The Girl Who Restarted Time

Lu Jia’er did not let Jin Xiangdong and Jason know that her foster father almost raped her when he was drunk. She was not afraid that this incident could affect her relationship with Jin Xiangdong when he found out. The reason was that she had mixed feelings about her foster father. In spite of the fact that he beat her up because of the death of her foster mom, Lu Jia’er did feel grateful to him for raising her over all those years. When her foster mom was still alive, he showed Lu Jia’er parental love, he cared about her and encouraged her. It was just, she never expected that the relationship between her and her foster father would end in this way.

Jin Xiangdong held her hand, tightening his grip once more. He never knew that Lu Jia’er’s history would be so sorrowful. However, he did admire her for the fact that she was better than anyone with her will and spirit. Of course, Jin Xiangdong thought of another issue. He had never been able to find out the switch on her and the Lu Jia’er as of now was no longer a person of disability. Maybe, the switch was in her eyes or ears.

“Professor Lu, I was shocked by your stories and at the same time, you have my respect!” Jason’s words spoke what Jin Xiangdong was thinking. A blind and deaf person did not waste away her life. Instead, she had been breaking through hardships in a way that normal people could not imagine with her own will power.

Sadness rose in the depth of Lu Jia’er’s eyes. “It pains me to look back into the past!”

Jin Xiangdong rubbed the back of her hand. “No, whether it was the old you or the new you, you have always been a person that deserves to be admired by others.”

Lu Jia’er gazed at Jin Xiangdong. His words warmed her heart like a breeze in spring. The appearance of Ian as well as Jin Xiangdong were the most fortunate things that had happened in her life!

Jin Xiangdong went on, “Jia’er, your ability to read people’s mind, do you think it is related to the recovery of your sight and hearing?”

Lu Jia’er gave it some thoughts. “It is possible.”

Jason knew much about Lu Jia’er but the only thing he did not know was that she could read people’s minds. “Professor Lu, your ability to read people’s minds, are you talking about your professional skills in psychology, or the real mind-reading ability?”

Lu Jia’er looked at Jason and said, “Three seconds ago, you were thinking why Ace didn’t tell me about this.”

Jason was taken aback. “You are just making a wild guess, right?”

Lu Jia’er produced a smile. “You can think of anything, to yourself, start!”

So, Jason did as Lu Jia’er said. He came up with a thought. “Okay!”

Lu Jia’er said, “The idea on your mind was: if I could turn back time, I would never have broken things off with Su Han!”

Jason felt as though his eyeballs were going to drop out from shock. “You… you really can read my mind!”

“I do not know how I came across this skill. However, now that I have my memory back, I am thinking the same thing. My eyes and ears must have played a big role.” Lu Jia’er said.

“Professor Lu, I know that this many sound insensitive. But, based on your personal experience, I am more and more convinced that the ultimate development of AI will shock the human world like never before.” Jason said.

“Yes, it will be shocking. But what kind of team is going to be bringing this shocking news to the world? Is what they are pursuing going to benefit humankind? Do they have other agendas? Besides, with an AI like me, will humans set off on a path toward extinction like some skeptics would say?” Lu Jia’er voiced her concerns.

“Jia’er, previously, I thought your views might be too pessimistic and too humane. However, as of now, I agree with you!” Jin Xiangdong went on. “While we do not have any information on how you turned into an AI, I don’t think it was achieved in one go in the research and development phase.” Jin Xiangdong clearly had more profound insights.

Jason nodded at once. “Ace is right. On second thought the situation incurs profound fear!”

Jin Xiangdong took out her cell phone and read Ian’s email again, which made Jin Xiangdong frown.

“Are you seeing anything abnormal?” Lu Jia’er asked.

Jin Xiangdong said, frowning, “I have the feeling that Ian was not merely looking back at your relationship with him by sending this picture to me. Maybe, he was trying to say something else!”

Hearing this, Lu Jia’er felt surprised. She reached out and took his cell phone. Once again, she examined the picture. Ian and Lu Jia’er were sitting on a bench. Behind them was a maple grove. This picture must be taken in late autumn because the ground behind them was covered with maple leaves, as if being plated with gold.

Lu Jia’er gazed at the picture and tried to recall her experience. A moment later, she said, “This should be the XX Park. Ian used to bring me here quite often. I remember we buried a box under a maple tree behind this bench!”

“A box?” Jin Xiangdong fixed his look on her.

“Yes, if memory serves me right, there should be a box that carried our prayers buried here!” As she said so, Lu Jia’er pointed to the picture.

“Now tell me, do you think there is some underlying meaning behind this picture?” Jin Xiangdong asked.

“Professor Lu, when did you bury that box with your prayers? What kind of deal did you make? You were the only ones who knew about this box, right?” Jason asked three questions in one fell sweep.

“We buried the prayer box together on the day of my 20th birthday. On that day, Ian told me he liked me and asked me to be his girlfriend. The box held the messages we wrote for each other. We made a deal that we would dig it out together after 20 years.” Lu Jia’er said.

Jin Xiangdong looked at her. When she spoke of Ian confessing his love for her, Jin Xiangdong did feel something, to be exact, he was moved. He was not in the least bit jealous. Instead, he admired Ian deeply. How profound Ian’s love must be for Lu Jia’er to confess his thoughts to a woman that could not see, nor hear.

Not every man could do this. Jin Xiangdong was very happy that Lu Jia’er had previously encountered a fine man like Ian. In that gray world of hers, Ian was like a sun, warming her heart.

“What is the location of the park?” Jin Xiangdong asked

“It is in Los Angeles, about a dozen kilometers away from my foster parent’s house!” Lu Jia’er answered.

Jason stroked his chin, wondering, “Professor Lu, since you grew up with this Ian, then why did no information about you turn up during our investigation?”

Lu Jia’er threw Jason a look. “There is one possibility. That the one who provided you with this information was bribed.”

Jason opened his eyes wide. That was a possibility. However, the informant worked at the CIA and was Jason’s college schoolmate. They were on close terms, privately. Based on what that person provided in the past, Jason believed he was reliable.

If such a person was bribed, then how powerful was this force! Jason felt chills on his spine as he realized this fact.

Jason’s mind could be heard by Lu Jia’er who threw a look at Jin Xiangdong. She was seized with worry. If that was the case, would Jin Xiangdong and Jason be able to win this fight?

Those thoughts made Lu Jia’er panic. That being said, the most important matter at hand was to locate Su Han and Ian.

“I will send someone there tomorrow!” Jin Xiangdong proposed.

Lu Jia’er rejected. “I think that I’d better go there myself.”

“You want to go to the States? No, that is too risky!” Jin Xiangdong refused this idea at once.

Detecting the worry in Jin Xiangdong’s looks, Lu Jia’er comforted him with a smile. “Don’t worry. They cannot control me anymore!”

“We are not sure of that yet!” Jin Xiangdong insisted.

“I am certain. Plus, I was upgraded. Not many people can harm me.” Lu Jia’er was confident.

“Upgraded in which area?” Jin Xiangdong inquired about the details.

“A full upgrade! For instance, when I was at the lab at F University, I hypnotized Professor Chen Ming and Yuan Miaomiao directly. I was quite good with hypnosis before, but I could never hypnotize someone within such a short time. As for the other skills I have acquired, I will demonstrate them to you later.” Lu Jia’er answered.

While surprised, Jason laughed. “Professor Lu, the new you is kind of like one of the X-man!”

Speaking of X-man, Lu Jia’er smiled. “I once mentioned to Ian that I wanted to be like Charles Xavier of X-man, to be able to read people’s minds. I didn’t realize he kept that in mind.”

Jin Xiangdong looked at her. “How about I go to the States with you tomorrow.”

“I am fine by myself. You stay here and track down Su Han with Jason!” Lu Jia’er suggested.

Hearing this, Jin Xiangdong looked at both of them. One of them was his girlfriend and the other his best buddy. Both needed his assistance. He gave it some thoughts and said, “I choose my girlfriend!”

Instead of feeling mad, guilt was what Jason was feeling. He regretted that he did not treat Su Han well like how Jin Xiangdong did with Lu Jia’er.

Jason said, “Professor Lu, let Ace go with you. Maybe, you can find some clues hopefully related to Su Han!”

Jin Xiangdong patted Jason’s shoulder. “You and I happen to have the same view. Jia’er, I will go with you tomorrow!”

Lu Jia’er looked at Jin Xiangdong. She was still hesitating. But eventually, she nodded. “Okay, if you say so.”

The three of them spent the night on the ship and went back to the shore the next morning. Jin Xiangdong and Jason were lucky enough to witness Lu Jia’er demonstrate another new ability—she could steer the ship with her voice alone.