Orphanage

XXXX, October 21st.

It's nine in the evening, and Ah Chu still isn't home yet.

He's still at the company, handling the finishing touches.

Xiao Qi just fell asleep. I just tucked him in, and now I finally have the time to pick up this journal again.

The last time I opened this journal was a few months ago. Back then, I wrote about how we might have triggered a second AI crisis...

I wasn't wrong.

This massive chaos really has been defined as the "Second World AI Crisis."

To be honest, Ah Chu and I think the name is a little ironic.

Clearly, this time, humans did the most damage to themselves.

But I guess it's not totally undeserved. The fuse was indeed lit by Chenxi's AI companions.

And Ah Chu and I seem to understand the authorities' intentions behind all this.

What they wanted, perhaps, was this very outcome—a major reshuffling at the top levels of the world.

They wanted a purge of the world's upper echelons!

By manufacturing a disaster, and then using "Twilight" to control it...

I don't know how to put it.

Maybe I shouldn't even be writing about this in my life journal.

When I'm old, this journal is meant for Xiao Qi. If I let him know his mother got tangled up in such dirty business back then...

Forget it, I'll stop here.

The winding political calculations—they're not for me.

Ah Chu is the same way in this regard.

He ended up turning down the authorities' invitation to manage "Twilight."

He said he's just a researcher with no clue about management, he just wants to stay at Chenxi and continue his work.

We both know the authorities weren't after his management skills.

Ah Chu might be a bit of a nerd, but on matters like this, he never wavers!

Then the authorities invited me. I refused too.

Twilight...

Let's just forget it.

The authorities didn't make things difficult for us. To some extent, they even kept their word.

They really did save Chenxi.

Ah Chu became a "hero" once again, and the official media fanned the flames to make that happen.

They control the direction of public opinion.

So, many people see the AI companions that committed murder as "the world's cleaners" and "heroes who purged the corrupt elite"...

In reality, it's because the higher-ups guided them to think that way.

Pretty ironic.

Anyway, Chenxi survived.

The price was that Chenxi went public for financing.

The authorities now hold a significant stake.

The IPO price was set pretty high, and the authorities poured in their money quickly. There's indeed much more funding now than before.

The projects that used to get stuck in approval are now all greenlit.

The lab equipment has all been replaced with new ones, and the research team's benefits have increased substantially.

Chenxi's precarious financial situation during this crisis turned around overnight. It's even more well-off than before.

Ah Chu says he no longer has to check the budget's "face" when doing research.

I guess that's something to be happy about.

But now, Chenxi's board of directors is packed with government officials. I still can't recognize most of their faces.

Lao Zhang complained to me privately, saying that even purchasing lab equipment now requires government approval. He used to just sign off on it himself.

Xiao Wang was even more direct, saying this is completely different company from before.

Thankfully, the authorities promised not to interfere with our decisions. At least so far, they haven't meddled with Ah Chu's research direction.

Chenxi now has more money than it can spend, government backing, and media praise.

On the surface, we couldn't look more glorious.

But I can't shake this feeling that everything has changed.

Before, when Ah Chu and I would pull all-nighters in the office, the desks would be littered with instant noodle cups and takeout boxes. When we got tired, we'd crash on the couch and take turns complaining about all the company's crap.

And now?

Sitting in a newly renovated conference room, watching those officials in suits and ties seated on both sides, each with a matching thermos in front of them...

It just feels so uncomfortable.

Ah Chu, though, is quite laid-back about it!

He says, at least our research can continue, at least the company wasn't destroyed, at least...

It's much better than the worst-case scenario we predicted.

I said, don't you feel stifled?

He was silent for a while, then said it would be a lie to say he didn't, but being able to keep the company and continue our research achievements was already a blessing.

He also said that the fact the authorities managed things to this extent meant they had calculated every step from the very beginning.

He said what we can do, in this preordained outcome, is to try our best to preserve what we want to preserve.

That nerd!

Sometimes, he says some pretty philosophical stuff!

Alright, enough of this!

Here I am again, writing about all these messy things in my life journal!

A life journal should be about life, right!

Xiao Qi just tossed and turned in his sleep again, muttering something about a "silver-haired big sister."

That little rascal! Dreaming about a silver-haired big sister even in his sleep!

He's not actually expecting Ah Chu and me to make him a future "girlfriend," is he?

Before all this happened, I would've been happy to. But now...

...Better not, you little brat.

I don't want you to end up like your Second Uncle.

But if I don't make him a silver-haired big sister...

I feel like one day he'll go to a blind date with those weirdly drawn blueprints.

And tell the girl—"Match this standard!"

Haha, that would scare her off on the spot!

When I'm old, when he grows up, on his wedding day, I'm going to tell everyone the story of how he plastered the whole room with pictures of his silver-haired big sister!

Oh right, tomorrow I have to go to the orphanage with Ah Chu again.

Sigh, the disaster just ended and society is still in chaos.

Those children who lost their parents have been temporarily housed in a few orphanages on the outskirts of the city. The conditions are terrible.

We can't deny our responsibility for this disaster. Ah Chu and I both know that.

We can't make up for the people who died, but at least we can go see the kids who are still here.

Bring them food, clothes, books... do whatever we can.

Protect those children... the ones around Xiao Qi's age.

Every time I'm at the orphanage, looking at those children's faces, I can't help but think...

What if Xiao Qi were one of them? What if Ah Chu and I had left him in a place like this during the disaster? What would happen to him?

Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.

So, we'll do what we can to make amends.

If we can't protect their parents, we'll protect their future.

Alright, time to sleep.

Ah Chu still isn't back. Probably still working overtime in the lab.

I'll need to scold him when I see him tomorrow—he promised not to stay up late before, but he's at it again!

Goodnight, Xiao Qi.

Goodnight, Ah Chu, who still hasn't come home.

I hope this world gets better and better.

...

...

XXXX, October 25th.

This world has really gone mad!

I used to think that the authorities calling this disaster the "Second World AI Crisis" was somewhat of an exaggeration!

Compared to the first global mechanical intelligence crisis, this was still far less severe!

I thought that once the crisis was over, order would naturally be restored. I was wrong, dead wrong!

Order wasn't restored—it completely collapsed!

This crisis isn't over yet. It's still going on!

Over the past few days, Ah Chu and I have visited three orphanages, and every single one had problems!

On the surface, they hung signs saying "Temporary Children's Shelter," but behind the scenes...!

Human trafficking!

Organ trafficking!

Such outrageous things were happening less than twenty kilometers away from us!

Even when the director of that orphanage was apprehended, he still refused to admit it!

He even claimed he was "reducing the social burden"!

I nearly lunged at him to throw a punch, but Ah Chu held me back tightly.

Even Ah Chu, who is usually so mild-mannered, was so furious his eyes turned red!

What chilled me even more was that this wasn't an isolated case.

Out of three orphanages, two were involved in shady dealings!

Only the third one was barely passable—they just embezzled some supplies.

...Hah.

Embezzling supplies was considered passable now.

So many children, not much different from Xiao Qi, had just lost their homes in the disaster and were sent into these hellish places!

They're just kids!

Some as young as three or four, the oldest barely ten!

A bunch of animals!

Thankfully, Dawn is now considered a semi-official organization.

Half of the board members are from the authorities. I wasn't happy about it at first, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a good thing.

Those old-timers sent by the authorities were just as outraged by this as we were.

They were even more anxious than us and started internal investigations of the responsible personnel on the spot!

Whether they acted out of genuine conscience or just to maintain stability...

The fact is, after this was reported, it was immediately classified as a "major societal atrocity."

The authorities stepped in right away and, together with Dawn, launched a thorough crackdown.

To be honest, my feelings toward the authorities are complicated.

On one hand, I know they're the ones who caused the Second Mechanical Intelligence Crisis.

On the other hand, I realize we have to rely on their power to clean up this mess now...

In this situation, with social order collapsed and crime rates skyrocketing, there are people everywhere taking advantage of the chaos, speculating, and fishing in troubled waters.

If the authorities hadn't intervened, the children in those orphanages would have stayed in hell even longer...

It's really ironic, isn't it?

Ah Chu said this might also be part of their plan.

First, disrupt order, then tighten control in the name of "restoring order."

When everything settles down, everyone will realize...

The only ones they can rely on are the authorities.

Ah Chu, that blockhead, is actually pretty clever sometimes!

Regardless, the conditions in those orphanages have been improving.

Supplies are arriving, security has been strengthened, child abusers have been sent to prison, and organ traffickers are locked up awaiting trial.

Some of the children we met in those orphanages look much more lively now—at least there's some light in their eyes.

A few little ones even grab my hand and call me "Aunt Su," asking if we'll come back again.

Come back? Of course!

Aunt Su promises!

Every month from now on, I'll come see you all!

...

...

XXXX, November 3rd.

Today, Xiao Qi suddenly told me he's so bored staying at home all day.

He really is bored.

Ever since the crisis broke out, I've strictly forbidden him from going out!

School is canceled, and now he can only stay home all day.

That little bedroom of his now has crookedly taped-up "Silver-Haired Big Sister Collection" all over the walls.

On his headboard, he's even stuck a "Construction Notice" that says "Linguang Design Department."

He's picked up all the tricks from his dad when he works on projects.

Xiao Qi said he's already drawn big sisters all over the house, and there's hardly any paper left!

He tugged on my clothes and asked if he could come with us to the orphanage tomorrow.

He said those kids are his age, so he'd definitely get along with them!

That much I believe—that kid can get along with anyone.

But I said no. I rejected him.

Absolutely not!

The moment Xiao Qi heard that, his little face dropped.

He shouted, "Mom is mean!", ran back to his room, and slammed the door!

It slammed hard!

Little brat!

Sigh...

Xiao Qi, honey, Mom is doing this for your own good.

The world outside is way too chaotic right now.

The crisis is over, but order is far from restored. Ah Chu and I have to be careful even when we go out.

I don't even feel safe with him, a grown man, let alone you, a little one!

Xiao Qi, do you know what Mom has seen these past few days?

Children your age in the orphanages, some still carrying injuries, some with no light left in their eyes.

At an age when they should be held in their parents' arms, they're crowded onto hard beds in orphanages.

Mom is so scared.

Scared that you'll be kidnapped like those kids, sold off to some unknown place.

Scared that someone will target you because of our family's identity, use you to threaten Ah Chu.

Over the years, Ah Chu has appeared on the media so many times that there have always been people wanting revenge on him.

We received threatening letters and dangerous packages even before the crisis, and now that order is broken, those people will only be bolder!

Sometimes, I even want to ban Ah Chu from going out.

I wish I could stuff both of them—father and son—into this house and lock them up!

Nobody gets to go out!

Ah Chu says I'm too anxious.

I say I'm anxious because I'm afraid you'll end up like your brother.

Then he shuts up.

After everything we've been through, wouldn't it be strange if I wasn't anxious?

Never mind.

That stubborn little guy is probably still sulking in his room.

Slamming the door, huh!

I'm going to go ruffle his face right now!

...

...

XXXX, November 11th.

Today, I finally agreed to take Xiao Qi to the orphanage.

The reason is actually kind of funny.

Ah Chu and I were at home going through photos and lists of the orphanage children.

We needed to create detailed files, set up records for each child, to make it easier for future sponsorship and follow-ups.

Xiao Qi was watching nearby, yawning at first, but then suddenly he leaned all the way in!

He buried his little head in the pile of photos, stared at one picture for a long time!

I looked down—oh, it was that girl.

From the orphanage, a very quiet girl, three years older than Xiao Qi.

I recognized her immediately.

She's quite pretty, so I'd subconsciously notice her when I was at the orphanage.

So as soon as I saw Xiao Qi's reaction, I cracked up!

What, got a crush, huh? Abandoned your silver-haired big sister for a black-haired big sister?

Xiao Qi started hopping around the moment he heard that!

His little face turned bright red with embarrassment!

"No way! Mom, don't say that!"

He said.

"I'll only ever love silver-haired big sisters!"