An Offer He can't Refuse

The room in which the summit meeting was to be held was a huge auditorium capable of seating a few hundred people depending on the size of the occasion. This time it was almost full as all the leaders, ministers and other high-profile people from around the world came in one after another to attend the meeting. Excitement and discussions filled the air as all the participants made use of the time left before the meeting began to exchange views and catch up with others about the latest news.

When Feng Liwei arrived many people’s eyes landed on him but that wasn’t anything unfamiliar to him. People gawking at him every opportunity they got was nothing out of the ordinary. He looked around not so much as to look for his seat as he already knew where he was supposed to sit. Every representative from Hualong sat in the middle at the front, so that no one could ignore them. He was rather searching for a face, the face of that man he met a few minutes ago. He didn’t knew where he came from, so he had to look around in the sea of people and search for him. He was still looking when his father finally arrived taking his seat next to him.

“Is there a problem?” Feng Yiheng asked his son without turning his head.

“No, I just thought I saw someone familiar,” he replied, and finally turned his head back and waited for his father to stand up and open the meeting.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, as the representative of Hualong, I, Feng Yiheng welcome everyone present here and hope that our discussion will not end without reaching a successful conclusion,” the old man said in a voice full of pathos demanding the attention of everyone present.

As soon as Liwei’s father sat down, their minister of defence spoke up to state the first discussion point for today.

“The primary reason we are all here is the wristband device we all wear and which is already in use in many cities worldwide. I am not saying anything new when I tell you that its positive effects can already be felt. With its built-in SAI technology, it is already above the level of the capabilities of a device equipped with regular AI technology. Wearing this significantly lessens crimes, and incidents taking place and even if they do take place, with their help the perpetrators can be found within minutes, not to mention that if an accident occurs, this device significantly reduces the time for a person getting appropriate treatment, thus significantly more lives can be saved,” he said, his straight back leaning over a little above his desk.

“That is true. But we still cannot force people to wear them since it violates people’s rights to freedom,” remarked a middle-aged woman, her sharp eyes staring at the minister as if she wanted to cut him through her glasses.

“It is not enforcing if it is for the greater good. If people realise that this is in their interest, they will decide to wear it willingly,” said an American delegate feeling really clever for making such a comment.

“I believe that the way the people of Hualong took the initiative to use them first in the whole world should be enough proof for everyone that it does work,” said Feng Yiheng in a slow but determined voice making all murmurs die down. “If my word is not enough to convince you, then ask our minister of defence. He would be able to tell you a more accurate account of how this looks like in numbers, including the exact percentage by which the number of crimes decreased or the exact number of people who could be saved because they received medical assistance in time.”

“But this is only telling us that the prototype works. There is no telling that an enhanced 2.0 version will work well,” remarked a German minister.

“What? There’s a new version? Why do I only hear about this now?” asked an agitated voice that led to a loud discussion with many people disagreeing with one another.

“It is indisputable that during a test run weaknesses might be detected,” spoke Feng Liwei for the first time since the meeting started. “That is why the sole purpose of such a test run is to detect these weaknesses and find a way to eliminate them, thus providing an even better service than before. Therefore, making a new version is inevitable since there is no progress without improvement,” he said in a way that made everyone grow silent as if he had an innate talent for it just like his father.

“Now that, I agree with,” said a Spanish delegate looking more at the people sitting close to her than at the person to whom she addressed her remark. “For a long time, poverty was the greatest enemy of mankind. It seemed like there was no way out of it. No matter how hard we tried, we always failed to eliminate it. But we didn’t give up and stood together to find a solution to end it once and for all. Isn’t this just a means to eliminate another danger?”

“Maybe. But everything has disadvantages. It wouldn’t hurt knowing what we can expect in the long run,” said the German delegate in his own self-important way.

“Isn’t that obvious?” asked the Spanish woman, who previously spoke in favour of the new device. “Everyone’s location and movement will be seen by anyone who wants to look at it,” she said in a tone as if talking to a moron.

“Until people are not completely used to the presence of the device, negative feedback is bound to come one after another,” said Liwei resolutely, gaining the attention of everyone once again. “But that is only temporary. I believe that in essence, there are more advantages than disadvantages of using this invention, thus it will only take a matter of time until people realise that modern technology is not used against them, rather it exists for them.”

Fuyuki silently observed everyone around him. It’s not that he didn’t have an opinion but he thought it’s best to observe first and act later. He didn’t want to expose where he stood until he knew for sure that he had the means to act not just speak. He didn’t want to wake a sleeping lion all for nothing.

At this moment he felt the phone-like device hidden in his pocket silently vibrate signalling an incoming message. He looked around and after confirming that no one is looking since everyone was too engrossed in the discussion he took out the device to check the message. Luckily, this device was on the smaller size, so it was easy to carry it around without others noticing, unlike that device on his wrist. It was also small but quite conspicuous for all to see. That was one of the reasons why he only used that for work or less significant, everyday purposes. The other reason... Well, he made sure that his device was heavily encrypted to avoid unknown intruders, while the one on his wrist... Who knows? And he didn’t want to bet on that slight off-chance that it isn’t.

He looked around again then looked down at the screen of his device and his eyes went wide after opening the message.

Winter Breeze to Wintry Tree:

Let’s make an exchange. More information about Major Feng and his family’s weaknesses for the blueprint of the 2.0 version of the wristband device you’re wearing. Or are you still not free?

He felt like time had stopped for a minute after reading this message. He didn’t know who this person was with whom he had been in contact for the past year, and he was pretty sure that the other person also didn’t know his identity. But he was certain of one thing. No matter who this mysterious person might be, he is definitely inside this room among the people around him. But which one is him? That’s what he has to find out. And to get the blueprint of course, even if he has to cozy up to the devil himself.