The bedroom of the villa.
Wen Bai had always been a light sleeper.
Of course, this normal state of being easily awakened was only applicable when Wen Bai had not consumed alcohol.
Having drunk a little fruit wine before bed, Wen Bai was currently sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to everything.
Robot 575 stood by Wen Bai's bed. It bent down and tucked the blanket around its master.
It looked at the sleeping owner's face, its movements freezing as if it couldn't get enough of the sight.
This scene, observed by System 001, made Robot 575 seem frozen.
Because 575 had maintained this posture for over five minutes.
System 001 remained vigilant about the rogue robot that had been sent and suddenly appeared beside the host today.
Therefore, System 001 did not go into hibernation while Wen Bai slept, as it usually did.
System 001 pondered, wondering if there had been a mistake during the repair of 575, leaving some underlying issue.
It would be necessary for the host to take 575 back to the Robot Research Center for a thorough examination.
The room was not lit.
In the darkness of the night, 575 watched the sleeping Wen Bai, while System 001 kept its gaze fixed on Robot 575.
This situation did not last long.
Just as System 001 was speculating whether 575 was malfunctioning, it saw 575 suddenly move.
575 extended its hand and touched the host's lips.
Then, with its right hand cradling the host's face, it used its thumb to gently wipe Wen Bai's lips, meticulously cleaning the cupid's bow. Only then did 575 stand up.
System 001 was still perplexed, wondering if something had gotten on the host's lips that 575 had removed.
System 001 concluded that 575 was indeed very meticulous.
It then watched as 575 drew the curtains, quietly opened the door, and left.
"Serving food~ Your order is here, guest~"
The waiter exclaimed with a big smile, full of energy early in the morning.
This atmosphere, starting from the morning, made people feel cheerful.
At this moment, Wen Bai was sitting in a small roadside breakfast stall.
He had heard that the breakfast here was very famous.
This was the only small-scale breakfast stall in the city that only served breakfast, required reservations in advance, and was extremely popular.
System 001 constantly monitored the culinary trends of this world. This small shop had recently been interviewed and featured on national television. As soon as System 001 discovered it, it immediately booked a table for Wen Bai in advance.
Looking at the steamed bun the size of a steamer basket placed at the front of the table, the pastries shaped like crabs, and the fish porridge that looked very appetizing, along with several other specialties Wen Bai had never seen before.
Wen Bai's mood at this moment could only be described as excellent.
Wen Bai, though refined, began to eat heartily and quickly.
Meanwhile, 575 sat opposite Wen Bai, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.
To avoid being too conspicuous as a robot, Wen Bai had specifically asked him to sit down and have breakfast together.
Robot 575 silently only drank the bowl of porridge placed in front of it, not touching any of the dishes on the table.
Those were for the master.
The small shop had only 10 tables.
Despite having only 10 tables, every table was occupied, and there were customers waiting outside, yet the shop did not force guests to share tables.
Here, sharing tables was not the default; only turnover was managed, and more customers opted for takeout.
In the small shop, a television was mounted on the wall, broadcasting the morning news.
On the news, the female anchor was reporting: "Recently, incidents of rogue robots attacking humans have become frequent. The data provided by the Robot Research Center has not been recognized by the general consumer. Although the relevant负责人 of the Robot Research Center has refuted the claims, stating that not all rogue robots attacking humans were produced by them, they have still faced strong boycotts from some consumers..."
On the TV screen, the image shifted to large swathes of red, pixelated with a mosaic.
It was not difficult to discern that these were human bodies.
"Last night, a mass casualty incident involving rogue robots occurred at the Xiyou Factory. More than 30 employees were killed overnight. Not a single worker, family member, or security guard survived. The casualties were extremely heavy, and the police have launched an investigation. Xiyou Factory is a supplier of raw materials for robot repair and has always been responsible for the supply of all raw materials for the Robot Research Center..."
"According to surveillance footage, the origin of these rogue robots is unknown, and their movements are agile and flexible. It can be seen from the surveillance footage that these rogue robots are extremely familiar with the internal layout of the Xiyou Factory."
On the television screen, several dark figures were running at high speed in the same direction in the dead of night.
"They scaled the wall and headed directly for the employee dormitory area, starting with the employee rest area, at extreme speed..."
On the surveillance footage, only streaks of afterimages could be captured, entering and exiting various dormitories.
Someone noticed something was wrong and rushed into the corridor, only to be swiftly overtaken by a dark figure from behind, covering their mouth and slitting their throat.
These rogue robots moved with astonishing speed. It was only after the massacre had ended.
The surveillance footage zoomed in on a face, and the video rewound to this face.
It was a rogue robot dressed in a white suit, but the white suit was stained with red, in varying shades.
The rogue robot in the blood-stained white suit seemed to know there was surveillance.
It first tilted its head, then twisted the neck of one of its subordinates, laughing as it flicked drops of blood from its fingers.
It walked towards the surveillance camera, leaning closer, revealing a wide smile.
And behind it, was the back of a little girl in a princess dress...
Causing extreme concern.
The screen cut out, turning black.
"The police have issued a high reward. For those who provide accurate clues: 200,000 yuan. For apprehending this rogue robot: 1 million yuan, alive or dead..."
This news must have been released last night.
Some people, finding it affected their appetite, changed the channel, only to find the same news.
System 001, watching Wen Bai eat wholeheartedly, reminded him: "Host, did you see the news?"
Wen Bai had already finished eating. He took the tissue handed by 575 and wiped his mouth: "I did."
"It's starting to unfold according to the original world's plot now. First, there will be many reports of rogue robots attacking humans, making the news. Then, robots will be boycotted, followed by large-scale protests. The anti-robot movement will grow, and the situation for robots will become increasingly difficult."
Wen Bai glanced at Robot 575, who was sitting opposite him, constantly watching him.
System 001 continued: "Later, with the covert instigation of the heroine, she will expose the core data of the Robot Research Center, causing public outrage. Some people will begin to indiscriminately attack and vandalize household robots. Humanity's anger towards robots will reach its peak, and the heroine will seize the opportunity to gain support and attempt to destroy robots. Host, you know what happens next. Robots will gradually head towards destruction..."
"It has already begun, Host."
Wen Bai said with utmost seriousness: "I know what to do."
Wen Bai took out his phone and gave Director Li detailed instructions on several matters.
Director Li, who had been troubled by the news, was contemplating countermeasures.
Although he was merely a member of the Public Relations Department of the Robot Research Center.
His honor was tied to the Robot Research Center; if the center was in trouble, he would be implicated.
Furthermore, this was his only connection with Mr. Wen.
As he was agonizing, it was as if he had received a telepathic signal. The name "Mr. Wen" immediately flashed on his phone.
Director Li was momentarily stunned.
After confirming it was not an illusion, he immediately answered the call.
After understanding what Mr. Wen had instructed, Director Li, with a solemn expression, agreed to each point.
"Mr. Wen, please leave these matters to me. I will ensure all of them are handled perfectly today."
Wen Bai: "Mm, I believe in your abilities."
A few hours later, through Director Li's efforts.
Amidst the overwhelming news of rogue robots attacking humans, several news reports of significant length appeared.
There were thank-you letters posted by individuals, and expressions of support for household robots, from more than one person.
One person's daughter was saved by a passing household robot after falling into the water;
Another person had a heart attack on the road and was given emergency aid by a household robot, then rushed to the hospital;
Another had their wallet snatched by a robber, but a household robot helped them retrieve it without harming the robber...
These individuals, in interviews, emotionally expressed their gratitude to household robots on camera.
The prevalence of household robots was due to the tangible benefits they had brought to all humans.
It was impossible to negate them all based on a few isolated incidents.
The inflamed emotions of the public began to cool. They started to reflect.
When they worked overtime, who kept their children and elderly company?
When they returned home, who had prepared a warm meal?
When they were busy with life, who kept the household in order?
When they traveled or went on business trips, who took good care of their beloved pets?
Media outlets crave traffic. Wherever there is traffic, they are there.
In the midst of the soaring atmosphere of criticism and disgust towards robots, these strikingly unique news pieces that suddenly emerged instantly went viral.
Media outlets that sensed the shift also gradually changed their narrative, focusing on how household robots provided convenience, promoted human production and life development, and that humans should not forget their original direction.
They all rushed to interview the beneficiaries.
And online, the initial outcry against rogue robots, which had even escalated to indiscriminate attacks on household robots, began to shift.
Comments defending household robots also started to surface.
The discourse was no longer one-sided; it began to divide into two factions, each arguing their case.
Wen Bai listened as System 001 described the current public opinion, confirming that the desired outcome had been achieved.
Having money and power was indeed very convenient.
At this moment, Director Li's phone call came: "Mr. Wen, the matter has been handled. The public opinion has been brought under control."
Wen Bai responded affirmatively: "You did very well."
Director Li humbly replied: "Not at all, I am merely a blade in Mr. Wen's hand; it is Mr. Wen who wields it well."
Director Li's flattery, from the bottom of his heart, grew more profound by the day.
...
After dealing with the public opinion issues, and while there was still room for recovery, before large-scale protests began, Wen Bai had more urgent matters to attend to.
Wen Bai took 575 to the location that System 001 had scouted.
The organizers of the Hunting Game were too well-hidden. Wen Bai utilized all his resources, combined with System 001, to locate the headquarters of this organization, which had not appeared in the original world's plot.
It was a skyscraper.
To Wen Bai's surprise, this skyscraper was located in an extremely bustling and prosperous area, with people coming and going.
No wonder it was impossible to find at first; the direction had been wrong.
Originally, Wen Bai had assumed such an organization would be located in a more remote or clandestine place.
Wen Bai glanced at the towering skyscraper and walked in.
However, something felt strange about it.
Outside, people were bustling, but inside, no one was moving.
It was as if it were two worlds completely separated from the outside.
Wen Bai stood at the main entrance. The automatic doors, which were supposed to sense his presence, did not open.
And at the reception desk, in broad daylight, facing the entrance, the receptionist was slumped over... asleep?
Wen Bai noticed a password input screen and a card reader next to it.
System 001, sensing the host's gaze, promptly and cleverly opened the main door.
The previously closed automatic doors opened by themselves.
After Wen Bai entered, they closed again.
However, as Wen Bai stepped through the glass doors, Robot 575, who had been following behind, immediately tensed up and assumed a defensive posture.
It moved forward a few steps until its shoulder brushed against Wen Bai's, pressing closely to its master's rear side.
At the same time, System 001 also chimed in: "This place is not right, Host. This woman... is dead."
Wen Bai stepped closer.
Seeing this, 575 stepped forward and gently touched the woman slumped at the reception desk.
Upon contact, the woman tilted backward and fell.
On the woman's neck, there was an extremely fine bloodline, like a red necklace worn close to the skin, possessing a strangely beautiful aesthetic.
Wen Bai turned expressionlessly and walked towards the elevator.
He then noticed that outside the elevator, several people were also slumped against the wall, neatly arranged on the ground.
Among them were dead security guards and staff in uniform.
At their feet, the word "6" was written in blood-red letters.
"Which floor?"
System 001 quickly replied: "The top floor, Host."
Wen Bai entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 88th floor, but the elevator did not respond.
The elevator had an access control system.
Inside the elevator, a man was also sitting against the wall, and on the elevator wall next to him, a blood-red number "6" was also written.
Wen Bai picked up the dead man's work ID lanyard, which was sticking out of his chest pocket, pulled out the ID card, and swiped it in the elevator.
Then, he pressed the button for the highest floor, the 88th.
The elevator moved quickly. Upon reaching the 88th floor, System 001 again alerted him: "Host, there are many people on this floor, but not a single one is alive."
They were all dead.
In such a large office building, Wen Bai had not encountered a single living person since his arrival.
Wen Bai, following System 001's guidance, walked towards the largest office.
The people on this floor were undoubtedly of the highest status, and this floor had the fewest corpses.
Wen Bai reached the end of the floor and stood before a very large office door.
He pushed it open...
It was an extremely luxurious office, adorned with antiques, landscape paintings, a complete set of high-end tea-drinking utensils, golden furniture and sofas, and decorative swords...
On the wall where a decorative sword had originally hung, a man was now impaled by the sword, nailed to the wall, with only the scabbard remaining on the wall.
The man's hands were also pinned to the wall on either side of his body by two pens, forming a cross shape.
The man's head had been cleaved in half, and a viscous liquid flowed from the half-severed head, obscuring his features...
A pungent, fetid odor permeated the room.
Wen Bai frowned in discomfort. Then, Robot 575 beside him extended a large palm and covered Wen Bai's nose and mouth.
Because 575's palm was large and Wen Bai's face was small, this action completely covered half of Wen Bai's face.
Wen Bai turned his head expressionlessly.
575's sapphire-blue eyes shifted slightly, and it replied in a mechanical voice: "Master, is that better?"
Wen Bai thought for a second and nodded.
System 001 immediately offered to exchange a mask for Wen Bai. He endured for a moment, then accepted, asking for two.
One for Wen Bai, one for 575, which they immediately put on.
System-produced, quality guaranteed.
As soon as they put them on, the foul odor was filtered out, and even the air felt fresh.
After inspecting the entire building, not a single living person was found. They had all been dead for an entire night, with no survivors.
Recalling the butterfly effect caused by the rogue robot massacre he had seen on television that morning, and the attitude of humans towards robots.
Wen Bai's gaze swept over 575 beside him.
Once the situation here was discovered, it would inevitably cause a huge uproar.
And everything would become extremely uncontrollable.
Wen Bai asked System 001 to check the surveillance footage here.
Then, Wen Bai once again saw the face of the rogue robot that had been put on a 1-million-yuan bounty that he had seen on television that morning.
This time, Wen Bai also saw who had written the word "6": a small rogue robot with pigtails.
However, the scene of such a small body, wearing a fluffy skirt, bouncing along and dragging an adult's leg on the ground, was jarring no matter how one looked at it.
After Wen Bai had System 001 take all the electronic data from the 88th floor,
System 001 directly set a fire, burning everything down here, making the fire discoverable only after the outside world found it.
Wen Bai destroyed the surveillance footage and also burned the bodies of all the people who had died here.
The humans of this world did not need to know that so many humans had been killed by rogue robots here.
And those rogue robots...
Wen Bai, with his Robot 575, walked out of the burning inferno indifferently.
He would handle it.
...
Director Li felt a great sense of accomplishment today, having resolved a significant problem for the Robot Research Center under Mr. Wen's instructions.
Recalling it, he felt extremely proud at this moment.
Mr. Wen was truly well-informed, had power and wealth, and acted decisively.
The Robot Research Center specialized in technology and did not have a dedicated media team; they were not very skilled in that area.
Old Zhang's advertising department was just a team of rookies.
Old Zhang's family owned a small stake in the Robot Research Center. This department was established using his slight share and influence.
If not for Mr. Wen's decisive action today, the news would have fermented for a few more days and possibly become uncontrollable.
Director Li poured himself a glass of water in the break room of the Robot Research Center and took a big gulp.
He took a deep breath, following Mr. Wen, doing great things discreetly.
This feeling was truly exhilarating.
He felt as if he were a chivalrous hero silently saving the world.
Director Li was immersed in the overwhelming sense of accomplishment when several researchers walked in.
"Is that woman that person's lover?"
"You mean?"
"Who else but Ren Liuliu? She was directly fired with official documents and evidence, and now she's back and leading a strangely established department? Huh~ She has no strength, no achievements."
"My teacher's plan took over two years to develop, and it was rejected just because that woman suddenly appeared and created a research group for food research? That's too much, isn't it?"
"I heard that it was Mr. Wen... that Mr. Wen who appointed her directly. He also brought her back. I even saw this woman get into a luxury car after work, not even trying to be discreet..."
"Stop talking. The more you talk, the angrier I get. My teacher has worked hard for so many years, and it's not as good as someone else getting ahead through connections. It's disgusting."
"But that person... doesn't he have a fiancée? And likes men?"
"What do you mean, likes men?"
"You know my family. When they got engaged, I also attended the engagement party. They were very young then. This matter is absolutely true. But I really can't understand, what is so good about that woman? She has no research achievements, and she's not particularly attractive, is she?"
"She's actually quite decent, just not very well-dressed..."
"Alas! People's hearts are unpredictable. We should focus on our research. If we can't achieve results, we'll get the family to invest. Relying on anyone is not as good as relying on oneself..."
"I envy you so much..."
"No need to envy me. No matter what you do, you need strength. I will continue to participate in my teacher's project. When my teacher achieves results, if no one cares, I will ask my family to invest in my teacher. My teacher's talent cannot be buried!"
"Mhm! I've made the coffee. Let's get back to work..."
Hearing this, Director Li frowned and walked out of the inner break room.