Chapter 101 The Timid Him (Thirteen) I'm Proud to Have My Motherland as My Back…

A year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Given Song Ce's current academic level, he already possessed the ability to skip grades and enter university. In the second semester of his junior year of high school, he stood out among the elite physics students in China through a series of selections, successfully entered Tsinghua University's talent cultivation program, and was admitted to Tsinghua University ahead of schedule, gaining the qualification to skip the college entrance examination and pursue an eight-year integrated undergraduate and doctoral program.

Every student who graduated from this talent cultivation program has become a pillar of the nation. When the news spread, the leaders of No. 5 Middle School were ecstatic, especially Song Ce's homeroom teacher, Mao Guanying, who couldn't stop smiling.

As summer vacation approached, Zhao Mingjun solemnly told Song Ce, "Brother Ce, wait for me in Beijing. I will definitely come to find you. Even if I don't get into Tsinghua University, I will do my best to get into Beijing."

Upon hearing this, Song Ce smiled and patted Zhao Mingjun on the shoulder, encouraging him, "Mingjun, be sure to study the notes I left you carefully. I'll be waiting for you in Beijing next year."

Zhao Mingjun's grades are now among the top 50 in his grade. While it may be difficult for him to get into the top universities in China, applying to other well-known prestigious schools shouldn't be a problem.

"Don't worry, Brother Ce! I will definitely work hard!" Zhao Mingjun clenched his fist and said earnestly.

The two-month summer vacation passed quickly, and when the students of Class 2, Grade 12 returned to school, they found that the seat of their class's top student, Song Ce, was already empty.

Chen Yao gazed at the clean desk by the window in the third row, and a sense of melancholy welled up inside her. Back in her second year of high school, when they had to choose between arts and sciences, she disregarded her sister Chen Chen's objections and resolutely chose science, just so she could be closer to that person.

She couldn't describe how she felt. In order to see that person more often, she worked like a wound-up machine every day, burying herself in her studies and making the most of every minute. Finally, her wish came true. In her second year of high school, she was assigned to the same class as that person.

But that person was too outstanding, seemingly radiating dazzling light. After each exam, as she looked at the name at the top of the honor roll, a voice in her heart whispered that perhaps she and he were from different worlds.

She carefully opened her schoolbag, and inside lay a handwritten letter that she had never had a chance to send. This letter, along with her hopeless feelings, might remain sealed away in her sixteenth year.

Meanwhile, Song Ce, studying at Tsinghua University in Beijing, after careful consideration, finally chose Artificial Intelligence Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering as his major. Seeing his almost superhuman academic achievements, Tsinghua University quickly tailored a training program for this exceptional talent, specially hiring senior mentors in the relevant field to provide Song Ce with one-on-one instruction.

Of course, Song Ce did not disappoint Tsinghua University. In his sophomore year, he signed up for the triennial China Youth Electronic Technology Application Scenario Innovation Challenge, and his entry, the electronically driven robot dog "Yi Ying," made its debut in the competition.

At the competition, the host glanced down at the entry card in his hand and announced loudly to the audience: "The next contestant, number 5, is named Song Ce, from Tsinghua University, and is 18 years old! His entry is—the electronically driven robot dog Yi Ying!"

Song Ce's mentor, Tao Mulin, looked at his newly-adult, proud student with excitement, patted Song Ce's shoulder forcefully, and repeatedly instructed him: "Little Ce, demonstrate your Yi Ying well, and make sure to explain each function clearly, understand?"

"Teacher Tao, don't worry, I understand," Song Ce nodded and replied.

"Good! Good! Good!" Tao Mulin exclaimed three times, excitedly urging, "The host has already called your name, Xiao Ce, hurry up and go on stage! Remember, don't be nervous!"

Song Ce hummed in agreement, then steadily walked onto the stage. The host, looking at the handsome young man with a youthful face, couldn't help but feel curious. He couldn't resist asking, "Song Ce, did you complete this entry all by yourself?"

"Yes," Song Ce answered crisply.

"Alright, Song Ce, please demonstrate your entry and give a detailed introduction." The host smiled and stepped back a few paces, leaving the entire competition venue to Song Ce.

In the center of the arena, soft lights focused on Song Ce. He cleared his throat and calmly began to introduce the various parameters and daily uses of "Yi Ying".

"The robot dog I developed is codenamed Yi Ying." As he spoke, Song Ce leaned down slightly and affectionately patted the silver-gray body of Yi Ying.

"Yi Ying is 1.2 meters tall, 80 centimeters tall when standing on all fours, weighs 42 kilograms, and has a load-bearing capacity of 150 kilograms." As soon as Song Ce finished speaking, Yi Ying seemed to receive an instruction and immediately lay down on the ground.

Song Ce smiled slightly and calmly stepped onto it. Immediately afterwards, Yi Ying stood up effortlessly, carrying Song Ce steadily for two laps around the track, demonstrating its powerful load-bearing capacity, which drew gasps of amazement from the audience.

"At the same time, Yi Ying possesses diverse mobility capabilities; she can run and climb, and whether it's steep rock climbing or swimming, Yi Ying handles it all with ease. Tests have shown that Yi Ying can also cope with complex uphill conditions and extreme terrain. Yi Ying, go!"

At Song Ce's command, Yi Ying instantly exerted its strength, nimbly scaling the arena wall. It quickly ran back and forth on the ceiling several times, fully demonstrating its agility. The audience stared wide-eyed, letting out gasps of amazement.

"Not only that, Yi Ying also has built-in drop protection. Tests have shown that it can withstand a drop of up to 56 meters. Yi Ying, jump!"

Upon receiving her master's command, Yi Ying leaped down from the ceiling without hesitation. The audience gasped at the sight. In the blink of an eye, Yi Ying landed steadily, then nimbly walked up the steps and automatically returned to the arena.

Song Ce waved to it, and Yi Ying trotted over to Song Ce's side and stood quietly, waiting for its master's next command.

"In addition, the robot dog is equipped with twenty electronic cameras on its front, back, and sides, which not only provide a 360-degree all-around view, but also RGB and infrared sensors, which can generate 3D images in real time based on the surrounding environment. With Yiying, we don't need to manually set up a map; it can automatically plan the best route. Yiying, show it off."

The robot dog raised its head, its eyes flashed, and it projected the footage it had just captured onto the stadium's large screen. It displayed information including the surrounding road conditions and traffic congestion.

The screen displayed clear images and a comprehensive view. Everyone was amazed by the powerful functions demonstrated by Yi Ying and began to discuss them quietly with those around them.

The host was also stunned by Yi Ying's powerful functions. Looking at the equally amazed audience, he quickly stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Song Ce, could you tell us about the practical applications of Yi Ying in real life?"

Song looked down at Yi Ying at her feet and gave her an innocent and harmless smile.

"We can have Yiying plan our travel routes in advance, so we won't have to worry about traffic jams anymore. Also, we can entrust it with small tasks like moving, picking up packages, and grocery shopping. Even if we get hungry on the way out, Yiying can go home to get food and bring it to us. Most importantly, if we encounter criminals on the road, Yiying can step forward to subdue them and ensure the safety of its owner."

The host was taken aback and quickly asked, "So, how exactly will Yi Ying protect its master's safety?"

Song Ce smiled shyly and asked politely, "Could you please cooperate with me in conducting an experiment?"

The host nodded. "Of course."

After receiving an affirmative reply from the host, Song Ce gave a soft "hmm" and gave instructions to Yi Ying: "Yi Ying, the person in front of me poses a threat to my personal safety. You must intimidate him while ensuring his safety."

As soon as Song Ce finished speaking, Yi Ying rushed in front of him and opened her mouth to the host.

In the blink of an eye, a mechanical arm nearly 1.8 meters long was quickly assembled from Yi Ying's mouth. Two dark gun barrels appeared on the arm, one aimed at the host's heart and the other at the host's forehead.

host:"……?"

"Warning! Warning! Please drop your weapon! Please drop your weapon!" A cold, mechanical warning voice emanated from Yi Ying's body.

"Song... Song Ce?" The host turned pale with fright and quickly retreated to the back of the arena, asking with lingering fear, "What's going on?"

Song Ce smiled amicably and explained to the audience who were once again stunned: "This is Yi Ying's protection mode. If we encounter bad guys on our way home, we can immediately give Yi Ying an order to use force to intimidate them. If the intimidation is ineffective, Yi Ying will automatically switch to elimination mode."

Host: "..." Your elimination mode sounds really bad!

Seeing that the host was no longer pressing the issue, Song Ce raised the corners of his mouth and smiled slightly: "Would you like me to demonstrate the elimination mode?"

The host waved his hands frantically, his voice trembling slightly: "...Um, no need, no need."

"These are the functions that Yi Ying currently possesses. If you like my work, please continue to support it. Thank you all." After saying this, Song Ce bowed deeply to the audience below the stage, and then led Yi Ying off the field.

At this moment, Tao Mulin, who was sitting in the audience, saw Song Ce walk over and his eyes lit up. He excitedly grabbed Song Ce's shoulder and asked repeatedly, "Xiao Ce, when did you add this mechanical arm and that muzzle device to Yi Ying? I didn't see them before!"

Song Ce was a little embarrassed when he heard this. He whispered, "Teacher Tao, it was after I showed you all the functions of Yi Ying that day. On my way back to the dormitory, I happened to see our school's construction bulldozer. I suddenly had an idea and added this protection function to Yi Ying."

Tao Mulin nodded thoughtfully, then quickly took out his phone, hurriedly told Song Ce to wait for him to come back, and then quickly left the venue while dialing a number.

...

"Is what you're saying true?" On the other end of the phone, a middle-aged man with a calm face and wearing a military uniform couldn't help but loosen his tight collar and ask with a frown.

"Absolutely true!" Tao Mulin could hardly contain his excitement as he said in a trembling voice, "My student is absolutely one in a million, a top talent in China! CCTV is currently broadcasting the Youth Electronic Technology Application Scenario Innovation Challenge live! If you don't believe me, just turn on your computer and search for the replay! It's contestant number 5, Song Ce, and his robot dog, Yi Ying!"

The middle-aged man nodded solemnly and hung up the phone decisively. Immediately afterward, he quickly searched for information about the Youth Electronic Technology Application Scenarios Innovation Challenge and clicked on the CCTV live broadcast page.

He stared intently at the computer screen, moving the mouse to the replay of contestant number 5's live stream. Looking at the gentle-looking young man on screen, the middle-aged man frowned and watched...

Twenty minutes later, the middle-aged man abruptly stood up and quickly dialed a number. If... if what was shown in the video was real, then the potential value of this robot dog was immeasurable!

If these robotic dogs were applied to the military, they could easily perform all military tasks such as patrolling, reconnaissance, transporting supplies, surveying dangerous areas, and even conducting covert operations. Imagine how much manpower and resources this could save China in the future!

The thought sent chills down the middle-aged man's spine.

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Author's Note: I've been so busy, it's late today. I'm so sorry, my little angel (crying and kneeling) [bursting into tears]

P.S.: The robot dog's specifications are based on Baidu, which exaggerates them considerably. I really want to own the same little dog (wiping away tears).