Chapter 29: Yan Guofeng

A Red Flag sedan was parked outside the gate. Seeing Zhong Yuxiu approach, a man in the car opened the door and stepped out—it was Yan Rushan. Following behind him were an elderly man and two young men in security uniforms. Zhong Yuxiu hurried forward.

Yan Rushan took the initiative to introduce them. “Comrade Zhong, this is my grandfather, Yan Guofeng. Grandfather, this is Comrade Zhong Yuxiu, whom I spoke to you about. She is truly outstanding.”

Yan Guofeng had a square face, his eyelids heavy with age, and his deep, weathered eyes seemed to hold countless stories. Even in plain clothes, he could not conceal the aura of authority he carried; those who had lived through the fires of war often exuded an unintentional gravity.

“Comrade Zhong Yuxiu, it’s a pleasure.”

“A pleasure, Elder Yan. Thank you for coming all this way. Shall we speak further inside?” Her features were calm, her gaze steady and observant.

Yan Guofeng likewise studied her. “Sorry to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Zhong Yuxiu fished a key from her pocket, unlocked the gate, and stepped aside. “Please, Elder Yan. Comrade Yan, come in.”

Yan Guofeng glanced at his grandson, whose expression stiffened briefly, and was secretly amused. “Thank you, Comrade Zhong.”

The three of them walked ahead, with the two security officers following closely behind. They entered the courtyard, shutting the gate behind them.

Inside the main hall.

Goudan sensed Zhong Yuxiu’s return and noticed the presence of strangers. Obeying his mistress’s instructions, he did not come out to greet them immediately, but continued working in the kitchen, as though the visitors did not exist.

“Please, Elder Yan, have a seat. Comrade Yan, you as well,” Zhong Yuxiu gestured for them to sit.

“No need for formalities. Let’s be at ease,” Yan Rushan said as he helped his grandfather to the seat of honor, and then took a seat himself. He gave the two security officers a subtle signal.

The officers nodded and withdrew to stand guard in the courtyard.

“Comrade Zhong, could you bring out the two robots? My grandfather would like to see them.”

Zhong Yuxiu turned her gaze to the elder. Yan Guofeng nodded slightly. “Rushan told me your robots are quite extraordinary. I would like to witness them for myself, if that’s convenient.”

“Of course.” Zhong Yuxiu called out, “Goudan, we have guests. Bring two bowls of water. Have the little robot come as well.”

Goudan emerged from the kitchen, causing the two security officers to stare in astonishment. Trailing behind him was a small robot, about four feet six in height.

So, this was the research achievement they were here to see? Remarkable indeed.

Goudan entered the main hall, his six-foot build casting a shadow across the room. His mechanical hands balanced a wooden tray, which he set on the table before standing motionless at Zhong Yuxiu’s side. The little robot did the same.

Distributing a bowl of water to each, Zhong Yuxiu explained, “Elder Yan, these are robots. They possess sensory functions and automatic charging abilities. Handling daily tasks is no problem for them. Their chips are custom-made by me, programmed to obey their owner’s commands. Once named, each robot will only ever recognize a single master.”

“How do they determine who their master is?” Elder Yan’s eyes narrowed, sharpness hidden within.

“I set up fingerprint and voice locks, as well as sensors for identification. The fingerprint and voice recognition forcibly bind them to their master. The sensors allow them to discern direction, people, and objects.”

“And why did you want to make robots?” Elder Yan’s gaze was deep and penetrating.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled with composure. “To be honest, Elder Yan, my initial reason was pure laziness. Comrade Yan knows—I can’t cook, and no matter how I try, I simply can’t learn.”

“Indeed,” Yan Rushan nodded slightly.

“My studies keep me busy. If I’m not in class, I’m buried in the library. Time is far too precious to be wasted on daily chores. So, I resolved to build a robot. At first, I just wanted one to lend a hand. But gradually, my research led to these results, and the robots came to be. They can now take care of my daily needs. I no longer have to waste time on housework, nor am I forced to eat at the school cafeteria every day.”

With Goudan, she had a perfect housekeeper.

“That’s certainly true. Comrade Zhong is extremely dedicated,” Yan Rushan remarked, reflecting the hungry enthusiasm with which students now pursued knowledge.

Elder Yan took a fresh measure of the young woman before him. To develop technology surpassing both domestic and foreign achievements on her own—how brilliant must her mind be?

“Comrade Zhong Yuxiu, could you give us a demonstration?”

“Of course.” Zhong Yuxiu smiled at the two robots, her lips a pale pink. “Goudan, collect the bowls.”

Goudan stepped forward silently, gathered the three water bowls onto the tray, and walked away.

“Goudan, come back. Set the tray down.”

He returned and placed the tray back on the table.

Zhong Yuxiu turned her gaze to the elder. “Elder Yan, what do you think?”

“Excellent,” Yan Guofeng nodded gravely. “You mentioned sensors and chips. I understand the sensors, but what are these chips?”

“Little robot, come here.” The little robot stepped forward, beeped twice, and stood still. Zhong Yuxiu opened its torso and took out a chip connected by numerous wires. “This is the chip, its central nervous system. All their actions and commands are governed by the programs within this chip. Without the chip, a robot is brainless, just like a human without a mind.”

Yan Guofeng frowned in thought, struck by how unbelievable it seemed, though he could just about grasp it. “Will they ever develop their own consciousness?”

“No, they’re inanimate.”

That was a relief.

“I need to take them with me.” It was not a request, but a statement.

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head. “Elder Yan, I can’t give you both of them. I can only let you have the little robot. The large one—I need it. Whether for you or higher authorities, I won’t agree. Goudan’s chip is different from the little robot’s.”

Yan Guofeng’s expression didn’t change, nor did he speak. The atmosphere grew tense.

“Grandfather, these are Comrade Zhong’s research achievements. She has her own use for one; we don’t need to take both. For research purposes, one is enough,” Yan Rushan interceded.

“This is my work,” Zhong Yuxiu said calmly. “I have the right to decide their fate.” She was unfazed by Yan Guofeng’s oppressive presence; she had seen far grander scenes—this was nothing.

Yan Guofeng relented, his tone softening. “You don’t have the means to protect it.”

If spies from other countries found out, they would surely find ways to steal it.

“I don’t, but I’ve installed a self-destruct program and device in it. Should anyone attempt to steal it, it will explode—mutual destruction.” The little robot was not so equipped, as it was intended as a gift. Goudan’s chip came with such a safeguard.

“Self-destruct?”

“Yes,” Zhong Yuxiu said seriously. “Goudan has a self-destruct system. When triggered, its internal circuits collide, generating a current. When the current accumulates to a certain level, it explodes. Once initiated, the program cannot be altered or interrupted—it is absolute.”

Goudan’s battery capacity was large enough that it could explode twice over without issue.

“In that case…” Elder Yan gazed at Goudan for a long moment, then finally acquiesced. “It can remain with you.”