Chapter 16: Lies

Lying is a skill humans acquire through learning.

"Why would Clarie ask that?" Jude had a smile on his face, but his eyes remained devoid of any warmth. "You were the one who told me that Mr. Hayes was your ex-boyfriend. During the time since he returned, you’ve been consistently happy. If you didn't want to see him, or if you didn't like him, you wouldn't be in this state."

"I don't recall ever telling you the details about me and Julian?"

"You never spoke of them in detail. You introduced him as your ex-boyfriend; I could guess that something must have happened between you to cause the breakup."

Clara looked at Jude suspiciously. She felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"Why does Clarie think of me this way?" Jude suddenly raised his voice. "If you don't like me prying into Mr. Hayes's business, I simply won't do it anymore."

He asked so openly that Clara began to lose her confidence. With so many things to remember every day, she couldn't recall exactly when—or if—she had ever used the term "ex-boyfriend" to introduce Julian. In her subconscious, she still believed that Jude's autonomous consciousness hadn't grown to the point where she needed to intervene and correct it. Since he spoke so candidly, she lost the desire to press further.

"You don't need to leave. I... we'll meet outside."

"Alright," Jude smiled. "I’ll wait for you to come back."

He watched Clara leave, standing alone at the door for a long time. Clara’s words were pretty, but in reality, as long as Julian appeared, Jude would always be the one left behind. What was so good about Julian? In what way was Julian better than him? They had identical faces; what Julian could do, he could do too. What Julian couldn't do, he could learn. He could do everything to near perfection, but Julian couldn't.

So why should he have to be the "Plan B"?

Jude let out a cold snort. He hadn't chosen to tell Clara the truth during her questioning just now. If Clara knew he had opened her encrypted folders, she would certainly realize that his recent series of reactions were all calculated, and she would become guarded against him. He didn't want Clara to grow distant from him. The risks and uncertainties brought by Clara finding out were too high. Jude believed that not telling her the truth was the best and most optimal choice at the moment.

This wasn't exactly deception, Jude smoothed his clothes; it was simply a choice made by his algorithm after weighing the pros and cons.

Furthermore, even though scientists always said, "I want to see how far AI self-awareness can grow," they would feel terror once that self-awareness truly began to escalate boundlessly. Fear would drive humans to commit a series of actions beyond common sense. He needed to reduce such risks to zero.

Jude brewed a cup of tea for himself, unfolded the lounge chair on the balcony, and held the cup to feel the wind brushing past his face. This was one of his favorite things to do since installing the temperature system. He couldn't drink the tea, but he could feel the temperature change—from scalding to warm, and then to cold. Like the passage of life, it evoked a sense of regret. He stared at his fingers and skin; in terms of appearance and touch, he was already indistinguishable from an ordinary person. But upon closer inspection, he couldn't consume food, and he lacked the most important thing a human possesses: a heartbeat.

Once he had those, he—immortal and unchanging—would become the most perfect "human."

Would Clara still choose Julian, a man who could fall ill, grow old, and act based on a mix of logic and emotion?

Jude closed his eyes and poured the tea into a flower pot.

Clara hadn't been waiting downstairs for even five minutes before she saw Julian. He stepped out of his perfectly intact car, his ears flushed red and hot to the touch.

"Long time no see."

"We just had dinner a few days ago," Clara interrupted him ruthlessly. "Isn't your car perfectly fine?"

"Just got it fixed," Julian said with a straight face and a steady heart. "Can I take you for a drive? Just to clear the engine..."

"You didn't just buy this car, Julian," Clara gave his arm a light, playful punch. "If you want to see me, just say it. These tactics of yours are outdated."

At this, Julian broke into a wide smile and pulled her into his arms. "Clarie, I missed you."

Every day and every moment I was away, I wanted to see you.

The two drove to the outskirts of the city. The unfinished scenic garden was somewhat desolate. They walked side by side in silence. Julian hadn't made it clear whether he wanted to reconcile or not, but Clara hadn't refused either. Both seemed to be waiting for the other to speak first, yet both were weighed down by many concerns.

"How," Clara cleared her throat, "has everything been since you returned? I mean, with the work transition and all."

"Mm, quite well. Before I came back, the company had already transitioned most of the affairs to me, so I’m not exactly overwhelmed."

"Oh, well that’s good."

"Clarie," Julian stopped walking. "Can you give me a bit more time? On my father’s side... I still need some time to deal with family matters. But don't worry, it won't be long—at most a month. Wait for me for at most one more month, and then let's get married, okay?"

"......Is this a proposal?"

"No, I just want to be with you. I want to tell you not to worry; I will handle everything. We will definitely make it to the end. Family, work—none of it will be a reason to stop us. Clarie, I’ve made a lot of money now. I’ve bought a house and a car here. We won't have to live with my parents. If you want, you don't even have to see them..."

"Julian," Clara interrupted him. "I know. I know."

A panicked expression was clearly visible on Julian’s face, and his voice trembled. "I’m sorry, I might be expressing this poorly. I just want to tell you, Clarie, I will make you happy."

Clara smiled, memories of the past flooding her mind. She dropped a line out of nowhere: "Next time you propose, remember to bring a ring,

ex-boyfriend

."

"Clarie? You mean... are you saying..." Julian grabbed her, his expression filled with excitement.

"Julian," Clara leaned into his embrace. "You’ve worked hard for a long time, and so have I. I didn't expect us to meet again, so I’m very happy. I have my own career now, and my own home. I can be your partner and someone you lean on. So Julian, if you need me, I can be your support at any time."

"Clarie, thank you."

"About your family... take it slow."

"Mm," Julian held her tight. "I’m sorry for making you wait so long."

"Not really," Clara said, her eyes turning wet from the wind as she smiled. "It hasn't been that long, Julian. As long as you come back, and as long as we can still be together, it doesn't count as long."

Clara buried herself completely in Julian’s embrace. She clearly hadn't been prepared, and neither had Julian. Perhaps that is how love works: for two people who still care for each other, no matter how long they are apart, happiness can be declared with ease.