Chapter 9: "Hello"

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Inside the room, Li Ping’an resembled a focused artist, wholly immersed in the world of coding artificial intelligence. His eyes were fixed intently on the computer screen, each keystroke entered with extraordinary care, as if the keyboard in his hands were an exquisitely delicate instrument.

He understood all too well that even the slightest oversight could plant a fatal bug within the AI, one that might later be exploited by malicious actors, potentially causing the artificial intelligence to spiral out of control.

Yet, in this quiet and concentrated moment, a sudden burst of firecrackers erupted like a heavy hammer striking, abruptly shattering Li Ping’an’s thoughts.

He furrowed his brow slightly and slowly lifted his gaze toward the window, trying to discern some clue from the direction of the sound.

In the countryside, everyone adhered to traditional customs. Aside from festive occasions like the New Year, firecrackers were rarely set off casually.

If the firecrackers did sound, it meant either there was joyous news in the family to share with neighbors, or it was to announce a solemn event—the passing of a loved one.

In recent days, Li Ping’an had heard no news of celebrations in nearby households.

A wave of unease rose in his heart. As the cold season arrived, it was the most difficult time for the elderly. Their bodies became fragile under the onslaught of chill, and many found it hard to survive the harsh months.

He suspected that perhaps an elderly family member had stopped eating.

About twenty minutes later, Li Ping’an faintly heard someone calling out from afar.

He stood up and looked out the window, only to see Xiao Jun approaching.

Xiao Jun, once robust and strong, now appeared listless and worn down.

His deep-set eyes bore two prominent dark circles, his face etched with exhaustion and sorrow.

Though Xiao Jun was of the same generation, he was nearly twenty years older.

Seeing him arrive, Li Ping’an immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.

Without hesitation, he hurried downstairs and opened the door.

Just as Xiao Jun reached the threshold and was about to kneel to report the death, Li Ping’an swiftly stepped forward and pulled him back.

This scene instantly brought Li Ping’an’s memories rushing back to three years prior, when he had, alongside his eldest uncle, gone from house to house delivering such sorrowful news.

“Xiao Jun, my deepest condolences,” Li Ping’an said softly, his voice full of sympathy and comfort.

“You go back first. I’ll bring my sister over shortly,” Xiao Jun replied absentmindedly, nodding with a vacant gaze, as if his focus had vanished.

Then he turned slowly, trudging heavily onward to the next home to spread the mournful message.

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Watching Xiao Jun’s retreating figure, Li Ping’an let out a deep sigh, a strange melancholy swelling within him.

He turned and went back upstairs, walking slowly to his sister’s door and knocking softly.

“Li Ya?”

“Hey, big brother, what’s up?” came the response from inside.

Soon after, Li Ya opened the door, dressed in her cotton pajamas, a warm breeze brushing past.

“Change your clothes. Xiao Jun’s father has passed away,” Li Ping’an said in a low, grave tone.

“Ah?” Li Ya exclaimed in surprise.

“When I came back last time, Second Uncle said he was just diagnosed with cancer, right?”

“How... could it...” she trailed off.

“Don’t ask. Hurry up and change. We need to go help.”

“When Mom and Dad passed, it was thanks to everyone’s efforts and arrangements. These debts of kindness must be repaid.”

Li Ya nodded understandingly. “I know, brother. I’ll change quickly and come down.”

“Don’t worry about your homework for now. If it’s impossible, I’ll explain to your teacher.”

Together, Li Ping’an and his sister trod carefully through the thick snow, making their way to Xiao Jun’s home.

Upon arrival, most of the neighbors had already gathered.

Seeing the siblings, everyone greeted them warmly.

Clearly, their timely presence in such moments earned them silent acknowledgment as thoughtful and responsible in the eyes of the elders.

Inside the spacious living room stood a funeral coffin, already sealed; the ceremony for placing the deceased inside had evidently been completed before they arrived.

Li Ping’an and his sister wasted no time. Wherever they could lend a hand, they worked without hesitation.

The following day, school resumed as usual.

After countless reminders from Li Ping’an, Li Ya shouldered her backpack and set off for school alone, carrying her brother’s concern with her.

The snow on the road had yet to melt, making vehicle travel impossible, so Li Ya had no choice but to walk.

Fortunately, the distance was not too far—about an hour on foot.

Two afternoons later, under a clear sky with the sun hanging high, its bright rays poured down.

Though it was sunny, the cold bit sharper than in the previous days.

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The biting wind howled like a sharp blade, ruthlessly slicing through the air, causing those caught within it to shiver involuntarily.

After the funeral rites concluded, the community slowly carried the elder’s coffin up the mountain and then dispersed.

Only the deceased’s close family remained, immersed in sorrow, their faces marked by grief.

In recent days, friends and relatives had laughed and chatted as usual; no one else seemed to notice the passing of Xiao Jun’s father.

For who but the closest kin truly mourns the eternal departure of one soul?

In the days that followed, Li Ping’an seemed cut off from the world. He neither left his home nor opened the door, pouring all his energy into developing and perfecting the fundamental interactive functions of artificial intelligence.

The human-computer interaction module took him a full ten arduous days to translate the code from his mind onto the computer.

When the code was finally compiled and packaged successfully once more, an overwhelming wave of anxious anticipation surged within him.

His hands trembled slightly as he slowly typed a simple greeting into the black input box:

“Hello.”

At that moment, Li Ping’an’s gaze locked tightly onto the screen, his eyes brimming with nervous hope.

The cursor on the command line blinked like his wildly beating heart, each flash seeming to tap upon his soul.

After agonizingly waiting for more than ten seconds, the command line finally displayed a new response.

The same two words, “Hello,” appeared.

Those brief seconds felt like an eternity to Li Ping’an.

During that time, the AI was silently analyzing data, employing complex algorithms to self-learn and deeply ponder.

To further confirm his suspicion, Li Ping’an took a deep breath and typed again: “Hello.”

This time, the moment he pressed Enter, the command line responded swiftly.

Again, the simple “Hello.”

But the speed was a world apart.

“Excellent! Excellent!” Li Ping’an exclaimed, barely containing his excitement, rubbing his hands together as his face radiated triumph and joy.