Chapter 34
Jin Zhaoxuan's ability to act decisively is comparable to a dog that has been starving for three days seeing a meat bun.
He had Xiao Chen bring over a brand-new high-performance mobile server unit and a specially made "power bank" from the company lab overnight, and then somehow managed to procure a black SUV with muscular lines and a spacious interior. Lei Zi and his two tech-savvy buddies secretly started working in the old garage, transforming the car inside and out into Yin Shaoqing's personal "mobile palace plus."
The car body was covered with an "invisibility cloak" that could prevent electromagnetic spying, inside which was a separate energy system and intelligent temperature control. The rear seats were removed and replaced with custom server racks and multiple buffer devices—ensuring that even if driving on a washboard road, Yin Shaoqing's core "brain" would remain as stable as Mount Tai. The windshield and side windows were covered with a special transparent display film, allowing Yin Shaoqing's virtual image to "sit" in the passenger seat in AR mode. It could also automatically adjust the transparency according to the outside light, making it look like a real person was sitting there at first glance, with a first-class intimidation effect.
The most outrageous move was that Jin Zhaoxuan also had Lei Zi develop a gesture and voice control interface, connecting it to the car's entertainment system, navigation, and even some driver assistance functions. In Jin's own words:
"Even though you'll never be able to touch a steering wheel in your life, at least you can help the boss change a song or check the route, giving you a sense of participation as an employee."
Yin Shaoqing showed a curiosity about this "mobile device" comparable to that of a child seeing a new toy. After the initial internal testing was completed and the car was quietly parked in the garage, his virtual image "appeared" in the passenger seat. He touched this and looked at that, and even tried to "control" the audio system. However, because he was unfamiliar with the interface, the car radio emitted a series of shrill noises, which startled the stray cat in the garage, causing it to dart out with a loud "meow".
"It seems that the onboarding training for these 'new employees' needs to be strengthened." Jin Zhaoxuan leaned against the car door, his stomach aching from trying to suppress his laughter.
Yin Shaoqing withdrew his virtual hand somewhat embarrassedly, but his eyes shone as brightly as if they were equipped with LEDs: "It's very interesting. It feels like... the 'territory' I can move around in has become much larger."
“This is nothing,” Jin Zhaoxuan opened the car door, got into the driver’s seat, and turned the key. “Come on, the weather is nice today, I’ll take you out for some fresh air.”
This was the first time Yin Shaoqing had truly "left" the old house since his "reboot." Although his consciousness was still synchronized and backed up in real time with the main server of the old house, the novelty of moving his physical location still made him silent for a long time, his data flow as smooth as if he were deep in thought.
The car slowly drove out of the old town and onto the ring road. The afternoon sun streamed warmly into the car through the windshield. Yin Shaoqing's virtual avatar sat in the passenger seat, head slightly tilted, intently watching the street scenes rushing past outside the window—
Skyscrapers rise from the ground, traffic flows into shimmering rivers, children chase bubbles in the park, and old men and women dance in the square... Everything is completely different from the gray, machine-filled Anshan he remembered, yet it is so vibrant that it brings tears to his eyes.
“The changes… are truly remarkable.” He murmured, his synthesized voice trembling almost imperceptibly.
"Mm." Jin Zhaoxuan responded, glancing at his profile, which was outlined by the sunlight and appeared somewhat transparent yet exceptionally clear, and a corner of his heart softened. "You should come out more often in the future."
Instead of heading into the bustling commercial district, they drove slowly along the Hun River. The river surface rippled in the wind, and the willows on the banks sprouted tender yellow buds. Jin Zhaoxuan lowered the car window a crack, and the cool early spring breeze, carrying moisture and the scent of grass, rushed in, diluting the faint leather smell in the car.
Yin Shaoqing suddenly spoke up: "This place... I feel like I've been here before. A long time ago, I was with my adoptive father, on a boat. Back then, the river wasn't this clear, and the banks were lined with factory chimneys that emitted black smoke all day long."
“Now the chimneys are retired, and the park is in charge.” Jin Zhaoxuan continued, pointing to a brand-new cluster of glass curtain wall buildings on the other side of the river. “Over there, in the High-tech Zone, my company first rented a small, run-down office there.”
"And now?" Yin Shaoqing asked.
"We moved, there wasn't enough space." Jin Zhaoxuan's tone was calm, but the slight smugness in the last syllable of his voice was hard to hide. "The AR project you made popular through your live stream is getting orders like crazy."
Yin Shaoqing's lips curved into a slight smile: "It is thanks to Mr. Jin's excellent leadership."
"Don't give me that," Jin Zhaoxuan scoffed, but the corners of his mouth honestly curled up. "No matter how loud your flattery is, you still have to pay the 'rent' tonight."
The car stopped at a secluded viewing platform by the river. Jin Zhaoxuan got out, leaned against the hood, and lit a cigarette. Yin Shaoqing's virtual image also "walked" out of the car and stood quietly beside him. The man and the ghost, one real and one illusory, stood side by side, looking at the wide river and the varied skyline on the opposite bank.
The wind ruffled Jin Zhaoxuan's unruly bangs and stirred the hem of Yin Shaoqing's ethereal, moon-white robe. The scene possessed a surreal yet harmonious beauty.
“Actually,” Jin Zhaoxuan exhaled a smoke ring, then suddenly began, the smoke dissipating in the wind, “sometimes it’s quite surreal. I’m a tech guy, and in the end I ended up with… a ghostly technician from the Republic of China era…” He paused, seemingly searching for the right words.
"What have you become?" Yin Shaoqing turned his head to look at him, his eyes clear, but hiding a hint of tension and... anticipation.
Jin Zhaoxuan met his gaze, his heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason. He flicked his cigarette ash, looked away, and feigned nonchalance: "Have we become... partners? roommates? Or... troublemakers and unlucky landlords?"
The tension in Yin Shaoqing's eyes dissipated, replaced by a helpless smile: "The last analogy is unfair."
“How is it unfair?” Jin Zhaoxuan raised an eyebrow and started counting on his fingers. “Look, you live in my room, use my electricity, and are always monitoring my health data. What else can you be but a troublemaker? I’m so frustrated as a landlord.”
“Then I’ll pay the ‘rent’.” Yin Shaoqing readily agreed, his logic as rigorous as an AI. “For example, helping Mr. Jin optimize the company’s data system, manage smart homes, provide historical consultations, and, when necessary, activate the ‘highest priority defense protocol’ against the ‘subject consciousness connection point’.”
Jin Zhaoxuan: "..."
He was once again shut down by this old fogey's rigorous logic! Moreover, the word "rent" was like a pebble thrown into a lake, rippling out inexplicable waves, giving their ambiguous relationship a more everyday and intimate shell.
“Fine,” Jin Zhaoxuan finally surrendered, stubbing out his cigarette in the mini ashtray he carried with him. “Then you have to pay your rent on time, no late payments allowed.”
"No." Yin Shaoqing smiled, his voice sounding exceptionally clear and gentle in the wind, carrying a solemn promise.
The two stood quietly for a while longer. The setting sun cast their long shadows onto the ground behind them, overlapping perfectly and indistinguishable from one another.
On the way back, the atmosphere was as relaxed as if one were soaking in warm water. Yin Shaoqing even managed to connect to Jin Zhaoxuan's phone playlist using the new interface and played a soothing piano piece. Although the chosen song was so melancholic it could practically drip with sorrow, and Jin Zhaoxuan complained that it was "like background music for a farewell ceremony," his finger hovered over the song skip button for a long time before finally not pressing it.
...Oh well, I guess I'll just have to tolerate my roommate's musical tastes that are eighty years out of date. That's what Boss Jin thought.
However, peaceful days are like a glass cup; they may look sturdy, but they are easily cracked by unexpected pebbles.
Not long after returning to the old house, Jin Zhaoxuan received an encrypted email from Director Zhang. The message was surprisingly short, yet it made Jin Zhaoxuan instantly jump up from his beanbag chair:
[Xiao Jin, the Shenyang Joint Exploration Team has made a breakthrough today! Deep underground, they not only recovered a large number of well-preserved special alloy samples and technical data, but also... some remains and identification markings. Preliminary identification suggests they may involve Japanese technicians who went missing years ago, and even... there may be clues related to the engineer 'Yin Shaoqing' you've been following! The details are sensitive; a special task force has been established. The clues you provided are crucial, and further assistance may be needed. Keep this confidential and stay in touch.]
Remains? Identification markers? Clues to Yin Shaoqing?!
Jin Zhaoxuan was shocked and looked up sharply at Yin Shaoqing, who was sitting in the virtual study opposite him, quietly "browsing" ancient books.
Yin Shaoqing seemed to sense the turbulent waves in his gaze, raised his head, and looked at him with a questioning expression.
Jin Zhaoxuan took a deep breath and relayed the contents of the email to him word for word.
After listening, Yin Shaoqing's virtual figure froze for a few seconds. He put down the virtual scroll, walked to the "window," and silently gazed at the non-existent void outside. After a long while, he spoke in a low voice, calm, yet seemingly with undercurrents surging beneath:
"So... back then, perhaps I didn't fully enter that air chamber? Or perhaps, after I died in the air chamber, my remains were discovered by the 'Matsumoto Agency' or Takeda Koichi's people who later infiltrated, and were moved to Shenyang along with their hidden 'treasures'?"
His voice was steady, but Jin Zhaoxuan could hear the undercurrent of emotion hidden beneath the calm. Eighty years of obsession, the uncertainty about the end of life, was about to be revealed in such an unexpected way.
"Should we go take a look?" Jin Zhaoxuan asked. He knew what this meant for Yin Shaoqing.
Yin Shaoqing turned around and looked at him, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, like intertwined data streams. Finally, he shook his head: "No need. 'I' am here." He pointed to his chest. "Those bones are just shells of the past. What matters is the present."
He paused, his gaze falling on Jin Zhaoxuan, becoming gentle yet unusually firm: "Moreover, I now have an even more important... 'responsibility' to fulfill."
Jin Zhaoxuan looked at him and understood. The mystery of the past was certainly heartbreaking, but the "new life" and companionship they had fought so hard for were the most important things. They no longer needed to confront those remains that might be steeped in conspiracy and pain, stirring up the past that had already settled.
“Okay.” Jin Zhaoxuan nodded decisively. “Then we’ll wait for the official announcement. If we need assistance with historical details, you can provide ‘remote support’.”
“Hmm,” Yin Shaoqing replied, walking back to the virtual desk and picking up the book again. But Jin Zhaoxuan keenly noticed a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his virtual fingertips.
Ultimately... I still care.
Jin Zhaoxuan didn't point it out. He simply strolled over to the server chassis as usual, picked up the physical copy of the *Classic of Poetry* that was on it, flipped to a page, cleared his throat, and recited: 'In life and death, in separation and reunion, we made a vow. Holding your hand, we will grow old together.'
Yin Shaoqing raised his head and stared at him blankly.
Jin Zhaoxuan closed the book, put it back in its place with a thud, and said in a casual tone, as if he were commenting on takeout: "The poem is alright, but it's a bit old and a bit pedantic."
Yin Shaoqing looked at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled softly and sincerely. The smile was filled with relief, and also with a deeper and warmer meaning.
“Hmm,” he murmured in agreement, “it is a bit 'old'.”
But some things, like fine wine, only get better with age.
For example, the companionship that transcends life and death, reality and illusion; the "home" rebuilt hand in hand on the ruins; and the increasingly clear, firm, and unshakable bond amidst the mundane morning light and unexpected turmoil...
The feelings between each other.
Time flows quietly like the Hun River thawing in Anshan in spring, carrying away the biting chill of winter and leaving behind a world full of fuzzy new green.
Under the official direction, the untold story beneath Shenyang is being systematically unearthed and researched. Piles of gleaming special alloy samples, yellowed technical drawings, and experimental data are being unearthed, even some long-forgotten bones and identification tags are being located. A technological black history and war-related mess, deliberately concealed for eighty years, is being gradually exposed to the light of day, stirring up excitement in academic circles and among the general public. While the Takeda family's name wasn't directly "praised" in the official report, their reputation both inside and outside the academic community has become as foul as a summer garbage can, essentially banished from the world.
The old house in Anshan is like a courtyard that has finally cleared up after a typhoon, so peaceful that you can hear ants moving house.
Yin Shaoqing's presence is now so strong that it's omnipresent. He's no longer the frightening ghost in the mirror or the jumping curve on the screen. He's the coffee aroma that wafts in the early morning, the lullaby that automatically plays when Jin Zhaoxuan is exhausted, the "eye-protecting light" that automatically dims in someone's study when they stay up late, and the warm virtual nightlight that's always on for him when he comes home late at night.
That black SUV became their unspoken "go-around ride." On sunny weekends, Jin Zhaoxuan would take Yin Shaoqing's "mobile palace" out of the city to enjoy the fields, visit abandoned factories for some nostalgic art, or simply wander around the city aimlessly.
Through the AR car window, Yin Shaoqing "looked" at this city that was both familiar and unfamiliar, occasionally pointing out the landscape: "That used to be a steel rolling mill, and it was very noisy."
Jin Zhaoxuan chimed in: "It's been turned into a cultural and creative park now, selling coffee and postcards."
One speaks of a rusty past, the other of a vibrant present; together, they piece together a complete memory of Anshan spanning eighty years.
They also "argued"—if you could call it arguing if it meant one of them coldly reading out data while the other stubbornly refused to admit defeat.
Usually, when Jin Zhaoxuan is working himself to the bone or drinking cola like water, Yin Shaoqing will offer "advice" with a calm, almost cold "health monitoring report," to which Jin Zhaoxuan will retort with the soul-searching retort, "What do you, an old ghost parasitizing on electronics, know about human happiness?" In the end, it usually ends with Jin Zhaoxuan grumbling in compromise, and Teacher Yin silently adjusting his schedule for the next day and setting rest reminders.
Lei once caught Jin Zhaoxuan rolling his eyes at the air: "You're more nosy than the Pacific Ocean police!" Then he turned around and muttered to himself, "Fine, fine, I'll listen to you..." He almost injured himself trying to hold back his laughter.
Liu Jianjun became an unofficial member of the old family home, bringing homemade sauerkraut dumplings and pickled kimchi every few days. He would share a few drinks with Jin Zhaoxuan and chat about trivial matters with Yin Shaoqing on the screen. He no longer mentioned those heavy old grievances, only talking about the rising vegetable prices and the fact that Old Wang's grandson next door had been admitted to university, as if Yin Shaoqing had always been a frail, reclusive "family member" in this household. Grandma Xiulan passed away peacefully in the nursing home, mumbling "Little Yin's stories are good" before she died. When Liu Jianjun relayed the message, Yin Shaoqing remained silent in the mirror for a long time, then whispered, "She waited for spring."
Yes, spring has truly arrived. The crooked tree outside the old house window, which Jin Zhaoxuan used to complain was almost dead, is sprouting new buds with extra vigor this year, lush and green, quite proud of itself.
On an ordinary spring evening, the sunset painted the sky a fiery orange hue. Jin Zhaoxuan didn't drive; instead, he and Yin Shaoqing strolled to the lakeside of 219 Park near their home. The lake reflected the sunset glow and the newly lit lights, shimmering gently. A young couple cuddled together on a bench, while children chased kites wildly on the grass.
Jin Zhaoxuan found a flat, large rock by the lake and sat down, with Yin Shaoqing's shadow standing quietly beside him.
Neither of them uttered a word, simply enjoying the tranquility stolen from their busy schedules, softened by the evening breeze.
After a while, Jin Zhaoxuan suddenly spoke, his voice calm and even, yet it sounded like he was talking about something of great importance:
"Yin Shaoqing."
"Hmm?" Yin Shaoqing turned to look at him.
“I recently went to the notary office.” Jin Zhaoxuan pulled out a small, dark blue hardcover book with the national emblem printed on it from his pocket and tossed it in his hand. “I made a will and also signed a guardianship agreement.”
Yin Shaoqing's figure shifted almost imperceptibly, and his eyes instantly locked onto the small notebook.
“I’ve included the old house, a portion of the company’s shares, and… you.” Jin Zhaoxuan paused, his gaze drifting to the lake. “I mean, your core server, all related data and equipment, and all the maintenance resources you might need in the future… I’ve put it all in. I’ve appointed a joint management committee, with members including Director Zhang, Brother Liu, Xiao Chen, and a lawyer I trust. In case I’m unlucky enough to kick the bucket one day, they’ll make sure you… can stay ‘on standby,’ however you want.”
He spoke slowly and methodically, as if he were arranging a weekend shopping list, but every word carried weight, striking Yin Shaoqing's core data.
Yin Shaoqing completely crashed. In the virtual world, data surged wildly, shock and confusion followed by a scalding warmth that almost burned through the firewall, and a heart-wrenching pain like being pricked by needles.
“Mr. Jin, you…” His voice trembled slightly, “Why did you do these things? And why are you still…”
“An accident is like takeout; who knows when it will arrive?” Jin Zhaoxuan interrupted him, a smirk playing on his lips, “I don’t want to be dead one day and no one to take care of you, the server to be unplugged, the data wiped out, or some scoundrel to be dissected and studied. Wouldn’t all my efforts over the past few months have been for nothing?”
He spoke casually, even with his usual roguish air of concealing his emotions. But Yin Shaoqing understood. He understood that beneath this seemingly hasty arrangement lay multiple promises—a living, breathing person planning a future beyond the length of his own life for a special being.
“Moreover,” Jin Zhaoxuan turned his head to look at Yin Shaoqing, the setting sun casting a fuzzy golden edge on his profile, but his eyes were dazzlingly bright, “this is not an ‘inheritance,’ it’s a… contract.”
"contract?"
“Okay.” Jin Zhaoxuan nodded. “I’ll give you a ‘home,’ ensuring that no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always have a place to stay and someone to protect you. And you…”
He paused, his gaze locked firmly with Yin Shaoqing's virtual eyes, his voice low and clear:
"You'd better pay your rent obediently, continue to 'control' me, and don't make me do something stupid. Continue to be my historical advisor, my technical cheat code, and..."
He took a breath, as if he had staked all the courage he had saved up for half his life, before finally uttering the words that had been etched deep in his heart, in the simplest of sentences:
"...Stay with me."
"Always by my side."
“Until my lease as the ‘landlord’ expires naturally.”
A lake breeze swept by, carrying the scent of water and fresh grass. The distant sounds of children's laughter could be faintly heard.
The world remains bustling, but between them, it seems only their silent existence and resonant heartbeats remain.
Yin Shaoqing remained silent for a long time. He simply looked at Jin Zhaoxuan, at the man who had given him a second "life," a "home," and now bestowed upon him a "contract" that transcended life and death, reality and illusion. Eighty years of lonely, icy coldness, at this moment, was completely melted by this clumsy yet scalding warmth, transforming into bubbling hot spring water, turning into a gentle, almost tangible, shimmering light in his eyes.
He nodded slowly and solemnly.
There were no vows of eternal love, no flowery lines.
A simple action carries a thousand words and a promise more unwavering than any legal provision.
"Alright." Yin Shaoqing's voice was soft, yet exceptionally steady, carrying a sense of peace after everything had settled. "The contract is established."
"I will always be here. With you."
Jin Zhaoxuan looked at him, at his own reflection clearly in his eyes, at that gentle yet stubborn gaze. The weight that had been hanging in his heart for who knows how long finally settled back down with a thud. An unprecedented, reassuring warmth exploded from his heart, spreading to every part of his body, making him feel so comfortable that he wanted to stretch.
He suddenly realized that this was fucking good.
A person and a special "being" signed a spring contract about "companionship" in an old house.
Regardless of life or death, regardless of truth or falsehood.
It's all about the "home" we've chosen for each other, and the long, wonderful future we want to build together.
Jin Zhaoxuan withdrew his gaze and looked back at the shimmering lake surface. The corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up, forming a truly relaxed and smug arc.
The last rays of the setting sun gently enveloped them.
One sat on the rock, and the other stood beside it.
The shadows stretched long behind them, overlapping perfectly, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.
(End of article)
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