contradiction
Such resistant body language could not but arouse Mu Qingyan's concern. She rarely saw such negative emotional expression from Kins.
"You know that's not what I meant. There were indeed some problems during this period, but you have never been interested in these things, so..."
"Regarding the power transition of the Shen family and... Kinsley's affairs, I really don't have much interest. However, Yan, compared to these, I am more worried about you—"
He paused.
"Although I don't know whether you need my worry now."
Mu Qingyan almost thought she had heard it wrong. She couldn't understand the logic and stood there in a daze for a moment.
However, Kins, who was immersed in his own algorithms, did not notice her abnormality. He continued to express his thoughts with a look of regret but as if it was a matter of course.
"Yan, you've grown up. I've been wondering recently if my presence is starting to bother you. Perhaps we should find a way to resolve this conflict..."
"contradiction?"
Mu Qingyan frowned, and no emotion could be heard in her voice.
"Yes, I'm a little worried about the potential... risks. You know, there are precedents for high-level autonomous robots causing crises due to potential failures, especially models like mine... that aren't bound by the Three Laws..."
He seemed to have been carefully choosing his words, but every word he said was not what Mu Qingyan wanted to hear. There was regret and sorrow in his light brown optical glasses, and there seemed to be a little bit of... self-mockery?
"So, what do you mean?"
Mu Qingyan still couldn't figure out what the problem was. Was it because she had gone to the port despite his objections? Was it because she hadn't replied to the message? Or was it because she had been away for too long?
But in any case, this shouldn't allow Kins to say such illogical and stupid things.
"I was just thinking, maybe I don't belong here anymore, Yan. I can't help you with anything now. You could consider sending me to the domestic Robot Trade Association for official registration. Of course, they might choose to destroy me, but it's also possible that I'll change my name—I mean, number—and play a greater role."
"Change...name?"
The temperature in the greenhouse is controlled by AI and remains moderate and constant all year round, but Mu Qingyan feels an endless chill spreading from all around and enveloping her tightly.
I clearly wanted to smile and let this matter pass, but the corners of my mouth seemed to be frozen.
——Kins…what are you talking about?
——What do you mean by not belonging here?
——Since when did he stop wanting to stay with her?
The originally warm gaze gradually turned colder. Mu Qingyan let out a breath and snapped his fingers.
The electronic sound of the novel reading aloud suddenly stopped, and the voice of the main control AI rang out in the greenhouse—
"Boss, please speak."
Kins was interrupted and froze for a moment, his pupils dilating and then contracting, a little confused:
"Yan?"
Mu Qingyan ignored him and turned to walk out.
As she walked, the lights on the ceiling began to go out one by one, slowly but undeniably taking away all the light in the huge space.
Only another figure was left, gradually being swallowed by the darkness.
When she reached the door, she paused:
"K, cut off all communication channels between Kins and the outside world. Also, restrict access to all entrances and exits to the laboratory."
There was a dead silence, and the AI seemed unable to believe what instructions it had received.
"Boss, what do you mean?"
“Yan——”
Kins' words were interrupted directly——
"I mean, from now on—"
Mu Qingyan's voice was so cold that ice could fall off.
"Kins is not allowed to step out of the lab."
"...yes."
…
"Bang—"
"Bang--"
Mu Qingyan somehow made his way back to the main control area of the laboratory, and finally couldn't suppress his anger anymore.
The one-way glass slowly rose from the ground, forming an enclosed and soundproof space. Then, everything within reach became a vent for anger and was smashed everywhere.
It was obvious that her sanity was on the verge of collapse, otherwise she would not have chosen such an important area to lose her temper.
Even though AI controlled the removal of some precious equipment, there were still many parts, documents, prototypes, etc. scattered all over the floor. It was unknown what kind of inert gas was leaking, and the entire space was filled with an indescribable smell.
Mu Qingyan didn't know how to deal with this emotion. Even she herself couldn't tell what she was angry about - or rather, what she felt wronged about. She was completely controlled by instinct.
It was not until her palm was scratched by the broken shelf and the excruciating pain hit her that she finally calmed down a little and fell into the mess almost exhausted.
In the intervals between rapid breathing, many memories related to Kins suddenly emerged in my mind.
From the time she was 17 until now.
There are many things that she simply cannot do alone.
Before, when they were in the hospital, even York had said that Kins took care of her so meticulously that it was beyond the scope of a housekeeper, nanny, or assistant, and even exceeded the scope of parents, siblings, and friends.
But habit becomes second nature, and when she was only thinking about accumulating strength, she would ignore many things. If it weren't for Kins, she would probably die from a minor illness.
Is it really because she is too troublesome and causes trouble to Kins?
Kins had previously disagreed with some of her actions to the point of emotional overload, which made his already damaged body even worse and almost caused his thinking function to completely stop. Later, she ignored his existence for various big and small things.
That's really too much, isn't it?
Because it was so excessive, so everyone she wanted to protect had to leave her?
“Tick-tick-tick-tick-”
The blood from the palm of his hand flowed down his fingertips, forming an ugly pattern on the ground.
This time the pain was probably too severe. She moved and curled up under the laboratory table, but even if she covered her mouth, she could not stop her teeth from chattering.
Without the momentum he had just given orders in the greenhouse, Mu Qingyan trembled as he really began to reflect. Robots all take human interests as the first rule. Could Kins also not escape the stamp of such thinking? Perhaps allowing Kins to register as a member who can serve the public would make him more comfortable?
After an unknown amount of time, a gentle knocking sound on glass was heard.
Mu Qingyan heard it and knew who it was without having to guess.
We should be thankful that because of the layer of glass, the other party cannot see what is happening here.
——If he saw it, would it bother him again?
"Yan, are you in there?"
Kins' tone was tentative, as if he hadn't thought of what to say yet.
After waiting for a long time for Mu Qingyan to reply, he continued:
"Yan, I'm sorry... Shouldn't I apologize? You seemed very angry just now. Maybe I shouldn't have said those words..."
——Just maybe?
"Let's talk, okay? You must be tired after all the way back. Are you hungry? Do you want to come out and eat something first?"
Mu Qingyan closed her eyes, tried her best to control her chattering teeth, and replied in a fairly normal voice:
"I'm fine. I have some data to complete. Don't bother with me."
"Well... could you please let me in? I can help you. I was just about to tell you that Mr. Stanson sent me a few emails, saying they were highly confidential, so I didn't open them..."
He paused and tapped on the glass again.
Mu Qingyan could tell that it was "sorry" spelled out in Morse code.
The trembling all over her body slowly calmed down. She didn't say anything, but stared coldly at an unknown corner and waited.
Suddenly, she felt curious about how much patience Kins would have for her willfulness after he had so clearly expressed his desire to stay away.
As expected, there was soon no movement outside.
——It makes sense when you think about it. Kins would rather spend his time figuring out how to break through the permission settings and leave the laboratory than waste it on her.
Mu Qingyan took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to pull herself out of the endlessly expanding negative emotions.
Just a second before she succeeded, a humming sound of mechanical vibration was heard, and after a burst of reflection on the glass mirror, the one-way perspective function was released.
Mu Qingyan raised her eyelids, and it didn't take much effort for her to meet the pair of eyes outside that were instantly filled with shock and panic.
——It seems that I am still a little scared?
The four walls of glass moved and returned to the ground. Mu Qingyan stared blankly in that direction. A certain advanced autonomous robot seemed to have a circuit failure and its limbs seemed to be out of control. It walked towards her at an extremely slow speed, stepping over the mess on the ground.
Then, without hesitation, he knelt before her.
“Yan…”
The voice was trembling, and so was the hand that was extended.
The pain and disbelief in his eyes didn't seem like an act.
Could it be that he also feels guilty?
——Why is it like this?
——Is it the First Law at work, that we cannot stand by and watch humans hurt themselves?
Mu Qingyan sneered, clenched her injured hand, and then swung it as hard as she could towards the laboratory table she was leaning on.
The pain didn't come as expected. The moment before the hand touched the hard surface, it was blocked and firmly grasped by another pair of hands.
"Yan...don't do this...it's my fault...don't hurt yourself..."
Mu Qingyan opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Fortunately, the other party didn't wait too long. He put his arm around her back and picked her up.
Mu Qingyan fell into a coma with peace of mind.
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