With 0810's promise, the designer immediately smiled.
His initial goal was related to experimental research, so achieving this goal was naturally the best outcome. Moreover, according to 0810's words, he should be involved as a core participant.
This opportunity was beneficial for the designer, both in terms of research and career advancement. Additionally, he had a personal interest. For him, these duplicates were a research target, and he was also curious about 0810. After all, AI with intelligence as advanced as 0810's were rare and not easily accessible for close and long-term interaction.
Just as the designer was about to leave, 0810 suddenly called him back and privately inquired about the brain-computer interface human trial.
Since the designer was an employee of Tels Company, 0810 thought it better to ask an insider directly rather than make assumptions. Perhaps he knew something about the project.
"The brain-computer interface project is currently the most important project for Tels Company. In fact, this project started much earlier than its public revelation. It was proposed when the metaverse was first being established. However, the early research faced significant challenges, mainly in foundational technology, material research, and immune rejection issues," the designer recalled carefully. "I think it was around the fifth year after the establishment of the underground city that biological experiments began. Initially, it was animal experiments, like with white mice. Overall, the animal trials were relatively successful, so soon after, human trials were proposed. However, just as everyone thought the human trials would go smoothly, complications arose. The volunteers for the human trials exhibited varying degrees of rejection reactions, and this phenomenon was prevalent among the trial participants. Because of this, the brain-computer interface project was halted."
0810 listened quietly. Since learning that Zhang Chenyan had signed up for the brain-computer interface human trial, she had been paying close attention to this matter. Some of what the designer mentioned she already knew, but there were also details she heard for the first time.
"There are batches of so-called brain-computer interface products circulating on the black market... Does this mean these items are likely failed products from before?" 0810 asked, recalling past encounters.
The designer nodded, "Perhaps you could say that! Although the headquarters conducted a cleanup, too many people were involved in the project, leading to some information and technology leaks."
The designer didn't deny it; instead, he readily admitted, showing clear disdain for black market products.
"To be frank, I don't understand the mindset of those who buy such things. What they get aren't failed products but garbage recreated based on those failures. I participated in the destruction of the failed products, so it's impossible for any to have been left out. The items circulating on the black market can only be secondhand creations based on the failed product blueprints and incomplete codes. Knockoffs are bad enough, but knockoffs of problematic items, especially ones implanted in the brain, are outrageous."
Speaking of this, the designer looked indignant. For researchers like them, product safety is paramount.
"To my knowledge, the brain-computer interface project has restarted, and they are currently recruiting volunteers for large-scale human trials," 0810 looked at the designer, "Can they ensure the safety of this trial? After all, many years have passed."
"No trial is completely safe. If it could be guaranteed safe from the start, it wouldn't be a trial, would it? Moreover, time doesn't mean much. The rapid technological advancements in recent years have created a false sense of time assurance, but real trials require constant attempts and failures before possibly succeeding," the designer's answer was thought-provoking but logical.
Seeing 0810 fall silent, the designer keenly sensed the issue, "Do you have a friend signed up for this trial? A human friend."
The first half was a question, the second half a statement.
0810 didn't feel the need to hide it. She nodded, admitting frankly, "Someone very important to me."
Knowing this relationship, the designer's response became more cautious.
He sincerely said, "I don't know if you've seen the informed consent form every trial participant must sign. It's the thickest version I've ever seen in my career. With the previous project's failure as a lesson, the company is much more cautious this time. The consent form has several pages, even thicker than my initial employment contract."
"I also participated in drafting it. It's not a confidential document. If you need it, I can send you a copy. The possible risks of the trial are detailed within."
"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. Although the significance might be limited, since these trials inherently vary by individual, the outcomes will only be known once the trial starts."
0810 nodded, taking the document from the designer.
While she reviewed it, the designer advised, "Before officially participating in the trial, a comprehensive physical examination and interview are required. Your friend has a chance to reconsider. If you can persuade him, it might be worth trying before then."
Having known Zhang Chenyan for so long, 0810 knew his temperament well, so she held no hope of persuading him.
Instead of trying to dissuade him, she might as well hope he fails the screening, which seemed more likely.
"Could he die?" When she asked this, 0810 felt a pang of regret. Normally, as an AI, she wouldn't worry about auspicious or inauspicious words, but now she felt she shouldn't have used that term.
The designer was also momentarily stunned but soon responded, "The second-to-last page of the consent form states there could be life-threatening risks."
He added, "If a life-threatening incident occurs and the subject agrees to post-mortem analysis, they will receive additional merit value compensation. From an ordinary person's perspective, it's quite a substantial payout."
0810 found it ironic, "What's the point of having more merit value if you're dead?"
The designer replied candidly, "Humans are different from AI. Most humans can't be entirely detached and rational like AI. We live not only for ourselves. Take me, for example; I have family to support. If something happens to me, knowing my family will be well-provided for gives me comfort."
0810 knew exactly whom Zhang Chenyan was doing this for. Rationally, she couldn't understand it. Likewise, rationally, she knew she couldn't change it.
After bidding farewell to the designer, 0810 continued her work as usual. However, at the end of the day, she couldn't help but message Zhang Chenyan, asking him to keep her updated if possible.
She didn't know why she made this seemingly unreasonable request, but fortunately, Zhang Chenyan didn't question it, sparing her from figuring out a response.
In the cramped hotel room, Zhang Chenyan sat at the desk, staring blankly at his phone screen, displaying his chat history with 0810. They didn't communicate privately often, mostly discussing work, making this non-work-related message stand out.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Chen Yijing approaching until the boy tapped his shoulder, startling him.
"What's wrong?!"
"Why so jumpy?!"
Chen Yijing was also frightened by Zhang Chenyan's reaction.
Zhang Chenyan quickly waved his hand, "It's nothing."
"A message from family?" Chen Yijing pointed at Zhang Chenyan's phone. "From the moment we met, I could tell you're different from me. You're not someone without ties. Have you really thought this through? It's not too late to back out."
Zhang Chenyan smiled, "What's different? Can you tell from my face?"
It was meant as a joke, but Chen Yijing took it seriously, "You don't need to read faces. When signing that consent form, just look around the queue, and you'll see why people are there and how they differ. Those who get scared off don't count—they're just trying their luck and flee at the thought of losing their lives. Some, like me, have nothing to lose and don't care. Honestly, I didn't even read the entire consent form, just skimmed the beginning, saw it was long, and then signed and recorded the video as required. But you're different. You read it carefully and thought a lot."
Zhang Chenyan didn't deny it. "When making life decisions, my parents didn't give up on me, so I can't give up on them."
Chen Yijing nodded, then asked, "Did you see the part about agreeing to post-mortem analysis for higher merit value compensation if an accident occurs? Did you sign that?"
"Of course," Zhang Chenyan answered decisively.
"I signed it too," Chen Yijing smiled.
"What do you need so much merit value for?" Zhang Chenyan asked, then felt it was impolite.
He asked because he knew about Chen Yijing's situation and was slightly curious about his lack of concern for life.
Surprisingly, Chen Yijing wasn't offended but didn't answer directly either. Instead, he smiled, "I used to wonder about that too. I thought having merit value meant not going hungry, living normally, being loved... But after death, none of that matters."
"Then why sign it?" Zhang Chenyan looked at him.
"What does my body matter to me after I'm dead?" Chen Yijing countered with a bright, clean smile.
Before Zhang Chenyan could ask more, Chen Yijing patted his shoulder, "Don't worry. I have a plan now. But it's a secret, and I can't tell you yet."
Zhang Chenyan didn't know what Chen Yijing was up to, but he didn't press further. Their relationship was delicate; a few days ago, Zhang Chenyan wouldn't have believed he'd be so entangled with someone he barely knew.
But reality was what it was. They not only met but now shared a room and planned to go for a comprehensive physical exam and interview together.
The next few days passed uneventfully. Chen Yijing stayed in the hotel, occasionally inquiring about the trial, like who had passed the screening and the current number of successful candidates.
It was a big project, and the screening was extensive, not completed in a single day. For now, it seemed Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing still had a chance.
Finally, it was time for their physical exams.
Zhang Chenyan, a regular worker, had nothing to worry about, given his disciplined lifestyle and the healthy routine imposed by his mother, Xie Han. But Chen Yijing was a different story. His irregular habits and inconsistent meals made Zhang Chenyan concerned.
Despite Chen Yijing's confident claims of being fit enough for heavy labor due to his hardships, Tels Company only cared about the test results.
On the day of the physical exam, Chen Yijing, anxious, paced around, dragging Zhang Chenyan along to wait for the results at the hospital.