Smile Code (Lost Laughter) 失笑 - Zhu Le 祖乐

35

The world isn't as beautiful as it seems, whether it's the scenery or the human heart.

Liang Daiwen strode purposefully toward the break room, while Gu Yi stood at the emergency exit. She used to think that robots couldn't feel, and that cats could roam freely by their owner's side without worry, lazily sleeping during the day and sneaking peeks at night, scratching at the hem of their pants or rubbing their palm, testing their owner's reaction. She thought it was safe, but the owner had already guessed the cat's thoughts long before, and now the idea of hiding was on shaky ground.

She descended one floor through the emergency exit and tiptoed to a small window. Outside, a stray cat in the park was lying on its back next to a manhole cover, with no one passing by. After a while of boredom, it curled into a ball and hid in the shadow. How much does a robot really understand about a cat's thoughts? The cat, perched on the shoulder, wasn't just asking to have its head petted; it wanted to nuzzle the owner's hand until it was tired. It would bring a dirty little mouse onto the bed, wanting to share its beloved toy with the one it liked. When it was sick, it would hide its condition, only asking for help when it was too weak to hide it any longer, because it didn't want the other person to worry. Once it regained its strength, it would wait by the door for the owner to come home...

Cats, such aloof animals, don't easily open their hearts to just anyone. What I can show you is the love I can no longer hide.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, someone entered the emergency stairwell to make a phone call-it was Guan Xingxin. Her voice was different from its usual sweetness, sounding like she was frowning, and her tone was lower than usual. The voice on the other end was clear as well-it seemed to be her mother.

"I've told you, I don't want to get married right now."

"How can you not want to get married? You're almost thirty. You were blind when you were young, and that's always a disadvantage. As you get older, the amniotic fluid will start to smell, don't you know?"

"Mom, you should read more popular science. Can I hang up? I have a friend waiting for me."

"I'm not in a hurry. But Chen Mom will be. It's not just one family expecting you, it's two. Have you forgotten the house your parents bought for you? The rent is for you, and when you get married, the house will be given to you as part of your dowry. If you don't get married and have children, this house won't be yours anymore. They're waiting for you to enter a new stage of life..."

"Stop being so greedy, Mom. I don't want 'Chen Dad' and 'Chen Mom'. It's you and Dad who want that. I've already gotten enough from them-the tuition and living expenses, all generously provided. But honestly, I never really wanted to pursue this self-funded master's degree, and I don't want to keep asking you for money. Can you stop being so concerned about me?"

"I'm your mother!"

"I know. So does that mean I have to become a mother to be a qualified woman? Among the blind date candidates you've sent, those suitable factory directors, leaders, deputy section chiefs, and the tobacco bureau's son-are they really right for me? It's not about whether I'm right for them, is it? I'm the right age, I look good, I'm understanding-but I'm not that understanding, Mom..."

"You'll understand how important it is to be a good wife when you get married. Find a husband from a good family, and make him happy. All you need to do is take care of the kids, and in the rest of your time, you can do whatever you want. You won't have to suffer. Being a full-time wife is a safe, profitable job. What are you doing now? Do you know how upset Chen Mom was after that video? You're losing your value!"

"Enough, don't remind me. I have two dads, two moms, and an older brother. I have to be the obedient daughter, the gentle younger sister, the perfect child, and make everyone happy. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Can I hang up now?"