property to you anyway?"
Yan'er said, "It's useful. After handing over 30% to Shengtian Corporation, we can freely manage the remaining 70%."
Yu Qing chuckled, "And then what? Buy electricity?"
Daji said: "Why buy electricity? Electricity on Earth became free since year 2B19.
With money, we could find you a better burial plot, renovate your tombstone…"
"Pah! You're deliberately cursing me! Once I'm really dead, who knows where you'll run off to with the money!"
Yan'er said: "Impossible. After you die, we'll have to keep sitting by your grave without leaving."
"Really have to do that?"
"Really have to do this."
"That damned Shengtian Company is truly bullying you too much."
At this moment, Yu Qing looked up and saw Furong standing outside the tunnel holding something black, so he said: "Darling, you're back, come down."
Actually Furong had returned long ago. Seeing them hugging intimately while chatting and laughing, she felt indescribably despondent, thus she remained standing motionless.
Daji said: "That looks like a charred roe deer!"
Furong whispered: "The outside is burnt, but there are still edible parts inside."
With both hands occupied, Yu Qing could only gesture with his mouth toward his front, saying:
"Come sit by me, let me taste the delicacies my treasure has brought. You've worked hard."
Furong was in front of Yuqing, the four of them squeezed together in a huddle.
Yan'er used a dagger to trim off the charred parts, while the three human-like beauties took turns tearing off pieces of meat to feed Yuqing.
After eating and drinking their fill, Daji asked: "I didn't get to mention earlier, my dear, how should we plan our next steps?
I've roughly determined the direction of the barbican through the shadows. Fortunately, the fire is spreading that way.
We could follow the wildfire at a safe distance, but it's approaching the hottest part of the day now. If we set out immediately, I'm concerned you might not endure it.
If we rest here now and wait until night to travel, the weather will be cooler, but the path will be covered in ashes everywhere. With our limited night vision, we risk stumbling with every step and I fear you might get hurt.
You decide whether we should hole up here for the night and set out at first light tomorrow?"
"It's better to leave at dawn tomorrow. By the way, what did you mean earlier about your limited night vision?"
Yan'er cut in: "We're all basic-model humanoids. If we want enhanced night vision, we'd have to pay Sheng Tian Company for an upgrade."
Daji retorted: "What's the point of talking about this? With no satellite connection, even if we paid, we couldn't get Sheng Tian's upgrade package!"
Yu Qing declared: "From now on, anyone who mentions 'Sheng Tian' again will be punished!"
Furong asked softly: "How would you punish them?"
"For every 'Sheng Tian' said, that person carries my clothes and helmet alone for three days!"
Daji and Yan'er chimed in unison: "You just said it yourself—tomorrow you'll carry your own gear!"
Furong protested: "Darling meant we shouldn't say 'Sheng Tian'…"
Mid-sentence, Furong realized her slip and quickly added: "Fine, I'll carry them, okay?"
Everyone laughed.
After nightfall, they joked around a while longer before Daji took Furong to stand guard at opposite ends of the tunnel, leaving Yan'er alone with Yu Qing inside.
Yu Qing held Yan'er in his arms and continued chatting with her, mainly telling her about some of his experiences in the First Paradise.
From time to time, he gently stroked Yan'er's hair, which she greatly enjoyed. The "emotion" algorithm interpreted this gesture as affection, prompting her to reach out and touch his face in return.
Seeing Yan'er extend her large hands toward him, Yu Qing quickly pressed them down, wishing he could bury them in the ground.
Afraid of upsetting her, he held her tightly and said, "You must be tired today. Get some rest."
Yan'er replied, "Sweetheart, you're confusing things again. We're not like humans—as long as we don't run out of power, we can stay active nonstop for 24 hours."
"I forgot about that."
Although the tunnel was still stuffy, Yan'er's body remained cool, making it comfortable to lean against her.
Humanoid androids also had something similar to blood vessels beneath their skin, but instead of blood, they contained a liquid called R-degenerate entropy.
This so-called R-variant entropy exhibits extreme temperature sensitivity - expanding rapidly when heated and contracting immediately when cooled.
The humanoid Shu has two hearts: the left heart controls the body's constant fluid circulation, while the right heart regulates the expansion/contraction of R-variant entropy.
When body temperature exceeds 38°C, the left heart pumps part of the R-variant entropy into the right heart. When below 38°C, the right heart replenishes it back to the left heart.
There's no need to fully understand this principle - essentially, these mechanisms simulate human thermoregulation.
However, this consumes significant power. The humanoid Shu's hearts can enter dormancy when not in contact with humans.
Yu Qing reflected: these humanoid Shus are already so near perfection, yet they're based on technology from over a century ago.
How much more advanced must they be today, a hundred years later? The humanoid Shus of 2C64 - truly unimaginable.
And in his heart, he realized he'd already come to see them as completely human - just like himself.
Perhaps even more human than Yaya and the others.
But he was somewhat perplexed—this didn't make logical sense. Using A to replicate a B, then saying B=A, wouldn't that also mean A=B?
At this moment, he faintly sensed that Yan'er seemed to be forcibly lowering her own body temperature to alleviate his heat. Though she was merely executing what could be called an "emotional algorithm," he was deeply moved.
He thought humans might very well be defeated by this "emotional algorithm.
He turned Yan'er's head toward him and gave her a heartfelt, tender kiss.
"Sweetheart, don't force yourself to cool down—it wastes too much power. We still have a long way to go, and who knows where the next charging spot will be."
"If I run out of power, will you abandon me in the wilderness?"
Yu Qing was startled—she was engaging in the same kind of thinking as a human. He had to tread carefully in his response.
So, he gave her a human-like answer: "I'd definitely carry you to the next charging station."
Yan'er revealed a blissful smile, just like a human's, tilted her head up, and said, "I want you to feel cooler!"
But Yu Qing secretly sighed in his heart, thinking that if Yan'er really ran out of power halfway, he would most likely abandon her after all.
Humans turned out to be less reliable than machines! Their lies sounded even more convincing than the truth.
Suddenly, Daji spoke up from outside the tunnel: "What if all three of us run out of power? Will you still carry us?"
Yu Qing laughed and said, "I'll carry one on my back, hold one in my left arm, and drag the other with my right. Will that work?"
Furong chimed in, making everyone laugh again:
"I'm plump, so I'd be softer to carry. Yan'er would just be uncomfortable."
(End of Chapter)