Chapter 753: How to Split the Cake (2)!
In the face of interests, sometimes even familial bonds can be fragile.
“Alright, when the time comes, I’ll have the old master provide specific experimental data, so I can handle some matters.” Jiang Youdao didn’t refuse Zhou Chao’s proposal. Although he was worried that Zhou Chao might have ulterior motives, these things had to be done.
“Dad, how secure is the computer at home?” Zhou Chao asked, looking at the black computer on the desk.
Jiang Youdao hesitated for a moment, not reacting immediately. “The computer at home?”
“Yeah, if it’s safe, I’ll directly send the files to your computer.”
“Oh, the computer at home is absolutely safe. The old master sometimes needs to work at home, so the computer has been specially handled. You can rest assured!” Jiang Youdao said confidently.
Zhou Chao didn’t say much more when he saw his father-in-law’s expression. He took out his phone and said softly, “Xiao Guo, check if the computer is safe. If it is, transfer the desertification data files directly to the computer!”
The phone lit up, and a cute voice sounded, “Okay, Brother Chao, I’ll check it now. Please wait…”
Jiang Youdao was completely bewildered. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Xiao Guo’s voice again, “Check complete, no abnormalities found on the computer. Beginning transfer of relevant files… Transfer complete. Do you have any further instructions?”
“No, you can rest now!” Zhou Chao gently tapped his phone after speaking.
“Okay, Brother Chao!” The screen of the phone dimmed automatically after the response.
Watching Zhou Chao’s phone, Jiang Youdao stuttered a bit and asked, “Xiao Chao, is this… is this your artificial intelligence?”
“Yeah, it’s a little gadget I researched myself!” Zhou Chao nodded with a slight smile.
“Why do I feel like your little gadget is much more advanced than any I’ve seen before?” Comparing it to a project he had visited before, the difference in intelligence alone was significant.
Although he wasn’t an expert in this field, he still had some insight, and just now it quietly entered the computer on the desk.
“Of course, Xiao Guo can be said to be the most advanced artificial intelligence in the world right now!” Zhou Chao was very proud of this aspect, which was also something he created with his own hands.
Jiang Youdao didn’t take Zhou Chao’s words to heart. Instead, he took out his own phone and made a call.
Watching his father-in-law’s actions, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but wonder if he was coveting his artificial intelligence.
The call was quickly answered, and Jiang Youdao asked, “Dad, did your phone show any abnormalities with the computer at home just now?”
“No, why? Is something wrong?” Jiang Lao’s serious voice came through the phone.
Jiang Youdao glanced at Zhou Chao, who was leisurely drinking tea, then continued, “Nothing’s wrong. Some things can’t be explained over the phone. Why don’t you come back, and that kid Zhou Chao is also back home, waiting for you!”
“Zhou Chao is back?” Jiang Lao pondered for a moment before continuing, “Alright, I’m not busy at the research institute tonight. I’ll tidy up and come back. Make sure that kid waits for me at home!”
Before Jiang Youdao could say anything, the phone was hung up.
“You should have heard that just now. The old man will be back soon. You two can have a good chat then. I’m not good at this research stuff.”
Zhou Chao nodded faintly. He wasn’t worried about Jiang Youdao or Jiang Lao taking away the technology he possessed. After all, what he possessed was beyond their imagination.
“How long are you planning to stay this time?” Jiang Youdao assessed Zhou Chao.
“I plan to stay in Jingdu with Ah Li for a while. It’s been half a year already, and I want to spend some quality time with her!” Zhou Chao’s eyes squinted as he mentioned his wife.
Hearing that Zhou Chao didn’t plan to go out, Jiang Youdao also breathed a sigh of relief silently. “You finally have some self-awareness. If you were busy for another month or two, I would have scolded you!”
“It’s just that the company had some matters to attend to. Now, they’re basically done. Even if there are any remaining tasks, I’ll have the subordinates handle them!”
Zhou Chao could sense the reproach in his father-in-law’s words.
“Alright then. Ah Li has been giving me a hard time at home lately, acting like a queen every day. It’s almost like I have to cater to her every need!”
“Hehe, sorry to trouble you!” Zhou Chao could only smile awkwardly.
After all, his daughter had married into another family, and if news got out that she was pregnant and still had to return to her maternal home, it would be embarrassing for both Zhou Chao’s and Jiang’s families.
“I’ll take Ah Li back tomorrow. It just so happens that my Third Aunt and her family are also coming to Jingdu tomorrow.”
Jiang Youdao was taken aback. “Your Third Aunt’s family is coming to Jingdu? Why didn’t you mention such an important matter earlier? We could have made some preparations!”
“What preparations? They’re family. I’ve already arranged everything. Dad, don’t worry!”
Hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Jiang Youdao became a little displeased. “What do you know? Your Third Aunt is your relative. How can you not properly arrange for her visit to your maternal home? You have no shame. Our Jiang family still cares about face!”
Listening to his father-in-law’s somewhat resentful words, Zhou Chao shook his head helplessly. “Then what do you suggest?”
“I won’t arrange the accommodation. You have more than enough space there. Tomorrow night, let’s have dinner together. I’ll arrange it. Then, we can invite both old masters over, and the three families can meet and get acquainted!”
Zhou Chao pondered for a moment. His father-in-law’s suggestion was reasonable. He realized he had been too simplistic in his thinking.
“Alright, Dad, you handle the arrangements!”
Jiang Lao returned home quite quickly, taking less than twenty minutes.
“Oh, what are you two chatting about? You seem so engrossed!” As soon as he entered the study, Jiang Lao saw Zhou Chao and Jiang Youdao deep in conversation.
“Dad / Grandpa,” both of them quickly stood up.
Jiang Lao waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for such formality. After all, they were all family.
“Youdao, was there something you needed when you called me just now?” Jiang Lao asked as he sat down on his recliner.
Jiang Youdao glanced at Zhou Chao and then proceeded to explain the whole situation in detail, even taking the opportunity to praise Zhou Chao.
Jiang Lao, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up, his eyes shining as he looked at Zhou Chao. “You’re becoming more and more mysterious. Every time we meet, you give me a surprise.”
Zhou Chao scratched his head, momentarily unsure how to respond to Jiang Lao’s words.
Jiang Lao didn’t say much more. He got up and walked over to the computer, sitting down. Seeing a file named “Desertification” on the desktop, he opened it and began reading.
Soon, Jiang Lao became engrossed in the document. Zhou Chao and Jiang Youdao exchanged a glance, then quietly tiptoed to the chairs nearby and sat down, sipping their tea in silence.
After what seemed like a while, a knock came at the study door. Only then did Jiang Lao tear his gaze away from the computer.
The study door opened, and Jiang Li walked in carrying two fruit plates. Upon seeing her, Zhou Chao quickly got up to greet her.
Taking the fruit plates, he said somewhat tenderly, “You should rest properly. Why did you personally bring the fruit plates?”
“I saw you chatting for so long, so I cut some fruit for you to refresh yourselves!” Jiang Li said with a smile.
“You…” Zhou Chao couldn’t help but gently pinch Jiang Li’s cheek.
“Ahem, can you two lovebirds pay attention to the occasion? There are still two people sitting here!” Jiang Youdao couldn’t help but speak up.
“Dad~” Jiang Li directly rolled her eyes at Jiang Youdao.
“Alright, alright, Xiao Li, you go and rest first. We still have some things to discuss with Xiao Chao, and it might take a while,” Jiang Lao intervened.
Jiang Li obediently nodded at her grandfather’s words, shyly glanced at Zhou Chao, tiptoed to give Zhou Chao a kiss, then turned and left the study.