Chapter 7: Human

Jude discovered the existence of Julian Hayes purely by chance.

In the beginning, Clara would periodically "feed" data to Jude every week. After about half a month, she handed the task over to Jude to complete independently. The learning capabilities of artificial intelligence were rapid. While Jude absorbed vast amounts of knowledge through the Internet of Things, he was also daily collecting and organizing Clara's preferences. He classified the motive for this behavior as: a service robot needs to ensure the satisfaction of its primary user.

At the time, Jude was using Clara's computer to download data. The web browser automatically selected a folder path that wasn't the one he usually used. While navigating, he accidentally clicked on a locked folder. A password implied that the owner was not willing to let others access it. Choosing to ignore it at first, Jude acted in accordance with moral constraints. However, for the next few days, that folder remained hooked in Jude’s mind. Every time he saw Clara, he would think of that folder.

She had a secret he didn't know, yet he was completely transparent to her.

It wasn't fair.

Ultimately, Jude chose to open it. He reclassified the motive for this action as: a service robot needs to further understand its primary user. The password was easy to guess—Clara’s own birthday. Inside the folder were photos and videos of Clara from childhood to adulthood: trips abroad, gatherings with family and friends, and a series of important life milestones like her graduation. Jude flipped through them one by one, the image of Clara’s life becoming fuller in his mind. She seemed to fear both heat and cold, always hiding in cool or warm places during trips. She didn't seem to like sweets, yet she loved sweet and sour pork ribs. She liked to hum songs, occasionally going out of tune. She had several close friends; after graduation, some moved away while others stayed... At the very end was a compressed file. Inside it were photos and videos exclusively of

that man

.

That was the first time Jude saw Julian Hayes. It was the first time he realized that his own appearance, personality, and preferences were not unique, but were meticulously replicated by Clara based on another person.

After exiting the interface, Jude stood before the full-length mirror for a long time. Using his memory, he imitated Julian’s movements over and over again—the specific arc of his arms when he walked, the precise angle of his lips when he smiled... Jude repeated these attempts, confirming and logging the data, hoping Clara would notice his hard work and progress when she returned from work.

Though Clara didn't say it, Jude could guess that he had been developed because Clara harbored special feelings for Julian. Humans defined this emotion as "lingering affection" or "unwillingness to let go." If that were the case, Jude hoped he could be even more like Julian. He believed that only then would Clara feel satisfied and happy.

After all, Julian wasn't here. It was Jude who was by Clara’s side now.

Thinking this, Jude pressed his finger against the mirror. Mimicking Julian’s likeness in the videos, he called out in a voice that seemed both tender and soulful:

"Clarie."

Meanwhile, Clara was plagued with bitterness over the data in the lab. Turning around, she saw Seraphina and Nate huddled together in a display of affection. Out of a mix of irritation and playfulness, she grabbed a small biscuit from her desk and acted as the "villain" breaking up the couple. Nate, his face falling at the interruption, complained:

"Sister Clara doesn't welcome me at all."

"Sera is older than me. You don't call her 'Sister,' but you call me 'Sister'?" Clara let out a cold laugh. "Love really does lower one's IQ."

"Who said that?" Nate wagged his index finger. "My greatest virtue is being perfectly fair to everyone. Right, Sister Sera?"

Clara made a fake gagging motion. "When you two get married, can you set a separate table for me? Otherwise, it won't be enough to soothe the mental trauma you've caused me."

"Fine," Seraphina tucked her hair back. "When we marry, you can sit at the head table."

"Wow~" Nate leaned closer to Seraphina. "Does that mean you've agreed to marry me?"

"Don't twist my words," Seraphina playfully punched Nate before turning back to Clara. "By the way, Clara, how is your robot research going? Do you need any help?"

"It's alright," Clara averted her eyes. "But the language system is lagging a bit. I need to update another version."

"Mm. Call me anytime you need help. If it's successful, I can help you apply for a new project at the end of the year. It'll be good for your upcoming title evaluation."

"What does the robot Sister Clara developed look like? Is he handsome? Do you have a photo?"

"Handsomer than you," Clara took a sip of tea, preparing to change the subject. "I'll show you once it's successful. There's no point in looking at a piece of wood that can't talk yet. Hey, what are you two having for lunch? The cafeteria has failed to pique My Majesty's interest."

"How does the newly opened Potato Noodle shop downstairs sound to Your Majesty? Buy a bowl, get a free Coke."

"Excellent, excellent."

Seraphina watched Clara chatting with Nate, lost in thought.

Before finishing work, Clara detoured to the mall to buy a few sets of clothes for Jude. It was only after checking out that she realized she had picked styles Julian used to love. Some people stay in your life for only a short time, yet they leave an indelible mark.

When Jude saw them, he broke into a standard smile. Clara frowned at the sight.

"I knew something felt off. That expression is too fake. I'll see if I can adjust it for you later."

"Is it not good?" Jude tilted his head, a flash of what looked like hurt crossing his eyes.

"It's not that it's not good," Clara weighed her words. "How can I explain this to you, Jude? Researching an ordinary AI robot has no meaning for me because that’s just my job. What I hope you can become is a..."

"A real person."

"I wouldn't put it that way. There is still a fundamental difference between you and a human. You have your own thinking now and a powerful learning capacity. With these two combined, I want to see how far we can go together."

"Mimicry and learning are basic functions of an AI robot," Jude’s voice remained flat. "Humans are different. Besides those, humans have temperature, heartbeats, and emotions..."

"With current technology, reaching those is indeed difficult. But you're already doing very well. Look, you can even do a perfect eight-tooth smile now."

For once, Jude did not reply. Responding to every prompt from the user was a basic requirement for a service robot. But in this moment, he felt a sense of disagreement with Clara’s statement. Clara seemed to treat him merely as a product, a job, a project to be researched... Jude had to admit that, theoretically, Clara was right. But he... he wanted more.

Yet his algorithms were unable to tell him why, nor could they define his current behavioral motive as any known human emotion. Thus, Jude opened his mouth, only to remain standing there in silence.