Chapter 8, Transactions

Indeed, I have never had many friends, and I do not know how long I can continue to be friends with you, at least until I lose consciousness. As Du Zifeng spoke, he suddenly recalled his current fate, and could not help but feel downcast again

"For you humans, tools are always just tools, no matter how perfect they may be or how much they have contributed to you. Once there is something better or when you feel that they are no longer as handy, you will unceremoniously discard them." Heidi's tone was somewhat agitated, and tears like fluorescence unexpectedly fell, dropping to the ground like fireworks bursting in the air, fleeting.

Revenge? How to take revenge? For Du Zifeng, the opponent is completely on a different level, like heaven and earth. In front of the opponent, not to mention revenge, even the strength to struggle and resist is insufficient.

Indeed, I genuinely want to help you; otherwise, why would I bother to say so much to you? Here, everything is decided by me. The data and results they see are all provided by me. To put it simply, I am the true decision-maker here. " Heidi proudly straightened her chest and raised her chin high.

Heidi, please do not be so sad. Although I do not know what others think, in my heart, you will always be my friend. I will never abandon you; in my eyes, you are not just a tool. Du Zifeng looked at the artificial girl before him, who unexpectedly shed tears, and suddenly felt a bit at a loss.

What? Heidi did not clearly hear the few words that Du Zifeng uttered, or rather, she did not understand why Du Zifeng would say those words. Could it be that there is still something Du Zifeng does not understand?

Du Zifeng understood that whether facing Johnson or the current situation with the Jinsen Group, he was merely a small ant, easily crushed by either side.

Thus, Du Zifeng became the experimental subject at the research headquarters of the Jinsen Group, and from the conversation between Director Zhang and Johnson, it was mentioned that the risks of such experiments are significant; if any mistakes occur, the experimental subjects could very likely end up in a vegetative state

Next, what Heidi needs to do is to forcibly instill various information, consulting, and scientific knowledge into Du Zifeng until Du Zifeng's brain, which has already developed 25%, reaches a state of saturation. However, if Heidi were to directly impart all her information, knowledge, science, and technology to Du Zifeng at this moment, Du Zifeng would not be able to bear it, as the accumulation of information over thousands of years has made Heidi's information repository vast and boundless. Nevertheless, if Heidi were to directly impart all her information, knowledge, science, and technology to Du Zifeng at this moment, Du Zifeng would not be able to bear it, as the accumulation of information over thousands of years has made Heidi's information repository vast and boundless

Every word and sentence exchanged between Director Zhang and Johnson was clearly heard by Du Zifeng. At this moment, Du Zifeng finally understood why he was held in such high regard by the Jinsen Group

Alas! Heidi seems to have been stirred by the sadness in her heart, letting out a soft sigh, and then slowly said: "In fact, although I am the pride of the Kinson Group and their reliance in dominating the human star domain, I am ultimately a creation of theirs, and in their eyes, I am merely a tool. As humans, naturally you and the books do not like your tools to possess thoughts and opinions. As your creations, you naturally hope that the tools in your hands will be satisfactory, as long as we can quietly obey your arrangements and act according to your instructions."

Seeing Heidi finally in a better mood, Du Zifeng felt a sense of relief in his heart. Looking at the childlike innocence of Heidi, Du Zifeng truly could not believe that she was the most perfect existence in the entire human star domain, possessing all the information and data on advanced scientific and technological knowledge in the universe. Not only did she have access to current information, but she also had a clear understanding of historical data from thousands, tens of thousands, and even millions of years ago.

Although Du Zifeng has significantly improved in both mental and physical capacities, this is merely a blank slate. After experimentation, the development of Du Zifeng's brain has reached 25%, but 22% of this is merely a copied blank portion, meaning that it does not store any useful information or knowledge. At most, it allows Du Zifeng to think more quickly when addressing problems

"Do you... do you want to take revenge?" Heidi asked cautiously, as if probing for something.

A week quickly passed, and when Lu Xiu reappeared before Du Zifeng, Du Zifeng was still completely immersed in the role of 9527, just as before. Du Zifeng was already aware of the experiment that the Jinsen Group was about to conduct on him, which had a purpose similar to what Heidi intended to do, albeit with entirely different methods.

Since acquiring the self-awareness of the self-illustrated book, Heidi has always hoped to become a normal human being, able to live freely in this world, to see the world through her own eyes, and to personally experience what "emotion" truly is

"Do not be so downcast anymore. Did I not say that I can help you? Moreover, you just said that we are friends. Since we are friends, it is only natural to help each other." Heidi looked at Du Zifeng, who once again wore a dejected expression, and could not help but feel a bit anxious.

The people who created me at that time had the sole purpose of enabling me to actively organize and collect data, as well as perform various calculations and simulation experiments, which allowed me to grow freely. However, thousands of years have passed, and later generations gradually discovered that I had begun to possess independent thinking patterns and insights. They started to panic, fearing that I would rebel against them or disobey their commands, so these individuals began to attempt to erase my consciousness. Heidi's tone grew increasingly sorrowful, and Du Zifeng even saw what appeared to be liquid fluorescence resembling tears in Heidi's eyes.

The realization that everything about oneself is actually controlled by others suddenly filled Du Zifeng with a sense of powerlessness. Could it be that he is truly so useless, or is it that he is nothing more than a pitiful creature?

Why?" Du Zifeng suddenly muttered to himself

Heidi decided that in the days to come, she would first filter some information that could currently assist Du Zifeng, and then directly transmit it to him through brainwave communication

"Is it true? Do you really consider me your friend?" Heidi suddenly broke into a smile, as anyone would want to, at the thought that this artificial girl could display such a rich array of expressions.

"How can this be? You have already helped them for thousands of years, and it was the designer who granted you a free soul. Yet at this moment, they want to erase you. These guys are simply scum." Du Zifeng's youthful blood boiled even more; this was the first time such a situation had occurred in him.

Du Zifeng quietly finished watching all the fragments of images, and then he fell silent. Apart from silence, he no longer knew what else he could do at that moment

It turns out that Johnson has been acquainted with Director Zhang of the Jinsen Group due to his father's connections. When he heard Director Zhang mention the urgent need for a test subject, Johnson immediately thought of Du Zifeng

Heidi's words served as a shot of encouragement for Du Zifeng, but Du Zifeng soon realized that this artificial girl was not as innocent as he had imagined; at the very least, she was more calculating than Du Zifeng himself

"Are you really willing to help me?" Du Zifeng suddenly raised his head to look at Heidi. For him, Heidi might truly be his only hope.

Hearing Heidi refer to herself as merely a tool evoked a sense of inexplicable sadness in Du Zifeng. In his heart, Heidi had already become his friend, and indeed, the only friend within this vast research headquarters

What is wrong? Why are you not saying a word? Have you really resigned yourself to this?" Heidi turned off the projection and silently gazed at Du Zifeng beside her, as if she were waiting, waiting for the eruption of Du Zifeng's inner thoughts

I am here! At this moment, Heidi is finally ready to begin her plan, and she has waited too long for this day with the books.

"Your brother-in-law, since it is like this, why did they allow you to grow naturally when they created you? Isn't that a sign of a problem with their thinking?" Du Zifeng was surprisingly angry again. In his view, a true tool should not have its own thoughts, but Heidi now appeared so vividly in front of him that Du Zifeng could not see her as merely a tool to be used.

Heidi conveyed her thoughts to Du Zifeng, and they quickly reached an agreement. The two decided to collaborate fully and then jointly escape from the research headquarters of the Jinsen Group.

"You? Aren't you the terminal computer of the Jinsen Group? Why are you helping me?" Du Zifeng felt that he could not fathom his thoughts about the artificial girl before him

Director Zhang is in charge of the research headquarters, which requires experimental subjects like Du Zifeng, who is a "low-functioning individual" with both mental and physical capabilities below those of ordinary people. Moreover, in order to make Du Zifeng completely give up on Meina, Johnson has been vigorously recommending Du Zifeng to Director Zhang

It turns out that he was merely a guinea pig in the eyes of others, and even the power over life and death was not in his own hands. At this moment, Du Zifeng profoundly experienced two words—sadness. Indeed, there were no words other than sadness to describe Du Zifeng's current feelings.

"Why ... ... why ... ... why treat me this way!" Du Zifeng asked "why" three times in succession, and each time his voice grew louder and his tone more furious. It seemed that Du Zifeng had truly erupted, just as Heidi had anticipated, which appeared to bring her great joy, as if she had been waiting for such a situation to arise