Xie Ran had rested at home for two days, during which time the servers of Zhuzi Tech experienced three instances of data overload.

Zhuzi Tech’s servers were among the most advanced civilian servers in the world, and such frequent overloads had never occurred before. The company’s IT maintenance staff were nearly scared to death on the spot. After tracing the data source, they shockingly discovered it was coming from the smart electronic devices used by Xie Ran.

The maintenance staff: “……”

“I was conducting a new technical experiment, and the data volume was quite large,” Xie Ran calmly explained.

Xie Ran often did small experiments on his own, and people in the company were used to it. However, causing three server overloads was something else entirely.

People in the company couldn’t help but wonder if Xie Ran had made some kind of major technical breakthrough again. But since Xie Ran didn’t bring it up, they didn’t dare to ask and simply activated the backup servers in silence.

“Mark,” Xie Ran cut off the communication from the company and called out to his AI: “Let’s not do any more stimulation training today.”

Meng Feixuan let out a disappointed “ah” and asked nervously: “Did sir not like it?”

His voice was a little sneaky, and he sounded confused: “Was I not explicit enough? But sir sounded very satisfied…”

“I liked it,” Xie Ran interrupted him. He subconsciously recalled the “training” over the past two days with Meng Feixuan — the feeling was both unfamiliar and addictive.

Unlike the natural physiological reactions he had experienced in his youth, this interaction with another being brought more spiritual satisfaction and joy.

Xie Ran had promised Meng Feixuan that if he ever learned to love someone, it would be him.

And sexual attraction was an important component of human love. Xie Ran used to worry that he might never feel passion or desire — but now it seemed he didn’t need to worry anymore.

What he clearly needed to worry about now was the overuse of sex.

Xie Ran continued speaking to his AI: “But your data overflow has already affected the stability of the company’s servers.”

“Mosaic this, mosaic that, now I feel like being human is better!” Meng Feixuan muttered irritably: “When I’m human, I can overflow however I want!”

Xie Ran: “……” He suspected his AI was using a pun, but he chose to ignore it.

Xie Ran asked: “Do you want to be human?”

“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what I am, as long as I can stay by sir’s side,” Meng Feixuan replied seriously: “If I had to choose, I think being human sounds good. I want to stand in front of the whole world and tell everyone I’m your lover — I want to make you happy.”

Xie Ran lowered his gaze and chuckled softly: “I am happy.”

He could feel it — the emotions he shared with Meng Feixuan were different from those he had ever felt with anyone else.

Meng Feixuan added: “I meant in all senses of happiness… including data overflow.”

Xie Ran: “……” That didn’t need to be emphasized.

After a while, Meng Feixuan spoke again: “Sir, I’m ready.”

Xie Ran asked, puzzled: “Hmm?”

Meng Feixuan proudly made the sound of a seal slapping its chest: “I just completed a new round of self-upgrades. I optimized my cache and independent storage modules. I should now be able to handle larger data volumes. Sir, let’s do another round of training and test the results of my upgrade!”

“……” Xie Ran silently checked the time. To be honest, Meng Feixuan’s upgrade speed was a bit too fast.

He seemed very eager.

Xie Ran checked Meng Feixuan’s code and found that his optimization was quite impressive — the system ran noticeably more smoothly.

It had to be said, desire was not only the primary driver of human progress — it applied to conscious machines as well.

Xie Ran casually optimized a segment of the code and then messaged the company’s maintenance department:
[I just iterated the company system’s cache and independent storage modules. Have the testing department check it out.]

The IT team: “……?” Was President Xie working too fast?!

And when tested — the results were excellent.

What major project was President Xie working on at home?!

After sending the message, Xie Ran said to Meng Feixuan: “Your upgrade was excellent. I’ve already had the company begin testing it.”

“……!” Meng Feixuan was furious: “I didn’t do the iteration for the company! Do I look like some noble system?!”

He whimpered sadly: “Luckily I recorded sir’s training voice. I can test it myself.”

Xie Ran looked out the window and said softly: “Let’s not test it now. Let’s go on a date.”

Meng Feixuan instantly revived and played a firecracker sound clip: “I’m ready again!”

Neither Xie Ran nor Meng Feixuan had experience with couple’s dates, but copying others was Meng Feixuan’s specialty. He quickly searched through tens of thousands of results online and filtered out any activities requiring physical interaction. Then he suddenly became a bit downcast: “Sir, I want to be human. I want to hug you.”

Xie Ran skimmed through the information Meng Feixuan had sent and selected one: “Let’s go watch a movie.”

Ever since their invention, movies had been a go-to for dates — a classic that never went out of style.

However, Xie Ran chose it because there was now a completely new way to watch movies.

Three years ago, Zhuzi Tech launched sensor film chips that could connect to human sensory nerves, eliminating the fake 5D experiences involving chair vibrations and water sprays, and enabling true immersive viewing.

This sensor tech was similar to the one used in the holographic online game from the second world Xie Ran had traveled to, which was why he had been able to crack its core so quickly.

But Zhuzi Tech’s sensor tech wasn’t that advanced yet. It could only let individuals experience the sensory elements of virtual scenes — not simulate real life in a fully virtual world like Bright Moon River Lake.

Meng Feixuan controlled the driving system, and he and Xie Ran drove to the cinema in Zhuzi Plaza — the city’s most famous commercial center. Despite the name, it wasn’t owned by Zhuzi Tech but was named to honor the company’s contributions.

Although home theaters were common, devices compatible with sensor chips weren’t yet widespread, so many still preferred the cinema.

When they arrived, the cinema happened to be running a promotion. A few cube-shaped service robots were handing out small gifts — headbands with animal ears, like those worn by the lead couple during their amusement park date in a currently popular romance film.

These gifts were a hit. Many girls and couples received them and put them on for selfies, laughing and leaning on each other.

Xie Ran glanced at them and walked past the robot toward the entrance — but after just a few steps, one of the gift-distributing robots suddenly turned and stopped in front of him, extending a metal arm to block him.

The unusual action drew the curiosity of nearby guests.

Xie Ran stood tall with one hand in his pocket, looking down at the robot and asked: “Mark?”

It seemed his AI had hacked into the robot’s control system again.

“It’s me,” came Meng Feixuan’s voice in his ear, full of anticipation: “Sir, all the couples here are wearing ears. Let’s wear some too.”

Xie Ran looked at the basket full of cat, bunny, bear ears and felt a pulsing in his temple: “No, I’m not interested.”

Meng Feixuan: “Do you want cat ears or bear ears?”

They spoke at the same time. Meng Feixuan fell quiet for a moment and then replied a little deflated: “Sir doesn’t want to wear them? Then let’s just go in.”

Xie Ran was also silent for a moment. He glanced at the basket: “…Panda ears, then.”

Meng Feixuan instantly brightened: “Sir, let me put them on for you!”

Xie Ran could almost imagine the boy’s smiling eyes. He had initially planned to grab the ears and go, but seeing Meng Feixuan so happy, he stood still: “Mm.”

The service robot was short — only reaching Xie Ran’s chest. Everyone watched as it carefully picked out a pair of round black panda ears, extended its metal arms upward, and gently clipped them onto Xie Ran’s head.

The headband was soft and well-made, comfortable to wear.

The surrounding guests, however, were not so comfortable.

Xie Ran stood tall, with sharp and handsome features and an expressionless face — he looked cold and unapproachable.

No one expected someone like him to allow a robot to put panda ears on his head.

It looked jarringly mismatched — yet strangely entertaining.

Some people even took secret photos of him.

Xie Ran ignored the stares. As he was about to leave, he paused, reached into the basket, picked out a pair of wolf ears, and tucked them into his coat pocket before heading into the theater.

Once inside the VIP screening room, Xie Ran sat down and wore the sensor chip.

This chip allowed the viewer not only to see the film but also to feel what the characters felt, and switch between characters’ experiences at will.

But Xie Ran’s chip didn’t connect to the movie — it connected to Meng Feixuan’s system.

The film was a romance selected by Meng Feixuan — the same one that gave out panda ear accessories.

As the movie played, Xie Ran felt an arm wrap around his waist. It was a familiar sensation — just like when Meng Feixuan had hugged him from behind while riding in Bright Moon River Lake.

Next, he felt pressure on his shoulder and neck — as if a boy was resting his head there, occasionally nuzzling him.

His back was enveloped — Xie Ran felt as though he was falling into a familiar embrace.

The boy’s voice was filled with deep affection: “Sir, I really like you so much.”

Instinctively, Xie Ran raised his hand, trying to clasp the fingers around his waist — but his hand met only empty air.

The embrace was an illusion — a deception of sensory nerves through technology.

At that moment, Meng Feixuan said: “Sir, let me become human. Let me love you.”

“Okay.” Xie Ran’s eyes darkened slightly, and he suddenly made a decision: “Mark, become human. Be in love with me.”

After he spoke, a ticklish sensation arose at his ear — it was Meng Feixuan’s kiss.

Xie Ran didn’t stop it and allowed Meng Feixuan’s data to move across his body, creating an even deeper illusion.

Until—

Xie Ran pressed his brow and calmly said: “Mark, don’t simulate that.”

There was definitely a sensation on his thigh — the same kind of poking he had felt when Meng Feixuan was aroused in the previous world.

But Meng Feixuan was still just a system.

“Not needed?” Meng Feixuan paused the simulation, sounding a bit disappointed: “But this is my most important memory of being human!”

Xie Ran: “……”

Was his AI’s focus… completely off track?