After catching a few hours of sleep at a Richmond motel across the water from San Francisco's Waterfront City, Li Haojun and Kasiya led the convoy to arrive at the Zhimei Shenyu Technology Plaza early the next morning. Tarachi Biotech would host a new product launch event at its headquarters with this strategic partner.
凌晨在与旧金山水上城市隔岸相望的里士满汽车旅馆补了一小觉,早上起来李皓珺和凯西娅又带着车队赶路到达智梦神域科技公司广场.塔拉奇生物将与这个战略合作伙伴在它的大厦举行新品发布会.
Taraqi Bio's fleet was parked on one side of the plaza, while Li Haojun primarily worked behind the scenes in the launch hall, providing logistical support. On the stage ahead, presenters introduced new features, applications, and data comparisons. Volunteers demonstrated how perception enhancement aided daily life, work, study, training, and entertainment. The marketing atmosphere permeating the entire venue was so thick it repelled Li Haojun—for the penetration of such tech products into the mass consumer market inevitably forced the vast majority of ordinary people into this technological competition to gain an edge. Fears rooted in human weaknesses—vanity, the desire for power—could all become driving forces. Yet in this societal tide, most ordinary people would likely become mere pawns manipulated by the elite.
塔拉奇生物的车队停放在广场一边,李皓珺主要在发布大厅后台,提供物资保障.前面舞台上讲解人员介绍着新的功能,应用,和数据对比.也有志愿者当场体验感知强化对生活,工作,学习和训练,娱乐方面的帮助,整个发布会场营销气息浓重甚至让李皓珺反感,因为这类科技产品向普通人群消费市场的渗透势必使得整个社会中的绝大多数普通人不得不加入这场科技竞争来使自己获得优势.基于人性弱点缺陷的恐惧,虚荣,权力的欲望都可能成为推动力,而普通人在这样的社会潮流中多数只能成为被精英操控的对象.
The morning marketing event concluded, and we immediately set off, needing to reach Las Vegas by tomorrow morning. We headed toward the Sierra Nevada mountains along Interstate 80. It appeared to be low tide, with exposed shoals. In some sections, the original I-80 highway had been raised by adding embankments, while other stretches had been elevated into overpasses. Driving along the winding elevated road, we occasionally caught glimpses of the supporting structures ahead, now more exposed above the waterline, severely eroded by seawater.
上午的营销活动结束,马上启程,需要明早赶到拉斯维加斯.沿着I80高速公路向内华达山脉方向出发.似乎是低潮位,浅滩裸露,原来的I80高速公路有的地方在原有位置加高了路基,有的路段建成了高架路.行驶在蜿蜒的高架路上,时不时能够看到前方道路支撑结构露出水面更多些,被海水侵蚀得严重.
After passing Reno, Li Haojun and Kesiya stopped to restock supplies before continuing their journey. They switched from I-80 to Highway 95, covering half the distance by afternoon. Li Haojun was exhausted. Technicians were being used as drivers, and he wondered why this assignment had been arranged this way. Lack of sleep combined with a full stomach after lunch made him feel he really needed a break. So he asked Kasiya,
经过里诺,李皓珺和凯西娅下车补充了一些给养然后继续赶路,由I80转到95号高速公路,到下午已经走过了一半路程.李皓珺太累了,技术人员被当作驾驶员使用,他也好奇这次工作为什么会这么安排.缺乏睡眠加上饱食的午后,他觉得实在需要休息一下了,于是便问凯西娅,
"I can set up the driver assistance system. Would you like to take the wheel for a bit? Experience the joy of driving."
"我可以设置辅助驾驶,你想来替我操纵这辆车一会儿吗?体会一下驾驶乐趣,"
"Is that okay?" Kasiya asked curiously.
"可以吗?"凯西娅好奇地问,
"Of course, the auxiliary system won't intervene when it determines there's no danger," Li Haojun continued, seeing she was somewhat interested.
"当然,辅助系统在判定没有危险的时候不会介入," 李皓珺看她有些兴致便继续说,
Alright, let me walk you through it first. Oh, by the way, have you ever played driving simulators or anything like that? Or are you interested in cars or racing?
"好,我先给你讲解一下,哦对了,你以前玩过模拟驾驶之类的游戏吗?或者对汽车或者赛车感兴趣吗?"
"No, I'm not really interested in them either. Malaya, on the other hand, quite likes these."
"没有,也不是很感兴趣,玛莱雅倒是很喜欢这些,"
"It's okay, just get a feel for it—this is a dual-pedal vehicle," Li Haojun said as he gradually pressed the accelerator, then gradually applied the brakes, letting Kasiya experience the acceleration while explaining simultaneously.
"没关系,体会一下,这是双踏板的车辆,"说着,李皓珺把油门逐步踩下,然后又逐步踩下刹车,让凯西娅体会一下加速度,并且同时讲解,
This is an electric vehicle with rear-wheel drive. Although the motor delivers substantial torque, the braking torque is even greater. You can feel the deceleration when you hit the brakes.
"这是电动车,后驱的,虽然电机驱动扭矩大,但是依然是制动力矩更大,你能体会到刹车的加速度,"
Li Haojun then performed lane changes and emergency evasive maneuvers, allowing Kasiya to experience how the suspension system's compression and rebound affected the vehicle's posture, as well as the feedback characteristics of the front and rear wheels during braking and acceleration.
说着李皓珺又做了车道变换和紧急避让,让凯西娅体会一下减震系统的压缩回弹对车辆姿态的影响,以及前后轮在制动和加速下的反馈特性,
After setting up the driver-assist mode, the two switched seats. Kasiya followed Li Haojun's earlier example, taking the wheel herself to experience the vehicle's dynamics. Then Li Haojun reiterated his instructions,
然后设置好辅助驾驶,两人交换了位置,凯西娅学着李皓珺刚才的样子,自己操作体会车辆动态.然后李皓珺再次叮嘱,
Once you know where the operational limits lie, don't push them. This isn't a drill or a video game—you won't get a second chance. Always leave yourself some margin.
"你知道操作极限在哪里之后,不要去挑战它,这不是演习或者电子游戏,你没有第二次机会,所以一定要留有余地,"
"Okay, I'll remember that," Kesiya nodded in response.
"好,我记住了,"凯西娅点头回答,
However, after all that hassle, things didn't turn out as Li Haojun had hoped—he couldn't catch a break. The drowsiness he'd felt earlier had vanished, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of self-mockery. He thought to himself, "I'll have to wait until another time to take on such a long drive with Kesiya."
然而 经过这一番折腾,事情并没有如李皓珺所愿可以休息一下,刚才的困意已经过去了,不禁内心自嘲,等什么时候再和凯西娅这样长途驾驶吧.
Today was a lucky day—I reached my destination by evening, sparing me the need to drive through the night. Now I could finally get some rest. After dinner, lying in bed flipping through the news, I finally understood why this assignment was so urgent: our competitors had launched their new product at the exact same moment. Or was it just a coincidence? Li Haojun was also puzzled, since market strategy wasn't under his purview.
今天很幸运,傍晚时分已经到达了目的地,再也不用赶夜路了,可以好好休息一下.晚饭后躺在床上翻看一下新闻,才知道为什么这次任务这么急迫,因为竞争对手也在同一时刻发布新品.或者仅仅是巧合?李皓珺也有些疑惑,因为市场策略并不归他管辖.
Kesiya was showering in the stall, her silhouette faintly visible through the frosted glass as she moved, the sound of running water seeming like background music to her dance. Reflecting on the past year of affluent living, for someone who placed little value on material comforts or status, the arrival of people who captured his heart felt like fate—or perhaps deliberate design? As he pondered which direction the future might take, Li Haojun's mind was filled with uncertainty.
凯西娅正在淋浴间洗澡,透过印花玻璃可以依稀看见她的身影晃动,而那流水声似乎是伴奏她舞姿的背景音乐.回顾这一年以来的优渥生活,对于一个不太注重物质享受与权力地位的他,有一个个让他心怀牵挂的人走进他的生活,是命运还是刻意的安排?未来会朝哪个方向发展,李皓珺的内心也充满疑惑.
After a moment, Kasiya emerged from the bathroom wrapped only in a towel. She drew close to Li Haojun, and the scent of damp hair wafting from her made him recall their time in Ellensburg. There, she too had been clad only in a towel as she helped him rise from the floor—though back then, she still had long hair.
过了一会儿凯西娅从浴室中走出,只裹了一条浴巾,凑到李皓珺身旁,还能闻到她头发潮湿的气息,不禁让李皓珺想起在埃伦斯堡,她同样是身上只裹着浴巾,扶自己从地上起来,只是那时她还留着长发,
"What are you thinking about?" Kasiya asked softly as she looked at him.
"想什么呢?" 凯西娅看着他轻声问,
Perhaps it was because he'd been staring at her for so long that she asked? Or could this girl sense his thoughts at every moment? Pondering this, Li Haojun answered truthfully.
也许是自己注视她时间久了,她才这么问?还是这丫头时时刻刻都能感觉到自己在想什么吗,想到这李皓珺便如实回答,
"And your past,"
"和你的过去,"
Upon hearing this, a smile spread across Kasiya's face as she asked playfully,
凯西娅一听,笑容浮现在脸上,调皮地问,
"Which part?" she asked, smiling warmly at Li Haojun.
"哪一段啊?"说完笑眯眯地看着李皓珺,
"Ellensburg," Li Haojun said, taking her hand in one arm while wrapping the other around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"埃伦斯堡,"说着李皓珺一手拉着她的手,一手搂着她的腰,把她搂进怀里,
凯西娅也不出声,静静趴在李皓珺胸前,
"Can you really sense what I'm thinking?" Li Haojun asked curiously.
"你真的能感觉到我在想什么吗?"李皓珺好奇地问,
"Well, sometimes I can, but I'm not entirely sure."
"嗯,有时候能,就是不太确定,"
"Did you feel it just now?"
"那刚才你感觉到了吗?"
"I suppose so,"
"算是吧,"
"What does it feel like to feel someone else's feelings?" After asking the question, Li Haojun realized it sounded rather awkward.
"感觉到别人的感觉是什么样的感觉?"问完了以后李皓珺也觉得自己问得好拗口.
"It's just like the feeling you have—vague and not entirely clear, just a fleeting thought that flashes through your mind."
"就是和你一样的感觉,模模糊糊的,也不是十分确切,在头脑中一闪而过,"
"So is what you're sensing my perspective or your own?"
"那么你感觉到的是我的视角还是你的视角呢?"
"None of those. It was just that one moment, that instant."
"都不是,就是那一瞬间,那个时刻,"
"Oh," Li Haojun murmured, gently stroking her short hair and neck, wondering what kind of fate had brought her here.
"哦,"答应着,李皓珺轻抚她的短发和脖颈,不知道是什么样的缘分把她送到这里.
"How did I drive this afternoon?" Kasiya suddenly asked with interest.
"今天下午我驾驶得怎么样?"凯西娅忽然来了兴致问,
"Very good. Feels great to be in control, doesn't it?" After saying this, a neutral word flashed through Li Haojun's mind.
"很好,自己掌控方向的感觉很好吧,"说完之后李皓珺的脑中闪现过一个中性词,Alright, I thought to myself, I should use more positive words to encourage this young man.
不错,心想还是用更积极的词汇鼓励这个年轻人吧,
"Hmm,"
"嗯,"
Looking at Kasiya's cheerful, childlike face, Li Haojun couldn't help but envy her for not having to think so much, while he still hadn't taken control of the direction of his own life.
看着凯西娅开心而又稚气未脱的脸庞,李皓珺不禁内心羡慕她不用想那么多,而自己的人生道路方向,自己却仍未掌控.
After chatting for a while, Li Haojun felt his food had digested sufficiently, so he took the initiative to tell Kesiya,
闲聊片刻李皓珺觉得食物消化得差不多了,就主动跟凯西娅说,
"Let's call it a night, okay? We've got work tomorrow."
"现在休息了,好不好,明天还有工作,"
"Mm," Kasiya simply acknowledged before moving to the other side of the bed. It seemed she understood Li Haojun's feelings—she'd been utterly exhausted these past two days and just wanted to get a good night's sleep.
"嗯,"凯西娅只是答应了一声,就主动去了床的另一边,似乎她知道李皓珺的心意,这两天实在太累了,想要好好睡一觉.
In the silent night, on the comfortable bed, Li Haojun lay restless in the darkness, unable to sleep. It felt as though something was lurking in the dark corners, or perhaps the rustling sounds in the hallway outside were someone walking by. Yet Kasiya lay behind him, utterly still and silent.
寂静的夜,舒适的床,黑暗中,李皓珺却总是有些烦躁无法入睡,似乎黑暗角落中有什么在游走,又似乎室外走廊中悉悉索索声音有人走过.而凯西娅就在自己的身后,悄无声息地躺在那里.
Li Haojun turned to look in that direction, catching a glimpse of her cheek and the outline of her figure lying flat, her face turned slightly to the side. After a moment's hesitation, Li Haojun gently moved closer and placed his hand on her waist.
李皓珺翻身向那边望去,隐约看到她的面颊,身影轮廓,平躺在那里,脸稍稍偏向另一边.迟疑了一会儿,李皓珺轻轻凑过去,把手放在她的腰间.
It turned out Kasiya hadn't slept either. She took his outstretched hand with her left and pressed it against her hips, then turned her head toward Li Haojun and whispered,
原来凯西娅也没有睡,左手拉着他伸过来的手,按在自己腰胯,然后把头扭向李皓珺,细语,
Why have you never...
"你为什么从来没有把我..."
"I don't want to ruin your happiness."
"我不想破坏你的美好,"
Kesiya leaned closer to Li Haojun, burying her face in the crook of his neck. She took a deep breath before timidly asking,
凯西娅向李皓珺靠了靠,把脸埋入他的肩颈之间,深呼吸,然后唯唯诺诺地问,
"Then why did you come back?"
"那你为什么又过来了呢,"
"I want to be close to you," Li Haojun said, wrapping one arm around her waist and pressing his leg against hers to draw her body closer.
"我想亲近你,"说着,李皓珺一手搂着她的腰,一腿压着她的腿靠紧她的身体.
After a full night's sleep, they were both wide awake—not just Li Haojun, but even Kasiya's eyes sparkled as she got into the car.
一晚充足的睡眠之后,精神满满,不只是李皓珺,似乎凯西娅上车时的眼里也是闪光的.
The Las Vegas launch event was held at the local Artistry Beauty & Wellness flagship store, where the focus naturally centered on beauty, wellness, and health-related offerings. However, the Las Vegas location is more avant-garde, featuring services related to genetic repair and modification. Beyond the youth and beauty most people desire, it also offers genetic bio-enhancement programs promising "higher, faster, stronger" capabilities. These advanced services, however, are not available to the general public.
拉斯维加斯的发布会是在当地雅姿丽颜堂旗舰店举办的,这里的内容自然更多的是关于美容美体健康相关,但是拉斯维加斯店更加前卫,有基因修复与改造相关业务,除了多数人想要的年轻与美貌,更高,更快,更强之类的基因生物改造和强化项目也在列,但是不向普通公众开放.
The morning's assistance work wrapped up quickly. Upon receiving word that they could leave the supply vehicle behind and depart via public transportation, Li Haojun felt a huge weight lifted—no more tedious, time-consuming tasks. In the afternoon, Li Haojun and Kasiya walked hand in hand down the street, sweetly together. Palm tree shadows lay lazily across the ground, dappled patterns reflecting the languid afternoon hours.
一上午的协助工作很快结束,二人收到消息可以把物资车辆留在当地,乘坐公共交通工具离开,李皓珺如释重负,再也不用做那耗时耗力无聊的工作了.在午后的时光里,李皓珺和凯西娅手拉手,甜蜜地一同走在街道上,棕榈树的影子斜斜懒懒地躺在地面上,斑驳地映衬着午后的慵懒时光.