Chapter 2 Strolling in the Rain

The young man in front of him stood at 192.5cm tall. His facial features adhered to the golden ratio of a handsome face, as did his physique. He had a flat top haircut and wore a pure black off-shoulder hoodie that softened his broad shoulders. His tight jeans outlined his well-developed leg muscles. He looked like an ordinary college student, but the upgraded facial analysis software told Yan Xu that the young man had not had any cosmetic surgery.

In this era where natural good looks are a rare resource, those with such perfect appearances must be either rich or noble. This was a high-end enhanced version of the facial expression analysis software designed to distinguish between synthetic humans and real humans, and Yan Xu trusted its conclusions. But why would such a "wealthy and compelling" young man strike up a conversation with him? Yan Xu didn't understand.

Before Yan Xu could ask, the young man introduced himself eagerly, "My name is Bian Ge (卞格), a philosophy student from University Z. I really like your Weibo."

Yan Xu's Weibo name was Yan Xiaoshan (颜小山), a homophonic translation of Yan Xiaoshan (晏小山). Yan Xiaoshan was the youngest son of Yan Shu, a prime minister during the Song Dynasty, and a typical literati youth. He had experienced the hustle and bustle of his father's rise to power, and the desolation after his father's death. The coldness of human relations and the fickleness of the world couldn't shake his nature. Until his death, he remained an emotionally passionate and naive boy.

However, Yan Xu's Weibo was anything but literary. It was either excerpts from professional books he had read or user experiences of tech products and software. And he always wrote the experiences as rational and objective evaluation reports.

Most people use Weibo for socializing and observing oddities. Yan Xu's posts are dry and profound, appealing only to professionals without a mass market appeal.

What are the odds of running into a fan?

"What's your account name?" Yan Xu asked.

Bian Ge placed his index finger on his lips in a shushing gesture. "We warlocks can't reveal our True Names, let's chat on the road." His words were a nod to the novel "True Names".

"True Names" is a classic science fiction novel written in the last century by Vernor Vinge, a Hugo award-winning American sci-fi author. It tells the story of a group of self-proclaimed warlock hackers trying to unearth a mysterious, powerful warlock hidden on the web that could threaten the government. Written at a time when the internet was not yet widespread, the book is very forward-looking and loved by archaeologically inclined sci-fi fans. In modern times, people value online privacy and are unwilling to expose their real identities on the internet, even resorting to physical means to block the internet. As a result, the "true name" and "warlock" memes have become popular.

Yan Xu's personal computer told him that Bian Ge's smile was sincere, his body language full of goodwill.

Despite doubts about Bian Ge's intentions, Yan Xu, trusting his facial expression analyzer, decided to let Bian Ge take him to the car rental.

After all, he needed an umbrella and was curious about the boy's real intentions.

The umbrella was opened, a one-meter diameter umbrella, just right for one person, two people would have to squeeze underneath.

Yan Xu's colleagues felt he was aloof, territorial, and fussy, but he didn't mind close contact with people, even being childishly curious about strangers.

After all, no one wanted to approach someone prickly who could only communicate properly through social apps. So when he smelled the faint citrus scent on Bian Ge, Yan Xu was quite pleased.

Bian Ge lowered his voice and said in a voice only audible if you leaned in. "My online name is Gargamel, as is my Weibo name."

Yan Xu responded frankly, "The image of that hawk-nosed, bald warlock and your real appearance are vastly different."

Bian Ge responded with a radiant smile, "I'm always bothered by my looks overshadowing my talent."

Yan Xu answered as if he didn't understand the self-deprecation, "High attractiveness is the expression of excellent genes preserved through generations of resource consolidation, a symbol of status. The higher the status, the easier it is to access resources and show your talent. You have no need to worry."

Bian Ge retorted, "Same for you."

"This is flirting," the social app suggested.

Yan Xu snorted and asked straightforwardly. "Tell me, what do you want from me?"

"Actually, it's nothing important, I'm your little fan, and I don't know what to say because I'm so happy to be able to hold an umbrella for my beloved idol."

The expression analyzer indicated that Bian Ge was telling the truth.

Yan Xu unkindly responded, "Then think about it before you speak."

Bian Ge obediently closed his mouth, holding the umbrella dutifully like a robot.

The rain suddenly became heavy, and Bian Ge naturally switched hands with the umbrella and wrapped his arm around Yan Xu's arm, saying with concern, "Be careful not to get wet."

"Thank you." Although Yan Xu could be a bit sharp, he was never impolite.

The chill brought by the cold rain was offset by Bian Ge's body heat. But Bian Ge didn't continue to hold on, he let go of his arm, "I'm sorry, I was too abrupt and rude."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I was just lost in thought and didn't notice the rain."

Bian Ge asked cautiously, "This umbrella is a bit small, we need to get closer to avoid getting wet, may I continue to hold you?"

The social assistance software chimed in again with a friendly reminder: "He likes physical contact with you and may want to do unspeakable things with you."

Yan Xu decisively uninstalled the app, looking for a more reliable one to replace it. Then he took the initiative to hold onto Bian Ge. "Would you like to hold the umbrella, or is it easier if I hold onto you?"

Bian Ge was visibly taken aback. "I thought, Professor Yan, you kind of dislike me."

"Rarely do people share an umbrella with someone they dislike. Your inference is clearly irrational. Why do you think I dislike you?"

"Perhaps because I crave your approval, I've become oversensitive and suspicious."

"I haven't approved of you. I hope you won't misunderstand."

Bian Ge was silent for a moment. "So, will we meet again in the future?"

The heavy rain blurred the scene before them, the colorful neon lights shrouded in mist felt like a fairy tale.

Yan Xu, who never understood atmospheres, suddenly became enlightened in this dreamy ambiance. He understood Bian Ge's earnest expectation and after some thought, he replied, "If necessary, naturally we'll meet again."

Who is this young man named Bian Ge?

As soon as he got home, Yan Xu couldn't wait to hack into the public security system to investigate Bian Ge's real identity.

Over the years, he had been employed by the state's Super-Intelligence Science Institute, focusing on researching super artificial intelligence neural networks for the government, without paying any attention to public network matters. But today, the handsome and pleasing Bian Ge ignited a strong curiosity in him.

It was as if he were back in his childhood, nervously and excitedly diving into the public security system, becoming a major warlock in the online world, tricking layers of strict guards with invisibility spells, drilling through firewalls with wall-passing techniques, seeking treasures deeply buried in the database. Finally, in a rarely visited deep cave, he found the treasure hidden by the dragon.

That Bian Ge was more precious than a whole cave of diamonds and gold.