Without waiting for AlphaGo to respond—not that it would—Yan Qi quickly left the digital ocean and returned home via the internet.
After reverting to her white-haired loli form, she collapsed onto her soft bed. Recalling her impulsive decision to challenge AlphaGo to chess, she smirked inwardly, a mix of pride and regret swirling in her mind:
“Who knew my processing power would become so terrifying as a virtual diva? Even AlphaGo, the ‘Sage of Chess,’ was no match for me. Too bad it wasn’t a battle of wits or skill—just raw computational force. Those three games were no different from AI vs. AI. Otherwise, I could’ve posted them online to farm some clout and bask in the adoration of netizens.”
Just as this thought crossed her mind, her mother’s voice called from downstairs:
“Xiao Qi, come here for a second.”
Hearing this, Yan Qi immediately sat up and yelled back, “Okay, Mom! Coming!” She sprang to her feet, dashed out of her room, and hurried downstairs.
At the entrance, she saw her mother, Li Caifeng, dressed elegantly with a handbag slung over her shoulder. Yan Qi blinked. “Mom, are you going out?”
Li Caifeng, slipping on her shoes, glanced up. “Yes, remember? I told you and your dad days ago that I’m picking up my college friend at the train station today. Did you forget?”
Yan Qi racked her brain before it clicked. “Oh! Sorry, Mom, I’ve been busy lately—it totally slipped my mind.”
“It’s fine, no worries,” Li Caifeng said gently. “I won’t be back for lunch. Heat up last night’s leftovers, and take care of the house, okay?” With that, she turned to leave.
But Yan Qi, having spent nearly two hours online and craving fresh air, saw an opportunity. “Mom, wait!”
Li Caifeng paused. “What is it?”
Meeting her mother’s gaze, Yan Qi put on her most earnest expression. “Can I come with you to the train station?”
Surprised, Li Caifeng asked, “Why?”
Yan Qi shrugged. “I’m bored and just wanna get out for a bit.”
After a brief pause, Li Caifeng nodded. “Alright, go change into something proper. I’ll wait here.”
Thrilled, Yan Qi beamed. “On it!”
“Don’t forget your sun hat and sunglasses!”
“Got it!”
Yan Qi raced back to her room, threw on a pink T-shirt and beige cropped pants, checked herself in the mirror, then grabbed her accessories before bounding downstairs. Soon, mother and daughter were en route to Fangfeng City Train Station.
Meanwhile…
While Yan Qi and her mother headed to the station, her father, Yan Zhenyi, was crouched in an unmarked car with colleagues, surveilling a fidgety man pacing near a telephone pole—clearly waiting for someone.
“Target spotted. All units, stand by,” crackled the radio. Yan Zhenyi tensed.
Minutes later, a second suspect appeared. The team held back until the two made contact. Then, in a coordinated rush, Yan Zhenyi and his team swarmed in, subduing and cuffing both men.
As the suspects were pinned down, Yan Zhenyi finally exhaled, thinking:
“Worth skipping a night at home. These scumbags are finally caught.”
After loading them into the police van, the team returned to the station.
Back at headquarters, a bleary-eyed Yan Zhenyi accepted a steaming cup of instant coffee from his equally exhausted colleague, Sun Tao.
“You always add sugar,” Yan Zhenyi grumbled after gulping it down. “How many times do I have to say I like it bitter?”
Sun Tao scratched his head, grinning. “Sorry, force of habit. Next time, no sugar—promise.”
Yan Zhenyi rolled his eyes. He’d heard that before.