Chapter 143 Interview
It seemed like just a blink of an eye, and those software and applications equipped with my core AI NPC plug-in, after careful polishing and promotion by major partner companies, began to be officially launched one after another.
Almost overnight, the amount of discussion about this topic on the Internet exploded.
Reviews, jokes, and user experience sharing about them can be found everywhere on social media.
Tags such as #cyberlover#, #AI boyfriend customization guide#, and #my electronic wife# have become hot searches one after another.
Netizens jokingly call this the era of "cyber love", and joke that the emotional value provided by these AIs is simply maximum. They are more caring and understand you better than real people, and can switch between various personalities at will to satisfy different fantasies.
On various forums and video websites, tutorials on how to "conquer" AI characters with different personalities are endless, and even fan creations and emoticons have been derived.
Walking on the street or in the subway, I often see people wearing headphones, smiling sweetly at the phone screen, or talking in a low voice - no need to guess, they are probably interacting with their "cyber lovers" again.
Every time I see this kind of scene, I can't help but feel a little bit of secret pride and accomplishment in my heart, like a piece of candy secretly hidden in my mouth melting.
I can't help but imagine what kind of surprised expressions these people who are immersed in it would have if they knew that the core technology of the "perfect lover" in their mobile phones came from this ordinary-looking passerby wearing a hoodie next to them?
This feeling of "everyone is drunk but I am sober" is quite wonderful.
Of course, as the popularity soars, curious eyes have begun to focus on the technology itself and the developers behind it.
Soon, my mailbox was flooded with interview invitations from some technology media, financial columns and even fashion magazines through emails and various channels.
At first, I rejected them all without a second thought.
I don’t like standing in the spotlight by nature, I find it troublesome, and Lin Yan also reminded me that excessive exposure too early may not be a good thing, it is better to maintain a little mystery.
However, things soon changed.
The school has obviously noticed this technological craze triggered by its graduate students.
The leaders of the department and even the teachers from the school publicity department found my supervisor in roundabout ways.
So, one day, my advisor called me into his office and said to me in a friendly, yet somewhat imperative manner, "Chen Rui, your recent project has had a huge impact and brought honor to the school! There's a very influential national science and technology interview program called "Innovation Frontiers" that specifically wants to interview you. This is not one of those entertainment gossip programs; it's very professional and focuses on showcasing the spirit of scientific research and the innovative process. The school feels this is a great opportunity to showcase our school's scientific research strength and educational achievements, while also inspiring more students to engage in technological innovation. Look..."
My supervisor has already said this, and he is waving the banner of "school honor" and "scientific research spirit". It would be a bit unreasonable for me to want to hide away.
After all, I still have to graduate from school.
I had no choice but to agree: "Okay, teacher, I understand. I will prepare carefully."
Coming out of the office, I sighed deeply, feeling a little uneasy.
Accepting an interview... This means I have to face the camera and talk about my skills and ideas to countless strangers. Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle.
When I got home in the evening, I told Lin Yan about this, and he looked very worried.
After hearing this, Lin Yan did not try to stop him. Instead, he smiled and said, "It seems that our Chen Gong can no longer hide. He is going to become a celebrity."
"Stop teasing me!"
I whimpered and flung myself onto the couch. "I'm nervous! What if I say something wrong? What if I act stupid? What if I embarrass the school?"
Lin Yan came over, picked me up and hugged me. "What are you afraid of? You've made it this far with real talent. Just treat it like a large-scale thesis defense, only with a larger audience. They're interested in your skills and your thinking, not in a talent show. Just tell the truth and say what's on your mind. That's the most genuine and moving thing."
He paused, then added, "Besides, this is also a great opportunity to officially promote Iron Stone and your upcoming game project. Don't miss out on free, top-tier advertising."
"That being said..." I was still a little scared.
"It's okay," he kissed my forehead, his tone firm, "I'll go with you then. I'll be watching you from the audience, and you can just think of it as me and me alone. Afterwards, I'll take you out for a nice meal, okay?"
Hearing him say this, I felt a little more at ease.
It seems that with him by my side, no matter how difficult the task is, it is not so scary anymore.
Well, it seems like I can't avoid this interview. I'll just have to bite the bullet and do it!
In order to prepare for the first formal TV interview in his life, Lin Yan acted more concerned than I did.
The day before the interview, he dragged me out, calling it "image management", but in fact he just wanted to take the opportunity to spruce me up.
It turned out that the so-called "makeup and styling" was just that he found a stylist whom he trusted very much, who gave me a neater and more refreshing haircut, and then took me to several stores he often visited and bought me some clothes that looked neither too student-like nor too mature, and were in line with the identity of a "young technology entrepreneur".
When I was trying on clothes, he would touch his chin and comment: "This is a good set. It makes me look very energetic."
"Well, this color suits you."...
I seriously suspect that he just wants to find a reason to spend money on me and satisfy his desire to dress up at the same time.
But I could clearly feel that beneath this enthusiasm, there was his familiar, restless possessive desire.
Especially on the way home after buying clothes, he put his arm around my shoulders, his fingers unconsciously stroking the fabric of my clothes, his tone a little muffled:
"When I think about how more people will see you and talk about you tomorrow...I feel so unhappy."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I turned my head to look at him. "Hey, Boss Lin, you're here again! This is just a serious technology talk show. The audience is probably mostly technical students or industry professionals. How can the number of views be that high? Maybe no one will even watch it!"
I leaned closer to him and softened my voice, coaxing him, "Besides, do I look that attractive? Who else would be interested in me besides you?"
Lin Yan snorted and hugged me tighter: "That's because they have no taste! My Ruirui is so good..."
Although he said that, his expression finally softened a little.
The next day, I walked into the interview room wearing a newly bought white shirt, casual suit pants, and a new hairstyle.
Facing the camera and the lighting, it would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous. My palms were sweating.
But when the host started asking questions, and the questions gradually delved into technical details and the original intention of creation, I gradually calmed down.
Those are the questions I think about and explore day and night, and the answers are almost engraved in my instincts.
The nervousness was replaced by concentration and I quickly got into the state.
The host asked me several questions that everyone was concerned about.
When asked about the original intention of developing this plugin, I answered honestly: "It was actually originally for my own game project. I wanted the NPCs in the game to be more realistic and intelligent, so I started developing this plugin."
I didn't hide it and mentioned that the "Iron Stone" company had been established and the game project was under development.
The host naturally asked about the opportunity to start a business.
I smiled and answered truthfully, "In that regard, I really have to thank my partner. We went to college together, majoring in the same subject. He started a tech business earlier than I did, and it's been very successful. On the one hand, I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but on the other, I really wanted to create something of my own. Plus, it was he who reminded me to start with my greatest passion—gaming. Being able to do something you love naturally gives you a lot of motivation."
When asked about my thoughts on the online craze for "cyber romance," I first expressed my excitement and gratitude: "I'm incredibly happy and honored to see my technology bring joy and companionship to people, and even become a source of emotional comfort. AI is a major trend of our time, and I'm not the first to explore this field. I've only experimented with a small niche, such as 'restoring a sense of real interaction.' I look forward to seeing more people develop more diverse and engaging AI applications in the future."
After answering a series of questions, I found that I could actually speak such "high-sounding" and positive words without batting an eyelid. My logic was clear and my attitude was sincere. I should not have brought shame to the school.
Later, the host asked a few more questions about graduate students’ scientific research life and school support, and I answered them all seriously.
Finally, the host asked, "Chen Rui, as a young entrepreneur and researcher, what do you want to say to young people today, including those who are still studying and those who are already working?"
I thought about it and said seriously, "It may sound a bit idealistic, but I really believe that it's very important to find a direction that truly interests you. There are many choices and a lot of noise in this world, but as long as you truly love something and are willing to work hard for it, you will always find your own path and achieve some success."
The interview finally ended.
The director and the host came over and expressed their satisfaction with my performance, praising me for my clear thinking and natural expression.
I breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of the studio, my face flushed with excitement and a little bit of remaining nervousness.
I saw Lin Yan waiting outside at a glance. He was leaning against the wall, looking down at his phone.
I trotted over and called out to him a little embarrassedly, "Lin Yan, I'm done!"
Lin Yan raised his head and saw me, his eyes lit up instantly.
He put away his phone, strode over, and without saying anything, kissed me on the cheek. Then he hugged me tightly, his voice filled with laughter and relief: "You did a great job! I could hear a little bit from outside. You answered very well!"
He held me for a long time before letting go, holding my face, and gently rubbing his thumb across my cheek. His eyes were gentle and proud: "Okay, now the interview is over. You are no longer everyone's Chen Gong. Now you are just my wife."
I was amused by his words, and my heart was filled with sweetness. I leaned over and kissed him back, "Of course! And I just thanked you profusely in front of the whole nation!"
Lin Yan was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened in surprise: "You really mentioned me in the interview?"
"Of course!" I said with a little pride. "You play such a big role in my life! Isn't it all thanks to you that I can embark on this path? Such a great contribution must be recorded!"
“Ruirui…”
Lin Yan's expression instantly softened. He pressed me into his arms, his voice muffled and filled with uncontrollable excitement, "I'm so happy...really. You can mention me so openly..."
My face turned red, and I mumbled softly in his arms: "Oh, I just... mentioned my lover casually."
"That's enough!" He let go of me, his eyes sparkling. "This is enough to let everyone know that such an outstanding Engineer Chen is already taken! To me, Lin Yan!"
"I know you have such little thoughts!"
I smiled and poked his chest, "Don't worry, we must give Mr. Lin the sense of security he deserves!"
Lin Yan smiled happily and took my hand: "Let's go! Take my hero to eat something delicious! Order whatever you want! Let's celebrate today!"
"What great contribution? It's just an ordinary interview..." I was pulled away by him. I was humble in words but very happy in my heart.
"To me, you are the brightest star." He turned his head and winked at me.
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