PAID FOR PLEASURE

June Mist arrived in New York City as the night fell. The plane landed amidst lightning and thunder, and the tense atmosphere among the passengers was palpable. The sound of the tires scraping against the runway was audible even through the glass and partitions.

Following the crowd, June exited the cabin, stepping into the bustling late-night airport. Travelers from all directions and the constant solicitation for accommodations filled the air.

She stood at the entrance of the terminal, sheltering from the rain, as her ride-hailing app spun, notifying her that there were few cars nearby. The city was as bright and towering as ever.

Her phone vibrated with a message from Xun Yao.

"Im off work! Did you get a ride?" Xun Yao asked.

"Not yet," June replied.

"Ill come pick you up then," Xun Yao offered.

"No need, Ill get one soon," June insisted, not wanting to trouble anyone.

Xun Yao knew her dislike for causing inconvenience and didnt press the matter, sending her the address once more and asking her to call when she arrived.

As June waited, growing impatient, her phone notified her of a new email. It was a contract, the reason for her trip to New York. A neighbor from her childhood had reached out through her father, asking for her help in negotiations with a legal matter.

The neighbor, now a tech entrepreneur named Chen Shifu, had encountered issues with a smart home AI project. Complaints poured in about the AIs performance, and Chen Shifu discovered that the materials provided by the client were at fault. Attempts to resolve the issue were met with accusations of breach of contract and demands for compensation. With no legal counsel, Chen Shifu sought help from Junes father.

The company in question, "Ours," was a rising star in the fully automated home intelligence AI market, known for its affordable prices and positive user feedback.

June had just booked the earliest flight to New York when she received an email from Chen Shifu with the contract. He had offered to pick her up, but she declined, not wanting to trouble him.

As she opened the email, a voice interrupted her.

"June Mist?"

She looked up to see a handsome, tall man with a surprised and delighted expression.

"I thought I you," Chen Zhinan said, calling out to someone outside, "I told you I didnt."

Following his gaze, June saw a black sedan parked by the curb, its double R logo gleaming. The rear window rolled down a third, revealing a man with a cold, chiseled profile. He glanced sideways, the rain and city becoming his backdrop, his eyes cold under the night rain and city lights.

Familiar yet.

June felt a moment of disorientation but quickly composed herself, averting her gaze from Hudson Rivers.

Chen Zhinan noticed her ride-hailing app still searching for a ride. "Where are you going? We can drop you off."

"No trouble," June declined, "My destination is quite remote, not on your way."

As she spoke, her app notified her that a car was nearby, arriving in a minute.

"Im leaving now," June said, spotting the taxis license plate and stepping into the rain.

The taxi, its wet surface reflecting the city and her figure. June passed the black sedan, got into the taxi without sparing a second glance at the man inside.

Arriving at Xun Yaos place was late. Xun Yao, still applying her face mask, gave her a bear hug upon seeing her.

"You finally came to New York City," Xun Yao said, "How long are you staying this time?"

"About two or three days, Ill leave after the negotiation," June replied.

Xun Yao widened her eyes in surprise, "So soon? Since youre here, you might as well stay a few more days and enjoy the city."

June smiled, neither refusing nor agreeing, "Well see how work goes."

This was Xun Yaos rented apartment, a two-bedroom, one-living room space where June stayed in the guest room. After freshening up, she opened her laptop to review the contract while Xun Yao sat on the couch, applying her skincare and glancing at Junes computer screen.

"Helping out for free again?" Xun Yao asked.

June nodded, "Theyve done us a favor before."

Xun Yao wasnt surprised, but she gasped when she saw "Ours" mentioned, "The company youre negotiating with is Ours?"

June looked at her, surprised and hesitant, "Why do you ask?"

Xun Yao slowly revealed, "Do you know whose enterprise Ours is?"

"Im not sure, but no matter whos behind it, a contract issue is still an issue," June said.

Xun Yao continued, "Its Hudson Rivers."

June paused, then smiled, "Oh."

Xun Yao looked at her nonchalant expression, "Hudson took over the family company and soon after established Ours. In just a few years, hes become a tech prodigy in New York City."

"Thats great," June said with a smile, "I wonder how their legal team is."

June finished reviewing the contract, marked the problematic sections, and closed her laptop to sleep.

The next morning, Chen Shifu sent a driver to pick her up, along with his secretary, a capable and neat woman named Zhang Xiao, who greeted June with a firm handshake, "Zhang Xiao. Ms. Mist, Ive heard a lot about you."

June reciprocated the greeting, "Hello."

The negotiation was set at Chen Shifus company. On the way, Zhang Xiao briefed June on the situation with Ours and provided a PowerPoint presentation on the AI issues.

The AI robots were designed to mimic human functions, equipped with multiple languages, capable of tutoring children and telling stories. The core feature was thermal sensing.

By inputting the conditions of elderly or children who needed care into the robots system, the AI could automatically sense their breathing and body temperature, alerting immediately in case of anomalies. If no one was home, the AIs embedded chip would automatically dial the emergency services.

It was like having a 24-hour caretaker, with a 20-year after-sales service guarantee.

"Here we are," Zhang Xiao said.

Chen Shifus company was located in New York Citys CBD, renting an entire floor. The meeting room was small, with people on both sides, forming two distinct groups. Chen Shifu stood up with a smile as he saw June.

"Little Mist, come sit," he said.

June approached, "Uncle Chen."

Seeing her respect, Chen Shifu beamed and introduced her, "This is Manager He from Ours, and these are their lawyers." He then introduced June to them, "This is June Mist."

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