When an AI chip was implanted in his brain, he rose to power

Untitled Part 15 Seeing the girl again

Jason had a personal motto: if something's too hard to figure out, just don't think about it for now. After all, the weekend was approaching, and he had preparations of his own to make. Becoming a teacher for the first time had him a little excited. Sure, he'd tutored a bit before—under the "gentle pressure" of Big Fish, he'd taught his son a few tricks—but this was different. Big Fish's son was a bright kid, and unless there was a big game update, Jason's help wasn't even needed most days. He was still young, and school was demanding, so there was no rush.

As Jason waited, a car pulled up to pick him up—sent by his uncle-in-law, complete with a driver. His classmates barely even noticed. These days, with so many families well-off, being picked up in a car was no big deal.

Wanting to look professional, Jason decided to wear a pair of non-prescription glasses, hoping it'd add some "scholarly gravitas." Unbeknownst to him, though, it only made him look more baby-faced.

Jason's "aunt" lived in a two-story apartment, clearly a comfortable place. With that thought, he rang the bell.

"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"

A housekeeper opened the door, but before she could ask who he was, a well-dressed, poised woman on the sofa looked up and said, "Oh, is that you, Jason? Come in, let Auntie get a look at you!"

Jason obediently took off his shoes, smiling as he greeted her, "Hello, Auntie."

Auntie studied him for a moment, pleased. "Oh, my! No wonder your uncle keeps talking about you. Handsome as they come—though, a bit young-looking. Are you eating enough?"

Feeling a bit like a child, Jason sat beside her, replying honestly, like the "perfect nephew." Auntie was delighted.

"Guima, go upstairs and tell Tingting to come down and meet her new teacher," she called, chuckling, "our little teacher."

The housekeeper went upstairs, but after a moment, came back down alone, saying, "Ma'am, Miss Tingting says she's not feeling well and would rather not see anyone today."

"Oh, really? Well, she can't hide from family. Jason, come along, we'll go up and say hello. Poor girl's been so frail her whole life, bless her."

When they entered the study, a girl was at the desk by the window, reading. Her back was to him, but something about it seemed... familiar? Jason thought back. Could she be someone he knew from childhood? But no, his only close female friend back then had been his elementary school buddy, Xiao Yuling. He shook his head; surely it wasn't possible.

As Auntie called her name, the girl turned slightly, and Jason felt a shock run through his whole body. It was her—the girl from the photo, the one who'd captivated him for half a year!

Jason's eyes took in every detail. Her face was pale and noticeably thinner than the photo, with dark circles around her eyes giving her a frail beauty that made her all the more enchanting.

Jason barely heard a word as Auntie introduced them; his gaze remained locked on her, equal parts longing and concern filling his eyes.

Seeing his stare, the girl's cheeks turned pink, and she quickly looked down. Auntie gave Jason a playful nudge to bring him back to reality. Realizing he'd been staring, Jason's face flushed as he looked down, unsure where to put his hands.

Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Auntie smiled, feigning innocence as she said, "Well then, I'll leave you two to chat. I'll go prepare dinner—such a nice meal for our little family reunion!" She called down to have Jason's cousins join them, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.