Chapter 153 - Awakening of Consciousness (10) (1/2)

Hearing this, Jin Xiangdong fixed his gaze on Lu Jia’er. “I don’t know about other men. But, you are to my taste!”

Lu Jia’er was struck. She found it hard to agree, or to disagree, so, she changed the subject. “Alright, now can you tell me who you are?”

The subject was shifted quickly but Jin Xiangdong’s reaction was swift as well. “A man!” He said those two words while full aware what Lu Jia’er was referring to.

Lu Jia’er stared at him, discontented, “That is not what I am talking about!”

Jin Xiangdong put some food on her plate and grinned. “I am Ironman!”

“You are so boring!” Lu Jia’er sighed.

Jin Xiangdong smiled at her. “Why don’t you believe my words?”

Lu Jia’er retorted, “Because I am not a three-year-old!”

Jin Xiangdong went on with a smile. “While you can interpret those words as child-lulling, there is some truth to it!”

“Ironman?” Lu Jia’er repeated the word.

“Yes!” Jin Xiangdong nodded.

Lu Jia’er was baffled. “Ironman is a character made up in the Marvel comics. I do not believe there is such a thing in the real world. Do not leave my hanging. Tell me, what are you?”

Jin Xiangdong’s lips curled up as he proclaimed in a serious tone. “I am not a human being.”

Doubt rose in the depth of her eyes as Lu Jia’er heard his answer. She stared at Jin Xiangdong and asked. “What did you say?”

Jin Xiangdong smiled. “Are you scared?”

While in shock, Lu Jia’er shook her head. “No. It’s just that I can’t understand what you are trying to say. If you are not a human being, then what are you?”

Jin Xiangdong gazed at her for a few seconds before he answered, “It is not exactly accurate to say I am not a human being!”

“A mutant?” Lu Jia’er guessed.

Jin Xiangdong shook his head.

“A clone, a man-made man?” Lu Jia’er had more guesses.

Again, Jin Xiangdong shook his head no.

Lu Jia’er looked at him, and many ideas were coming into her mind. Before she knew it, her eyebrows were knitted together.

Jin Xiangdong picked up the sign. He stopped her at once. “Stop with the wild ideas. Let’s eat lunch now!”

But the next second, Lu Jia’er blurted out, “Are you… an AI?”

Jin Xiangdong was taken aback. Lu Jia’er kept staring at him. “I am right, am I not?”

Jin Xiangdong smiled. He did not deny it, nor acknowledge it. “As far as the answer is concerned, I stand by what I said. I am waiting for you to decode my body!”

Lu Jia’er, of course, found Jin Xiangdong’s answer unsatisfactory. “It is not fun if you leave me hanging for too long!”

“But you are still curious.” Jin Xiangdong grinned.

Speaking of curious, Lu Jia’er remembered something. At the very beginning, when she started to pursue Jin Xiangdong, it was because she was curious about him. What caught her interest when they first met?

They chatted and dined. It was an enjoyable lunchtime that was both happy and confusing.

Ake came out to clear out the tableware and Lu Jia’er offered to help.

“Professor Lu, do you know what I like you the most?” while cleaning the table, Ake asked.

Lu Jia’er asked with a smile, “Ake, what do you like me the most?”

“The fact that you make master happy, from head to toe!” Ake replied.

Hearing this, Lu Jia’er sized Jin Xiangdong up and down. “From head to toe?”

Jin Xiangdong raised his eyebrows and added, “Inside and out!”

Lu Jia’er chuckled. “Honeyed words!”

Jin Xiangdong replied, “Words that speak to the truth!”

Ake took a look at them. “Are you playing string up puzzle?”

Hearing this, Jin Xiangdong and Lu Jia’er laughed with one accord.

Lu Jia’er helped Ake finishing cleaning the table. She had just gone back to the living room when her phone in her bag began to ring.

Lu Jia’er took out her cell phone and recognized the number on the screen. It was from Xu Lei.

Lu Jia’er picked it up. “Deputy Xu!”

“Professor Lu, are you free this afternoon?” She heard Xu Lei’s voice.

Lu Jia’er looked at Jin Xiangdong before she answered. “Yes, I am. Anything wrong?”

“I have a mission tonight. Can we change tonight’s session to this afternoon?” Xu Lei asked.

“Sure!” Lu Jia’er replied without demur. She looked at her watch and added. “Meet at the center at 2:30!”

“Okay. I’ll see you later!” Xu Lei said.