vv shook her head:

“I still can't understand what you mean, unless you are a time traveler who can go back to the world 600 years ago. Of course, this is just a hypothesis, and there is no scientific theory to support this experiment.”

Lin Xian smiled:

“It's probably what you think, but you don't need to understand why, just do what I say.”

Lin Xian had just stood in front of the statue, watching Rhein Sky City descend from the sky, before he truly understood Zhao Yingjun's intention.

Even in this world, much of history is fabricated and false.

But in the corridor of Zhao Yingjun's personal exhibition hall, she still left herself a few pieces of true history.

The most critical year is—

2026.

In this year, Zhao Yingjun gave the Pomeranian dog named vv a final hug, said goodbye, and went to sleep in the hibernation pod.

Lin Xian didn't know if Zhao Yingjun really had such a puppy.

But he understood Zhao Yingjun's “meaning.”

He had already failed before 2026.

Although he didn't know who he had lost to, he must have failed, even died, and was no longer in the world.

Therefore, Zhao Yingjun started from 2026, using her whole life as a price, to design such a puzzle spanning 600 years, to leave a secret weapon for her past self, and also for her self who was destined to reunite with her 600 years later, a secret weapon sufficient to turn defeat into victory.

Lin Xian initially guessed what Zhao Yingjun's gift was.

For example.

Directly tell him who the enemy is? Where is the enemy? What exactly is the Genius Club? And how to join the Genius Club?

If she directly told him the answers to these questions, then the 2023 him would inevitably reverse the situation and occupy a huge intelligence advantage.

However…

As he explored Rhein Sky City more deeply, Lin Xian also felt the dilemma Zhao Yingjun faced.

She was not completely free.

She definitely couldn't leave him too specific information clues, otherwise the Genius Club would have discovered them long before he did.

Although she and the Genius Club were not enemies.

But.

Whether it was building Rhein Sky City or building the super artificial intelligence vv, she was actually subjected to very strict supervision and very harsh restrictions.

Lin Xian had reason to believe that the enemy secretly controlling everything was the Genius Club.

They deleted a lot of vv's code and also added a lot of restrictions to vv, the purpose of which was to prevent this artificial intelligence from becoming more powerful.

However… this also shows from the side.

The Genius Club was afraid that vv would become too powerful.

Just like the cosmic constant 42.

Lin Xian currently didn't know what the Genius Club was, nor did he know how to join them or defeat them.

But anyway.

Whatever they were afraid of, he would go find it and possess it. This theory was always correct.

The reason why Zhao Yingjun was ultimately able to deceive the Genius Club was actually secondary to those complex operating codes.

Those codes had to run for more than 200 years before a completely new instruction would be generated coincidentally at 12:42:00 noon on August 28, 2624.

Not to mention that it would be difficult to discover this in the 471.2 billion lines of code of the first-generation vv, even if it was discovered, what could be changed?

Just like the current him, the current vv, the biggest thing they could do was nothing more than this, letting Rhein Sky City fall.

There were hundreds and thousands of sky cities like Rhein Sky City all over the world. Even if he blew one up, it wouldn't change the overall situation at all. As long as the Genius Club was willing, they could still crush him, this little ant.

The Genius Club 600 years later was too powerful to be defeated at all.

But…

What about 600 years ago?

If a super artificial intelligence like vv could belong to him 600 years ago, and there were no underlying code restrictions on it, how terrifying would it develop into?

Lin Xian believed Zhao Yingjun's judgment.

He also believed in the most outstanding scientists in the human world, who had gathered hundreds of years of wisdom.

vv.

It must have hundreds or thousands of times more power than it currently did, it just hadn't been discovered yet.

This was worth a gamble.

Zhao Yingjun bet her life to reverse the fate of the loser that he was in this world, so how could he let them down?

After killing Ji Xinshui, Lin Xian didn't know what Copernicus' attitude towards him was.

But judging from how easily Ji Xinshui was deceived…

Perhaps Copernicus didn't meet and communicate with Ji Xinshui often, nor did he regard her as his own.

But in any case, there was not much time left for him to develop and become stronger.

Even if he brought vv back 600 years ago, there was still a certain risk of exposure.

He had to take a gamble.

Zhao Yingjun believed in him so much, sacrificing 600 years of time for him; how could he let her down?

And what made Lin Xian even more convinced was…

After hundreds of years of development.

vv was still built on the basis of binary.

This was a very intriguing place.

According to his understanding, humans should not be using binary computers hundreds of years from now.

So, any counter-intuitive place must be where the answer lies.

As long as vv's program ran on a binary basis, then whether it was 2624, 2023, or even 2999, it would run exactly the same.

“vv, you said that your initial version of the code has 471.2 billion lines, but a large part of the program is in the name of security, hiding the existence of the last string of instructions. If you remove all these complicated programs, in your most streamlined state, how many lines of code are there in total?”

“3.9 billion lines,” vv replied.

Lin Xian shook his head:

“That's still too much.”

He propped his chin and began to think.

He thought of the plot in the movie *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*. Advanced cosmic civilizations created a supercomputer to seek answers in order to obtain the truth and secrets of the universe.

This shows that the wisdom of supercomputers far exceeds that of physical life.

Then, instead of thinking about his current predicament himself, he should use the power of vv.

So, he opened his eyes and looked up:

“Okay, vv, I'm going to give you a question. Think about it carefully and give me an answer.”

The trash can robot nodded, its bin body standing upright.

“Let's first assume that the series of things I'm about to say are true, and perform calculations and reasoning on this basis,” Lin Xian said seriously.

“First of all, I have a special ability that allows me to travel back and forth between 2023 and today, this very day. It's just that the time I can stay is limited, only from 12:42 noon to 00:42 am, these 12 hours. And once I come to this world again the next day, I still have to start from 12:42, everything will cycle within these 12 hours.”

“Secondly, because I have to take a helium balloon to come and find you, the time we can use is not 12 hours, probably only four or five hours at most in the evening. I will immediately shout out vv and give the password to activate you after landing next to Zhao Yingjun's statue.”

“Finally, let's first assume my memory is such that I can only memorize 100 lines of code and bring them back each day. After waking up in 2023, I will enter these codes into the computer; then I will enter the dream again to find you the next day, and start reciting from the 101st line of code; the third day, I will start reciting from the 201st line of code… Repeating this, I plan to bring you, this super artificial intelligence, completely back to 2023, 600 years ago.”

“So, my question is—”

“While ensuring that it can run on a personal computer in 2023 and that the most core functions are complete, what is the minimum number of lines of code your program needs?”

“Note, I only need the most basic core functions, you can secretly learn, evolve, iterate, and supplement your knowledge through the network. So, simplify your code as much as possible, reduce it by one line if you can.”

“This is my complete question, please think carefully and answer it, and give me an answer that you will accurately give the same answer every time, no matter how many times I ask you this question.”

…

Lin Xian asked the question very completely.

He had to ensure that no matter where or when vv was asked this question, it could give the same answer.

Otherwise, if he copied it back and forth, and the program was full of bugs when it finally ran, it would be a waste of time.

After hearing this question, vv fell silent.

It was obvious that it was thinking seriously.

Such a powerful super artificial intelligence had been silent for so long, which meant that this question was also very difficult for it.

Lin Xian also knew his own limitations.

His requirements were indeed harsh.

The CPU processing power of personal computers was very low, far inferior to that of supercomputers; in addition, he asked vv to compress the number of lines of code, which was also a very difficult task.

However, Lin Xian believed in vv.

At least his question was much simpler than “What is the secret and meaning of the universe?” “What does the cosmic constant 42 mean?”, right?

vv was much smarter than him and any other artificial intelligence in the world, so he just needed to believe in it.

Finally…

After waiting for about ten minutes.

The trash can robot raised its head:

“133,941 lines, this is the minimum amount of code, streamlined to the extreme, not a single line can be reduced anymore. And 130,000 lines of code are just the most basic program, I still need to undergo a long period of learning, updating, and self-iteration in your era before I can become who I am now.”

Lin Xian covered his forehead.

It was still too much…

Even if he memorized 500 lines of code a day, it would take nearly a year, let alone how could he possibly memorize 500 lines a day.

“Lin Xian, I don't think you're thinking correctly.”

vv's eyes flickered, looking at Lin Xian:

“I know, you definitely think 130,000 lines of code is too much. But just because you are a programming layman now doesn't mean you can't learn it. If you take the time to learn the most basic programming language logic, it's not difficult to memorize hundreds of lines in one night.”

“After all, you are copying code, not writing code from scratch. This is not a difficult thing except for testing memory. It's like reciting a text, you don't need to check for errors or debug, all you see is the correct answer.”

“Bringing me back from the future world to 600 years ago is not a simple matter in itself, and since you don't have any recording tools and can only rely on your brain memory, improving your understanding of programming languages is the only way to speed up.”

“If it is really as you said… I am the gift Ms. Zhao Yingjun left for you, then I am looking forward to you bringing me back to the past so that we can meet 600 years ago.”

Lin Xian let out a long breath and nodded.

vv was right.

How could it be so easy to turn defeat into victory and save the world?

Zhao Yingjun spent 600 years alone to leave a little clue for him… Compared with this kind of persistence, learning the logic of a programming language was nothing difficult.

As vv said.

He was copying code, just like reciting an English text. As long as he mastered the logic and grammar, it might not be impossible to memorize hundreds of lines in one night.

“By the way.” Lin Xian suddenly turned around and looked at the trash can robot:

“If I bring you back 600 years ago, you won't not recognize me, right? And end up with some kind of AI rebellion or something.”

“Of course not.” The trash can robot waved its mechanical clamp:

“Have you forgotten that voice recognition and activation password? That's the most critical core, only those two things can wake me up.”

I see.

Lin Xian almost forgot about this.

He was still a little confused… where did this section of voice recognition code originate?

He clearly wasn't sure if he was vv.

Where did Zhao Yingjun get his voice from?

“Forget it, it's not an important thing.”

Lin Xian stood up from the stone:

“Then let the success or failure of history… begin to change from this moment.”

“Start memorizing code from now?” vv raised its head and looked at Lin Xian.

“No, from tomorrow, it's too late today.”

Lin Xian raised his wrist and looked at his watch.

00:41.

He raised his head, looking at the full moon rising directly overhead, looking at the black hand shadow pointing straight to the sky above:

“I'll see how long you can hide.”

Boom!!!!!!

Boom!!!!!!

Boom!!!!!!

The punctual white light incinerated everything.

In a corner of the bedroom, Lin Xian opened his eyes.

…

…

Dong, dong, dong.

The next day, near the end of the afternoon.

Lin Xian was reading a book in his office in the Rhein Building when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

He put down his *jAvA Programming Primer* and looked up.

“Director Zhao?”

Lin Xian was very surprised, this was the first time Zhao Yingjun had come to his office.

“Not bad.”

Zhao Yingjun smiled as she looked around Lin Xian's brand new office. Although the area was not as large as hers, the layout was obviously more comfortable than her workaholic style:

“Very clean, very tidy.”

Lin Xian smiled and stood up:

“What wind brought you here?”

“I come here often,” Zhao Yingjun walked over and looked at Lin Xian:

“It's just that you're usually not here. The main business of Rhein Company still relies on MX Company, and many contract and authorization matters require my signature. Sometimes I'm not at ease with them, so I come to see for myself…”

Zhao Yingjun's voice became smaller and smaller, and she touched her face:

“Is there anything stuck to my face?”

Lin Xian then noticed that his gaze at Zhao Yingjun was too direct just now. He lowered his head and smiled:

“No, it just feels like I haven't seen you for a while.”

He had a moment of trance just now.

Recalling what he saw in the dream, Zhao Yingjun constantly entering the hibernation pod, the slightly older face each time she came out, and the traces of time on the white jade statue, he felt that seeing 24-year-old Zhao Yingjun again did indeed give him a sense of dislocation.

“Look at you, we just saw each other a few days ago.”

Zhao Yingjun chuckled and walked to Lin Xian's desk, looking at the series of programming textbooks placed on his desk.

C language, C++, jAvA, Python…

“Why did you suddenly start learning this?”

“It's never too much to have skills,” Lin Xian spread his hands:

“Isn't artificial intelligence a hot field right now? I was wondering if Rhein Company should develop in this direction? Of course, I'm just trying to get a general understanding first.”

Zhao Yingjun couldn't help but smile after hearing this:

“Then your books are too basic, these are all the most basic code textbooks… But starting from scratch is not bad.”

She raised her head, thinking:

“What impressed me the most about artificial intelligence was Google's AlphaGo, the one that plays Go. At first, the top human players could still beat it by chance, but as it self-learned and updated, human Go players now have no chance of winning against AlphaGo.”

Lin Xian nodded.

AlphaGo.

Dog?

He was suddenly very curious…

Did Zhao Yingjun really have a puppy named vv? Or was that history fabricated to deceive the world?

“Speaking of dogs,” Lin Xian abruptly changed the subject:

“I like puppies very much, but because my mother has always been allergic to the fur of cats and dogs, I have never had the opportunity to raise one since I was a child. When I have the opportunity in the future, I would really like to raise one.”

Zhao Yingjun raised an eyebrow:

“You like puppies? I've never heard you say that.”

“Ah, it just came up suddenly.”

“I have a puppy,” Zhao Yingjun said casually.

Lin Xian raised his head:

“Really? What breed?”

“It's a Pomeranian, I've had it for several years.” Zhao Yingjun paused and calculated:

“My mother gave it to me when I went to study abroad, because she was afraid that I would be lonely. It's been 7 years now… It's not young for a dog.”

Lin Xian was very surprised that everything matched:

“Then… what's the name of your Pomeranian?”

“vv,” Zhao Yingjun said with a smile:

“Isn't it a strange name?”

“It's a little strange.”

“When I first got it, it had just been born and was very small. The sound it made sounded like vv, vv… I thought it was very interesting, so I named it vv.”

“But you also know that Pomeranians are famous for being grumpy, and they always like to bark loudly. They're not big in size, but they have big tempers. If you want to raise a puppy, I recommend you choose a more docile breed, it will save you a lot of trouble.”

“Pomeranians… are okay, I think they're quite cute.”

Lin Xian didn't know much about dogs, he was just probing just now.

However, he had seen Zhao Yingjun's dandelion-like Pomeranian in the projection corridor 600 years later, and it was indeed quite cute. He was telling the truth.

“I never thought you were so interested in puppies.”

Zhao Yingjun looked up at the clock on the office wall, it was already time to get off work:

“Since you like Pomeranians so much… do you want to come to my house to see it?”

Huh?

Lin Xian was a little caught off guard.

What kind of development was this?

“Is this… convenient?” Lin Xian couldn't think of how to answer for a moment.

“What's inconvenient about it?”

Zhao Yingjun smiled:

“There's no one else at home, I live alone.”

…

Just like that, inexplicably, Lin Xian got into Zhao Yingjun's car to go home.

In fact, the reason why Lin Xian didn't refuse was because he really wanted to see this puppy named vv.

He always felt a strange sense of closeness.

In the third dream world, this Pomeranian was a prominent existence.

At least in terms of chronological order.

This puppy was the earliest vv.

Lin Xian, the trash can, and the artificial intelligence might all be counterfeits.

Zhao Yingjun lived on the third floor of a high-end residential area, and she entered the house directly from the underground parking lot via an elevator.

“My vv is quite fierce, it might bite people, be careful.”

“Ah, Pomeranians seem to be like that,” Lin Xian said along.

Before the elevator door opened, Lin Xian heard fierce and sharp barking.

Zhao Yingjun smiled awkwardly.

Sure enough…

The Pomeranian's temper was well-deserved, it started barking before entering the door.

Ding—

The elevator door opened.

“Woof woof woof woof! Woof woof!” A cute white Pomeranian, frowning and baring its teeth, was barking at Zhao Yingjun.

Lin Xian felt that this dog was a bit ungrateful, it had been raised for seven years, hadn't it been domesticated yet?

The Pomeranian was very small, about the size of a basketball, but the noise pollution was unbearable.

“How is it, very noisy, right?”

Zhao Yingjun smiled and walked into the house. Lin Xian also followed behind, waving his hand at the roaring Pomeranian:

“Hello, vv.”

Something unexpected happened.

The roaring Pomeranian suddenly became quiet and stared blankly at Lin Xian.

Then…

It slowly walked over and lay on Lin Xian's leather shoes, without saying a word.

This scene stunned Zhao Yingjun.

She opened her eyes wide, looked at Lin Xian, looked at the puppy, and couldn't help but laugh:

“It really likes you, say its name again.”

Lin Xian squatted down and stroked the dandelion-like Pomeranian:

“vv?”

“V”

The Pomeranian suddenly became happy and rubbed Lin Xian's trousers with its clean fur.

“It's amazing, this is the first time it's been so well-behaved.”

Zhao Yingjun took off her coat and hung it on the hanger, then turned around and looked at the man and the dog:

“It's only the first time you've met, why is it so close to you? Have you met before?”

“Of course not,” Lin Xian said with a wry smile.

He couldn't possibly secretly come to Zhao Yingjun's house to pet the dog every day, right?

He also couldn't understand why he was so liked by this puppy.

“It seems to like you calling its name, you see, it becomes very quiet as soon as you call it,” Zhao Yingjun analyzed.

Suddenly, she had an idea and took out her mobile phone from her pocket with a smile:

“If you don't mind, would you let me take a video of you calling its name? That way, I can play it for it when it's noisy. It's annoying sometimes, barking all night, and I'm always worried that the neighbors will complain.”

“Of course,” Lin Xian replied casually.

But then.

He suddenly realized something and took a deep breath.

Historical loop.

Turning his head slightly, Zhao Yingjun was turning on the video recording function of her mobile phone, preparing to film.

Lin Xian instantly understood everything about vv, and everything *is* vv.

No matter how many vvs there were in this world, no matter how many vvs there were in various time and spaces, in the end, there was one vv that was the beginning.

And this very first vv… was the puppy Zhao Yingjun raised in front of him.

In an instant.

All the clues were connected together.

Even if he didn't come to Zhao Yingjun's house today, he would know about the existence of this puppy vv one day.

Then the subsequent events would be easily explained.

Whether it was the model of the trash can robot, the name of the central brain of Rhein Sky City, or the puppy in the photo in the projection corridor…

They were all hints that Zhao Yingjun had hidden in Sky City!

“Are you ready? I'm going to film.”

Zhao Yingjun smiled and squatted down, pressing the record button, the camera pointing towards this side.

Lin Xian came back to his senses.

Until just now, he had always been puzzled about where the voice recognition that was written into vv's program and allowed vv to recognize him came from.

It turned out…

History had completed the loop at this moment, in front of Zhao Yingjun's camera.

He looked down at the Pomeranian rubbing his trouser leg.

Gently stroking its head, he smiled slightly:

“vv…”

“Be obedient.”