The Mechanic [BL]

[16]

Chapter 16 – Garbage Processing Yard (2)

Adam stared at the person in front of him who was scrutinising him with azure blue eyes. Zhang Xun stood behind the man and looked at him with concern.

Adam knew that the person in front of him was the Security Advisor the Round Table had spoken of. He carefully observed the man's expression. Facial micro-expression recognition was a breeze for Adam and he could see the man's distaste for him—a composite of artificial intelligence and a human...and the fear that the other person was trying to hide something. It wasn't the first time he had seen the other person named Michael, but this person had an impulsive personality and had almost no ability to conceal his emotions. Obviously, he wasn't an important person in Lost Paradise and his threat was relatively low.

So Adam bent his mouth and gave Sistine a friendly and pure smile, "Hello."

Sistine did not smile, staring at him coldly, "How long have you been in Lost Paradise?"

"Seventeen Days, ten hours, thirty-three minutes."

Adam knew he didn't need to go into such detail, he said it this way to cater to the stereotype view that a substantial amount of Lost Paradise held.

Properly confirming the other party's stereotype could slightly reduce the other party's fear and give them a sense of "control". But this kind of catering couldn't be overdone, otherwise it would deepen the hostility.

Sistine laughed sarcastically, "How is it? Isn't it very fulfilling to see us male humans being forced to hide in these barren mountains like rats and bugs?"

Adam said, "I don't hate male humans. Your suffering doesn't give me any pleasure."

"What pleasant sounding bullshit!" Michael glared at him angrily, "Do you think men are so easy to deceive?"

Adam said, "Before having a human body, I couldn't have human-like 'emotions'. After having a human body, I didn't have any reason to hate male humans. On the contrary, I started to have a new understanding of male humans."

"New understanding? What kind of understanding?" Sistine shifted slightly, examining the humanoid computer in front of him.

"Individual differences." Adam said, his eyes turned slightly and fell on Zhang Xun, "My mechanic taught me a lot of things that I thought were irrelevant in the past. In my previous understanding, all human beings' behavioural patterns were all analysed from big data. Human beings to me were like a predictable animal community with fixed behavioural patterns. I only paid attention to things at the macro level and pushed them at the most appropriate time and place through the progression of history. But now, human beings are no longer data in my eyes, but have a more personal and specific image. I realised my narrow-mindedness."

Zhang Xun could barely judge the authenticity of this statement with his own ears. Later, he would have to confirm with Pan, who was constantly observing Adam's micro-expressions and measuring Adam's heartbeat and body temperature data, whether the other party had been lying. But Sistine was silent for a while and judging from his body language as he leaned back, he seemed to be somewhat convinced.

Indeed, when Adam said this, his eyes were focused, full of sincerity and his tone was even quite emotional. The sense of alienation from the "machine" faded away and it suddenly became more like a human being.

"You think I'll take your word for it and let my guard down?" Sistine asked.

"I don't think you will." Adam smiled, "I have a general understanding of my image in your mind and it is wise to maintain a certain hostility and vigilance towards me, I can understand."