The workday is over.

Xu Ting left her post, her mind unsettled, and followed her muscle memory toward home.

Artificial uterus...

Social foster care...

The words her colleague uttered kept swirling in her mind, constantly stimulating her senses.

Could this really be true?

If it's true, should she give it a try?

One question after another kept surfacing in her mind.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at her own front door.

The camera at the door turned on automatically, and the home smart home system started its recognition process.

After a short wait.

Welcome home.

A familiar yet stiff electronic voice rang in Xu Ting's ears, and the door in front of her opened.

"You're back?" A deep male voice came from inside. "I'm exhausted. I don't know what the Academy of Sciences has been up to lately. They've been sending supplies to geostationary orbit non-stop these past few days."

What was said unintentionally may have been taken to heart by the listener.

Xu Ting was slightly taken aback, and the "rumor" her colleague had mentioned resurfaced in her mind.

"Artificial womb..."

She stood blankly at her doorstep, muttering to herself.

Qi Yang, who had not heard a response from his wife for a long time, frowned and came out of the inner room.

Seeing his wife standing blankly at the door, muttering to herself, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes: "What's wrong with you?"

Hearing her husband's question, Xu Ting suddenly came to her senses.

She looked up at the man standing in front of her, composed herself, and began to recount what she had seen and heard at work that day.

...

More than ten minutes later.

Inside the living room.

Qi Yang sat on the sofa, looking thoughtfully at his wife beside him: "You mean, the Human Alliance is going to release the artificial womb technology?"

"No wonder the transport ships have been delivering resources to the three large space stations in geosynchronous orbit all this time..."

"Judging from this, there will probably be related reports in the next few days."

"Then...should we give it a try?" Xu Ting looked at her husband and said hesitantly, "Given the nature of our work, we should be able to pass the qualification review."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yang also fell into deep thought.

Even though they were both born from Proxima Centauri b, they still found it difficult to make up their minds about such advanced reproductive concepts.

After a long silence, Qi Yang nodded quietly.

"if……"

"Let's give it a try."

...

One month later.

Humanities Academy of Sciences, Sociology Division.

Today marks the first and most important day of the official commencement of the reform of the social welfare system.

Therefore, in addition to Lü Yongchang, Fang Xu and others also came to the Sociology Department.

In order to minimize the turmoil and adverse effects caused during the reform process, the entire reform was divided into several stages, and the reform period was extended to more than a hundred years.

The first step in reforming the social welfare system is naturally to introduce artificial wombs and surrogate care systems.

What impact will this move have?

It's likely that none of those present could give a definitive conclusion.

Therefore, even Lü Yongchang's eyes revealed a hint of unease.

"professor!"

Someone has signed up!

A joyful shout came from the side.

The next second, an extremely detailed registration form appeared in the holographic projection in front of everyone.

"Qi Yang, Xu Ting..."

Lu Yongchang looked at the names of the husband and wife at the top of the registration form and muttered to himself.

His gaze swept quickly downwards, ignoring all the information in between.

At the very bottom of the registration form is a line of fluorescent green text.

[Qualifications have been approved]

This is a comment from zero.

To ensure that there are no oversights in the qualification review process, Zero will mobilize all relevant data to conduct a comprehensive check on the applicant's past experience the moment the application form is uploaded.

Only couples who pass the initial screening will be eligible to use an artificial womb.

Lü Yongchang's gaze fell on the lower right corner of the registration form.

Over there is an option that is highlighted.

Do you need social foster care services?

In a sense, social foster care services represent the Chinese Academy of Sciences' sociology division's true exploration of the social support system.

On this registration form, there is a very obvious checkmark next to the "Yes" option.

A hint of joy appeared in Lü Yongchang's eyes.

Although this is the first and only sample so far, this option still brought some reassurance to everyone.

At least some people have accepted the concept of social foster care.

"A second application!"

"The third one..."

One voice after another came from all around.

On the giant holographic projection in front of them, the number of application forms began to increase rapidly.

...

"Professor, all the spots are gone!"

A researcher in a white lab coat rushed over and said anxiously, "Currently, many citizens have left messages on the official website, hoping that more trial slots can be released."

"All 10,000 spots are gone?"

Before Lü Yongchang could speak, Fang Xu exclaimed in surprise, "How much time has it been?"

"2 hours, 36 minutes, and 43 seconds." A synthesized electronic voice sounded at just the right moment.

Even Lü Yongchang was surprised when he heard the number.

"How much demand is there right now?" Lu Yongchang asked after a moment's thought.

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