Chapter 39: Good News, Bad News

"Can we go anywhere?"
"Yes, as long as it's a place we can reach."
With her older brother's assurance, Li Ya's eyes lit up.
"That's great! I have five days; I can spend the time exploring the entire capital."
Li Ping'an paused mid-stride, and Li Ya, lost in thoughts of where to play tomorrow, bumped right into his arm.
"I suggest you don't even think about going to the Great Wall."
"Huh? Why?"
Clearly, the Great Wall was already on her itinerary.
Li Ping'an said in a gloomy tone, "During the May Day holiday, it's nothing but people. If you go, you won't be looking at the Great Wall—you'll be looking at a sea of backsides."
"Besides, you won't even be able to find a place to use the restroom."
Imagining the scene her brother described, Li Ya couldn't help but shiver.
Just then, Li Ping'an's phone rang. Wondering who it was, he saw his aunt's name on the caller ID and understood immediately.
"Hello, Auntie. Yes, I've picked up Ya."
"Mhm, she's right next to me."
"Don't worry, I won't let her run off."
...
As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. Seeing a short extension number from a landline, Li Ping'an glanced at it and hung up. Some telemarketer really was dedicated, calling in the middle of the night.
But as soon as he hung up, it rang again. Li Ping'an narrowed his eyes and answered.
"Who is this?"
Xiao Qian, an information officer at the Ministry of State Security who had met Li Ping'an earlier that day, spoke:
"This is Xiao Qian from the Ministry of State Security. We met today."
"The land you requested has been approved. The patents for your artificial intelligence learning algorithm have also been filed. Someone will deliver the relevant documents to your company tomorrow morning. Please keep an eye out."
"It's approved? Thank you, thank you."
Li Ya, sitting on her suitcase, stared at her brother curiously. What could possibly make him so happy? By the sound of it, it was a woman on the other end. Oh no, is he looking for a sister-in-law for me?
After the call, Li Ping'an looked at his sister, surprised. "When did you climb up onto your suitcase?"
"Right when you were on the phone."

"It's tiring to stand."
Putting his phone in his pocket, Li Ping'an said with a smile, "One piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"The bad news."
"I can only take you out for half a day tomorrow. The day after, you have to head back to our hometown capital."
As soon as he said this, Li Ya stopped swinging her legs. She was stunned. I traveled thousands of miles to the capital, and you're telling me I can only stay for one day and then go back? And only have half a day to play? What can I even do in half a day?
Li Ya's mood plummeted. She pouted, tears welling up in her eyes. Those pea-sized tears fell without a moment's hesitation. She had been so excited, only to have her brother knock her down with a single blow.
Li Ya choked out through her sobs, "Is the good news that I have a sister-in-law, and you're going to spend time with her?"
Li Ping'an, pulling out a pack of tissues for his sister, felt a headache coming on. "Where would I find a sister-in-law?"
"Did you find one for me?"
"We're going back the day after tomorrow because I secured a plot of land in our hometown capital, and I need to go see it and plan the construction."
"If I don't make money, how am I supposed to support you?"
"I'm going back with you, and we can explore the surrounding area on the way. Isn't that good news?"
"You'll have plenty of chances to visit the capital later. For starters, summer vacation is coming up, isn't it?"
Wiping her eyes with a tissue, Li Ya pouted unhappily, "You're lying. When summer vacation comes, you'll probably make me supervise the construction site."
Li Ping'an's mouth twitched. "You really are a little rascal."
"Don't worry, even if we build a skyscraper, it won't be that fast."
"Planning, blueprints, and bidding all take time."
"Under normal circumstances, we won't be able to break ground for a year or more."
"And what if it's not normal?"
For a moment, Li Ping'an was rendered speechless.
"See? I knew it."
Feeling the eyes of passersby—and knowing his sister was still in her school uniform—Li Ping'an didn't want to end up in some viral short video tomorrow with some sensationalist headline.
"Alright, alright, my little ancestor. We'll push it back one day. We'll go back the day after tomorrow, okay?"

"That works." Li Ya nodded vigorously.
"Let's go."
Li Ya, still sitting on her suitcase, blinked and said, "Let's go then. The suitcase has wheels; you just have to push it."
Now that he had money, Li Ping'an never skimped on his sister.
At the five-star hotel:
"Thanks to you, I get to stay in a five-star hotel for once."
"I'm in the room right next door. If you need anything, call me directly. And no matter who knocks on the door at night, don't open it."
Li Ya, already yawning on the sofa, said with a giggle:
"Even if you knock, I shouldn't open it?"
"Am I crazy? Why would I come knocking in the middle of the night?"
"If there's an emergency, I'll call you. Just make sure your phone isn't on silent when you sleep."
Late at night, Li Ya, exhausted from the journey, lay on the comfortable bed, played on her phone for a bit, and soon drifted off to sleep.
On the other side, after Ministry of State Security technicians verified that Li Ping'an’s "developed" AI learning algorithm was authentic and effective, the data—stored on a high-precision hard drive—was sent overnight to the National Institute of Artificial Intelligence Research without anyone being the wiser.
That night, at the National Institute, many researchers were too excited to sleep. After continuous verification, they confirmed that the new algorithm was twice as effective at data processing as their laboratory's current version!
"A genius!"
"Zhao, who designed this algorithm? A talent like this should be working at our Institute!"
"Don't even think about it. He probably won't come."
"How do you know if you don't try?"
Old Zhao, who had delivered the drive, shook his head and said, "You think we haven't tried?"
"I've delivered the goods. As for how to get the most value out of this algorithm, that's up to you at the Institute."
...
The next morning, the sun was high.
Li Ya, sleeping soundly while hugging her quilt, was woken up by her phone. Subconsciously, she reached out, felt for the power button, and hung up without even looking.
A moment later, the phone rang again.
"Mmm... who is it? I was finally getting some sleep."
Dazed, she opened her eyes and picked up the phone.
*Brother calling...*
After a brief brain freeze, she remembered: she was in the capital.
"I'm up, I'm up! Give me half an hour!"