Chapter 918: Are You Joking with Me?

“What? Xu Shaochen!”

The other companions were also startled when they heard the fat man’s words.

As Xu Shaochen became more high-profile, more people knew about him, although few had actually seen him in person.

Unless someone specifically searched for his photos online, most people had only heard of him but didn’t recognize him.

Now, who didn’t know Xu Shaochen? The world’s richest man and heir to the Xu Corporation.

Seeing such a big figure here made them a bit excited.

“Damn, that’s intense. It’s one thing to have beauties accompany him while he eats, but he even has the local troops standing guard.”

“Look at those three poor unlucky guys from earlier. They only took out their guns, probably trying to scare someone, and in an instant, they got riddled with bullets.”

“What is he doing in Mexico…”

The few people discussed quietly, taking secret photos to post online and show off.

What could you compare this type of feeling to?

It’s like having a meal and bumping into Jack Ma, making you so excited you forget to pay your credit card bill, and immediately post it on social media.

When they posted those photos along with a brief description of what happened on domestic forums, the forums exploded instantly.

“Damn, today I finally see the gap between people. Even having a meal requires a fully armed military guard. That’s crazy.”

“This is too insane to believe. No wonder he’s my dad. Father, I’m your long-lost son!”

“Shut up! Do you think my brother has a son as big as you?”

“Stop trying to claim relations. Didn’t you see the corpse right next to them, while he casually chats with the beauties? This guy is hardcore.”

“No kidding. If he wasn’t ruthless, how else could he protect such a massive empire?”

Xu Shaochen knew nothing about all this. After dinner, he returned to the hotel with Nika.

He had to admit: Mexican food wasn’t to his taste. Chinese food suited him better.

Nika went to shower while Xu Shaochen sat on the sofa and called Song Shicheng.

“Hello, Mr. Xu.”

The call connected, and Song Shicheng’s respectful tone came through.

“Shicheng, I don’t have much to ask, just curious about the construction on the island. How far along is it now?”

Even though Xu Shaochen expected it to take a few more years to complete, he still wanted to hear an update.

“Mr. Xu, the project is progressing at a rapid pace. At this rate, it could even be completed by the end of the year.”

Song Shicheng spoke with a mix of admiration and resignation.

Xu Shaochen was silent for a moment, taking time to process what he heard, then replied, “Are you joking with me?”

This was a massive project. Even the so-called infrastructure experts of China would need a year or two to barely complete it.

Now you’re telling me it will be done in just a few months? This isn’t building a mall, it’s constructing an entire city!

“Mr. Xu, you should really question your own workforce. Each of them has ridiculous strength and efficiency. It’s practically criminal how fast they work, and they don’t even need to rest, working day and night!”

“Also, the construction equipment being used works several times faster than normal machines available on the market. Mr. Xu, what exactly is going on?”

Song Shicheng was more confused than Xu Shaochen. Damn, he had worked in construction and city planning all his life, and this was the first time seeing such absurd people and machinery.

He guessed that the machines must be some advanced technology developed by the Xu Corporation.

But what about the workers? How could anyone explain their inhuman abilities?

He felt the Xu Corporation’s secrets ran too deep. What else were they controlling?

“Just keep up the good work. That’s all for now.”

Xu Shaochen hung up and dialed Chen Li next.

The workers were likely all genetically modified humans, but what about the machines? Even he, as their boss, didn’t know.

“Mr. Xu.”

The call connected quickly.

“Chen Li, what’s the deal with those construction machines Song Shicheng mentioned?”

Xu Shaochen asked directly.

“Oh, that? Mr. Xu, our lab modified them. The construction speed was too slow, and the noise was affecting our research.”

“So, we figured we’d speed up the process to get the construction completed sooner.”

Chen Li explained calmly, as though it was a trivial matter.

Xu Shaochen: “…”

Big shots really are so reckless.

It was like someone saying, “The mall is too far, so let’s just build one in front of the house.”

Absolutely mind-blowing.

Xu Shaochen had long known that the research team on the island comprised the best talents. Anywhere else, nations would fight to recruit them.

But now he realized he had greatly underestimated their abilities.

“Alright, got it. Let’s end it here.”

Xu Shaochen felt exhausted; talking to big shots was tiresome.

“Wait, Mr. Xu, I have something important to tell you.”

Chen Li quickly stopped him.

“Go on.”

Xu Shaochen said.

“The second lab made a breakthrough in artificial intelligence, and the third lab also achieved significant progress in VR technology. They hope you can come in person to take a look.”

Xu Shaochen was surprised after hearing this. VR wasn’t too shocking, as the technology had gradually been improving on the market.

But artificial intelligence? That was truly astonishing.

Governments and corporations had been researching AI for decades, and after all those years, artificial intelligence still seemed more like artificial stupidity.

All its actions were pre-programmed by humans, with no real independent thought. How could that be called intelligence?

“What do you mean by artificial intelligence?” Xu Shaochen asked.

“Mr. Xu, Mr. Maca has dedicated his life to AI research. Currently, the most advanced AI in the world is the work of one of his students.”

Chen Li explained, implying that if his students were already extraordinary, Mr. Maca himself wouldn’t be far behind.

“I’ll visit before returning to China.”

After hanging up, Xu Shaochen slumped back on the sofa, completely drained. Talking to researchers was mentally exhausting.

Genetic Serums, artificial intelligence—either one could change the way humans live, yet both developments happened at the same time.

What would become of humanity?

“Forget it. No point overthinking. It’s precisely the unknown that makes life infinitely fascinating.”

Xu Shaochen shook his head, pushing all those thoughts to the back of his mind.

“I’m done washing. Would you like to take a bath, sir?”

Nika stepped out wrapped in a towel. Every graceful step she took revealed glimpses of her shapely figure. Her long, slender legs, bronzed by the sun, exuded strength.

“Come here. Every precious second of a spring night is worth a thousand gold pieces.”

Xu Shaochen said with a bold grin.

Nika giggled, walking over sensually and throwing herself into Xu Shaochen’s arms, her towel falling to the floor…