Chapter 92 The Shadow of Restart
After attending that internal seminar, Su Yan's "embedding" in Huo Shen's world seemed to have entered an accelerated period.
He was allowed to review non-core but higher-level industry analysis reports and technical white papers in Huo Shen's study, within Chen Mo's sight. Huo Shen would occasionally engage him in brief discussions about technical difficulties or market trends. Su Yan's answers remained cautious, but his rapid learning ability and occasional flashes of insight clearly satisfied Huo Shen—or, rather, made him feel "useful."
This kind of "usefulness" is like a double-edged sword. It brings some breathing space, but also ties him tighter.
A few days later, one evening, Huo Shen had no social engagements, and the two of them had a quiet meal in the apartment restaurant. After dinner, Huo Shen did not go to the study or living room as usual, but motioned for Su Yan to follow him to the study.
The atmosphere was somewhat unusual.
After entering the study, Huo Shen didn't turn on the main light, but only the retro brass table lamp on the desk. The dim light outlined the general outline of the room, and the shadows were stretched out. He walked to the desk, but did not sit down. Instead, he turned his back to Su Yan and was silent for a moment.
Su Yan stood at the door, feeling a sense of unease.
"Su Yan," Huo Shen finally spoke, his voice sounding particularly low in the silent room, "Have you heard the story of 'Pandora's Box'?"
Su Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she answered cautiously, "Yes, I have. Curiosity drove her to open the magic box, releasing all the disasters in the world, leaving only 'hope' trapped at the bottom of the box."
Huo Shen turned around, and the light from the desk lamp shone from behind him, hiding most of his face in shadow. Only his eyes flashed a deep light in the dimness.
"Sometimes I wonder, does reopening a box that once released a disaster require greater courage or pure stupidity?" His tone was filled with a rare, almost philosophical reflection, but Su Yan could feel the undercurrent beneath the calm.
Su Yan didn't respond, he knew Huo Shen didn't need his answer.
Huo Shen took out a paper-thin transparent tablet device from the desk drawer, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Su Yan.
"Look at this."
Su Yan stepped forward hesitantly. A highly condensed project overview was displayed on the tablet, with the title clearly stating: "Prometheus - Restart Plan (Dawn)."
Su Yan's breathing suddenly stopped. Restart?! Huo Shen wanted to restart "Prometheus"?!
He quickly scanned the overview. The plan eliminated all ethical gray areas and extreme cybernetics from the original project, focusing instead on its core, Xiao's original conception: a deep interactive and decision-making support system based on biosignals and advanced artificial intelligence. The target application areas were strictly limited to positive areas such as medical rehabilitation and high-risk work assistance.
The plan was flawlessly crafted, full of the brilliance of technological idealism, and there was almost no trace of the aggressive and controlling "Prometheus" of Zhou Ming's era.
But Su Yan's heart sank little by little. He remembered the warning in Ah Xiao's recording, the encrypted "initial sequence," and the conversation between the technicians at Huo Shen's company about cleaning up the "Echo" architecture logs.
Have the old disasters really been cleared away, or have they simply been packaged more elegantly?
"What do you think?" Huo Shen's voice pulled him back from his chaotic thoughts. His tone was terrifyingly calm, as if he was discussing something that had nothing to do with him.
Su Yan raised his head, trying to see Huo Shen's expression in the shadows, but failed. He could only see the pair of eyes staring at him in the darkness.
"Technically... it's very bold, and also... idealistic." Su Yan chose his words carefully, feeling his throat dry. "But, Mr. Huo, are you sure... all the hidden dangers have been eliminated? Ah Xiao..."
"A Xiao is dead." Huo Shen interrupted him, his voice cold and without any emotion. "I heard his warning. I won't make his mistake again."
His words were decisive and unquestionable, but Su Yan could hear a hint of something deeper, deliberately suppressed—an almost paranoid urge to prove something to the past.
Huo Shen wants to restart "Prometheus" not only for commercial interests, but also as an explanation for Xiao's death, a correction of his past mistakes, and a dialogue and contest with the dead.
"This project requires someone who is absolutely reliable." Huo Shen took a step forward and walked out of the shadow of the desk lamp. His face was clearly outlined in the dim light, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle. "I need a pair of eyes, a pair that is not tainted by the past, a pair that is calm and intelligent enough."
He stopped in front of Su Yan, so close that Su Yan could feel the slight warmth of his breath.
"Would you like to be these eyes?"
Su Yan's heart suddenly sank. He looked at Huo Shen, the man who had thrust a huge secret and danger into his path. He knew this wasn't just a question; it was an invitation that couldn't be refused, a portal to a deeper vortex.
If he refused, his value to Huo Shen would be greatly reduced, and all the "limited freedom" he had previously gained might disappear in an instant, and he might even be "dealt with" for knowing too much.
If he accepts, he will officially step into the "Prometheus" field full of unknown dangers, be more deeply bound to Huo Shen, and face the mystery left by A Xiao and the threat of Zhou Ming's remaining forces.
This is a decision with no safe options.
Su Yan looked into Huo Shen's bottomless eyes. There was no coercion in them, only waiting, waiting for him to voluntarily walk into this carefully laid trap called "opportunity."
He remembered the line in Ah Xiao's recording: "The real core is hidden in the 'initial sequence'", Huo Shen's obsession with that melody, and his own imprisonment in this gorgeous cage with no way out.
Perhaps, taking the initiative to step into the eye of the storm is the only way to find a way out.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the fear and throbbing in his heart, met Huo Shen's gaze, and spoke in a clear and calm voice:
"I need to know more details before I can judge whether I am qualified."
He didn't say "yes" directly, but his answer was already a tacit acceptance.
The corners of Huo Shen's mouth slowly curled up into a faint, almost satisfied arc. In the dim light, that smile looked mysterious and dangerous.
"Very good." He stretched out his hand, not to shake hands, but to gently pat Su Yan's shoulder, with a heavy force, like a brand.
"Starting tomorrow, you will be exposed to some non-core modules of the Dawn Project. Remember, Su Yan," his voice was low and full of warning, "everything you see and hear now is top secret. You are well aware of the cost of leaking secrets."
Su Yan felt the pressure on his shoulders and nodded.
He knew that from this moment on, he was no longer a marginalized spectator or a forced accomplice.
He became part of the "Prometheus" reboot plan.
He took the initiative to choose to step into this unknown and shadowy land where "hope" and "disaster" coexist.
In the darkness ahead, the "initial sequence" left by Xiao is like a silent ghost, waiting to be awakened.
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