Genius Playground

After all, just as Teacher Zhang Yang had said, Teacher Yan Chonghan was a prestigious professor at Dartmouth College. If Zhang Yang hadn’t gotten into a car accident and broken his leg, people like them would never have even had the chance to meet Teacher Yan.

Jiang Ran believed that.

But perhaps this was just fate. If he hadn’t met Teacher Yan, he never would have known that Dartmouth College had technology like Consciousness Upload and Digital Life, and he certainly wouldn’t have been able to tell Old Tian about it now.

So.

This was another option, another path forward.

As it happened, Teacher Yan’s project was also short on volunteers.

If Old Tian was truly willing to take the risk and give it a try, it could be a good thing for both of them.

If Old Tian wasn’t willing to risk it, that was also perfectly reasonable and understandable. It would be as if Jiang Ran had never brought it up.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Jiang Ran spoke.

”Old Tian,”

he said softly,

”In the United States, there’s a top-tier university called Dartmouth College. They have a technology there...”

Jiang Ran then explained Teacher Yan Chonghan’s project to Old Tian in full detail.

He held nothing back and showed no bias, presenting the facts with complete objectivity. He laid out all the advantages, disadvantages, difficulties, and fatal flaws of the Consciousness Upload technology.

The choice was left entirely up to Old Tian.

”Is this... Is this for real?”

Perhaps Old Tian was having some trouble grasping it all, as he listened with a stunned expression.

His reaction, however, was perfectly normal:

”The risk is too great. I don’t dare... Besides, Jiang Ran, I’ve asked experts at many hospitals, and none of them have ever heard of anything like this. Where did you hear about it?”

”From my teacher,”

Jiang Ran answered honestly.

”My teacher, Yan Chonghan, is a professor at Dartmouth College. This is the project he’s currently working on.”

Old Tian fell silent for a moment.

He slowly raised his head.

”Your teacher?”

Perhaps because his trust in Jiang Ran extended to those Jiang Ran vouched for, Old Tian’s expression grew serious.

”Xiaojiang, what do you think? Is this... treatment method actually reliable?”

”Honestly, I can’t make any guarantees,”

Jiang Ran said earnestly.

”I’m a complete amateur when it comes to scientific research, especially in a field this unfamiliar. I would never dare to make irresponsible claims.”

”How about this, Old Tian? If you want to learn more... I can act as a go-between and put you in touch with Teacher Yan.”

”You can ask him any questions you have directly. He’ll explain everything clearly.”

”But... like I just told you, this technology is far from mature and carries huge risks. You absolutely must think it over carefully before making a decision!”

Old Tian fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

As if he had made a major decision, he looked up.

”Alright. I’ll have to trouble you then, Jiang Ran.”

”What’s your phone number? I’ll give you a call. I’m free anytime during the day... and at night. Once you and Teacher Yan have arranged a time, you can call me and I’ll head right over.”

After they exchanged numbers, Jiang Ran urged him again:

”Old Tian, you have to think this through very carefully. Don’t rush into a decision. If there’s anything you’re not sure about or don’t understand, you have to talk it over with me.”

”Don’t worry.”

Old Tian nodded and managed a smile.

”This is my precious daughter we’re talking about. I would never gamble with her life. I have a feeling I most likely won’t go with the option you suggested.”

”But... it’s worth hearing him out and learning more. That way, if we ever face a real emergency, we’ll have another option.”

”In any case, no matter what, I should at least meet... this Teacher Yan.”